The season’s biggest card at Sunland Park takes place Sunday and puts New Mexico racing squarely on the Triple Crown trail. The $500,000 Sunland Derby goes as Race 9 on a 6-stakes marquee, and the 1-1/16 miles test offers 20 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to its winner. Top trainers and jockeys from around the country are in town for the stakes races.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet take advantage of up to a $10 money-back special promo on Triple Crown prep race win bets, featuring Saturday’s Risen Star at Fair Grounds and Saudi Derby overseas as well as Sunday’s Sunland Derby this weekend. Get up to $10 back if your win bet finishes second or third when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.Let’s meet the contenders for the Sunland Derby (Race 9):#1-EXPRESS KID (pictured): Remington Park’s Springboard Mile winner was sold in January’s Fasig-Tipton one-horse digital flash sale for $800,000 and makes his first appearance for the new connections. Sunland-based trainer Justin Evans takes over for Wade Rarick and looks to keep the magic going with this 34-1 upsetter in Oklahoma City. Bodexpress colt overcame the 11-hole last out and draws the rail while getting Santa Anita-based Juan Hernandez – in town to ride for Bob Baffert in the Sunland Oaks – to pilot. Hernandez guided Getaway Car to victory in this race a year ago.#2-SHARONS BEACH: Santa Anita-based maiden has yet to score in 3 tries, including a pair of Colonial Downs efforts last summer. High-percentage trainer Jonathan Thomas takes a big swing with this Omaha Beach gelding, but lands Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. Stretches out beyond a mile for the first time and makes his first dirt route bid.#3-PAVLOVIAN: California-bred ventures back into open company, a place where he finished second in the Grade 3 Best Pal last summer at Del Mar. Blinkers go back on the recent Cal Cup Derby third-place finisher. Trainer Doug O’Neill takes the Reddam Racing home-bred on the road for the first time. The barn has had Sunland Derby success before, winning with Slow Down Andy (2022), Thor’s Echo (2005) and Excessivepleasure (2003 inaugural). A fourth O’Neill victory would tie Bob Baffert’s Sunland Derby training record for wins.#4-FORTY TWENTY: The most lightly raced member of the lineup makes just his third lifetime start. Candy Ride colt blew away Turf Paradise maiden sprinters by 12 lengths last time at 1-9 odds and will be tested for distance and class in his first foray at Sunland. Robertino Diodoro trains and regular rider Orlando Mojica returns to the saddle. This one is half-brother to Take Charge Tom, who last year won the local Riley Allison Derby and Mine That Bird Derby while finishing fourth in this race.#5-WAY BEYOND: Nose runner-up in the local prep, the Riley Allison Derby, for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen – who won this race in 2012 with Daddy Nose Best and 2017 with Hence. Way Beyond gets a rematch with that race’s winner Daneyko as well as Express Kid from his fifth-place matchup in the Springboard Mile at Remington Park. Twirling Candy colt is 1-for-7 with a maiden score at Churchill Downs in September.#6-BRICKLIN: Oaklawn allowance winner scratched from last week’s Southwest Stakes in Hot Springs to make the Sunland Derby road trip. Nyquist colt has won 2 of his last 3 for trainer Rodolphe Brisset, but was a distant sixth in his only stakes try, October’s Grade 3 Street Sense at Churchill. Jockey Cristian Torres steered Silent Tactic to victory in the aforementioned $1 million Southwest and looks for a second Derby trail prep win in as many weeks.#7-DANEYKO: Deep closer rallied for a nose victory in the Riley Allison Derby over Way Beyond in his Sunland debut. Turf Paradise turf maiden winner also added a second-place Lost In The Fog Juvenile stakes finish on dirt. Arizona-based trainer Ed Kereluk once again tabs local ace pilot Alfredo Juarez (won 2017 Sunland Derby aboard Hence). Danekyo hopes to join Nyquist as Kentucky Derby winners named for National Hockey League stars. Namesake Ken Daneyko was a 3-time Stanley Cup winner with the New Jersey Devils.#8-BUNTUS FOCLORA: Five-race maiden from New York makes a curious appearance far from home while tackling stakes company for the first time. His best effort was runner-up at Aqueduct in December to Schoolyardsuperman, who disappointed last week in the listed Withers Stakes when finishing fourth as the 3-2 favorite. Former Todd Pletcher assistant Amelia Green seeks her first Derby trail success. By Thousand Words, the shrewdly monikered colt is named for the Irish book designed to teach children their first 1,000 words.

