POPULAR ARTICLES
VIDEOS
LATEST
Reflections on My Up-and-Down Derby Week Handicapping
From a handicapping and wagering perspective, Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs was a mixed bag for me.
If I’m being honest, the week got off on the wrong foot when my confident top choice for the Derby— Omaha Beach —scratched from ...
Racing
Belmont Spot Plays for May 11, 2019
Race 2 at Belmont Park on Saturday kicks off an early Pick 4.
Leg 1 is a maiden special weight dirt race going one mile for three-year-olds. Todd Pletcher looks strong in here with PRINCIPLED (#6) (5-2) , a son of Medaglia d’Oro who was a good ...
Racing
The best of Hong Kong
The 2018-2019 Hong Kong racing season is winding down. This Saturday at Sha Tin, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will run its 71st day of races, meaning that there will be only 17 days of racing left. Usually, Hong Kong runs two days a week: Wednesday nigh ...
Racing
How to Bet the 2019 Hanshin Stakes
A well-matched field of 11 will travel one mile at Arlington Park in the $100,000 Hanshin Cup Stakes (G3) on Saturday.
GITA’S LAD (#1) (10-1) – Scott Becker charge rides in on a three-race win streak in search of his first stakes win. The geld ...
Racing
Churchill Downs Pick of the Week for May 11
Saturday's ninth race at Churchill Downs is a second-level allowance for older horses, which also carries a $62,500 claiming option. The race has attracted graded stakes winners Funny Duck and Hawaakom, as well as Solomini, who was disqualified from ...
Racing
Why I'm Betting Channel Maker in the Man o' War Stakes
Three straight defeats have befallen #8 Channel Maker since he won the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) in gate-to-wire fashion at Belmont Park last fall. But perhaps a return to Belmont for Saturday’s $700,000 Man o’ War Stakes (G1) will trigg ...
Racing
ADVERTISEMENT
How to Bet the 2019 Hanshin Cup at Arlington Park
Every year the $100,000 Hanshin Cup Stakes (G3) at Arlington Park offers a great challenge for handicappers who like large, competitive fields.
Held over Arlington’s synthetic Polytrack course, the one-mile race typically attracts an unusual ...
Racing
Ward Fillies Look Competitive in Mamzelle Stakes
If there’s a trainer in North America more successful than at conditioning young turf sprinters, I don’t know who it would be.
So it should come as no surprise Ward has prepared a trio of 3-year-old fillies to contest Saturday’s $100,000 Mamzell ...
Racing
Fillies And Colts’ Sires Stakes Fields Thick With Possible Champion Competition
Hambletonian Oaks hopefuls (e) in Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) and PASS colts are loaded with eligible horses on the Trail this weekend.
The PASS for the fillies begins the parade at Philly on May 10. Four divisions lift off on the afternoon c ...
Racing
Why I'm Betting Intrepid Heart in the Peter Pan Stakes
While he’s unlikely to offer much wagering value, I would be surprised if #1 Intrepid Heart is defeated in Saturday’s $300,000 Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park .
Everything about this well-bred son of Tapit has caught my eye. Sold for ...
Racing
Sophomore All Stars Meet At Pocono; Older Pacers Push At Meadowlands; Hoosier Features Insured
Again this week we have numerous fronts to attack on both blogs. Hoosier action offers Gait Insurance this week. Get your win bet refunded if your horse breaks stride and loses. We will refund your wager if your horse breaks stride at any time during ...
Racing
When and Where to Watch the 2019 Preakness Stakes
The 144th running of the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (G1) is coming up May 18 at Pimlico , and considering the drama and controversy that surrounded the outcome of the Kentucky Derby , there’s no telling what the action in Baltimore migh ...
Racing
Keeler Johnson's Preakness Stakes Top 5
Most years you can expect the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico to be won by a tried-and-true Triple Crown contender who ran in the Kentucky Derby (G1) two weeks prior.
The stats are impressive: 31 of the last 35 Preakness winners exite ...
Racing
Which Horses Will Run in the 2019 Preakness Stakes?
