1/ST KENTUCKY DERBY WAGER GUIDEFree Access | link SPECIAL WAGERSPreakness Future Wager | open now through SaturdayNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $50,695 | Tampa Bay Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:05 pm ETKEY RACESChurchill Downs | Race 6 | 3:20 pm ET | Kentucky Juvenile StakesChurchill Downs | Race 9 | 4:56 pm ET | Isaac Murphy Marathon StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay Downs | Race 5 | 2:35 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 10 | 5:27 pm ETEvangeline Downs | Race 8 | 9:40 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMichael Simone | Tampa Bay Downs | all 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Churchill Downs | favorites are 16-28 (57%) through the first 3 days of the meetPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Wednesday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Miami Valley has a 14-race card. 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)1-Mega Money (7-1)-This is the 4th start in the Todd Luther barn and has a win plus 3rd and 4th place finishes versus this company. The last 2 starts came from post 8 and 10. Will take a swing with the 1-hole will look for this mare to post a win against this kind at a nice price.6-Vekna (9/2)-Steps up but so do 3 others. Went off at 1-9 last time, drew off by 5 lengths and could be a square price. Did hit the board in the last 4 races and has enough early speed to get a close-up seat.7-Global Sensation (4-1)-Has been facing tougher and is still looking for its 1st picture this year. Has finished 2nd in the past 4 races including last week. Stayed inside after leaving from post 5, and tonight David Miller should have the pedal down. Can get a top of the stack trip versus this kind.Race 12 (7:51 PM EDT)4-Art Of Racing (5/2)-Miller posts 24% winners when driving for the Perrin barn and this mare comes off her best finish in a while. Was used early and was able to pass horses down the lane to finish 3rd. Will string along and look for the upswing to continue.5-Goldies Adelight A (2-1)-Took advantage off quick fractions and a sharp steer to drop and pop against this kind. Could double up but won't be close to 4-1.Race 13 (8:12 PM EDT)1-Herecomescharlie B (5/2)-Dropped 2 back, after taking a month off and came 3rd. Returned 6 days later, dropped again and this time took a picture. Takes a good step up but is still facing softer than before the time off. Using here after a confidence booster and thinking the program odds could be low.7-Southwind Mai Tai (7/2)-In the last 3 starts has had posts 7-8 and 10. Now drops to the level of its last win. Needs a trip and should be a player with Dave Miller at the controls.Race 14 (8:33 PM EDT)4-Delco Kathleen (5/2)-Interesting taffy pull with not much form to chew on. This mare finished 2nd in last, now steps up and has taken 3 pictures in 12 races at MVR. Gets a decent post draw, Chris Page sticks, and that's enough to make it the program chalk. Its recent resume is better than most and with a smooth steer could be posing.5-Arrival (6-1)-This veteran hasn't had much love from the post draw gods and now lands in a choice slot. Is 0-11, looking for a price and for Marvin Luna not being too far back when the wings fold. If she gets away with a decent seat, and the fractions are honest this mare can close well.$1 Late Pick 41,6,7/4,5/1,7/4,5Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!

