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Top 10 races of 2025
Highlights have been aplenty in the racing world in 2025, so choosing the top 10 races of the year isn’t easy.
Features
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Tampa’s $63,841 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Turf Paradise, along with a horse to single in the $63,841 Pick 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Best Bets
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin the night of Dec. 31
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:30 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Meet the Contenders: Smarty Jones Stakes 2026
Meet the horses running in the 2026 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: Jerome Stakes 2026
Meet the horses running in the 2026 Jerome S. at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Smarty Jones, Jerome kick off 2026
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 123 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
Triple Crown
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Year in review: Reilly’s 10 favorite races of 2025
This personal retrospective is more about the races that endure in my memory, for reasons of circumstance or sentiment. That makes the exercise less predictable.
Features
Best of Hanson: 2025 Anthology
After a hiatus in 2024, an end-of-year compendium of my historically oriented writing is back for the year coming to a close next week.
History
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Lost in the Fog Juvenile Stakes
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 30 at Delta Downs and Turf Paradise, including an exacta in the Lost in the Fog Juvenile S.
Best Bets
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 30, 2025
Jason continues his look back at 2025, talking about the Preakness and Belmont, the summer meets, and fall Breeders' Cup preps.
Racing Podcast
How to bet the Parx Future Stars Stakes
A nice field of seven juveniles will dash seven-eighths on the Parx main strip in Tuesday’s $75,000 Future Stars S.
Wagering
Year in review: 10 of the best horses of 2025
Preference is given to horses that have shown their absolute class regularly, rather than those that only produce outstanding efforts once or twice.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Secured Freedom steps forward
Secured Freedom, a maiden winner on opening day at Santa Anita, prevailed in a manner suggesting he’s a budding 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Features
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 4-1 in the Blue Norther
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 29 at Santa Anita, including a 4-1 shot in the Blue Norther S.
Best Bets
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 29, 2025
Jason discusses opening day at Santa Anita and shares some memories from the Great Race Place.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 29, 2025
Jason looks back at some of this past weekend's races and also starts our week-long Year in Review, looking back at the first part of the year leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing Podcast
How to bet the 2025 Joe Hernandez Stakes
The about 6 1/2-furlong dash down the Hillside Turf Course features a bevy of legitimate win threats, and I feel compelled to find some value in the contest.
Wagering
Oaklawn Park: Who to single in the $10,051 Pick 6 carryover
One of the best carryovers up for grabs on Sunday can be found at Oaklawn Park, where the $1 Classix Pick 6 has tossed up a non-jackpot $10,051 prize pool.
Oaklawn Park
Knightsbridge rolled in an allowance at Aqueduct in first-time blinkers (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
How to bet the 2025 Mr. Prospector Stakes
Knightsbridge is the main player after the scratch of White Abarrio.
Wagering
Analyzing six-figure, mandatory-payout Pick 6s at Turf Paradise, Turfway Park
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to bet in a pair of six-figure, mandatory-payout Pick 6 carryovers on Saturday at Turf Paradise and Turfway Park.
Wagering
Exotics Plays for the 2025 Last Hurrah Stakes
A well-matched field of nine three-year-olds will run 1 1/8 miles over the Tapeta at Turfway Park in Saturday’s $125,000 Last Hurrah S.
Expert Picks
Pick 4 of the Week: Santa Anita Sunday, Dec. 28
An all-graded stakes sequence will close out the 11-race card during opening day at Santa Anita on Sunday.
Expert Picks
Pick 3 of the Week: Fair Grounds Saturday, Dec. 27
A three-race sequence concluding with one of the two black-type races on the Saturday card at Fair Grounds will make up the Pick 3 of the Week.
Expert Picks
The Jury, 2025 Holiday Edition: Expert Picks for Dec. 28 at Santa Anita
James Scully, Vance Hanson, Darin Zoccali, and Ashley Anderson recap recent Derby prep action and handicap the Grade 1s at Santa Anita Sunday.
Expert Picks
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Dec. 26
Racing at Sha Tin kicks off at midnight ET late Friday night, and Luke Middlebrook guides you through the 10-race card with selections and analysis.