Newcomers to the Triple Crown scene will likely outnumber the Derby veterans in the Preakness. Three horses have earned free berths to the Preakness by virtue of winning stakes races across the country. They are Alwaysmining , an easy winner of the ...
Racing
Hoosier Park Harness Race of the Week for May 8, 2019
Race 5 at Hoosier Park on Wednesday is a $30,000-40,000 claiming handicap for pacers going one mile. Eight will go postward in the contest and will be chasing after a $16,000 purse.
Don’t forget to get your GAIT INSURANCE before the Race of th ...
Racing
Patience Pays Off, She's a Julie Wins La Troienne
She wasn’t the favorite—three rivals started at shorter prices—but when push came to shove, She’s a Julie was indisputably the best filly in the $500,000 La Troienne Stakes (G1) on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs .
She’s a Julie is a p ...
Racing
Dick Powell's Australian Pick of the Week May 8
Race 2 at Hawkesbury (Australia A) on Wednesday night is a 1 1/8-mile maiden race. The track is expected to be "Soft-5," which is pretty neutral ground.
#9 SAVIGNE rallied for third first up off a brief rest against maiden company then came back ...
Racing
Five Takeaways from the 2019 Kentucky Derby
…except maybe for Game Winner
Although he never threatened to win, you can argue Game Winner ran just as well as Maximum Security. Compromised by bumping at the start , Game Winner trailed the field by nearly 20 lengths early on a ...
Racing
An early look at the 2019 Preakness "new shooters"
As has become more often the case in recent years, "new shooters" will outnumber Kentucky Derby (G1) participants when the field for the $1.5 million Preakness (G1) takes to the track at Pimlico on May 18.
Following the defections of Derby ...
Racing
Fillies Forge At Yonkers In New York Sires Stakes Episodes
The Hambletonian Oaks’ fields (including elims a week before the final) cannot host all of the glamour-girl trotters successfully involved in the New York Sires Stakes (NYSS) events at Yonkers on May 7 because in the three lucrative splits there are ...
Racing
2019 Kentucky Derby Horse-by-Horse Trip Notes
Maximum Security broke cleanly from the gate and won the rush to the first turn through a :22.31 quarter-mile, the ninth-fastest in Derby history. He slowed down the pace dramatically during the third quarter-mile, causing the field to bunch up not ...
Racing
Frontrunning Tactics Pays Off for Serengeti Empress in Kentucky Oaks
Serengeti Empress’s upset victory represented a masterful training job from Tom Amoss, who prepared the brilliant but inconsistent filly for a career-best effort just six weeks after she bled and was eased during the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). The Kentu ...
Racing
Mia Mischief Wins Humana Distaff with Rapid Mid-Race Move
Mia Mischief has always shown talent, but on racing’s biggest days she’s had trouble delivering on her potential.
But everything changed on Kentucky Derby Day, when Mia Mischief delivered a dominant victory in the $500,000 Humana Distaff (G1) ...
Racing
Watch Out, Roy H: Mitole Impresses in Churchill Downs Stakes
It’s safe to say the transformation of Mitole from a promising youngster into one of the nation’s leading sprinters was rendered complete during the $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs .
In the span ...
Racing
Bricks and Mortar: A Horse of the Year Candidate?
In a year when several prominent racing divisions lack standout leaders, the older turf horse Bricks and Mortar has thrown his hat in the ring for Horse of the Year consideration.
The talented 5-year-old enhanced his budding reputation with a po ...
Racing
2019 Kentucky Derby leaves series of what-might-have-beens
The wild conclusion to Saturday’s 145th Kentucky Derby (G1) typified the whole trail – plot twists that left the three-year-old picture as sloppy as the Churchill Downs track.
The disqualification of a daylight winner in Maximum Security, and ...
Racing
Circumstances of Derby DQ less satisfactory than decision itself
There was also much to be unsatisfied about in regards to who and who didn't lodge a foul claim. The connections of War of Will , the horse most immediately impacted by Maximum Security's errant ways, said Sunday that they chose not to lodge an obje ...
Racing
Dick Powell: The stewards got it right
After an interminable review by the stewards in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1) , they got it right.
