SCHEDULE NOTESSanta Anita | special holiday card | first post 4:00 pm ETTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | $12,729 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $44,681 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETKEY RACESFinger Lakes | Race 7 | 3:49 pm ET | NY Breeders’ FuturityFinger Lakes | Race 8 | 4:18 pm ET | Jack Betta Be Rite StakesPresque Isle Downs | Race 7 | 6:12 pm ET | HBPA StakesSanta Anita | Race 7 | 7:00 pm ET | Swingtime StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indy | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 4 | 5:30 pm ETMountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAnthony Ferraro | Finger Lakes | all 4 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Woodbine, Keeneland | trainer Mark Casse | 4 wins, including 2 stakesPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Monday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

The racing week in Southern California continues later today at Santa Anita Park where there is a special holiday card starting at 1PM local time. The Monday slate is ten-races in total headlined by the $80k Swingtime Stakes for fillies and mares at one-mile over the grass. Here are a few horses I like most on the afternoon, including my thoughts on the featured event.Race 7: SwingtimeThe pace should be honest in the Columbus Day feature given the presence of #8 Bit Tiger’s Magic, as well as the filly drawn to her inside #7 Pura Vida Princess. This should allow 5-2-favorite #6 Tirupati to find the perfect spot early under veteran European rider Jaime Spencer. I would not swallow too short of a price though on the Augustin Stable mare since she is coming in off an arduous task at Kentucky Downs where she failed the as the odds-on choice. In fact, the daughter of Mitole has struggled to fail to cross the wire first yet in 2026. I will she moves early or hangs late and #5 Firenze Flavor makes the last move. The daughter of Liam’s Map was outrun at 50-1 at Del Mar in the John C. Mabee (G2) in early September, but that was her first start in over ten months. Plus, her best efforts have all come over this course. If the pace is fast, she should be rolling late.Play: #5 Firenze Flavor (8-1 ML)Picks: 5-6-1Race 9:Trainer Mark Glatt holds a strong hand in this second-level allowance event at six-furlongs over the Santa Anita sod. He has 9-5-ML favorite #6 Bad Uncle Barry, potential speed #5 Simple Song, and lightly-raced #2 Tap the Gin. All lure top-tier riders on the circuit and should find good spots early. Tap the Gin and Simple Song are not for me, while Bad Uncle Barry looms a likely underlay as the one to beat. I will take on the Glatt trio with #7 Mescalero. The son of Into Mischief moves to an outside draw for the first time as a 4YO after chasing the pace in the Green Flash (G2) from a less advantageous spot inside draw. He won over this course/distance to kick off his career and should get a great trip this afternoon under Kazushi Kimura.Play: #7 Mescalero (6-1 ML)Picks: 7-6-8Race 10:I will close the card endorsing the 5-2-ML favorite in this two-turn MSW event for 2YOs over the main track. #7 Mixit chased the pace early and had nothing left late in his debut effort at Del Mar in early September, but that came at far shorter versus a higher quality group at this stage of the juvenile’s careers. I was encouraged by the early speed of this colt given the competition and expect him to find a prominent spot early against a group that has not shown all that much to be fearful of thus far.Play: #7 Mixit (5-2 ML)Picks- 7-3-9

