EXTRA INCENTIVESPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 4$5,000 Exacta-Thon | Gulfstream Park | Saturday’s racesBet $100, Get $10 | Remington Park | Saturday’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$1,000 Gulfstream PWCBC Qualifier | details$100 Gulfstream feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $7,983 | Laurel | begins Race 5 | 2:05 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $257,722 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 6 | 2:48 pm ETPick 6 | $110,127 | Oaklawn | begins Race 5 | 3:24 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $158,382 | Turfway Park | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ET--Gulfstream mandatory payout SundayKEY RACESLaurel | Race 5 | 2:05 pm ET | Bender Memorial StakesGulfstream Park | Race 5 | 2:18 pm ET | Janus StakesLaurel | Race 6 | 2:34 pm ET | Carousel StakesGulfstream Park | Race 6 | 2:48 pm ET | Sugar Swirl StakesLaurel | Race 7 | 3:04 pm ET | Politely StakesLaurel | Race 8 | 3:34 pm ET | Manfuso StakesGulfstream Park | Race 9 | 4:18 pm ET | Suwanee River StakesGulfstream Park | Race 10 | 4:48 pm ET | Harlan’s Holiday StakesOaklawn | Race 8 | 4:52 pm ET | Tinsel StakesFair Grounds | Race 8 | 5:15 pm ET | Tenacious StakesGulfstream Park | Race 11 | 5:18 pm ET | Fort Lauderdale StakesFair Grounds | Race 9 | 5:45 pm ET | Diliberto Memorial StakesFair Grounds | Race 10 | 6:15 pm ET | Untapable StakesFair Grounds | Race 11 | 6:45 pm ET | Gun Runner StakesRemington Park | Race 7 | 8:54 pm ET | Useeit StakesRemington Park | Race 8 | 9:23 pm ET | Jim Thorpe HandicapTurfway | Race 8 | 9:25 pm ET | Florence StakesRemington Park | Race 9 | 9:52 pm ET | Toby Keith StakesRemington Park | Race 10 | 10:23 pm ET | She’s All In StakesRemington Park | Race 11 | 10:54 pm ET | Hawk Memorial StakesRemington Park | Race 12 | 11:26 pm ET | Springboard MileLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay Downs | Race 5 | 2:39 pm ETFair Grounds | Race 7 | 4:45 pm ETTurfway | Race 9 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrittany Russell | Laurel | 6 of 7 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Remington Park | favorites won 6 of 9 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Gulfstream Park Exacta-Thon PlaysJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Fort Lauderdale at GulfstreamScott Shapiro: Fair Grounds Spot PlaysFrank Carulli: Laurel Park Stakes AnalysisJeremy Plonk: Remington Park Stakes AnalysisFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Northfield Park has a 15-race card. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts 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 EST)2-Saulsbrook Mabel (6-1)-Steps up after coming off cover in the snow and rolled home to post the 11th win in 24 starts this year. Beat this kind 4 back after taking charge and not looking back. Need to use at the morning line price and could be in line for an efficient trip.7-Princess Stella (2-1)-Has been climbing up the condition ladder and won at this level last week. That was the 6th win in 8 races, and all were at Nlfd. Team Noble trainee should be tough to beat with a decent trip and will offer no value.Race 12 (10:02 PM EST)3-Precious Cat (7/5)-This mare has been a bridesmaid in the last 2 races and has a chance to get to the top early on. Chris Lems steers for trainer Kody Massey and this mare probably needs to be leading at the top of the stretch to win. That journey is within reach.9-Julies Grace (9/2)-Finished a close 3rd versus this kind in last and was bet down to 8/5. Left from the 9-hole that night and could get off the gate in better shape this time. Aaron Merriman steers the rail horse and he won't be taking back. So, this beaten chalk could make amends tonight.Race 13 (10:24 PM EST)3-She Comes And Goes (3-1)-Needs an efficient trip to win and does fit with this group. Makes the 1st start for the Van Otterloo barn and now Dan Noble gets the nod. Has had bumpy trips in 2 of the last 3 races and the positive driver change could make a winning difference.6-A Delightful Act N (7-1)-Went off at 1/5 and won at the level below this one. Then took a double bump up and was a transportation scratch. Now drops a level from where it was last entered and this could be "go" time at a square price.Race 14 (10:46 PM EST)1-Big Bad Beachbunny (5/2)-Left alertly in the snow and got on the point. Then was overtaken by a 4/5 shot just before the 1/4 and before the 3/4 pole started to go backwards. This will be the 2nd time for Lasix, does best racing on the lead and will look for that to happen.2-Gotstopaymeinpapa (4-1)-Has had excuses in the last 4 races and cashed smaller checks in 3 of those starts. Noble takes the controls, that's a ++ driver change and should get a smooth trip in this spot. Using but not expecting the 4-1 morning line to hold up.$1 Late Pick 42,7/3,9/3,6/1,2Total Bet=$16Check me out on Twitter!

