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The Smartest Bet in Horse Racing: 4 Strategies for Success
What is the smartest bet in horse racing? The answer is both incredibly complex and surprisingly simple.
Education
The Fascinating Numbers Behind the Kentucky Derby 2026 [INFOGRAPHIC]
Check out the fascinating Numbers Behind the Kentucky Derby 2026 from different angles through infographics!
Education
What are payouts? Here’s the math and how you can use them in betting
In horse racing betting, what are payouts? How do payouts work? And how can you use them to place smarter bets?
Analysis
Need for Speed: What the Fastest Breeds Teach Us About Racehorse Evolution
As racing matured from a casual match race between friends into a business spanning countries and continents, the science of speed and stamina followed, answering questions about how these innate equine talents work in these breeds that we all love to watch.
Racing
Top 10 fastest Kentucky Derby times in history
From a legendary Triple Crown winner to a high-priced yearling who stole the heart of a Japanese racing enthusiast, here are the 10 horses with the fastest winning times in Kentucky Derby history.
Racing
Top 10 Most Successful Trainers in Kentucky Derby History
Based on overall number of victories, as well as second- and third-place finishes, here are the 10 most successful trainers in Kentucky Derby history.
Kentucky Derby
Top 10 best racehorses of all time
Ranking the greatest racehorse of all time is an exercise fraught with challenges and subjectivity. But I'm going to give it a try.
Racing
Top 10 Fastest Horse Breeds in the World
From the noble Arabian poised for battle to the esteemed equines who run in the Kentucky Derby, let's explore the 10 fastest horse breeds in the world.
Racing
Jockeys and weight in the Kentucky Derby
Being the most identifiable human participants on average in Thoroughbred racing, jockeys will be a major focus in this week’s 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby.
Features
2026 Kentucky Derby News and Notes
The Kentucky Derby news and notes offers all of our coverage cultivated in one place!
Triple Crown
LIVE Louisiana Derby 2026: Expert Top Picks and Live Results as Kentucky Derby Points Hang in the Balance
Welcome to our Louisiana Derby 2026 LIVE coverage!
Fair Grounds
Tall Tales of the Track – Under Fire
When Count Turf crossed the finish line first to win the 1951 Kentucky Derby, he was the third generation of Derby winners, his sire Count Fleet and grandsire Reigh Count both also victorious under the Twin Spires. In 1928, Reigh Count brought John and Fannie Hertz the first of their classic victories, but a conflict involving John’s taxi company almost ended the horse’s life. When it counted, when history was on the line, one man’s quick-thinking response made all the difference.
Features
Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Worth, 1912)
In Louisville, the big show went on as racing fans once again celebrated another Kentucky Derby, its victor a champion colt whose brief time on the racetrack left the sport wondering “what if?”
Kentucky Derby
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [Feb 28]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Wagering
Tall Tales of the Track – A Case of Mistaken Identity?
With apologies to Mark Twain, the reports of the horse’s premature death, however, were greatly exaggerated. Instead, the colt’s journey to that fateful day involved a top sire, a famed owner, and a legendary jockey, all of whom played a role in the story of a horse named Riley.
Education
The Heart that Wears the Crown: Omaha
When any Triple Crown winner goes to stud, the high expectations set by winning that coveted trophy come along, as fans eagerly anticipate the next generation. Can he copy himself and produce another just like him? Of the 13 to have worn the crown, only one has done what is nearly impossible, a feat unlikely to be duplicated anytime soon: siring another Triple Crown winner.
Education
Tall Tales of the Track: Honoring the Memory of a Rider Long Gone
By the late 19th century, the Kentucky Derby had become a fixture on the American stakes calendar, but its home track struggled with its finances and with attracting good horses for its list of feature races. When Chant arrived in Louisville for the 1894 Derby, he would face a short field, but a victory would give his young jockey a place in the sport’s history books and preserve his memory for years to come.
Features
The Heart That Wears the Crown: War Admiral
Lofty expectations are laid upon the greats when they exit stage left to enter the next phase. When Man o’ War said goodbye to his life on the track, the focus then became on whether the 20th century’s greatest racehorse could produce another one like him. Whatever it was that made Big Red so dominant and so iconic had to be passed along to his progeny, but what would that look like?
