The Lead:Saturday’s Gulfstream Park feature is the $100,000 Azalea Stakes for 3-year-old filly sprinters. It’s a survivor of the former Summit of Speed program that stands alone these days. The 7-furlong test goes as Race 10 and has attracted 7 sprinters, including a pair each for trainers Joe Orseno and Saffie Joseph, Jr.​​Field Depth:All 7 runners seek their first stakes wins, while FLOWKO and WIN BET ONLY are stakes-placed. Prime race for a rise in class.​Pace:Early speed should come from the inside grouping of FLOWKO, WINPLACEANDSHOW and LATE NIGHT NEXT. The tempo seems reasonable to all running styles.​Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-WINPLACEANDSHOW: Sharp break last out and allowed to settle from an outside draw but should be capable of continuing that early interest here from the rail. Her late margin increase last out was more a product of her dueler stopping than it was her solid, but not spectacular visual and 88 BRIS late pace figure. Sire Win Win Win’s progeny score 21% in GP 7-furlong sprints with a $1.15 ROI for every $1 bet, so she’s built for this.2-FLOWKO: Florida-bred is 0-7 in open-company races but does exit a state-bred allowance score. That she was hammered to 1-2 odds in that one signifies a weak bunch based on just 1 victory in 11 prior starts. May be fastest of these in the initial stages but has been more effective at shorter trips.3-LATE NIGHT TEXT: Failed to find the finish line first in 5 tries with Nolan Ramsey but immediately got the right script for Saffie Josephn when breaking her maiden April 23. That win came over this track and distance and notable earned a boastful 96 BRIS late pace figure. Pressed 3-wide in that last outing and could get an identical trip just outside a pair of speed horses in the 1-2 posts. Runner-up was promising $550K Brad Cox trainee who came back to break her maiden next out. Sire Into Mischief is 16: 4-2-3 in 7-furlong Gulfstream stakes races the last 5 years – right in his offspring’s wheelhouse. Biggest concern is 3-week break in the workout tab late May into early June. One to beat if she’s fit.4-SOROKIN: Most lightly raced filly in the field won her second outing March 27 and hasn’t been seen since. Her graduation runner-up has come back to run out of the money twice at Churchill Downs for Chad Brown and is now an 0-4 maiden. Second of 2 Saffie Joseph Jr. trainees in the entries and the barn’s A-rider Micah Husbands winds up on Late Night Text.5-WIN BET ONLY: Tough record for a horse with this name, offering just a 1-for-13 mark. The Florida-bred had a stiff, 9-race juvenile campaign but hasn’t shown anything at age 3 against open company or state-breds to indicate a big move forward here. Second of 2 Joe Orseno trainees entered (both by Win Win Win) but looks to be the least-talented of the pair.6-PERMIAN BASIN: Tampa Bay Downs shipper exits a 7-furlong allowance win across the state and is 2-for-2 at the specialist’s distance in play Saturday. Finishes up well in her starts, posting 89-96-91 BRIS late pace figures in his last 3 starts. The worst start of her career came in her debut at Gulfstream in October, so there’s some concern about transferring her solid Tampa form. Trainer Chad Stewart is 0-9 on the Tampa to Gulfstream move the last 5 years, but did have a third-place stakes finisher last year. Jockey Diego Herrera has been riding lights-out locally and picks up the mount.7-WANDER WOMAN: Owner-trainer Tareq Moubarak tried this one twice at Saratoga last summer to minor placings before going to the sidelines. Her return May 24 at Gulfstream netted an easy maiden score over 6 furlongs. But she didn’t come home fast (92 BRIS late pace figure) and adds an additional furlong while facing stronger competition. Probably looks like a threat with a move on the turn but could flatten out through the lane.Most Likely Exotics Contender:LATE NIGHT TEXT just won over the track and distance and looks the part with a great trip.Best Longshot Contender:No major prices expected with a 7-horse field.Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$100 win LATE NIGHT TEXT.

