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When a speed horse is dominant, a closer can finish second
When you handicap a horse race and conclude that a runner with early speed—a pacesetter—appears much the best, it can pay to play a stretch runner for second place in the exacta.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Encino's Lexington win, the Jenny Wiley, and more
The Racing Roundtable discusses Encino's chances in the Kentucky Derby (G1) should he make the 20-horse field, Grade 1 action from the weekend, and more.
Racing
Catalytic – Kentucky Derby Context
Catalytic earned a spot in the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) by finishing second in his stakes debut and third career start, the Florida Derby (G1)
Racing
Mystik Dan – Kentucky Derby Context
After racing on or close to the lead in his first four starts, Mystik Dan became more effective when switching to rating tactics two starts back, and the bay colt will look to make a serious impact from off the pace in the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1)
Racing
West Saratoga – Kentucky Derby Context
West Saratoga gamely outfinished four rivals for second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), guaranteeing his participation in the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4.
Racing
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley April 17
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 6:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Racing
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Keeneland expert picks: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
It’s a new week at Keeneland and another chance to win some money! TwinSpires is back with our Daily Double Down promo.
Racing
Hanson: Spot Plays for Newmarket April 17
Horseplayers looking to turn an annual profit are typically advised to exploit their handicapping strengths and limit their relative weaknesses. There's a particular strength of mine that I hope to exploit again, starting this week.
Racing
Derby Gives 2024: Racing for more
A few days following the official Kentucky Derby post-position draw, there will be a second draw Derby fans should pay close attention to.
Aftercare
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Double-digit first-timers
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, April 16 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, including double-digit longshots in a double wager.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Apr. 16, 2024
Jason talks about some betting topics to open the show, then we welcome in Jim Miller to talk Hawthorne racing.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem April 15, 2024
Jason looks back at the Masters tournament and discusses how sports traditions get formed as well as how do we keep people who watch just these big events to stay as year-round fans?
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast April 15, 2024
Jason looks back the weekend of racing and discusses action from Keeneland and Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Just Steel
Just Steel is a capable competitor on dirt, but that’s arguably in defiance of his bloodlines. A glance at his pedigree suggests turf might be his best surface.
Racing
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: A couple of cold exactas
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, April 15 at Will Rogers Downs and Turf Paradise, including two cold exactas.
Racing
Keeneland: Analyzing the $9,927 Super High 5 carryover
The Super High 5 carryover up for grabs on Sunday at Keeneland isn’t quite in the five-figure range, But it’s close, coming in at $9,927.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Just a Touch
One of the most beautifully bred horses in the prospective 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) field is Just a Touch, the lightly raced runner-up in the Blue Grass (G1) and Gotham (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Keeneland expert picks: Pick 5 ticket for Sunday, April 14, 2024
Let’s close out the second week of Keeneland's Spring Meet with a Late Pick 5 ticket for Sunday’s nine-race card.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Society Man
Running long is a strong suit for Society Man, runner-up in the 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial (G2) and a maiden winner over the same distance. Stretching out over 1 1/4 miles for the Kentucky Derby (G1) should fit the chestnut gelding just fine.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Catalytic
It’s difficult to say based off Catalytic’s racing record and pedigree whether the Kentucky Derby’s 1 1/4-mile distance is within his wheelhouse.
Racing
Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: A Question of Calks
Blue Larkspur had what it takes to win the 1929 Kentucky Derby – speed, power, and tactical talent – yet met defeat for one surprising reason: calks.
Racing
Mahoning: Betting the $105,393 Pick 6 mandatory payout
Saturday is closing day of the Mahoning Valley race meet, which means the $105,393 jackpot carryover in the 20-cent Pick 6 is slated for a mandatory payout.
Racing
How to bet the 2024 Park Avenue at Aqueduct
A total of eight sophomore fillies bred in the Empire State will go 6 1/2 furlongs on the Aqueduct dirt in Sunday’s $200,000 New York Stallion S. (Park Avenue Division). The trio of horses drawn outside in the affair appear to be best, and I will center my plays around them.
Racing
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin April 13
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:59 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Racing
Keeneland expert picks: Saturday, April 13, 2024
We’ve got the final Road to the Kentucky Derby prep, the Grade 3 Lexington, in Race 10 today, as well as the Grade 3 Giant’s Causeway and Grade 1 Jenny Wiley.