Triple Crown
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [Jan. 24, 2026]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Racing
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Whirlaway
Whirlaway, the fifth Triple Crown winner, ignited the imaginations of those along for the ride on the cusp of war in 1941.
Triple Crown
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Count Fleet
Count Fleet swept into his classic season like no other. Virtually unbeatable at three, his trip through the three races was marked not by grinding stretch runs for the win but by the ease behind his victories, the clear joy he had in the running. The heart that wore the sixth Triple Crown was one that was both headstrong and ecstatic in one small brown package.
Features
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Assault
With a heart as big as Texas, Assault did not let his small size or disfigured hoof keep him from wearing a crown and sealing his place in racing history.
Education
Step-by-step: How to bet a Super High 5
Hitting a Super High 5 wager isn’t easy; it’s one of the trickiest and most expensive horse racing bets to pursue. But winning tickets often yield big paydays.
Education
NEW: A quick guide on how to build your own Horse Racing Parlay using the TwinSpires App
Parlay betting with the TwinSpires App allows you to combine multiple races into a single bet, even if the races are not sequential on the card!
Wagering
Live-Money Contest Talk: The Leaderboard Show with HHH Racing Podcast, Episode 4 [VIDEO]
The HHH Podcast crew recaps the Clark Betting Challenge that took place on closing weekend at Churchill Downs and previews the Remsen and Cigar Mile Contest that takes place this Saturday and plays as a qualifier for the 2026 Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge.
Wagering
Live-Money Contest Talk: The Leaderboard Show with HHH Racing Podcast, Episode 1 [VIDEO]
A new show on the HHH Racing Podcast featuring live-money contest talk under the umbrella of TwinSpires, featuring Howard Kravets, Matt Miller, Jackson Muniz, and Noah Meagher.
Wagering
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [Sept. 20 - 22]
Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Tournaments
Tall Tales of the Track: George Smith Finds His Fortune
Equine namesake, George Smith, echoed excellence and made history under the Twin Spires, keeping the memory of this legendary punter alive in the sport that supplied his wealth.
Education
Free 2025 Royal Ascot Betting Guide: Picks, Analysis, Tips, and Handicapping
The Official Free 2025 Royal Ascot Betting Guide has arrived! Explore expert picks, longshots, handicapping, analysis and tips for the day's racing
Tournaments
Tips, picks, and bets for the 2025 Tremont and Astoria at Saratoga
It can be tricky to handicap early-season stakes races for two-year-olds, such as Thursday’s $150,000 Tremont S. and $150,000 Astoria S. at Saratoga.
Education
Betting on underdogs: When and how to spot profitable longshots
Spotting profitable longshots in horse racing is easier said than done. But a few handicapping guidelines can help you identify underdogs worth betting.
Education
How long are the three Triple Crown races?
The three races which make up the U.S. Triple Crown of Thoroughbred horse racing—the Kentucky Derby, Preakness S., and Belmont S.—each provide a test over a different distance at a different venue.
Racing
2025 Preakness Stakes: Odds, News, and Notes
Find out everything you need to know with our 2025 Preakness Stakes odds, news, and notes! And don't forget to tune in to our LIVE coverage on Preakness day, where you can find up-to-date horse racing news, LIVE odds, expert picks, and more.
Triple Crown
Horse racing speed figures and class ratings explained
Speed figures and class ratings are two types of data handicappers use to analyze horse races and identify horses worth betting.
Education
How weather conditions affect horse racing: rain, wind, and extreme temperatures
Horse racing isn’t an indoor sport. Competition takes place at outdoor racetracks that are, unsurprisingly, at the mercy of weather conditions.
Education
An introduction to track conditions (and all the related lingo)
Thoroughbred horse racing is an outdoor sport, with races typically taking place rain or shine. That means track conditions can vary widely with the weather.
Racing
A Glass Full of Memories: A History of the Derby's Iconic Mint Julep Glasses
From their humble beginnings in the 1930s to their collectible designs in 2025, the mint julep glass is another piece of the Kentucky Derby experience that leaves fans with lasting memories of their day under the Twin Spires.
Kentucky Derby
Synthetic vs. turf vs. dirt: How surface transitions affect horse racing
When a horse transitions from one racing surface to another, the impact on their performance can be substantial.
Education
Horse racing betting: What is a bridge jumper?
The sport of horse racing is filled with specific (and sometimes creative) lingo and jargon. The term “bridge jumper” is an example.
