Miami Valley begins the week with a 14-race card. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11, and the sequence will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (7:30 PM EDT)3-Alta Revelry N (5-1)-Finished a good 3rd facing the one below and comes right back with the same post at the same class. Looking for a hot pace and Trevor Smith can keep the veteran close to the leaders. Should be a square price and make the most of an efficient trip.5-Little Rocket Man (2-1)-Starts inside of the main foe and has a short field to beat. David Miller will have the classy veteran cranked up when the wings fold. If dialed on high, can get the top and not look back.Race 12 (7:51 PM EDT)4-Seafire (2-1)-Went the back-half in 53.4 against better and that was only good enough to cash a 4th place. Drops, Miler does the steering with a nice post draw and should relish the company.7-Moons Up (7/2)-Finished 2nd last time, won 2 back and has done well against this kind at MVR. Should be in the mix at the wire and has good tactical speed so the post draw shouldn't hinder chances.Race 13 (8:12 PM EDT)3-Rockin Airway (7-1)-Comes off some dull efforts and was hindered with outside post draws but now take a good drop in class. Does well racing near the top of the stack. Has won and then finished 2nd in the last 2 races versus this kind.5-Book The Fight (3-1)-Came off the bench and raced without hopples for the 1st time and was hung the mile. The Hoosier shipper finished a respectable 3rd in the 1st race since 10-10 and will look for a more friendly trip this time.10-The Bird Dance N (7/2)-Had the 8-hole last week after dropping to face this kind. Got on the point off the gate, then ended up with a 2 hole trip and faded down the lane. Starts from the 2nd tier but doesn't need to lead every step of the way to win.Race 14 (8:33 PM EDT)2-Boomerang (7/2)-Beaten chalk did race well in the 2nd start off the bench. Rallied with a .54 back half but didn't leave into a slower opening quarter. Chris Page should be more aggressive when the wings fold and could get a cozy trip.5-Woodrow Blue Chip (4-1)-Couldn't gain any ground down the lane versus this kind in last. Did miss a start and now comes back in sequence. Could beat this crew if Trace Tetrick finds a live cover flow.$1.00 Late Pick 43,5/4,7/3,5,10/2,5Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!

SCHEDULE NOTESOaklawn | no Sunday racing as scheduled post-Arkansas DerbySPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 9-10-11; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-10; Santa Anita Races 3-5-6TOURNAMENT TIME$40 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $29,037 | Laurel Park | begins Race 3 | 12:57 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $286,399 | Gulfstream | begins Race 6 | 3:19 pm ETKEY RACESTampa Bay Downs | Race 5 | 2:30 pm ET | Turf Classic StakesTampa Bay Downs | Race 6 | 3:00 pm ET | Sophomore StakesTampa Bay Downs | Race 7 | 3:36 pm ET | Sophomore Turf StakesTampa Bay Downs | Race 8 | 4:07 pm ET | Sprint StakesAqueduct | Race 7 | 4:17 pm ET | Top Flight StakesSunland | Race 6 | 4:37 pm ET | NM Breeders’ OaksTampa Bay Downs | Race 9 | 4:38 pm ET | Distaff Turf StakesAqueduct | Race 8 | 4:48 pm ET | Haynesfield StakesSunland | Race 7 | 5:04 pm ET | NM Breeders’ DerbyTampa Bay Downs | Race 10 | 5:10 pm ET | Sophomore Fillies StakesSanta Anita | Race 6 | 6:39 pm ET | San Carlos StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFonner Park | Race 7 | 5:12 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 11 | 5:40 pm ETGulfstream Park | Race 11 | 5:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHPhil D’Amato | Santa Anita | 5 of 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | sire Into Mischief | 4 wins (3 stakes), 3 seconds from 10 national starters, including Commandment (Fla Derby) and Renegade (Ark Derby)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Gulfstream Mandatory Pick 6 Analysis for SundayScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for SundayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