Derby Week continues on Wednesday afternoon at Churchill Downs when the first stakes action commences. I did not have strong takes on either the Kentucky Juvenile or the Issac Murphy Marathon, but there are a few runners I do like on the ten-race card that kicks off at 12:45 eastern. Here are my top plays on the first hump day card of the year in Louisville.Race 1:The lid lifter is an open $16k claimer at one mile over the main track where 5-2-ML favorite #1 Empire Builder was the made the 5-2-ML favorite by oddsmaker Nick Tammaro. The Classic Empire gelding takes a big drop in class for trainer Armando Hernandez after battling early and tiring late in a $62,500 claimer at Oaklawn Park in mid-March. The Florida-bred has the speed to control the early pace from his inside draw, but one has to wonder if he will be at his best on the multiple level drop. He certainly is capable of taking this field gate-to-wire with his best, but I do not trust him, so I will try to beat him with #8 National Eclipse. The son of Alternation was claimed by trainer Robertino Diodoro and Flying P Stable after his stalk and fade effort against better at Fair Grounds. He cuts back to one-turn, draws favorably to the far outside in this field of 8, and attracts Irad Ortiz, Jr. He should get a perfect stalking trip off the likely pacesetter. Hopefully, the foundation of the route events in New Orleans this winter allows him to out finish this bunch.Play: #8 National Eclipse (7-2 ML)Race 3:My next spot play comes in this MSW event for 2YO fillies at 4.5-furlongs over the main track where I will try a long shot. #1 Barometric makes her first career start for trainer Tim Hamm. Hamm does not sport big numbers when shipping 2YOs into Louisville at first asking, but has proven capable nonetheless. Hamm sends out this Frosted filly who is out of a Harlan’s Holiday mare that won on debut at Churchill Downs in early May ’16 over this same surface and distance. Barometric will have to break well from her inside draw, but has the right man in the saddle in Luis Saez. If Saez can do his thing and get his mount out of the gate in good order, the Runnymoore Racing runner has precocity in the blood and can take the shortest distance into the quick run into the turn with a clean start.Play: #1 Barometric (15-1 ML)Race 8:My final play of the Wednesday before Derby card comes in this $50k starter at 7-furlongs over the main track where #3 Sharons Beach was made the 5-2-ML choice after a runner-up effort as the chalk in a similar spot at Keeneland three weeks ago. Trainer Jonathan Thomas adds blinkers to this son of Omaha Beach who has burnt a lot of money thus far. I will hope to stalk off Sharons Beach and take control at the top of the lane with #4 Mo Work. The 4YO gelding aims to make it two wins in a row after being claimed out of a $40k N2L spot just 13 days ago for trainer Mark Simms Jr. Simms protects his new gelding and retains the services of Luis Saez. If he can avoid major regression off the career best run in Lexington, he should be in a perfect spot to make it back-to-back victories for his new barn.Play: #4 Mo Work (4-1 ML)

1/ST KENTUCKY DERBY WAGER GUIDEFree Access | link Tuesday Wager Guide Updates:-- Michelle Yu: Kentucky Oaks Analysis & Betting Strategy-- free Betmix Oaks Day Saturday full-card past performances-- 1/ST Handicappers Consensus Oaks & Derby Picks **-handicappers continually adding as availableDERBY DOINGS FOR TUESDAY-- Danon Bourbon: half-mile workout in :52.80, galloping out 1:06.00 for 5 furlongs-- Wonder Dean: half-mile workout in :54.60, galloping out 1:08.40 for 6 furlongs-- Golden Tempo: trainer Cherie DeVaux said training somewhat limited today due to cracked heelDERBY ON DECKScott Shapiro: Wednesday Churchill Downs Spot PlaysHorse Cents Podcast: Bailey Armour & Scott Shapiro | Kentucky Derby Wagering Strategies1/ST Call Podcast: Jeremy Plonk & Scott Shapiro | Kentucky Derby 20 Questions for Each ContenderIT PAYS TO PLAYBet Kentucky Oaks Friday and Derby Saturday with 1/ST BET and take part in the $20,000 Exacta-Thon for your share of bonus cash. Details.

1/ST KENTUCKY DERBY WAGER GUIDEFree Access | link EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Finger Lakes | today’s racesSPECIAL WAGERSPreakness Future Wager | open now through SaturdayNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $58,481 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 5 | 6:09 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 6 | 3:20 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 9 | 8:15 pm ETMountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHRalph Martinez | Fairmount Park | all 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Turf Paradise | jackpot pick 6 hit on single ticket for $319,116PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Tuesday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Kentucky Derby week starts in earnest on Tuesday afternoon after kicking off the spring in Louisville last weekend. The “502sday” card at Churchill Downs, as it has been recently dubbed, kicks off at 12:45 eastern and is headlined by a pair of high-level allowance races at the back end of the afternoon. Here are the horses I like most on April 28.Race 2:I have a pair of more creative picks later in the card, but I will start the week with a short price that should be very tough to beat to kick off the early Pick 4. #1 Booked debuts for North America’s all-time leading trainer Steve Asmussen. The son of Yaupon could easily opt to run versus fellow Indiana-breds at some point soon, but instead Asmussen enters him for the more juicy $120,000 purse offered up in at Churchill Downs in MSW events for 2YOs. The rail may present a challenge if he breaks poorly, but otherwise it will provide this colt with the shortest distance between two points, instead of potentially getting caught wide with that quick run into the turn. The presence of Jose Ortiz helps illustrate that Asmussen means business with this $325k Keeneland September 2025 purchase. I expect a big run at first asking.Play: #1 Booked (7-5 ML)Race 3:The pace should be honest in this starter allowance at one mile over the grass, which should lead to a favorable ground saving voyage from #2 Queen Wilhelmina. The Arkansas-bred has had a lot of chances already, but only three going long over the grass. Trainer Lindsay Schultz got the daughter of The Factor back at the beginning of the year and moved her to the lawn at Fair Grounds for the first time on January 23. The result was a win going away at a massive 49-1 offering. Since then the 5YO mare has taken on better in two first-level allowance events and held her at own both times as a long shot. Schultz has given Queen Wilhelmina a 6-week freshening and finds a perfect spot for her to earn her second career win. The move to Jose Ortiz for the first time strengths her case.Play: #2 Queen Wilhelmina (9-2 ML)Race 8:This third-level allowance at 7.5-furlongs over the main track appears wide-open, so I will take a swing with #2 Hold My Bourbon. The son of Anchor Down makes his first start of the year and competes for the first time for trainer Jose D’Angelo. It was a slow winter after a strong fall for D’Angelo, but he has started to heat up again. The Florida-based conditioner won three races in Florida over the weekend, has a $2.48 ROI over a recent 30-day, 49-race sample, and gets this guy back to a racetrack he has run well over throughout his career. The pace should be contentious, which should allow the Gray V Train Racing ridgling to work out a perfect trip just off the pace under Luis Saez. Hold My Bourbon has races to go back to and comes in fresh. Hopefully, he fires a big shot at a big price.Play: #2 Hold My Bourbon (10-1 ML)