International
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Oaklawn’s $10,594 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 26 at Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park, and Turfway Park, along with analysis of Oaklawn Park’s $10,594 Pick 6 carryover.
Oaklawn Park
Oaklawn: How to bet the 2025 Pippin Stakes Dec. 26
A cast of six fillies and mares will vie in the $150,000 Pippin S. at Oaklawn Park on Friday.
Racing
Gulfstream: How to bet the 2025 Rampart Stakes Dec. 26
A total of nine fillies and mares will go a one-turn mile at Gulfstream Park on Friday in the $125,000 Rampart S.
Wagering
Intriguing moments from the career of D. Wayne Lukas
Tidbits, trivia, and the occasional oddity related to Lukas' legendary Hall of Fame training career.
Features
Remembering Gentildonna: The ultimate clutch player
Next Sunday’s 70th running of the Arima Kinen (G1), Japan’s “All-Star” event at the end of the year, will have a special poignancy.
History
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 24, 2025
Jason talks about Wednesday's Tampa mandatory Pick 6 sequence. Kellie Reilly joins for our weekly International Radar segment and then Jason talks Santa Anita opening day.
Racing Podcast
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Parx's mandatory-payout Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 24 at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, along with a horse to single in the mandatory-payout $24,252 Pick 5 carryover at Parx Racing.
Gulfstream Park
Gulftream: How to bet the Via Borghese Stakes Dec. 24
A talented field of eight fillies and mares will run 1 3/8 miles over the Gulfstream Park turf in Wednesday’s $125,000 Via Borghese S.
Wagering
Best international racetracks to play on Christmas Day
Christmas Day is a quiet one for U.S. horse racing, with Thoroughbred and harness tracks alike taking the day off. But internationally, many racetracks are in action.
International
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Chip Honcho, Express Kid emerge
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 130 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
International
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Exactas at Delta Downs
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 23 at Delta Downs and Turf Paradise, including exactas and a trifecta.
Best Bets
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 23, 2025
Jason welcomes in his colleagues Peter Aiello, Chris Griffin, and Gabe Prewitt to talk about old announcing stories, their shared experiences at Gulfstream Park West, and much more in a special holiday roundtable.
Racing Podcast
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Four from Fair Grounds, Turfway
On Saturday at Fair Grounds, unraced two-year-old Golden Tempo debuted with an eye-catching performance, suggesting he could be any sort of talent.
Analysis
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Dec. 23
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Express Kid
Express Kid, the gate-to-wire winner of the Remington Springboard Mile S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, was purchased for only $2,000 as a yearling.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chip Honcho
Chip Honcho joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a determined win in the Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds. But his pedigree is a bit unorthodox for a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Pedigree
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Doubles and a Pick 3 at Turf Paradise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 22 at Turf Paradise, including cold double and Pick 3 wagers.
Best Bets
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 22, 2025
Jason discusses Wolfie's Dynaghost's win at Gulfstream Park and talks about track records.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 22, 2025
Jason looks back at racing action from the weekend including a big day at Fair Grounds, as well as action from Remington Park and Gulfstream.
Racing Podcast
Bets for the $750 Turfway Synthetic Championships NHC Qualifier
The Turfway Park Synthetic Championships is taking place at Turfway Park on Sunday. Four stakes worth a combined $1 million serve as the sporting highlights.
Turfway Park
Oaklawn: Analyzing the $110,127 Classix Pick 6 carryover
The $1 Classix Pick 6 at Oaklawn Park has accumulated a massive non-jackpot carryover worth $110,127 for Saturday’s card.
Turfway Park
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [Dec. 19, 2025]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Tournaments
Fair Grounds Spot Plays for Dec. 20
The four days when it hosts the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) preps are usually the highest-quality cards of Fair Grounds' winter meet.
Wagering
Pick 4 of the Week: Turfway Park Sunday, Dec. 21
Three of the four stakes races carded on the fine Turfway Park Sunday card will be in my Pick 4 of the Week.
