EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Turf Paradise | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESTurfway Park | matinee card due to cold temps | 1:00 pm ET first postTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Park Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $265,074 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:19 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $399,081| Turfway | begins Race 5 | 3:00 pm ETPick 6 | $12,081 | Oaklawn | begins Race 5 | 3:27 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $315,338| Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:12 pm ETKEY RACESOaklawn | Race 8 | 4:57 pm ET | Fifth Season StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXOaklawn | Race 3 | 2:29 pm ETTurfway | Race 5 | 3:00 pm ETTampa Bay | Race 6 | 3:05 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJamie Ness | Laurel | all 8 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Aqueduct | jockey Kendrick Carmouche | 3 wins, 1 second from 8 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Turf Paradise Bet $100, Get $10 Picks for ThursdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

After mother nature made life difficult for thoroughbred racing across most of the country last weekend, we have a big week of Triple Crown preps on the horizon. The Withers and Southwest (G3) were rescheduled for Friday, while the two originally scheduled qualifiers go as planned on Saturday afternoon in Tampa and Southern California. To celebrate the big weekend, 1/ST BET and Xpressbet are dropping a Money Back promotion to take us all the way to mid-April. Just register for the new promo and get up to $10 back on your Win bet if your horse finishes second or third. There are four cracks at the offer this week. Here are my thoughts on the four preps:Withers, Aqueduct, Friday Race 10 (4:20 pm ET)This 9-furlong event for $200k kicks off the prep action for the weekend and should see an honest pace at the very least. This should bode well for the lone maiden entered #1 Grittiness. The Curlin colt did not perform well against a much stronger group in the Remsen (G2) with the addition of blinkers for the first time, so Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher takes the shades right back off for this guy’s second stakes try. Two-back he finished well to earn second to odds-on favorite Courting and should get a much better trip and setup this time under Ricardo Santana, Jr. His lack of wins should result in a playable price on the Repole Stable runner.Play: #1 Grittiness (9-2 ML)Southwest (G3), Oaklawn, Friday Race 11 (5:40 pm ET)The deepest of the four preps this weekend undoubtedly will occur in Arkansas on Friday afternoon. The $1M Southwest (G3) at 1 1/16-miles drew a field of 14 originally, but 5-2-ML favorite #5 Litmus Test did not make the trip to Hot Springs. Despite the Nyquist colt’s omission, there should be an extremely honest early pace with #1 Reclamation, #2 D’Code, and #3 Buetane all drawn down on the inside with little choice, but to go from the jump. This should set the table for an off-the-pace runner like #4 Rancho Santa Fe. The Gary & Mary West Stables homebred rattled off two wins in Kentucky to kick off his career before a disappointing effort in the Smarty Jones to start his 2026 season. I am willing to forgive the performance though because not only did Rancho Santa Fe not get an ideal setup, but more importantly he was on the wrong part of the track throughout on a day where the inside was clearly best. I am expecting a big bounce back effort given the likely fast pace to run at, the inside draw, and a rider upgrade to Flavien Prat.Play: #4 Rancho Santa Fe (15-1 ML)Sam F. Davis, Tampa Bay, Saturday Race 11 (5:30 pm ET)The first of two originally scheduled Triple Crown preps goes as the final race on a solid 11-race card in Oldsmar where I am hopeful it is “go time” for #6 Renegade. The regally bred son of Into Mischief has yet to earn a win through 3 starts, but that is not something I am holding against him. He crossed the wire first two-back in a MSW against the highly regarded Palladin, but was placed second through DQ before being defeated on the square by the Chad Brown trainee in the Remsen (G2). However, that was also forgivable since Renegade came into the early December race on a less-than-ideal training pattern. Todd Pletcher has won this race a record 7 times and Renegade looks ready to fire his best shot on Saturday afternoon.Play: #6 RenegadeRobert B. Lewis (G3), Saturday Santa Anita, Race 8 (7:05 pm ET)Trainer Bob Baffert has won the Robert B. Lewis (G3) an eye-popping 13 times and holds a strong hand once again in this year’s Grade 3 event at one mile. The Hall of Fame conditioner sends out 3 led by 