Another midway point of the week is approaching, which means another chance at our Wednesday Wins promotion. For those who missed it during the first few opportunities, it is simple. Just register for the promo, wager $50 each on Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park on Wednesday, and earn a $10 bonus. I have been taking part at both mid-week tracks on “Hump Day” to start 2026 when mother nature has cooperated and plan to do so again tomorrow building around these horses.Tampa Bay Downs Race 8, 4:20 pm ETMy top play in Oldsmar comes in this $16k conditional claimer at two-turns over the grass where there is not very much early speed signed on. I am hopeful #4 Mr. Business can take advantage. The son of Flameaway broke his maiden in his first start off the layoff on January 7 for new trainer Francisco Alanis before being beaten to the lead and caught a bit wide in his first try against winners just 17 days later. Alanis drops this 4YO gelding in class into a spot where jockey Marcos Meneses should be able to control the early tempo. Hopefully, he has enough left late to put this group away in his third start of the form cycle.Play: #4 Mr Business (6-1 ML)Turfway Park Race 4, 7:25 pm ETI am also hoping the pace is moderate later on tomorrow in this open $5k claimer at 6-furlongs where I like a price. #4 Takethesilver makes her third start of the meet for trainer Roddina Barrett after a fourth-place run versus better on New Years’ Day. Barrett puts the blinkers on for the first time and keeps veteran Martin Garcia aboard. Garcia’s best skill has always been his ability to get horses out of the gate and then relax them on the lead. I am hopeful he can do just that with this Take Charge Indy mare that is in search of her first victory over this surface. The price should be right to gamble on her to win and play a Daily Double into my play of the day up next.Play: #4 Takethesilver (12-1 ML)Turfway Park Race 5, 7:55 pm ETA number of 3YO fillies entered in this auction restricted MSW at 6-furlongs exit a similar race at half a furlong farther on January 9. This not only includes 7-2-second choice #1Edey, but also my top choice #10 Golden Thread. The daughter of City of Light showed decent tactical speed on debut going the challenging 6.5-furlong distance at odds of over 21-1 and battled to the wire to finish second beaten just half a length. Trainer Eoin Harty legs up Alex Achard this time around. Hopefully, Achard can avoid serious ground loss from the outside draw. If so, I like this gal’s chances to take a big step forward in her second lifetime start.Play: #10 Golden Thread (4-1 ML)

With the Super Bowl in the rearview mirror and the stakes getting higher in Triple Crown preps starting this Saturday with the Risen Star (G2), it felt like the right time to start my newest blog. The purpose of this piece of content each week will be to look back at some of the recent Derby qualifiers with an eye towards making money moving forward. We have a little catching up to do, so let’s dive right into the first edition of “Prep School.”Most Impressive Prep Effort to Date: RenegadeThe Sam F. Davis has not been the most productive prep when it comes to Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown success, but as Justify illustrated in 2018 trends are made to be broken. Only six horses this decade have competed in the “Run for the Roses” out of the race conducted each February at Tampa Bay Downs with Owen Almighty being 2025’s representative in Louisville in May, so it is fair to be dubious about the quality of the event, as well as wondering about the spacing being ideal to peak at the right time, but perhaps 2026 is different. Not only has there yet to be many “wow” performances from the crop, but Renegade brought proven form into Oldsmar despite not officially having a win before the race. Trainer Todd Pletcher is likely to get the regally bred son of Into Mischief colt to peak in the Arkansas Derby, but the question is can he save his biggest effort for May.Top Contender (as of now) I am willing to fade on first Saturday in May: NearlyIt is early to make over the top bold statements about young horse’s chances of running well in three months, but at this point I am willing to let Nearly beat me at what his likely off odds would be in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. The son of Not This Time has done little wrong since arriving in Florida in November after a forgivable debut in New York to kick off his career. On paper, he is tough to knock, but historically these horses that lack solid efforts outside the Sunshine State have been hard to trust. Plus, as dominant as his effort was in the Holy Bull (G3) it came with him taking advantage of racing in the clear on a day where the outside was the clear place to be over the main track at Gulfstream Park. Nearly has been very good thus far, but currently is not a horse I am interested in wagering on in any futures pool.Horse I am Keeping an Eye On: Solider N DiplomatTrainer Steve Asmussen has won more races than anyone in North American racing history, but still is in search of his first Kentucky Derby score. I am not sure he gets it in 2026, but he definitely has a nice-looking colt in Soldier N Diplomat. The St Elias Stable runner is not bred to get the classic distance, so that could be his undoing, but he continues to get better. The son of Army Mule had every reason to give it up earlier last Friday in the Southwest (G3) when despite a good break he was forced four-wide into the first turn and remained three-wide the rest of the way, yet was still able to out finish the other speed types involved early along the inside paths. At some point, Soldier N Diplomat’s lack of stamina is likely to be his demise, but he certainly is one to keep an eye on for the Pat Day Mile (G2) if 10-furlongs turns out to be too far.Runner with Most to Prove This Coming Weekend: Golden TempoThe Risen Star (G2) headlines North American thoroughbred racing this coming weekend and marks the return of Palladin. The son of Gun Runner was beaten to the wire by Renegade on debut, but placed first via DQ and then beat the Sam F. Davis winner on the square in the Remsen (G2) before getting some time off from trainer Chad Brown. He will be the public choice, but Lecomte (G3) winner Golden Tempo has more to prove. The late running Cherie DeVaux trainee enters his third career start a perfect 2 for 2 with both wins coming over the Fair Grounds main track. That said, he has lacked early speed in both starts to date and took advantage of a favorable flow to outfinish stablemate Mesquite last month. The competition gets tougher here for the son of Curlin that clearly has talent, but needs to take a step forward in terms of figures on Saturday to be considered a serious contender in the biggest races this spring.

