POPULAR ARTICLES
VIDEOS
LATEST
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Jan. 5-9
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
Pick 5 Play for Fair Grounds Thursday, Jan. 5: Strategic Opinion
Having a strategic opinion can be reason enough to play a Pick 5. An example of a strategic opinion is singling in a spot where other players psychologically have a hard time singling, i.e. the first and last legs.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 4, 2023
Jason welcomes in trainer Jason Barkley to the show to talk about his strings at both Fair Grounds and Oaklawn. They also talk about the family life of a trainer, finding homes for his retiring runners, and more!
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 4
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Parx Racing, along with tickets for the $3,082 Super High 5 carryover at Turfway Park.
Racing
Dubai Carnival 2023: Horses to watch from the fall season at Meydan
The Dubai World Cup Carnival begins on Jan. 6, yet the racing action has already been in full swing in the United Arab Emirates since Oct. 28.
International
Racing Roundtable: New Year's weekend and beyond in 2023
The Racing Roundtable kicks off 2023 with a look back at the action over New Year's weekend and a look ahead to the upcoming season.
Features
ADVERTISEMENT
How trainer and sire stats can combine for enticing payoffs
When betting maiden races filled with unraced horses, win percentage stats come in handy. They consistently steer bettors toward live contenders in races that might otherwise be inscrutable.
Racing
The Science of Racing: The Starting Gate
It is a sight as familiar to racegoers as the horses themselves: the starting gate. As the minutes to the next race tick by, a tractor pulls this mechanical wonder to the right spot on the racetrack, dirt or turf, and draws the eyes of everyone present.
Education
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds, Dec. 29-Jan. 1 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy'
Mercy Warren won by 16 lengths in a first-level allowance sprint on Sunday at Fair Grounds with a merciless move in the turn.
Features
Hong Kong Preview: Alex seeks a princely triumph
Prince Alex can progress from a last-start third to win the Hoi Yuen Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
International
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 3, 2023
Jason opens the show talking about some betting ideas that were being discussed Monday on Twitter. Then we welcome in jockey Declan Cannon to talk about riding in Kentucky, riding the Turfway Polytrack, coming to the States, and much more!
Racing Podcast
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 3
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Parx Racing, including a pair of stakes.
Wagering
12 to keep on the radar for 2023
Of the very many horses to look forward to in 2023, I’d like to highlight a dozen to keep on the radar.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Pletcher, Cox, Mott pick up new winners
Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainers Todd Pletcher, Brad Cox, and Bill Mott all picked up possible 2023 Derby players when they sent out two-year-olds to win maiden races on New Year’s Eve.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Victory Formation
After posting two victories sprinting as a juvenile, Victory Formation joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a pacesetting triumph in the one-mile Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 2, 2023
Jason discusses using the new year as an opportunity to make some changes.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 2, 2023
We kick off 2023 by looking back at racing from the last day of 2022 as well as New Year's Day. Jason discusses weekend action from Gulfstream, Oaklawn, Fair Grounds, and Santa Anita.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 2
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Jan. 2 at Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields, including a ticket for Santa Anita’s $10,251 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
Harness Weekly Update: New Year's toast to 20% winners, 56% in the money
Moving into the New Year of harness with 56% hitting the board.
Harness
Santa Anita: How to bet the New Year's Day $10,251 Super High 5 carryover
Happy New Year! Santa Anita is starting off 2023 on a high note. The fifth race on the holiday card features a $10,251 carryover in the $1 Super High 5.
Wagering
2023 Mucho Macho Man Stakes Value Play
A full field of 12 newly-turned sophomores will travel one-mile on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Sunday’s $150,000 Mucho Macho Man.
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Holiday Cheer Stakes
A total of eight fillies and mares will run six panels on the Tapeta at Turfway Park in Sunday’s $125,000 Holiday Cheer.
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Santa Ynez Stakes
A total of seven three-year-old fillies will contest the $200,000 Santa Ynez S. (G3) at Santa Anita on New Year’s Day.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Smarty Jones Stakes
An octet of newly turned three-year-olds will travel one-mile at Oaklawn Park in Sunday’s $250,000 Smarty Jones S.
