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Great Britain Preview: Spot Plays Jan. 28, 2023
It’s a big preview day at Cheltenham on Saturday. There are five graded stakes races, all of which will have a say in determining favoritism back at Cheltenham for the Festival in March.
International
Oaklawn Park: Early trends for 2023 meet
Most trends at Oaklawn Park are playing out as might be expected. But there have been a few interesting stats to start the year.
Analysis
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 27
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds, along with tickets for the $3,390 Super High 5 carryover at Turfway Park.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Southwest Stakes
A total of nine sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Oaklawn Park surface in the lucrative, $750,000 Southwest S. (G3) on Saturday.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2023 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf
A deep and talented field of eight fillies and mares will go postward in Saturday’s $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Pegasus World Cup Turf
An evenly matched field of 14 will vie in Saturday’s $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park.
Racing
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Tipsheet: 2023 Pegasus World Cup
An overflow field of 14 will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Gulfstream Park main oval in Saturday’s $3 million Pegasus World Cup.
Wagering
Oaklawn spot plays for Jan. 28, including Martha Washington and King Cotton Stakes
Before the Southwest Stakes (G3) crowns a champion along the Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), Oaklawn Park will feature a pair of non-graded stakes, including the 1 1/16-mile Martha Washington for three-year-old fillies and the six-furlong King Cotton for four-year-olds and up.
Wagering
King Cotton Stakes exotics and field analysis for Oaklawn Jan. 28
Graded stakes hero Gunite will make his four-year-old debut in the $150,000 King Cotton S. at Oaklawn on Saturday.
Wagering
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 26, 2023
Jason gives his thoughts on this year's Pegasus World Cup field and the event itself.
Features
Dubai Preview: Naval Power looks to show Classic potential
Stakes racing continues to flow at Meydan on Friday. The eight-race program includes three black-type races.
International
Sydney Preview Jan. 27, 2023: Spot plays for Rosehill
Sydney’s autumn carnival gets underway properly this weekend at Rosehill Gardens.
International
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 26, 2023
Jason opens the how talking about the upcoming Pegasus World Cup and discussing whether when it comes to the field for big races, is quality or quantity more important. Then he talks about the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn and the Las Virgenes from Santa Anita.
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 26
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Jan. 26 at Gulfstream Park and Turfway Park, along with horses to single in the $1,059 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Jan. 26-30
Selected features, stakes coverage and the never-ending TwinSpires’ horses-to-watch list (H2W) share keys to success in exotics, win, place and show payoffs.
Harness
Kentucky Derby Report: Instant Coffee bolsters resume in Lecomte win; Cox trio set for Southwest
Launching a last-to-first move on the far turn, Instant Coffee overtook Two Phil’s in midstretch and drew away to a 2 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Catching My Eye: Derby Hopefuls on Fair Grounds Road to the Derby Day
With Road to the Derby Day and other strong fields, there was a lot of action at the Fair Grounds this past week. Let’s dive into two races: the Lecomte and the three-year-old allowance race that featured a handful of Derby dreamers.
Analysis
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 25, 2023
Jason welcomes on horseplayer Keith Bush to the show to talk about his background in science and mathematics and how he uses that in horse racing. They talk about creating models for wagering, learning the game, and much more!
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 25
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park and Turfway Park, along with tickets for the $6,187 Super High 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Wagering
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Racing Roundtable: Lecomte Day and Pegasus World Cup
A look back at last weekend's Lecomte Day card at Fair Grounds and a look ahead to the Pegasus World Cup (G1) program at Gulfstream in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Features
The best way to decide and create a place bet
When carefully executed, the place bet can play a useful role in a bettor’s arsenal of handicapping strategies.
Education
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 24
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Jan. 24 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a trifecta taking advantage of the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 24, 2023
Jason opens the show discussing this weekend's Pegasus World Cup race at Gulfstream Park. Then we welcome in Chris Griffin, the new announcer at Aqueduct, to talk about his first few weeks in New York, his announcing career, and much more!
Racing Podcast
Pedigree notebook: Hot and Sultry genetic combo
Four-year-old filly Hot and Sultry continued her upward curve by capturing her stakes debut in the Jan. 21 American Beauty S. at Oaklawn Park.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Stoutly bred colts Slip Mahoney, First Defender post victories
Sometimes, you look at the pedigree of a young maiden winner and think, “Wow, this horse is bred to run long.”
Racing
Harness Weekly Update: 43% across-the-board hits
Win-Place prices rule in 43% across-the-board weekend
Harness
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 23, 2023
Jason looks back at the Lecomte card from Fair Grounds this past weekend.
