It is one of the biggest weeks of the year in thoroughbred racing, so you knew 1/ST BET and Xpressbet would be ready with a massive promotion. I am happy to report you will not be disappointed on Halloween when the first of a two-day $20,000 Exacta-Thon gets started.

Most of you know this one by now given the promo’s popularity, but for those who do not, the goal is to connect on as many $2+ exactas as possible over the course of a card. In this case, those who connect on at least six $2+ exactas will earn an equal split of $7500. The horseplayer(s) that hit the most will split an additional $2500. This offer is valid for both Future Stars Friday and Championship Saturday adding up to twenty dimes on the line over the two-day extravaganza. Here are a few exacta plays I am going to include as part of my attempt to earn a share of the $10k on Friday.


Race 7: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1)

This year’s Juvenile Fillies did not attract the strongest group we have ever seen for the 1 1/16-mile event for 2YO gals over the main track, but I am very much looking forward to wagering on it. That is because I do not see much separation between those who are likely to take a lot of public support and those likely to be overlooked.

I like #4 Percy’s Bar most. The Ben Colebrook trainee crossed the wire first in her initial attempt at a route of ground in the Alcibiades (G1) four weeks ago, but was disqualified for interfering with runner-up #5 Tommy Jo. There was probably a foul there, but Tommy Jo was never going by regardless of contact. The Upstart filly has done little wrong thus far and merits serious respect at anything around her 9-2-ML price. That said, I am not willing to go all-in on her running first or second, so I will box her with two of the longest shots on the board. Both #4 Meaning and #8 Super Corredora get major class tests going from MSW competition to the Breeders’ Cup, but this is an underwhelming group. They might be getting good at just the right time.

Play: Exacta Box 3+4+8


Race 9: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)

This year’s Juvenile drew a stronger group than its female counterpart led by 4-5-ML Favorite #8 Ted Noffey. The Spendthrift Farm colt has been perfect through three starts, including a win last out in his first attempt at two-turns in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1). He is difficult to knock unless the bottom side of his pedigree catches up with him on the cross-country trip, so I do not have much excitement in trying to beat him. However, I am not willing to key around an odds-on favorite, so I will build my Exacta-Thon play around #2 Blackout Time. The son of Not This Time

was beaten by Ted Noffey at Keeneland last out, but has done little wrong through three starts. The inside draw, Irad Ortiz Jr., and the experience at a route of ground all give him the right to take a significant step forward in So Cal on Friday.

Play: Exacta Key Box 2 with 1+8, Exacta 8-2


Race 10: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1)

The Future Stars Friday finale certainly goes through #14 Gstaad, but the 9-5-ML favorite was done no favors at the draw on Monday evening. The Aidan O’Brien trainee will have to earn it from the 14-hole, which makes him and a few other logicals tough to get excited about given likely trip. I will fade the chalk and key #9 Argos on top. The son of Nyquist finished very well in his first two-turn test getting the best of favorite Wild Desert in the Summer (G1) at Woodbine. Trainer Riley Mott retains the services of jockey Flavien Prat on a colt that is coming into this race off a steady series of drills over the main track at Churchill Downs. A move forward off of his last should put him right there at the wire. I will key him over a few prices, including the maiden #1 Heeere’s Johnny. The Oscar Performance colt has improved in each start and draws favorably along the inside. Do not dismiss him just because he enters his first Grade 1 start without a win.

Play: Exacta 9 with 1+5+7