After a Florida Derby Day that saw Commandment get his nose down on the wire to win a desperate photo against The Puma in the headliner, it is closing day of the 2025-2026 Championship Meet at Gulfstream Park. The 11-race card is led by a mandatory payout in the Rainbow 6, which has a carryover of $286,399. Track officials are estimating the pool to reach $2.5M when all is said and done. Here is how I plan to attack the final Rainbow 6 of the meeting.Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.Race 6:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 1 Chemical Romance; 2 Bull Shoals; 6 SeracBackups: NoneForecast: #2 Bull Shoals was made the understandable 2-1-ML choice by oddsmaker Brian Nadeau after a runner-up effort at odds of 67-1 to kick off his career. The son of Mo Forza ran second to a runner that came back, took public support, but had a troubled voyage in yesterday’s Cutler Bay. If Bull Shoals moves forward off of that effort, they are running for second, but he is tough to trust at his likely off odds second time out. Therefore, I will include a few others capable of springing the upset. #1 Chemical Romance ran too poor to believe last out and proved he has the upside to be competitive against this level of competition two-back, while #6 Serac adds the blinkers and still has upside for trainer Nicholas Palmer.Race 7:Grade: BMain Ticket: 6 Noble JBackups: NoneForecast: I will take my biggest stand of the sequence with 9-2-ML shot #6 Noble J in this state-bred first-level allowance over the main track. The Monarch Stables gelding came back off a year and a half layoff in December and won going away before a pair of speed and fade efforts against this level of competition. There is no doubt his run last out was poor, but it came down on the inside on a day where the outside was by far the place to be in Hallandale Beach. Trainer David Fawkes has given the son of Noble Bird time and he should get a much more favorable setup with very little early zip signed on. The removal of blinkers for the first time hopefully relaxes this guy early and the move to the better part of the racetrack all meet should benefit him greatly. Gate-to-wire to gain a little separation from the public.Race 8:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 12 Ninja Star; 2 WinooskiBackups: 1 Maktub; 4 Honesto; 8 Bless AmericaForecast: #12 Ninja Star is the clear one to beat on the class drop in this full field $10k open claimer over the all-weather. The Florida-bred has won 5 of 16 over the synthetic, won at this level two-back, and exits a much better race than he is entered in later today. That said, he is likely to be a short price and only bested similar competition by a head in early February. I will use him along with #2 Winooski on all tickets and threw some prices in as backups. There is a non-zero chance this thing falls apart. Anything goes if the favorite does not fire his best shot.Race 9:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 2 ThemanupfrontBackups: 9 The BrigadeForecast: I lack creativity in this optional claimer over the lawn where I could not past the two ML choices. #2 Themanupfront drew better and should have a tactical advantage over #9 The Brigade. If jockey Jonathan Ocasio controls the early tempo, he will be tough to get by late. I will center things around the Bobby Dibona trainee with plenty of coverage going to The Brigade as well.Race 10:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 3 Palace View; 5 Nantasket Beach; 10 Baytown ParfaitBackups: 9 Longbranch LouForecast: The final race of the meet over the all-weather is a competitive one at 1m70yds where #5 Nantasket Beach was made the slight favorite over #9 Longbranch Lou after bypassing a stakes race over the grass yesterday. I have a slight bit of doubt about the 7YO gelding over this surface, but trainer Lauren Robson has earned the benefit of the doubt. She has won with 20% of her 56 starters dating back to the start of 2025 and has spotted horses wonderfully this winter. Therefore, he is a must use along with late running #3 Palace View. I am also intrigued by #10 Baytown Parfait after a huge effort last out. Sure, he lost to #9 Longbranch Lou, but did all of the dirty work. He could have things a lot easier upfront this afternoon.Race 11:Grade: BMain Ticket: 3 Ati Girl; 9 Peachy Canyon; 11 DynaBackups: NoneForecast: The final race of the meet looks wide-open. #11 Dyna is a logical contender for a barn that is heating up late in the meet, but drew poorly off a long break making her impossible to trust. If she can work out a trip, she is the one to beat, but I like a pair of prices as well. The aforementioned Lauren Robson sends out wild card #9 Peachy Canyon. The Tristar Farm runner made one start, but in December at Dundalk over their synthetic surface. The upside is there for a barn that clearly knows what they are doing. I like #3 Ati Girl most. The daughter of Nyquist has had five chances, but all for former trainer Tim Hamm. Not only did she progress nicely over those starts at Tampa Bay Downs, but now she moves into the barn of Bill Mott. With an inside draw, she is tasty value at her 15-1 ML offering. Let’s close out the meet in style!