Features
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 23
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Jan. 23 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a 12-1 longshot with enticing credentials.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 23, 2023
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing from around the country. He catches up on the news of the weekend, and he talks about the Lecomte Day card at Fair Grounds as well as racing at Laurel and Aqueduct.
Racing Podcast
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3: ‘All others' 2-1, Forte 7-1
Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday evening with a pretty familiar look at the very top of the market, but notable movers underneath.
Kentucky Derby
Aqueduct: How to bet the 2023 Franklin Square Stakes
A total of seven three-year-old fillies will run 6 1/2 panels on the Aqueduct main surface in Sunday’s $100,000 Franklin Square S.
Wagering
Golden Gate: How to bet the $3,079 Super High 5 carryover
The final race on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields saw 36-1 longshot Sunset Paynter take home top honors, triggering a $3,079 Super High 5 carryover for Sunday.
Wagering
Pick 5 Play for Fair Grounds Jan. 22
With rain coming in overnight, here is an off-the-turf Late Pick 5 for Sunday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
It’s a skinny ticket that stays true to my opinions, and if it hits, it’s liable to pay $900 - $2,200 depending on scratches and pool size. Beating the favorites in the first and third leg, while hanging my hat on two likely odds-on singles, should justify expressing my opinion in the Pick 5 pool.
Wagering
Mucciolo's Top Eight Kentucky Derby Prospects for Pool 3
While we are many months and numerous prep races away from solidifying a field for the 2023 Run for the Roses, it is obviously never too early to begin Derby dreaming.
Kentucky Derby
Fair Grounds: Horses to single in the $4,889 Pick 6 carryover
The stakes-packed Saturday card at Fair Grounds just got even better. The $1 Pick 6 culminating with the Lecomte (G3) features a $4,889 carryover.
Racing
How to bet With, and Against, Two Emmys in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes
A total of 11 horses, three of which are on the also-eligible list, will vie in Saturday’s $100,000 Colonel E. R. Bradley S. at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Astra Stakes exotics and field analysis for Santa Anita Jan. 21
A field of nine fillies and mares four years old and up will travel 1 1/2 miles over the Camino Real Turf Course in the $100,000 Astra S. at Santa Anita on Saturday.
Wagering
Handicappers Debate: 2023 Louisiana at Fair Grounds
Handicappers Ashley Anderson and James Scully have different opinions in Saturday's Louisiana (G3) at Fair Grounds, which has attracted nine runners.
Features
The Jury: Bets and fades for Jan. 21
This weekend's action is highlighted by the "Road to the Derby Day" program at Fair Grounds, featuring the Lecomte (G3).
Wagering
Sydney Preview: Spot plays for Randwick Jan. 20
With the Magic Millions races finally completed after being delayed at the weekend by rain, the focus in Australian racing switches back to Sydney.
International
Great Britain Preview: Spot Plays Jan. 21, 2023
The best meet for fans of U.K. racing to bet on this weekend may be the Lingfield Polytrack card.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 20
Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including a single for the $2,637 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds and tickets for Turfway’s $3,615 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
First-Crop Sires Update: Mendelssohn progeny start strongly as 3yos
The Scat Daddy half-brother to Into Mischief and Beholder was a Grade 1 performer on both turf and dirt, and his progeny, like him, should improve with age.
Features
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Lecomte exotics plays and All-Stakes Late Pick 3 for Fair Grounds Jan. 21
Below we offer exotics plays for the Lecomte Stakes along with a Late Pick 3 ticket covering Races 12-14, which includes the Silverbulletday S. and Louisiana S. (G3).
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Leonatus Stakes
A solid field of nine three-year-olds will travel one mile on the Turfway Park synthetic oval in Saturday’s $125,000 Leonatus S.
Wagering
Laurel Park Stakes Spot Plays for Jan. 21
A total of six black-type tilts will headline a big day of racing at Laurel Park.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Lecomte Stakes
A total of eight well-meant sophomores will go 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds main surface in Saturday’s $200,000 Lecomte S. (G3).
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Report: Lecomte big test for Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee is one of 11 individuals listed for trainer Brad Cox in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, and his performance in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds will determine his closing odds.
Kentucky Derby
How to play Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Much has changed, and yet little has changed with the betting options for Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 19, 2023
Celebrating the seventh anniversary of his first podcast, Jason looks back at seven things he's learned from doing the show.