SCHJEDULE NOTEMahoning Valley | cancelledNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $33,199 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $370,854 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:07 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 11 | 4:35 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 7 | 6:05 pm ETWill Rogers Downs | Race 9 | 6:11 pm ETDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Will Rogers Downs | jockey David Cabrera | 3 wins, 1 second from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The Louisiana Derby trail makes its third of four stops in Saturday’s Grade 2 $500,000 Risen Star Stakes. Named for New Orleans’ 1988 Preakness and Belmont winner Risen Star, this 1-1/8 miles contest has been dynamic in producing recent impact on the Triple Crown series. It’s the first 50-points-to-the-winner prep for this year’s Kentucky Derby and likely to produce multiple starters on the first Saturday in May.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can take part Saturday in a 2 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split promotion on Fair Grounds’ late pick 4, which includes the Risen Star. There’s also up to a $10 money-back special promo on Triple Crown prep race win bets, featuring the Risen Star, Saudi Derby and Sunland Derby this weekend. Get up to $10 back if your win bet finishes second or third when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.Let’s meet the contenders for the Risen Star Stakes (Race 12):#1-UNIVERSE: Blinkers go on this Smarty Jones Stakes disappointing who looks to recapture juvenile form that saw his place 3 times in graded stakes in New York and Kentucky. Trainer Kenny McPeek turns back to his Global Campaign colt’s initial rider, Christopher Elliott, in looking to snap a 4-race losing streak. McPeek’s Risen Star Stakes win came with Repent during the 2002 season.#2-GOLDEN TEMPO: The Lecomte Stakes winner is unbeaten in 2 starts and can cement himself as the top local sophomore with a third win at the meeting. Cherie DeVaux trains the Phipps home-bred by Curlin. Regular rider Jose Ortiz will be aboard once again as Golden Tempo looks to become the first Lecomte-Risen Star winner since International Star in 2015.#3-CARSON STREET: Lecomte Stakes third-place finisher was under the radar that day at 15-1 odds in his stakes debut. The Brendan Walsh-trained son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense has been effective on any footing. Jockey Ben Curtis returns to the saddle.#4-PALADIN: The Remsen winner is 2-for-2 and could rise to the Kentucky Derby favorite with a score, given the recent injury to Ted Noffey, return loss by Cannoneer and rousing win last week by his Remsen pursuer Renegade at Tampa. Trainer Chad Brown won this race 2 years ago with another Gun Runner colt coming out of the Remsen, Sierra Leone. Tyler Gaffalione takes the mount from Flavien Prat, who will be in Saudi Arabia.#5-CHIP HONCHO: Trainer Steve Asmussen pulled a 43-1 upset of this race last year with Magnitude for a race record fourth victory in the Risen Star. Chip Honcho also knows his way around Fair Grounds, winning the Gun Runner Stakes before a fourth-place effort in the Lecomte. He’ll remove blinkers and get a rider switch to Luis Saez as Paco Lopez will be riding in Saudi Arabia.#6-COLT FORTY SEVEN: Trainer Keith Desormeaux shocked the 2013 Risen Star with Ive Struck a Nerve at 135-1 odds when he beat eventual Preakness winner Oxbow and eventual Belmont winner Palace Malice. This 2-for-8 colt will be huge odds as well while making his first stakes bid and formerly running as low as $30,000 claiming.#7-COURTING: $5 million Curlin colt is full-brother to star mare Clairiere and exits a fourth-place finish behind Paladin in the Remsen Stakes. Blinkers go on this 1-for-3 runner who makes his first start outside Aqueduct. Todd Pletcher has trained 3 Risen Star winners (2010, 2012, 2014) and his 2026 hand includes recent Holy Bull winner Nearly and Sam F. Davis winner Renegade.#8-QUALITY MISCHIEF: Fourth in the Gun Runner and fifth in the Lecomte, this Into Mischief colt continues throughout the local trail. Trainer Brad Cox’s Risen Star successes include 2020, 2021 and 2023 – featuring eventual Kentucky Derby winner (via DQ) Mandaloun in the middle. Cox’s class of 2026 so far includes Mucho Macho Man winner Commandment and Jerome winner My World. Florent Geroux returns from Southern California, where last Saturday he won the Robert B. Lewis Stakes aboard Bob Baffert’s Plutarch.