Thursday evening marks the second-to-last Twilight Thursday card of the Churchill Downs spring meet with racing in Kentucky moving to Ellis Park at the beginning of July. The penultimate 8-race slate kicks off at the normal 5PM eastern time and is headlined by a first-level allowance event over the sod. Here are the horses I like most.Race 4:This $30k maiden claimer at one-mile over the main track kicks off the early Pick 5 where #5 Susan’s Boy was made the heavy 6-5-ML favorite by oddsmaker Nick Tammaro. The $850k Keeneland September ’23 purchase has certainly not panned out as planned, but drops in for a tag for the first time. He is capable with the decrease in competition, but his lack of early speed is concerning. I will try to get the jump on him with #2 Kuch. The son of Silver State debuted in a two-turn grass race at Horseshoe Indianapolis 16 days ago for Brendan Walsh. Kuch sped to the early lead that day, but set honest fractions in a race that absolutely fell apart late. Now, Walsh cuts him back in distance, drops him in class, and legs up his main man Tyler Gaffalione. He should finish a lot stronger against these.Play: #2 Kuch (7-2 ML)Picks: 2-5-4Race 7:The pace should be contentious in this $50k starter at 7-furlongs over the main track with the three potential speed horses lined up next to each other along the inside. #2 Sharons Beach, #3 Attersee, and #4 Social Hour are all three likely to be prominent early given clean breaks, which should set things up perfectly for #6 Palacios. The son of Enticed makes his first start in the Blue Grass State and since entering the Will Walden barn. When we saw Palacios last, he was coming from off-the-pace to finish second to a runner at Laurel Park that would likely be a significant favorite in this spot. The fact he moves into the white-hot Walden barn and should get a great setup for his late kick make him the clear one to beat. Hopefully, the presence of Irad Ortiz Jr. does not deflate his price too much.Play: #6 Palacios (5-2 ML)Picks: 6-8-9Race 8:My final play comes in the finale, which will be conducted at 1 1/8-miles over the lawn where #5 Supercharger is expected to take a lot of public support based on Nick Tammaro’s morning line odds. The 8-5-choice comes in off a win going away over this surface and distance for Cherie DeVaux, but got a huge setup and a ground saving voyage throughout from jockey Jose Ortiz. This could happen again considering Ortiz is riding as well as he ever has, but the price will be too short for me. I will try to best him with #7 Rothschild. The son of Uncle Mo makes his first start since entering the Norm Casse barn and while he has not won since the summer of ’23, he has turf races to go back to that put him squarely in the mix. This is a horse that was 2-1 in a Grade 2 at Santa Anita in the fall of 2024 and just has not raced a lot since. His last in the money run over the grass came at Gulfstream Park last March when Luis Saez was aboard. Saez will be back in the saddle for the first time in this one and should have the 5YO in a good spot early. His upside is too high for me to pass him up at his likely off-odds.Play: #7 Rothschild (6-1 ML)Picks: 7-8-5

EXTRA INCENTIVES15% Win Boost | Royal Ascot | all races this weekBet $100, Get $10 | Canterbury Park | tonight’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESRoyal Ascot | meet daily through Saturday | first post 9:30 am ET | Wager GuideTOURNAMENT TIME$100 NYRA feeder | details$40 Canterbury feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $79,742 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 3 | 5:58 pm ETKEY RACESRoyal Ascot | Race 4 | 11:20 am ET | G1 Ascot Gold CupLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXAqueduct | Race 8 | 4:47 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 1 | 5:00 pm ETEvangline Downs | Race 8 | 9:24 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHLarry Rivelli | Hawthorne| all 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Churchill Downs | jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. | 5 wins, 1 second from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Thursday Spot PlaysJeremy Plonk: Canterbury Park Bet $100, Get $10 Key PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Throughout June, Tuesdays and Thursdays heat up at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Summertime Scores promotion. Bet $100, Get $10 on select tracks this month. Next up Thursday will be Canterbury Park. Here’s how I’ll approach the night card in Minnesota with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Canterbury Race 7 | 9:04 pm ET#6 Kentucky Starlet (12-1 morning line odds) has a price look as the longest shot in the morning line. Solid dirt effort upon her Canterbury return. She’s 0-2 on turf but certainly bred for it. Trainer Bruce Riecken may be 1-15 at the current meet but note he’s 50% in the money with his 10 prior grass starters and all 10 have been in the superfecta (average odds more than 8-1). Win-place bet #6. Exacta key-box 2,4 with 6. Picks: 6-2-4Canterbury Race 8 | 9:34 pm ET#1 Crew Dragon (7-2 morning line odds) goes first-off-the-claim for the red-hot tandem of trainer Jose Silva and jockey Manuel Americano. They’ve hit 35% together at the meet, and the barn is 13-17 in the exacta locally over the past 2 weeks. The 8-year-old doesn’t win often and has been sprinting on dirt the past few years but began his career with John Sadler successful on grass, a neck runner-up in Del Mar’s Oceanside on turf at age 3. Use with late-running #5 Brit Blitz at a square price. Win bet #1. Exactas 1-5 bigger and 5-1 smaller. Picks 1-5-6