It was a long and circuitous path to get there but MAXIMUM SECURITY was disqualified and placed 17th, behind LONG RANGE TODDY , and I agree ...
Racing
Meadowlands, Pocono Downs, Rosecroft and Yonkers offer solid Saturday cards
In the wake of the controversial finish and subsequent disqualification in the Kentucky Derby, harness racing fans had ample action to consume at The Meadowlands, Pocono Downs, Rosecroft Raceway and Yonkers Raceway. Then just before the midway point ...
Racing
Soph Winners Light On Prices; H-Trail Launch Favors Public; Big-Board Place Prices; $20 Score Top Win
This is the rundown for our weekend features:
Friday, May 3
At Philly in the afternoon, we scored lightly in one of two Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) for soph-colt pacers with Philly Hanover ($3.20, $2.10, $2.10 ok). The big favorite won t ...
Racing
2019 Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby Double Will Pays
The frontrunning 13-1 upset by #13 Serengeti Empress in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs has produced some eye-catching potential payoffs in the Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby Double .
Bettors who successfully picked Serengeti Empr ...
Racing
2019 Kentucky Derby Day: Scratches and an Early Pick 5 Play
Happy Kentucky Derby Day!
Conditions at Churchill Downs are officially fast and firm for the start of the 14-race Derby Day card, which kicks off at 10:30 p.m. ET. But there’s a strong chance of rain in the afternoon, so keep an eye on the weath ...
Racing
Nicole Schiveley's Kentucky Derby 2019 Analysis
The road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) usually finds me head over heels in love with one contender, and I rarely sway away. This year has been the exception. For the first time in years I have not found a standout.
This has made my job more interesti ...
Racing
How to Bet the Oaks/Turf Classic/Derby Pick 3
There are a handful of interesting multi-day bets on the agenda at Churchill Downs , each one pairing races on Kentucky Oaks Day with races on Kentucky Derby Day .
Yesterday I shared my wagering strategy for the popular Oaks/Derby Double , ...
Racing
Dettori might still be on the horse to beat in 2000 Guineas
Not only is the first leg of the U.S. Triple Crown on Saturday, but so is the English equivalent. The 2000 Guineas, over a straight mile at Newmarket for colts only, has a field of 19 at this writing. Unfortunately, the size of the field is perhaps ...
Racing
2019 Kentucky Oaks: Main Track Should Be Fast and Fair
Overnight and early morning rainfall threatened to leave Churchill Downs wet and soggy for Kentucky Oaks Day , but after watching the first seven races on the card, it seems evident the rain will have no meaningful impact on the Oaks itself. ...
Racing
How to Bet the Kentucky Oaks Pick 4
Good luck to anyone playing the stakes-packed Pick 4 ending with the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs this afternoon. It might require a big budget to hit.
The sequence is filled with deep and competitive races, starting ...
Racing
Kentucky Oaks Day: A Pick 3 Play for the Eight Belles Stakes
The graded stakes action on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs kicks off in the fifth race, the $250,000 Eight Belles Stakes (G2) for three-year-old fillies.
The seven-furlong sprint is also the first leg of a Pick 3 that includes th ...
Racing
2019 Kentucky Oaks Day: Scratches, Changes and Course Conditions
Happy Kentucky Oaks Day!
I hope you’re ready for an action-packed day of racing at Churchill Downs. The 13-race Friday card kicks off early at 10:30 a.m. ET and includes six graded stakes races. One of the topics everyone is discussing is how the ...
Racing
Thoughts on the Kentucky Oaks Day Late Pick 5
As this is being written, rain is forecast throughout Kentucky Oaks morning before tapering off in the afternoon. That doesn't mean the quick-drying Churchill surface will be anywhere close to fast by post time for the Oaks, but at least there's a ch ...
Racing
Harness action spans day and night on Saturday
While millions of thoroughbred racing fans across the country will be focused on the latest renewal of the Grade I, $3 million Kentucky Derby on Saturday evening, harness racing enthusiasts will get their fill of stakes action beginning in the aftern ...
