Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [Sept 13-14]
Turf racing at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
September 13th, 2025
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TwinSpires goes Trackside for Churchill Downs Opening Weekend
It's opening night at @ChurchillDowns! 🌙🏇 @AshleyAnd502 gets you ready for opening weekend, $2 beers, a brand NEW wager option with low takeout and Saturday stakes action! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/N0AhhAmrFs
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 11, 2025
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast
Jason welcomes in Kellie Reilly for our International Radar segment and we also discuss upcoming racing at Churchill and Woodbine.
Top horses and best bets for horse racing this weekend
Click to jump to each race listed!
Kentucky Derby Contender Corner
Learn everything you need to know about the Kentucky Derby Contenders for each Road to the Kentucky Derby race to better prepare you for betting on the Kentucky Derby on May 2!
First up is the Iroquois Stakes set to take place during Churchill Downs opening weekend. Let's take a closer look in this week's Kentucky Derby Contender Corner.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE: Meet the Contenders: 2025 Iroquois Stakes
#1 Nothing Personal
Pro: Easy debut winner at Colonial Downs; has a high ceiling.
Con: This presents a much stronger class test.
#2 Sometime
Pro: Also won for fun in Colonial debut; credible second on turf last time.
Con: Speedy colt will have his stamina put to the test.
#3 No More Cents
Pro: Stakes winner on debut, albeit against Ohio-breds.
Con: Thumped in another Ohio-bred stakes; others likely classier.
#4 So Special
Pro: Has shown talent on the turf but is likely to handle dirt, too.
Con: Like others in the field, lacks experience facing winners.
#5 Spice Runner
Pro: Second best to Comport in Ellis Park Juvenile.
Con: Has been outfinished by that rival in both prior meetings.
#6 Shake and Rattle
Pro: Graduated over this track in his third attempt.
Con: Hasn’t been competitive since that maiden triumph.
#7 Comport
Pro: Stakes winner has two wins and a second from three starts.
Con: Figures to be well backed, thus no value to be had.
#8 Vost
Pro: Rallied from near the back to win his debut going away.
Con: Another slow start would not necessarily be ideal.
#9 Nine Ball
Pro: Was up in time to win debut; obviously remains with upside.
Con: Curious whether the pace will be strong enough to benefit him.
#10 Maximus Prime
Pro: Placed a close second in Kentucky Juvenile second out.
Con: Remains a maiden after three attempts.
Ted Noffey drew away by an imperious 8 1/2 lengths in the Hopeful (G1) (Photo by Chelsea Durand/Coglianese Photos)
Five Two-Year-Olds to Watch on the 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby
With the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar set to be contested in seven weeks, and the 2026 Kentucky Derby just 232 days away, it's a good time to tab a handful of youngsters that have impressed me most through this stage of the season.
Kentucky Oaks Contender Corner
Learn everything you need to know about the Kentucky Oaks Contenders for each Road to the Kentucky Oaks race to better prepare you for betting on the Kentucky Oaks on May 1!
First up is the Pocahontas Stakes set to take place during Churchill Downs opening weekend. Let's take a closer look in this week's Kentucky Oaks Contender Corner.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE: Tipsheet: 2025 Pocahontas Stakes
#1 Starlit Sky
Maiden from the barn of George Weaver didn’t show much in her lone run on the main oval in preparation for this affair and will need a career best to take down this cast. The Connect filly will break from the rail with Tyler Gaffalione aboard.
#2 Miss Complicated
Promising prospect from the Ian Wilkes barn has run well in both lifetime tilts to date while heavily backed on each occasion. The daughter of good young sire Complexity will appreciate the move to eight furlongs for the initial time, with Julien Leparoux retaining the ride.
#3 Taken By The Wind
First of two from the McPeek barn won in going-away fashion in an off-the-turf race at Saratoga and looks like a contender in this particular spot. The bargain $20,000 yearling purchase will face a more daunting task on Saturday, but she could be up to it with Irad inheriting the mount.
Joke Maker
Brisset pupil has displayed a solid turn of foot in both runs to date and gives the impression of a filly ready to run longer. The Practical Joke filly will be doing her best work inside the final furlong beneath Luan Machado.
