Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [Feb 28]
Gulfstream Park (Coglianese Photos)
February 28th, 2026
Jump to each section below for easy access to everything you need for horse racing this weekend!
Get ready for horse racing this weekend
Discover everything you need to know about horse racing this weekend, including top horses, best bets, tournaments, key races, and many great promotional bonus offers you just can't say no to.
Come back to find more weekly horse races and promotional offers every weekend.
2026 Kentucky Derby Corner & the 2026 Kentucky Oaks
Come here every week to discover everything you need to know about the 2026 Kentucky Derby. With many races from last week rescheduled for Friday, it'll be important to check back next week to see all the changes.
- Kentucky Derby News
- New Pedigree Profile
- Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park
- Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park
- Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct
GET READY TO SCREAM!
It’s the Friday Flash Play…and a special Slash Day for those celebrating the release of Scream 7 👻
— Ashley Anderson (@AshleyAnd502) February 27, 2026
(Shoutout to our favorite horse racing owner/movie producer Gary Barber @spyglassmediagr)
Here’s a look at who to bet @TurfwayPark with a nod to @kaitlinebenson pic.twitter.com/W3VXjH1MT0
Top horses and best bets for horse racing this weekend
Click to jump to each race listed!
Best Bets for the 2026 Fountain of Youth Stakes
Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2026 Fountain of Youth Stakes
An outstanding group of 10 three-year-old prospects will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Gulfstream Park main oval in Saturday’s $425,000 Fountain of Youth (G2). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five across the wire with qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis. Who is your best bet?
Fountain of Youth Stakes Picks
- #7 Napoleon Solo
- #4 Commandment
- #6 Chief Wallabee
- #1 Jackson Hole
Fountain of Youth Stakes Wagers
Top Horses for the 2026 Fountain of Youth Stakes
#7 NAPOLEON SOLO: Top pick was dominant in two runs in 2025, capped by a romp in the Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct. The son of Liam’s Map has been training in a very swift fashion at Palm Meadows leading up to his three-year-old bow, and I expect him to be a formidable foe every step of the way with Kendrick Carmouche in the irons.
Pro: Dominant Champagne (G1) winner enters fresh with solid works.
Con: Form of Aqueduct fixture has not panned out; two turns is a potential issue.
#4 COMMANDMENT: Impressive Mucho Macho Man S. hero from the barn of Brad Cox will make his two-turn debut on Saturday and is a surefire win threat in the deep and talented field. The $500,000 Into Mischief colt has improved with each lifetime run to date and has trained steadily in preparation for his first graded appearance, as well.
Pro: Easy winner of Mucho Macho Man S. looks primed to stretch out well.
Con: Tends to offer little to no value, and this spot is unlikely to differ.Irad retains the ride.
#6 CHIEF WALLABEE: Second timer from the Mott shedrow lacks the experience of his foes but sure looked like a good one when winning at first asking on the course at seven panels on Jan. 10. The Constitution homebred is cut out to love the added ground in the feature, and he has the look of a very good prospect with a high ceiling. Junior Alvarado will be in the silks once again.
Pro: Solid debut win going 7f; barn won this last year with Sovereignty.
Con: Tough spot in which to face winners for the first time.
#1 JACKSON HOLE: $1.3 million son of Nyquist hasn’t done much wrong to date, with a pair of facile wins in advance of his stakes debut. The Todd Pletcher pupil handled his two-turn test with ease at Fair Grounds last time out, and he will receive a ground-saving trip in this event with John Velazquez in the irons.
Pro: Unbeaten from two starts and passed the first two-turn test simply at FG.
Con: This spot is much deeper and not quite the fastest on paper.
RELATED: Meet the Contenders: 2026 Fountain of Youth
Gulfstream Scenic. (Photo by Coglianese Photo)
Spot Plays for Gulfstream, Fair Grounds Feb. 28, 2026
A lot of great racing Saturday, and it kicks off rather early when Gulfstream's marathon 14-race card begins at 11:30 a.m. ET. I'll concentrate on a couple of plays in the early Double there, and will take a look at the feature at Fair Grounds later in the afternoon.
Forever Young in the Breeders' Cup Classic. (Photo by horsephotos.com)
Japan's ascent in international horse racing: World rankings tell the tale
Japan’s rise to prominence is reflected in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR), horse racing’s version of the official rankings in sports like golf, tennis, and soccer. Twice over the past decade or so, Japanese turf performers topped the charts – Just a Way and Epiphaneia made it a one-two for Japan in the 2014 standings, and Equinox was the clear world champion in 2023.
Rebel's Romance was much the best in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1) (Photo by Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photos)
Rebel’s Romance returns: Preview of Feb. 28 Super Saturday at Meydan
The Dubai Racing Club previews the Super Saturday card at Meydan, with a first post of 8:30 a.m. ET.
Rebel’s Romance and Tuz are just two of the equine superstars heading to Emirates Super Saturday – the official day of trial races ahead of the Dubai World Cup (G1) meeting in a month.