Racing
Keeneland Fast Facts for April 13, 2024
TwinSpires Fast Facts is a new tool we are working on to enhance and streamline your handicapping!
Racing
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets and Fades for April 13 [Video]
Racing analysts Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Darin Zoccali talk their bets and fades for Keeneland and Oaklawn. Ashley and James offer their thoughts in the written portion below. Be sure to check out Darin's opinions in our on-camera portion as well!
Racing
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Aqueduct’s $23,062 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, April 12 at Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park, and Aqueduct, including horses to play in Aqueduct’s $23,062 Pick 6 carryover.
Racing
Exotics Plays for the 2024 Jenny Wiley Stakes
A superb field of 10 fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland lawn in Saturday’s $600,000 Jenny Wiley S. (G1).
Racing
Betting With, and Against, Elm Drive in the Giant’s Causeway Stakes
Las Cienegas S. (G3) second #11 Elm Drive (7-2) has been installed as the morning-line choice for Saturday’s $300,000 Giant’s Causeway S. (G3) at Keeneland.
Racing
How to bet the 2024 Apple Blossom Handicap
An accomplished cast of nine fillies and mares will go postward in Saturday’s lucrative $1.25 million Apple Blossom H. (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
How to bet the 2024 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap
Conditioner Steve Asmussen has the three of the leading contenders for Saturday’s $500,000 Count Fleet H. (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Keeneland expert picks: Friday, April 12, 2024
The Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile and 5 1/2-furlong Limestone S. headline Friday’s 10-race card.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Lexington Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Lexington S. at Keeneland. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Apr. 11, 2024
Jason discusses turf sprints and why they are so tricky for him as a handicapper.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Apr. 11, 2024
Jason looks ahead to the weekend of racing including a trio of stakes from Keeneland and some Oaklawn racing as well. He also discusses some issues in the sports betting world and some racing news.
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Cold Gulfstream double
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, April 4 at Gulfstream Park and Turf Paradise, including a cold $20 double wager.
Racing
Keeneland expert picks: Thursday, April 11, 2024
It’s another rainy day at Keeneland with potential for severe thunderstorms the first half of the day. Like Wednesday, we’ll stick to a Pick 5 ticket for the first five races, all scheduled for the dirt.
Racing
How to bet the 2024 Maker’s Mark Mile
A fantastic field of eight will vie in Friday’s $600,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) on the Keeneland turf. Defending Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) star #4 Master of the Seas (4-5) will make his six-year-old debut in this one for Charlie Appleby, but I will aim to upset the morning-line choice in a field lacking pace.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2024 Lexington Stakes
A total of 10 sophomores will run 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 Lexington S. (G3).
Racing
Keeneland expert picks: Pick 5 ticket for Wednesday, April 10, 2024
We kick off a new week of racing at Keeneland with an Early Pick 5 ticket. With a high-percentage chance of rain, we’ve got the toughest challenge of the spring meet so far.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Takeaways from Blue Grass S., Ashland, and more Derby/Oaks prep action
The Racing Roundtable examines the results of the Blue Grass S. (G1) and Ashland (G1), and who stood out from a number of Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1) prep races this past weekend.
Racing
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Keeneland’s $7,472 Super High 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, April 10 at Tampa Bay Downs and Will Rogers Downs, along with horses to play in the $7,472 Super High 5 carryover at Keeneland.
Racing
How betting longshots exiting deep races can reap rewards
It's not uncommon to analyze the entries for a horse race and see multiple runners coming out of a common previous race. If the previous race was a deep and classy contest, consider the possibility the horses exiting that race will sweep the top two or three finishing positions in the race you're currently handicapping.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Apr. 10, 2024
Jason opens the show discussing the news of the day. Then we welcome in horseplayer Alexa Zepp to talk about her path to racing through tournaments, owning horses, horseplaying, and more!
Racing
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley April 10
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 6:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Racing
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Top of My Game is hot
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, April 9 at Will Rogers Downs and Turf Paradise, including a 9-2 shot in hot form.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Apr. 9, 2024
Jason welcomes in Keeneland track announcer Kurt Becker to talk about the opening weekend of the spring meet, his work in NASCAR, announcing stories, and more!
