Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [Feb. 6-7]
Spirit of Royal wins at Oaklawn Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
February 6th, 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 Oaks Roundup: Thrilling three-prep weekend ahead
- Kentucky Derby Roundup: Nearly is the new hot horse
- Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Potente delivers for Baffert
- Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Nearly
- Meet the Contenders: 2026 Southwest Stakes
- Tipsheet: 2026 Southwest Stakes
- Meet the Contenders: 2026 Sam F. Davis Stakes
- Tipsheet: 2026 Sam F. Davis Stakes
- Meet the Contenders: 2026 Robert B. Lewis Stakes
- Tipsheet: 2026 Robert B. Lewis Stakes
- Meet the Contenders: 2026 Withers Stakes
- Tipsheet: 2026 Withers Stakes
Top horses and best bets for horse racing this weekend
Click to jump to each race listed!
Best Bets for the 2026 Sam F. Davis
Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2026 Sam F. Davis Stakes
A nice field of nine three-year-old colts will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Tampa Bay Downs main oval in Saturday’s $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five across the wire with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis. Who is your best bet?
Sam F. Davis Stakes Picks
- #1 Confessional
- #6 Renegade
- #3 The Puma
Sam F. Davis Stakes Wagers
Top Horses for the 2026 Sam F. Davis
#1 CONFESSIONAL: Brad Cox pupil was a fine debut winner at Keeneland prior to finishing second to Holy Bull (G3) romper Nearly in an allowance tilt at Gulfstream Park in his latest endeavor. The $160,000 son of Essential Quality will race with blinkers off for the initial time in his stakes bow, and I expect the sophomore to take a big step forward in his second run off the layoff. Flavien Prat comes in to ride my top choice.
Pro: Exits a runner-up finish in an allowance to Nearly, who returned to dominate the Holy Bull (G3).
Con: He’s stretching out from seven furlongs to 1 1/16 miles and is unproven around two turns.
#6 RENEGADE: Prime contender capped his three-race juvenile season with a clear second in the deep Remsen (G2) for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The $975,000 son of Into Mischief has improved his Brisnet Speed rating in every career outing to date, and the bay has also trained forwardly in advance of his three-year-old debut, as well. Irad Ortiz, Jr. opts to ride the talented Triple Crown prospect.
Pro: Ran second in a fast seven-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park.
Con: He’s 0-for-1 and brings very little experience into the Sam F. Davis.
#3 THE PUMA: Chestnut son of Essential Quality checked in a very good second in a seven-furlong debut at Gulfstream and intrigues on the stretch out for his second appearance. The $150,000 juvenile buy is bred to handle the distance, and he could be dangerous late if he receives a sensible voyage throughout the event. I expect Javier Castellano to have the contender forwardly placed from the break.
Pro: Ran second in a fast seven-furlong maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park.
Con: He’s 0-for-1 and brings very little experience into the Sam F. Davis.
RELATED: Meet the Contenders: 2026 Sam F. Davis Stakes
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast
Jason welcomes in Kellie Reilly for her weekly International Radar segment and looks ahead to racing from Aqueduct and Tampa Bay Downs.
Geaux Sugar wins on Louisiana Champions Day. (Photo by Hodges Photography)
Pick 4 of the Week: Delta Downs Saturday, Feb. 7
Cajun-bred runners will take center stage at Delta Downs on Saturday evening with a bevy of stakes races to be contested for local standouts on Premier Night.
Race 8 Wager
- 50-cent Pick 4: 5,6,10 with 1,7 with 4,7 with 1,5,7,9 ($24)
Best Bets for the 2026 Robert B Lewis Stakes
Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2026 Robert B. Lewis
A talented cast of seven sophomores will run one mile on the main course at Santa Anita in Saturday’s $100,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the top five across the line with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis. Who is your best bet?
