POPULAR ARTICLES
VIDEOS
LATEST
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
ADVERTISEMENT
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
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays: Jan. 10
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Jan. 10 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a trifecta capitalizing on the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 10, 2023
Jason opens the show talking about probabilities and learning about them in regards to horse racing. Then we welcome in Gulfstream Park announcer Peter Aiello to the show to talk about the upcoming Pegasus and share some announcer stories from over the years.
Racing Podcast
First-crop sires: Good Magic increases Kentucky Derby prep tally to four
Reincarnate and Dubyuhnell have become the latest sons of Good Magic to win Road to the Kentucky Derby events.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Reincarnate
Dashing to the lead and refusing to yield proved a successful strategy for Reincarnate in the Sham (G3) at Santa Anita, as the hardy gray colt led all the way to prevail by a neck.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Willakenzie cruises for Cox
Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Brad Cox sent out Willakenzie on Thursday at Fair Grounds to win his debut traveling 1 1/8 miles.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 9, 2023
Jason discusses the injury of a jockey this past week and the dangers of being a jockey.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lugan Knight
You have to admire the tenacity Lugan Knight displayed to win the Jerome S. on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. But does he have the pedigree to handle the Kentucky Derby's testing 1 1/4-mile distance?
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast Jan. 9, 2023
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing action including the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct. He also talks some Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park racing action.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 9
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Jan. 9 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a couple of trifectas.
Wagering
Harness
Golden Gate: How to bet the $4,614 Super High 5 carryover
Who’s ready to have some fun at Golden Gate Fields? The Sunday card brings a $4,614 Super High 5 carryover to the table.
Wagering
Tipsheet: The 2023 Sham Stakes
A compact field of six three-year-olds will travel one mile over the Santa Anita dirt in Sunday’s $100,000 Sham S. (G3).
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Say Florida Sandy Stakes
A compact field of five New York-bred runners will travel seven furlongs on the Aqueduct dirt in Sunday’s $100,000 Say Florida Sandy.
Wagering
Santa Anita: How to bet the mandatory-payout $275,877 Pick 6 carryover
Saturday is California Cup Day at Santa Anita. The card is extra exciting from a betting perspective because there’s a $275,877 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover slated for mandatory dispersal.
Wagering
Spot plays and Pick 3 ticket for Gulfstream, including Dania Beach Stakes
Pilgrim S. (G2) hero Major Dude will kick off his three-year-old campaign in the Dania Beach S., while Todd Pletcher’s three-year-old filly Cairo Consort headlines the Ginger Brew S., both turf races on Gulfstream Park’s Saturday card.
Wagering
All-Stakes Pick 3 for Santa Anita on Jan. 7
A handful of black-type events will highlight a fine 10-race card at Santa Anita on Saturday.
Wagering
The Jury: Bets and fades for Jan. 7
The first Saturday of 2023 will offer plenty of stakes action and more from coast to coast.
Wagering
Betting With, and Against, Who Took the Money in the Champions Day Turf S.
A total of nine Cajun-bred runners, one of which is entered for the main track only, will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds lawn in Saturday’s $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf S. The one to beat is defending champ #4 Who Took the Money (7-5), who drew off by a convincing five lengths in the event last season.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Jerome Stakes
A talented field of eight three-year-olds will travel one-mile on the Aqueduct main surface in Saturday’s $150,000 Jerome S.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Report: Forte brings top credentials to the New Year
The Road to the Kentucky Derby series opened in late September, but the prep season doesn’t get into full swing until the New Year. And the first qualifier of 2023 took place at Oaklawn Park on New Year’s Day, the Smarty Jones.
Kentucky Derby
Pegasus World Cup 2023: Seven things to know
To help you get ready for the seventh running of the Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 28, here are seven things to know about race trends, the historical background, and successful trainers.
Trends
Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Great clash expected in King's Plate
The Breeders’ Cup Challenge series heads to South Africa on Saturday with two qualifying races — one of which has a new name.
Breeders Cup
Great Britain Preview: Spot plays for Sandown
There’s a decent day of racing at Sandown, featuring a Grade 1 novice hurdle, a Listed race for mares, and a rich handicap for older jumpers.
International
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays: Jan. 6
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Jan. 6 at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, and Santa Anita, including horses to single in the $1,360 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Dubai Preview: Switzerland can neutralize opponents
Graded stakes racing begins at Meydan this week, and TwinSpires gives you the opportunity to bet on all races on Friday.
International
Pippin S. exotics plays and field analysis for Oaklawn Jan. 7
Ten older fillies and mares will race 1 1/16 miles over the Oaklawn dirt in the $150,000 Pippin Stakes for females four years old and up.
Wagering
How to bet the 2023 Orleans Stakes
A total of eight fillies and mares will dash five-eighths at Delta Downs on Friday evening in the $75,000 Orleans S.
Wagering
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 5, 2023
Jason discusses his personal 2023 racing resolutions for the year.
Features
Bulldog Hanover sets a world record for a mile of 1:45 4/5 at the Meadowlands. (Photo by Lisa Photo)
2022: The year of record-breaking Bulldog
Harness racing star Bulldog Hanover put up a season that was well and truly comparable to that of Thoroughbred hero Flightline.
Harness
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Jan. 5, 2023
Jason follows up on a discussion from earlier in the week and talks about bet selection for horseplayers and why often we only play one or two types of bets. He also looks ahead to Saturday's Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct, where Kentucky Derby points are on the line.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 5
Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, along with horses to play in Aqueduct’s $189,198 Pick 5 carryover and Turfway’s $4,843 Super High 5 carryover.
Racing
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
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