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Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Feb. 23-27
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.
Racing
Why it pays to look beyond a horse's most recent race
Horses aren’t machines, and any number of events can trigger a poor performance. Knowing when to forgive a subpar result is often the key to cashing tickets.
Education
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 22
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park, including tickets for Tampa’s $2,686 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Feb. 22, 2023
Jason opens the show talking about the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn coming up this weekend. Then we welcome in jockey Will Humphrey, who won his first graded stakes over the weekend at Laurel. They talk about the race, riding in Maryland, and much more!
Racing Podcast
Hong Kong Preview: Solar Winds set to take Happy Valley by storm
#5 Solar Winds can build on his last-start second to one of Hong Kong’s most exciting horses with victory in the Luard Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
International
Racing Roundtable: 2023 Louisiana Derby Preview Day
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson are back to provide takeaways from the Louisiana Derby Preview Day card at Fair Grounds in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Features
ADVERTISEMENT
Pedigree notebook: ‘Classic' patterns recur
Champion Classic Empire celebrated a graded stakes double on Saturday, and both of his winners are out of Bernardini-line mares.
Pedigree
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 21
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Fair Grounds and Turf Paradise, along with horses to play in Pick 5 and Super High 5 carryovers at Sunland Park.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Feb. 21, 2023
Jason opens the show talking about Steve Asmussen winning his 10,000th race on Monday as well as some of the other holiday racing action. He also discusses some betting and handicapping topics as well as some recent racing social media conversations.
Racing Podcast
Tall Tales of the Track: Sysonby, the (Almost) Unbeatable
A skeleton of a horse once hung in the American Museum of Natural History, the limbs positioned as if in flight.
History
Exotics Plays for Mardi Gras S. at Fair Grounds Feb. 21
Fair Grounds Race Course will celebrate Fat Tuesday with the $100,000 Mardi Gras S. for fillies and mares on Feb. 21.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Angel of Empire
Stretch-running victories in the Risen Star (G2) and Arkansas Derby (G1) have propelled Angel of Empire into the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) picture. But does he have the pedigree to succeed in the Run for the Roses?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Bishops Bay, Heroic Move impress for Cox
Winning the Kentucky Derby (much less the Triple Crown) off a February debut isn’t easy, but Bishops Bay may have the talent to take a shot.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Feb. 20, 2023
This past Saturday, a nationwide moment of silence was held at racetracks from across the country to not only remember jockey Avery Whisman, who passed away last month, but to raise awareness for the mental and physical struggles that can come along with riding horses as a career.
Features
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 20
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Feb. 20 at Aqueduct and Santa Anita, along with a horse to single in the $54,483 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Feb. 20, 2023
Jason looks back at the racing from the weekend, including Risen Star day down at the Fair Grounds. He also discusses stakes racing from Oaklawn, Tampa, Laurel, and Gulfstream Park as well.
Racing Podcast
Harness Weekly Update: Double-digit winners, 53% across the board hits
Feature wins, exactas, 53% in the money from all contenders.
Harness
Tampa Bay Downs: Horses to play in the $4,317 Super High 5 carryover
Sunday bettors will be happy to hear Tampa Bay Downs has a $4,317 non-jackpot Super High 5 carryover available to play in the afternoon’s third race.
Wagering
Aqueduct: How to bet the 2023 Maddie May Stakes
A six-pack of New York-bred sophomore fillies will contest the $100,000 Maddie May S. at Aqueduct on Sunday.
Wagering
$500,000 All-Stakes Late Pick 5 at Fair Grounds, $74,832 Pick 5 at Turfway Park
Risen Star Day at Fair Grounds features an all-stakes Late Pick 5 with a guaranteed pool of $500,000. Also, following an upset-laden Friday, there's a $4,064 Pick 6 carryover going into the banner Saturday card.
Wagering
Exotics plays for the 2023 Royal Delta Stakes at Gulfstream Feb. 18
Multiple graded stakes winner Kathleen O. will square off with Grade 3 champ Midnight Stroll and five other fillies and mares in Saturday’s Royal Delta S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Wagering
Handicappers Debate: 2023 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds
New Orleans is the destination for this week’s debate, as handicappers Alastair Bull and James Scully offer different opinions in Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Features
The Jury: Bets and fades for Feb. 18
The Jury reconvenes to deliberate on an excellent day of racing from coast to coast, highlighted by Louisiana Derby Preview Day at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Shirl's Speight takes on leading Japanese dirt horses in Tokyo
It’s a significant day of racing at Tokyo racecourse in Japan, with two features that have relevance to North America.