Laurel Park presents a quartet of Saturday stakes races in succession. The $100,000 Robert Manfuso caps the quartet with a rematch between local stars Post Time and Barbadian Runner. I’ll focus on the trio of lead-ins.Race 5: Bender Memorial StakesQuality outweighs quantity in the $100,000 Howard Bender Memorial. #1 QUINT'S BREW will need his A-game off the layoff, but the recent works indicate readiness. Won off long layoff to start $260k season and ran second in a G-2 stakes at 7F. He just missed in the G-3 Carter at 1M after a stretch-long duel with four-time graded winner Bishop’s Bay. Bet to win and play a Pick 3 with numbers 1, 2 with 1, 2, 9, 11 with 3,5. Alternates here include #2 BOLD DIVERSION, #5 BLUE KINGDOM.Race 6: Carousel Stakes#1 SULTRY LASS gets a slight nod as the likely value play in the $100,000 Carousel. Not knowing if #9 LUTE WARM will carry over her turf form, or if INTREPID MO can overcome post 11, points a win and place bet on #1 SULTRY LASS and a 1-2-9-11 exacta box. #2 THE SKY IS FALLING rallied powerfully in WV-bred stakes at Charles Town to become lone winner at 1-1/8 miles. Her class will be tested like never before, but the price is right to use her in exotic wagers. #9 LUTE WARM won off year layoff after blockbuster 4-year-old season (4-8, $245k) on turf. Top barn excels with turf-to-dirt, second-off-the-layoff and repeat winner types.Race 7: Politely Stakes#3 TAKETHEMONEYHONEY has wins at three tracks and four distances in a near-perfect start to her career. She just missed after a stretch-long battle with Grammy Girl (5-18, $286k) on a muddy track last out. She shortens up to 6F in the $100,000 Politely in her second start after a six-month absence. Bet to win and place and play 3-2 and 3-5 exactas. #2 ONYX TEN is a model of consistency rallied to win 6F and 7F stakes early in year, but her recent three-peat bid failed at odds-on. Trainer Gary Capuano is on a 16-for-40 second-off-the-(45 day) layoff run. #5 GRAYSON’S GIRL pounced on dueling leaders to earn top speed figure of her career in winning the Safely Kept Stakes over the track. Will get speed to rally into on the cutback from a long to short sprint.

