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Cheltenham Festival: Spot Plays for Friday, March 14
Friday is closing day at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. The seven-race program caps off four days of top-tier steeplechase action, and it brings several opportunities to chase value before the lights go out.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of March 14
The racing action at Sha Tin kicks off at 1 a.m. ET late Friday night, and Luke Middlebrook furnishes selections and analysis for the 10-race card.
Wagering
Cheltenham Festival: Spot Plays for Wendesday, March 12
We’re on to Wednesday at Cheltenham! Day two of the Cheltenham Festival features more exciting action, including several Group 1 races that feature top-tier steeplechase horses and opportunities to take some swings for value.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley March 12
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 6:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Cheltenham Festival: Spot Plays for Tuesday, March 11
We’ll kick things off Tuesday at the world-famous jumping venue, and here are a few runners I’ll have my eye on.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin March 8
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:30 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley March 5
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Dubai Super Saturday: Japanese add interest to auditions for World Cup night
Meydan’s “Super Saturday” might not have the fanfare of last week’s Saudi Cup (G1), but the traditional dress rehearsal for the April 5 Dubai World Cup (G1) extravaganza remains informative.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin the night of March 1
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 12 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Feb. 26
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Coal Battle strikes again
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 68 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
International
Japan Road to Kentucky Derby: Contenders in 2025 Hyacinth Stakes
If Forever Young has a successor in 2025, he’s probably in the Hyacinth.
Analysis
Hong Kong: Selections for the night of Feb. 22
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 12 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
2025 Saudi Cup Day: Horses of interest
Saudi Cup Day features six lucrative Group stakes for Thoroughbreds (seven if you include the Arabian prize), three apiece on turf and dirt at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
Analysis
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Feb. 19
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:35 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Magnitude climbs the leaderboard
The 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is 75 days away. Catch up on the latest news and notes as the Road to the Kentucky Derby unfolds:
International
2025 Saudi Cup: Top storylines
The world’s richest race, Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup (G1), is attracting the world’s all-time richest racehorse, Romantic Warrior, and a robust Japanese team led by Forever Young.
Analysis
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Feb. 15
The card at Sha Tin kicks off at 11:30 p.m. ET Saturday night. Luke Middlebrook provides selections and analysis for all 11 races.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Feb. 12
The Wednesday action at Sha Tin begins at 5:45 a.m. ET, and Luke Middlebrook guides you through the nine-race program.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Feb. 8
Sha Tin’s Sunday card gets underway at 11:30 p.m. ET Saturday night, and Luke Middlebrook provides selections and analysis.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Feb. 5
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Horse Profile: Geoglyph
Geoglyph at least sports a lot of back class, having beaten future great Equinox in the first jewel of the Japanese Triple Crown in 2022.
Breeders Cup
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Jan. 30
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:30 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Jan. 25
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:30 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Dubai: Horses of interest on spectacular Fashion Friday card
The Thoroughbred equivalent of haute couture will line up on “Fashion Friday” at Meydan, with an all-stakes program featuring several superstars.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Jan. 22
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Horse Profile: The Waco Kid
Palmer’s other runner, The Waco Kid, comes off a front-running coup in the Somerville Tattersall (G3) at Newmarket. If that career high may have been aided by soft going, he has also won on good-to-firm, and his pedigree is favorable for adapting to Del Mar.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Jan. 18
Group 1 action returns to Hong Kong with the Centenary Sprint Cup (G1) and Stewards’ Cup (G1) at Sha Tin on Sunday. First post is 11:30 p.m. ET Saturday night, and Luke Middlebrook serves up selections and analysis.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Jan. 15
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Jan. 11
A 10-race card is on tap at Sha Tin beginning at midnight ET late Saturday night. Luke Middlebrook provides his analysis of all the Sunday action, highlighted by a couple of races with implications for the Hong Kong Classic Mile.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Jan. 8
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Horse Profile: El Encinal
El Encinal was on an upward curve in Argentina as a sophomore in the second half of 2023.
Breeders Cup
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Jan. 4
Luke Middlebrook provides analysis and selections for the Sunday card at Sha Tin, with a first post of midnight ET late Saturday night.
Wagering
Dubai: Three-year-olds to watch in UAE 2000 Guineas Trial
Potential UAE Derby (G2) prospects step out at Meydan on Friday in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, a connection emphasized by the Kentucky Derby (G1) appearing as the race’s sponsor.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Dec. 31
Ring in the New Year with racing from Hong Kong! Sha Tin stages a special holiday meeting, beginning at 11:30 p.m. ET Tuesday night.
Wagering
2024 in review: 10 favorite horses
While the Eclipse Award champions of 2024 will get plenty of fanfare, I’d like to take a more subjective approach and highlight my own personal favorites over the past year.
International
Forever Young, two-time champ Ushba Tesoro clash in Tokyo Daishoten
Most recently third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), Forever Young aims to remain unbeaten in his native Japan in Sunday’s Tokyo Daishoten (G1) at Oi. The about 1 1/4-mile feature is slated for 1:40 a.m. ET late Saturday into early Sunday morning.