Yonkers Raceway has a 10-race card with the $1.00 Pick 5 starting in Race 5. The sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The Spot Plays are in Race 3, Race 6, and Race 9. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 3 (7:25 PM EDT)5-Coalford Topguy GB (7/2)-Rolled home in 56.1 to beat this kind on 9-28 after a 9-21 claim. Comes right back and did beat a couple from this field last time. This is a competitive sort and will rely on the Joe B barn to keep clicking. Should offer a fair price and will respect chances of doubling up but the trip might be tricky. Can fire out when the wings fold and there are a couple with good gate speed who start inside. Needs a sharp steer, and if so, could be posing again.5-4-1Race 6 (8:25 PM EDT)8-Lillbliss (6-1)-Jason Bartlett sticks after coming 2nd versus this kind. The post helps the price and has the gate speed to upset if things fall into place. The Petter Engblom trainee is an interesting play from this post, and this will be the 3rd start after a judges scratch and hasn't been used hard off the gate. The wrapper could come off tonight. Bartlett could beat this field by only improving position when the wings fold and not having to get on the engine around the opening turn.8-1-5Race 9 (9:25 PM EDT)7-Young Bluey A (15-1)-Price shot came a decent 4th in the first race following a sick scratch. Jordan Stratton returns and he posts 28% winners for the Jarred Bako barn. Stratton knows how to get a horse rolling down the lane and this race should have an honest pace. The veteran could close fastest of all.7-4-2Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVESBC Bankroll Builder | Bet $25, Get $5 | California Distaff Handicap (Race 9 Santa Anita)10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Sunset 6 at Gulfstream/Santa AnitaSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-9, Santa Anita Races 3-4-5Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 7-8-9, Santa Anita Races 8-9-10TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Santa Anita Feeder | details$100 Keeneland Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPlace Pick 8 | $11,542 | Gulfstream | begins Race 2 | 12:50 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $25,324 | Gulfstream | begins Race 4 | 1:50 pm ETPick 6 | $121,890 | Belmont | begins Race 4 | 2:49 pm ETSunset 6 | $7,624 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 7 | 3:30 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $100,924 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 10 | 6:00 pm ETPick 6 | $99,295 | Santa Anita | begins Race 5 | 6:09 pm ETKEY RACESWoodbine | Race 7 | 4:22 pm ET | Display StakesKeeneland | Race 8 | 4:44 pm ET | Franklin StakesWoodbine | Race 8 | 4:57 pm ET | Glorious Song StakesSanta Anita | Race 9 | 8:09 pm ET | California DistaffLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXWoodbine | Race 6 | 3:49 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 1 | 4:00 pm ETKeeneland | Race 9 | 5:16 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHKevin Attard | Woodbine | 4 of 6 entrants 5-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Woodbine | jockey Pietro Moran | 4 wins ($3, $7, $10, $12)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMBrian Nadeau: Gulfstream Mandatory Payout Full-Card Sunday PicksJeremy Plonk: Keeneland Longshot Plays for SundayScott Shapiro: Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder Play for Santa Anita SundayBrian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

‍Some great October promotions have been a theme for my writing the last few days and that continues Sunday when the second week of our Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder concludes later this afternoon. The promo allows 1/ST BET and Xpressbet customers to earn a $5 bonus for betting $25+ on select races leading up to the World Championships at the end of the month. Head to the promotional landing page to register if you have yet to do so and for more details.Today's race is the California Distaff from Santa Anita, where a $99,295 pick 6 carryover begins in Race 5. This stakes is also part of a $7,624 Sunset 6 carryover matching the final 3 races on the card from sister tracks Gulfstream & Santa Anita.Sunday, California Distaff, Santa Anita Race 9The final crack this week at the BC Bankroll Builder is in yet another race for Cal-breds down the beautiful Hillside Turf Course. This time it is for the ladies where I will try #10 Liberation. The 3YO takes on older runners for the first time, which is always a big challenge, but trainer John Sadler is having a strong meet and this gal should sit a stress-free trip in the clear a few lengths off an honest early pace. Her lone turf effort came in late August when she went two turns at Del Mar against open company foes and went far too fast early from her inside draw. Hopefully, she is able to relax on the cutback in distance and move to an outside draw.Play: #10 LiberationPicks: 10-4-7‍