6-5-ML favorite #1 Desert Gate. The Omaha Beach colt ran first or second in all four starts as a 2YO, including a runner-up effort to #4 Intrepido when we saw him race last in the American Pharoah (G1 and has been training extremely well heading into his 3YO debut. He is the one to beat, but I will take a swing with his stablemate #3 Cherokee Nation. The $1.15M Keeneland September 2024 purchase has yet to cross the wire first, but was clearly best last out when breaking terribly and still almost getting to wire-to-wire winner #6 Robusta. Baffert thought enough of this colt to send him to Kentucky last fall for the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) and his recency could be a big edge on Saturday afternoon.Play: #3 Cherokee Nation (5-1 ML)

The “Love at First Bet” promotion this February at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet offers a $10 bonus when you bet $100 or more at select tracks each Tuesday and Thursday. The first such offering comes today at Turf Paradise. Here’s how I’ll approach with the help of the Betmix Angler database.Turf Paradise: Race 6#4 Immelmann (6-1 morning line odds) won last out on the class drop and makes a natural rise in class for new trainer James Gilmour. That small barn’s 7 starters over the past month at Turf Paradise has wins at $9 (also first off the claim) and $23 as well as seconds at 23-1 and 105-1 odds. Even moving away from high-powered Robertino Diodoro, might be worth following for a race or two. Win-place bet #4. Daily Double 4-4 to next play. Pick Three 4-4-2 to final two plays.Turf Paradise: Race 7#4 Sir Maximus (7-2 morning line odds) drops in class to a winnable level and should be fastest of those to the inside and able to secure the rail into the first turn. Trainer Juan Pablo Silva is winning 30% the past month with a 25% flat-bet profit on win plays. Key jockey switch to barn’s go-to rider Adrian Castellano indicates intent. Win bet #4. Daily Double 4-2 to final play.Turf Paradise: Race 8#2 Every Third Day (3-1 morning line odds) didn’t handle the start well in his debut, but got the knack to pass all wide but one behind a runaway winner. Trainer Wade Rarick hits 26% with jockey Carlos Montalvo and this barn is 12-22 in the exacta locally since the start of 2026 (while showing a flat-bet win profit). Win bet #2.

“Turf’s up” at Gulfstream and Santa Anita Park this Friday. Pick the winner of four turf races and you will be two-thirds of the way toward hitting the Sunset 6 wager that started the week with a lucrative $43K carryover pool. It’s a $1 bet, spanning the last three races at both tracks. Here’s a closer look:GP 8th race (3:50 p.m. EST) -- COCO ABARRIO broke last and remained last when shuffled back into the turn, but she gathered momentum in early stretch, closed with a 7-wide rush for second and galloped out in front of the winning favorite. She’s a must use in this 5F turf sprint. SHADES OF JADE is undervalued as the 5-2 morning-line favorite, but she completes the first leg of the Sunset 6 sequence, nonetheless. She was confidently handled by Irad Ortiz Jr. in her seasonal debut, pressing the leader through moderate fractions while in-hand before separating from the field at the 1/8 pole.GP 9th race (4:20 p.m. EST) -- AIR FORCE CRUISING embarked on a 3-for-4 winning streak off a similar layoff last winter. Her only setback was against Ms Tart (7-22, $365k), who won a Grade 3 turf stakes soon after. She is well-spotted to win again on her preferred synthetic surface. RACHEL’S COACH also starts fresh with a blazing :34-3/5 workout over the track. She has six wins and five of her rivals today have two each. She finished last when last seen, but faced the likes of the aforementioned Ms Tart, sprint terror Rezasrolex, a winner of nine consecutive races, and Chrome Ghost (6-20, $239k), who posted back-to-back 90-plus Beyers in high-priced optional claiming victories at Gulfstream and Tampa Bay Downs this winter.GP 10th race (4:51 p.m. EST) -- LOMAX rallied mildly into a soft pace in his first start for a tag. He was claimed from Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, but he will remain a popular Sunset 6 selection the way new conditioner Carlos David has been winning lately. David is 16-for-48 off the claim and 6-for-16 with the “blinkers off” angle. ASTIN STYLE also enters a hot barn, with a recent photo-finish setback in a higher-tagged, one-mile turf race summon. Trainer Philip Antonacci is 5-17 with turf starters since 2025. MAKE ME FAMOUS exits MSW company, stretches out and changes surfaces for his third start. He finished behind odds-on stablemate Skellig Michael two starts back and next-out MSW winner He’s a Beast. OPERATNTHUNDERBOLT, surrounded by a trio of deep closers at this level after setting a 1:09-3/5 