After a Saturday that saw mostly formful results, including Rashimi’s victory as the odds-on choice in the Wilshire (G3), they are back it for one more card to end the racing week at Santa Anita Park. The 9-race slate is headlined by the $100,000 San Carlos (G3) at 7-furlongs over the main track. Here are a few horses I have my eye on later this afternoon in Southern California.Race 1:I am going to take a big swing to start off the day in this 9-furlong affair over the grass for protected non-winners. #4 Off Your Rocker debuted in a realistic spot for trainer Leonard Powell with little fear his 35-1-longshot would get claimed at first asking. The son of Rock Your World failed to hit the board at a big price that day, but really impressed me with his late run and gallop out. The 3YO gelding moves up to take on MSW foes and quite frankly meets a field where the favorites do not scare me. It is a lot to ask and it will require a better ride from Cesar Belmont than he has given most of his grass mounts over the course of the winter, but the price should be right to gamble in the opener.Play: #4 Off Your Rocker (12-1 ML)Race 2:Hopefully, we are alive in the early Double heading into this MSW for fillies and mares at 7-furlongs over the main track where #1 Wolf Hill is a vulnerable 7-5-ML choice. The upstart filly has had five chances already in compact groups and has been unable to get to the wire first. Her upside is limited at this point as well, so I will look to a filly that has far more in #2 Bad Manners. Trainer Richard Mandella has had this daughter of Into Mischief on the sidelines since her debut last August against a live MSW field at Del Mar. She was a well-beaten third that day, but took on far better horses than she meets today. Mandella is strong off the break since he is sure to have them ready before getting them back to the races. I like this gal’s chance of besting this group off the lengthy break.Play: #2 Bad Manners (5-1 ML)Race 5:The pace should be honest in this key race for Pick 5 players since it closes out the early and starts the late. Given the probable race shape, I am singling #5 Amplitude. The son of Uncle Mo has failed to hit the board in two starts since moving out west into the John Sadler barn. That said, he encountered stronger competition than he meets later today. Sadler takes the blinkers off this 5YO that should get a fast pace to run at. Kazushi Kimura will be back aboard. If he is able to save ground early, he should have a ton of horse late.Play: #5 Amplitude (3-1 ML)

EXTRA INCENTIVES$10 Money-Back Special | UAE Derby (Mey), Florida Derby (GP), Arkansas Derby (OP)$5,000 Exacta-Thon | Gulfstream Park2 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Oaklawn Late Pick 4SCHEDULE NOTESDubai World Cup Day at Meydan | first post 7:30 am ET | DWC Need-to-KnowTurfway Park | closing night | mandatory payouts all poolsSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 12-13-14; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 11-14; Santa Anita Races 3-4-5TOURNAMENT TIME$1500 Florida Derby Challenge | details$40 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $13,951 | Aqueduct | begins Race 4 | 2:51 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $170,663 | Gulfstream | begins Race 9 | 3:31 pm ETKEY RACESMeydan | Race 6 | 10:55 am ET | Dubai Golden ShaheenGulfstream | Race 3 | 12:28 pm ET | Cutler Bay StakesMeydan | Race 9 | 12:40 pm ET | Dubai World CupGulfstream | Race 4 | 12:57 pm ET | Appleton StakesOaklawn | Race 4 | 2:11 pm ET | Temperence Hill StakesGulfstream | Race 7 | 2:26 pm ET | Ghostzapper StakesGulfstream | Race 8 | 2:56 pm ET | Orchid StakesGulfstream | Race 9 | 3:31 pm ET | Gulfstream Park OaksGulfstream | Race 10 | 4:06 pm ET | Sanibel Island StakesGulfstream | Race 11 | 4:40 pm ET | Army Mule StakesSanta Anita | Race 3 | 5:01 pm ET | Wilshire StakesOaklawn | Race 9 | 5:02 pm ET | American Pharoah StakesGulfstream | Race 12 | 5:15 pm ET | San Springs StakesGulfstream | Race 13 | 5:58 pm ET | Pan American StakesOaklawn | Race 11 | 6:22 pm ET | Oaklawn MileGulfstream | Race 14 | 6:42 pm ET | Florida Derby | Meet the ContendersOaklawn | Race 13 | 7:48 pm ET | Arkansas Derby | Meet the ContendersTurfway | Race 7 | 8:55 pm ET Serena’s Song StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream Park | Race 1 | 11:30 am ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 7 | 3:43 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHChad Brown | Gulfstream, Tampa, Aqueduct | 7 of 8 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Oaklawn | jockey Francisco Arrieta | 4 wins, including 2 stakesPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Dubai World CupScott Shapiro: Kentucky Derby Prep Picks – Florida Derby, UAE Derby, Arkansas DerbyBrian Nadeau: Florida Derby Day Gulfstream Full-Card PicksScott Shapiro: Gulfstream Park Exacta-Thon Picks for SaturdayJeremy Plonk: Oaklawn Late Pick 4 Hit & Split AnalysisScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Pick Spot Plays for SaturdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