Racing
How to Bet the 2019 Kentucky Oaks/Kentucky Derby Double
Do you think you’ve identified the most likely winners of the 2019 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs ? Then why don’t you combine your opinions and play the popular Oaks/Derby Double?
This specialty bet pairs ...
Racing
Kentucky Derby kicks off Triple Crown trail on Saturday
This coming Saturday afternoon millions of novice and serious horse racing fans alike will gather at home, race tracks or simulcast outlets to watch the 145th edition of the Grade I, $3 million Kentucky Derby, the famed "Run for the roses" known as A ...
Racing
How to Bet the 2019 Old Forester Turf Classic
Bricks and Mortar was all-out to win the March 23 Muniz Memorial Handicap (G2) at Fair Grounds by a nose, and some handicappers might view him as vulnerable off that effort. But Bricks and Mortar was conceded nine pounds to the runner-up, who waltzed ...
Racing
How to Bet the Kentucky Derby on Different Budgets
Last year’s “How to bet the Kentucky Derby on Different Budgets” was well received, so I figured I would run it back for the 2019 Run for the Roses.
After much deliberation I have landed on 2-year-old champion #16 Game Winner as my key horse an ...
Racing
Spot Plays for 2019 Kentucky Derby Day
A smashing 14-race card will take place at Churchill Downs on Saturday which is headlined by the 145th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) . As was done with the Oaks card , I have tabbed some long shot runners who figure to show improv ...
Racing
How to Bet the 2019 Kentucky Derby
Now I have to regroup, starting with a revision of my fair odds line. The biggest change involves Maximum Security. I’ve slashed his odds from 10-1 to 5-1, making him a clear-cut overlay compared to his morning-line price. My suddenly optimistic vie ...
Racing
Exclusive: Money Management for Winners by Frank Scantoni
Effective money management is crucial to long-term success. If you want to conquer the gambling world, you need to have the proper money-management skills to protect your bankroll but also help it grow year in and year out.
Education
Spot Plays for 2019 Kentucky Oaks Day
An excellent 13-race card will be hosted by Churchill Downs on Friday, led by the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) . With the expectation of a wet surface, I have tabbed a few long shot contenders who will move forward on a moisture-laden main str ...
Racing
How to Bet the Lucrative Derby Day Allowance Races
Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs is packed with high-class graded stakes races, but the 14-race card also includes four lucrative optional-claiming allowances races offering six-figure purses.
With that kind of money at stake, the rac ...
Racing
Stars Return In Lucrative Soph Sires Stakes; Harness Action Aplenty On Kentucky Derby Day; Five Tracks Offer Top Events
Though the pari-mutuels wagering world focuses on Churchill Downs and TwinSpires on the first Saturday in May for the Kentucky Derby, the event simulcast at tracks for every breed. Harness meets participating in the broadcast and wagering of the “wor ...
Racing
Dexter Cup, Lady Suffolk Open 2019 Glamour Series
May 4 marks the start of the 2019 season and this exclusive blog for three-year-old colt and filly trotters. Members of the two divisions that are eligible for the sport’s premier events—The Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks—start their campaign to ...
Racing
Radio Network How To Bet the 2019 Kentucky Derby Podcast
No Omaha Beach? No problem for Ed DeRosa and Scott Shapiro, who discuss how they're betting America's most famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
How to Bet the Quality Derby Week Maiden Races at Churchill Downs
The Kentucky Derby , Kentucky Oaks and 11 other graded stakes races are the obvious highlights at Churchill Downs this week, but racing’s future will also be on display in a series of quality maiden special weight races.
Across Friday a ...
Racing
Want to make the trainer of a horse in the Kentucky Derby think really hard?
The fourteen post saw a significant number of early trouble comments and I have to think the positioning of that outside gate – if a horse ran straight from the aux gate he’d hit the rail before the first turn – is the reason why. It’s interest ...
Racing
Final Kentucky Oaks works round-up: Notes and quotes from coast-to-coast
A total of 13 sophomore fillies put in their final major morning preparations over the past week in advance of Friday’s $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs . Grade 2 princess Positive Spirit previously drilled a bullet four pan ...
Racing
How is Keeler Johnson Playing the 2019 Kentucky Derby?
