1/ST BREEDERS’ CUP WAGER GUIDENow available | daily updates | free accessPost Draw for Friday & Saturday | Monday, 5 pm ETEXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | BC Bankroll Builder | Santa Anita’s Autumn Miss Stakes10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Sunset 6 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Woodbine | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESChurchill Downs | opening day of Fall MeetSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10, Santa Anita Races 3-4-6Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10, Santa Anita Races 7-8-9TOURNAMENT TIME$1,000 Santa Anita BCBC Last Chance Qualifer | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $50,555 | Gulfstream | begins Race 5 | 2:30 pm ETPick 5 | $64,318 | Gulfstream | begins Race 6 | 3:02 pm ETPick 6 | $109,520 | Santa Anita | begins Race 4 | 5:33 pm ETSunset 6 | $16,535 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 8 | 4:06 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $20,427 | Santa Anita | Race 9 | 8:05 pm ETKEY RACESBelmont | Race 5 | 3:23 pm ET | Glen Cove Stakes (Div I)Churchill | Race 9 | 4:55 pm ET | Rags to Riches StakesBelmont | Race 8 | 5:05 pm ET | Glen Cove Stakes (Div II)Woodbine | Race 9 | 5:17 pm ET | Overstake StakesChurchill | Race 10 | 5:25 pm ET | Street Sense StakesSanta Anita | Race 9 | 8:05 pm ET | Autumn Miss StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill | Race 2 | 1:29 pm ETLaurel | Race 6 | 2:23 pm ETBelmont | Race 9 | 5:38 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJamie Ness | Laurel | 6 of 7 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Woodbine | favorites won 8 of 11 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder Bets for Friday-Saturday-SundayScott Shapiro: Churchill Opening Day Spot PlaysBrian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

The action in the Blue Grass State heads west to Louisville on Sunday where the 2026 Fall Meeting kicks off at Churchill Downs. The 24-day stand runs through November 29 with racing shifting to Keeneland next Friday and Saturday for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.As always, the two-year-olds take center stage on the first day of the Fall Meet for the annual Stars of Tomorrow I slate. All juveniles, all the time headlined by the start of the 2027 Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. Here are a few horses I like most on a great day for those who enjoy handicapping young ponies.Race 3:My first play of the meet comes in this auction-restricted MSW event at six-furlongs over the main track where I like second-time starter #4 Karajan. The son of Hard Spun debuted over this oval in mid-June where he got caught up along the inside in an early battle on the front end before tiring late. Trainer Dale Romans gave the colt a few months to recover after the failed run to kick off his career and has six local works into him heading into career try number two. Romans calls on Flavien Prat this time around suggesting the veteran conditioner turned politician likes the chances of his trainee. I too am expecting a big run from the Delia Nash homebred.Play: #4 Karajan (4-1 ML)Picks: 4-5-1Race 5:I move to the grass for my next play on the Stars of Tomorrow I card where I landed on #4 The King of Soccer. The Brendan Walsh trainee returns to the races for his second lifetime start after a fifth-place finish to kick off his career on September 24. The son of Starspangledbanner showed solid speed from the gate and found a comfortable pocket spot throughout in his debut, but never found clear sailing under jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Perhaps, he lacked the needed punch to fit through a hole, but regardless The King of Soccer secures another favorable post position, which should allow him to find a prominent, ground saving spot throughout. This time I expect him to finish with more energy.Play: #4 The King of Soccer (6-1 ML)Picks: 4-2-6Race 10: Street Sense (G3)Ten points goes to the winner on the 2027 Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard in this 1 1/16-mile event over the main track where it looks like a three-horse race on paper. #3 Card Man and #4 Mystik Bayou both compete at Churchill Downs for the first time after wins at the newly renovated Belmont Park and have big chances. That said, #7 Staunch is the runner that is likely to offer the best value. The $300k EAS May ’26 purchase showed a strong turn of foot late in his six-furlong debut at Ellis Park before taking advantage of a perfect inside/out trip to break his maiden over the one-turn mile configuration in Louisville in late September. I loved the professionalism he showed that day and the energy he had left after the wire. He appears a solid gamble at his 5-1-ML offering with Tyler Gaffalione back onboard the Brendan Walsh runner.Play: #7 Staunch (5-1 ML)Picks: 7-4-3

