SCHEDULE NOTESFair Grounds | closing day of the meetSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10; Santa Anita Races 4-5-7TOURNAMENT TIME$40 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $80,472 | Tampa Bay Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:08 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $71,216 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:52 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $16,969 | Fair Grounds | begins Race 8 | 5:15 pm ETKEY RACESGulfstream | Race 8 | 4:24 pm ET | Melody of Colors StakesFair Grounds | Race 7 | 4:45 pm ET | Crescent City DerbySunland | Race 7 | 5:04 pm ET | Mr. Cristo Rey StakesSanta Anita | Race 3 | 5:05 pm ET | Sensational Star StakesFair Grounds | Race 8 | 5:15 pm ET | Shantel Lanerie Memorial StakesFair Grounds | Race 11 | 6:45 pm ET | Ova Charged StakesFair Grounds | Race 12 | 7:15 pm ET | Star Guitar StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream | Race 2 | 1:20 pm ETTampa Bay | Race 8 | 4:12 pm ETFair Grounds | Race 9 | 5:45 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJustin Evans | Sunland Park | 8 of 9 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Fair Grounds | jockey Jose Ortiz | 4 wins, including 2 stakesPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for SundayBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The racing week at Santa Anita Park concludes on Sunday afternoon with a 9-race card that commences at 1PM local time. The slate is headlined by the $100,000 Sensational Star for older Cal-breds down the Hillside Turf Course where I am on a price. Hopefully, I can get at least one of my three longshot plays home to close the week.Race 1:Most of the field in this state-bred MSW for Cal-breds at one-mile over the Santa Anita lawn has been exposed. That is not the case with #1 Throwin Heat. The Sir Prancealot gelding debuted last May for trainer Librado Barocio and did no running against a full field of 12 going one-turn over this same turf course. Throwin Heat has been given time since by Barocio, who brings the 4YO back off a steady series of local drills. I am going to trust this Barocio to have this guy ready for big improvement off the bench since he has had an outstanding winter. In fact, Barocio and his team have won with 3 of 6 in March and come into the day clicking at nearly 40% at the stand. Throwin Heat will not have to be much to make an impression against this group. Kyle Frey jumps aboard. The price should be right to gamble.Play: #1 Throwin Heat (10-1 ML)Race 3: Sensational StarThe aforementioned feature drew a compact group of five led by even-money favorite #3 Man O Rose. The Jeff Mullins trainee enters his first turf race of 2026 on a 5-race winning streak dating back to last September. He is the clear one to beat, but is simply faster on the dirt making him worth taking a swing against on the surface switch. I will do so with the longest shot on the board #2 Drop Um. The Far From Over colt moved back to the sod last out against an open company field of second-level allowance foes and ran huge all things considered chasing another Mullins horse to the wire at odds of 33-1. Admittedly, like the opener, this is a free swing on a Sunday Funday, but the value should be there on this Felix Rondan trainee.Play: #2 Drop Um (15-1 ML)Race 5:This state-bred first-level allowance at 6.5-furlongs over the grass is one of the more wide-open races on the Sunday agenda. I will give a look to #8 Fibonaccis Ride. The Clubhouse Ride filly tried the lawn for the first time on February 27 in a two-turn race for trainer Antonio Garcia and ran a sneaky good fourth at odds of nearly 35-1. Garcia has been on a good run winning with 3 of 12 for a $3.43 ROI over the last 30 days and this gal should appreciate the cutback to one-turn. I am hopeful she puts it altogether and earns her first victory since her dominant debut score over the Los Alamitos main track in Sept ’24.Play: #8 Fibonaccis Ride (12-1 ML)

Miami Valley has a 14-race card to begin the week. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (7:30 PM EDT)4-Woodrow Blue Chip (7/2)-Started from post 10 and raced better than the line looks although its 2-race win streak was snapped. Took a lot of air going uncovered for about 5/8's of a mile. Should get a smoother trip and the week off might help.6-Legendary Doowrah (5/2)-Has finished 2nd in 3 straight and couldn't hold on last week after getting on the engine rather easily. Gets a new set of hands in AMac and not sure trying to lead every step of the way is the best plan. My guess is a pocket ride behind the one above might work for a picture.Race 12 (7:51 PM EDT)1-Grantmeawish (5/2)-The veteran is 0-6 this year and maybe Father Time has arrived. But is difficult to leave out from post 1 in a race without a standout. Still has enough