Features
Dubai Preview: Spot plays for UAE 1,000 Guineas night
It’s UAE 1,000 Guineas day at Meydan, with three-year-old fillies seeking early black type honors.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 19
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Jan. 19 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including tickets for Turfway’s $1,174 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 19, 2023
Jason opens the show discussing some of the psychological and wagering thoughts that come along with playing a long 14-race card like the one at Fair Grounds this weekend. He also discusses the Louisiana Stakes and Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds.
Racing Podcast
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Jan. 19-23
Selected features, stakes coverage and the never-ending TwinSpires’ horses-to-watch list (H2W) share keys to success in exotics, win, place and show payoffs.
Harness
American Beauty S. exotics and field analysis for Oaklawn Jan. 21
Six fillies and mares will sprint six furlongs on the Oaklawn dirt in the $150,000 American Beauty S. for females four years and older.
Wagering
The best way to decide and create a show bet
As strange as it might sound, the horse racing wager that's easiest to hit is one of the trickiest to understand on a technical level.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 18
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Jan. 18 at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, along with horses to single in Pick 5 carryovers at Turfway Park and Penn National.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 18, 2023
Jason welcomes in trainer Ron Moquett from his Oaklawn Park base to join the show. They talk about Oaklawn racing, some of Ron's horses running this weekend, being a fan of the sport, and more!
Racing Podcast
Cox, Pletcher preparing deep rosters for Kentucky Derby qualifiers
Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher are in familiar territory at this time of the year, orchestrating plans for a large contingent of prospects.
Kentucky Derby
Forte early individual choice in KDFW Pool 3
The field for Pool 3 of the 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) has been announced by Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
Hong Kong Preview: Jumbo Legend ready for step up in distance
Jumbo Legend can stretch his stamina to about a mile and claim the Connaught Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 17
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Jan. 17 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, along with tickets for the $340 Super High 5 carryover at Sunland Park.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 17, 2023
Jason discusses this weekend's Lecomte S. from Fair Grounds to open the show. Then he welcomes in Annise Montplaisir from Amplify Racing to talk about her journey in the sport as well as her creating an organization that helps find people pathways into working in horse racing.
Racing Podcast
Pedigree notebook: Nothing hidden about Occult's cross
Kentucky Oaks hopeful Occult sports the same pedigree pattern as Mandaloun.
Pedigree
Todd Pletcher had a trio of three-year-old maiden winners on Saturday. (NYRA/Coglianese Photography)
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Kingsbarns, Cuvier, Clubhouse win for Pletcher
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher knows how to prepare a January maiden winner for success on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby
Instant Coffee winning the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Photography)
Bolt d'Oro finishes 2022 as leading first-crop sire, Instant Coffee one to watch
Former graded-stakes winner Bolt d’Oro closed out 2022 atop the first-crop sire rankings based on progeny earnings, with 29 winners from 80 runners, including six stakes winners and three graded stakes heroes.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 16, 2023
Jason discusses his mom's visit to Tampa Bay Downs and family connections to horse racing.
Features
Pick 5 Play for Fair Grounds: Monday, Jan. 16, 2023
With fewer tracks to compete with, Fair Grounds’ multi-race wager pools often swell on Mondays. It’s a great opportunity to take a stab in the Early Pick 5.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 16
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Jan. 16 at Mahoning Valley and Fair Grounds, along with tickets for the $595 Super High 5 carryover at Laurel Park.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 16, 2023
Jason opens the show discussing the passing of jockey Avery Whisman and the conversation that came about after the news came out. He also discusses the weekend racing action from Tampa, Aqueduct, and Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Harness
Santa Anita: How to bet the $6,425 Super High 5 carryover
Rainy weather in California prompted Santa Anita to cancel Saturday and Monday racing. But Sunday’s card is a go, and it kicks off with a $6,425 carryover up for grabs in the $1 Super High 5.
Wagering
Fair Grounds: Horses to single (or not) in the $3,565 Pick 6 carryover
Looking for a non-jackpot carryover to chase this weekend? Check out the action at Fair Grounds, where the Saturday card features a $3,565 prize pool in the $1 Pick 6.
Wagering
Gulfstream Spot Plays and Pick 3 with Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf and Sunshine Sprint
Gulfstream Park will host a pair of stakes on Saturday, including the one-mile Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf and the six-furlong Sunshine Sprint for Florida-bred four-year-olds and up.
Wagering
Ganadora dominated the Dark Mirage at Los Alamitos in her last route attempt (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Santa Anita: How to bet the 2023 La Canada Stakes
Bob Baffert has the two main players in Sunday's La Canada (G3) at Santa Anita, and I expect the race to come down to that duo late.
Wagering
How to bet With, and Against, Occult in the 2023 Busanda Stakes
A compact field of five sophomore fillies will travel 1 1/8 miles over the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s $100,000 Busanda S. The morning-line choice in the field is Alpha Delta Stables’ #2 Occult (7-5) for conditioner Chad Brown.
