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Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Exacta for Riley Allison Derby
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Jan. 17 at Fair Grounds, Sunland Park, and Turfway Park, including horses to use in Turfway’s $17,257 Super High 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Jan. 18 [VIDEO]
Ashley Anderson, James Scully, and Darin Zoccali discuss their best bets and fades at Fair Grounds, Aqueduct, and Turfway Park, plus they give out their top pick in the Grade 3 Lecomte and Silverbulletday S., prep races along the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, respectively.
Wagering
Exotics Plays for the Colonel E. R. Bradley S.
A full field of 14 will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Fair Grounds turf in Saturday’s $100,000 Colonel E. R. Bradley S. This seems like an ideal race lacking a standout in the crew to spread with multiple runners, and I will do so with my plays.
Wagering
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $9,362 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Jan. 16 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including analysis of Turfway’s $9,362 Super High 5 carryover.
Fair Grounds
Pick 3 of the Week: Santa Anita Thursday
This week’s Pick 3 of the Week will come from The Great Race Place Santa Anita on Thursday. I have a single in the middle leg of the sequence and have confidence in the bookend contests of the wager, as well.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2025 Lecomte Stakes
A huge cast of 14 sophomores will go postward in the $250,000 Lecomte S. (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Racing
Scully, Hanson offer selections for KDFW Pool 3
Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) will open its three-day run Friday at noon (ET), providing the opportunity to wager upon 39 individual interests and the pari-mutuel field of “All Other Three-Year-Olds” for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 3.
Kentucky Derby
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $180,036 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, along with analysis of carryovers at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park.
Turfway Park
Pick 4 of the Week: Turfway Park Wednesday
A trio of Pick 4 wagers are offered on the Wednesday card at Turfway Park, and I will take aim at the middle one that begins in Race 4.
Wagering
Barnes early individual favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3
#2 Barnes, the Bob Baffert-trained winner of the Jan. 4 San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita has been installed as the 10-1 individual favorite for Pool 3 of the 2025 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW).
Kentucky Derby
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
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Khantaro d’Oro can win return
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Turf Paradise, including a Pick 3 play.
Best Bets
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Street Humor can surprise at Turf Paradise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Jan. 13 at Turf Paradise, including a 5-1 shot switching from turf to dirt.
Best Bets
Fair Grounds: Plays for $21,315 Pick 6 and Feeder tournament
The Sunday card at Fair Grounds doesn’t feature any stakes, but it does include a couple of lucrative betting opportunities for horseplayers.
Fair Grounds
Singles for carryovers at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Turfway
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson suggests singles for a trio of non-jackpot Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers on Saturday at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, and Turfway Park.
Fair Grounds
Betting With, and Against, Owen Almighty in the Pasco Stakes
A compact field of six three-year-olds will travel seven-eighths over the Tampa Bay Downs dirt in Saturday’s $150,000 Pasco S.
Racing
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
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Dr. Perry can shine on dirt
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Jan. 10 at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs, along with horses to play in Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers at Turfway Park and Fair Grounds.
Fair Grounds
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Jan. 11 [VIDEO]
Ashley Anderson, Darin Zoccali, and guest Nick Tammaro propose their best bets and fades at Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Tampa Bay Downs, and Santa Anita.
Wagering
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Play this Fair Grounds double
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Jan. 9 at Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds, along with proposed wagers for two TwinSpires tournaments.
Gulfstream Park
Exotics Plays for the Likely Exchange Stakes
A full field of fillies and mares will vie in Saturday’s feature at Turfway Park, the $125,000 Likely Exchange S.
Wagering
Pick 3 of the Week: Fair Grounds Saturday
I have found a competitive trio of races on the Saturday card at Fair Grounds that appears to be a good wagering opportunity. Here is how I see the three races playing out.
Wagering
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Cold double at Gulfstream Park
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Jan. 8 at Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park, along with a single for the $4,557 Pick 5 carryover at Penn National.
Gulfstream Park
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
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Multi-race wagers at Turf Paradise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Turf Paradise, including a cold Pick 3 play.
Best Bets
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turf Paradise Pick 3 play
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Jan. 6 at Turf Paradise, including a Pick 3 ticket.
