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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 19
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Monday, April 19 at Indiana Grand, Parx Racing, and Turf Paradise, including thoughts on Turf Paradise’s $225,649 Pick 6 carryover.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: April 19, 2021
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing action, including the thrilling matchup in the Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: O Besos
To make the Kentucky Derby field, O Besos needed a top three finish in the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2). He was the only contestant to make an impact from off the pace in an eight-horse field, rallying well for third.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Soup and Sandwich
Soup and Sandwich secured a Kentucky Derby bid by holding for second in the Florida Derby (G1). The gray colt will make his fourth career start in the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Midnight Bourbon
Midnight Bourbon has never finished out of the money from seven career starts. The hard-trying colt earned points in five consecutive qualifying races prior to the Kentucky Derby, including a victory in the Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Rock Your World
Rock Your World took no prisoners in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), crushing foes wire-to-wire by a 4 1/2-length margin, and he may have the skills to carry his form forward in the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
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Kentucky Derby Context: Sainthood
Sainthood earned his way to the Kentucky Derby by finishing second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park, a newly added major qualifier on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Dynamic One
Dynamic One stamped his Kentucky Derby ticket with a head second in the Wood Memorial S. (G2) at Aqueduct.
Racing
Harness Weekly Update: Tall Prices Fall Short; Public Scores
The TwinSpires Harness Blog Weekly Update covers our results from the remaining leg of the older pacing series at Yonkers, our selected features aside from the horses-to-watch list (H2W) successes and failures.
Betting Info
Kentucky Derby Context: Known Agenda
A convincing winner of the Florida Derby (G1), Known Agenda tops an expected four-horse contingent for two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Helium
After rallying to win the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), Helium will make his second start of the year in the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Sainthood
Looking for a horse who’s bred to handle the Kentucky Derby distance, even if his pedigree isn’t particularly flashy? Look no further than Sainthood.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Soup and Sandwich
What do you get when you cross the bloodlines of the two most successful U.S. stallions of the last decade? You get Soup and Sandwich, an up-and-coming contender for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 18
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Sunday, April 18 at Aqueduct and Santa Anita, including a ticket for Santa Anita’s $197,942 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Dynamic One
One of the most expensive horses in the 2021 Kentucky Derby field is Wood Memorial (G2) runner-up Dynamic One, who brings an appropriately classy pedigree to the mix.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Highly Motivated
One year ago, many handicappers would have examined the pedigree of Highly Motivated and concluded he had little chance to win the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby (G1). But times have changed.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 17
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Saturday, April 17 at Keeneland, Oaklawn, and Santa Anita, along with thoughts on mandatory Pick 6 dispersals at Gulfstream and Mahoning.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Context: Medina Spirit
Winner of the Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) in late January, Medina Spirit exits a pair of runner-up finishes in the San Felipe S. (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Mandaloun
Mandaloun secured a Kentucky Derby berth over the winter at Fair Grounds, recording a win in the Risen Star S. (G2) and a close third in the Lecomte S. (G3) in his first two stakes appearances.
Racing
Champions clash in stellar Apple Blossom
The much-anticipated meeting of champion Monomoy Girl and reigning sophomore champ Swiss Skydiver will take place on Saturday.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Like the King
Winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), Like the King captured two of three starts on the Tapeta track at Turfway Park this winter.
Racing
Who has the best shot to win 2021 Kentucky Derby?
Which one of these 100-point prep winners has the best shot leading into the Kentucky Derby?
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Hot Rod Charlie
With a convincing win in the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), Hot Rod Charlie became a serious Kentucky Derby contender.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Context: Bourbonic
Bourbonic earned his Kentucky Derby spot in a surprising manner, recording a 72-1 upset in the Wood Memorial S. (G2) at Aqueduct on April 3.
Racing
Exotics plays for the Oaklawn Handicap
The especially well-matched field features some budding stars in the handicap division and promises to be a thrilling event.
Wagering
Keeneland Spot Plays for April 17
A 10-race Saturday card will be hosted by Keeneland on Saturday, led by the $200,000 Elkhorn S. (G2).
Racing
Racing Spotlight: Express Train, Kendrick Carmouche, Antonio Sano
Racing Spotlight is a weekly series that highlights a horse, jockey, and trainer with insightful information.
Racing
How to pick a Kentucky Derby horse if you're not a handicapper
From meaningful moniker to coat color, here are a few alternate ways to find a winning Kentucky Derby horse if you're not an expert handicapper.