They are back in action later today at The Great Race Place for a 9-race card that kicks off at 4PM eastern/1PM local time. The card is headlined by the $100,000 Wilshire (G3) conducted at one mile over the Santa Anita sod. Here are a few horses I have my eye own.Race 2:My first play comes in the first leg of the early Pick 4 where I am all in horizontally on #5 Singlemore. The Distorted Humor gelding battled early in a stronger spot in his first start against winners before understandably tiring late. Trainer Bill McLean claimed him for $20k out of his dominant maiden win off the bench. The veteran conditioner drops his new trainee in for $32k and into a spot where he should have things much easier on the front end. I like Emisael Jaramillo’s chances of getting this runner out of the gate, controlling the early tempo, and having plenty left late to earn his second lifetime victory.Play: #5 Singlemore (9-5 ML)Race 5:One of these days #3 Holly Goquickly is going to find a race where she gets a hot pace to run at. That has not happened in either of her two starts off a near year layoff this winter at Santa Anita Park for trainer Michael McCarthy, but my hope is not only she gets an honest pace to chase, but puts forth a career best run in her third start off that long break. She has had her chances, as well as plenty of the circuit’s top riders aboard. This time it will be Kazushi Kimura in the saddle. Kimura has not been aboard since her second career start back in October ’24. Hopefully he has the keys to this daughter of No Nay Never, who has a strong late kick that has just not been in full effect in 2026 due to race shape.Play: #3 Holly Goquickly (9-2 ML)Race 7:The pace should be fast in this 6-furlong first-level allowance dash over the grass that kicks off the late Pick 3. That is likely to set things up for 9-5-ML favorite #4 Yacowlef. The Jeff Mullins trainee has put in two good runs since being claimed by the veteran Southern California conditioner last October. He makes plenty of sense, but will be bet accordingly. Perhaps, #3 Enterdadragon will be forgotten by the public though. The 4YO cut back to a sprint for the first time since a pair of early starts in his career in Florida and did so successfully besting a lesser field by a neck at nearly 10-1. He has competed against better throughout his career and may have a better late kick than the aforementioned morning line chalk. I will take my chances and consider a 4-3 saver depending on price.Play: #3 Enterdadragon (10-1 ML)

Northfield Park has a 14-race card. 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)7-Uptown Hanover (12-1)-Will take a swing for a price with a horse that can compete with this kind and the chalk starts in the 2nd tier. Justine Irvine could push the pedal down. If gets the top easily, the mare might be tough to tackle, and a pocket ride could work for a picture too.8-Lady Rita (7-1)-Might have the best gate speed of the bunch and Chris Lems could be aggressive when the wings fold. Interesting race, did beat the morning line chalk 3 back going gate to wire.9-High Flyin' Filly (9/5)-This is the best horse in the field, and many will single, it is a logical play. But not sure the inside horses will leave enough to put this one in a good position around the opening turn. Aaron Merriman wins from the 2nd tier on a regular basis. So, will respect and also use others that could pump up the Pick 4 payout.Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)2-Dancin Suzy (9/2)-This is the 3rd start off the bench and had a good effort in its season debut. Then moved up and was in tall water. The mare is racing without Lasix this year and it looks like go-time. Drops to a winnable level and gets a positive driver change with Lems steering.3-Maggie Time (7/5)-After flying off the gate from the 8-hole and then fading trainer Corey Krieser hands the lines to Dan Noble. This gal is usually in the mix with this kind and should look to go gate to wire.Race 13 10:24 PM EDT)4-Smothastenesewisky (3-1)-Dropped from battling Open company to face this kind last week. Put in an even effort with Kurt Sugg at the controls but did miss a start. Now comes back in sequence and Merriman is steering, so will look for a much better effort tonight.6-French Shaker (5-1)-Won at 23-1 versus $15K claimers by staying inside and getting up in time. Faces a bigger challenge but this is a hodgepodge field. Noble steers this time, he knows well, and will look for a square price.Race 14 (10:46 PM EDT)1-Seaside Party (7/5)-The 8-year-old MVR shipper lands in a good spot to take a picture. Owned by Ohio connections so will rely on there not being an issue with the turns in its Nfld debut.8-Be My Rose N (4-1)-Ships back from Mea and raced on a sloppy track in the last 2 starts. Broke stride in last and will toss that race. Merriman gets the assignment and the 10-year-old mare has done well on this oval (31-7-7-6). Cashed a check versus Open company when last here and could post a win despite the post draw.$1.00 Late Pick 47,8,9/2,3/4,6/1,8Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!