Wagering
How to bet the Prairie Bayou Stakes
A full field of 12 will go one-mile on the Tapeta in Sunday’s $250,000 Prairie Bayou S. at Turfway Park, one of four black-type races on the fine card.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin the night of Dec. 19
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 12 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Oaklawn’s $45,113 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 19, at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, along with a horse to single in the $45,113 Pick 6 carryover at Oaklawn Park.
Oaklawn Park
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Pyromancer
Pyromancer emerged as a 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender when he brought his record to a perfect 3-for-3 in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Racecourse.
Pedigree
Pick 3 of the Week: Oaklawn Park Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025
I will take aim at the closing three-race sequence on Saturday at Oaklawn Park for the Pick 3 of the Week.
Wagering
Exotics Plays for the Florence Stakes
A full cast of 12 fillies and mares will travel 1 1/4 miles on the Tapeta in Saturday’s $125,000 Florence S. at Turfway Park.
Wagering
How to bet the Tenacious Stakes
A total of eight boys will go postward in the $100,000 Tenacious S. at Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Wagering
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Dec. 18, 2025
In the final Thursday Thoughts of the calendar year, Jason looks back at his 2025 in the racing world.
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Juveniles at Fair Grounds, Turfway
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 18 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including win bets on unraced two-year-olds.
Turfway Park
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 18, 2025
Jason is joined by Kellie Reilly for our weekly International Radar segment. Jason also discusses Colonial Downs' 2026 schedule and racing this weekend from Gulfstream and Remington Park.
Racing Podcast
Tipsheet: 2025 Gun Runner Stakes
A well-matched field of eight juvenile prospects will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Fair Grounds main surface in Saturday’s $100,000 Gun Runner S.
Wagering
How to bet the Silks Overnight Stakes
Nine sophomores will speed six panels over the Oaklawn Park dirt in Friday’s competitive $135,000 Silks Overnight S.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2025 Springboard Mile Stakes
A full field of 12 juveniles will travel eight panels on the Remington Park main oval in Saturday’s $300,000 Springboard Mile S.
Wagering
NEW: A quick guide on how to build your own Horse Racing Parlay using the TwinSpires App
Parlay betting with the TwinSpires App allows you to combine multiple races into a single bet, even if the races are not sequential on the card!
Wagering
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $41,790 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Turfway Park, including horses to bet in the $41,790 Super High 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 17, 2025
Jason welcomes in Arizona Race Track Industry student and aspiring racecaller Nathan Klein to the show to talk about the U of A, his future in racing, marketing to younger generations, and more!
Racing Podcast
Meet the Contenders: 2025 Gun Runner Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2025 Remington Springboard Mile
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Remington Springboard Mile S. at Remington Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Litmus Test makes the grade
The 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 137 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Dec. 17
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 6:30 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Tall Tales of the Track – Faith Fulfilled on Derby Day
The colt was born with a big circle of white on his forehead, his blood bay color and conformation catching his owner’s eye when he was just a weanling. Spying the excellence promised in the form of this young horse, Respess supposedly made his claim and then bent his resources to prepare his hopeful for the big race in 1909.
Kentucky Derby
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Two stakes at Zia Park
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 16 at Zia Park and Turf Paradise, including a pair of stakes.
Best Bets
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 16, 2025
Jason welcomes in Miguel Clement to talk about becoming a trainer, his history in the game, racing in Florida, and much more!
Racing Podcast
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Iron Honor impresses for Brown
For the second week in a row, the Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch rankings are topped by an exciting Chad Brown trainee.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Litmus Test
After recording top-four finishes in a trio of Grade 1 races, Litmus Test scored his first stakes win in a Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier, nabbing the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) to conclude a productive two-year-old season.
Triple Crown
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Dec. 15, 2025
Jason discusses some of the weekend cancellations and Woodbine wrapping up their season.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 15, 2025
Jason looks back at the weekend including some weather cancellations as well as racing from Los Alamitos, Aqueduct, and Fair Grounds.
Racing Podcast
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Regarding Harry at 10-1
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 15 at Zia Park and Turf Paradise, including a 10-1 shot switching from dirt to turf.