While I’m still plotting out my wagering strategy for the 2019 Kentucky Derby , I’ve essentially nailed down my overall opinions of each horse and have determined whether I’ll be using them on my tickets.
The Tuesday morning post position draw ...
Racing
Dick Powell’s Australian Pick of the Week May 1
Race 3 at Warrnambool (Australia A) on Wednesday night is a seven-furlong benchmark 78 handicap for fillies and mares. The track is expected to be “Soft-7,” so horses with wet-track form should be noted.
CASA DE LAGO (#1) (15-2) is a four-year-o ...
Racing
Hoosier Park Harness Race of the Week for May 1, 2019
RACE 7 at Hoosier Park on Wednesday attracted a field of eight for a one-mile trotting event. “The Death Star” is a conditioned race for now-winners of four and looks like a very good betting opportunity.
Don’t forget to get your GAIT INSURANCE ...
Racing
What to take away from Kentucky Derby contender works with clocker Gary Young
The special Kentucky Derby editions of Turf Talk features exclusive analysis with highly respected clocker Gary Young. Analysts Scott Shapiro and Ed DeRosa discuss with Gary how Kentucky Derby contenders look as they prepare for the First Saturday in ...
Racing
Kentucky Derby: Who’s Hot, Who's Not with Nicolle Neulist
We know who the favorites are going to be: Bellafina in the Oaks and Omaha Beach in the Derby. But maybe you don't like to bet chalk or you’re working out who to play in exotics. Either way, you’re going to want to know who’s coming into the races ho ...
Racing
What are the 2019 Kentucky Derby Odds?
Unlike last year, when I listed six horses as overlays or fair value in the Kentucky Derby , just two horses strike me as offering value this year: Omaha Beach and Maximum Security . This is partly because I hold a very positive view of Omaha Bea ...
Racing
Winners and Losers at the 2019 Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw
Who drew well and who drew poorly when post positions for the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) were assigned Tuesday morning?
Three of the 20 horses received highly favorable post positions, while three others were compromised by their assignments. W ...
Racing
Who is Running in the 2019 Kentucky Derby?
Omaha Beach was shaping up to be the favorite for the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) , even beforethe Tuesday morning post position draw at Churchill Downs , but when the talented colt drew favorably in post position #12, his status as favorite wa ...
Racing
2019 Kentucky Derby Jockey Assignments, Facts and Trends
It is often said that jockeys are unable to make horses run beyond their abilities, but the difference between victory and defeat can come down to the skills of a rider in saving ground, timing moves correctly and riding hard to the finish line.
T ...
Racing
Churchill Downs Pick of the Week for May 1
Kentucky Derby week continues Wednesday with a 10-race card at Churchill Downs, and it's the finale that appears a highly competitive wagering event.
A six-furlong, $30,000 maiden claimer for 3-year-olds and up, #6 GRAYSSHOOTINGSTAR (10-1 ) is a ...
Racing
2019 Kentucky Derby Field with odds
145TH KENTUCKY DERBY
Find more on odds for the Kentucky Derby here.
PP
HORSE
TRAINER
JOCKEY
ODDS
1
War of Will
Mark Casse
Tyler Gaffalione
20-1
2
...
Racing
$5,000 in Let 8 Ride cash up for grabs beginning Tuesday of Kentucky Derby week
Are you ready to Let 8 Ride this Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs?
TwinSpires.com is offering players an opportunity to split $5,000 beginning with Tuesday's racing at the Downs. Opt in and place an $8 Win bet in Race 8 on Tuesday (bet a ...
Racing
Which Horses Should You Bet in the 2019 Kentucky Derby?
We’re less than 24 hours away from the 2019 Kentucky Derby post position draw, but with the field essentially set, it isn’t too early to start pondering betting strategies.
But which horses should you bet on the first Saturday in May? That d ...
Racing
How to Bet the 2019 Kentucky Oaks
Since the Santa Anita Oaks, Flor de La Mar has come back to post two sharp workouts, including a bullet five furlongs from the Santa Anita starting gate in :59 4/5 April 26. That’s an impressive time over the slow track at Santa Anita. Overall I fee ...