Wagering
Handicapping mandatory-payout carryovers at Turfway Park and Aqueduct
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson celebrates New Year’s Eve by analyzing a pair of mandatory-payout carryovers at Turfway Park and Aqueduct.
Racing
Celebrate New Year's Eve with New Zealand racing: Spot Plays for holiday card
As was the case last week, the biggest day of flat racing internationally this weekend is in New Zealand.
International
Gulfstream Park Stakes Spot Plays for Dec. 31
A six-pack of black-type events, five of the graded variety, will highlight a huge Saturday card at Gulfstream Park.
Wagering
Fair Grounds Stakes Spot Plays for Dec. 31
A total of four black-type events will lead the way at Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Wagering
The Jury: Bets and fades for Dec. 31
The TwinSpires Jury convenes to discuss opinions for the New Year's Eve action at Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, and Oaklawn Park.
Wagering
How to bet the 2022 Joe Hernandez Stakes
A fantastic group has been assembled for Saturday’s $250,000 Joe Hernandez S. (G2) at Santa Anita.
Wagering
How to bet the 2022 Queens County Stakes
A deep field of 11 will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct main surface in Saturday’s $150,000 Queens County S.
Wagering
How to bet the 2022 Gowell Stakes
An overflow field of 14 two-year-old fillies will go six furlongs on the Turfway Park all-weather oval in Saturday’s $125,000 Gowell S.
Wagering
Gulfstream Park: 2022 Fort Lauderdale Exotics Plays
An overflow field of 13 will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Gulfstream Park turf in Saturday’s $200,000 Fort Lauderdale S. (G2).
Wagering
Great Britain-Ireland Preview: Spot Plays Dec. 31-Jan. 1
After a series of thrilling races in Britain and Ireland this week, the jumps season continues to hot up over the New Year weekend.
International
Harness Review for 2022: $110 winner tops list of hits
TwinSpires.com harness racing review for 2022 of top winners and more.
Harness
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Dec. 30
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday at Turfway Park and Santa Anita, along with horses to bet in a trio of carryovers at Turfway, Mahoning Valley, and Tampa Bay Downs.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby: 2022 End of Year Stock Take
With all major juvenile racing now complete in 2022, it’s time to take stock of the 2023 Kentucky Derby picture – though it may seem as murky as it’s ever been.
Kentucky Derby
Sydney Preview: Spot Plays for Dec. 30
Twin Spires once again offers its Rest of the World Bet Back promotion on all races at Randwick.
International
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Dec. 29, 2022
Jason looks back at some of his favorite moments from 2022.
Features
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 29, 2022
Jason talks about his recent visit to Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans to open the show. Then looks back at racing from the fall and early winter as we finish up our Year in Review week on the show.
Racing Podcast
Spot Plays for Laurel Park Stakes Dec. 30
A total of six black-type events helps comprise a fine 11-race card at Laurel Park on Friday.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Dec. 29
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Dec. 29 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including horses to support in Turfway’s $2,321 Super High 5 carryover.
Wagering
2022 in Review: Leading Turf Horses by Eclipse Award categories
A majority of Eclipse Award categories for equine flat performers is technically open to all runners, regardless of surface proclivity.
Racing
Catching My Eye: Fair Grounds' Road to the Derby Kickoff Day
Three out of the last four Derby winners come through Fair Grounds, and both Epicenter and Rich Strike, the Kentucky Derby 148 exacta, ran in last year’s Gun Runner Stakes.
Kentucky Derby
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Dec. 29-Jan. 1
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 12/28/22--Year in Review Day 2
Jason opens the show discussing some of the racing from Santa Anita's opening day on Monday. Then we start Day 2 of our Year in Review looking back at the Triple Crown season as well as summer racing.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Dec. 28
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park, including three win choice at odds of 4-1 and higher.
Racing
How trainer stats can point toward future stakes winners
When a horse defies the stats and wins at first asking for a low-percentage debut trainer, you might be looking at a special horse. Maybe even a stakes winner.