Remington Park’s season hits the end of the trail Saturday and the final race will be the $300,000 Springboard Mile with Kentucky Derby qualifying points on the line. Horseplayers at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can take part in the Bet $100, Get $10 promotion throughout the 12-race card.Here are my keys to the 6 stakes races that close the night.Race 7: Usseit Stakes#8 Eirann is a 2-turn stakes winner over this track and comes off a useful allowance win at the same mile trip. #1 Floras Ora fights inconsistency and is unknown routing, but her best sprints put her in the talent mix against the rest of this cast. #7 Runaway Okie could split that pair in the exacta, but this race runs through #8 Eirann.Race 8: Jim Thorpe Handicap#2 Mister Omaha is the best 3-year-old on the grounds, including open company. To get him back against state-bred sophomores figures to be a tap-in putt to end the season. Short-priced and most likely winner on the card should control it throughout. Give me stretch-out sprinter #5 Code Nate to complete an all-Joe Offolter exacta.Race 9: Toby Keith StakesSix juvenile fillies match up in the sister race to the Springboard Mile. Steve Asmussen has $775K Into Mischief filly #4 Not a Lady and $500K Into Mischief filly Mojo Promise. The pace here appears quick, which would give the edge late to #5 Miss Call for trainer Kenny McPeek. Her Churchill Downs class gets her over the top.Race 10: She’s All In HandicapFour high-quality options in this race, a pair of locals and a pair of invaders. #1 Take Charge Milady and #2 Perfect Shot bring class from afar, both graded stakes-placed. Take Charge Milady has kept impeccable company lines, but may be running short of her best distance while coming off a layoff. Perfect Shot should attack from midflight and have every chance with a good draw. The local stars #7 Miss Code West and #3 Take Me Serious offer the value against the power raiders. Miss Code West has been solid this year, but not quite up to the 2-time Horse of the Meet dominance she’s shown in past campaigns. #3 Take Me Serious never misfires and could be the stronger of the two right now – the play. Use the entire quartet in multi-race bets.Race 11: Jeffrey A. Hawk Memorial StakesIf #1 Heroic Move runs his A-race, they’re all running for second. But he’s failed to pair up victories consistently and could take a step back after a series of New Mexico road trips. #5 Track Phantom also wins with his A-race, but his inconsistency has been a tragic flaw. The highly reliable #6 CW Prize and #3 Victory for Vets ran 1-2 in this race last year at 9-2 and 12-1 odds and provide the value upon the reappearance. I’ll lean on them in multi-race bets as well.Race 12: Springboard Mile Stakes#1 Arctic Beast has a chance to control the tempo from the rail and his BRIS late pace figures are as good as anyone in the field. What you can’t pass, you can’t beat, and if he handles the mile trip, is the most likely winner. I’ll respect #10 Big Apple Patrick for the trip with the best distance pedigree in the field. But the outside post means he could lose considerable ground. #2 Time for Music and #4 Royalamerican are capable with good draws and neither would surprise.

Saturday marks “Road to the Derby Kickoff Day” at Fair Grounds Race Course where they have a 12-race card on tap headlined by the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes. The Gun Runner offers up 10 points to the winner on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard and is the first of four qualifiers run in New Orleans this winter. I do not love a horse in the Derby prep, but spoke about it at length on “Horse Cents” with Bailey Armour and the 1/ST Call Podcast with Jeremy Plonk. Here are a few horses I do like quite a bit though on the slate in the Big Easy on Saturday afternoon.Race 3:Trainer Brad Cox has debuted a lot of talented colts in New Orleans in the winter and perhaps he has another one making his first start here in #4 Coronado. The $550,000 Keeneland September 2024 purchase’s only older sibling won on debut and this colt should be fit coming in from Florida off a number of solid drills at Payson Park. It does not appear to be the deepest 2YO MSW field we will see on these big days at Fair Grounds during the winter and this son of Nyquist not only appears to have some early speed, but attracts the aggressive Luis Saez. With a clean break, he should be a very tough customer in his first lifetime start for Wathnan Racing.Play: #4 Coronado (3-1 ML)Race 6:I will take a bigger swing in this MSW for 2YOs at 6-furlongs over the main track where some big-name barns are debuting potentially talented young colts. However, I will hope experience matters with second-time starter #5 Sockdolager. The son of Gun Runner took some public support on debut at Churchill Downs in mid-November going off at 10-1 in a full field 2YO event, but was out of the gate just ok. From there, he settled towards the back of the pack before making a bit of a middle move up the inside on the turn. Unfortunately, when he angled out at the top of the lane, he was empty, but hopefully he got a lot out of the