Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [March 21]
Baby max wins the Leonatus Stakes at Turfway Park. (Photo by Coady Media)
March 21st, 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 the start of the 100 point races, the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks are heating up.
- Kentucky Oaks Roundup: Bottle of Rouge jumps to #3, 100-point races begin
- Kentucky Derby Roundup: Incredibolt romps in Virginia Derby
- Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Ezum wins by 19 1/2 lengths
- KDFW Pool 5: Paladin, Chief Wallabee close as overall 8-1 favorites; Zany 4-1 in KOFW
Weekend Windup
.@ashleyand502 has the Weekend Windup and talks all things at @TurfwayPark and @fairgroundsnola! ๐น๐ธ๐ pic.twitter.com/ArkcauQ5JW
— TwinSpires Racing ๐ (@TwinSpires) March 20, 2026
Top horses and best bets for horse racing this weekend
Click to jump to each race listed!
Best Bets for the 2026 Jeff Ruby Steaks
Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2026 Jeff Ruby Steaks
A full cast of 12 sophomores will run 1 1/8 miles over the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park in Saturdayโs $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series event will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis. Who is your best bet of the week.
Jeff Ruby Steaks Picks
- #11 Stark Contrast
- #2 Fulleffort
- #10 Argos
- #1 Turf Star
Jeff Ruby Steaks Wagers
Top Horses for the 2026 2026 Jeff Ruby Steaks
#11 STARK CONTRAST (5-2): Top pick has been excellent in his last four assignments after an unplaced dirt debut, and he gets top billing in the deep crew. The Caravaggio colt was a popular and facile winner of the Eddie Logan S. in his seasonal bow, and he will be a force if he takes to this surface, which I feel that he will. Regular rider Kaz Kimura will be in the irons.
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Pro: Hard to knock class and grass form, which might transfer to this surface.
Con: Must avoid a wide trip from this post.
#2 FULLEFFORT (7-2): Likely one to beat was a close second in the Battaglia Memorial S. on the surface most recently, and gets more ground with which to work with in this spot. The $425,000 son of Liamโs Map has put in two fine efforts on the strip this campaign, and the improving sort might be moving best of all in the stretch in his third off the layoff with Irad inheriting the mount.
Trainer: Brad Cox
Pro: Gets more ground to work with after falling a jump short in the John Battaglia Memorial.
Con: Pathway is more challenging if the track winds up being speed-friendly.
#10 ARGOS (6-1): Nyquist colt will have blinkers added in his first run for trainer Brad Cox. The Grade 1 victor clearly has a lot of ability, and he did post a nice half-mile morning drill on this surface, so I expect him to run well in his second appearance of the season. Luan Machado will guide the stalker.
Trainer: Brad Cox
Pro: Adds blinkers and possibly more fit second off the bench.
Con: Has yet to run back to early G1-winning form.
#1 TURF STAR (10-1): Graham Motion trainee had a nice freshman campaign and will make his second run of the season while also making his synthetic debut from the rail. The exotics contender will be equipped with blinkers for the first time in the tilt, and I expect him to be in the hunt late with John Velazquez in the silks.
Trainer: Graham Motion
Pro: Grade 2-placed last year and goes second off layoff with blinkers added.
Con: No match for Stark Contrast, the last time they faced each other.
RELATED: Meet the Contenders: 2026 Jeff Ruby Steaks
Fulleffort wins at Keeneland. (Photo by Coady Media)
Pick 4 of the Week: Turfway Park Saturday, March 21
The signature day of the Turfway Park meeting is Saturday, highlighted by the $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).
Race 9 Wager
- 50-cent Pick 4: 2,3,7 with 1,6,8,9 with 1,2,5,9 with 2,11 ($48)
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast
Jason welcomes in Kaitlin Benson from Turfway Park to talk about the Turfway meet, Jeff Ruby Steaks, and much more!
2026 Jeff Ruby LIVE coverage
Stay-Tuned for our upcoming LIVE coverage of Jeff Ruby Day!
Best Bets for the 2026 Louisiana Derby
Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2026 Louisiana Derby
A well-balanced group of nine three-year-old prospects will travel 1 3/16 miles over the Fair Grounds main oval in Saturdayโs $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2). The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale.