Racing
2022 in Review: A record year for trainer Todd Pletcher
With stable earnings of more than $30.3 million, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has enjoyed a record season in 2022.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jace's Road
Jace’s Road couldn’t have been much more impressive in the Gun Runner S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to thrive racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Banishing, Groveland win for Godolphin
Godolphin has never won the Kentucky Derby (G1), but perhaps that will change in 2023. Maiden winners Banishing and Groveland are shaping up as possible Derby players for the world-renowned stable.
Racing
Hong Kong Preview: Dragon to continue Winning ways
Former Chilean Classic hero Winning Dragon can make it three consecutive victories in the Luk Wu Handicap at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
International
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Dec. 27, 2022
Jason starts our three-part Year in Review series of episodes this week. Today he looks back to January through April of 2022 talking about the biggest stories of those months as well as from the show.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Dec. 27
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Turf Paradise, including a trifecta capitalizing on the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.
Wagering
Harness Weekly Update: 55% in the money
Winner shortage defied by 55-percent in-the-money contenders in deep freeze.
Harness
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Dec. 26
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Dec. 26 at Fair Grounds and Santa Anita, including a ticket for the $51,808 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Great Britain-Ireland Preview: Spot Plays for Dec. 26
Bad weather has halted a lot of racing in Britain and Ireland in recent weeks, but it looks like it should return fully for Dec. 26, one of the big days of the year for jumps racing.
International
How to bet the Tropical Park Derby
An overflow field of 14 three-year-olds will contest the $100,000 Tropical Park Derby at Gulfstream Park on Monday.
Wagering
Santa Anita: 2022 Malibu Stakes Exotics Plays
A fantastic field of nine will travel seven panels on the Santa Anita dirt in Monday’s $300,000 Malibu S. (G1).
Wagering
Fair Grounds: 2022 Untapable Stakes Value Plays
A total of 10 juvenile fillies will go two turns in Monday’s $100,000 Untapable S. at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Santa Anita: How to bet the 2022 La Brea Stakes
A field of eight three-year-old fillies will travel seven-eighths on the Santa Anita main strip in Monday’s $300,000 La Brea S. (G1).
Racing
Tipsheet: 2022 Gun Runner Stakes
A total of seven juveniles will go 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds main surface in Monday’s $100,000 Gun Runner S.
Racing
Fair Grounds: Betting With, and Against, Corona Bolt in the Sugar Bowl Stakes
A six-pack of juveniles will vie in Monday’s $100,000 Sugar Bowl S. at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Fair Grounds spot plays for Dec. 26
After providing a couple opinions on Monday's "Road to the Derby Kickoff" card over at the TwinSpires Jury post, here are several other horses of interest on the stakes-laden program.
Wagering
The Jury: Bets and fades for Dec. 26
Road to the Derby Kickoff Day at Fair Grounds and the opener of the 2022-23 winter/spring meet at Santa Anita are the betting highlights Monday as racing resumes following the Christmas holiday.
Wagering
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Dec. 23
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Dec. 23 at Fair Grounds and Gulfstream Park, along with horses to single in the $17,717 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
New Zealand: Spot Plays for Christmas Black Type racing
If you’re wanting to play some high-quality racing on Christmas and can’t wait for North American racing to resume the day after, the place to look toward is New Zealand.
International
Japan: Titleholder can secure title in world's biggest betting race
Titleholder can secure Japan’s Horse of the Year award by taking out its equal-richest race this weekend.
Wagering
Top Winning Brisnet Speed Ratings for 2022
Brisnet Speed Ratings show there were two outstanding performances in 2022: one by Flightline, and one by… Wudda U Think Now?
Analysis
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Dec. 22, 2022
Jason talks about some of his favorite holiday week traditions including opening day at Santa Anita!
Features
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 22, 2022
Jason opens the show catching up on some of the news of the day including the Arlington Million and Beverly D. Stakes being moved to Colonial Downs. He also discusses some upcoming races at Fair Grounds, Santa Anita's opening day, as well as some holiday traditions of his and his family.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Dec. 22
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday at Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park, and Turfway Park, including a horse to single in the $6,123 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Catching My Eye: Two angles to find prices at Fair Grounds, Part Two
The second angle I am finding will likely be with us for the meet: trusting the less well-known jockeys.
