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Kentucky Derby Roundup: Jerome, Smarty Jones kick off 2025
The first two Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers of 2025 are coming up on Saturday at Aqueduct and Oaklawn Park.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 30, 2024
Jason discusses the past weekend of racing including the closing of Freehold Raceway and some things to learn from it.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 30, 2024
Jason looks back at the start of the Santa Anita meet, Gulfstream Park, and much more!
Racing
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Ticket for $3,201 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 30 at Parx Racing and Turf Paradise, including a ticket for Turf Paradise’s $3,201 Pick 5 carryover.
Best Bets
2024 in review: 10 favorite horses
While the Eclipse Award champions of 2024 will get plenty of fanfare, I’d like to take a more subjective approach and highlight my own personal favorites over the past year.
International
Fair Grounds: Two singles for the $1,547 Pick 6 carryover
The Saturday card at Fair Grounds was full of surprises. No one came close to hitting the $1 Pick 6, generating a $1,547 Pick 6 carryover into Sunday’s card.
Fair Grounds
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Picks and plays for the $1,000 Oaklawn KDBC/NHC Qualifier
A couple of NHC seats and at least one KDBC seat are up for grabs in Saturday’s $1,000 Oaklawn KDBC/NHC Qualifier tournament on TwinSpires.com.
Tournaments
Turfway: Longshots for the mandatory-payout $244,674 Pick 6 carryover
The final day of 2024 racing at Turfway Park features the mandatory payout of a massive $244,674 Pick 6 carryover.
Turfway Park
Santa Anita: Artislas the key to the Eddie Logan Stakes
A solid group of seven juvenile colts will run one mile on the Santa Anita lawn in Sunday’s $100,000 Eddie Logan S.
Wagering
Forever Young, two-time champ Ushba Tesoro clash in Tokyo Daishoten
Most recently third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), Forever Young aims to remain unbeaten in his native Japan in Sunday’s Tokyo Daishoten (G1) at Oi. The about 1 1/4-mile feature is slated for 1:40 a.m. ET late Saturday into early Sunday morning.
Analysis
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Dec. 28
The Sunday action at Sha Tin begins at midnight ET late Saturday our time. Analyst Luke Middlebrook has selections for the 10-race program.
Wagering
Fair Grounds: Superfecta Plays for the Woodchopper Stakes
An overflow field of 16 sophomores will travel about 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds lawn in Saturday’s $100,000 Woodchopper S.
Wagering
Aqueduct: How to Bet the Gravesend Stakes 2024
A well-matched field of seven will speed six furlongs on the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s $150,000 Gravesend S., one of two black-type races on the card.
Wagering
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Gulfstream’s $217,084 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 27 at Santa Anita and Turfway Park, along with singles for Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers at Fair Grounds and Gulfstream Park.
Gulfstream Park
Oaklawn: Swinging for the Fences in Tinsel Stakes
I’m siding with the co-longest shot on the board to make a lot of waves in the Tinsel S. at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.
Oaklawn Park
Gulfstream: How to bet the 2024 Mr. Prospector Stakes
A full field of 12 will dash seven-eights on the Gulfstream Park main surface in Saturday’s $165,000 Mr. Prospector S. (G3).
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 26, 2024
Jason looks ahead to Santa Anita's big opening day card and talks some Gulfstream Park racing.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for Dec. 26, 2024
Jason discusses his favorite opening day of the year. If you’ve never been there, I don’t think you can be prepared for the first time you see the view.
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 12-1 shot can win on debut
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 26 at Santa Anita and Turfway Park, including longshots to play in Turfway’s $5,901 Super High 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
Betting With, and Against, Nom de Plume, in the Broussard Memorial
An octet of fillies and mares will travel two turns on the Fair Grounds dirt in Thursday’s $100,000 Joseph E. Spanky Broussard Memorial S.
Wagering
Aqueduct: How to bet the 2024 Bay Ridge Stakes
A dozen New York-bred fillies and mares will travel one mile on the dirt in Friday’s $100,000 Bay Ridge S. at Aqueduct.
