Throughout July, Tuesdays and Thursdays heat up at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Red, White & Bet promotion. Bet $100, Get $10 on select tracks this month. First up Thursday will be Colonial Downs, which has an early start time to beat the heat. First post will be 10:45 am ET and here’s how I’ll approach the card in Virginia with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Colonial Downs Race 3 | 11:41 am ET#2 Hay Grace Brennan (8-1 morning line odds) has shown some early life in open maiden races at Laurel and note the Laurel runners are showing a positive ROI early in the Colonial meet while the Churchill shippers have been widely disappointing at shorter prices. This race has a 3-5 ML favorite via Churchill that will help the prices elsewhere. Picks up Paco Lopez, a top speed jockey, with an inside draw in a turf mile. Catch her to score. Win bet #2. Picks: 2-4-6-5Colonial Downs Race 8 | 2:01 pm ET#5 Taco Cat Backwards (8-1 morning line odds) wasn’t anything special on synthetic at Turfway for a modest barn but showed significant improvement on turf at Laurel last out for Madison Meyers. The underrated trainer’s runners are 3-for-3 in the exacta early in the Colonial meet and firing ($14 winner, 12-1 runner-up). Jock-trainer tandem sparkles with huge ROI of $3.31 for every $1 bet at Colonial over 17 starters last summer. Win bet #5. Exacta key-box 5 with 7,4. Picks: 5-7-4-9Eligible tracks and days:• Thursday, July 2 // Colonial Downs• Tuesday, July 7 // Thistledown• Thursday, July 9 // Canterbury Park• Tuesday, July 14 // Finger Lakes• Thursday, July 16 // Belterra Park• Tuesday, July 21 // Mountaineer• Thursday, July 23 // Penn National• Tuesday, July 28 // Horseshoe Indianapolis• Thursday, July 30 // Charles Town

SCHEDULE NOTESDelaware Park | early 11 am ET first post due to heatFinger Lakes | early 11:55 am ET first post due to heatHorseshoe Indianapolis | cancelled due to heat | Thursday also cancelledBelterra Park | cancelled due to heat | Thursday also cancelledNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $5,049 | Delaware Park | begins Race 3 | 12:00 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $88,072 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $263,857 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 5 | 9:50 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 5 | 1:00 pm ETMountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETAssiniboia Downs | Race 7 | 11:05 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHErnesto Padilla-Preciado | Parx | 5 of 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Last 2 Days | Finger Lakes | favorites won 11 of 16 racesPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Fort Erie | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $76,956 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $242,667 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $3,539 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | Race 7 | 11:05 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:47 pm ETFort Erie | Race 6 | 6:50 pm ETMountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJonathan Wong | Louisiana Downs | 7 of 8 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Finger Lakes | favorites won 6 of 8 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Fort Erie Bet $100, Get $10 Promo PicksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Throughout June, Tuesdays and Thursdays heat up at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Summertime Scores promotion. Bet $100, Get $10 on select tracks this month. Next up on this final Tuesday of June will be Fort Erie. Here’s how I’ll approach the card in Ontario with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Fort Erie Race 3 | 5:26 pm ET#3 Lasting Silence (5-2 morning line odds) makes his first start of the year and first off the claim for trainer Sharon Ceccato. That barn has opened 6-14 in the exacta this meet at Fort Erie and a very strong 7: 2-0-2 with horses off 175+ days. Could be an inflated price if public dives all in for #6 Mad Dog N Joe off a daylight Woodbine win for a high-percentage barn. Win bet #3. Picks: 3-6-2Fort Erie Race 5 | 6:22 pm ET#7 Glintindaddyseye (2-1 morning line odds) was a respectable third in his 2026 return for white-hot trainer Anthony Adamo. The barn is an insane 10-for-15 at the meet, but only 1-for-5 with horses off 100+ days like this one was when running decently in defeat last out. Now back 16 days later, he could fall right in line with Adamo’s parade of winners. Win bet #7. Picks: 7-4-5Eligible tracks and days:• Tuesday, June 30 // Fort Erie