Northfield Park has a 15-race card. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11 and has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The Spot Plays are in Race 7, Race 9, and Race 12. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 7 (8:12 PM EDT)5-Ill Be Home First (7-1)-Will look for a price and the time appears right for the father and son duo to get back in the winner's circle. Justin Irvine steers for his father Don and did win down a level on 9-5. Then bumped up to face this kind and drew post 7, then post 8 and started well back in both races. Didn't get a sniff in either, then shipped to Dela and was a sick scratch. Finally raced again on 10-18, finished 3rd versus $25k claimers in the 1st race in almost a month and appeared short. This feels like "go" time, comes right back and could pop at a nice price in a field without a standout.5-3-1Race 9 (8:56 PM EDT)6-Firefilly (7-1)-Aaron Merriman is on #5 Loveme Or Leaveme (9/5), she shows a win versus this kind 3 back and should be bet down. My choice will be a freshman filly who has hit the board in 11 of 13 but has taken only 1 picture. Has finished 2nd in 2 Nfld starts. Comes off a bumpy trip but did pass a few down the lane. Now gets a ++ driver change in Justin Irvine, who steered 2 back and finished a beaten 2nd. Will look for a good start and could land right behind Merriman and win off a suck around trip at a nice price.6-5-1Race 12 (10:02 EDT)6-Redland Saphire (4-1)-The program chalk in this affair is #9 Hardly Queen (2-1), my plan is to fade the mare. She raced big on 10-16 to win in the slop off a wide trip from post 9. She likes a wet surface and will likely be bet tonight. My lean will be towards a 3-year-old who has taken 3 pictures in 11 starts at Nfld. The last time Dan Noble was between the pipes she won in 2 straight, down a level. When she stepped up Noble took a hiatus and she raced from the backfield both times, that isn't the typical plan. Will look for an aggressive drive as Noble returns and when he combines with the Jessica Millner barn they post 28% winners. Does have to prove herself at this level and so does everyone else except the program chalk.6-2-9Check me out on X!

1/ST BREEDERS’ CUP WAGER GUIDENow available | daily updates | free accessEXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | BC Bankroll Builder | Keeneland’s Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes$2,500 Late Pick 5 Hit & Split | Mahoning Valley20X 1/ST Rewards Points | Woodbine | today’s races10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Sunset 6 | Gulfstream/Santa AnitaSCHEDULE NOTESKeeneland | closing day of Fall Meet | mandatory payoutsBreeders Crown (Harness) | Scioto Downs | first post 6:08 pm ETSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10, Santa Anita Races 3-4-5Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10, Santa Anita Races 7-8-9TOURNAMENT TIME$1,000 Keeneland BCBC Qualifier | details$1,000 Santa Anita BCBC Low Ratio Qualifer | details$800 Laurel Park Maryland Million Challenge | details$100 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERS Pick 5 | $53,059 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 3 | 1:04 pm ETSunset 6 | $7,055 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 8 | 4:04 pm ETPlace Pick All | $18,088 | Santa Anita | begins Race 2 | 4:33 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $187,427 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 9 | 5:26 pm ETPick 6 | $26,165 | Santa Anita | begins Race 4 | 5:39 pm ET KEY RACESBelmont | New York Showcase DayLaurel | Maryland Million Day | Race of the WeekMahoning Valley | Best of Ohio DayHorseshoe Indianapolis | Indiana Champions DayScioto Downs | Breeders Crown Night IIKeeneland | closing day (Fayette, Bryan Station, Bowman Mill)LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream | Race 4 | 1:53 pm ETKeeneland | Race 7 | 4:12 pm ETDelta Downs | Race 6 | 8:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMark Casse | Woodbine | 7 of 9 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Keeneland| jockey Luis Saez| 3 wins, including 2 stakesPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder Bets for Friday-Saturday-SundayJeremy Plonk: Keeneland Daily Longshots to Watch for SaturdayScott Shapiro: Keeneland Spot Plays for SaturdayJeremy Plonk: Best in State-bred Showcases in NY, IN, MD, OHAl Cimaglia: Breeders Crown at Scioto Downs Spot Plays for SaturdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