International
Great Britain Preview: Bristol De Mai back on favorite track
We will concentrate on the Grand National Trial at Haydock, which has drawn an even field.
International
Sydney Preview: Rosehill Gardens plays for Feb. 17, 2023
A trio of Group 2 races headline the card at Rosehill Gardens this weekend.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 17
J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Feb. 17 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, along with horses to play in the $285,092 Pick 5 carryover and $40,771 Pick 6 carryover at Aqueduct.
Wagering
Laurel Park Spot Plays for Feb. 18
A total of six stakes races, two of the graded variety, will highlight a big day of racing at Laurel Park on Saturday.
Racing
Catching My Eye: Morning Breezes Ahead of Louisiana Derby Preview Day
As the three-year-old campaigns build momentum and with Louisiana Derby Preview Day on Saturday, the morning workouts at Fair Grounds have been heating up.
Kentucky Derby
How to bet the 2023 Wishing Well Stakes
The finale at Santa Anita on Saturday will pit nine fillies and mares running down the Hillside Turf Course in the $100,000 Wishing Well S.
Wagering
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Risen Star Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Risen Star Stakes, plus a pro, con and rating of their potential.
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Dust Commander Stakes
An excellent field of 10 will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Turfway Park All-Weather in Saturday’s $125,000 Dust Commander S.
Wagering
All-Stakes Late Pick 5 for Louisiana Derby Preview Day at Fair Grounds
Saturday's Louisiana Derby Preview Day at Fair Grounds will offer an all-stakes Late Pick 5, culminating with the Risen Star (G2), a Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby prep.
Wagering
Fair Grounds: How to bet the 2023 Mineshaft Stakes
A well-matched field of nine will go postward in Saturday’s $250,000 Mineshaft S. (G3) at Fair Grounds.
Racing
How to bet the 2023 Fair Grounds Stakes
A competitive field of eight will travel about 1 1/8 miles on the lawn in Saturday’s $150,000 Fair Grounds S.
Racing
Betting With, and Against, Hoosier Philly in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes
A talented field of six sophomore fillies will go 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds main surface in the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra S.
Racing
Derby Report – Stakes debuters continue to strike in Davis, Withers; Risen Star gets big field
Hit Show and Litigate became the latest first-time stakes performers to win a qualifier, jumping on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with respective wins in the Withers (G3) and Sam F. Davis (G3) on Feb. 11.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2023 Risen Star Stakes
A huge field of 14 sophomores will run 1 1/8 miles on the Fair Grounds dirt surface in the $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) on Saturday.
Wagering
Dubai Preview: Kentucky Oaks spot in play at Meydan
The UAE Oaks (G3) at Meydan is the first race on the Road to the 2023 Kentucky Oaks, where the winner gets 50 points.
International
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Feb. 16, 2023
Jason starts a new series for the Thursday column called the "Six Secrets of Unsuccessful Bettors."
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 16
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Feb. 16 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, along with tickets for Gulfstream Park’s $2,284 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Feb. 16, 2023
Jason talks about changing our bad habits in our horseplaying in the opening segment. Then he looks ahead to some weekend racing at Laurel Park and Fair Grounds.
Racing Podcast
Fair Grounds Late Pick 5 Thursday, Feb. 16
In the first leg of Fair Grounds' Late Pick 5, let’s lean on the class-dropper #7 Planters Punch (7-2), who has a nice finish.
Wagering
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Feb. 16-20
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
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 15
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park, including horses to play in Turfway’s $3,587 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Feb. 15, 2023
Jason opens the show discussing a couple of the races coming up at Fair Grounds this weekend. Then he welcomes in longtime horse racing writer/columnist Jay Hovdey to the show to talk about his time in horse racing, writing about the game, Lost in the Fog, and more!
Racing Podcast
G1-to-maiden class drop can be surprisingly lucrative
One of the most extreme examples of "dropping in class" occurs when a horse exits a Grade 1 race (the highest class there is) and enters a maiden race (restricted to horses who have never won a race).
Education
Racing Roundtable: Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks trails
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson take a look at the latest developments along the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) trails in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree notebook: Gulfstream turf sprint double for Uncaptured
Gulfstream Park staged two stakes on Saturday, and progeny of Uncaptured won both.