Today’s Skinny:Day 3 of 5 from the prestigious Royal Ascot stand is headlined by Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup for the true stayers. The 2-1/2 miles test has 6 millionaire earners in the 11-runner lineup, including Coolmore’s 2025 St. Leger classic winner Scandinavia, a son of Justify, and defending champ Trawlerman for Godolphin, who seeks a fifth straight victory while making his first start since October. Meanwhile, Epsom Oaks runner-up Legacy Link should be solidly favored in the Group 2 Ribblesdale.No American-based runners are entered on the Thursday program, but several still to come Friday and Saturday during the stand.Free Wagering Guide:Download the free Sky Sports Racing Royal Ascot Wager Guide for today’s full card. ACCESS THE GUIDE Extra Incentives:Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can enjoy a 15% boost on successful win bets – up to $25 total per day per player – during each race of the Royal Ascot meeting. VIEW OFFER Today’s Lineup:9:30AM ET | Chesham Stakes | 7 furlongs10:05 AM ET | King George V Stakes | 1-1/2 miles10:40 AM ET | Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes | 1-1/2 miles11:20 AM ET | Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup | 2-1/2 miles12:00 PM ET | Brittania Stakes | 1 mile12:35 PM ET | Hampton Court Stakes | 1-1/4 mile1:10 PM ET | Buckingham Palace Stakes | 7 furlongsFeatured Races | This WeekThursday | Group 1 Ascot Gold CupFriday | Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, Group 1 Coronation StakesSaturday | Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee StakesWagering Particulars | Commingled World Pool17.5% takeout Win & Place17.5% takeout Quinella17.5% takeout Omni (2 of 3 must finish top 3)19.5% takeout Exacta25% takeout Trifecta25% takeout Pick 326% takeout Place Pick 427% takeout Place Pick 630% takeout Superfecta

EXTRA INCENTIVES15% Win Boost | Royal Ascot | all races this weekSCHEDULE NOTESRoyal Ascot | meet daily through Saturday | first post 9:30 am ET | Betting Primer & Wager GuideNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $70,777 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:13 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $141,712 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 4 | 9:50 pm ETKEY RACESRoyal Ascot | Race 1 | 9:30 am ET | G2 Queen Mary StakesRoyal Ascot | Race 4 | 11:20 am ET | G1 Prince of Wales’s StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 4 | 1:56 pm ETPenn National | Race 2 | 6:14 pm ETAssiniboia Downs | Race 7 | 11:05 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHKelsey Danner | Presque Isle, Horseshoe Indy | all 5 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Thistledown | jackpot pick 6 hit on single ticket for $188KPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Wednesday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Today’s Skinny:Day 2 of 5 from the prestigious Royal Ascot stand is headlined by reigning Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz aiming for a fourth straight win when contesting the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes vs. defending race winner Ombudsman. Breeders’ Cup Turf beaten favorite Minnie Hauk, second to Daryz at Longchamp last fall, adds to the spectacular field.Meanwhile, a trio of Americans will contest the card-opening Group 2 Queen Mary for 2-year-olds: Gulfstream’s Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies winner Celtic Dispute (Patrick Biancone), Keeneland debut winner More Champagne (Tom Morley) and Churchill debut winner Ruiva (Wesley Ward).Big fields abound with 4 of 7 races carded boasting at least 25 entries in each, an absurdity of potential combinations awaiting horseplayers.Free Wagering Guide:Download the free Sky Sports Racing Royal Ascot Wager Guide for today’s full card. ACCESS THE GUIDE.Extra Incentives:Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can enjoy a 15% boost on successful win bets – up to $25 total per day per player – during each race of the Royal Ascot meeting. VIEW OFFER Today’s Lineup:9:30 AM ET | Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes | 5 furlongs10:05 AM ET | Group 2 Queen’s Vase | 1-3/4 miles10:40 AM ET | Duke