Robert B. Lewis Picks
- #1 Desert Gate
- #4 Intrepido
- #3 Cherokee Nation
Robert B Lewis Wagers
Top Horses for the 2026 Robert B Lewis
#1 DESERT GATE (6-5): One to likely catch and beat gets the rail for his seasonal debut and looms large for Baffert, who is well represented with three in the field. The Grade-3 winning son of Omaha Beach won his first two races as a juvenile and concluded 2025 with good seconds in both the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and American Pharoah (G1). He will be sent from the break with regular pilot Hernandez in the silks.
Pro: Has speed and ran second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and American Pharoah (G1).
Con: Might be better racing around one turn rather than two.
#4 INTREPIDO (7-2): American Pharoah victor was a non-factor in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in his latest appearance and landed in a nice spot to kick off his three-year-old season. The Maximus Mischief colt earned his biggest win to date in his local local outing to date, and the $385,000 purchase should be fit and ready against this group with Hector Berrios retaining the ride.
Pro: Charged late to beat Desert Gate and Plutarch in the American Pharoah.
Con: Hasn’t raced since finishing a distant fifth in the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).
#3 CHEROKEE NATION (5-1): Sneaky contender was a rallying second in a swiftly contested maiden run on the surface last time and has exotics appeal against this cast. The seven-figure son of Not This Time owns a pair of close runner-up finishes from two lifetime races on the strip and will have Antonio Fresu in the silks.
Pro: Blazed his final quarter-mile in :23.69 to finish second in a recent one-mile maiden special weight.
Con: He’s 0-for-4 and finished fifth in his lone start against stakes competition.
RELATED: Meet the Contenders: 2026 Robert B Lewis
Desert Gate outclassed them in the Best Pal (G3) at Del Mar (Photo by Benoit Photo)
Pick 3 of the Week: Santa Anita Saturday, Feb. 7
Two of the three graded stakes races on the card at Santa Anita on Saturday will be a part of the Pick 3 of the Week, and I feel that at least two of the favorites in the sequence can be upended.
Race 6 Wagers
- $1 Pick 3: 7 with 1,2,7 with 1,2,3,4,6,7 ($18)
- $2 Pick 3: 5,7 with 1,2,7 with 1 ($12)
TwinSpires Jury
The TwinSpires Jury is back with a full breakdown of this weekend’s Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races, featuring the Southwest Stakes (G3) from Oaklawn Park and the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) from Tampa Bay Downs.
Join Darin Zoccali, James Scully, and Ashley Anderson as they dive into key contenders, pace scenarios, Brisnet Speed Ratings, and betting angles that matter most to horse racing bettors. The panel shares best bets, value plays, and horses to fade, helping you build smarter tickets as the Kentucky Derby trail heats up.
Whether you’re focused on Derby points races, looking for live longshots, or sharpening your wagering strategy, this episode delivers expert insight you can use before heading to the windows.
Best Bets for the 2026 Withers Stakes
Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2026 Withers Stakes
A cast of seven sophomores will run nine panels on the Aqueduct main surface in Friday’s $200,000 Withers S. The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 structure.
Withers Stakes Picks
- #2 Schoolyardsuperman
- #3 Ottinho
- #5 Mailata
Withers Stakes Wagers
Top Horses for the 2026 Withers Stakes
#2 SCHOOLYARDSUPERMAN (2-1): First of two from the Chad Brown shedrow graduated with authority last time at one mile and will travel two turns for the initial time on this occasion. The Practical Joke colt came home fast in his latest, and I expect him to take another step forward on Friday near the rail with Manny Franco signed on. He is my leading selection.
Pro: Resounding maiden win last time after two losses as post-time favorite.
Con: Must contend with a lot of other pace that’s signed on here.
#3 OTTINHO (9-5): Half-brother to the exquisite Gun Runner was game in securing a maiden win at the distance in his second lifetime appearance and will get a lot of attention in his stakes bow. The Chad Brown trainee showed nice improvement going two turns last time and has trained well in the interim in advance of his black-type bow. The Three Chimneys homebred inherits the services of Jose Lezcano.