Pedigree
Hong Kong Preview: Gallant Waking to enjoy Happy Valley return
Don’t be surprised if #1 Gallant Waking improves sharply when he contests Tsuen Wan Handicap over 1,650 meters (about 1 mile 40 yards) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 14
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Feb. 14 at Parx Racing and Turf Paradise, along with tickets for the $683 Super High 5 carryover at Sunland Park.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Feb. 14, 2023
Jason opens the show catching up on some news and talking about the football championship from Sunday. Then we welcome in horseplayer and owner Dylan Donnelly to talk about his tournament win at Tampa over the weekend, tournament strategy in different formats, owning horses, and more!
Racing Podcast
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Sir Barton
Thoroughbreds are fast and powerful athletes and the most elite are the ones whose names become a part of our collective consciousness, but, like familiar faces like Tom Brady and Michael Jordan, they were living, breathing beings who interacted with the world around them and left a distinct impression on those who cared for them.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Skinner, Arthur's Ride impress
You might assume February is too late for a future Kentucky Derby (G1) winner to be scoring their maiden victory. That’s true most of the time, but not always.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Litigate
When Litigate rallied to a determined victory in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, it was confirmation the bay colt has been waiting for a chance to shine running long.
Kentucky Derby
Chase the Chaos winning the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields (Photo by Vassar Photography)
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chase the Chaos
What do we make of Chase the Chaos, who unleashed a giant homestretch rally to win the El Camino Real Derby over the synthetic Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields? Can he successfully switch to dirt?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Hit Show
When Hit Show stormed down the Aqueduct homestretch to dominate the 1 1/8-mile Withers (G3), he fulfilled the promise of a pedigree geared top and bottom toward success running long.
Kentucky Derby
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 13
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Feb. 13 at Mahoning Valley and Parx Racing, along with horses to play in Turf Paradise’s $2,682 Pick 5 carryover.
Wagering
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for Feb. 13, 2023
Jason writes about the Suncoast Stakes and how there's never a sure thing in horse racing.
Features
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Feb. 13, 2023
Jason looks back at the racing action from the weekend, including the Sam F. Davis and Suncoast Stakes from Tampa Bay Downs. He also talks about the Withers and El Camino Real Derby.
Racing Podcast
Harness Weekly Update: $57 winner among 'Sporty' results
$57, $39 winners top host of feature winners and H2W hits.
Harness
Forte holds as 8-1 individual choice in KDFW Pool 4; 'All others' 2-1
Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) closed Sunday with stability at the very top, coupled with big market moves for a filly as well as recent winners.
Kentucky Derby
Saudi Cup Day prospectus: Country Grammer, Taiba, Elite Power among probables
Now that the projected fields for the Feb. 25 Saudi Cup Day extravaganza have been announced, let’s get a head start on the handicapping! Here are the key contenders in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) as well the five Thoroughbred stakes on the undercard.
International
Fair Grounds Pick 6 for Feb. 12: $9,039 carryover and 15% takeout
Sunday’s Pick 6 at Fair Grounds is bettable to say the least: 15% takeout, $9,039 carryover, plus every race is an open company affair.
Wagering
Fair Grounds: Horses to single in the $9,039 Pick 6 carryover
This week’s racing action at Fair Grounds wraps up on Sunday with an enticing $9,039 non-jackpot carryover up for grabs in the $1 Pick 6.
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Lady of Shamrock Stakes
An intriguing field of seven sophomores fillies will travel one mile on the Santa Anita turf in Sunday’s $100,000 Lady of Shamrock S.
Wagering
Analyzing carryovers at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, and Turfway Park
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in a bevy of non-jackpot Saturday carryovers at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, and Turfway Park.
Wagering
Handicappers Debate: 2023 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs
The Road to the Kentucky Derby series is featured in this week’s debate, as handicappers James Scully and Vance Hanson offer different opinions in Saturday’s $250,000 Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs.
Kentucky Derby
The Jury: Bets and fades for Feb. 11
Tampa Bay Downs hosts the most important race card on Saturday, including the Sam F. Davis (G3) and the return of champion filly Wonder Wheel in the Suncoast S. The TwinSpires Jury has scanned that program and others to come up with their best plays of the weekend.
Wagering
Betting With, and Against, Manhattan Jungle in the Sweet Life Stakes
A sizable field of 11 sophomore fillies will travel about 6 1/2 furlongs down the Hillside Turf Course in Saturday’s $100,000 Sweet Life S.
Wagering
Turfway: 2023 Valdale Stakes Exotics Plays
A total of 11 sophomore fillies will travel 6 1/2 furlongs on the synthetic at Turfway Park in Saturday’s $125,000 Valdale S.
