Sometimes during the winter, the middle of the week can seem so far away from your weekend plans. 1/ST BET and Xpressbet are hoping to help with a new promotion starting tomorrow over the next three Wednesdays. It is simple too. Just bet $50+ on both the Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park Wednesday cards and earn yourself a $10 bonus. Just be sure to remember to register on the promotional landing page. Here are a few horses I plan to build my wagers around tomorrow at Tampa and Turfway.Tampa Bay Downs, Race 3:The pace should be extremely honest at the very least in this optional claimer for 3YOs at 1 1/16-miles over the Tampa lawn. The lone proven closer at two-turns on the grass is #3 Vino Solo. The New York-bred shocked a field of 9 over this course back on December 26 when he came from last-to-first to blow up the tote board at 60-1. The most impressive thing about that first out victory was the fact that it was not as if the race totally fell apart. Instead, it was this Solomini gelding running down a horse loose on the lead to bust open all horizontal sequences. He will not be that big of a price this time out, but still could get overlooked given the low- profile connections. I hope he shows the same turn of foot he did at first asking.Play: #3 Vino Solo (9-2 ML)Turfway Park, Race 6:This high-level allowance event at 6.5-furlongs drew a strong, full field of 12 led by 5-2-ML favorite #11 Arrest Me Red. The 6YO gelding has never finished worse than second in three starts over Turfway’s all-weather and merits serious respect, as does 3-1-second choice #5 Run Carson, but I will look for a bit more value with #3 Mischievous Rogue. The veteran son of Into Mischief has been camera shy of late, so I will need at least his 6-1-ML price, but he is the runner I think benefits the most from the stretch out to 6.5-panels. He is 2 for 4 in his career at the tricky distance and never been worse than third. He comes in off a solid third-place run against similar when he missed by just a half-length at odds of 17-1 and appears to be rounding back into from. Hopefully, he rediscovers the will to win.Play: #3 Mischievous Rogue (6-1 ML)Turfway Park, Race 7:My other play in Florence comes in this second-level allowance event for fillies and mares at one-mile where I like #1 Love Her Lots. Trainer Mike Maker lost this 7YO mare for $32k at Churchill Downs in November, but wasted no time dipping back into claim her for $40k at the first opportunity. I always love to see a barn willing to pay more than they lost a horse for immediately since it suggests an affinity of some sort for the animal. Maker comes into the new racing week on fire at Turfway clicking with 7 of 22 over the last 20 days for an ROI of $3.54. The inside draw should help the daughter of Cupid that makes her second start over this course after trying 1 1/4-miles to end her 2025 campaign. Walter Rodriguez is riding well and picks up the mount.Play: #1 Love Her Lots (4-1 ML)

Tip the cap to Week 2 winner Ron Watson, who earned the weekly $1000 first prize in the 21st season of the Xpressbet Beat the Host handicapping contest. Week 3 of 9 returns this Saturday and features Santa Anita racing analyst Michelle Yu as the host to beat. Last week, Millie Ball’s $31.25 host bankroll total was good enough to knock out about two-thirds of the head-to-head players.On the individual front, Watson’s $122.50 bankroll paced the contest in Week 2. Beth Hensen was a close-up second at $119.25 and earned a $750 prize. Christopher Cupples finished third with $115.25 and earned a $250 prize. Overall, 167 players managed to Beat the Host (Ball) after 169 did so during opening week (against Gulfstream’s Pete Aiello). That means 336 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 85 of 644 registrants remain eligible for the Sweep the Host bonus after just 2 weeks this season.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 $100, Get $10 | Mahoning Valley | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $82,241 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETWill Rogers Downs | Race 9 | 6:06 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 7 | 6:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHScott Lake | Parx | all 4 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Will Rogers Downs | jockey David Cabrera | 3 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third from 8 mountsYesterday | Parx | favorites won 8 of 10 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Mahoning Valley Bet $100, Get $10 Spot Plays for TuesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Northfield Park has a 15-race card. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11, and the sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed. It has 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)2-American Warrior (9/5)-Has been in fine form leaving from post 7 in the last 2 races. Won 2 back on a good-track and tried to take the long way around again but felt short on a sloppy-track. Will look to start another win steak and the post relief won't hurt.4-Tellitlikesonny (8-1)-Will take a swing for a price in a race most will use the chalks (2-3). My thinking leaving from the rail was not the best starting slot as in the last 2 races. The 5-year-old could stalk, then roll by off cover, and that could be the plan here.Race 12 (10:02 PM EST)3-Lakeside Buddy (7-1)-Finished 2nd after a judges scratch, then raced on off-tracks in the last 2, and the 10-year-old could wake up here. Off-track track record is 0-13 and has never hit the board on a wet surface. Will take a swing at what should be a juicy price.4-Base Stealer (7/5)-Using but not thinking this is automatic. Dan Noble replaces Logan Ebersole and that helps make it the big program chalk. Noble drove against cheaper from the 9-hole in the slop on 1-6 and took a picture. Hasn't proved itself against this type but will respect chances with this post draw.Race 13 (10:24 PM EST)3-Be A Lucky Star (8/5)-A 2-race win streak was snapped in last, leaving from post 1 at 1-9. Came a close 2nd and has a chance to get back to its winning ways tonight.5-R Maddy Blue Chip (5/2)-Won 2 in row both on an off track, and in the last start drew off by over 8-lengths at 0.20 on a dollar. In my view this is the one to beat and not sure the morning line price holds up.Race 14 (10:46 PM EST)3-Senor Soldado (4-1)-Likes a top of the stack trip and recent form is sharp. Steps up but will use on the ticket and should race with the leaders with this post draw. Lightly raced 6-year-old has hit the board in 7 of 8 at Nfld, but this will be a test. Using and looking for a better return than the morning line price.5-Rosetown Eclipse (3/2)-Dayton shipper should like the company in its Nfld debut. Noble picks up the catch drive, and could be a player. But not sure wiring this crew is the best option and the price will be tiny.7-Over Hill N Delle (6-1)-The 4-year-old has hit the board in 4 of 6 but hasn't won at this level at Nfld. Aaron Merriman steers in the 2nd start since the return of trainer Corey Krieser. Looking for Merriman to have his foot to the floorboard and try to go gate to wire at what could be a solid price.$1 Late Pick 42,4/3,4/3,5/3,5,7Total Bet=$24Check me out on Twitter!

The Frosty Funds promotion continues Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout January. Take advantage of the Bet $100, Get $10 promotion this week on Tuesday’s card from Mahoning Valley when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Here are a couple of key plays utilizing stats from the Betmix database.Mahoning Valley: Race 1#3 Dreamwifedreamlife (6-1 morning line odds) returns from an August layoff for an Eric Reed barn with good numbers off the break like this. Note Reed and jockey Charlie Oliveros posted $21 and $22 winners from their 3 most-recent starts at Mahoning Valley (off 63 and 140 days no less). They’ve added 27-1, 12-1 and 32-1 superfecta finishers from just 7 local starters in tandem so far in 2026. Everything has been live, even at prices. Win bet #3.Mahoning Valley: Race 6#5 Grand Bey (5-1 morning line odds) has won his last 2 at 50-1 and 10-1 odds and makes a natural rise in class to the next level capable of another score. Trainer Joe Poole has won with 3 of his last 6 starters at Mahoning Valley and has won 24% since the start of December, far above his 17% rate for 2025 overall. Win bet #5.

The Louisiana Derby trails heats up Saturday at Fair Grounds with the Grade 3 $250,000 Lecomte Stakes. The 1-1/16 miles test is the first of the Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races on the 20-10-6-4-2 points allotment for this season. The Lecomte will be the final race in the late pick 4, which features a 1 Million 1/ST Rewards Point Hit & Split promotion when you play Fair Grounds this Saturday with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.Let’s meet the contenders for the Lecomte Stakes (Race 13):#1-QUALITY MISCHIEF: Horseshoe Indianapolis maiden breaker looks to improve upon a close-up fourth in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds on Dec. 20. Brad Cox trains the $300,000 Into Mischief colt, who has won 1 of 3 overall. Cox won this race in 2023 (Instant Coffee) and again a year ago with Disco Time. Marcellino Pedroza Jr. rides.#2-CARSON STREET: Brendan Walsh-trained son of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense exits an 11-1/4 length blowout maiden win Dec. 4 at Fair Grounds. He had nibbled the placings in a trio of Churchill starts prior, including a maiden runner-up to eventual stakes winner Incredibolt. Caught a sloppy track and used Lasix in his breakout score. Axel Concepcion rides as Ben Curtis jumps to Walsh stablemate Stop the Car on Saturday.