Betting Info
Is the Kentucky Oaks more predictable than the Kentucky Derby?
It stands to reason that the Kentucky Oaks, which is limited to 14 starters, is an easier race to handicap than the 20-horse Kentucky Derby. But is this true?
Analysis
4 jockey stats to know for Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs
If you’re a bettor who factors jockey assignments into your handicapping, we’ve got a handful of stats and facts for you to keep in mind during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs:
Racing
Triple Crown records
The facts, figures, and record-setting performances of the 13 Triple Crown winners in Thoroughbred racing history.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for March 20, 2025
Jason discusses "psychological bias" in our handicapping and betting decisions we make at the races.
Racing
How to pick the winner of a horse race: Step-by-step guide
Picking the winner of a horse race isn’t as hard as it seems. Even in races with many horses, thorough analysis can consistently uncover winning horses.
Education
Beginner’s guide: How to read horse racing form lines
In Thoroughbred horse racing, analyzing “the form”—the past performances of each horse in a race—is simpler than it appears.
Education
Studying racing on a mobile phone at the Kentucky Derby (Photo by Coady Photography/Churchill Downs)
Best sites for horse racing statistics, data, form, and more
There are many online options for horseplayers seeking horse racing statistics, data, form lines, etc. to aid their handicapping and betting.
Racing
Horse racing data analytics: What data matters most for betting?
Betting on horse races is a data-driven endeavor. Data analytics is a huge component of handicapping. The number of data points that can be compiled, crunched, and considered is almost endless.
Education
How to handicap horse races in 5 easy steps
Handicapping horse races doesn’t have to be difficult. A few simple guidelines can steer you down the path to picking winners and placing smart bets.
Education
Exploring Famous Racehorse Names and Their Meanings
Scan the entries on a typical racecard and you'll see a wide assortment of ordinary nouns and phrases make up a significant portion of the names Thoroughbreds carry with them throughout their lives.
Features
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem Dec. 5, 2024
Jason looks ahead to the potential big debut for Flightline's baby sister, Flight of Fancy, on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.
Racing
Two Turns to One Turn, Your Turn to Cash a Bet
It's a subtle but significant fact that some Thoroughbred prefer to race around one turn and others prefer to race around two, even if all other race conditions are equal. There are a few reasons for this; for example, it’s harder to run around a...
Racing
Expert advice for playing tournaments from the TwinSpires team
Tournaments at TwinSpires are better than ever as the horse racing industry's authoritative betting solution presents a new experience for our horseplayers.
Racing
Coming to You Live: A History of Broadcasting the Kentucky Derby
The 150 years of the Kentucky Derby have seen this famous test follow the evolution of media, where this racing experience has gone from words on a page to images on our screens, creating a day at the races unlike any other.
Education
The Impact of Horse Age on Speed and Performance
It’s long been understood that the age of a racehorse impacts their speed and performance.
Analysis
The role of jockey techniques in maximizing horse speed
There are many ways jockeys can maximize the speed of the racehorses they ride. Some can be analyzed mathematically.
Education
Each-way bets in horse racing explained: places, payoffs, and examples
What is an each-way bet in horse racing? American fans might not be familiar with the term. It’s a common bet in the fixed-odds bookmaking world of the United Kingdom, but pari-mutuel betting in the U.S. lacks a direct equivalent.
Education
What is a handicap race in horse racing?
You’ve likely heard the term handicapping referring to the process of analyzing a horse race to determine the most likely winner. But… what is a handicap race?
Education
What is a stone in British and Irish horse racing?
Follow British or Irish horse racing for long enough, and you’re bound to hear reference to the number of “stone” a horse carries. So what is a stone?
Education
Pat Day Mile shows power of horses cutting back to one turn
When handicapping one-turn stakes races for three-year-olds during and after the Road to the Kentucky Derby, favoring horses with experience running long in Derby preps can reap dividends.
Analysis
When a horse willingly races inside and through traffic, take note
Some horses are uncomfortable racing inside and behind rivals and fail to run their best when asked to do so. Others don’t mind at all, opening the door for perfect ground-saving trips.
Analysis
Why the Kentucky Derby generates big betting payoffs
The Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs is considered one of the best betting races of the year. The reason? Big payoffs. And the reason for the big payoffs? Simple mathematics.
