We had to wait a couple of extra days, but we have nearly made it to Opening Day of the Classic Meet at picturesque Santa Anita Park. The 11-race card at the Great Race Place kicks off at 2PM eastern and is headlined by six stakes races, including a trio of Grade 1 events. I cannot wait.Specifically designed for the rolling exotic player, Scott Shapiro’s full-card analysis isolates those horses that should be included in Daily Doubles, Pick- 3’s, Pick- 4’s, Pick- 5’s, and of course Pick- 6’s.Grade Descriptions: A= Highest Degree of Confidence, B= Solid Play, C= Least Preferred or Pass, X= Likely Winner but at odds probably too short to wager on.Race 1:Grade: C+Use: 4 Island Home; 8 Chair’s Coin; 1 Photogenic; 3 SpringlineForecast: I had a hard time making strong cases for backing the morning line favorites in the opener. #2 Improbable U should get a great trip under Irad Ortiz Jr. in her first local try, but has had her chances with favorable trips already and failed to cross the wire first. The same is true for #12 Ramayana who has finished second in three consecutive races to begin her career. I will use a few others that are less exposed, as well as #3 Springline, who could find herself on the lead with an inside draw and a rider change to Emisael Jaramillo. Hopefully, we can catch a decent price to kick things off.Race 2:Grade: C+Use: 2 Liam Smith; 7 Captain ShreveForecast: I am going to do the unthinkable and take on the uncoupled Bob Baffert entry in this 2YO MSW event at 6.5-furlongs. #1 Winston Ave is the one I prefer of the two, but the rail draw and his lack of speed on debut make him tough to get too excited about at a likely short price. First-time starter #4 Newton cost nearly $1M at the FTS August 2024 sale, but I am not in love with the fact he has worked five times out of the gate prior to making his first start. #7 Captain Shreve sports fast works for a barn that does not win very often at first asking. I will use him a bit, but will focus primarily on #2 Liam Smith. The Midshipman colt is a half-brother to talented 3YO Jimmys Dailys and comes in off a bullet 5-furlong drill over this surface on December 18. He looks quick.Race 3:Grade: BUse: 9 Miss Artois; 5 Toes; 6 Royal Charter; 11 Starts Now; 10 My Perfect WaveForecast: The pace is likely to be quick in this first-level allowance over the Santa Anita sod, so I will look for runners that can settle early and finish late. Several prices fit the profile, but the one I prefer most is #9 Miss Artois. The Mucho Macho Man filly comes in off a runner-up effort where she really came home late over the good going at Del Mar. With lots of rain in the area, the likelihood is the course will certainly have some give in it on Sunday. This and the race shape should benefit this Pam Ziebarth homebred in search of her second lifetime score.Race 4:Grade: CUse: 2 Rizzleberry Rose; 3 Miss Practical; 10 Clubhouse RideForecast: I lack a strong opinion in this state-bred first-level allowance over the main track, but gave the slight nod to #2 Rizzleberry Rose. The Governor Charlie filly showed grit and determination battling to the wire last out despite being put into a tight spot early. The worry is the amount of speed signed on to her outside, so I will use a couple of others, including lightly-raced #3 Miss Practical. If they go at it early, she could be rolling late off the bench.Race 5: Mathis Mile (G2)Grade: XUse: 3 NamaronForecast: I am not creative in the first of 6 stakes races on the Opening Day slate. #3 Namaron has finished third against better competition in both starts since arriving from Germany. Last