race. Since arriving in New Orleans, he has put in three local drills and trainer Joe Sharp is off to a hot start to the meet after just an okay fall in Kentucky. Sharp legs up veteran Paco Lopez, who can hopefully get him out of the gate a bit better this time. If so, I expect a much-improved effort at a solid price.Play: #5 Sockdolager (10-1 ML)Race 7:My top play of the day comes in this MSW event for 2YOs at one-mile over the Fair Grounds sod where I like the chances quite a bit of #3 Prepped. The More Than Ready colt was hammered down to 2-1-favoritism on debut at Churchill Downs back in late October for trainer Cherie DeVaux. Unfortunately, things did not go his way since he was out of the gate slow in a race dominated by those who were prominent in the early stages. I like the way the Keeneland September 2024 purchase finished that day despite not making up significant ground on the leaders. It should set him up for a much-improved effort with Brian Hernandez Jr. taking over riding duties for the first time. Expect Hernandez to relax him along the inside early and come with a strong late run hopefully good enough to earn the money!Play: #3 Prepped (9-2 ML)

Yonkers Raceway has a 12-race card with the 1st post at 2:15 EST. The main events roll in Race 7 and Race 8, the $250,000 MGM Grand Trotting and Pacing Series Finals. The $1.00 Pick 5 starts in Race 5, and the sequence has a $20,000 guaranteed pool. In addition the Early Pick 4 that begins in Race 1 has a $10,000 guaranteed pool.Comments and selections below are based on a fast track. Races 5-9 will all be at a distance of 1 1/4 miles.Race 5 (3:57 PM EST)2-Sea Can (8/5)-In the 1st start at YR after shipping in from PRc the Ron Burke trainee took the long way around as in being hung the mile. Drops and likes to win so best to respect as the beaten chalk can make amends.3-Black Tie Bash (6-1)-Team Lachance entry is usually in the mix with an inside post draw. Drops and gets post relief and could offer a square price.7-Mazeppa N (4-1)-Money showed in the last 2 races and 2 back got the top but faded down the lane. Last time, started from the 2-hole landed on the point and then lost all chance with an XI break. Could be headed for the top again at a better price and may have met a beatable field.10-Warrawee Whisper (2-1)-Fought hard but the trip was brutal last time. Finished a game 2nd and now has post 10 to deal with. Jason Bartlett will probably not be hung for most of the mile this time and the extra distance could help. This pilot will likely find a way to get into striking range but will offer no value, and is only 1-13 at Yonkers.Race 6 (4:23 PM EST)2-Captain Moore A (5/2)-Comes off 3 dull efforts in the Series but gets away from some tough winners and should be better here. Bartlett could be on the engine or no worse than in the 2-hole and either could work for a picture.4-Verdun (12-1)-At this price, the veteran needs to be used especially if the pace is quick. Has enough gate speed to get a close-up seat. Pat Lachance needs to the push button at the right time because the 5-year-old can roll home in a hurry.5-Hemsworth N (5-1)-The Jared Bako 8-year-old does good work on the Hilltop (87-20-10-11) and should be forwardly placed off the gate. Could stalk close to leader and be in the mix hunt at the wire. Blasting out and getting the top wouldn't be a shock.Race 7 (5:00 PM EST)3-Sir Pinocchio (8/5)-This looks like a 2-horse race between the programs chalks. Antognoni S (1) is the 2-1 second morning line favorite. Both have good gate speed, and it may come down to who gets the best steer. My take is Bartlett aggressively fires out for the lead. The best chance for the Ed Hart trainee to win is having the lead turning for the wire. Bartlett will look to get there from post 3. Antognoni leaves from post 2 and could get a pocket ride. If Bartlett gets on the point he could stack this field up and make every call a winning one even with the extra distance.Race 8 (5:28 PM EST)4-Captain Albano (7/2)-This is a top pacer who has a distinct post edge on the toughest foe, Coaches Corner (3-1) starts in the 2nd tier, post 9. Plus, and maybe the most important factor is that the Captain is versatile and can win in different ways. Todd McCarthy has options others don't and is in sharp form winning all 3 legs in the Series. This is a solid field, but the Noel Daly trainee could make the most of this opportunity.Race 9 (5:48 PM EST)4-Bestfriend Volo (2-1)-Comes off a gate to wire win and Bartlett will probably go with the same plan tonight. Won't offer any value but should be a player from start to finish.6-Bronzer (8-1)-Put hopples back on for the last start and showed improvement. Now drops to a spot to shine and it wouldn't be a surprise if Austin Siegelman leaves and lands in the pocket. Has a big shot at a nice price with a smooth trip.7-The Hazelton (20-1)-Drops and should relish the company. Yannick Gingras can land in a decent seat off the car. It won't be easy from this post but has won 6 of 23 at YR. Could pop at a big # with a sharp steer in a race without a true standout.$1 Pick 52,3,7,10/2,4,5/3/4/4,6,7Total Bet=$36Check me out on Twitter!