Tonight, there are 8 Breeders Crown Finals at Scioto Downs with total purses of $4.4 million. Three-year-olds and older are the headliners. The Spot Plays are in Race 8, Race 9, and Race 10. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 8 (9:29 PM EDT)2-Big Ranger (8/5)-Won't offer much value but for my money Ranger is the best on this track until proven otherwise. Went gate to wire last week and made it look easy, but this is a deeper group. Two back, got a rough trip from the start in the American Futurity leaving from post 9. This time will count on Tim Tetrick to work a smoother journey. This race could set up nicely when the wings fold and this colt doesn't need to be on the point around the opening turn but shouldn't be far behind. Will use on top and will look for a solid price underneath, like #4 Inexpressable (6-1) who does good work on smaller ovals. When the dust settles Ranger could be a perfect 11-11 at Scioto.2-4-3Race 9 (9:56 PM EDT)6-Sweet Luvin Lou (7-1)-My thinking last week was the Dan Lagace pupil could leave, get a close-up seat and win. The last part almost happened but finished 2nd after rallying from the backfield. Dropped in 6th and was 7-lengths back at the half. The fractions were hot and went the back half in .53 to finish 2nd by less than a length. If Scott Zeron puts this colt into the race off the gate chances for success go up. Will take a swing that the son of Sweet Lou breaks a string of three 2nd place finishes and takes top honors at a nice price.6-4-1Race 10 (10:23 PM EDT)3-Dandy Ideal (4-1)-Using a horse on top that already won on Lasix for the 1st time is not my favorite angle. But will make an exception off of last week's impressive performance. Made its 1st start for the Brett Pelling barn a winning one rolling home with a 53.3 back half and a .27 last quarter. What else caught my eye is the usual plan of attack is to race at the top of the stack. Last time, came off cover and raced wide much of the mile. Tim Tetrick could get away closer to the leaders this week and will string along.3-5-2Check me out on X!

The final day of the 2026 Fall Meet at Keeneland is upon us with racing in the Blue Grass State moving to Churchill Downs tomorrow. Of course, thoroughbred racing returns to Lexington for the Breeders’ Cup next weekend, but other than the two-day event for the world’s best, this is horseplayers final chance this year to wager on the popular Kentucky-based venue. The card is headlined by a pair of Grade 3 events and all pools must go. Here are my thoughts on the two stakes, as well as a first-time starter that kicks off the final Pick 4 of the meet. There's a $12K carryover in the Race 10 Super Hi 5 wager that must go today.Race 7:I am not in love with the ML favorites in this 5.5-furlong event for 2YO fillies over the main track. 7-2-top choice #4 Light Halo holds the experience edge over many of her rivals, but tired with little excuse in Louisville in her September debut. Her trainer Brad Cox is having an extremely slow meet by his standards and this daughter of City of Light took virtually no public support in her first start. She is likely to be an underlay, as is #10 Joyful Flight. The Flightline firster debuts for a barn that is just 1 for 14 with 2YOs debuting in sprints in Kentucky over the last three years. I will try to beat them both with #6 French Sand. The Omaha Beach filly is out of a Broken Vow mare that has already produced a pair of winners at first asking and attracts Jose Ortiz. The Eddie Kenneally trainee should be a decent price and hopefully is live out of the box in a race where those that have competed thus far have for the most part underwhelmed.Play: #6 French Sand (6-1 ML)Picks: 6-8-3Race 8: Fayette (G3)This 1 1/8-mile event over the main track drew an oversubscribed field led by last year’s winner #1 Hit Show. The son of Candy Ride is a perfect 3 for 3 over this track and is closing in on $10M in earnings, but is winless over his last four starts and might not get the setup he needs to be at his best. I am hopeful the pace is moderate since that is likely to benefit my top choice #11 Willy D’s. #7 Gearing Up projects to set the early tempo in this year’s Fayette, but Willy D’s should be right where he wants to be in the early stages. The son of Lookin At Lucky comes in off a two-month freshening by trainer Mike Maker after his gate-to-wire score in the Charlestown Classic. He will need to avoid a wide voyage throughout under Hall of Famer John Velazquez, but enters his first local try having won 3 of 4. He should fire big once again assuming the pace is not too quick early. Play: #11 Willy D’s (8-1 ML)Picks: 11-8-2Race 9: Bryan StationThis one-mile event for 3YOs over the Keeneland grass is the final stakes race of the meeting and is led by a trio of colts that competed at Saratoga this summer. #7 Remember Mamba was made the slight ML favorite with #4 Bottas and #11 Touch of Fire expected to take their fair share of public support as well. I thought Remember Mamba had a chance to be a special 3YO turf horse after his first four starts, but the Kitten’s Joy colt has failed to move forward since then. Cherie DeVaux tries to wake him with the addition of blinkers. The equipment change could certainly do the trick, but I will watch one at his expected price. Bottas and Touch of Fire both also raced for the big bucks at Kentucky Downs in early September with Bottas getting the bulk of the 1.75M Gun Runner purse. Both are solid animals, but perhaps we saw their best already in 2026.I am hopeful #13 Banksy’s draws in off the also eligible list for David Fawkes. The son of Paynter has done little wrong throughout his nine-race career but has taken a step forward since moving to the grass three starts back. He comes in on a three-race win streak after running down lone speed #8 Aces Honor at Churchill on September 25 and is hopefully set for one more big one to close out his 3YO campaign. If jockey Joel Rosario can angle over early to avoid a wide trip into the first turn, he should have a ton of horse late.Play: #13 Banksy’s (8-1 ML)Picks: 13-4-7