out, he made the lead at the top of the lane, but got a bit lost out there and was out finished by a pair of rivals, including the very talented Graham Motion runner, Test Score. The blinkers go on, which along with the decrease in competition should do the trick for the European invader.Race 6: Laffit Pincay Jr. (G2)Grade: XUse: 1 Nysos *pictured*Forecast: To no one’s surprise trainer Bob Baffert could be poised for a big Opening Day. His likeliest winner is #1 Nysos. The 4YO colt has rattled off three straight wins since his near miss in the Churchill Downs (G1) off the bench. He is 3 for 3 over this surface and should have no problem staying undefeated in Arcadia.Race 7:Grade: BUse: 8 Mucho Del Oro; 1 Anmer HallForecast: #1 Anmer Hall is the likeliest winner in the start of what should be a massive late Pick 5 pool. The Palace Malice gelding has won 3 of 9 over this course and 4 of 6 at the tricky 6.5-furlong distance. The concern is his lack of speed with an inside draw. Theoretically, this could present serious traffic issues for the 7-2-ML favorite, so I will also use #8 Mucho Del Oro. Like Anmer Hall, the 7YO gelding has shown an affinity for this course and configuration. If he has things easy on the front end, he is likely to make the field pay.Race 8: La Brea (G1)Grade: B-Use: 11 Silent Law; 6 Brilliantly; 9 Formula RossaForecast: The first of 3 Grade 1’s is for 3YO fillies at 7-furlongs over the main track where I like a pair of Baffert trainees the most. #6 Brilliantly has been training forwardly for her second start off the layoff. She is very likely to be on the lead and could be sitting on a career best run. #11 Silent Law has run some good races despite not having won since October ’24. I am hopeful they try new tactics with this Tiz the Law filly. Joel Rosario could be the right man to relax her in the early going and come with a strong late run down the middle of the track.Race 9: San Gabriel (G3)Grade: B-Use: 9 Cabo Spirit; 6 Nesso’s Lastharrah; 11 NineeleventurboForecast: There is not a lot of early speed in this 9-furlong affair over the grass and the two runners likely to take the most public support have been camera shy of late. I will use three prices in hopes of separating in the late horizontals, including top choice #9 Cabo Spirit. He has run some big races when he has had things his way early. Hopefully that happens once again on Sunday.Race 10: Malibu (G1)Grade: B+Use: 10 Goal OrientedForecast: Bob Baffert holds an extremely strong hand in the traditional Opening Day feature for 3YO males. I am hopeful #8 Cornucopian and #9 Barnes take the most action because I really like the chances of #10 Goal Oriented. The blinkers come off this son of Not This Time that has been keeping the best company in 2025. He kept his own against the likes of Journalism, Baeza, and Magnitude and should get a dream trip on the turn back from his far outside draw. He is my top play of the afternoon.Race 11: American Oaks (G1)Grade: C+Use: 6 Take A Breath; 10 Atsila; 3 CliffsForecast: This 10-furlong affair for 3YO fillies over the grass concludes the card. I like #6 Take A Breath most. The Mark Glatt trainee has not had things her way over the last couple of starts after a promising run off the plane in the Del Mar Oaks (G1). She gets Irad Ortiz Jr. for the first time and hopefully a clean run at a big price. #10 Atsila and #3 Cliffs are the others I will use to close out what should be a great day in Southern California. Best of luck!We will all be thinking of you today, Jeff Siegel. Thank you for all you have done for the game and the art of handicapping.