of Cambridge Stakes | 1 mile11:20 AM ET | Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes | 1-1/4 miles12:00 PM ET | Royal Hunt Cup | 1 mile12:35 PM ET | Kensington Palace Stakes | 1 mile1:10 PM ET | Windsor Castle Stakes | 6 furlongsFeatured Races | This WeekWednesday | Group 1 Prince of Wales’sThursday | Group 1 Ascot Gold CupFriday | Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, Group 1 Coronation StakesSaturday | Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee StakesWagering Particulars | Commingled World Pool17.5% takeout Win & Place17.5% takeout Quinella17.5% takeout Omni (2 of 3 must finish top 3)19.5% takeout Exacta25% takeout Trifecta25% takeout Pick 326% takeout Place Pick 427% takeout Place Pick 630% takeout Superfecta

After a big weekend in the Mid-Atlantic and closing week out west at Santa Anita Park focus for most horseplayers will shift regions over the next couple of weeks. The Ohio Derby card at Thistledown headlines the stakes racing this weekend, but most of the best action leading up to that will be in New York and Kentucky.My focus for the next couple of weeks will be my old stomping grounds of Churchill Downs. Derby weekend is the best, but some of the strongest wagering opportunities in Louisville come over the final few weeks of their spring meet. Hopefully, we can make the most of it starting with Wednesday’s nine-race card that kicks off at 12:45 PM eastern. Here are a few horses I like on the first of five racing dates under the twin spires this week.Race 3:My first play of the week comes in this $50k maiden claimer at 7-furlongs over the main track where class dropper #5 Life’s Reward is likely to take a lot of public support. Not only does he exit protected maiden races last summer, but he is a Brad Cox trainee that will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. The Gary & Mary West homebred is obviously capable of winning, but is almost guaranteed to be an underlay regardless of result. For that reason, I will side against him with a runner that has some upside still.#8 My Lucky Penny debuted against slightly tougher at Keeneland in late April for trainer Matthew Sims. The son of Connect did not break particularly well that afternoon and then was moved up the inside to battle with the 6-5-favorite in the early stages. Not only is being down on the inside taking pressure not ideal for a debut runner, but the track did not favor that trip either on April 24. Therefore, I can forgive the fact that My Lucky Penny faded badly late to finish fifth. Now, Sims has given him nearly two months and he draws to the far outside in this compact group of 8. This should allow jockey Luan Machado to relax his gelding a bit more in the early stages, which ideally leaves him with far more energy late. At his 8-1-ML offering, I am very much willing to take my chances.Play: #8 My Lucky Penny (8-1 ML)Picks: 8-7-5Race 5:The pace scenario is murky in this seven-furlong dash over the main track for $50k starter allowance foes, but the price should be right to take a swing with #3 Frosty Indulgence. The 5YO gelding has earned 2 of his 3 career victories over the all-weather, but ran very well on the surface switch and cutback to a sprint in mid-April for trainer Chris Davis. In fact, he lost by a nose at odds of 25-1 in a first-level allowance at Keeneland, but was placed first via disqualification. The concern is whether jockey Luan Machado can avoid getting caught in a tight spot along the inside off a moderate early tempo, so I will need close to his morning line price to gamble. That said, his dirt race prior to this at Ellis last summer saw him get caught up in an early battle and tire badly late. That is not likely to occur in this spot, but I am hopeful he can use some of that gate speed to find early forward position. If so, I am confident he enters this spot in the best form of his career.Play: #3 Frosty Indulgence (10-1 ML)Picks: 3-6-8Race 8:The pace should be honest at the very least in this $141k allowance at 6-furlongs over the main track given the presence of #4 Tough Catch and #8 Macho Music. Neither 4YO colt enters this spot in their best form regardless of pace and are unlikely to have much left late in the final furlong. I am hopeful the pace is fast enough to set things up for #6 Thoughtthatcounts. The son of Sky Mesa makes his second start of the meet after his second consecutive runner-up finish since returning to Kentucky this spring. The prior one came at odds of 22-1 at Keeneland and in both starts he was done no real favors. Last out over the off track here at Churchill Downs, the 5YO gelding ran into an off-track front running monster in Harrodsburg and prior to that he nearly overcame being caught wide throughout at a big price. Given his previous success over this racetrack and his ability to finish, Thoughtthatcounts looms large in the Wednesday feature.Play: #6 Thoughtthatcounts (9-2 ML)Picks: 6-2-5