#3-CROWN THE BUCKEYE: Multiple Ohio-bred stakes winner led most of the Gun Runner Stakes before giving way late and finishing third by just three-quarters of a length. The Mike Maker-trained son of top sprinter Yaupon did win around 2 turns prior at Mahoning Valley. Ricardo Santana Jr. takes the mount aboard the projected front-runner.#4-EXOSOME: Late-running Keeneland maiden graduate in October returns to the races while making his stakes debut. Trainer Kelsey Danner tabs Jareth Loveberry to ride the $200,000 Candy Ride colt, who didn’t factor at all in his Ellis Park debut.#5-GOLDEN TEMPO: Eye-catching debut sprint rally to win Dec. 20 in the colors of the Phipps Stable. Cherie DeVaux trains the home-bred son of Curlin, who stretches out from 6 furlongs to 1-1/16 miles while Jose Ortiz, last year’s Fair Grounds leading jockey, remains the pilot.#6-THUNDER BUCK: Dec. 20 Fair Grounds route maiden winner is cross-entered Saturday in a Race 3 allowance. Luis Saez is named to ride in both spots for trainer Brad Cox, who seeks a third Lecomte in the last 4 years. Calumet home-bred is by Gun Runner and 1-for-2 lifetime, including a debut sprint fourth at Keeneland behind Lecomte rival Chip Honcho et al.#7-MESQUITE: Second Cherie DeVaux entrant in the lineup joins Golden Tempo and comes off a similarly late-running maiden score. This Union Rags colt broke his maiden in November at Churchill Downs over Lecomte return rival Carson Street et al. Flavien Prat takes over for Jose Ortiz, who pilots Golden Tempo on Saturday.#8-WHITE TIGER: Third Brad Cox charge in the entry box, this a Twin Creeks Farm home-bred by Constitution. He wired a Churchill route allowance in October at odds-on after a debut second behind highly promising Englishman in a Louisville sprint. Irad Ortiz Jr. has ridden in each start to date and travels from Gulfstream for the mount.#9-OCELLI: Whit Beckman has this $12,000 bargain by Connect cross-entered Saturday in a Race 8 maiden on the undercard. Ocelli adds blinkers following a maiden route runner-up over the track behind Lecomte entrant Thunder Buck. His only other start was a third-place Churchill sprint maiden debut behind the respected Mob.#10-STOP THE CAR: This Keeneland maiden debut and Churchill allowance winner looks to go 3-for-3 to open his career. The Brendan Walsh trainee is by 2019 star-crossed sophomore Maximum Security. Wins at 7-1 and 16-1 odds have been under-the-radar to date. Ben Curtis takes the mount for the first time as regular rider Tyler Gaffalione opts to stay at Gulfstream on Saturday.#11-CHIP HONCHO: Gun Runner Stakes winner looks to go 2-for-2 in the Louisiana Derby series and, in doing so, notch a third straight victory overall. The $210,000 colt by Connect could give trainer Steve Asmussen a record-tying fifth Lecomte score and third in the last six editions. Paco Lopez rode for the first time in the Gun Runner and retains his seat.

SCHEDULE NOTESLouisiana Downs | opening day of AQHA meetWill Rogers Downs | opening dayNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $59,718| Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETPick 5 | $6,796 | Mahoning Valley | begins Race 1 | 12:15 pm ETKEY RACESWill Rogers Downs | Race 5 | 4:13 pm ET | Wilma Mankiller StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXWill Rogers Downs | Race 2 | 2:42 pm ETParx | Race 10 | 4:08 pm ETSunland Park | Race 5 | 4:09 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJason Dacosta | Mahoning Valley | all 4 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Santa Anita | jockey Umberto Rispoli | 4 wins from 6 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | Gulfstream Park | today’s racesSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8,9,10; Santa Anita Races 8,9,10Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9,10; Santa Anita Races 4,6,7TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Park Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $57,586| Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:19 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $19,444 | Santa Anita | Race 10 | 7:30 pm ETKEY RACESSanta Anita | Race 5 | 5:00 pm ET | Las Flores StakesSanta Anita | Race 8 | 6:30 pm ET | Las Cienegas StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXSanta Anita | Race 1 | 3:00 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 9 | 4:27 pm ETFair Grounds | Race 7 | 4:45 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJohn Sadler | Santa Anita | 5 of 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Fair Grounds | jockey Jose Ortiz | 3 wins, 3 seconds from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for SundayRon Nicoletti: Gulfstream Park Full-Card Picks for SundayBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section