Northfield Park has a 15-race card with the $1.00 Late Pick 4 starting 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 EST)3-Jumpingjoy N (2-1)-Worked to get the top and then Aaron Merriman made every call a winning one. Comes back in sequence after missing a start last time and will string along.4-Track'N Field (7/2)-First-time Dan Noble should help especially considering the mare should be no worse than in the pocket around the opening turn. Figures to be battling the program chalk down the lane and may offer a little more value.Race 12 (10:02 PM EST)2-She Comes And Goes (2-1)-Comes off a gate to wire effort with Noble at the controls. Has been very consistent at this level with him steering and should be a main player. Logical play will offer no value.Race 13 (10:24 PM EST)1-Pams For Real (6-1)-One-move type needs a ground saving journey and with this post draw that opportunity exists. Should get away near the top and will probably be a juicy price. Kurt Sugg will look to get sucked around and to use his one move down the lane.5-Plays Pro (9/2)-Willing to fade #2 in this leg the 5/2 tepid program chalk and continue to look for some value. This is a race where few show big gate speed so everyone will probably leave. That could work for this filly as Jason Thompson could stalk and be in striking range to finish best of all.7-Ella Joy (5-1)-Dayton shipper hit the board in 2 of 6 at Nfld but hasn't posted a win. Has gate speed, fits and this looks like a Merriman special. Will leave, land on the point, steal a quarter or two and then take a picture.Race 14 (10:46 PM EST)2-Justabitofcharm (3-1)-Didn't get a cushy trip and faded down the lane last week. The veteran doesn't win very often but this looks like a trip out opportunity to take a photo. Justin Irvine could get a 2-hole trip or land 3rd and catch the leader coming off cover.3-Shehitthehighnote (9/2)-Could offer a square price and this is a chance to take a picture in a race where no one likes to win. Merriman has some gate speed to use, this is a soft bunch, and he might get the veteran to stay strong to the wire.5-Sure R Lookin Good (5/2)-Comes off an even effort on 12-21 following a sick scratch. This is the 5/2 program chalk and there is no one to fear in this crew. Will look for an improved effort and hope the price is better than the morning line.$1 Late Pick 43,4/2/1,5,7/2,3,5Total Bet=$18Check me out on Twitter!

EXTRA INCENTIVESPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 420% Winnings Boost (up to $25) | Gulfstream Park | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Park feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $13,503 | Laurel Park | begins Race 5 | 2:03 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $51,980 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 6 | 2:48 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $241,922 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:11 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $236,879 | Turfway | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETKEY RACESAqueduct | Race 8 | 2:40 pm ET | Queens County StakesLaurel | Race 7 | 3:01 pm ET | Gin Talking StakesLaurel | Race 8 | 3:30 pm ET | Heft StakesFair Grounds | Race 5 | 3:45 pm ET | WoodchopperGulfstream | Race 9 | 4:18 pm ET | Abundantia StakesGulfstream | Race 10 | 4:48 pm ET | Mr. Prospector StakesOaklawn | Race 8 | 4:52 pm ET | Year’s End StakesTurfway Park | Race 8 | 9:25 pm ET | Last Hurrah StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream | Race 7 | 3:18 pm ETOaklawn | Race 6 | 3:53 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 4 | 7:25 pm ETDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Oaklawn | jockey Luis Saez | 3 winsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Gulfstream Park 20% Win Boost Saturday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Gulfstream Park on Saturday boasts a big card headlined by the Mr. Prospector (G3), featuring a 20% Win Bonus that Xpressbet and 1/ST BET customers will receive on all successful Win bets Saturday in Hallandale Beach up to $25. Just remember to register on the promotional landing page. Here are a few horses I like on the 11-race slate.Race 6:The Saturday Pick 6 kicks off with this MSW event for 2YOs going the one-turn mile over the main track where I like the chances quite a bit of morning line favorite #2 Boss Dylan. The $400k OBS April 2025 purchase debuted in a full field MSW going 6.5-furlongs at Churchill Downs in late November for trainer Brendan Walsh. In that first try, the Liam’s Map colt completely botched the start of the race, but ran extremely well from there considering. A gate-to-wire winner won the race for Brian Lynch, while Boss Dylan passed