Each day during the 17-day Keeneland Fall Meet, I’ll spotlight the double-digit morning line prices that you’ll want to consider for your exotics plays. These are based on my top-3 choices in each race and will only appear if they’re in my mix and of significant odds.Race 4:#3 My Stubborn Lassie (12-1 ML): projects to get an inside-speed trip and that’s been dynamite this week with the turf rail out. Blinkers go on the Peter Eurton trainee who has never run a bad race.Race 5:#7 Order Restored (10-1 ML): Yes, that’s a 1-1/2 year layoff that we’re staring down, but trainer Whit Beckman’s success on MSW to MCL class drops is fantastic and that he gets leading jockey Tyler Gaffalione is an interesting statement.Race 8:#8 This Is Uscar (10-1 ML): The Lukas Classic has been the preferred prep path to Fayette Stakes success for the past several years and this veteran fits in a race like this while some others are here because they didn’t get to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup level late this year.Race 9:#1 Blackout Time (12-1 ML): Dirt stakes performer is bred to the hilt for grass and trainer Kenny McPeek is finishing this Fall Meet strong. With turf rail out, inside is a big aide and if he breaks running, watch out. Has Remember Mamba to fear late like the rest of them.

1/ST BREEDERS’ CUP WAGER GUIDENow available | daily updates | free accessEXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | BC Bankroll Builder | Keeneland’s Valley View StakesSCHEDULE NOTESBreeders Crown (Harness) | Scioto Downs | first post 6:08 pm ETSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-9, Santa Anita Races 2-4-5Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 7-8-9, Santa Anita Races 7-8-9TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Keeneland Feeder | details$100 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $27,465 | Keeneland | begins Race 5 | 3:08 pm ETSunset 6 | $3,835 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 7 | 3:30 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $174,796 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 9 | 4:53 pm ETKEY RACESBelmont | Race 5 | 3:23 pm ET | Perfect Sting Stakes (Div I)Keeneland | Race 8 | 4:44 pm ET | Myrtlewood StakesBelmont | Race 8 | 5:05 pm ET | Perfect Sting (Div II)Keeneland | Race 9 | 5:16 pm ET | Valley View StakesBelmont | Race 9 | 5:38 pm ET | Sands Point StakesScioto Downs (Harness) | Race 7 | 9:03 pm ET | Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies TrotScioto Downs (Harness) | Race 9 | 9:56 pm ET | Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies PaceScioto Downs (Harness) | Race 10 | 10:23 pm ET | Breeders Crown 2YO Colts TrotScioto Downs (Harness) | Race 11 | 10:50 pm ET | Breeders Crown 2YO Colts PaceLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXKeeneland | Race 3 | 2:04 pm ETLaurel | Race 9 | 4:17 pm ETRemington Park | Race 6 | 9:50 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSaffie Joseph Jr. | Gulfstream Park | 3 of 4 entrants 5-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Keeneland| jockey Jose Ortiz | 3 wins, 1 second from 8 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder Bets for Friday-Saturday-SundayJeremy Plonk: Keeneland Pick 6 Carryover & Daily Longshots to Watch for FridayFrank Carulli: Santa Anita Turf Pick 3 for FridayAl Cimaglia: Breeders Crown at Scioto Downs Spot Plays for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section