Racing
Raging Bull has put himself in the fight, like Jake LaMotta
It isn't often a racehorse can — or should — be compared to a boxer. But it works for Raging Bull.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 16
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Friday, April 16 at Gulfstream Park and Keeneland, including two singles for Gulfstream’s $526,932 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover.
Racing
Which unsung Kentucky Derby winner do you identify with?
Whose now-unsung Kentucky Derby story will become your new fascination? Take this quiz and find out!
Quiz
How to bet the Doubledogdare Stakes
An excellent field of six fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland main surface in Friday’s $100,000 Doubledogdare S.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: April 16, 2021
It's Friday, and Jason is looking ahead to some of the weekend racing action, including the Monomoy Girl/Swiss Skydiver matchup in the Apple Blossom (G1).
Racing
Keeneland Track update for April 15
As we head into the last two weeks of the meet, let's check in with the shining stars!
Racing
Harness racing: Yonkers series finals set
TwinSpires Harness Blog’s selected features takes you through the weekend of racing at Yonkers, for the finals and consolations of the Matchmaker and Borgata pacing series Monday.
Racing
Queen Elizabeth's top race horses of all time
A prominent fixture on the turf since ascending the throne of the United Kingdom in 1952, Queen Elizabeth II has enjoyed tremendous success as both an owner and breeder in her seven decades as the sport's most recognizable patron. Indeed, a number of her most accomplished runners came along during the first decade or so of her long and inspiring reign.
Features
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 15
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Thursday, April 15 at Keeneland and Oaklawn Park, including a ticket for Keeneland’s $27,386 Super High Five carryover.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: April 15, 2021
It's Horseplayer Thursday, and we're happy to welcome in Jim Goodman from Keeneland to talk about the Grade One Gamble, working with horseplayers, his favorite Keeneland memories, and more!
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 14
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Wednesday, April 14 at Keeneland and Will Rogers Downs. A $53,696 non-jackpot Pick 6 carryover at Keeneland is high on the agenda.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: April 14, 2021
Jason opens the show discussing race and sequence selection when playing the races. We then welcome in Keith Asmussen to the show to talk about Super Stock's win in the Arkansas Derby.
Racing
Harness racing: Hoosier Park plays for April 14
For the April 14 program at Hoosier Park, here are some horses for selected plays that can fit in any type of wager.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 13
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Tuesday, April 13 at Mahoning Valley and Parx, including thoughts on an $8,271 Pick 6 carryover.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: April 13, 2021
Jason opens the show discussing some of the news of the day and the comings and goings on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Then he's joined by trainer Vicki Oliver to talk about Hidden Stash, waiting to see if they get in the Derby, her career as a trainer, winning a Grade 1 at Del Mar, and more!
Racing
Several "bubble" horses in good shape to make Kentucky Derby
The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby prep series is complete, but the field for the May 1 classic at Churchill Downs remains somewhat fluid.
Racing
Kentucky Derby roundup: April 12, 2021
Upsets reigned supreme in the final round of Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races. As the first Saturday in May marches closer, let’s review on the latest news and notes on the Derby trail:
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 12
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Monday, April 12, at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: April 12, 2021
Jason is looking back at the weekend of racing action, including the final round of preps for the Kentucky Derby (G1). We discuss the upset win by Super Stock in the Arkansas Derby (G1), what Concert Tour's defeat means for the Kentucky Derby, and more! We also discuss the sloppy Saturday of stakes at Keeneland.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: King Fury
There’s a reason why Lexington S. (G3) winner King Fury sold for $950,000 as a yearling: the up-and-coming colt boasts an elite pedigree unquestionably geared toward success in the spring classics.
Racing
Who is the best North American sire?
Take a look at the highlights of some of the best sires standing in North America, then let us who is best of the best.
Poll
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Super Stock
Perseverance has paid off for Super Stock, who rallied boldly to win the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) and secure a place in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
Racing
Harness Weekly Update: Northfield Bomb $81; Pace Finals Set
The TwinSpires Harness Blog Weekly Update covers our results from the remaining legs of the older pacing series at Yonkers, which took place on Mondays and Fridays, as well as our selected features and returns from our exclusive horses-to-watch list (H2W).
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 11
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Sunday, April 11 at Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, Fonner Park, and Gulfstream Park.