pace for 6F, hasn’t raced since that May grass route but is worth using as a longshot play.SA 7th race (6:33 p.m. EST) -- VANCOUGAR has two wins, a fast-closing third from post 11 and a troubled third as the favorite last out in his last four starts on a firm Santa Anita lawn. TESSUTO shook a 3-way duel inside the 1/8 pole and held off a fast-closing rival to prevail at 6F on the main track. He showed little in two turf tests at Santa Anita, but new trainer Jeff Mullins sees something that he likes. SMART CODE is piling up the checks, puts the blinkers back on and projects an ideal stalking trip at a suitable distance. AMERICAN GLORY was the closest pursuer of three-peat winner Captain Choochies, but he settled for second best with a career-best 88 Beyer last out.SA 8th race (7:03 p.m. EST) -- OUR MOONLIGHT, third behind Grade 3 winner Cash Call and multiple graded stakes-placed Howin last year as a 2-year-old, unwound too late to finish second at 6-1/2F in her return from a six-month layoff. She galloped out in front of the upset winner, who got first run off the dueling leaders. She adds blinkers and goes one mile for the first time for a high-percentage barn with these types. RUNAMILEINMYSHOES led at every call in two one-mile allowance tests on the main track. She was claimed on the class hike for $50,000 and returns to the dirt.SA 9th race (7:43 p.m. EST) -- SILLY RABIT had a horror trip when he won through disqualification to launch his career at Laurel Park last April. He tracked a snails-like pace at Del Mar two starts ago, only to be ‘turned away’ by the front-end 5-to-1 winner. He drops in claiming price and holds a tactical advantage today in a field that lacks quality speed. Make him a solo play to close out the Sunset 6.Suggested $1 TicketGP 8th Race: 2, 8GP 9th Race: 3, 4GP 10th Race: 2, 3, 5, 9SA 7th Race: 1, 2, 3, 7SA 8th Race: 1, 4SA 9th Race: 4Cost: $128

The Lead:It's one of the biggest cards of the season at Tampa Bay Downs this Saturday when the Sam F. Davis puts Triple Crown hopefuls in the spotlight. In all, 4 stakes make up the program, including potential Kentucky Oaks trail star Zany headlining the Suncoast Stakes. But beyond the sophomores, a highly competitive group of elder sprinters match up in the Race 10 Pelican Stakes, providing a direct line in the late daily double to the Davis.Horseplayers at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet be sure to take advantage of up to a $10 money-back special on win bets in Saturday's Triple Crown preps, the Sam F. Davis at Tampa and the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. Recoup your cash up to $10 if your win bet finishes second or third in either race.​​Field Depth:It's a strong cast of listed-stakes types and red-hot form stepping out of the allowance ranks. WOUND UP, ROLANDO and CONCRETE GLORY may have kept the strongest company lines over time, but I won't be handicapping this race based on class moves.​Pace:CONCRETE GLORY takes a backseat to no one in the speed department. SILVER SLUGGER, ROLANDO, WOUND UP and BEACH COLT also want to be in the hunt. I'll give finishers a chance to get the last laugh Saturday.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.#1-ROLANDO: Tampa debut for well-traveled veteran who has had a history of breaking out at the start. The tightness of the rail break could be problematic under a new rider for him in Joseph Ramos. Hutcheson winner over this distance needs a clean break, then could find a heated duel.#2-EL PRINCIPITO: Closer should be outrun early and has a couple of rallying 6F wins with 94-95 BRIS late pace figures that put him in contention for a share. Strong jockey-trainer combo with Daniel Centeno up for local ace Gerald Bennett.#3-CONCRETE GLORY: Among the most prolific front-runners you’ll see, it’s all 1s early in his past performance lines. Irad Ortiz Jr. has won aboard him the last 3 times they’ve paired. The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee boasts 17 wins but finished eighth in the 2021 Inaugural Stakes in his only Tampa attempt as the 8-5 favorite. Forgive an forget after 4+ years?#4-WOUND UP: Speedy California-based colt for much of his career, his 10-for-24 ledger stands the test up against this level of sprinter. Trainer Jose D’Angelo took over last fall and netted a reputable third in the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector at first asking for the new barn, finishing behind repeat graded stakes-winner Knightsbridge. Top local jockey Samuel Marin takes over as Irad Ortiz Jr. jumps to Concrete Glory Saturday.