Racing
What Are the 2019 Kentucky Oaks Odds?
On a quiet Monday morning, entries for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) were finalized during the much-anticipated post position draw at Churchill Downs .
The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies carries a purse of $1.25 million and is scheduled to b ...
Racing
Which Horses Should You Avoid Betting in the Kentucky Derby?
When it comes to handicapping the Kentucky Derby and playing complex wagers like the trifecta and superfecta , eliminating horses from consideration is often just as helpful as identifying the horses you like.
Simply qualifying to the D ...
Racing
When and Where to Watch the 2019 Kentucky Derby
By now, you’re probably aware that there’s a pretty big horse race coming up May 4 in Louisville, Kentucky.
The must-see event is the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) , a 1 1/4-mile race at Churchill Downs that pits the best 3-year-ol ...
Racing
Final Kentucky Derby works round-up: notes and quotes from coast to coast
Game Winner, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) champion at Churchill, took to the Santa Anita track after the 7:45 a.m. break and strode relentlessly through seven furlongs in 1:27.
“Game Winner looked awesome; it was perfect,” Baffert s ...
Racing
Keeler Johnson's Kentucky Derby Top 10: The Final Rankings
Spinoff (#10 last week)
Spinoff’s final pre-Derby workout was comprised of a casual five furlongs in 1:00.77 at Palm Beach Downs, but the truth is that he galloped-out strongly past the finish line for another quarter-mile, matchin ...
Racing
2019 Kentucky Oaks Field with odds
145TH KENTUCKY OAKS
PP
HORSE
TRAINER
JOCKEY
ODDS
1
Out for a Spin
Dallas Stewart
Irad Ortiz Jr.
15-1
2
Chocolate Kisses
Mark Casse
Julien Le ...
Racing
Harrah's Philadelphia, Rosecroft, Pocono Downs, Pompano Park offer Sunday action
For thoroughbred racing fans Sunday might be the official first day of Kentucky Derby week as the famed "run for the roses" awaits onlookers this Saturday at Churchill Downs, but harness racing enthusiasts viewed the day as action filled with races a ...
Racing
Five things to know about the 2019 Kentucky Derby
With less than a week to go before the 145th Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4, here are five things to know going into what must be considered a fascinating and contentious renewal of the 1 1/4-mile classic.
1. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert ha ...
Racing
Meadowlands and Yonkers offer solid Saturday cards
One week before horse racing fans will gather for the latest renewal of the Grade I, $2 million Kentucky Derby, America's most famous horse race, both the Meadowlands and Yonkers offered solid cards on Saturday night. In one of the early races at th ...
Racing
Our ‘Prince’ Sizzles At $15 In ‘Wiggle’ Final; Ohio Soph Star Rules; Hoosier ‘Windfall’ Pays $10
This is the rundown for our weekend features, followed by the horses-to-watch list (H2W) results and some of the latest harness racing news:
Thursday, April 25
Hoosier’s double-feature finals split for our picks, which relied on stock from hi ...
Racing
2019 Kentucky Derby Free Picks: Building Tickets Around Maximum Security
If you like Game Winner and Improbable, you must like Omaha Beach. That’s the thing. I’m not sure how good Game Winner and Improbable are right now. Justify, American Pharoah, Silver Charm, Warm Emblem, and Real Quiet entered the Kentucky Derby on ...
Racing
Yonkers, Meadowlands and Rosecroft offer harness action this weekend
One week before thoroughbred and even harness racing fans alike gather at their favorite wagering site for the latest renewal of the Kentucky Derby and one week after Charles Town and Yonkers both offered lucrative, stakes-filled cards, Yonkers Racew ...
Racing
Kentucky Derby field foaling date and Dosage Index
Last year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, JUSTIFY , who went on to sweep the Triple Crown , fell right in line with a Dosage Index of 3.00 and a foaling date of 3/28.
For years, most Derby winners had a Dosage Index below 4.00 as a ratio of spee ...