all, but one of his rivals to finish second. I do not always like backing horses with slow starts and big late runs on debut, but this guy looks serious. He retains Tyler Gaffalione and should love the added ground. Hopefully, a firster or two gets steamed and helps our price.Play: #2 Boss Dylan (2-1 ML)Race 9: Abundantia StakesThe other stakes race on the Saturday agenda is this 5-furlong turf dash for fillies and mares where #6 Love Appeals was made the 2-1-ML favorite by oddsmaker Brian Nadeau. She has a shot off the freshening shipping in for Miguel Clement, as does 3-1-second choice #8 Moon Spun, who just won convincingly off a 13-month respite. Neither of them are outright tosses for me, but I greatly prefer the value #7 Le Amazonia offers. Now, I realize the daughter of Practical Joke is winless in 4 starts over the lawn, but she did finish second in two of those tries. Plus, in her most recent start on the grass on Halloween she ran better than her final fourth place finish would suggest. In that October 31 race over this surface and distance, Le Amazonia battled throughout before giving way to three rivals from off the pace. With less speed signed on in this one, I think the Victor Barboza Jr. trainee appears poised for a big effort near or on the front end. At her price, she is worth a swing, especially with a 20%-win bonus.Play: Le Amazonia (15-1 ML)Race 11:The Saturday finale is a first-level allowance event at two-turns over the grass and there is not much early speed signed on. The race shape is likely to benefit #4 Capturing. The daughter of More Than Ready makes her first start since early May for Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Her last race before the break is a complete toss since it was washed off the grass, but the prior two efforts should put her in the mix assuming she moves forward after nearly eight months of rest. She showed enough tactical speed in her two turf routes to think Johnny V will be aggressive off the layoff from an inside draw. Whether she makes the lead or sits just off, I like her chances to best this bunch off the break at a playable ML offering.Play: #4 Capturing (9-2 ML)

The Meadowlands has a 14-race card with the 0.50 Early Pick 4 starting in Race 6. The sequence has a $50,000 guaranteed pool with a 15% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (8:25 PM EST)8-Saturday (12-1) -The Gary Levin barn has been clicking, and this 4-year-old had a 154.4 mark last year at Wbsb. Saratoga shipper makes his M1 debut and looks like a live price shot with its recent form.9-Sainthood (8-1)-Posted a win at this level 3 back and broke at the start last week versus better. Joe B drives for the 2nd straight time and now lands back to face the same as its most recent win. The post helps the price and should be put in play early on.10-Iwon't Backdown AS (5/2)-Came 3rd versus better last time and should relish the company despite the post draw. Has the gate speed to get a good early seat and may have met a beatable field to capture its 1st win at M1 in 8 starts.Race 7 (8:50 PM EST)2-Perfidious Crown (3-1)-Beat this kind 2 back leaving from post 5 and was used a couple of times. Shipped to Philly and came 2nd in NW10000L4, now ships back and lands in a winnable situation.6-More Gooda N (4-1)-This will be the 2nd start on Lasix plus the 2nd time on this surface for the New Zealand bred, in only the 3rd race since 8-23. Comes back in sequence, Jim Marohn should have forwardly placed off the gate and could offer a square price.Race 8 (9:15 PM EST)2-Parody (6-1)-Didn't race poorly last week and showed some heart down the lane. But wasn't as sharp as needed and lost a photo for 2nd. Did skip a start and raced on an off-track. Does fit here and came off dull cover last time. May look to get on the point early on and not look back.Race 9 (9:40 PM EST)1-Delitfulcatherin N (6-1)-This 9-year-old has some back class and surprisingly this will be its 1st start at M1. Yonkers shipper drops, was 10 lengths back at the half in last and finished 2nd by a half-length. With this post draw Steve Smith can race near the top of the stack and look to be the best down the lane.3-I'm A Believer (10-1)-Tossing last from the 8-hole on a Good-track, this is another Yonkers shipper who was facing better and can benefit from and alert start. Is winless in 7 races at the Big M but has finished 2nd twice.7-Miss Dottie Mae (3-1)-Shipped in from YR after 2 sharp efforts against better. Then took the long way around from the 9-hole at M1 and now drops. Cashed a small check against this kind on 11-1 but was off 2-weeks between races. Comes back in sequence this time in a race without standout.$1 Early Pick 48,9,10/2,6/2/1,3,7Total Bet=$18Check me out on Twitter!