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $33,199 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $340,169 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:07 pm ETPick 5 | $12,283 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 4 | 4:37 pm ETKEY RACESSunland | Race 8 | 5:32 pm ET | Jamison Memorial StakesSunland | Race 9 | 6:00 pm ET | Winsham Lad StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 6 | 2:20 pm ETMahoning Valley | Race 9 | 3:59 pm ETSunland | Race 5 | 4:09 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 8 | 6:34 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJose Silva | Turf Paradise | 5 of 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Sunland | Race 3 | nation’s highest-paying exacta ($151), trifecta ($1021) and superfecta ($6899)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Yonkers Raceway has a 10-race card, and the $1.00 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool begins in Race 5. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 7, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 7 (8:45 PM EST)2-Aardies Flash N (8/5)-The Per Engblom trainee has some issues apparently. Started qualifying in mid-Oct and ended with 1-23 qualifier at YR. That was a total of 4 tune-ups and won them all. But this is only the 2nd start since 9-29. Jason Bartlett steered last week, he sticks and was handled cautiously. Wasn’t used until down the lane but did go the 2nd half 55.4. Comes back in sequence, drops and will single thinking this will be Go Time.Race 8 (9:05 PM EST)3-Music Hall (5-1)-Raced evenly against better in a needed start on 2-3. Brett Beckwith gets the call, and he picks up a live drive. Should relish the company and the 16-time winner in 2025 could be ready to take its 1st picture of the year.5-Vici (9/2)-Bartlett takes the lines and he won 2 back with the veteran versus cheaper. Steps up, needs an aggressive drive and that should be coming.6-Whats Stanley Got A (15-1)-Price shot is another who should like the company and will ignore the no move mile from the 8-hole last week. This race could set up differently and Jordan Stratton can put in a position to win. Didn’t walk home last week, went the back half in 55.3 but was too far back after a 58.1 opening half.Race 9 (9:25 PM EST)2-Vicious (6-1)-Willing to take a swing with a Joe B entry off a layoff as the barn posts 23% winners at first asking. Put in a decent qualifier at M1 on a cold day and should fit with this kind if dialed on high. This pilot knows how to go gate to wire.4-Mac’s Marvel (6-1)-Put in a no move mile 2 back and then in the 2nd start off the bench rallied from the back field to come a good 2nd. Needs a trip but Pat Lachance knows well and should be handled aggressively in this spot.8-Diego N (2-1)-Raced gamely in last in the first start off the bench but came up short. Beaten chalk hadn’t raced since 12-6. Some will fade with this post draw. But Bartlett will have the pedal down and will respect chances.Race 10 (9:45 PM EST)3-Cold Creek Felipe (15-1)-The inside draw should put this veteran in play, with a close up trip. There isn't a lot of early speed and Jim Marohn could work a winning trip at a healthy price.4-Sawyer's Desire (8/5)-Engblom trainee is only 2 of at 18 Yonkers and not sure the 8/5 morning line fits. But usually is in against better and if Father Time didn't come calling should be a threat. Bartlett helps and will respect but will look to others with more value.5-Checkonwilliam GB (9/2)-The first 2 tries off the bench were an even effort, followed by a dull try. Interestingly is a twice beaten chalk. The reason to bite tonight is the price should be better and more so because of the change to the Laterza barn. That outfit posts 32% winners off a claim. Does fit, Brent Holland takes the lines, and this isn't a salty group.$1 Late Pick 42/3,5,6/2,4,8/3,4,5Total Bet=$27Check me out on X!

SCHEDULE NOTESAqueduct | cancelled due to weatherSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 6-8; Santa Anita Races 3-5-6TOURNAMENT TIME$1000 Ultimate Betting Challenge Qualifier | details$100 Gulfstream Park Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $375,767 | Gulfstream | begins Race 5 | 2:19 pm ETKEY RACESOaklawn | Race 8 | 4:27 pm ET | King Cotton StakesSanta Anita | Race 7 | 5:02 pm ET | Clocker’s Corner StakesSunland | Race 8 | 5:20 pm ET | La Coneja StakesSanta Anita | Race 8 | 5:32 pm ET | Las Virgenes StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXOaklawn | Race 2 | 1:30 pm ETGulfstream | Race 10 | 4:49 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMichael McCarthy | Santa Anita | 6 of 7 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Tampa Bay Downs | jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. | 4 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third from 9 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot PlaysBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section