#5 Our Two Girls
Top choice graduated in professional fashion at Ellis Park in her debut offering, and I expect her to make it two-for-two following this contest. The $165,000 daughter of Caravaggio showed tactical speed and a nice turn of foot in the six-furlong dash and will appreciate the extra distance in her local bow under Brian Hernandez, Jr.
Dazzling Dame
Morning-line choice in the field is two-for-two to begin her career for Brittany Russell and could be the one to catch at the top of the lane in this endeavor. Girvin filly handled the one-mile trip in her Sorority S, coup at Monmouth Park last time out, and wouldn't be a surprise with Luis Saez taking the reins.
#7 Embrace The Moment
The daughter of smart freshman sire Yaupon led throughout in a Delaware Park score on Aug. 28 and will try a route in her first local showing for Greg Compton. Kentucky-bred filly will be a pace factor, if not more, with Jaime Rodriguez coming in to retain the mount.
Best Bets for the 2025 Iroquois Stakes
Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2025 Iroquois Stakes
A talented group of 10 juveniles will vie in Saturday’s $300,000 Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. The 2026 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top-five finishers with a total of 21 qualifying points (10-5-3-2-1) towards the Run for the Roses on May 2.
Iroquois Stakes Picks
- #1 Nothing Personal
- #7 Comport
- #8 Vost
Iroquois Stakes Wagers
Top Horses for the 2025 Iroquois Stakes
#1 NOTHING PERSONAL (8-1): $270,000 juvenile buy exploded in the lane and drew off to a convincing score at Colonial Downs on debut for Greg Compton. The son of Violence handled the seven-eighths with ease during his unveiling, and the move to a one-turn mile should be right in his wheelhouse. Jaime Rodriguez retains the ride atop the upset pick.
#7 COMPORT (6-5): Deserving morning-line choice edged away late in the Ellis Park Juvenile S. to move his mark to 3-2-1-0. Kenneally's pupil ran a pair of big races here in June, and he seems well-suited to handle the one-turn mile on Saturday with something resembling his best effort. The son of Collected will have Tyler Gaffalione in the saddle.
#8 VOST (12-1): William Walden trainee broke slowest but finished fastest in a visually impressive triumph at Ellis Park in his lone run to date. The son of underrated sire Instagrand also overcame the rail in his tally, and if he moves forward and breaks cleaner on Saturday, then I could envision the homebred being in the hunt late at a big number beneath Florent Geroux.
World Record wins at Churchill Downs. (Photo by Coady Media)
Pick 4 of the Week: Churchill Downs Saturday
I will focus on the closing four races on the fantastic Saturday card at Churchill Downs, which consists of a trio of black-type events and a maiden dash to close it out.
Race 8 Wager
- 50-cent Pick 4: 1,7 with 3,4,6 with 1,2,3,7,10 with 4,7,13 ($45)
Best Bets for the 2025 Pocahontas Stakes
Read the full analysis here: Tipsheet: 2025 Pocahontas Stakes
A cast of seven juvenile fillies will go postward in Saturday’s $300,000 Pocahontas S. (G3) at Churchill Downs.
Pocahontas Stakes Picks
- #5 Our Two Girls
- #2 Miss Complicated
- #3 Taken by the Wind
Pocahontas Stakes Wagers
- $10 win and placed #5 Our Two Girls
- $10 exacta box 2-5
- 50-cent superfecta 2,5 with 2,3,5 with 2,3,5,6 with all
Top Horses for the 2025 Pocahontas
#5 OUR TWO GIRLS (6-1): Top choice graduated in professional fashion at Ellis Park in her debut offering, and I expect her to make it two-for-two following this contest. The $165,000 daughter of Caravaggio showed tactical speed and a nice turn of foot in the six-furlong dash and will appreciate the extra distance in her local bow under Brian Hernandez, Jr.
#2 MISS COMPLICATED (7-2): Promising prospect from the Ian Wilkes barn has run well in both lifetime tilts to date while heavily backed on each occasion. The daughter of good young sire Complexity will appreciate the move to eight furlongs for the initial time, with Julien Leparoux retaining the ride.