It's a mandatory payout Sunday in the Rainbow 6 with a carryover at Gulfstream Park of $25,324. Track officials estimate a $500,000 pool for the sequence, which goes as Races 4-9. Sunday's Place Pick 8 has an $11,542 carryover. And also note Gulfstream's Sunset 6 with Santa Anita (final 3 races at each track) has a Sunday carryover of $7,624.Race 1:Can’t get by 9 NOAHS PRIDE off the-claim for Barboza (32%), as he’s the best horse, drew well to be outside a world of speed, and has two sharp works to help negate any worry about a 7/19 layoff. An expected wild pace hints this could fall apart late, so let’s use stalker 4 VALUE IN THE CLOUDS at a big price underneath. The main danger to the chalk is 8 MAXIMUS CAT, who drops after a speed-and-tire against tougher on the turf, but he still may get fried as part of the pace. SELECTIONS: 9-4-8-1Race 2: Start of the Place Pick 8The D’Angelo pair of 1 BABY MASHA and 2 PHILIPINA A look best here, with the latter getting the call on the stretch and turf try, as Reyes lands here and this filly may be able to clear her ‘mate, who tired while walking on the lead in a turf route but is now OTC, a 23% angle for the barn. The gap to the rest may be a bit too much, though 7 GUSTAVIA offers some appeal, in what is her route and turf debut. SELECTIONS: 2-1-7-3Race 3:It’s Best Bet time with 6 AUTHENTIC GUITAR, who was a chasing 2nd off a 15 month layoff, has worked huge since, and has more upside than the rest of these combined. A hot pace will aid the late chances of 7 STARSHIP SPECTACLE, though she always runs out of room, while 3 ENGLISH HARBOUR ran well to just-miss last time, but looks in a pace sandwich. SELECTIONS: 6-7-3-1Race 4: Start of the Mandatory Payout Pick 6It’s doubtful 7 GRIM REAPER is the best horse here, but today he gets a lot his way, as he’s outside in a race with a lot of speed, and catches a (potentially) vulnerable ML favorite, which could be enough to get it done on the class rise. If they are going to beat the aforementioned ML favorite 1 BLAST RADIUS, it would be today, as he hasn’t been out since 1/30 and may need this, not to mention he drew poorly and could get caught up in the pace as well, though anything close to his win when last seen crushes these. It sure looks like 5 PIONEER PRINCE is feeling good OTC for Wilensky, as that 10/3 bullet here was huge, but he was going two turns at Dmr, and now faces a good group on the cross country trip, so there are hurdles. SELECTIONS: 7-1-5-4Race 5:Expecting a move forward from 6 NEW FRIEND, who tries turf, a route, and is a first-time gelding, not to mention he drops in class, and gets plenty of grass pedigree on his damside (American Pharoah). The only time 5 FIGHT AND PRAY tried turf was in an MSW on debut behind a subsequent stakes winner, so now with two Tapeta routes under his belt, he has every right to make a dent here. The best of the proven runners at the level is 8 BANDARI, who is OTC for Gutierrez after a tiring 2nd last time, but this group is tougher. SELECTIONS: 6-5-8-2Race 6:A trainer switch to Narvaez and a big work since says 6 MISS VALENTINA is ready to finally deliver after disappointing twice at short odds of late, as she worked big 10/4 for a 19% barn with newcomers. If she does falter, then 5 SOMERSET MIA will be tough off her recent 2nd, while noting she has a big tactical edge on the pick too. Maybe blinkers wake up 1 PRETTY GEISHA, though at 24-1-2-7, you know where she wants to finish, underneath. SELECTIONS: 6-5-1-7Race 7: Start of the Sunset 6If 1 TITANS EDGE can work out a trip from the rail, he can surprise OTC for Gonzalez, who has been live with limited starters, and this two-time winner caught a very yielding course at Cnl in his only turf try. A hot pace will again flatter the late run of 5 ZEVI’S ZONE, who won here the last time he was in with this kind, and is clearly the one to fear late. Can’t play 1 STICKY MCSHNICKERS on top at 23-1-8-7 lifetime, but he’ll rally for a piece, as always. SELECTIONS: 1-5-7-3Race 8:It’s