Wagering
Horse Profile: Ramatuelle
Like fellow three-year-old filly Porta Fortuna in the Mile, Ramatuelle is an exceptionally consistent performer at the top level.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 24, 2024
Jason looks ahead to Tuesday's card at Tampa Bay Downs which is the only track running on Christmas Eve and has a Pick 6 Mandatory payout.
Quiz
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Three Randwick plays
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 25 at Randwick (AUS), including a trio of exactas.
International
Santa Anita: Exotics Plays for the 2024 American Oaks
A big field of 13 sophomore fillies will run 1 1/4 miles on the lawn at Santa Anita in Thursday’s $300,000 American Oaks (G1).
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Dec. 26
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:10 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Tampa’s $4,261 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 24 at Tampa Bay Downs, including a ticket for the $4,261 Super High 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Built impresses in the Gun Runner
As the year winds down and the holiday season hits its peak, let’s catch up on the latest news and notes from the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) trail:
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Amoss saddles two winners
Last Saturday, trainer Tom Amoss saddled a pair of juveniles to win maiden races at major tracks.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 23, 2024
Jason mentions racing Tuesday at Tampa Bay and looks back at some of his favorite moments and performances of the weekend.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 23, 2024
Jason looks back at a pair of big stakes cards from both Fair Grounds and Gulfstream Park on this weekend recap edition of the show.
Quiz
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 15-1 at Turf Paradise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 23 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a 15-1 longshot.
Best Bets
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Built
Built joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a gate-to-wire triumph in the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds.
Triple Crown
At Long Last: Perseverance Pays Off at the Kentucky Derby
For names like Day and Pincay, Whittingham and Stephens, and Mellon and Genter, the road to Derby glory is long and winding, but their arrival is a celebration of the triumph of spirit and perseverance that finally brought them Kentucky Derby glory.
Kentucky Derby
Picks for Oaklawn tournament, Tampa Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks for a Sunday tournament at Oaklawn Park and a Super High 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Tournaments
Best bets for the $400 Gun Runner KDBC Qualifier tournament
Saturday’s stakes-packed card at Fair Grounds is the focus of a $400 Gun Runner KDBC Qualifier tournament on TwinSpires.com.
Fair Grounds
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Dec. 21
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:45 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Gun Runner Stakes trends and field analysis
The final Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) prep of 2024 will offer 10 points to the winner of Saturday's Gun Runner S. at Fair Grounds. The fourth running of the 1 1/16-mile event for two-year-olds attracted a small but stacked field of five, headlined by recent maiden romper Admiral Dennis.
Analysis
Fair Grounds: Exotics for Race 7 on Sunday December 22, 2024
An overflow field of 14 two-year-olds is entered to contest a 1 1/16-mile endeavor on the lawn in Race 7 at Fair Grounds on Sunday.
Wagering
Remembering the champions we lost in 2024
Through Dec. 19, si Eclipse Award-winning Thoroughbreds are known to have died in 2024. Here are short sketches of each one in chronological order according to the year their championships were attained.
Features
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway's $138,972 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 20 at Turfway Park, along with horses to single in Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers at Turfway and Fair Grounds.
Turfway Park
Gulfstream Park: How to bet the Janus Stakes on Dec. 21
A deep cast of 12 turf dashers will speed five-eighths on the Gulfstream Park turf in the $140,000 Janus S. on Saturday, one of five black-type events on the big card.
Gulfstream Park
Fair Grounds: Betting Coin Miner in Race 3 at Fair Grounds on Saturday
An overflow field of contenders is entered for Race 3 at Fair Grounds on Saturday and it looks like a really good betting opportunity.
Wagering
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Dec. 21 [VIDEO]
Ashley Anderson, James Scully and Darin Zoccali discuss their best bets and fades at Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park, and Turfway Park!
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Dec. 19, 2024
Jason welcomes in some friends to talk about what they love about Turfway Park.
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Dapper Moon can win with class drop
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 19 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including horses to bet in Turfway’s $7,407 Super High 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 19, 2024
Jason opens the show discussing some of the changes made by the American Graded Stakes Committee. He also looks ahead to Saturday stakes action from Gulfstream Park!
Quiz
Oaklawn: How to bet the 2024 Poinsettia Stakes
A full field of 12 fillies and mares will run 5 1/2 panels in Saturday’s feature at Oaklawn Park, the $150,000 Poinsettia S.