Best Bets
Singles for Sunday’s Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds, mandatory payout at Gulfstream
The $1 Pick 6 at Fair Grounds proved unsolvable on Saturday, triggering a $1,912 carryover into Sunday’s card, and Gulfstream Park will have a mandatory payout of its Rainbow 6 carryover.
Fair Grounds
Best bets for Oaklawn and Turfway tournaments, plus Aqueduct’s Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks for Saturday tournaments at Oaklawn and Turfway, along with horses to use in Aqueduct’s $18,244 Pick 6 carryover.
Tournaments
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Jan. 4 [VIDEO]
Ashley Anderson, James Scully and Darin Zoccali reconvene in the new year to debate their best bets and fades at Turfway Park, Oaklawn, Aqueduct, and more.
Wagering
How to bet the 2025 Santa Ynez Stakes
A strong cast of eight sophomore fillies will vie in Sunday’s $100,000 Santa Ynez S. at Santa Anita. I think that the majority of ladies in the field can come out on top in the well-matched affair and will seek value with my plays.
Wagering
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
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Tape to Tape can win the Sam’s Town
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Jan. 3 at Turfway Park and Delta Downs, along with a horse to single in the $2,360 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Fair Grounds
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
How to bet the Mucho Macho Man Stakes
A really nice field of nine sophomores will travel over a one-turn mile on the Gulfstream Park main strip in Saturday’s $165,000 Mucho Macho Man S.
Wagering
Exotics Plays for the Turfway Prevue Stakes
A solid group of 10 three-year-olds will speed 6 1/2 panels on the Tapeta surface in Saturday’s $125,000 Turfway Prevue S.
Wagering
Romanesque gets the nod in San Vicente Stakes
Just five sophomores will jaunt seven-eighths on the Santa Anita dirt in Saturday’s $200,000 San Vicente S. (G2) on Saturday, but the abundance of quality more than makes up for the limited quantity of runners in the heat.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2025 Jerome Stakes
A total of eight three-year-olds will run one mile on the Aqueduct main strip in Saturday’s $150,000 Jerome S. The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top five finishers with qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2025 Smarty Jones Stakes
A cast of eight recently-turned sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Oaklawn dirt on Saturday in the $250,000 Smarty Jones S. The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will reward the first five across the wire with qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 structure.
Wagering
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway’s $94,897 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Jan. 2 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including analysis of Turfway’s $94,897 Pick 5 carryover.
Fair Grounds
How to bet the Las Cienegas Stakes
A nice cast of 10 fillies and mares will jaunt about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill in Sunday’s $100,000 Las Cienegas S. (G3) at Santa Anita.
Wagering
Pick 4 of the Week: Santa Anita Saturday
A trio of black-type races for California-bred runners will be part of the closing four-race sequence at Santa Anita on Saturday.
Wagering
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Kim Possible can win on class drop
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Jan. 1 at Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park, and Turfway Park, including exactas in the Dania Beach S.
Turfway Park
How to bet the Gowell Stakes
A total of seven newly turned sophomore fillies will go postward in Wednesday’s $125,000 Gowell S. at Turfway Park.
Wagering
How to bet the Dania Beach Stakes
A competitive field of eight will run one mile on the Gulfstream Park turf in Wednesday’s $165,000 Dania Beach S.
Wagering
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Mandatory-payout $214,403 Pick 5 at Parx
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 31 at Turf Paradise, along with a single for the mandatory-payout $214,403 Pick 5 carryover at Parx Racing.
Best Bets
Sierra Leone registers top Brisnet Speed rating of 2024
Here’s the list of the top two dozen winning Speed ratings of 2024, led by Sierra Leone's 114 in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
Breeders Cup
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
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Ticket for $3,201 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 30 at Parx Racing and Turf Paradise, including a ticket for Turf Paradise’s $3,201 Pick 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Fair Grounds: Two singles for the $1,547 Pick 6 carryover
The Saturday card at Fair Grounds was full of surprises. No one came close to hitting the $1 Pick 6, generating a $1,547 Pick 6 carryover into Sunday’s card.