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast
Jason is joined by Gulfstream Park television analyst Samantha Perry to talk Fountain of Youth, her career in broadcasting and as a jockey, and much more!
Meaning outlasts 4-5 favorite Explora in the Las Virgenes (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Pick 4 of the Week: Oaklawn Park Sunday, March 1
The two graded stakes races on the big card at Oaklawn Park on Sunday will be a part of the Pick 4 of the Week.
Race 9 Wager
- $1 Pick 4: 2,9 with 2,11 with 2,3,4,7 with 4,7 ($32)
Best Bets for the 2026 Rebel Stakes
Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2026 Rebel Stakes
A talented and well-matched field of nine sophomores will run 1 1/16 miles on the Oaklawn Park strip in Sunday’s lucrative, $1 million Rebel (G2). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale.
Rebel Stakes Picks
- #4 Blackout Time
- #3 Class President
- #7 Silent Tactic
- #2 Litmus Test
Rebel Stakes Wagers
Top Horses for the 2026 Rebel Stakes
#4 BLACKOUT TIME (8-5): Excellent prospect from the McPeek shedrow concluded his three-race juvenile campaign with a fine second behind champion Ted Noffey in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. The Kentucky-bred son of Not This Time drilled a bullet five-eighths on the course two back and seems ready for his 2026 debut with Brian Hernandez, Jr. in the silks. The $210,000 yearling purchase will be poised to strike nearing the top of the lane.
Pro: Ended juvenile season on a high note, winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
Con: Lacks recency and sure to be overbet, given the Baffert connection.
#3 CLASS PRESIDENT (10-1): Pletcher pupil impressed with a nice debut win going eight panels and was last seen checking in second in the Swale S. at Gulfstream. The Uncle Mo colt has the tactical speed to be in the hunt from the start, and I feel that the sophomore will appreciate running two turns for the initial time in this event.
Pro: Likely to improve stretching out after runner-up effort in Swale S.
Con: Faces more seasoned and accomplished rivals here.
#7 SILENT TACTIC (9-2): Consistently good son of Tacitus roared home to bag the Southwest impressively on Feb. 6 and rates an obvious chance right back. The Mark Casse trainee has been first or second in each of his four lifetime tries to date, and the $500,000 purchase zipped a swift four furlongs on the course in anticipation of this contest, as well. He will be doing his best work late beneath Christian Torres.
Pro: Visually impressive in Southwest and a repeat threat with any kind of pace.
Con: That win didn’t come back all that fast on speed ratings.
#2 LITMUS TEST (7-2): West Coast import from the Baffert barn has a fine foundation under him with five races to his credit, capped by a tally in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) most recently. The battle-tested son of Nyquist has posted eight morning drills in advance of his first run on the surface, and the colt figures to be forwardly placed from the break with Flavien Prat on board. Velazquez will take the reins.
Pro: Ended juvenile season on a high note, winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
Con: Lacks recency and sure to be overbet, given the Baffert connection.
RELATED: Meet the Contenders: 2026 Rebel Stakes
Silent Tactic wins the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
Scully: Oaklawn Spot Plays for Feb. 28-March 1
A big weekend awaits horseplayers at Oaklawn Park. Kentucky Derby prospects will square off in Sunday’s main event, the $1 million Rebel (G2), and I have spot plays for both Saturday and Sunday cards at the Hot Springs, Ark., track.
Racing at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography)
Pick 3 of the Week: Fair Grounds Saturday, Feb. 28
The Pick 3 of the Week will come from Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Race 4 Wager
- $1 Pick 3: 3,4,7,12 with 1,2,5 with 2,9 ($24)
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast
Jason looks ahead to the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn and welcomes in reporter Carlos Morales from Agentes 305 to talk about his life in racing, bringing Spanish-language racing content to the masses, and much more!
Weekend horse racing video coverage
Best Bets for the 2026 Gotham Stakes
Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2026 Gotham Stakes
A talented cast of eight sophomores will run one mile on the main course at Aqueduct in Saturday’s $300,000 Gotham (G3). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the top five across the line with qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 layout.
Gotham Stakes Picks
- #6 Iron Honor
- #1 Balboa
- #3 Crown the Buckeye
- #2 Hammond
Gotham Stakes Wagers
- $30 win #6 Iron Honor
- $1 superfecta key 6 with 1,2,3,7
Top Horses for the Gotham Stakes
#6 IRON HONOR: Top pick left a fine impression on me in his maiden win on debut and could have a very bright future for Chad Brown. The $475,000 son of Nyquist stretches out to eight furlongs in the tilt, and I expect him to thrive with the added ground on Saturday. Manny Franco retains the ride and will have the fine prospect in range throughout.
Pro: Earned 99 Brisnet Speed rating winning key maiden; race flow here should suit.
Con: Concedes experience to the rest and will be a very short price.
#1 BALBOA: Stakes winner from the barn of Brittany Russell was third in the deep Remsen (G2) to conclude his juvenile season and comes off a good second in the Jerome S. last time out. The Not This Time colt has speed from the rail and rates an obvious chance with Sheldon Russell in the silks.