gate speed to race on the point or in the pocket when the wings fold.3-Rockabilly Rebel N (5-1)-Has had excuses and is trying hard. Starts inside for the 1st time a while and that could be a winning difference. Needs a sharp steer and could be overlooked.Race 13 (8:12 PM EDT)2-Martins Millions (5-1)-This is the 3rd race off the bench and hasn't gotten any breaks. Did okay in the 1st start but faded in a snappy mile. Last time, raced wide and faded. Gets some post relief, Chris Page sticks, and this time comes back in sequence. Could offer a square price and it looks like "go time".5-Dreaming Of Lou (5/2)-Fits with this kind and the post draw should help. Probably needs to be on the point or in the 2 hole around the last turn to take a picture. Trevor Smith should be able to work a winning trip.Race 14 (8:33 PM EDT)3-Moons Up (3-1)-Won last from post 6 and moving down a few slots shouldn't hurt chances. Has been in the hunt in 7 of the last 8 races. Looks like a main player again and will respect chances of doubling up.5-Bright Bet (5/2)-Dave Miller steers for the 3rd straight and has looked a bit dull in the last 2 starts. This time Miller could have the pedal down. If he times the gate and gets the top without burning much gas chances for a win go up. It wouldn't be a shock if the morning line is too low.$1 Late Pick 44,6/1,3/2,5/3,5Total Bet=$16Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVES$10 Money-Back Special | Louisiana Derby (FG) & Jeff Ruby (TP) | up to $10 back if win bet finishes 2nd, 3rd$3,000 Exacta-Thon | Fair Grounds / TurfwaySCHEDULE NOTESTurfway | special matinee first post 12:45 pm ETSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 10-11-12; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-9; Santa Anita Races 2-3-5TOURNAMENT TIME$500 Santa Anita Challenge | details$300 Florida Derby/Santa Anita Derby Challenge Qualifier | details$40 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $75,569 | Tampa Bay Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:05 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $99,029 | Turfway Park | begins Race 8 | 4:13 pm ETPick 6 | $10,727 | Oaklawn | begins Race 6 | 4:14 pm ETSunset 6 | $10,767 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 10 | 5:25 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $200,754 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 6:15 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $7,318 | Turfway Park | Race 13 | 7:05 pm ETKEY RACESFair Grounds | Race 2 | 1:30 pm ET | Crescent City OaksLaurel | Race 7 | 2:58 pm ET | Beyond the Wire StakesOaklawn | Race 4 | 3:11 pm ET | Lapatourel StakesLaurel | Race 8 | 3:28 pm ET | Private Terms StakesFair Grounds | Race 6 | 3:30 pm ET | Benson Memorial StakesTurfway | Race 7 | 3:43 pm ET | Latonia StakesTurfway | Race 8 | 4:13 pm ET | Rushaway StakesFair Grounds | Race 8 | 4:32 pm ET | Costa Rising StakesTurfway | Race 9 | 4:43 pm ET | Animal Kingdom StakesFair Grounds | Race 9 | 5:04 pm ET | New Orleans ClassicTurfway | Race 10 | 5:13 pm ET | Kentucky Cup ClassicGulfstream | Race 10 | 5:25 pm ET | Texas Glitter StakesFair Grounds | Race 10 | 5:36 pm ET | Muniz Memorial StakesTurfway | Race 11 | 5:43 pm ET | Bourbonette OaksOaklawn | Race 9 | 5:51 pm ET | Essex HandicapFair Grounds | Race 11 | 6:08 pm ET | Fair Grounds OaksTurfway | Race 12 | 6:25 pm ET | Jeff Ruby | Meet the ContendersFair Grounds | Race 12 | 6:42 pm ET | Louisiana Derby | Meet the ContendersSanta Anita | Race 7 | 7:10 pm ET | Irish O’Brien StakesTurf Paradise | Race 5 | 7:17 pm ET | Turf Paradise DerbyTurf Paradise | Race 6 | 7:49 pm ET | Arizona OaksSanta Anita | Race 9 | 8:10 pm ET | San Luis Rey StakesTurf Paradise | Race 7 | 8:21 pm ET | Cotton Fitzsimmons HandicapTurf Paradise | Race 8 | 8:51 pm ET | Phoenix Gold CupRemington Park | Race 9 | 10:40 pm ET | Oklahoma Derby (AQHA)Remington Park | Race 10 | 11:09 pm ET | Oklahoma Futurity (AQHA)LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTurfway Park | Race 4 | 2:13 pm ETTampa Bay | Race 9 | 4:40 pm ETOaklawn | Race 11 | 6:54 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHCherie DeVaux | Fair Grounds | 8 of 9 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Aqueduct | jockey Manny Franco | 4 wins, 3 seconds from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Triple Crown Prep Money-Back Special PicksJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Kentucky Cup ClassicScott Shapiro: Exacta-Thon Picks for Fair Grounds / TurfwayRon Nicoletti: Gulfstream Saturday PicksScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for SaturdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Download Gulfstream Park on-track handicapper Ron Nicoletti's full-card picks for Saturday. The Sunset 6 wager, matching the final 3 races at Gulfstream and Santa Anita, has a $10,767 carryover for today.

