Saturday’s late pick 4 at Oaklawn Park includes the featured Smarty Jones Stakes and our 1 Million 1/ST Reward Points Hit & Split promotion. The sequence starts in Race 8 at 4:25 pm ET. Let’s get to work.Oaklawn: Race 8 | allowanceWhile there are several viable options in this race, a solid amount of pace gives the late-runners the preferred running style in my projection. #6 Super Cruise makes a second start of his form cycle, the one that created his maiden-breaking win in April over this track. His last was against First Division, who comes back in stakes company Friday at OP with a big shot (tab the result for more/less confidence). #5 Myra’s Boy gets a new pilot after a mist-timed move, one of my favorite jockey angles, and could surprise at a big number – at a minimum a good exotics use. I’ll limit with these 2, otherwise could make cases for too many others (#3, #8, #7, #11 of most additional interest).Oaklawn: Race 9 | $135,000 Commodore Stakes#2 Second ID comes out of a super-tough edition of the Ring the Bell Stakes that could double up as the meet’s top sprint, the Count Fleet, in the spring. He was solid that day and this easier task puts him at the head of my list. #6 Bourbon Bash offers double-digit odds and a bullet workout Dec. 11 from the gate is highly impressive for a Steve Asmussen barn whose horses rarely work fast. Long layoff concerns, but price will be right to find out. Favorite #5 Concrete Glory loves to win races, 17 of them, and while never at Oaklawn, this Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee is by 2012 Arkansas Derby dominator Bodemeister.Oaklawn: Race 10 | $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes#3 Boca Beach Club really caught my eye in his professional Hawthorne debut win and I was all in for his Advent Stakes sprint appearance Dec. 12 over this track. He missed the break, spent the race in make-up mode and ran on well and galloped out well enough. He’s by Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach, out of a Mineshaft mare, and should only get better routing. Our late, great handicapping brother Jeff Siegel used to preach the virtues of the sprint-sprint-route form cycle, and that’s where Boca Beach Club reside. Go time with a jockey change to money rider Luis Saez. #1 Universe is a classy sort who has chased with interest 3 straight stakes winners that are high only many Derby prospect lists (Napoleon Solo, Incredibolt and Further Ado). He should come running with a rail-saving trip. #5 Rancho Santa Fe deserves respect for his 2 wins in Kentucky, the last coming at Keeneland against a couple of next-out allowance winners who ran 2-3 for Brendan Walsh and Will Walden. I’ll settle on this favored trio with some confidence, but the play may be the best ML price in Boca Beach Club.Oaklawn: Race 11 | allowance#6 Vital Mind is a regally bred Into Mischief-She’s A Julie colt who hasn’t done much wrong in 2 career starts, though he’s obviously had plenty of physical issues given the light duty. Should be in the hunt throughout with legitimate upside. #1 Five O’Clock Somewhere is rail speed in sharp form and capable of the class rise. #4 Run Jalen Run also projects near the front and one of these 3 pace players likely holds off the modest closers.The Ticket6,5 with 2,5,6 with 3,1,5 with 6,1,4 = $27 for each $.50

The Lead:The road to the Florida Derby kicks off Saturday at Gulfstream Park with the 1-turn mile Mucho Macho Man Stakes. It's the leadoff to the series, which includes 2-turn races in the Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth in-between. The Race 10 of 11 co-feature on the card shares the spotlight with the Ginger Brew Stakes. The Mucho Macho Man will be part of the Sunset 6 wager, matching the final 3 races on the card from both Gulfstream and sister track Santa Anita.​​Field Depth:Three of the 9 entrants are stakes-placed: ROGER THAT DANA, MAX CAPACITY and THUNDER CHUCK. All seek their first stakes victories. This race could be won on the class rise without much argument.