Pro: Half to Gun Runner fought back to earn his diploma over this distance.
Con: Possesses slightly less experience than some of his main rivals.
#5 MAILATA (6-1): Parx invader won as he wanted in his most recent performance and rates a logical chance for trainer Butch Reid. The Maximus Mischief homebred is three-for-three since having blinkers added, and his pedigree suggests that moving to nine panels might be within his scope, as well. The speedy bay will have Mychel Sanchez in for the ride.
Pro: Unbeaten since adding blinkers, crushing Parx opposition.
Con: Tested for class on this circuit, plus stamina going nine panels.
RELATED: Meet the Contenders: 2026 Withers Stakes
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast
Jason discusses an article on bankroll management and results tracking and welcomes in Matt Dinerman to talk about Oaklawn restarting and the Southwest Stakes.
Best Bets for the 2026 Southwest Stakes
Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2026 Southwest Stakes
A massive cast of 13 sophomores (with the expected scratch of morning-line choice #5 Litmus Test) will run 1 1/16 miles on the Oaklawn Park surface in Friday's lucrative, $1 million Southwest (G3). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series event will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 structure.
Southwest Stakes Picks
- #9 Strategic Risk
- #2 D’code
- #11 Silent Tactic
- #3 Buetane
Southwest Stakes Wagers
Top Horses for the 2026 Southwest Stakes
#9 STRATEGIC RISK (9-2): Mark Casse pupil has dominated a pair of stakes fields since stretching out to two turns on the dirt, led by an emphatic score in the Smarty Jones on the course. The homebred son of Noble Bird has earned 105 and 106 Brisnet Late Pace ratings in his two route attempts and will be a major danger in the lane with Javier Castellano retaining the ride. He gets the nod.
Pro: Has won last two stakes attempts by open lengths, including Smarty Jones.
Con: Worked out great trip in latter stalking slow pace; doubt this will be as easy.
#2 D’CODE (3-1): $775,000 son of Speightstown showed why he was an expensive juvenile purchase when decimating a maiden field from the 11 post in his debut performance. The Kentucky-bred from the Ashford barn has posted some quality morning drills leading up to his stakes bow, and I feel that the colt will be the one to catch at the top of the lane with Luis Saez inheriting the ride.
Pro: Ran huge to win debut and 98 Brisnet speed rating puts him in the mix here.
Con: That maiden win was over six furlongs; hike in class and distance major hurdles.
#11 SILENT TACTIC (20-1): Tacitus sophomore was second in the Grey (G3) on the all-weather at Woodbine two back, which preceded a closing runner-up effort in the Smarty Jones in his first try on the dirt for Mark Casse. The bay had a slow pace at which to run at late last time out, and a more favorable pace scenario could aid the attractive colt on Friday, with Christian Torres taking the reins for the initial time.
Pro: Handled dirt just fine in Smarty Jones; should be stronger second off layoff.
Con: Wonder, given pedigree, whether he needs a little longer distance.
#3 BUETANE (4-1): $1.15 million son of Tiz the Law was a clear second in the San Vicente (G2) in his seasonal debut and stretches out to a route of ground for the first time in his local bow. The Bob Baffert pupil has flashed considerable potential to this stage of his development, and he has posted two strong six-furlong drills in anticipation of this test, as well. Joel Rosario inherits the mount.
Pro: Distant second in Hopeful (G1) and comeback in San Vicente (G2) was a decent prep.
Con: Bred to stretch out, but perhaps might be more of a one-turn type?
RELATED: Meet the Contenders: 2026 Southwest Stakes
Oaklawn Park - Coady Photography
Spot Plays for Oaklawn Park Feb. 6, 2026
What a difference a six or seven days makes. After racing was canceled at Oaklawn all of last week due to the remnants of Winter Storm Fern, the rescheduled Southwest Day card on Friday is forecast to have abundant sunshine and a high of around 70 degrees. Not bad for the first full week of February.