Wagering
Aqueduct: How to bet the 2023 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes
A compact field of five three-year-olds will vie in Saturday’s $100,000 Jimmy Winkfield S.
Wagering
Sydney Preview: In Secret, Anamoe begin autumn campaigns
The Sydney autumn carnival continues its kick into gear this weekend.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 10
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Feb. 10 at Oaklawn Park and Turfway Park, along with horses to single in the $4,320 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Dubai Preview: Shirl's Bee hard to beat in UAE 2,000 Guineas
Some potential contenders for the main Kentucky Derby overseas qualifying race contest the UAE 2,000 Guineas (G3) at Meydan on Friday.
International
Tipsheet: 2023 Sam F. Davis Stakes
A full field of 12 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Tampa Bay Downs dirt surface in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) on Saturday.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 El Camino Real Derby
An octet of sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Golden Gate Fields All-Weather surface in Saturday’s $100,000 El Camino Real Derby.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Withers Stakes
A total of seven sophomores will go postward in Saturday’s $250,000 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct.
Wagering
Gulfstream Spot plays for Feb. 11, including the Turf Sprint S.
The Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes and the $100,000 Ladies’ Turf Sprint Stakes highlight Saturday’s 12-race card at the Florida racetrack.
Wagering
Exotics Plays for the 2023 Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Alcibiades (G1) winner Wonder Wheel will go for her fifth victory in her sixth career start when she faces a field of nine in the one-mile and 40-yard Suncoast S. for three-year-old fillies.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Report: Mott strikes in Holy Bull, sends contenders to Sam Davis, Withers
Rocket Can opened his three-year-old season with a rallying win in the Feb. 4 Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Feb. 9, 2023
Jason writes about doing authentic content both inside of racing and out, and how that can connect with an audience.
Racing Podcast
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Feb. 9, 2023
Jason opens the show talking about some news articles from this week as well as a conversation on bettors determining what tracks they're good and bad at. Then he looks ahead to the late Pick 5 at Tampa Bay Downs, including the Suncoast and Sam F. Davis Stakes.
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 9
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Feb. 9 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including a horse to single in the $2,560 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Feb. 9-13
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
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Feb. 8, 2023
Jason welcomes in content creator Rasi Harper to talk about "The Real Players Inside the Backstretch." They discuss the origins of their videos, interviewing people in racing, showcasing backside workers, and much more!
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 8
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Feb. 8 at Gulfstream Park and Mahoning Valley, along with horses to play in lucrative carryovers at Turfway Park and Charles Town.
Wagering
Forte listed at 8-1, ‘All Others' 2-1 for Pool 4 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) will open its three-day run Friday at noon (ET) and close Sunday at 6 p.m. The revamped KDFW features 40 betting interests for the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 6.
Kentucky Derby
When to bet to place (or not)
The place bet can be a tricky wager to properly play. Not because it’s complicated to understand, but because executing a sound strategy that capitalizes on your opinions is easier said than done.
Education
Racing Roundtable: Holy Bull and Robert B. Lewis
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson look back at last weekend's classic preps and other three-year-old doings in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Features
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds Feb. 2-4
Yes, 11 of the 38 in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3 are trained by Brad Cox, but don’t think for a second that’s all he’s got.
Analysis
Pedigree notebook: Earls Rock built upon legends ancient and modern
Earls Rock's pedigree curates a multiplicity of strains of Northern Dancer, and his female line traces to an all-time great racemare.
Pedigree
Hong Kong Preview: Packing Award tough to beat at Happy Valley
Two HK$3.8 million ($485,000) Class 1 contests highlight Wednesday’s racing at Happy Valley.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Feb. 7
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Turf Paradise, along with horses to single in Pick 5 carryovers at Mahoning Valley and Sunland Park.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Feb. 7, 2023
Jason welcomes in jockey Willie Martinez to the show to talk about his 30-plus-year career in the saddle, winning a Breeders' Cup race, moving away from home at a young age, his George Woolf nomination, and much more!
Racing
Pedigree profile: Newgate
Does Newgate have the pedigree to succeed over classic distances? It’s not necessarily a clear-cut answer, because there are mixed signals to interpret.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Bus Buzz, Demolition Duke impress
Santa Anita… Fair Grounds… Gulfstream Park… Oaklawn Park… Tampa Bay Downs. Possible Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders won maiden special weights at racetracks all around the country last week.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rocket Can
It isn’t surprising to see Rocket Can enjoying success on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail. The gray colt boasts a pedigree combining speed with stamina, often a recipe for success in the Derby.
Kentucky Derby