​Pace:Early speed can be expected from more than half of this lineup, including from inside-out CABOURG, EPIC SUMMER, ROGER THAT DANA, BLAME YASSELF, MAX CAPACITY and THUNDER CHUCK. A horse with a strong finishing ability could be set up nicely.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.#1-COMMANDMENT: Trainer Brad Cox wintered in Florida with a string last year for the first time and it netted Florida Derby winner Tappan Street. He'll begin that path with this second-out maiden breaker from Churchill Downs. The $500,000 Into Mischief colt popped a big 96 BRIS Late Pace Figure when fourth in his Keeneland debut, but 7F last out when winning from midpack and a faster pace. Grandson of Florida Derby winner Orb looks like the horse to beat under Irad Ortiz Jr.#2-CALBOURG: Jose D'Angelo trainee has made the lead in all 3 starts, winning his debut, but running out of steam a bit in last 2. This barn looks for back-to-back wins in the Mucho Macho Man after Guns Loaded scored a year ago. Held some decent company lines, chasing Oscar's Hope, who since won the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta for Tom Amoss. Junior Alvarado takes the mount for the first time.#3-EPIC SUMMER: Aqueduct debut sprint winner on Oct. 26 in nearly wire-to-wire fashion. This George Weaver trainee will pair of Tyler Gaffalione for the first time. Note his debut pursuer, Schoolyardsuperman, since returned to break his maiden for Chad Brown. Gap in workout tab between Nov. 21 and Dec. 19 means he could be a bit short on fitness.#4-MR. HOOLIGAN: 3-race maiden is devoid of early speed after unsuccessful ventures at Presque Isle, Keeneland and Tampa Bay Downs. Hard to think the venue change to Gulfstream makes a big difference, but a pace collapse could see him passing some tired ones for Kevin Rice.#5-ROGER THAT DANA: Debut sprint winner stretched out to 2 turns in the Florida Sire Stakes In Reality and gave way in the lane to finish third in that stakes unveiling. FSS rival Strategic Risk returns Saturday in Oaklawn's Smarty Jones Stakes. Trainer Luis Ramirez will have a third different rider in 3 starts on one expected to be part of the early pace.#6-TRIPP'S PROMISE: Dale Romans trainee should be the one to fear late off rallying placings in 1-turn mile allowances at Churchill Downs. His 92 BRIS Late Pace Figure over a mile should translate very well here under Corey Lanerie, who likes to save ground when possible. Romans trained the grandsire Shackleford and sire Promises Fulfilled to much success at Gulfstream and beyond.#7-BLAME YASSELF: Cross-entered in a Friday allowance at Gulfstream, but John Velazquez named to ride in the Mucho Macho Man gives you the sense he'll end up here. Victor Barboza Jr. trains the son of Blame, who outran his route genes to win sprinting Nov. 15 in his debut -- wire-to-wire no less. Projects to improve with distance and could be a factor throughout among the pace players.#8-MAX CAPACITY: Mid-Atlantic, well-seasoned Maxfield colt exits a runner-up finish in the Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, a race won easily by 1-9 favorite and 2-2 unbeaten Solitude Dude for Saffie Joseph Jr. This Ricard Silaman trainee has been inconsistent, but has probably faced the best competition in the field, including Balboa, who since ran third in the Remsen and goes in Saturday's Jerome at Aqueduct. Tough read, but not incapable.#9-THUNDER CHUCK: Monmouth maiden breaker for Jorge Delgado was no match for Ewing et al in the Saratoga Special before getting some time off. Return second in the Juvenile Sprint at Gulfstream in late November was a positive sign behind 4-5 favorite Hammond. Don't think he's fast enough to make the lead and not sure he really wants to pass horses.Most Likely Exotics Contender:TRIPP'S PROMISE gets the right pace set-up and is proven in 1-turn miles with a pedigree to like the track.Best Longshot Contender:No huge bombs projected, but BLAME YASSEL may get overlooked to a small degree.Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$60 win TRIPP'S PROMISE. $10 exacta key-box TRIPP'S PROMISE with COMMANDMENT and BLAME YASSELF ($40).