Education
Commander Compton shows how strong a horse’s surface preferences can be
Commander Compton is vivid proof that some horses hold clear-cut surface preferences, and a reminder that poor form over a disliked surface can be disregarded when analyzing a horse’s past performances.
Analysis
When a speed horse is dominant, a closer can finish second
When you handicap a horse race and conclude that a runner with early speed—a pacesetter—appears much the best, it can pay to play a stretch runner for second place in the exacta.
Analysis
How betting longshots exiting deep races can reap rewards
It's not uncommon to analyze the entries for a horse race and see multiple runners coming out of a common previous race. If the previous race was a deep and classy contest, consider the possibility the horses exiting that race will sweep the top two or three finishing positions in the race you're currently handicapping.
Features
Kentucky Derby Purse: How much prize money the winning jockey will earn
In addition to the worldwide attention and acclaim Sonny Leon received for his spectacular ride aboard Rich Strike, Leon—a first-time Derby participant in 2022—also collected a portion of the $3 million purse.
Kentucky Derby
If a race is wide open, don’t dismiss out-of-state shippers
A horse shipping in from a different track or state can be inadvertently underestimated in your quest to rank the local runners, but sometimes the newcomer winds up being superior to all the locals.
Analysis
Second off layoff angle is powerful in Kentucky Derby preps
When a horse shows talent racing on dirt at age two, the Kentucky Derby (G1) often becomes a long-term goal. But getting a horse to peak on Derby day isn’t easy.
Analysis
A Clean Start: The Evolution of the Kentucky Derby Starting Gate
In its 150 years, the Kentucky Derby has gone from a standing start to a barrier to the modern starting gate, a journey that shows the ever-evolving science of a clean start.
Education
Lucrative exactas reiterate the power of Grade 1-to-maiden class drop
Horses dropping in class from a Grade 1 stakes to a maiden race can generate surprisingly nice payoffs.
Analysis
What is a non-wagering event in horse racing?
Pari-mutuel betting is available on the vast majority of U.S. horse races, but a few different circumstances can turn races into non-wagering events.
Education
Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf illustrates the power of pace
Sometimes a race will unfold in a manner that places certain runners at a distinct disadvantage. Betting these horses when they encounter more favorable circumstances in the future can be a sound strategy.
Analysis
28-1 longshot reiterates the power of changing distances
Everyone knows some horses are better sprinting and others are better running long. Rare is the horse who enjoys equal success in both sprints and routes.
Analysis
Why forgiving a disappointing second start can reap rewards
When a horse wins impressively on debut, but follows up with a disappointing defeat second-time out, it can be tempting to dismiss them as a flash in the pan.
Education
Longstanding track biases must be considered in handicapping
Not every Thoroughbred racetrack is equally kind to all types of racehorses. For various reasons—the type and composition of the racing surface, the configuration of a specific course layout, etc.—some tracks are more or less kind to horses with certain running styles, or those breaking from particular post positions.
Analysis
Stakes histories can identify strong or vulnerable favorites
Not all stakes races are equally kind to favorites. Some regularly churn out short-priced winners, while others toss up longshots more often than not.
Analysis
When a meet starts, top trainers can win races in bunches
At the start of a race meet, it can be useful to look back at previous meets and find out which trainers won the most races. If one name consistently ranks at or near the top of the rankings, you can usually assume that trainer will enjoy success at the upcoming meet as well.
Analysis
Pegasus World Cup Invitational Show 2024 [VIDEO]
Join the TwinSpires team as we review the Pegasus World Cup race card!
Racing
Nuanced trainer stats strike again with 9-1 winner
In the past, we’ve explored how digging into the granular details of trainer stats can reveal nuances not apparent at first glance. These nuances can lead to lucrative payoffs, as was apparent at Fair Grounds last week.
Analysis
Faded Glory: The Kentucky Derby’s Forgotten Winners (Ben Ali, 1886)
In the century and a half of the Kentucky Derby lies forgotten tales of this great race. While the sport's spotlight often shines on the most celebrated champions, there are remarkable tales of victory that have faded into the recesses of time.
Education
How class drops can trigger big form turnarounds
Bettors aren’t always keen to support young horses who have shown little to no ability. But sometimes these horses win.