Best Bets
Oaklawn Park: Single for the $22,375 Classix Pick 6 carryover
The first two days of the Oaklawn Park meet have gone by without anyone hitting the $1 Classix Pick 6. That’s triggered a $22,375 carryover into Sunday’s card.
Oaklawn Park
Mandatory-payout carryover picks at Woodbine, Charles Town
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson analyzes lucrative carryovers at Los Alamitos, Woodbine, and Charles Town, including a trio of mandatory-payout carryovers.
Los Alamitos Race Course
2025 Hong Kong Cup: Trends, storylines, and Romantic Warrior
Romantic Warrior became the world’s all-time richest racehorse when scoring a three-peat in last year’s Hong Kong Cup (G1).
Trends
2025 Hong Kong Mile: Trends and storylines
Voyage Bubble is overshadowed by Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising, but the defending Hong Kong Mile (G1) champion has compiled a historic resume of his own.
Trends
Hong Kong International Races: Four Champs Defend Titles
Just as the Breeders’ Cup advertises itself as racing’s “World Championships,” the Hong Kong Jockey Club labels its international race day this weekend as the “Turf World Championships.”
International
How to bet the 2025 Astral Spa Overnight Stakes
The headliner on the Sunday card at Oaklawn Park is the $135,000 Astral Spa S. Run at six furlongs on the dirt, the feature attracted a good field of 10 two-year-old fillies with six coming off victories last time out.
Wagering
Betting the 2025 Ring the Bell Stakes
A hard-knocking cast of eight will speed six panels on the Oaklawn Park main oval in Saturday’s feature, the $150,000 Ring the Bell S.
Racing
Pick 3 of the Week: Turfway Park Saturday, Dec. 13
Three of the four black-type events hosted by Turfway Park on Saturday will comprise the Pick 3 of the Week.
Racing
Betting With, and Against, Weigh the Risks in the Go For Wand Stakes
A compact field of six will travel one mile on the Aqueduct main oval in Saturday’s $150,000 Go For Wand S.
Wagering
2025 Hong Kong Sprint: Trends, storylines, and Ka Ying Rising
The world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, has gone from strength to strength since notching his first Group 1 in the 2024 Hong Kong Sprint (G1).
Trends
2025 Hong Kong Vase: Trends and storylines
All four conquerors of last year’s Hong Kong International Races are back to defend their titles at Sha Tin, beginning with Giavellotto in the Hong Kong Vase (G1).
Trends
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $22,565 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 12 at Fair Grounds, Los Alamitos, and Turfway Park, including tickets for Turfway’s $22,565 Super High 5 carryover.
Los Alamitos Race Course
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin's HKIR card night of Dec. 13
First post is 11:25 p.m. ET Saturday night for a fantastic renewal of the Hong Kong International Races program at Sha Tin.
Analysis
Exotics Plays for the Champions Day Turf Stakes
A dozen Cajun-bred runners will go 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds green in Saturday’s $125,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf S.
Wagering
Pick 4 of the Week: Fair Grounds Saturday [Dec. 13, 2025]
Fair Grounds will host Louisiana Champions Day on Saturday with an exciting 12-race card.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2025 Los Alamitos Futurity
A really good cast of prospects will go postward in Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
Analysis
Meet the Contenders: 2025 Los Alamitos Futurity
Meet the horses running in the 2025 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Dec. 11, 2025
Jason gives some thoughts and memories of Hastings Race Course in Vancouver.
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 15-1 at Turfway Park
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 11 at Gulfstream Park, Fair Grounds, and Turfway Park, including a ticket for Turfway’s $7,432 Super High 5 carryover.
Fair Grounds
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 11, 2025
Jason closes out the discussion on the symposium and welcomes in Kellie Reilly for our weekly International Radar segment. Jason also discusses racing from Turfway, Fair Grounds, and more!
Racing Podcast
How to bet the Advent Stakes
The opening day feature at Oaklawn Park is the $150,000 Advent S., a six-furlong heat for juveniles. A talented and well-matched field of seven will go postward in a race that lacks a standout.
Wagering