Longshot time with 3 OTHER LEVEL in his Tapeta debut, as he enters off a solid 2nd on the main track when sent two turns, has a stalking style to sit off what looks like plenty of speed, and has just one rival to fear. Which leads us to 4 FULL NELSON, who was up in time to win OTC for Barboza, has by far the best form, and looks a short price as he goes for his third straight. The pace will also help 9 DIMANCHE GRAS, as he was rolling last time before running out of room at the line. SELECTIONS: 3-4-9-1Race 9:Can’t see anyone running early with 1 REDLAND REBELS, which means can’t see anyone catching him late either, as he’s the speed, looked good wiring in his last on the turf two-back, and still seems on the improve while catching a field that has hit a plateau. It’s the class test for 2 NAME IT, who looked good beating lesser and now rises, though admittedly this isn’t the toughest OC/N1X you’ll ever see. A wide draw won’t help 8 SARATOGA FLASH, though he is a four-time turf winner who was facing better the last time he was over the course when a close 5th in April. SELECTIONS: 1-2-8-5Best Bet: R3: #6 Authentic Guitar (5-2)* Strong 2nd off 15-month layoff* Big 10/5 work says to look out* Well-drawn outside the speedLongshot: R8: #3 Other Level (15-1)* Makes first start over Tapeta* Woke up at two turns last time* Stalker can sit just off the speed

Each day during the 17-day Keeneland Fall Meet, I’ll spotlight the double-digit morning line prices that you’ll want to consider for your exotics plays. These are based on my top-3 choices in each race and will only appear if they’re in my mix and of significant odds.Race 2:#5 Jem’s Hershey Kiss (15-1 ML) – Ellis runners have outperformed expectations this meet and we saw the Greg Foley barn pop a very sharp-looking winner earlier this week. First Kee run for this son of Dialed In, a sire whose offspring have been outstanding here in recent meets.#1 Soho Jimmy (30-1 ML) – Maiden effort here over the track in Spring Meet fits well at this class level and like the sprint-to-route / turf-to-dirt move in the same swoop from a cozy rail draw.Race 9:#3 Colossus (12-1 ML) – Been away a year but Brendan Walsh’s barn can get this kind ready. Well-meant 2YO last year had obvious physical issues but bullet gate drill Sept. 25 indicates he may show why he fetched that $975K purchase price.

Northfield Park has a 15-race card, and the $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11. The sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool with a low 14% takeout. The Spot Plays are in Race 8, Race 11, and Race 12. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 8 (8:34 PM EDT)4-Windsong Patriot (15-1)-The last 3 starts were against Open Handicap company and did finish a beaten 2nd two back. Left from the 8-hole last week, the trip was bumpy, and had excuses 3 back as well. Drops to a level where a win could happen, and at the program price will use on top and in gimmicks. Has the gate speed to land on the point or in the 2-hole off the gate. Could be right there at the wire if pilot Case Bateson works a smooth steer.4-7-1Race 11 (9:40 PM EDT)2-Neptune N (5/2)-Took advantage of hot fractions and rolled off cover with Dan Noble between the pipes 2 back. Then put in a no-move mile versus the $22,500 claimers leaving from post 7. Now faces a beatable field and Braiden Rhoades taking the lines shouldn't hurt the price. Has the speed to win, will need a cozy trip and that could happen with this post draw. Has done good work on this oval (30-7-4-5) and the post relief should help put the veteran in play early on.2-3-1Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)2-Ten ToThe Dozen A (4-1)-Comes off an even effort at Mea on a sloppy track. Takes a double drop in class considering the last time here 2 back. In that race and the one before was stuck outside (posts 8-7). Aaron Merriman gets the assignment, and he posts 20% winners when he steers for trainer Randy Bendis. This is an opportunity to take control when the wings fold and not look back at a square price. That plan was followed leaving from post 4 back on 8-9 against tougher with tonight's pilot at the controls.2-3-5Check me out on X!