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Red Shores-Charlottetown | today’s racesPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 4TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Park feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $10,594 | Oaklawn | begins Race 5 | 3:24 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $225,162 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:11 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $226,238 | Turfway | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ET -- Turfway, Turf Paradise have mandatory payouts SaturdayKEY RACESAqueduct | Race 9 | 3:39 pm ET | Alex M. Robb StakesGulfstream Park | Race 9 | 4:18 pm ET | Rampart StakesOaklawn | Race 8 | 4:52 pm ET | Pippin StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXOaklawn | Race 7 | 3:22 pm ETAqueduct | Race 10 | 4:08 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 2 | 6:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSaffie Joseph Jr. | Gulfstream | 3 of 4 races with entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Today | Aqueduct | post time 11:40 am in attempt to miss winter storm pendingPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli: Gulfstream Park Pick 3 Analysis for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet will resume the day after Christmas with a 10-race card. The featured $125,000 Rampart Stakes is part of a $1 Bet 3 wager that spans one hour and has nine entrants in each leg. Here a closer look with a suggested $18 play:GP 8th race (3:48 p.m. EST) -- BACK EM UP validated a troubled trip two back at 6F with a class-rising, runaway victory at 7F and a career-best 92 Beyer in his third start for this barn. He checked sharply nearing the turn and lost a couple lengths in the race two back, but he re-gathered momentum too late to catch the lead pair. CANUTO made an eye-catching sweep on the turn in the same race but was repelled by the pace setter en route to a half-length setback and his top 87 Beyer in the same spot. Our Bet 3 hopes will rest on these two runners in a competitive leadoff leg.GP 9th race (4:18 p.m. EST) -- DAZZLING MOVE held clear leads and held for minor awards in three graded stakes at 1-1/8 miles in her last four starts. She hasn’t raced since she drifted to third in a five-horse field as the odds-on favorite in the G-3 Delaware Handicap in September, but she should appreciate the cutback in distance for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who stands 54-for-254 with route runners off a similar rest the last two years. STERLING SILVER parlayed her late kick into three Grade 2 placings, three 90-plus Beyers in dirt route races this year and a NY-bred stakes win at this distance. The millionairess raced with the track bias when she improved to 10-for-35 last out and starts fresh for a new barn in today’s Rampart Stakes. ONE MAGIC PHILLY willingly pursued but couldn’t pass eventual Breeders’ Cup Fillies & Mares Sprint champion Splendora and promising 3-year-old filly Shred the Gnar (3-4, $312k) in a pair of recent one-mile stakes. She won a six-figure allowance in between those starts to enhance her morning-line favoritism.GP 10th race (4:48 p.m. EST) -- LA CANTERA is 7/3-2-1 in non-stakes races since she was claimed 15 months ago. She was patiently handled in her one-mile turf victory two starts ago, waiting for and finding a rail opening in the stretch to pull away from the field and gallop out strongly at this distance. SOUPER AMUSING has three wins and two losses by a neck in seven starts on the lawn, spanning 5-1/2F to 1-1/8 miles. She should sit a good stalking trip and offers good value to the Bet 3. INSOLENTA wasted clear stretch leads twice to fall to 0-for-7 on turf, but she romped in her last two route races on Gulfstream’s synthetic track in a manner that suggests she can handle the class hike off the re-claim on her return to the turf.Suggested $1 TicketGP 7th Race: 4, 5GP 8th Race: 1, 7, 8GP 9th Race: 1, 2, 5Cost: $18

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Gulfstream Park | today’s races$2,400 Late Pick 4 Hit & Split | Gulfstream ParkPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 4TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Park feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | $9,512 | Gulfstream Park | Race 9 | 4:20 pm ETKEY RACESGulfstream Park | Race 9 | 4:20 pm ET | Via Borghese StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream Park | Race 2 | 12:50 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 4 | 2:15 pm ETParx | Race 11 |3:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHErnesto Padilla-Preciado | Parx | 5 of 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mahoning Valley | trainer Nestor Rivera| 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 4 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMRon Nicoletti & Brian Nadeau: Gulfstream Park full-card picks & best betsFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section