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem April 8, 2024
Jason looks back at the Derby preps from the weekend and a huge day for jockey Frankie Dettori.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast April 8, 2024
Jason looks back at the big weekend of Kentucky Derby preps from Keeneland, Aqueduct, and Santa Anita.
Racing
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: $376,658 Pick 5 mandatory payout
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, April 8 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, along with a ticket for the mandatory-payout $376,658 Pick 5 carryover at Parx Racing
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Resilience
Pedigree handicappers are aware of Resilience’s Kentucky Derby (G1) potential. After all, his pedigree is packed with speed, stamina, class, and—most importantly—Kentucky Derby winners.
Racing
Fierceness hardens into Kentucky Derby favoritism at 5-2 in Pool 6
Champion Fierceness ranked as the 5-2 favorite in the final Pool 6 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closed before Saturday's major preps.
Racing
Aqueduct: A single for the $72,394 Pick 6 carryover
No one hit the $1 Pick 6 on Saturday at Aqueduct, triggering an enticing non-jackpot carryover worth $72,394 for Sunday’s card.
Racing
Kentucky Derby International Scouting Report: T O Password
Japan Road invitee T O Password brings a 2-for-2 record into Churchill Downs, but he’s yet to race at anywhere near the level of compatriot Forever Young.
Racing
Keeneland expert picks: Pick 5 ticket for Sunday, April 7, 2024
We're closing out opening weekend with a Late Pick 5 ticket to play Sunday at Keeneland, beginning in Race 5.
Racing
Keeneland carryovers: $66,548 Pick 6, $11,321 Super High 5
No one hit the $1 Pick 6 on opening day at Keeneland, triggering an enticing non-jackpot carryover worth $66,548 for Saturday’s stakes-packed card.
Racing
The Power Hour for Friday, April 5, 2024
TwinSpires brings you another live Power Hour with Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Darin Zoccali!
Racing
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin April 6
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:59 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Racing
Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Omar Khayyam, 1917)
The list of Kentucky Derby victors currently stands at 149 names long, a roster of horses famed and forgotten, each with a story of their own. In its fifth decade, the historic equine contest emerged from its lean years with new vigor, ignited by a filly, a longshot, and in 1917, another first for America’s signature race: an international victor.
Racing
How to bet the Angels Flight Stakes
An excellent cast of nine three-year-old fillies will travel 6 1/2 panels down the Hillside Turf Course at Santa Anita on Sunday in the $100,000 Angels Flight S.
Racing
How to bet with, and against, Life Talk in the Gazelle
Ten sophomore fillies with Kentucky Oaks (G1) aspirations will vie in Saturday’s $200,000 Gazelle S. (G2) at Aqueduct.
Racing
Kentucky Derby International Scouting Report: Forever Young
Forever Young is arguably Japan’s best chance so far in the Kentucky Derby (G1), not just because he’s undefeated, and trained by a master horseman in Yoshito Yahagi.
Racing
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 10-1 longshot at Keeneland
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, April 5 at Keeneland and Oaklawn Park, along with horses to play in the $3,283 Super High 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Racing
Keeneland expert picks: Saturday, April 6, 2024
The Blue Grass S. (G1) is the main feature on Saturday’s 11-race card. Mage’s full-brother Dornoch goes head to head with Sierra Leone, who was beaten just a nose by Dornoch in the Remsen S. (G2) last winter.
Racing
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets and Fades for April 6 [Video]
Racing analysts Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Nick Tammaro talk their bets and fades for Keeneland opening weekend and more. Ashley and James give their thoughts in the written portion below. Be sure to check out Nick's opinions in our on-camera portion as well!
Racing
Tipsheet 2024 Santa Anita Derby
A total of eight three-year-olds will run 1 1/8 miles in Saturday’s $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Racing
Exotics Plays for the 2024 Transylvania Stakes
The $400,000 Transylvania S. (G3) at Keeneland on Friday might be the most competitive domestic race that I have handicapped in some time.
Racing
How to bet the 2024 Ashland Stakes
An octet of three-year-old fillies with Kentucky Oaks aspirations will vie in the opening day feature at Keeneland, the $600,000 Ashland S. (G1).