In addition to the great stakes action in Northern Kentucky and Louisiana this afternoon, the racing continues at 1PM local time at the Great Race Place. The Santa Anita Saturday slate is 9-races headlined by the San Luis Rey (G3) at 10-furlongs over the grass. Here are a few horses I like most today in Arcadia. The Sunset 6, matching the final 3 races at Gulfstream and Santa Anita today, has a $10,767 carryover and includes a pair of my key plays on the card. Race 1The opener is a MSW for 3YO fillies at 1 1/8-miles over the Santa Anita turf and I have quite a bit of interest in second-time starter #1 Mass. The Not This Time filly did not do any real running on debut going a route of ground over the main track, but took noticeable public support throughout the wagering. It is not as if Whitey sports strong numbers debuting horses in two-turn dirt races, so I made note. Now, McCarthy moves this $610k FTS August ’24 purchase to the grass and legs up Juan Hernandez. Her pedigree suggests a move forward could certainly come on the surface switch and she draws favorably along the inside for her second career start. Hopefully we get at least the ML offering.Play: #1 Mass (5-2 ML)Race 8#3 Code Duello has proven to be a cool horse throughout his 37-race career. Not only has he won 5 of 16 over the turf, but he has won at night at Los Alamitos in an 870-yard contest, as well as at one mile over the Fair Grounds lawn. He has certainly proven versatile over the years and last time almost did so again when he opted to stalk off the pace, instead of go to the front like he did in his most recent victory in mid-January. I thought he ran well to finish third beaten less than a neck versus better going 6.5-furlongs on February 21 and now moves back to the main track. Hector Berrios stays onboard and should be able to find a perfect stalking spot just off a contentious early pace. I will take my chances he gets back to his best on surface switch.Play: #3 Code Duello (3-1 ML)Race 9: San Luis Rey (G3)The aforementioned feature at 1 1/2-miles over the lawn has a noticeable lack of early speed enters. There is a chance that leads to a bunched field early and sprint to the wire late that benefits those with strong closing kicks, but I will take my chances in a horse that might be able to steal it on the front end. #8 Watsonville (pictured) makes his third start off the bench for trainer Mark Glatt after a pair of solid runs going a mile over this course to start 2026. Glatt sheds the blinkers and legs up Hall of Famer Mike Smith on the 2-time winner of this course. I am hopeful and fairly confident Smith will notice that lack of speed to his inside and give this gelding an aggressive ride early much like he has with Cabo Spirit throughout the last few years in shorter races. Hopefully, he has the stamina to get the marathon distance. The value should be there to gamble.Play: #8 Watsonville (12-1 ML)

Northfield Park has a 14-race card with the $1.00 Late Pick 4 starting in Race 11. The sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool with a 14% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (9:40 PM EDT)6-Uptown Hanover (10-1)-Will toss the 7-hole effort 2 back and was off 3 weeks between starts. Then finished 3rd behind the odds-on chalk #8, and #7. Will look for a big try and the price is right to take a swing.8-High Flyin' Filly (2-1)-Ronnie Wrenn has options and could leave when the wings fold. But, if necessary, can grind it out and double up if the fractions are lively.Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)1-Pams For Real (9/2)-Cashes checks, then wins off cozy trips and that can happen here. Kurt Sugg steers, he won 2 back and fits with crew. Likes Nfld and has taken 7 pictures in 28 starts.3-Downbytheeastside (5-1)-This mare is another gal who could get the trip it needs to win and should be a square price. Stayed inside and came 2nd after leaving from the 2nd tier. Fits, and has hit the board in 13 of 28 at Nfld with 5 pictures.6-Lastchanceforlove (3-1)-Cashed a 3rd place check after being hung the mile in last. Gets some class relief and should be a player if Dan Noble provides a better trip this time.Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)4-Not That Hilary (5/2)-Aaron Merriman steered last time and Hillary was hung the mile. The beaten 8/5 chalk gets Noble between the pipes tonight. Going with both Alvarez trainees and can rebound with a smoother trip.5-Luckystair (7/2)-Finished 5th after leaving from the 8-hole and being 13 lengths back at the 1st call. Merriman sticks and will look for this Alavrez entry to come with a much better effort with the post relief.Race 14 (10:46 PM EDT)2-Allsmokeandmirrors (5/2)-Mohawk shipper is 0-10 this year after winning 8 of 43 in 2025. Noble gets the nod and this mare probably isn't here for the scenery. Did put in a 151.1 mark at Wbsb last year. Using, and will count on the turns not being an issue.$1 Late Pick 46,8/1,3,6/4,5/2Total Bet=$12Check me out on X!

