After four days to recover from Kentucky Derby 152, they are back at it in Louisville on Thursday. For those in the area, Twilight Thursday is probably my favorite time to attend Churchill Downs. The time of the year and vibe are excellent and the racing is usually solid. For most of us unable to attend, fortunately we have the new 1/ST BET app to play Twilight Thursday cards on starting at 5PM eastern this week. Here are a few plays I like most on the 8-race slate.Race 2:There is very little speed signed on in this open $25k claimer at 1 1/16-miles over the main track, so I will take a swing with #2 Slim Slow Slider. The Vancouver gelding ships in from Florida for trainer Jose Gallegos. He stalked early and tired badly late at Gulfstream Park on March 26 and has been freshened up since. With the lack of early zip, I love the fact this 7YO attracts the aggressive riding Luis Saez for his first start over this surface. With tactical speed going shorter and an inside draw, I am hoping Saez is able to make the front, dictate terms, and have enough left late to spring the big upset. The price should be right to gamble.Play: #2 Slim Slow Slider (15-1 ML)Race 3:Trainer Wesley Ward holds a strong hand in this MSW for 3YOs+ sprinting over the Churchill Downs sod. Ward enters both 2-1-ML favorite #4 Gypsy Art and 3-1-second choice #3 Ink Lies, but both have questions to answer. Gypsy Art did not have an ideal trip in his return race at Keeneland in mid-April, but is likely to offer little value despite failing the public already at 7-2 or lower four times, while Ink Lies is a 5YO making just his fourth career start. I prefer #10 Tranquillo. The pricey son of Independence Hall makes his first start outside of New Orleans for trainer Whit Beckman. Beckman debuted the colt over the main track and then tried him at two-turns over the Fair Grounds grass where he stalked early and tired late at the end of their winter meeting. I like the outside draw, cutback in distance, and move to Irad Ortiz. He should be finishing well in his first career start in Kentucky.Play: #10 Tranquillo (6-1 ML)Race 6:My final play on the Twilight Thursday card comes in this second-level allowance event at one-mile over the grass where I am expecting an honest pace. I am hopeful that will benefit #3 Esmark. The son of Constitution makes his second start off the long rest after breaking slowly and failing to make a serious impression last month at Keeneland. He should move forward quite a bit with the start under his belt and success thus far over this turf course. Luis Saez was aboard in one of his two victories over the Churchill Downs sod in 2025 and takes the call for the first time since. Hopefully, he has the keys to this Vicki Oliver trainee in what should be a big effort in the second start of his 4YO campaign.Play: #3 Esmark (10-1 ML)

SCHEDULE NOTES4 Thoroughbred tracks today | Delta Downs, Horseshoe Indianapolis, Thistledown, Penn NationalNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | $2,229| Horseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:47 pm ETPenn National | Race 3 | 6:43 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBruce Kravets | Penn National | 5 of 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Horseshoe Indianapolis | trainer Robert Gorham | 2 wins, 1 third from 4 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $86,220 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFairmount Park | Race 8 | 5:25 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:47 pm ETLouisiana Downs | Race 7 | 7:53 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHRachel Sells | Finger Lakes | 4 of 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | jockey Francisco Martinez | 3 wins, 1 third from 5 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

SCHEDULE NOTES4 Thoroughbred tracks today | Parx, Thistledown, Louisiana Downs, MountaineerNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $67,053 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 9 | 4:16 pm ETLouisiana Downs | Race 6 | 7:25 pm ETMountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJosue Arce | Parx| 3 of 4 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mountaineer | favorites went 0-8 on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool rolls in Race 5. 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 (8:45 PM EDT)1-All Alone (5/2)-Drops to a level where a win could happen. Has had the 8-8-7 posts in the last 3 races. Will benefit from this post draw and the new pilot Joe B, will have in play when the wings fold.6-The Ideal Dancer A (6-1)-This race could set up for a stalker and Pat Lachance could go that route. The price is right to use because the veteran has back class and has enough gate speed to be in play early on. Could pay off at a price with the right trip.Race 7 (9:05 PM EDT)3-Vicious (5-1)-Comes off a 3rd place finish at PPc and was flying late. Raced from the backfield, was 10 lengths from the leader at the first call. Missed 3 weeks before the last race, and now regular pilot Tyer Buter is back. Will look for an aggressive drive and could be over looked.4-Copperfield (5/2)-Was used hard off the car at PcD on a sloppy track and faded to come 5th. Jason Bartlett is not in the house tonight so Colin Kelly steers for Engblom and will look for a big try.5-It’s a Me Mario (5-1)-Not sure what to think here. Started the Borgata Series with a 2nd place finish and a win. Then was put away and requalified on 4-24 and won. Now comes back to face a beatable field if 100%. Using at a 5-1 ML and will hope the Tritton trainee is dialed on high.Race 8 (9:25 PM EDT)1-Quote Me Not N (3-1)-Came 2nd against the $30k claimers and hasn’t connected versus this kind. Same can be said for the entire field. The Engblom trainee lost by 1/2 length in the last 2 starts and will look for better leaving from the 1-hole.5-Alta Classic A (9/2)-Has been close against the $30k claimers but hasn’t won a race since January. Brent Holland had the pedal down and left from post 6 into a .27 opening quarter. Worked to get on the point and then faded. This time could get a pocket ride or land on the point and may have an easier time off the gate. Does come back in sequence and had missed a start before the last race.Race 9 (9:45 PM EDT)4-Always A Thrill (9/5)-The Alexander trainee lands in a soft spot. The same could be said for Mattai Phil but he draws the 8-hole. Matt Kakaley should be able to work the right trip for a win. Could leave, get on the engine, and not look back.$2 Late Pick 41,6/3,4,5/1,5/4Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!