Wagering
The Arkansas Derby History Quiz
How much do you know about the horses, the people, and the history that makes the Arkansas Derby so special?
Quiz
Racing Spotlight: Juliet Foxtrot, Ricardo Santana Jr., Gerald Bennett
Racing Spotlight is a weekly series that highlights a horse, jockey, and trainer with insightful information to help our players be informed.
Racing
Handicapping the Cross Country Pick 5 for April 10
Saturday's Cross Country Pick 5 largely consists of stakes at Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Oaklawn Park, but kicks off with a first-level allowance for older horses at the Big A.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 10
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Saturday, April 10 at Keeneland and Oaklawn Park.
Wagering
Wide-open sequence makes early Pick 4 a must play at Oaklawn Park
The $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) is the obvious centerpiece of a huge day of racing at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.
Racing
Keeneland: Jenny Wiley Stakes value play for April 10
Six turf distaffers will vie for the Jenny Wiley S. as the feature on the Saturday card at Keeneland.
Racing
How to bet the Oaklawn Mile Stakes
A well-matched cast of nine will go postward in Saturday’s $400,000 Oaklawn Mile. Every contestant in the field has questions to answer, which makes it a very intriguing betting event.
Racing
Plotting an early Pick 4 at Keeneland for Saturday
Keeneland will play host to a fine day of racing on Saturday, with black-type races on the slate led by the Jenny Wiley S.
Racing
How to bet the Count Fleet Sprint Handicap
Champion #2 Whitmore (9-5) will aim for his fourth victory in the $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint H.
Racing
Brotherly love and sister acts: The greatest siblings on the racetrack
Siblings Day on April 10 is an occasion to celebrate our brothers and sisters. As a racing fan and pedigree aficionado, I’d like to expand on that idea and recall some of the greatest sibling acts of the turf.
Racing
Four horses to follow in the 2021 Grand National Steeplechase
After the 2020 race was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the world-famous Grand National Steeplechase is back on the calendar Saturday.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 9
J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Friday, April 9, including tickets for the Limestone Turf Sprint S. at Keeneland and horses to favor in the $50,324 Pick 5 carryover at Fonner Park.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Apr. 9, 2021
It's Friday, and we're looking ahead to some of the weekend racing action at both Keeneland and Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Riding with the Comet in Maker's Mark Mile Stakes
An especially well-matched field of nine talented turf performers will line up in Friday’s $300,000 Maker’s Mark Mile S. (G1) at Keeneland.
Racing
2021 Lexington Stakes Tipsheet
A cast of 10 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $200,000 Lexington S. (G2) at Keeneland.
Racing
2021 Arkansas Derby Tipsheet
A compact field of six sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). Find top contenders to play and some exotic bets with this final major Road to the Kentucky Derby prep-race.
Racing
Harness racing: Focus on Yonkers pacing series
Harness racing wagering preview for April 8 through April 12.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 8
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Thursday, April 8 at Keeneland and Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Hong Kong: A Happy Valley pick for April 8
Alastair Bull takes a look at race 8 on Happy Valley's midweek race card.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Apr. 8, 2021
Jason opens the show discussing some of the upcoming races this weekend including the return of Decorated Invader at Aqueduct on Saturday. For Horseplayer Thursday, Jason answers some emailer questions, discusses trifecta plays, talks about sequences with mega-favorites in the first leg, and more!
Racing
Oaklawn Park track update for April 7
This Saturday's card at Oaklawn Park features one of the most important three-year-old preps, the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby (G1).
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 7
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Wednesday, April 7 at Keeneland, Mahoning Valley, and Tampa Bay Downs.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Apr. 7, 2021
Jason opens the show discussing some of the news of the day as well as a brief look at the Keeneland Wednesday card. Then we're joined by Matt Bernier of NBC Sports and In the Money Media to get his take on the weekend of Kentucky Derby preps, doing sports betting analysis, and more!
Racing
Harness racing: Picks and plays for April 7 at Hoosier Park
Each week, Frank Cotolo employs money-management tactics to build wagers that focus on plump profits. For the April 7 program at Hoosier Park, he suggests some horses can fit in any type of wager.
Racing
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays for April 6
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Tuesday, April 6 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a trio of $10 win bets capitalizing on the Midweek Bet Back promotion.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Apr. 6, 2021
Jason discusses some of the news of the day, then he's joined by trainer Cherie Devaux, to talk about the start of the Keeneland meeting, her training career, working for Chad Brown, and much more!