  EXTRA INCENTIVESPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 41 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Parx late pick 4NOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 5 | $48,720 | Parx | begins Race 6 | 2:20 pm ETPick 5 | $63,841 | Tampa Bay Downs | begins Race 5 | 2:20 pm ETKEY RACESParx | Race 7 | 2:47 pm ET | Kris Kringle StakesParx | Race 8 | 3:14 pm ET | Blitzen StakesParx | Race 9 | 3:41 pm ET | Mrs. Claus StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETAqueduct | Race 8 | 4:04 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 9 | 4:20 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMichael Moore | Parx | 5 of 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | trainer Jamie Ness | 2 wins, 2 seconds from 7 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Parx Late Pick 4 Hit & Split AnalysisFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Gulfstream Park will ring in the New Year with a 10-race card this Thursday, Jan. 1. It starts early, with the first post at 12:20 p.m. EST, but if you wake up a bit late, don’t worry. You will have plenty of time to watch nd wager on the Pick 3 that encompasses a pair of stakes races for newly turned 3-year-olds. Here’s a look at the action with a suggested $2 Pick 3 ticket that costs $36:GP 8th race (3:48 p.m. EST) -- Seven sophomore fillies bring a combined 29/7-11-4 record with average earnings of $64,900 into the $175,000 Cash Run, but all are seeking their first stakes victory. Woodbine invader DUNBAR BEACH gets Hall of Famer John Velazquez to ride and gets the call in her first start on conventional dirt. She was disqualified from second in her debut race won by eventual two-time stakes winner Piper’s Gift, swung 5-wide and ran third after a troubled start as a follow-up favorite, then launched a strong run between rivals to win going away in her first long distance test. SECANE was most impressive in her 7F debut win at Gulfstream, sprinting to a clear lead, finding another gear when challenged on the turn and running away from the wandering favorite in the stretch. She returned in the one-mile Tempted Stakes at Aqueduct three months later, chased Shilling – who set the pace for 6F in a Grade 2 stakes next out – and ‘kept on’ to finish third. The daughter of 2018 Florida Derby winner Audible is a deserving favorite and the one to catch.GP 9th race (4:18 p.m. EST) -- CHARLIE’S WISH (pictured), nearing a half-million as the field’s top money earner, is a steady mid-80 Beyer type when she races with Lasix. She’s a stakes winner on Gulfstream’s synthetic surface and could hold a tactical advantage in a race that lacks quality speed. FOR FLYING placed in a pair of Grade 3 stakes at Woodbine in four starts on the synthetic track and she, too, can make good use of her speed. DANCING N DIXIE, pinched and in tight early, unwound at the quarter pole and had a ‘solid late charge’ to finish third in the Grade 3 Maple Leaf, ahead of FOR FLYING in the 1-1/4-mile marathon that favored closers.GP 10th race (4:48 p.m. EST) -- GLORIOUS BOY made an eye-catching stretch run and wouldn’t have needed a disqualification to emerge the winner from a dead heat with the rival that forced him inward and exchanged bumps in the closing yards. He broke his maiden sprinting on the Aqueduct lawn, ran second in a follow-up 6F stakes race and should have no trouble transitioning back to the grass after a :46 bullet workout at Gulfstream last Friday. He could be a solo play, but with maiden breakers from nine different tracks uniting in the $175,000 Dania Beach, use a couple longshots on the Bet 3 ticket. ZEPPELIN awaited room on the final turn and found it in time to catch the two favorites in a 25-1 debut upset on the Churchill Downs lawn. EASY WIND improved his speed figures at four turf venues to start his career, then changed tactics and set a fast pace in a turf-to-dirt mile won by his 1-to-2 stablemate. Morning-line favorite HONEY DUTCH will be a popular play with a high turn of early foot and Irad Ortiz Jr. summoned to ride. He widened a big lead on the turn and got caught two back, then controlled a soft pace and got caught again in his first stakes attempt at a longer distance. For value purposes, we won’t use him on the ticket.Suggested $2 Pick 3 TicketGP 8th Race: 4, 7GP 9th Race: 2, 3, 6GP 10th Race: 4, 6, 7Cost: $36

Our second of back-to-back 1 Million 1/ST Reward Points Hit & Split promotions for Parx takes place Wednesday on the New Year’s Eve card. The sequence starts with a trio of stakes races and field sizes of 11-8-12-15 before scratches. First post is 12:05 pm ET with the late pick 4 starting at 2:47 pm ET. Let’s get to work.Parx: Race 7 | Kris Kringle Stakes#2 Point Dume hasn’t lost at Parx in 3 starts and provides a tough opposition when able to get near the lead in any race. From an inside post, expect him to be sent for the front, but the pace could be contested. I trust him to gut any other frontrunners, leaving the other spots on the ticket for late closers. #3 Wild Vine can finish as can #4 Double Your Money on the cut-back in trip. #9 Golden Ice steps up in class but these connections are winning like it’s easy money, and he gets a good pace set-up.Parx: Race 8 | Blitzen Stakes#5 Buccherino has been almost impossible to tackle at Parx, going 7: 6-0-1 locally. He’s yet to try 7 furlongs, but he’s mostly added margin late in his local sprints and doesn’t show any sign of let-up. I don’t think you beat him from the