Racing
How to play Churchill Downs’ 2019 opening day Pick 3, 4 & 5
We are going to start out with the Pick 3 that begins in Race 1 on Churchill Downs ’ opening evening card Saturday. LADYOFDRAGONSTONE (#6) (5-2) looks like a single to kick things off in the opener.
In Race 2, a $25,000 claimer going 1 1/16 mil ...
Racing
How to play Churchill Downs’ 2019 opening day card
An historic Churchill Downs spring meet begins Saturday evening at 6 p.m. (ET) with monstrous purse levels. Field sizes should be strong throughout the meet presenting bettors with a juicy menu of options.
RACE 1
LADYOFDRAGONSTONE (#6) (5- ...
Racing
How to Bet the Steve Sexton Mile Stakes
Chances are strong a new graded stakes winner will emerge in Sunday’s $300,000 Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3) at Lone Star Park .
Only one starter in the ten-horse field— #10 Shotgun Kowboy —has ever broken through at the graded level, but the ...
Racing
Opening day Spot Plays for Churchill Downs’ 2019 spring meet
The spring meeting at Churchill Downs will get underway on Saturday with 10 races on the slate. Topping the opening-evening card is the $125,000 William Walker Stakes, a five-furlong dash on the lawn for three-year-olds featuring the unbeaten Bull ...
Racing
Why I'm Betting River Boyne in the San Francisco Mile
He might not be an obvious standout at first glance, but I believe #10 River Boyne will be tough to beat in Saturday’s $250,000 San Francisco Mile Stakes (G3) at Golden Gate Fields .
The Irish-bred 4-year-old has been flat-out classy since ...
Racing
Shapiro's Top Contenders Eight Days Out From the 2019 Kentucky Derby
We are eight days away from the 2019 Kentucky Derby, and you can feel the excitement in the air more and more each morning at legendary Churchill Downs. With half of the field still to arrive in Louisville over the next few days, it is far too early ...
Racing
2019 Kentucky Derby Horses as Famous Athletes
With the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby right around the corner, let's take a look at the top 10 Kentucky Derby points winners and find out who their world famous athlete counterpart is based on their character, race history and connections. ...
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Win Win Win
Live Oak’s homebred Win Win Win earned his way into the Kentucky Derby (G1) field with his third-place finish in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) , and most recently, a runner-up performance in the Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland . The Florida- ...
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Spinoff
Wertheimer et Frere’s homebred Spinoff finished a close second in the Louisiana Derby (G2) to earn his spot in the starting gate of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4. The Todd Pletcher trainee was the last sophomore to gain a berth after garne ...
Racing
Dosage as a tool and not the rule
Following Kellie Reilly’s brilliant piece on the strengths and weaknesses of the Dosage Index is like a hack comedian being asked to go on stage after Richard Pryor. Not easy.
Reilly went through the methodology and lack of updates of potentia ...
Racing
Betting Against the Proven Class in the Santa Margarita Stakes
There might be a couple of established grade 1 performers entered in Saturday’s $200,000 Santa Margarita Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park , but for various reasons I’m inclined to oppose both in this 1 1/8-mile test.
#8 Paradise Woods is by ...
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Gray Magician
Wachtel Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber’s Gray Magician punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby (G1) following a runner-up finish in the U.A.E. Derby (G2) at Meydan on March 30. The sophomore picked up 41 total points o ...
Racing
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Country House
Mrs. J. V. Shields Jr., E. J. M. McFadden Jr. and LNJ Foxwoods’ Country House finished third in the Arkansas Derby (G1) most recently to earn his spot in the starting gate of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs . The chestnut colt pre ...
Racing
Betting a Cold Double on Churchill Downs' Opening Night
Bulletin shouldn’t lose the William Walker, but identifying the most likely candidates to round out the exacta, trifecta or superfecta could be challenging. There’s little separating them, and spreading deep to ensure a winning ticket is a recipe for ...
Racing
How To Bet Horse Racing Podcast: Pedigree Handicapping the Kentucky Derby
The most common question when handicapping the Kentucky Derby after "Who do you like" is "Can he get the distance?" A horse's pedigree is often used to help identify horses with a potential ability for 1 1/4 miles on dirt, but it can provide many ...
Racing