Analysis
Harness Preview: Picks and Horses to Watch Dec. 22-26
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 Dec. 21, 2022
Jason opens the show talking about track handle data and some of the news of the day. Then we welcome in horseplayer and twitter personality Papa Beez to the show to talk about racing Twitter, his path to being a horseplayer, old gambling stories, and more!
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Dec. 21
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Dec. 21 at Turf Paradise and Turfway Park, including a horse to key on top in Turfway’s $13,003 Super High 5 carryover.
Racing
What is a jockey weight allowance?
In the sport of horse racing, the amount of weight carried by each horse has long been varied to account for differences in age, gender, and ability. Or, in some cases, the experience of their jockey.
Racing
Hong Kong Preview: Nordic Dragon can remain unbeaten
The proven experience of Excellent Peers, or the excitement of newcomer Nordic Dragon? That appears to be the question for punters trying to work out the Saturn Handicap.
International
2022 in Review: Reilly's 10 favorite races
From the sublime Flightline to photo-finish thrillers, the 2022 racing year delivered some outstanding moments. Here’s a personal list of my 10 favorite races of the season, divided equally between North America and Europe.
Features
Christmas brings betting opportunities on top-class racing overseas
Time zone differences mean that Australia, New Zealand, and east Asia will have great betting opportunities over the festive period.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Dec. 20
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, along with horses to single in the $4,863 Pick 5 carryover at Penn National.
Wagering
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Dec. 20, 2022
Jason opens the show discussing some of the changes for graded stakes in 2023. Then we welcome in Gulfstream Park track photographer Ryan Thompson to talk about the passing of Bob Coglianese, doing photography in horse racing, seeking out new shots, and much more!
Racing Podcast
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Tapit Trice shows grit for Pletcher
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher recently picked up another possible Derby player when Tapit Trice broke his maiden at Aqueduct.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wildatlanticstorm
Does Wildatlanticstorm have the pedigree to factor in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
2022 in Review: Bull's 10 Best Races of the year
As of this moment, these are the 10 races I enjoyed watching most in 2022.
Features
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Dec. 19, 2022
Jason looks back at the racing action from the weekend and discusses action from Remington Park including the Springboard Mile. He also talks Aqueduct, Los Alamitos, and more!
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 19, 2022
Jason looks back at the career of Rated R Superstar who won another stakes Saturday night at Remington Park.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Dec. 19
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Dec. 19 at Mahoning Valley and Fair Grounds, including a $48 ticket for the $2,728 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Harness Weekly Update: Weathering storms with across-the-board strikes
Harness success weathers the storms for across-the-board strikes.
Harness
Fair Grounds: Horses to single in the $14,919 Pick 5 carryover
Sunday’s 50-cent Late Pick 5 at Fair Grounds features a modest 15% takeout rate and a $14,919 carryover. Needless to say, it’s a sequence worth playing.
Wagering
The Science of Horse Racing: Colic and Laminitis
Both colic and laminitis come up as health issues that affect horses both on the racetrack and off.
Education
Crypto Ride is the King Glorious Stakes Value Play
A field of eight California-bred juveniles will travel one mile on the Los Alamitos strip in Sunday’s $100,000 King Glorious S.
Wagering
How to bet With, and Against, Value Engineering in the Allen Jerkens Handicap
An overflow field of 14 has been entered for the competitive $100,000 Allen Jerkens H. at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
Wagering
Carryover watch: Aqueduct's $84,991 Pick 6, Turfway's $9,134 Super High 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to bet (including a 12-1 longshot) in a pair of Saturday carryovers at Aqueduct and Turfway Park.
Racing
Remington Park Pick 3 Play for Dec. 17
The big day of racing plays host to a plethora of very good betting options, and I will focus on an all-stakes Pick 3 play.
Wagering
Oaklawn Park: How scrutinizing race conditions can be beneficial
The first thing bettors should generally do before handicapping a race is read and comprehend its conditions.
Education
The Jury: Bets and fades for Dec. 17
With most tracks dark next weekend for the Christmas holiday, bettors looking for a little extra spending money had better take advantage of the action available over the next few days.
Wagering
Durazzo heads field for Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, first Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race
The race that is arguably the most important in South America is being staged this weekend. Fifteen horses are due to take part in the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1).
International