Pro: Has run well all three times for Russell and should be prominent throughout.
Con: A mile might still be a tad farther than he really wants to go.
#3 CROWN THE BUCKEYE: Two-time stakes victor faded in the lane of the Lecomte (G3) most recently but fits in this field with something resembling his top effort. The Mike Maker trainee has posted a trio of solid morning drills in preparation for Saturday and will be in the mix from the break with Ricardo Santana, Jr. on board.
Pro: Shortening up to one turn and dropping in class should help.
Con: Ran decently at FG but has still only beaten Ohio-breds.
#2 HAMMOND: Chestnut son of Charlatan has shown improvement with each lifetime run and has a top-three chance in his graded bow. The Saffie Joseph pupil closed well at seven panels at Gulfstream Park most recently, and it seems like the one-turn mile might be an ideal trip for the colt. Jaime Rodriguez will be in the irons.
Pro: Progressed each start and ran into a toughie last time in the Swale S.
Con: Far from certain whether he will have the best closing kick.
RELATED: Meet the Contenders: 2026 Gotham Stakes
Racing at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photography/Amanda Hodges Weir)
Many factors influence the odds in horse racing and determine which horses start as betting favorites.
Intuitively, we know hot jockeys, hot trainers, and strong speed figures are some of the major handicapping angles that attract betting support. Many would say they’re the most predictive metrics in horse racing. But what does the data say? Can we measure the power of these angles more concretely?
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast
Jason opens the show discussing photo-finish photos; how they're done and why they're different than a regular photograph. Kellie Reilly joins to talk International racing, and Jason looks ahead to Aqueduct's Gotham card.
Magnitude battles to a new career high in the Clark (G2) (Photo by Coady Media)
Betting With, and Against, Magnitude in the Razorback Handicap
A fine field of seven will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Oaklawn Park dirt surface in Saturday’s lucrative, $500,000 Razorback H. (G3). Multiple Grade 2 victor #5 Magnitude (9-5) will make his four-year-old debut in the event and is the one to beat for conditioner Steve Asmussen. However if you're heart is not set on the favorite, check out these best bets.
Magnitude – With
- $6 trifecta key 5 with 1,4,7 ($36)
Magnitude – Against
- $9 trifecta 4 with 5 with 1,7 ($18)
- $1 trifecta 1,4,7 with 1,4,5,7 with 1,4,5,7 ($18)
Turfway Park Racing (Coady Photo/Turfway Park)
Exotics Plays for the Wintergreen Stakes
A cast of seven fillies and mares will vie in Saturday’s $125,000 Wintergreen S. at Turfway Park. #1 Devassa (7-2) has run a pair of good ones since arriving in the states and will make her second appearance of the season on this occasion. Trained by Paulo Lobo, the Group-2 winning five-year-old raced in the Likely Exchange S. in her 2026 bow, which was also her initial attempt on the synthetic, and the mare ran a winning race in defeat when a clear second at the finish.
Wintergreen Exotics
- $10 exacta box 1-4 ($20)
- $1 trifecta 1,4 with 1,4,7 with all ($20)
- $1 superfecta 1 with 4,7 with 4,7 with all ($8)
Promotional Bonus Offers
Road to the Kentucky Derby $10,000 WIN Ladder
Opt in and place $10+ single horse Win wagers in selected races at Gulfstream Park and Aqueduct on Saturday, February 28th. Winning wagers move you up the Win Ladder, the more races you win, the bigger your share of the $10,000 prize pool.
Rewards Points at Woodbine Mohawk
Opt in and receive 5X Rewards Points on all wagers at Woodbine Mohawk each racing Monday in March.
4x Rewards Points at The Meadowlands
Opt in and receive 4x Rewards Points on all wagers at The Meadowlands each racing Saturday in February.
Double Rewards Points at Miami Valley
Opt in and receive double Rewards Points on all wagers at Miami Valley each racing Sunday through Wednesday in February.
3 for $3,000 Exacta Hit it Split it at Turfway Park
Opt in and hit 3 Exactas at Turfway Park for a chance to split the $3,000 prize pool each racing Wednesday in February.
15% Odds Boost at Oaklawn Park
Opt in to receive a 15% odds boost, up to $25, on your winning single horse Win wagers at Oaklawn Park each racing Thursday in February.
5X Rewards Points at Woodbine Mohawk
Opt in and receive 5X Rewards Points on all wagers at Woodbine Mohawk each racing Friday in February.
5X Rewards Points at Northfield Park
Opt in and receive 5x Rewards Points on all wagers at Northfield Park each racing Tuesday in March.
5X Rewards Points at Tampa Bay Downs
Opt in and receive 5X Rewards Points on all wagers at Tampa Bay Downs each racing Wednesday in March.
Live-Money Contest Talk: The Leaderboard Show with HHH Racing Podcast
This week features Howard Kravets, Matt Miller, and Noah Meagher as the HHH Podcast takes a look back at last weekend's TwinSpires Tournaments results and previews the upcoming weekend's $800 Rebel Stakes Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge Qualifier from Oaklawn Park.