A strong 12-race card awaits bettors, and here are some horses of interest.
Oaklawn Park Late Pick 5 Live Show
Get ready for Friday racing from Oaklawn Park with a full Late Pick 5 preview on this live episode featuring Nick Tammaro, Emily Gullikson & Ashley Anderson. The trio breaks down each leg of the Late Pick 5 sequence, highlighting: Key contenders and live longshots Pace scenarios and wagering angles How to structure tickets for maximum value Plus, the crew builds and shares an official TwinSpires BetShare Late Pick 5 ticket, giving viewers the chance to buy in and sweat the sequence together on Friday afternoon.
If you’re playing Oaklawn or looking for expert insight before you bet this is a must-watch.
Best Bets for the 2026 D. Wayne Lukas Stakes
Read the full analysis here: Betting With, and Against, Splendora in the D. Wayne Lukas Stakes
Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) star #5 Splendora (4-5) will lead a cast of seven postward in Saturday’s $200,000 D. Wayne Lukas (G2) at Santa Anita. The seven-furlong dirt dash will mark the 2026 debut for the Bob Baffert trainee, who capped off her four-year-old campaign with a trio of dominant wins in succession. However, if you're not set on the favorite, here are some options on how to bet with and against Splendora. Who will be your best bet?
Splendora – With
- $15 trifecta 5 with 7 with 3,6 ($30)
- $1 superfecta 5 with 7 with 3,6 with all ($8)
Splendora – Against
- $20 win #7 Formula Rossa ($20)
- $6 trifecta key 7 with 3,5,6 ($18)
Top Horses for the 2026 D. Wayne Lukas Stakes
#5 Splendora (4-5), by Audible, the mare has been consistently excellent in her lifetime, evidenced by her 10-5-4-0 career mark, and I feel that she is really at her best at one turn. The Maryland-bred lass has the tactical speed to be close early on, and she has registered triple-digit Brisnet Late Pace ratings in her last pair of outings, too. Juan Hernandez retains the ride and will have the five-year-old in the second flight in the early going.
#7 Formula Rossa (5-2) and feel that she has a big chance in her four-year-old bow. The lightly raced Mark Glatt pupil endured a very wide voyage throughout the La Brea (G1) last time out when second, and I think Mike Smith will put her right into the race from the start on this occasion. The Vekoma filly recorded a swift five-furlong drill on the course in advance of Saturday and will be formidable with expected improvement against this cast.
#3 Me and Molly McGee (5-1) is the inside speed of the race and will likely be winging it on the front end while coming in fresh for trainer Peter Eurton. Also by Vekoma, the $170,000 yearling purchase flashed considerable speed and potential during her sophomore season and looks to be training well in advance of her first run on the oval. She could get brave if able to clear early with Hector Berrios signed on for the ride.
#6 No Bad Beats (20-1) is far from consistent, but Doug O’Neill's charge can be quite good on her best day, and she is worth an exotics chance at a huge price. The Midnight Storm filly owns a pair of wins and a second in the Las Flores (G3) in her last three one-turn races at this venue, and she has room for improvement while making just her third appearance since March, as well. Emisael Jaramillo will be in the irons and having the bay close to the pace from the opening bell.
Baby max wins the Leonatus Stakes at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
A total of six three-year-old fillies will jaunt 6 1/2 furlongs on the Tapeta at Turfway Park in Saturday’s $125,000 Valdale S. I like the outside draw for #6 Coco Connect (5-2) and will give the Connect filly the slight edge in the affair.
Valdale Exotics
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Live-Money Contest Talk: The Leaderboard Show with HHH Racing Podcast, Episode 13
This week features Howard Kravets, and Noah Meagher as the HHH Podcast crew takes a lookback at last weekend's Tampa Bay Downs KDBC Qualifying tournament results and previews the upcoming weekend's contests.