Wagering
Gulfstream Park: Exotic Plays for the Suwannee River Stakes on Saturday
A full field of 12 fillies and mares will travel one mile on the Gulfstream Park turf in Saturday’s $165,000 Suwannee River S. (G3). The affair attracted a very well-matched cast and I feel compelled to spread with multiple runners in the grassy contest.
Racing
Laurel Park: Saddle Up Jessie gets the nod to defend Carousel S. crown
Defending champ #9 Saddle Up Jessie will break from the widest post in Saturday’s $100,000 Carousel S. at Laurel Park on Saturday.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 18, 2024
Jason looks ahead to Saturday's races at the Fair Grounds to open the show. Then he welcomes in Louisiana based trainer Rylee Magnon to talk about her recent stakes win, training in Louisiana, and much more!
Quiz
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Nile Candy can surprise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Turfway Park, including longshots to play in the $4,465 Super High 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Gun Runner Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Gun Runner S at Fair Grounds. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Analysis
Racing Roundtable: Los Alamitos Futurity, Springboard Mile, and Synthetic Championships
This week, the Racing Roundtable discusses a pair of Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races — the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and Springboard Mile — plus the inaugural Synthetic Championships at Turfway Park, what caught their eye from the weekend, and they wrap up with some end-of-year reflections on racing and wagering.
Analysis
Betting With, and Against, Golden Gamble in the Untapable Stakes
An octet of two-year-old fillies will travel two turns on the Fair Grounds main strip in Saturday’s $100,000 Untapable S.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Gun Runner Stakes
A compact field of five juveniles will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds dirt on Saturday in the $100,000 Gun Runner S.
Analysis
Tabbing Exactas in the Hobbs Fall Classic at Zia Park
A total of eight juveniles will vie in the Tuesday feature at Zia Park, the $150,000 Hobbs Fall Classic S.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Dec. 18
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 6:15 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Vassimo strikes for Pletcher
Last Saturday, trainer Todd Pletcher sent out two-year-old Vassimo to win his debut in a one-mile maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park.
Analysis
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 6-1 shot at Zia
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Zia Park and Turf Paradise, including a second-time starter at 6-1 odds.
Best Bets
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 17, 2024
Jason welcomes in bloodstock expert Sid Fernando to talk about his origins in racing, racing social media, working in racing media, and much more!
Quiz
Horses to follow in 2025: Senza Parole
Remember Senza Parole, the sensational debut winner at Saratoga who was sure to be the red-hot favorite in the Frizette (G1)?
Horse
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Journalism among three prep winners
Last week, three Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifiers took place over the course of four days. Many new names emerged on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Los Alamitos Race Course
First-crop sires: Kale’s Angel heralds promise for Complexity
Complexity has furnished several additional stakes performers since our last installment, chief among them Kale’s Angel, who starred in the Advent S. on opening day at Oaklawn Park.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 16, 2024
Jason looks back at the season coming to an end at Woodbine Racetrack.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 16, 2024
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing including Saturday night action from Turfway, as well as racing from Aqueduct, Tampa, Fair Grounds, and more!
Racing
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Fair Grounds $1,746 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 16 at Zia Park and Fair Grounds, including a single for the $1,746 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Best Bets
Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: One Horse, Two Women, and a Derby for the Show Me State
Bred by Emma Holt Prather, Elwood came east from California to contest the Kentucky Derby for his owner Lasca Durnell, not only giving Missouri its lone rosy victor but also becoming the first bred and owned by women.
Features
Los Alamitos: $160 tournament, $25,807 Pick 6 carryover
There are two great reasons to play the Sunday card at Los Alamitos: a tournament with cash prizes and a Pick 6 carryover with a mandatory payout.
Tournaments
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Coal Battle
Sprints and short routes are clearly within the wheelhouse of Coal Battle. But can he handle the testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Pedigree
Picks for the $2,000 Turfway Handicapping Championship tournament
Saturday’s $2,000 Turfway Handicapping Championship tournament on TwinSpires.com boasts epic prizes.