Racing
Tipsheet: 2024 Wood Memorial Stakes
A huge field of 13 three-year-olds will go postward at Aqueduct in the $750,000 Wood Memorial S. (G2) on Saturday.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Santa Anita Derby
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Purse: How much prize money the winning jockey will earn
In addition to the worldwide attention and acclaim Sonny Leon received for his spectacular ride aboard Rich Strike, Leon—a first-time Derby participant in 2022—also collected a portion of the $3 million purse.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Purse: How much prize money the winning owner and trainer will earn
The Kentucky Derby (G1) is the most coveted prize in U.S. horse racing. It can also be a lucrative endeavor for the owners and trainers of Kentucky Derby starters.
Kentucky Derby
Keeneland expert picks: Friday, April 5, 2024
It’s opening day for the 2024 Keeneland Spring Meet, headlined by the Grade 1 Ashland, a Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep worth 100 points to the winner.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem April 4, 2024
In this week's Thursday Thoughts column, Jason discusses second chances in racing.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: April 4, 2024
Jason discusses some racing news and then looks ahead to the weekend of racing from Keeneland and Aqueduct.
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Two Sunland carryovers
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, April 4 at Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park, and Santa Anita, along with horses to play in a pair of Sunland Park carryovers.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Wood Memorial Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Blue Grass Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Blue Grass S. at Keeneland. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2024 Blue Grass Stakes
A talented field of 11 three-year-olds will travel nine furlongs on the Keeneland main oval in Saturday’s $1 million Blue Grass S. (G1).
Racing
If a race is wide open, don’t dismiss out-of-state shippers
A horse shipping in from a different track or state can be inadvertently underestimated in your quest to rank the local runners, but sometimes the newcomer winds up being superior to all the locals.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: April 3, 2024
Jason opens the show discussing Keeneland's Friday opening day and the Ashland (G1). Then we welcome in Anthony Stabile to talk about his new announcing job at Finger Lakes, calling harness races, his last year, and more!
Racing
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Tampa’s $11,195 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, April 3 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, along with tickets for the $11,195 Super High 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Racing
Fierceness installed at 7-2 for final 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
The final pool of the 2024 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) will be held this week beginning Thursday. The pool will close Saturday at 4 p.m. ET, before the Wood Memorial (G2), Blue Grass (G1), and Santa Anita Derby (G1) are run.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Takeaways from Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, Fantasy and more
The Racing Roundtable reconvenes to discuss their Florida Derby (G1) and Arkansas Derby (G1) takeaways, the legitimacy of Thorpedo Anna and Power Squeeze as Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders, and their thoughts on Dubai World Cup Night.
Racing
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley April 3
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 7:15 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Declan Schuster of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Racing
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Light the Code is ready for debut
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, April 2 at Will Rogers Downs and Turf Paradise, including a cold double bet.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: April 2, 2024
Jason and Oaklawn analyst Crystal Conning talk about Oaklawn's big weekend, the Arkansas Derby (G1), her first meet at Oaklawn, and much more!
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Catching Freedom
A perfect pedigree doesn’t guarantee success in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but it doesn’t hurt. And any way you slice it, Catching Freedom is bred to excel in the Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: West Saratoga
It’s only fitting that Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) runner-up West Saratoga won the one-mile Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs, the first leg of the 2023-24 Road to the Kentucky Derby. The gray colt is bred top and bottom for success in the spring classics.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Liberal Arts
Does Liberal Arts have the pedigree to shine racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May? At least at first glance, his pedigree gives off mixed signals.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Uncle Heavy
A decade after Social Inclusion set the world abuzz as a possible Kentucky Derby (G1) contender, his son Uncle Heavy is embarking down the same path.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mystik Dan
Does Mystik Dan have the pedigree to stretch out over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1)? That’s an important question Derby handicappers must ponder.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Hades
How far can Hades run? Does he have the stamina to shine over 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1), or will shorter journeys prove more favorable?
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Stronghold
The Kentucky Derby (G1) looms on the horizon for Stronghold, but does he have the pedigree to shine racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May? That’s a tricky question that requires a nuanced answer.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Otto the Conqueror
Otto the Conqueror showed unwavering tenacity to win the Remington Springboard Mile at Remington Park by three-quarters of a length, in the process joining the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sierra Leone
Racing 1 1/8 miles is no obstacle for Sierra Leone, winner of the Blue Grass (G1) and Risen Star (G2) and runner-up in the Remsen (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Neither should the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby (G1) prove problematic for the beautifully bred colt.
Racing