1/ST KENTUCKY DERBY WAGER GUIDEFree Access | link Monday Wager Guide Updates:--1/ST Handicappers Consensus Oaks & Derby Picks *-- free Betmix Oaks Day Friday full-card past performances-- Weekend Workout Videos *-handicappers continually adding as availableDERBY DOINGS FOR MONDAY-- Six Speed: half-mile workout in :48.80, galloping out 1:01.60 for 5 furlongsDERBY ON DECKScott Shapiro: Tuesday Churchill Downs Spot PlaysHorse Cents Podcast: Bailey Armour & Scott Shapiro | Kentucky Derby Wagering Strategies1/ST Call Podcast: Jeremy Plonk & Scott Shapiro | Kentucky Derby 20 Questions on Each Contender IT PAYS TO PLAYBet Kentucky Oaks Friday and Derby Saturday with 1/ST BET and take part in the $20,000 Exacta-Thon for your share of bonus cash. Details.

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 rolls in Race 5 and it has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 6, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (8:25 PM EDT)3-Coaches Corner (8/5)-It looks like the Coach will need a win to make the Final and with this post draw he should get the jump on others. Captain Albano could be leaving too but draws the 6 hole and isn’t as desperate for a win. Fell short by a neck in last leaving from post 7 and will lean toward Jason Bartlett finding a way to win tonight.Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)4-Bet On Big Joe (3-1)-This is the 3rd start on Lasix and in the previous 2 races stayed inside and cashed smaller checks. Drops and this looks like the time to take the wrapper off and post the first win of the year.7-Coalford Topguy GB (5/2)-Winner of 2 straight versus similar lands in a good spot and is the one to beat. Went gate to wire and won easily in last and should be on the point or racing in the pocket behind Big Joe around the first turn. A 3-peat could happen.Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)1-The Bigboss A (6-1)-Could offer a square price, drops and at this level should be a player drawing the rail. Beat this kind going gate to wire at the beginning of the year and will expect an aggressive steer from Matt Kakaley and probably needs to be leading at the top of the lane to win.4-Hammering Hank (5/2)-The Laterza trainee dropped to this level in last and drew post 4. Went off at 7/5 and tried to come off cover but could only finish 2nd. Has the speed to win but needs a trip. Brent Holland should be racing close to the leader at the 3/4's poleRace 9 (9:25 PM EDT)2-Major Pocket A (6-1)-Could be overlooked and does its best work when getting an up-close seat and might be able to land on the point early on. Has hit the board in 20 of 29 and took 4 pictures at YR. Colin Kelly posts 19% winners when driving for the Adamczyk barn and could be sitting on a big try.5-Checkonwilliam GB (5/2)-The veteran won 3 back for the Laterza barn and was claimed back in the last race. This barn wins 35% of the time in first starts off a claim. Holland is the regular driver and this time he is between the pipes.7-Deetzy (4-1)-Was claimed 2 back by the Deb Daguet barn and left hard last time from post 7 and faded badly. Does comes right back, and now Bartlett is at the controls. When Bartlett steers for this Daguet +barn he posts 44% winners. Should offer a fair price and will respect chances of a rebound with an aggressive steer.$2 Late Pick 43/4,7/1,4/2,5,7Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!