Louisiana Derby Picks
- #5 Golden Tempo
- #3 Chip Honcho
- #9 Emerging Market
- #7 Blacksmith
Louisiana Derby Wagers
Top Horses for the 2026 Louisiana Derby
#5 GOLDEN TEMPO: Top pick from the barn of Cherie DeVaux bagged the Lecomte (G3) on the strip two back prior to checking in third in the Risen Star last time out. The Curlin three-year-old possesses a fine closing burst and will race with blinkers on for the initial time in hopes of keeping him closer to the action in the early stages of the race. Regular rider Jose Ortiz will be in the stirrups.
Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
Pro: Blinkers might help this talented closer stay more in touch.
Con: Whether he gets sufficient pace remains to be seen.
#3 CHIP HONCHO: Logical win threat was a game runner-up to Paladin in the Risen Star (G2) here in his latest venture and could be the one to catch turning for home for Steve Asmussen. The dark bay son of Connect responded to the removal of blinkers last time, and the potential one to beat has posted a trio of nice morning drills to prepare for this event, as well. Luis Saez retains the ride.
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Pro: Big run in Risen Star (G2) against Paladin; major threat.
Con: Might not get as easy a trip on the front end this time.
#9 EMERGING MARKET: Chad Brown pupil earned a huge 99 Brisnet Speed rating for his debut win at Tampa Bay Downs and will be a major threat with any kind of improvement. The Klaravich color bearer comes in with a quartet of morning moves in advance of his local debut, and I feel that the 1 3/16 miles will be in his wheelhouse, as well. Flavien Prat will guide the top prospect.
Trainer: Chad Brown
Pro: Earned 99 Brisnet Speed rating on debut; plenty fast.
Con: Inexperienced and the form of maiden win not recently flattered.
#7 BLACKSMITH: Baffert charge broke through with a nice maiden win last time and has faced some very good horses in his lifetime. The $525,000 son of Liamโs Map appears to be getting good at the right time of the season and put in a swift five- furlong drill in advance of Saturday, too. Florent Geroux will come in to keep the mount and will likely have the bay tracking the pace from the second flight early on.
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Pro: Placed in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) before belated maiden win.
Con: Speed ratings have been up and down.
Racing at Fair Grounds (Photo by Hodges Photography)
Pick 3 of the Week: Fair Grounds Saturday, March 21
Fair Grounds will host a huge day of racing on Saturday during their penultimate day of the meeting.
Race 7 Wager:
- $2 Pick 3: 3,4,9,11 with 1,3,5,10,12 with 4 ($40)
Emerging Market wins at Tampa Bay Downs. (Photo by SV Photography)
2026 Louisiana Derby Brisnet Speed Rating Report
Nine are set for Saturdayโs $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds, one of seven major qualifiers in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series offering points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the top five finishers. Five of the nine runners in the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby have already earned points toward a berth in a projected 20-horse Kentucky Derby field, and three horses will make their first stakes appearance.
Letโs review Brisnet Speed ratings for past winners and 2026 contestants.
TwinSpires Jury
Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks prep season heats up on Episode 133 of TwinSpires Jury as Ashley Anderson joins James Scully and Darin Zoccali to break down this weekendโs biggest horse racing stakes and betting opportunities.
This week the crew handicaps the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby from Fair Grounds Race Course, a major Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race worth 100 qualifying points, plus the Jeff Ruby Steaks and Bourbonette Oaks from Turfway Park, featuring critical qualifying points on the road to both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.
Get expert horse racing picks, betting analysis, wagering strategy, best bets, value plays, and morning line favorite fades for Saturdayโs top races, including opinions on Derby contenders, Oaks hopefuls, pace scenarios, and wagering angles for multi-race bets like Pick 4, Pick 5, and exactas.
Golden Tempo wins at Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photo)
Spot Plays for 2026 Louisiana Derby Day at Fair Grounds
A lot of races to choose from this weekend at Fair Grounds โ 27 โ as it puts a bow on its 2025-26 winter season. The closing day card on Sunday is dominated by Louisiana-bred events, while Saturday is the signature program of the meeting with five open stakes among the seven on offer.
I'll concentrate on Saturday's program, honing in on a couple of first-time starters and then taking a stand on two of the major open stakes.
Late Pick 5 Preview: Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park Betting Strategy
Nick Tammaro and special guest Kevin Kerstein are breaking down one of Saturday's most compelling betting sequences โ a cross-track Pick 5 spanning Fair Grounds and Turfway Park.
