What are payouts? Here’s the math and how you can use them in betting

Wed Apr 29 2026J. Keeler Johnson

In horse racing betting, what are payouts? How do payouts work? And how can you use them to place smarter bets?
Under the Radar contenders for the 2026 Kentucky Derby

Wed Apr 29 2026Vance Hanson

The bulk of the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1) win pool is likely to center on the handful or so of leading contenders, but are there win threats percolating under the radar?
Need for Speed: What the Fastest Breeds Teach Us About Racehorse Evolution

Wed Apr 29 2026Jennifer Kelly

As racing matured from a casual match race between friends into a business spanning countries and continents, the science of speed and stamina followed, answering questions about how these innate equine talents work in these breeds that we all love to watch.
Spot Plays for 2026 Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs

Tue Apr 28 2026Vance Hanson

Kentucky Oaks Day will have a different twist this year. A later starting time to the Friday card (12:30 p.m.) at Churchill Downs ensures the feature will be run just after sunset.
Spot Plays for Thurby at Churchill Downs April 30, 2026

Tue Apr 28 2026Vance Hanson

Total handle exceeded $22 million on the Thurby programs in both 2024 and 2025, and the expectations are for another big betting day this week.
Betting With, and Against, Shisospicy in the Unbridled Sidney Stakes

Tue Apr 28 2026John Mucciolo

A total of nine fillies and mares will speed 5 1/2 furlongs on the Churchill Downs lawn in Friday’s $500,000 Unbridled Sidney S.

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Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: $58,481 Pick 5 carryover

Tue Apr 28 2026J. Keeler Johnson

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, April 28 at Churchill Downs, along with horses to play in the $58,481 Pick 5 carryover at Turf Paradise.
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Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast April 28, 2026

Tue Apr 28 2026Jason Beem

Jason discusses some Derby undercard races and welcomes in Kerry Thomas to talk about his herd dynamic work and talk about some of the horses from this year's Kentucky Derby.
Tipsheet: 2026 Kentucky Derby

Tue Apr 28 2026John Mucciolo

A full field of the top three-year-olds in training will go postward in Saturday’s historic $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Tipsheet: 2026 Kentucky Oaks

Tue Apr 28 2026John Mucciolo

A deep and excellent group of three-year-old fillies will travel 1 1/8 miles over the famed Churchill Downs main surface in Friday’s especially competitive $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Robusta

Mon Apr 27 2026J. Keeler Johnson

Among the horses entered in the 2026 Kentucky Derby (G1), one of the most fascinating from a pedigree standpoint is Robusta.
Kentucky Derby Context: Great White

Mon Apr 27 2026James Scully

A frontrunning winner of the John Battaglia Memorial two starts back, Great White will try to rebound from a fifth in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland if he makes the Kentucky Derby (G1) field.
Mucciolo’s Top 5 Horse Betting Strategies for 2026

Mon Apr 27 2026John Mucciolo

Playing the ponies is an inexact science that is ever-evolving for me. Horse racing offers the most diversity from a gambling perspective.