Tournaments
How to bet the Steady Growth Stakes
A total of nine Ontario-bred runners will go 1 1/16 miles in Sunday’s $150,000 Steady Growth S. at Woodbine.
Wagering
Betting the Great White Way Stakes
An excellent field of 10 juveniles bred in the Empire State will go postward in Saturday’s lucrative, $500,000 Great White Way S at Aqueduct.
Wagering
How to bet the Mistletoe Stakes
The feature of the 10-race card at Oaklawn Park on Saturday is the $150,000 Mistletoe S.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Dec. 14
First post for Sha Tin’s Sunday card is 12 a.m. ET late Saturday night. Here are Luke Middlebrook’s selections and analysis.
Wagering
Louisiana Champions Day Pick 3 Play
A total of seven black-type events for Cajun-bred runners will highlight a big day of action at Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Wagering
All Stakes Pick 4 at Turfway Park on Saturday
A quartet of lucrative stakes races will be held during Saturday’s Turfway Park Synthetic Championships.
Turfway Park
Exotics Plays for the Holiday Cheer Stakes
An overflow cast of 14 is entered for Saturday’s excellent, $250,000 Holiday Cheer S. The six-furlong heat on the Tapeta attracted a very good group in what appears to be a superb sprint event with numerous betting options.
Turfway Park
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 15-1 longshot at Turfway
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 13 at Oaklawn Park, Turfway Park, and Remington Park, including a 15-1 longshot.
Turfway Park
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Los Alamitos Futurity
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Analysis
Betting With, and Against, Smoken Wicked in the Champions Day Juvenile
A really good cast of seven Cajun-bred two-year-olds will vie in Saturday’s Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile S. at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Los Alamitos Futurity
A compact field of five juveniles will run 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Springboard Mile Stakes
A deep field of 12 sophomores will go eight panels on the Remington Park dirt in Friday’s $300,000 Springboard Mile S.
Wagering
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Dec. 13-14 [VIDEO]
Ashley Anderson, James Scully and Darin Zoccali declare their best bets and fades at Turfway Park and Fair Grounds!
Wagering
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Myriad Love
A filly hasn’t contested the Kentucky Derby (G1) since Devil May Care finished 10th in 2010. That could potentially change in 2025.
International
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Fair Grounds Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 12 at Fair Grounds, Turf Paradise, and Turfway Park, including a single for the $1,819 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Turfway Park
Meet the Contenders: 2024 Remington Springboard Mile
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Remington Springboard Mile S. at Remington Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 11, 2024
Jason welcomes in track announcer Pete Aiello to talk Gulfstream's Championship meet and tell some old fun stories from his years in racing.
Quiz
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $11,566 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 11 at Mahoning Valley and Turfway Park, including horses to play in Turfway’s $11,566 Super High 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Racing Roundtable: Cigar Mile, Remsen, and Demoiselle takeaways
This week, the Racing Roundtable examines the Cigar Mile (G2), plus the Remsen (G2) and Demoiselle (G2) — Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1) prep races, respectively, held at Aqueduct on Saturday.
Analysis
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 10, 2024
Jason is joined by long time River Downs handicapper and publicity guy John Englehardt to tell stories of the great old Cincinnati track, John's decades of photographing racing, and much more!
Racing
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Double bet at Mahoning Valley
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Mahoning Valley, including a cold double wager.
Best Bets
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Dec. 11
Wednesday’s racing action at Happy Valley kicks off at 5:40 a.m. ET. Luke Middlebrook guides you through the card with his selections and analysis.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Treaty of Rome wins for Brown
In a one-mile maiden special weight for juveniles at Aqueduct, Chad Brown’s second-time starter Treaty of Rome delivered victory as the favorite.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Poster stars in the Remsen
No fewer than five Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifiers are taking place in the U.S. and Japan this month. The first was contested last week, and three more are on the agenda this week.
International
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Poster
After opening his career with a pair of turf wins, Poster switched to dirt and joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a triumph in the Remsen (G2).
Triple Crown
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 9, 2024
Jason discusses some races from the weekend and talks about how he'd like to see more races at various distances.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 9, 2024
Jason looks back at a big Cigar Mile day card from Aqueduct as well as opening weekend at Oaklawn and stakes action from Tampa.
Racing