Fair Grounds
Picks and plays for the $1,000 Oaklawn KDBC/NHC Qualifier
A couple of NHC seats and at least one KDBC seat are up for grabs in Saturday’s $1,000 Oaklawn KDBC/NHC Qualifier tournament on TwinSpires.com.
Tournaments
Turfway: Longshots for the mandatory-payout $244,674 Pick 6 carryover
The final day of 2024 racing at Turfway Park features the mandatory payout of a massive $244,674 Pick 6 carryover.
Turfway Park
Santa Anita: Artislas the key to the Eddie Logan Stakes
A solid group of seven juvenile colts will run one mile on the Santa Anita lawn in Sunday’s $100,000 Eddie Logan S.
Wagering
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
Fair Grounds: Superfecta Plays for the Woodchopper Stakes
An overflow field of 16 sophomores will travel about 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds lawn in Saturday’s $100,000 Woodchopper S.
Wagering
Aqueduct: How to Bet the Gravesend Stakes 2024
A well-matched field of seven will speed six furlongs on the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s $150,000 Gravesend S., one of two black-type races on the card.
Wagering
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Gulfstream’s $217,084 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 27 at Santa Anita and Turfway Park, along with singles for Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers at Fair Grounds and Gulfstream Park.
Gulfstream Park
Oaklawn: Swinging for the Fences in Tinsel Stakes
I’m siding with the co-longest shot on the board to make a lot of waves in the Tinsel S. at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.
Oaklawn Park
Gulfstream: How to bet the 2024 Mr. Prospector Stakes
A full field of 12 will dash seven-eights on the Gulfstream Park main surface in Saturday’s $165,000 Mr. Prospector S. (G3).
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 12-1 shot can win on debut
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 26 at Santa Anita and Turfway Park, including longshots to play in Turfway’s $5,901 Super High 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
Betting With, and Against, Nom de Plume, in the Broussard Memorial
An octet of fillies and mares will travel two turns on the Fair Grounds dirt in Thursday’s $100,000 Joseph E. Spanky Broussard Memorial S.
Wagering
Aqueduct: How to bet the 2024 Bay Ridge Stakes
A dozen New York-bred fillies and mares will travel one mile on the dirt in Friday’s $100,000 Bay Ridge S. at Aqueduct.
Wagering
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
Santa Anita: Exotics Plays for the 2024 American Oaks
A big field of 13 sophomore fillies will run 1 1/4 miles on the lawn at Santa Anita in Thursday’s $300,000 American Oaks (G1).
Wagering
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
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Tampa’s $4,261 Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 24 at Tampa Bay Downs, including a ticket for the $4,261 Super High 5 carryover.
Best Bets
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 15-1 at Turf Paradise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 23 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a 15-1 longshot.
Best Bets
Picks for Oaklawn tournament, Tampa Super High 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks for a Sunday tournament at Oaklawn Park and a Super High 5 carryover at Tampa Bay Downs.
Tournaments
Best bets for the $400 Gun Runner KDBC Qualifier tournament
Saturday’s stakes-packed card at Fair Grounds is the focus of a $400 Gun Runner KDBC Qualifier tournament on TwinSpires.com.
Fair Grounds
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
Fair Grounds: Exotics for Race 7 on Sunday December 22, 2024
An overflow field of 14 two-year-olds is entered to contest a 1 1/16-mile endeavor on the lawn in Race 7 at Fair Grounds on Sunday.
Wagering
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Turfway's $138,972 Pick 5 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 20 at Turfway Park, along with horses to single in Pick 5 and Pick 6 carryovers at Turfway and Fair Grounds.
Turfway Park
Gulfstream Park: How to bet the Janus Stakes on Dec. 21
A deep cast of 12 turf dashers will speed five-eighths on the Gulfstream Park turf in the $140,000 Janus S. on Saturday, one of five black-type events on the big card.
Gulfstream Park
Fair Grounds: Betting Coin Miner in Race 3 at Fair Grounds on Saturday
An overflow field of contenders is entered for Race 3 at Fair Grounds on Saturday and it looks like a really good betting opportunity.
Wagering
The Jury: Expert Picks, Bets, and Fades for Dec. 21 [VIDEO]
Ashley Anderson, James Scully and Darin Zoccali discuss their best bets and fades at Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park, and Turfway Park!