EXTRA INCENTIVESPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 4TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $231,138 | Gulfstream | begins Race 4 | 1:54 pm ETPick 6 | $45,113 | Oaklawn | begins Race 5 | 3:24 pm ETMandatory Payout Super Hi 5 | $27,258 | Penn National | Race 3 | 6:43 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $112,208 | Turfway Park | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ET--Gulfstream mandatory payout SundayKEY RACESGulfstream | Race 7 | 3:30 pm ET | return of Florida Derby winner Tappan StreetOaklawn | Race 9 | 5:20 pm ET | Silks Overnight StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay Downs | Race 8 | 4:10 pm ETOaklawn | Race 10 | 5:47 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 4 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHScott Young | Remington Park | all 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Turfway Park | jockey Adam Beschizza | 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 6 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli: Gulfstream Park Pick 4 Analysis for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Saturday’s card at Gulfstream Park is a good one. The 11-race slate in Hallandale Beach gets started at 12:20 pm ET and is headlined by four stakes races, including a pair of graded events towards the back end of the card. It's all part of Pegasus World Cup Preview Day. At 1/ST BET and Xpressbet, we thought it was the perfect time to wheel back our Exacta-Thon promotion. The goal this time will be to connect on five or more $2 exactas over the course of the afternoon at Gulfstream. Those who hit five will earn an equal split of $2500 in bonus cash. The customer(s) who hit the most, will split an additional $2500. Just remember to register on the promotional landing page! Here are a few exactas I like in south Florida on Saturday afternoon.Race 6: Sugar SwirlThe first of the four stakes races is this 6-furlong dash for fillies and mares over the main track. Bill Mott sends out Florida-bred #5 Nic’s Style, while to no one’s surprise Saffie Joseph Jr. holds a strong 1-2-punch with #6 Mystic Lake and #1 R Morning Brew. Nic’s Style was 7 for 8 in her career, including a neck win last spring in the Hurricane Bertie (G3) over this racetrack, but was flat in her return race at Aqueduct. She encountered a solid group that day in the Pumkin Pie and was down on the rail much of the race, but I expected more. She is likely to take public support with Mystic Lake the likely favorite. I have little desire in trying to beat Mystic Lake in this spot, who has been freshened up after four consecutive victories, so I will opt to fade Nic’s Style underneath in hopes she is not the same mare she once was. Instead, I will use #3 Ms. Bucchero for second. The 5YO mare has struggled to put races together of late, but is consistent when she runs. If she can avoid regression off of her win in late October against lesser, she should be good enough to grind away a minor share.Play: Exacta 6-3Race 9: Suwanee RiverThere looks to be a lot of early speed signed on in this year’s Suwanee River, which should set things up for someone who can settle, save ground early, and come with a big run late. I am hopeful most handicappers go to #2 Movin’ On Up on top, but I prefer the chances of #4 Crevalle d’Oro. The daughter of Constitution makes her first start since a solid fourth at big odds in one of the Breeders’ Cup undercard races at Del Mar in early November. She has a win in four starts over this course and should get a great trip under jockey Jorge Ruiz. Hopefully, it is good enough to get the job done with one of the other likely off the pace logicals good enough to pick up the pieces.Play: Exacta 4 with 2+8Race 11: Ft Lauderdale (G3)This year’s Ft Lauderdale came up strong. The 9-furlong test over the sod drew 10, including the veteran #2 Wolfie’s Dynaghost. The 7YO gelding was on the sidelines for a while, but came back to have a solid 2025 campaign topped off by one of the best efforts in his career in the River City (G3). Luis Saez went to the lead with the son of Ghostzapper last month at Churchill Downs and he speed burnt a solid field in Louisville at this same distance. He needs to avoid regression, but should be forward under Irad Ortiz Jr. and a factor late. He is a must use, but I prefer the likely value #5 Beach Gold offers. The son of Omaha Beach has been given ten weeks by trainer Patrick Biancone after chasing some of the best turf horses in the country in the Turf Mile (G1). He has tactical speed, has shown an affinity for this course, and gets a big rider upgrade to Junior Alvarado. I will build my wagers around him in the finale.Play: Exacta Key Box 5 with 2+6