Northfield Park has a 16-race card and 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 EDT)1-Ima Beach Girl (5/2)-This will be the 4th start off the bench, has finished 3rd twice and has not won in 6 races at Nfld. Not loving the short price but needs to be included from the rail at this level. Tossed some hints last time from post 9 and will look a for an aggressive steer from Chris Lems.5-Baxter Tough (2-1)-MVR shipper has raced at Nfld twice and hit the board both times. Won 2 back at MVR, then didn't get the best of trips and came 3rd all with tonight's pilot Tyler Smith at the controls. Beaten chalk should have a clear path to get on the point and not look back.Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)1-Dublin Breanna (2-1)-Faced the NW3 in last and drew of by 7 lengths in the slop. Should be a player tonight in the 1st BSS race this year and could double up.4-Lynn Range (7/2)-Ships in from MVR and came a good 2nd after leaving from the 7-hole. Looking for an aggressive steer and likes to win (14-9-2-0). The 3-year-old should be on top or no worse than in the pocket around the opening turn, and that trip could lead to a picture.Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)7-Helium N (9/5)-Beaten chalk got a rough trip leaving from post 8 last week. Gave up the lead late in the mile and had missed a start. Last time was doubled bubbled into a 26.1 opening quarter and could be dangerous with a kinder trip this week.8-Miki Shan N (7/2)-Aaron Merriman left on 4-19, got the lead early on and didn't look back. Raced big from start to finish, if dialed on high after missing a start could double up. Doesn't need to lead every step of the way to win but should be racing near the top of the stack.Race 14 (10:46 PM EDT)1-Nacho Rodeo (5/2)-Drops after leaving hard from post 8 and that trip didn't end well. The race before, left from post 9 and finished 2nd as was the case the start before. Now gets post relief, fits with this crew and is in a spot to post the 1st win of the year.3-Logo (5-1)-Knows how to beat this kind and benefits from some post relief here. Lems could look to get on the engine, does its best work on the point and should there with this post draw.9-Mass Market (6-1)-Raced evenly from the 3-hole, came 2nd by a neck versus this kind and was off a month between starts. Merriman steers, he is the regular pilot and when combining with the Kreiser barn they post 32% winners. Will look for a close-up seat off the car, and to be the best down the lane.$1 Late Pick 41,5/1,4/7,8/1,3,9Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVES$2,500 Late Pick 5 Hit & Split | Woodbine | todaySCHEDULE NOTESTampa Bay Downs | closing day of meetSPECIAL WAGERSSunset 6 | Gulfstream Races 7-8-9; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-9; Santa Anita Races 3-4-5TOURNAMENT TIME$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $58,631 | Tampa Bay Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:05 pm ETSunset 6 | $33,229 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 7 | 4:04 pm ETKEY RACESAqueduct | Race 7 | 4:15 pm ET | Westchester StakesAqueduct | Race 8 | 4:46 pm ET | Beaugay StakesWoodbine | Race 8 | 4:59 pm ET | Thomcliffe StakesSanta Anita | Race 3 | 5:02 pm ET | Santa Barbara StakesAqueduct | Race 10 | 5:48 pm ET | Vagrancy StakesAqueduct | Race 11 | 6:19 pm ET | License Fee StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXAqueduct | Race 5 | 3:13 pm ETGulfstream | Race 9 | 5:07 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 7 | 7:03 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMichael Simone | Tampa Bay Downs | 5 of 6 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Churchill Downs, Santa Anita | trainer Michael McCarthy | 3 graded stakes winsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

1/ST KENTUCKY DERBY WAGER GUIDEFree Access | link Saturday Wager Guide Updates:-- 1/ST Handicappers Consensus Derby Picks **-handicapper adjustments as neededDERBY DOINGS FOR SATURDAY-- The Puma: scratched, trainer Gustavo Delgado citing front-left leg swelling-- Note that also-eligible 24-Corona de Oro does NOT draw into the field (AE deadline was Friday)-- Further Ado: Favored in Oaks-Derby Double Betting-- $110K Derby City 6 carryover & mandatory payout (Races 7-12)-- Jose Ortiz (Golden Tempo): jockey won 5 races, including 3 stakes, on Oaks DayDERBY ON DECKScott Shapiro: Saturday Derby Day Full-Card PicksJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Saturday’s Turf Classic from Churchill DownsNEW Horse Cents Podcast: Bailey Armour & Scott Shapiro | Kentucky Derby PreviewNEW 1/ST Call Podcast: Jeremy Plonk & Scott Shapiro | Essential Kentucky Derby & Oaks Day Stakes HandicappingIT 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.