#5-TRACK MATE: In a race full of early pace, a patient ride from Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat could serve well for this Rusty Arnold trainee. He was too close to the pace from the rail going a mile last out, will appreciate the cutback in trip and more relaxed positioning. He’s got a quartet of 6-furlong BRIS late pace figures of 97, 104, 108 and 105 that make him the danger late. First time at Tampa, while sire Union Rags is a solid 6-for-14 in the exacta in Tampa stakes with his offspring.#6-SILVER SLUGGER (pictured): Win machine has racked up 11 scores in 17 starts for trainer Juan Avila, including a remarkable 8-for-9 Tampa record. He’s capable of making the front in NYRA graded stakes but showed a bit of press-and-pounce ability in his last 2 local races against lesser. Jockey Sonny Leon returns in a tricky pace decision as this dasher looks for a fifth straight win.#7-BEACH COLT: Chilean export won 13 times in his homeland but is 1-for-5 since coming to Florida. Amador Sanchez trains the Gulfstream-based allowance runner who should contribute to the pace, but may not be quick enough to reach the front.#8-CHROME GHOST: Trainer Gerald Bennett’s second shot here, this Shaman Ghost gelding should get the rallying jump from midpack on his deeper-closing barnmate El Principito. Top local pilot Samy Camacho returns to his familiar seat as this bullet-working colt looks to continue hot form off back-to-back wins. The pace sets up nicely for the rise in class.#9-NAUGHTY RASCAL: After competing in all 4 races in the Tampa Bay Derby series a year ago, this colt needed 9 months on the sidelines. His return runner-up allowance company locally Jan. 21 was solid, but this third Gerald Bennett-trained entry in the field will need to improve to contend. A fast drill just 10 days after that return prep does set him up for a potential move forward.Most Likely Exotics Contender:SILVER SLUGGER has won 8 of 9 over the track and is 8 for 10 in the exacta lifetime at 6 furlongs.Best Longshot Contender:CHROME GHOST should get a great trip and is in raging form while likely to be overlooked against some bigger-named trainers and jockeys present from out of town.Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$45 daily doubles CHROME GHOST, TRACK MATE to RENEGADE in the Sam F. Davis ($90). $5 exacta box CHROME GHOST and TRACK MATE ($10).

Martha Wilson topped all players in Week 5 of the 21st season of the Xpressbet Beat the Host handicapping contest to grab the $1000 first prize. Santa Anita simulcast pregame host and handicapper Tom Quigley will be the host to beat this Saturday for Week 6, which features the Robert B. Lewis Stakes on the Santa Anita Derby and Triple Crown prep trail.On the individual front, Wilson’s $139.00 bankroll paced the contest. John Souza’s $117.00 was good for second place and earned a $750 prize. Tom Mulligan finished third with $111.50 and earned a $250 prize. Overall, just 21 players managed to Beat the Host (Gulfstream Park analyst Brian Nadeau, who had 5 winners). That means 483 spots have been punched to the Beat the Host Championship Round on March 7.The $65,000 Beat the Host competition encompasses 10 races each contest Saturday, split between the final 5 Gulfstream Park races and first 5 from Santa Anita. Contestants place $5 win bets on the Xpressbet platform for each of the 10 Beat the Host races, earning their parimutuel winnings as well as prize pools.All contestants who beat the cumulative bankroll total of the host each Saturday qualify for the Beat the Host Championship on March 7. Weekly prize pools of $2,000 are also in play for the top-3 finishers, while a $6,500 Sweep the Host bonus split is in store for those sharp enough to top the host totals all 9 weeks of the contest. Only 8 of 766 registrants remain eligible for the Sweep the Host bonus after 5 weeks this season.A check-in for the season-long leaderboard in contest earnings shapes up this way: Christopher Cupples remains on top at $473.25, followed by Phillip Perkins ($400.75), Steven Busching ($394.25), Ron Watson ($376.00) and Steven Dalbec ($362.50).The BTH Championship pits all weekly winning players against one another in pursuit of seats in the lucrative Pegasus World Cup Betting Challenge, Xpressbet Santa Anita Derby Challenge and Xpressbet Florida Derby Challenge tournaments.Last season, 496 of 711 Beat the Host players were able to top the host total at least once during the season. Glenn Gulden paced all players in the cumulative season totals last year, while George Blanchard took down the top prize in the Beat the Host Championship round finale.Tournament & Host Schedule:Saturday, January 3, 2026 - Pete AielloSaturday, January 10, 2026 - Millie BallSaturday, January 17, 2026 - Michelle YuSaturday, January 24, 2026 - Scott ShapiroSaturday, January 31, 2026 - Brian NadeauSaturday, February 7, 2026 - Tom QuigleySaturday, February 14, 2026 - Samantha PerrySaturday, February 21, 2026 - Zoe CadmanSaturday, February 28, 2026 - Ron NicolettiSaturday, March 7, 2026 – Beat the Host Championship Round