Wagering
Sunland Park: How to bet the 2023 LaSenora Stakes
A total of six New Mexico-bred fillies will sprint six furlongs at Sunland Park in Sunday’s $100,000 LaSenora S.
Wagering
The Jury: Bets and fades for Jan. 14
A relatively quiet Saturday of action across the country includes a Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep at Aqueduct and listed stakes at Oaklawn, Tampa Bay Downs, and elsewhere. James Scully, Vance Hanson, and Ashley Anderson tackle these and other races in this week's TwinSpires Jury.
Wagering
Handicappers Debate: 2023 Fifth Season at Oaklawn Park
Saturday’s Fifth Season S. at Oaklawn Park features a solid group of 10 older horses competing over a two-turn mile, and James Scully and John Mucciolo have different opinions.
Wagering
Great Britain Preview: Spot Plays January 14, 2023
It’s a weekend for some decent prep races for the Cheltenham Festival in Britain, and some rich handicaps for the second-tier horses.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 13
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Jan. 13 at Fair Grounds, Oaklawn, and Turfway, including horses to single in the $2,201 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Fair Grounds: 2023 Nelson J. Menard Stakes Value Play
An overflow field of 13 fillies and mares, five of which are on the also-eligible list, will dash 5 1/2 panels on the Fair Grounds lawn in Saturday’s $100,000 Nelson J. Menard Memorial S.
Wagering
Australia Preview: McDonald poised for Magic Millions day
Australian eyes are turned to Queensland’s Gold Coast this weekend for Magic Millions raceday.
International
How to bet the 2023 Likely Exchange Stakes
A well-matched field of 11 fillies and mares will travel one mile over the Turfway Park surface in Saturday’s $125,000 Likely Exchange S.
Wagering
Fifth Season S. exotics plays and field analysis for Oaklawn Jan. 14
A competitive field of 10 will race one mile over the Oaklawn Park dirt in the $150,000 Fifth Season S. for four-year-olds and up.
Wagering
Dubai Preview: Spot plays for Jan. 13, 2023
Dubai’s carnival continues to heat up at Meydan on Friday. Headlining the seven-race card is the Al Rashidiya (G2).
International
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 12, 2023
“You got big shoes to fill.” We’ve all heard that phrase used whenever somebody takes over from their predecessor who was either an extreme talent or simply beloved in their role.
Features
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 12
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Jan. 12 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including tickets for Turfway’s $2,116 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 12, 2023
Jason opens the show talking about the upcoming racing weekend at Tampa Bay Downs and Aqueduct in the weekend preview. Then Jason welcomes in his mom, who is visiting Tampa to talk about horse racing in their family and share lots of old gambling stories from Jason's youth with his dad.
Racing Podcast
First-crop sires 2022: Girvin relocated to Kentucky after making his mark
Girvin achieved success as a freshman sire, ranking fifth among first-crop sires by progeny earnings in 2022 ($1,910,156), and his five stakes winners included Grade 1 conqueror Faiza.
Pedigree
Catching My Eye: LA-bred extraordinaires from Fair Grounds, Jan. 5-8
Three stakes winners plus a debut runner caught Kevin Kilroy's eye last week at Fair Grounds.
Analysis
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Jan. 12-16
Selected features, stakes coverage and the never-ending TwinSpires’ horses-to-watch list (H2W) share keys to success in exotics, win, place and show payoffs.
Harness
First-crop sires 2022: Justify makes Japanese impact
In a three-way battle for first-crop supremacy with Bolt d’Oro and Good Magic in 2022, Triple Crown winner Justify eventually finished third.
Pedigree
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 11, 2023
Jason welcomes in Fair Grounds analyst and TwinSpires writer Kevin Kilroy to the show to talk about racing at the Fair Grounds, his education in wagering, and many more topics about the New Orleans racetrack.
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 11
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park, including horses to support in Turfway’s $453 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
The best way to decide and create a win bet
The win bet is the purest way to wager on a horse race. All you have to do is pick the winning horse. But deciding which horse to bet can quickly grow complicated.
Education
Racing Roundtable: Thoughts on the Sham and Jerome
The Racing Roundtable this week discusses the impact of the two most recent Kentucky Derby (G1) preps and other action that occurred during the first full weekend of 2023.
Analysis
Hong Kong Preview: Money Catcher poised to take January Cup
The January Cup (G3) is normally a highly competitive handicap, but it might be very hard to topple a horse that placed at international Group 1 level at his last start.
International