With about six weeks left until they break from the gate for the Kentucky Derby, it is time for the final round of Triple Crown preps. The first of three huge weeks for 3YOs gets started with a pair of 100-points to the winner races. The Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds and the Jeff Ruby (G3) at Turfway Park may not offer us a glimpse at the 2026 Derby winner, but they will go a long way and shaking out the field for the first Saturday in May.As you have come to expect, 1/ST Bet and Xpressbet have yet another fun promotion to celebrate the big days in New Orleans and Florence. This time it is a $3000 two-track Exacta-Thon with the goal of connecting on 3 different $2 exactas over the course of the day at both venues. Those able to successfully do so will split the $3k. Here are a couple of exactas at each track I will be using as part of my Exacta-Thon approach.Fair Grounds, Race 3My first play on the 14-race Louisiana Derby card comes in this two-turn MSW event for 3YOs over the main track where I will key #8 Tiernanogue. The son of Quality Road has failed to hit the board through three starts for trainer Brendan Walsh, but ran a bit better than looks on Risen Star Day. In that mid-February start over this same surface and distance, Tiernanogue was caught wide into the first turn and raced against the flow chasing gate-to-wire winner Awesome Gem. He has to get a little better out of the gate, but I am hopeful the move back to Brendan Walsh’s main man Tyler Gaffalione will lead to improved speed and a career best run from this Mulberry Racing colt. I will key him with a #4 Direct Strike and #6 Double Entendre. Both colts make equipment changes in hopes of leading to their first lifetime score.Play: Exacta Key Box 8 with 4+6Fair Grounds. Race 12, Louisiana Derby (G2)As I discussed in my Triple Crown Money Back Offer blog from Thursday, this is not the strongest edition of the Louisiana Derby. That said, I am hopeful it allows me to knock down one of the needed exactas for the promotion. #3 Chip Honcho failed to seal the deal last out in the Risen Star (G2) despite having things all his way. That said, he lost little in defeat when nailed at the wire by one of the Derby favorites at this point Paladin. The Steve Asmussen trainee showed improvement and still the same speed without blinkers last out and should control the tempo again under Luis Saez. I like his chances of getting to the wire first for the third time in his career. #9 Emerging Market is likely to go off as one of the favorites and understandably so. The Candy Ride colt ran huge at two-turns on debut at Tampa Bay Downs. He has to prove himself at this level, especially with the way Powershift ran in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), but it appears the talent is there to be a factor in the Triple Crown this spring. He may have to overcome a soft early pace though from his far outside draw giving Chip Honcho the edge in this year’sLouisiana Derby.Play: Exacta 3-9Turfway Park, Race 10, Kentucky Cup Classic (G3)The pace should be honest in this 9-furlong affair over the all-weather given the presence of #4 Tickled Quist and #5 Willy D’s. This should set things up for #1 Honor Marie. The son of Honor Code competed in the 2024 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, but struggled through his 4YO season winning just 1 of 6 races. Trainer Whit Beckman opted to keep Honor Marie in Kentucky this winter and the plan proved to be a good one when he romped home to an off-the-pace victory in the Dust Commander. The inside draw and his turn of foot over this surface should bode well for the $40k Keeneland September ’22 purchase. I will play the late runner over #2 Utah Beach and then box him with #8 Wadsworth.Play: Exacta 1-2 and Exacta Box 1+8Turfway Park, Race 12, Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)Some may not agree with this 1 1/8-mile event rewarding as many points as it does on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, but I am more bullish. While most of these are not dirt horses at the early point of their careers, history tells us that runners exiting these preps recently at Turfway Park are capable of running well on the surface switch. I am not sure if that is the case this year, but I am looking forward to gambling on #4 Two Out Hero. The War Front colt raced for the first time off a 5-month layoff in the Battaglia Memorial and unsurprisingly did not fire his best shot. The Kevin Attard trainee stumbled at the start from his far outside draw basically costing him all chance. He got something out of the race though making a middle move before understandably tiring badly in the lane, which I think sets him up for a career best run on Saturday. I will play Two Out Hero on top of a pair of logicals for the sake of the promotion and then of course bet him to Win as well.Play: Exacta 4 with 2+11