In addition to the ongoing Triple Crown Money Back Special I wrote about yesterday and the Hit & Split at Oaklawn Park covered by my colleague Jeremy Plonk, 1/ST BET and Xpressbet are returning with our popular Exacta-Thon promo for Florida Derby Day. A total of $5,000 is up for grabs in Hallandale Beach with the goal of connecting on as many $2 exactas as possible over the course of the 14-race card. Those who hit at least 5 will split $3,000, while the player(s) that hit the most will split an additional $2,000. Here are a few exacta plays I plan to make on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.Race 2The lone MSW race on the massive stakes-laden card is at one-mile over the main track and I will build around #9 Sovereign Jam. The well-bred Juddmonte Farm runner failed to fire on debut going 6-furlongs, but was against the flow and racetrack in late February. Trainer Brad Cox stretches him out to the one-turn mile and improvement should be expected. Cox is an eye-popping 6 for 10 with 3YO second-time starters over the dirt at Gulfstream Park dating back to last February. I love the fact this colt moves from the rail to the outside. If he has talent, he is likely to show it on Saturday. I will play him over Phil Bauer trained #4 Bridgesong and #5 Lost Money, but press up on the exacta with Sovereign Jam over #6 Moonstrocity. The son of Tiz the Law ran well to finish third in his first start over the main track on February 28. He still has some upside and already proved he can handle the tricky one-mile configuration in Hallandale Beach.Play: Exactas 9-6 and 9 with 4+5Race 7: Ghostzapper (G3)#2 Grande came back off a ten-and-a-half-month layoff last month in an allowance event at one-turn and proved he lost little during his time away from racing. Trainer Todd Pletcher had the Repole Stable colt ready to win off the layoff with the addition of blinkers for the first time. Pletcher stretches the Curlin colt out to two-turns and finds a graded stakes field he should handle in his second try off the bench. I will chalk it up on top with a horse that is a perfect 3 for 3 over this surface and play him in a cold exacta over #4 Capital Idea. The Bill Mott runner makes his second start of the year after a runner-up effort to Pentathlon going 7-furlongs in mid-February. He should be set for his best second off the bench.Play: Exacta 2-4Race 14: Florida Derby (G1)This year’s Florida Derby drew all the 3YOs you hoped would show up in south Florida for one of Gulfstream Park’s premier races. It led to a top-heavy field that includes the Holy Bull (G3) winner, the top two from the Fountain of Youth (G2), and the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner. Of those races, I thought the Fountain of Youth was better than the others. The more seasoned #4 Commandment gutted out a win against lightly-raced #2 Chief Wallabee, but one could easily argue the Chief was best. With an inside draw and the invaluable two-turn experience under his belt, Chief Wallabee looks like the real deal making him my top pick in this year’s Florida Derby. I will play him over the aforementioned Commandment. I trust the Wathnan Racing runner most of the top tier of Triple Crown prospects and there is a chance he is sitting on a career best third off the bench. I think Chief Wallabee is better, but that does not take away from Commandment’s chances in this $1M spot.Play: Exacta 2-4