Analysis
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Dec. 28
The Sunday action at Sha Tin begins at midnight ET late Saturday our time. Analyst Luke Middlebrook has selections for the 10-race program.
Wagering
Horse Profile: Ramatuelle
Like fellow three-year-old filly Porta Fortuna in the Mile, Ramatuelle is an exceptionally consistent performer at the top level.
Racing
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Three Randwick plays
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 25 at Randwick (AUS), including a trio of exactas.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Dec. 26
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:10 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Dec. 21
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:45 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Dec. 18
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 6:15 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Journalism among three prep winners
Last week, three Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifiers took place over the course of four days. Many new names emerged on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Los Alamitos Race Course
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Dec. 14
First post for Sha Tin’s Sunday card is 12 a.m. ET late Saturday night. Here are Luke Middlebrook’s selections and analysis.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Myriad Love
A filly hasn’t contested the Kentucky Derby (G1) since Devil May Care finished 10th in 2010. That could potentially change in 2025.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Dec. 11
Wednesday’s racing action at Happy Valley kicks off at 5:40 a.m. ET. Luke Middlebrook guides you through the card with his selections and analysis.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Poster stars in the Remsen
No fewer than five Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifiers are taking place in the U.S. and Japan this month. The first was contested last week, and three more are on the agenda this week.
International
May Day Ready meets Forever Young’s half-sister in Hanshin Juvenile Fillies
Best of the rest behind European star Lake Victoria in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1), May Day Ready takes on Japan’s most promising prospects in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) late Saturday night at 1:40 a.m. ET.
Analysis
Top picks, price plays for 2024 Hong Kong International Races
If it might not pay to get too creative with top picks for the Hong Kong International Races late Saturday night, there’s ample scope for the imagination in potential price plays and exotics longshots at Sha Tin.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Dec. 7
The fantastic Hong Kong International Races program at Sha Tin kicks off Saturday night at 11:25 p.m. ET.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Dec. 4
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:30 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
2024 Hong Kong Vase: Trends and storylines
Unlike the other three Hong Kong International Races, the about 1 1/2-mile Hong Kong Vase (G1) remains a happy hunting ground for invaders. The trend is expected to continue in Sunday’s renewal at Sha Tin.
Features
2024 Hong Kong Sprint: Trends and storylines
Breeders’ Cup winner Starlust will attract the notice of North American racing fans, but the center of gravity in Sunday’s Hong Kong Sprint (G1) lies with the locals led by Ka Ying Rising.
Features
2024 Hong Kong Mile: Trends and storylines
The retirement of Golden Sixty has created a golden opportunity for a new star to emerge in the Dec. 8 Hong Kong Mile (G1), but it’s less obvious to predict his successor at Sha Tin.
Features
2024 Hong Kong Cup: Trends and storylines
Two-time defending champion Romantic Warrior furnishes the leading storyline going into the Hong Kong Cup (G1) while illustrating recent trends in the Sha Tin feature.
Analysis
2024 Champions Cup: One-line assessments
Japan’s reigning champion dirt horse, Lemon Pop, will try to conclude his career on a high note as he defends his title in Saturday night’s Champions Cup (G1) at Chukyo.
Wagering
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin the night of Nov. 30
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 12 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
2024 Hong Kong International Races: Early look at the main players
A perennial highlight on the racing calendar, the Hong Kong International Races now offer an even greater incentive to bettors: the four Group 1s will be World Pool events at Sha Tin Dec. 8.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Nov. 27
The Wednesday action at Happy Valley gets underway at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Natural Rise wins the Cattleya Stakes
The Road to the Kentucky Derby is heating back up, and the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby is officially underway.
Features
2024 Japan Cup: One-line assessments
Saturday night’s 44th running of the Japan Cup (G1) has attracted a terrific international cast of 14, including European celebrities Auguste Rodin and Goliath.
Analysis
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Nov. 23
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:45 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Nov. 20
The Wednesday card at Happy Valley kicks off at 5:40 a.m. ET, and Luke Middlebrook offers his selections along with analysis of each race.
International
Kentucky Derby Roundup: Previewing the Cattleya Stakes
Let’s get up to speed on upcoming Kentucky Derby (G1) action and recount a few noteworthy developments from last week:
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Nov. 16
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 11:30 p.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Nov. 13
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin the night of Nov. 8
Racing at Sha Tin begins at 12 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
Horse Profile: Whistlejacket
As the only Group 1 winner in the field, with high speed that hasn’t quite lasted over stiffer tracks, Whistlejacket makes a lot of sense on the cutback at Del Mar.
International
Hong Kong: Selections for Happy Valley Nov. 6
Racing at Happy Valley begins at 5:40 a.m. ET. Selections and analysis by Luke Middlebrook.
International
The 2024 Melbourne Cup: Betting Select Races
TwinSpires presents our horseplayers the opportunity to bet on the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse, Australia's biggest race of the year! Please find additional race entries below the Melbourne Cup information, as well as suggested picks.