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $50, Get $10 | $50 at both Turfway & Tampa Bay today to unlock rewardSCHEDULE NOTESTurfway Park | matinee card due to cold temps | 1:00 pm ET first postNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $13,021 | Mahoning Valley | begins Race 1 | 12:15 pm ETPick 6 | $18,602 | Aqueduct | begins Race 3 | 2:11 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $399,081| Turfway | begins Race 5 | 3:00 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $277,759| Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:13 pm ETKEY RACESLaurel | Race 8 | 3:31 pm ET | Xtra Heat StakesLaurel | Race 9 | 3:59 pm ET | Spectacular Bid StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTurfway | Race 3 | 2:00 pm ETParx | Race 11 | 4:35 pm ETAqueduct | Race 8 | 4:43 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrad Cox | Aqueduct, Turfway | 6 of 7 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | trainer Mike Pino | 2 wins from 3 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Turfway & Tampa Bay Downs Promo Picks for WednesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The first 2-turn stakes on the 2026 Santa Anita Derby trail takes place Saturday at the Great Race Place with the Grade 3 $100,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes. The 1-mile Kentucky Derby points prep (worth 20 to the winner) is featured on a 9-race card that includes 4 stakes.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can take part Saturday in a 2 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split promotion on Santa Anita’s late pick 4, which includes the Lewis, D. Wayne Lukas and Sweet Life Stakes among the quartet.Let’s meet the contenders for the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (Race 8):#1-DESERT GATE: Sophomore return for Grade 3 Best Pal winner and Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and American Pharoah Stakes runner-up. First of 3 entrants for Bob Baffert, who aims for an eighth straight victory in the Lewis and record-padding 14th of his career. Regular rider Juan Hernandez returns aboard the Omaha Beach colt. Controlling rail speed gets 110 yards less to fend off his American Pharoah conqueror Intrepido in their rematch.#2-PLUTARCH: Regally bred son of Into Mischief-Stellar Wind took 5 tries to break his maiden after placing 3 times in stakes before notching a victory. Second in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf and Thoroughbred Aftercare alliance on grass, the same surface in which be graduated last out. Finished a close third in the American Pharoah on dirt against Lewis rivals Intrepido and Desert Gate. Jockey Florent Geroux moved his tack from Fair Grounds to Santa Anita this week and has the mount for 13-time Lewis winner Bob Baffert.#3-CHEROKEE NATION: Four-race maiden for Bob Baffert exits a runner-up finish to Lewis re-matched rival Robusta on Jan. 9. This $1.15 million Not This Time colt has a damside pedigree for turf and sprints, but has routed around 2 turns on dirt in 3 of 4 starts. Jockey Juan Hernandez hops to ride stakes winner Desert Gate for the same barn Saturday; Antonio Fresu picks up the mount.#4-INTREPIDO: Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes winner makes his 3-year-old return for trainer Jeff Mullins. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile fifth-place finisher gives 4 pounds to each rival Saturday, carrying high weight of 124 pounds. Regular rider Hector Berrios returns aboard the son of Maximus Mischief. He’s the field’s top money earner with $292,800.#5-BRIGGS ARMYPOWER: $2,000 Army Mule colt won Arapahoe Park’s Gold Rush Futurity in November, capturing 3 of 4 starts in Colorado. His winter in Arizona at Turf Paradise got off to an inauspicious start when eased to the wire in the Lost In The Fog Juvenile as the 7-5 favorite. Tyler Baze takes the call as the longshot stretches out from listed sprints to a graded route for the first time.#6-ROBUSTA: Trainer Doug O’Neill has won the Lewis with the likes of Great Hunter (2007) and eventual Kentucky Derby / Preakness winner I’ll Have Another (2012). He’ll look to spring a second straight upset with this Accelerate colt, who broke his maiden at 24-1 on Jan. 9 over the mile trip. Maternal grandson of millionaire Grade 1-winning mare Urbane.#7-SECURED FREEDOM: Last out maiden sprint winner gets tested for class and distance in his third start. Tim Yakteen trains the son of Practical Joke and regular rider Kazushi Kimura is back in the saddle. Debut fourth looked better when that race’s winner So Happy returned to win the San Vicente Stakes last month to open the Santa Anita Derby series.