The sequence features five marquee stakes races: the New Orleans Classic, Fair Grounds Oaks, Louisiana Derby, Bourbonette Oaks, and the Jeff Ruby Steaks โ a loaded card with serious Kentucky Derby and Oaks implications.
2026 Louisiana Derby LIVE coverage
Stay-Tuned for our upcoming LIVE coverage of Louisiana Derby Day!
Best Bets for the 2026 Essex Handicap
Read the full analysis here: Betting With, and Against, Skippylongstocking in the Essex Handicap
Pegasus World Cup (G1) victor #5 Skippylongstocking (4-5) has been installed as the morning-line choice for the $500,000 Essex H. (G3) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. Trained by Saffie Joseph, the Florida-bred son of Exaggerator has amassed in excess of $5.4 million in his career and is not showing signs of slowing down at seven. He has won a pair of races in succession after running two poor ones in the summer and seems to be back to his best self.
However, if your heart is not set on the favorite, here are some best bets for you to consider.
Skippylongstocking โ With
- $10 trifecta 5 with 4 with 6,7 ($20)
- 50-cent superfecta 5 with 4,6,7 with 4,6,7 with all ($15)
Skippylongstocking โ Against
- $3 exacta box 4,6,7 ($18)
- 50-cent superfecta 6 with 4,5,7 with 4,5,7 with all ($15)
Top Horses for the 2026 Essex Handicap
6 Accelerize (9-2) might be the main danger to โSkippy for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The dark bay Omaha Beach colt was stubborn when second by a head in the Mineshaft (G3) at Fair Grounds last time out and will have blinkers on for this tussle. The four-year-old is quick from the gate and figures to be the one to run down at the top of the lane with Christian Torres in the irons.
#4 Runaway Again (15-1) can run big on his best day and was a Canadian classic winner in his lone dirt voyage to date. The Hard Spun gelding had a useful prep for this in a dash at Turfway Park on Feb. 18 and has spent the majority of the winter training on this main strip. The Ontario-bred has longshot appeal to me while making his second run for the crafty David Jacobson.
#7 Doc Sullivan (8-1) has been primarily a one-turn horse in his recent past, although he just missed in the Empire Classic at nine panels in his latest two-turn tilt in October. The John Ortiz pupil has good pace presence in a field lacking a slew of early types. He might be seen tracking the tempo from second to the top of the lane and getting the jump on the late runners turning for home. Ricardo Santana, Jr. retains the mount.
Laurel Park (Photo by Maryland Jockey Club)
How to bet the Private Terms Stakes
The $100,000 Private Terms S. on Saturday at Laurel Park attracted a compact field of six, but it boasts a very competitive cast despite the small field. The 1 1/16-mile co-feature on the dirt lacks a standout, and I will side with #2 Code of Silence (5-1) to go last-to-first in this contest. Trained by Timmy Keefe, the dark bay son of fine regional sire Blofeld is a stakes winner on the oval, and I like him at the distance in this particular spot.
Private Terms Wagers
- $15 win and place #2 Code of Silence ($30)
- $5 trifecta 2,4 with 2,4 with 6 ($10)
Gulfstream Park Scenic Turf Gate (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
A total of nine three-year-olds will speed five-eighths on the Gulfstream Park lawn in Saturdayโs $125,000 Texas Glitter S. The excellent event is loaded with early speed and could be a good spot for the late-running #4 Expressway to make some noise from off the pace at a price. Trained by Bill Mott, the sophomore son of Hard Spun was a debut winner on the grass at Aqueduct in September and followed that performance up with a solid fourth in the subsequent Futurity (G3) at the same venue.
Texas Glitter Exotics Wagers
- 50-cent trifecta 2,4,9 with 2,4,9 with all ($21)
- 50-cent trifecta 2,4,9 with all with 2,4,9 ($21)
Promotional Bonus Offers
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Oaklawn Park $2,500 WIN Ladder
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โ๐ง๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐!โ
— TwinSpires Racing ๐ (@TwinSpires) March 16, 2026
๐๐๐น๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ wins the 2026 #NHC by .84-cents and takes home $๐ด๐ฎ๐ฑ,๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฌ.
A regular face in #TwinSpires Tourneys (@TournamentsTS), now on top of the biggest stage at the National Horseplayers Championship. ๐
Imagine winningโฆ pic.twitter.com/WgsDtX4CdK