front; a pace collapse would be the biggest risk to his chances. If so, late-running #2 Howgreatisnate really looks attractive over 7 furlongs.Parx: Race 9 | Mrs. Claus StakesWhile morning line favorite #10 Foxy Junior has won 12 of 26 and makes a strong case here over a distance at which she’s been highly proficient, she’s failed to follow up winning efforts on several occasions. Her best efforts have been at Laurel and I’m going to try and beat her today. #2 Alani has had a fantastic 12: 6-4-0 season in 2025 and looks to be the only true sprint speed in the field. No excuse for these high-percentage connections not to just employ the same tactics that saw them win the Cornucopia wire-to-wire last out.Parx: Race 10 | starter / optional claimingThe inside 3 runners here all figure to show early speed and there’s plenty more where that came from with #9 Normandy Hero never conceding the engine. With a 14-horse field in the main body and ton of speed in extreme circumstances, take as many closers as you can afford on the ticket and forecast for the frontrunners to come back to the spread horses. The #15 He’s In Charge offers major appeal if he draws into the cast.The Ticket2,3,4,9 with 5,7 with 2 with 15,5,6,7,11,12,13 = $28 for 50 cents

EXTRA INCENTIVESPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 41 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Parx late pick 4SCHEDULE NOTEMahoning Valley | cancelled due to weatherToday’s Thoroughbred Tracks: Parx, Turf Paradise, Delta DownsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $19,222 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETKEY RACESParx | Race 6 | 2:20 pm ET | Miss Behaviour StakesParx | Race 8 | 3:14 pm ET | Parx Future Stars StakesParx | Race 9 | 3:41 pm ET | Parx Future Stars Fillies StakesTurf Paradise | Race 8 | 7:16 pm ET | Lost in the Fog JuvenileLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 7 | 2:47 pm ETDelta Downs | Race 9 | 4:44 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 6 | 5:44 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAbel Ramirez-Rodriguez | Delta Downs | all 4 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | jockey Yedsit Hazlewood | 2 wins, 2 seconds from 6 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Parx Late Pick 4 Hit & Split Analysis for TuesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

  Tuesday’s Parx racing card includes a trio of stakes races and a 1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split promotion when you play with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. First post is set for 12:05 pm ET, while the late pick 4 begins with Race 7 at 2:47 pm ET and includes 2 of the stakes. Let’s get to work.Race 7: optional claiming#1 I Feelucky Tonite has fit beautifully at this starter allowance condition with a 6: 2-3-1 mark in such races since May and seems to fire regardless of price – beyond a trip to the Claiming Crown. #8 Guaponess likely goes favored off a claim-and-score by high-percentage trainer Jamie Ness. The distance and post pose some risk, but this barn hard to dismiss and a bullet workout is in tow. #5 Kissthemoon fits the conditions perfectly and has transferred his Penn National form to Laurel in the past, which should translate here if he takes to the Parx surface. The post does him no favors, but veteran #10 Dreaming of Gerry should be finishing among the best here and the 5-pound weight break to hot-riding apprentice Yedsit Hazlewood could help the cause.Race 8: $75,000 Parx Future Stars StakesTrainer Butch Reid holds the cards and wildcards in this 2-year-old sprint. He’s entered #1 Mailata, #2 Tough Guy Tony and #3 Connor’s Crew (the latter scratched, along with #s 4,5,6). Mailata has won on fast and wet tracks and clearly the horse to beat if he runs here and not in Saturday’s Jerome, where he’s cross-entered at Aqueduct. Solidly in this one’s camp for a 33% local jockey-trainer combo and past form.Race 9: $75,000 Parx Future Stars Fillies Stakes#1 Divine Intentions provides rail speed and a wire threat so long as she breaks cleanly for Tyler Servis and regular rider Frankie Pennington. #7 Tap Into Grace will attract a lot of money for Maryland dominator Brittany Russell, but this filly has been her worst enemy at the start of several races. Top local pilot Mychel Sanchez has the one to beat if he rights the ship.Race 10: claimingThe morning line favorites look vulnerable as #2 Romantic Gamble and #5 Lord Winsalots have holes in their resumes. The former hasn’t been able to translate his form past his Penn National homebase with regular success, while the latter has been eased and a well-beaten fourth in 2 starts since being claimed. Both go for high-percentage trainers capable of getting the results the betting public is drawn to, but at this cheap class level, invite some chaos to your ticket. Toss them and part-wheel the other 9.The Ticket:1,8,5,10 with 1 with 1,7 with 1,3,4,6,8,9,10,11 = $36 for 50 cents.

The 21st season of the Xpressbet Beat the Host handicapping contest returns this Saturday and provides horseplayers a weekly chance to strut their stuff against personalities from Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. First up: Gulfstream Park track announcer Pete Aiello. Eight additional handicappers will follow each Saturday of January and February. Register now: www.xpressbet.com/tournaments.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.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