Wagering
Japan’s 19 contenders at the 2024 Breeders’ Cup
The 2024 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar attracted a record number of internationals, including 19 entrants from Japan alone.
Analysis
Horse Profile: Diego Velazquez
Before the Saratoga Derby (G1) fell victim to a weather postponement, Diego Velazquez was being mentioned as a possible candidate for Australia’s Cox Plate (G1).
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Ten Happy Rose
After a 207-1 shock in the “Win and You’re In” Victoria Mile (G1), Ten Happy Rose would be easy to discount.
Racing
Horse Profile: Porta Fortuna
Runner-up by a half-length in last year’s Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita, Porta Fortuna returns stateside with a glittering resume.
Racing
Horse Profile: Notable Speech
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby bids for an unprecedented fourth straight Mile trophy, relying this time on Notable Speech.
Racing
Horse Profile: Meta Max
Owned by Susumu Fujita, who sponsors the Sprint through his Cygames company, Meta Max is likely to be an anticlimax after Fujita’s Forever Young contests the Classic.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Don Frankie
As a confirmed front runner, Don Frankie promises to add fuel to the pace fire in the Sprint.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: South American imports
South American imports Mufasa and Full Serrano have done enough stateside to gauge their ability.
Racing
Horse Profile: Remake
With a superabundance of early speed on tap, deep-closing Remake will get the right set-up if he can mobilize quickly enough down the Del Mar stretch.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Soprano
Soprano faces an obvious distance question here. The prospect of a strenuous pace will ruthlessly expose any stamina limitations.
Horse
Horse Profile: Beach Bomb
A homebred for Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud, Beach Bomb now runs in the name of its British arm, Cayton Park Stud.
Horse
Horse Profile: Cinderella’s Dream and Beautiful Love
The Godolphin duo can be judged on their respective efforts in New York, but it might help to view them through the international lens.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Content
Content returns with an enhanced profile after landing the “Win and You’re In” Yorkshire Oaks (G1).
Horse
Horse Profile: Ushba Tesoro
Fifth in last year’s Classic at Santa Anita, Ushba Tesoro hopes for better luck with the venue switch to Del Mar.
Racing
Horse Profile: Forever Young
Trained by international maestro Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young has the advantage of being proven in U.S. conditions.
International
Horse Profile: Wingspan
As a gritty front runner, Wingspan will be prominent for a long way, but her efforts might ultimately play into the hands of venerable stablemate Luxembourg.
Racing
2024 Breeders' Cup: 10 observations from morning-line odds
Morning-line odds for the 14 Breeders’ Cup races were released on Monday evening, giving handicappers an early look at how betting might unfold.
International
Horse Profile: Jayarebe
Trainer Brian Meehan has won the Turf twice with relative outsiders, and Jayarebe will try to give him a third.
Racing
Horse Profile: Rousham Park
If Shahryar is the well-traveled Japanese contender with all of the requisite credentials, Rousham Park is the up-and-comer with a world of potential
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Luxembourg
If the erstwhile glamor colt doesn’t occupy the same Ballydoyle pedestal as in former years, Luxembourg remains a threat when he lands in the right spot to do himself justice.
Racing
Horse Profile: Shahryar
A terrific third at 25-1 in last year’s Turf despite a last-prep hiccup, Shahryar returns off a smoother build-up to try again.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Rebel’s Romance
Godolphin’s 2022 Turf hero has regrouped from a star-crossed 2023 and arrives with strong claims to regain his crown
Horse
Horse Profile: Che Evasora
Che Evasora’s flop in her stateside prep in the Zenyatta (G2) did nothing to answer the question marks about her Breeders’ Cup potential.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Alice Verite
Having raced exclusively on the Japanese turf so far, Alice Verite had the Filly & Mare Turf as her first preference at the pre-entry stage.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Awesome Result
Awesome Result captured the same prep that launched Marche Lorraine, who upset the 2021 Distaff at Del Mar for Japan.
Breeders Cup
Horse Profile: Star of Mystery
By Kodiac, Star of Mystery is a half-sister to two North American Grade 1 winners for Charlie Appleby, Althiqa and Mysterious Night.
International
Horse Profile: Starlust
As a close third to Big Evs in last year’s Juvenile Turf Sprint at odds of 24-1, Starlust is proven in stateside conditions
Racing
Expert International Racing Analysis, Picks, Odds and Live Video
TwinSpires has international racing in abundance!
Hong Kong
Horse racing from Happy Valley and Shat Tin, featuring the end of the year championships on Hong Kong International Race Night.
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot Race Page | Royal Ascot Expert Picks & Analysis | Brisnet Royal Ascot Coverage
The mid summer British sensation that honors royal tradition with a week of high level turf racing at Ascot Racecourse.
Dubai World Cup
Meydan is nestled in the United Arab Emirates and hosts the celebration of top class horses and racing during their carnival early every year.
Saudi Cup
A newer prestigious race with a massive purse and payout for participants in Saudi Arabia.