Racing
Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks roundup: April 5, 2021
Our close proximity to the first Saturday in May is evident by the red-hot action on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks trails. Nine qualifying races took place last week, producing a ton of news and notes.
Racing
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays for April 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson kicks off another racing week with picks and plays for Monday, April 5, at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Apr. 5, 2021
Jason looks back at all the racing action from a huge weekend of racing from around the country. From Essential Quality's win in the Blue Grass Stakes to an upset in the Wood Memorial, Jason discusses all the big prep action as we get closer to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Bourbonic
Bourbonic’s pedigree has always indicated he would improve with maturity and thrive running 1 1/8 miles or farther. But does his pedigree contain enough speed breeding to win the Kentucky Derby?
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Rock Your World
Turf or dirt, it doesn’t seem to matter to Rock Your World, who won his first two starts on grass before emerging as a Kentucky Derby contender with a victory in the Santa Anita Derby on dirt.
Racing
Vulnerable favorites to oppose in Gulfstream's $190,967 Rainbow 6 carryover
On a competitive Sunday of racing at Gulfstream Park, a pair of favorites in the Rainbow Pick 6 sequence appear vulnerable at short prices.
Wagering
HARNESS RACING: Matchmakers Sweep; Faves Swarm
Weekly Update for Cotolo's harness racing blog betting action.
Betting Info
Two horses to single in Santa Anita's $551,699 mandatory Rainbow 6 payout
Just 20 cents. That’s right—a couple of dimes can put you in the position to win a share of $5 million this Saturday.
Wagering
Scully: Scouting stakes plays for April 3
Three major Kentucky Derby preps are included among a smorgasbord of stakes action on Saturday, and I will preview some horses of interest at Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Santa Anita.
Racing
Keeneland undercard stakes selections for April 3
A total of six graded stakes races will lead the way during a spectacular Saturday of racing during the opening weekend at Keeneland.
Racing
Santa Anita stakes plays for April 3
A six-pack of stakes contests, led by the Santa Anita Derby (G1), will headline a blockbuster Saturday of racing at The Great Race Place.
Racing
Aqueduct: Exotic plays for undercard stakes April 3
A total of five graded stakes events will top a huge card at Aqueduct on Saturday. While the Wood Memorial S. (G2) will take much of the attention, the supporting stakes events have a lot of interest to me, nearly as much as the feature does.
Racing
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays for April 2
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Friday, April 2, including three stakes at Keeneland and a $505,627 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover at Santa Anita.
Wagering
Harness racing: Hoosier Park analysis for April 3
Each week, Frank Cotolo employs money-management tactics to build harness racing wagers that focus on plump profits. For the April 3 program at Hoosier Park, he suggests some horses for selected plays that fit in any type of wager.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Apr. 2, 2021
It's Friday and we're looking ahead to one of the biggest racing weekend's of 2021 so far. Ed, James, and Scott join Jason for the weekly Jury segment to give their thoughts on the three big Kentucky Derby preps on Saturday. Jason also discusses some of the undercard races at Santa Anita and Aqueduct.
Racing
Tipsheet: Santa Anita Derby 2021
A cast of 10 sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Santa Anita main surface on Saturday in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1). The vital 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top-four finishers with qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 structure.
Racing
Tipsheet: The Wood Memorial Stakes 2021
An excellent field of nine sophomores will contest the $750,000 Wood Memorial S. (G2) at Aqueduct on Saturday. The 1 1/8-mile event will reward the top four finishers with qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 structure on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Keeneland Opening Day Spot Plays for April 2
The much-anticipated Keeneland Spring Meet will commence on Friday, April 2. Opening day features an excellent 10-race card, highlighted by a trio of stakes races including two of the graded variety. Wagering at Keeneland is always a worthwhile endeavor, especially during the initial weekend, with so many horsemen pointing their runners for a start at the picturesque Lexington, Kentucky, venue.
Racing
Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays for April 1
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson is ready to start April on a winning note with picks and plays for Thursday, April 1 at Gulfstream Park and Sam Houston.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Apr. 1, 2021
It's Horseplayer Thursday and we're always happy to welcome back Emily Gullikson from OptixEQ. Jason and Emily discuss pace dynamics, this year's Kentucky Derby trail, racing at Oaklawn, and much more! Jason also discusses some of the races coming up Saturday at Aqueduct.
Racing