#3 TAKEN BY THE WIND (5-1): First of two from the McPeek barn won in going-away fashion in an off-the-turf race at Saratoga and looks like a contender in this particular spot. The bargain $20,000 yearling purchase will face a more daunting task on Saturday, but she could be up to it with Irad inheriting the mount.
Notable Speech wins the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood Racecourse. (Photo courtesy of Goodwood / Credit to Dominic James)
Pick 3 of the Week: Woodbine Saturday, Sept. 13
Woodbine will host a massive day of action on Saturday with a trio of Grade 1 races leading the way. I’ll include two of the headliners in my Pick 3 of the Week.
Race 7 Wager
- $1 Pick 3: 4,6,10 with 1,3,5,6,10 with 2,3 ($30)
TwinSpires Jury
The TwinSpires Jury of Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Darin Zoccali defend their best bets for Churchill Downs' opening weekend and the kickoff to the Road to the 152nd Kentucky Derby (G1), along with a Breeders' Cup Win and You're In event at Woodbine.
Best Bets for the 2025 Louisville Thoroughbred Society
Read the full analysis here: Betting With, and Against, Bentornato in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society
A deep cast of 11 will speed six panels over the Churchill Downs main strip in Saturday’s $300,000 Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. Grade 2 winner #3 Bentornato (3-1), who checked in a fine runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar in November, will make his seasonal debut in this one for conditioner Jose D’Angelo.
Bentornato – With
- $2 trifecta key 3 with 1,2,7,10 ($24)
- 50-cent superfecta 3 with 7,10 with 1,2,7,10 with all ($24)
Bentornato – Against
Top Horses for the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes
#7 Little Ni (12-1) has a lot of pace at a price. Trained by Mark Casse, the gelded son of Mohaymen flashed considerable potential as a sophomore, and the gray came back with a pair of big allowance runs against some very nice horses at Saratoga this summer, with the last one resulting in a strong score. The gelding will need to improve to take down this stacked cast, but he could peak third off the shelf and also receive a great trip under Jose Ortiz.
#10 Skelly (7-2) can be electric on his best day and is a must-use for Asmussen. The fleet son of Practical Joke is rarely beaten to the lead early, and he could potentially put his foes to rest if he clears without exerting too much energy. Kentucky-bred comes in fresh off a long string of morning moves and will have Luis Saez on board.
Grade 2 winner #1 World Record (4-1) and #2 Roll On Big Joe (6-1), who bagged the Kelly’s Landing S. (G3) on the oval in June, are both logical additions in a fine rendition of this dash.
Love Appeals wins the Incredible Revenge Stakes at Monmouth Park. (Photo by Equi-Photo)
How to bet the Floral Park Stakes
A total of nine fillies and mares entered for the turf will dash six panels on the outer lawn at Aqueduct in Saturday’s $150,000 Floral Park S. Conditioner Miguel Clement has a trio of contenders for the affair, and I expect his trainees to be major players in the contest.
Floral Park Wagers
- $5 exacta 2,3 with 2,3,5 ($20)
- 50-cent trifecta 2,3 with 2,3,5 with all ($14)
- $1 trifecta box 2,3,5 ($6)
Public Defender wins at Colonial Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
Exotics Plays for the Nellie Mae Cox Handicap
A very nice field of nine fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Colonial Downs green in Saturday’s co-feature, the $100,000 Nellie Mae Cox H. The Jane Cibelli-trained #8 Public Defender (2-1) might be the ‘now’ horse in the field coming off a smashing allowance win on the surface while facing the boys most recently. By Constitution, the Colonial-loving filly sports a spotless three-for-three mark on the course and is surely the best she has ever been in advance of her black-type debut.
Nellie Mae Cox Exotics Wagers
- $4 exacta key box 8 with 1,2,6 ($24)
- 50-cent trifecta box 1,2,6,8 ($12)
- 20-cent superfecta 8 with 1,2,6 with 1,2,6 with all ($7.20)
How to bet the 2025 Athenia Stakes
Eight fillies and mares are entered for the lawn in the Sunday feature at Aqueduct, the $150,000 Athenia S. The 1 1/8-mile grassy tilt on the green attracted five black-type winners in a competitive field in what appears to be an attractive betting endeavor.
Athenia Wagers
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