Analysis
Following a track bias to logical and lucrative payoffs
The power of track biases to deliver compelling pari-mutuel payoffs has been readily apparent over the last couple of weeks.
Analysis
Ghostzapper shows first-crop sire rankings can be misleading
Ranking first-crop sires by progeny earnings is useful for identifying up-and-coming stallions with potential, but the numbers can be misleading.
Analysis
Hot jockey-trainer duos can generate lofty win percentages
When a hot trainer teams up with a hot jockey, their win percentage together can rise to impressive heights.
Analysis
Catch lucrative payoffs betting up-and-coming trainers
If you pay close attention to which trainers are rising to new heights percentage-wise, you can land enticing payoffs before the majority of bettors catch on.
Analysis
The Science of Horse Racing: Understanding the Equine Mind
In the world of animal intelligence, few possess the fascinating intellect of the horse. Their ancient partnership with humans and intricate social dynamics within herds have intrigued scientists and equestrians alike with their seemingly profound understanding and emotional depth.
Education
Breeders’ Cup to ungraded stakes is a big class drop
The drop in class from a Breeders’ Cup race into an ungraded stakes can be monumental.
Analysis
When juveniles finish slowly in sprints, be careful betting them in routes
How can you predict whether a lightly raced juvenile will thrive or struggle while tackling route distances of one mile or longer? Pedigrees, coupled with how fast they finish in sprints, can provide clues.
Analysis
Like father, like son doesn’t always apply in horse racing
It’s tempting to simplify pedigree handicapping down to “Sire X thrived under Y conditions; therefore his foals will also appreciate Y conditions.” But reality is often more complicated.
Education
When a horse suddenly improves, is it a new normal?
When an experienced horse steps up and runs a race far better than any they’ve previously run, it’s fair to wonder if it was a one-time fluke. But if the improvement coincided with an obvious change, it might be a new normal.
Education
The Science of Horse Racing: It's All About Time
From stopwatches to GPS tracking, the methods racetracks have employed over the last three centuries have sought to capture race times accurately for posterity and for punters.
Education
How field sizes can affect win percentages
Many factors can influence the win percentages recorded by jockeys and trainers, both overall and in specific types of races. Ability and opportunity are two of the biggest factors, but another is field size—the number of horses entered in a race.
Education
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Nov. 8, 2023
Jason opens the show discussing some thoughts on horse racing in larger media and racing films. Then he discusses some thoughts on racing at Delta Downs as well as post positions and handicapping.
Racing Podcast
When a horse specifically targets a race, take notice
When handicapping high-profile graded stakes, it’s helpful to keep an eye on the racing news to determine which horses have been specifically pointed to the race and which are joining the field at the last minute.
Analysis
When turf turns soft, look for longshot speed horses
When heavy rain strikes and a turf course becomes soft, consider upgrading the chances of frontrunners and speed horses. It can reap lucrative dividends.
Analysis
The Science of Horse Racing: When Is Pedigree Useful?
Understanding the influence of sire and dam and the right time to consider pedigree can make that information a useful part of your handicapping routine and give you more data to help you decide where to put your wagering dollar.
Education
When well-bred horses debut, wait for the right time to bet
When a sibling or half-sibling to a high-profile racehorse debuts, it’s common for bettors to notice the elite pedigree and bet heavily, even if the sibling is debuting in a race that seems less than ideal from a pedigree perspective.
Features
When chalky outcomes appears likely, consider the superfecta
Some bettors avoid playing races that seem likely to unfold in predictable fashion, because the payoffs are bound to be small. But sometimes the most likely outcome can pay surprisingly well, particularly if you embrace exotic wagers like the superfecta.
Analysis
TwinSpires $2,500 NHC Qualifier Feeder: TwinSpires rolls out new $10 win bet tournaments
Outside of working at a racetrack, to me, there’s no better experience as a handicapper than going to the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC). TwinSpires announced a new tournament, the TwinSpires $5,000 NHC Qualifier, offering two seats.
Wagering
POPULAR ARTICLES
The Fascinating Numbers Behind the Kentucky Derby 2026 [INFOGRAPHIC]
What are payouts? Here’s the math and how you can use them in betting
Need for Speed: What the Fastest Breeds Teach Us About Racehorse Evolution
Top 10 fastest Kentucky Derby times in history
Top 10 Most Successful Trainers in Kentucky Derby History
VIDEOS
LATEST