Racing
Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Dapper Moon can win with class drop
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Dec. 19 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including horses to bet in Turfway’s $7,407 Super High 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
Oaklawn: How to bet the 2024 Poinsettia Stakes
A full field of 12 fillies and mares will run 5 1/2 panels in Saturday’s feature at Oaklawn Park, the $150,000 Poinsettia S.
Wagering
Gulfstream Park: Exotic Plays for the Suwannee River Stakes on Saturday
A full field of 12 fillies and mares will travel one mile on the Gulfstream Park turf in Saturday’s $165,000 Suwannee River S. (G3). The affair attracted a very well-matched cast and I feel compelled to spread with multiple runners in the grassy contest.
Racing
Laurel Park: Saddle Up Jessie gets the nod to defend Carousel S. crown
Defending champ #9 Saddle Up Jessie will break from the widest post in Saturday’s $100,000 Carousel S. at Laurel Park on Saturday.
Racing
Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Nile Candy can surprise
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, Dec. 18 at Turfway Park, including longshots to play in the $4,465 Super High 5 carryover.
Turfway Park
Betting With, and Against, Golden Gamble in the Untapable Stakes
An octet of two-year-old fillies will travel two turns on the Fair Grounds main strip in Saturday’s $100,000 Untapable S.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Gun Runner Stakes
A compact field of five juveniles will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Fair Grounds dirt on Saturday in the $100,000 Gun Runner S.
Analysis
Tabbing Exactas in the Hobbs Fall Classic at Zia Park
A total of eight juveniles will vie in the Tuesday feature at Zia Park, the $150,000 Hobbs Fall Classic S.
Wagering
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
Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 6-1 shot at Zia
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Zia Park and Turf Paradise, including a second-time starter at 6-1 odds.
Best Bets
Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Fair Grounds $1,746 Pick 6 carryover
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Dec. 16 at Zia Park and Fair Grounds, including a single for the $1,746 Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.
Best Bets
Los Alamitos: $160 tournament, $25,807 Pick 6 carryover
There are two great reasons to play the Sunday card at Los Alamitos: a tournament with cash prizes and a Pick 6 carryover with a mandatory payout.
Tournaments
Picks for the $2,000 Turfway Handicapping Championship tournament
Saturday’s $2,000 Turfway Handicapping Championship tournament on TwinSpires.com boasts epic prizes.
Tournaments
How to bet the Steady Growth Stakes
A total of nine Ontario-bred runners will go 1 1/16 miles in Sunday’s $150,000 Steady Growth S. at Woodbine.
Wagering
Betting the Great White Way Stakes
An excellent field of 10 juveniles bred in the Empire State will go postward in Saturday’s lucrative, $500,000 Great White Way S at Aqueduct.
Wagering
How to bet the Mistletoe Stakes
The feature of the 10-race card at Oaklawn Park on Saturday is the $150,000 Mistletoe S.
Wagering
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
Louisiana Champions Day Pick 3 Play
A total of seven black-type events for Cajun-bred runners will highlight a big day of action at Fair Grounds on Saturday.
Wagering
All Stakes Pick 4 at Turfway Park on Saturday
A quartet of lucrative stakes races will be held during Saturday’s Turfway Park Synthetic Championships.
Turfway Park
Exotics Plays for the Holiday Cheer Stakes
An overflow cast of 14 is entered for Saturday’s excellent, $250,000 Holiday Cheer S. The six-furlong heat on the Tapeta attracted a very good group in what appears to be a superb sprint event with numerous betting options.
Turfway Park
Friday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 15-1 longshot at Turfway
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Friday, Dec. 13 at Oaklawn Park, Turfway Park, and Remington Park, including a 15-1 longshot.
Turfway Park
Betting With, and Against, Smoken Wicked in the Champions Day Juvenile
A really good cast of seven Cajun-bred two-year-olds will vie in Saturday’s Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile S. at Fair Grounds.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Los Alamitos Futurity
A compact field of five juveniles will run 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2).
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2024 Springboard Mile Stakes
A deep field of 12 sophomores will go eight panels on the Remington Park dirt in Friday’s $300,000 Springboard Mile S.
Wagering