SCHEDULE NOTESColonial Downs | steeplechase card | 10:45 am ET first postNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $4,300 | Presque Isle Downs | begins Race 1 | 3:30 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $94,552 | Prairie Meadows | begins Race 6 | 7:07 pm ETKEY RACESColonial Downs | Race 8 | 2:50 pm ET | Theodora Randolph (steeplechase)LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXColonial Downs | Race 9 | 3:25 pm ETLouisiana Downs | Race 7 | 7:53 pm ETMountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJohn Arnett | Prairie Meadows | 4 of 6 entrants 5-1 or less odds (3 at 7-5 or less)DID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mountaineer | favorites won 5 of 8 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Yonkers Raceway has a 10-race card and the $1.00 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool goes in Race 5. The Spot Plays are in Race 1, Race 8, and Race 10. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 1 (6:45 PM EDT)Going to use a short price with a sharp hose who could be overlooked in an Exacta Box. The 4-Topville Somebeach-9/5 went gate to wire last time and will look to do the same leaving from post 4. Yannick Gingras gets the nod, and he will fire out in the 1st race for the Jared Bako barn. Jordan Stratton steers 4-Stellar Yankee (9/2). The Corey Stratton entry comes off a sharp score at Plainridge and does face easier than when last seen at Yonkers in May. Expecting lively fractions and Stratton could be stalking close to the leaders around the last turn.Will use 4-Topville Somebeach (9/5) in an Exacta box with 6-Stellar Yankee (9/2).6-2-3Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)4-Mossdale Ben (9/5) looks the best and should be on the point around the opening turn. Gets a choice post and Jim Marohn could be in control from start to finish at a small price. Will play on top in Exactas with 3-Soho Firestone A (6-1) and6-Captinhammerhead (3-1).Using 4-Mossdale Ben on top in Exactas 4/3,64-3-6Race 10 (9:45 PM EDT)2-Black Hawk Joe A (6-1)-The rail horse is 8/5 in the morning line and will likely be bet down. Loses its regular pilot Brent Holland, has finished 2nd in the last 2 races, could be bet hard, and will fade. Looking for a solid price and this veteran gets a new set of hands in Scott Zeron. Sat in the pocket in last, stayed inside on the rail and could not get out but wouldn't have won. Tonight's chalk pinned Joe to the rail and then was edged out for show money. Now, Tyler Buter should protect the rail. So, will look for Zeron to get a pocket ride and then find a way to roll by down the lane at a nice price.Will play #2-Black Hawk Joe to Win.2-1-4Check me out on X!

SCHEDULE NOTESAqueduct | final day of racing all-timeChurchill Downs | closing day of meetLaurel Park | closing day of meetTOURNAMENT TIME$100 NYRA Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | details$40 Monmouth Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $8,835 | Laurel | begins Race 4 | 1:37 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $17,264 | Gulfstream | begins Race 4 | 1:50 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $197,923 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 6 | 3:19 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $87,442 | Prairie Meadows | begins Race 5 | 6:42 pm ETPick 6 | $38,393 | Los Alamitos (AQHA) | begins Race 5 | 10:23 pm ETKEY RACESChurchill Downs | Race 7 | 3:53 pm ET | Debutante StakesChurchill Downs | Race 8 | 4:25 pm ET | Bashford Manor StakesChurchill Downs | Race 9 | 4:56 pm ET | Maxfield StakesAqueduct | Race 8 | 5:08 pm ET | John Hettinger StakesWoodbine | Race 9 | 5:22 pm ET | Alywow StakesChurchill Downs | Race 10 | 5:28 pm ET | Hanshin StakesLos Alamitos (AQHA) | Race 10 | 12:25 am ET | Vessels MaturityLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 4 | 2:15 pm ETAqueduct | Race 5 | 3:27 pm ETMountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHVictor Barboza Jr. | Gulfstream | 6 of 7 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Churchill Downs | jockey Jose Ortiz | 4 wins, including Foster aboard MagnitudePUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Sunday Mandatory Pick 6 AnalysisRon Nicoletti: Gulfstream Sunday Mandatory Pick 6 AnalysisBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

It is closing day of the spring meeting at historic Churchill Downs meaning a massive pool is likely for the mandatory payout of the Derby City 6. The 20-cent minimum wager has a carryover of $197,923 heading into the final day of the stand. The sequence comes over the final six races, which happen to include a quartet of stakes events. Here are my thoughts after a Stephen Foster Day that saw Magnitude take them gate-to-wire under jockey Jose Ortiz.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: B-Main Ticket: 2 Mae Town; 7 Satin BlueBackups: NoneForecast: A third-level allowance for fillies and mares sprinting 5.5-furlongs over the grass kicks things off where I will go two-deep. 3-1-ML favorite #2 Mae Town makes her second start off the 11-month break for Brian Lynch after finishing second in an allowance event on June 3 to get her 4YO campaign started. She stalked three-wide that day, but was unable to get to Sunna, who got the jump and won her third consecutive race. Prior to heading to the sidelines, the Cave Brook Farm homebred rattled off three consecutive wins in turf sprints in Kentucky and is the clear one to beat. #7 Satin Blue though ran too good last out to not include. The Joe Sharp trained mare lacked early speed, but made up for it in a big way by running down lone speed #8 Itzel. She moves up in class, but retains the hottest rider on the continent. Expect her to be finishing with serious energy once again.Picks: 2-7-8Race 7: DebutanteGrade: C+Main Ticket: 2 PieretteBackups: 6 Lack of Riesling; 1 The Stork Club; 8 Sr SeventyoneForecast: I will use a trio of backups, including long shots #1 The Stork Club and #8 Sr Seventyone, but I landed on #2 Pierette as my top selection in this 6-furlong dash for 2YO fillies over the main track. The $475k daughter of Girvin broke sharp from the rail in her first start and showed a lot of class and professionalism letting a pair of speeds outside her go while kindly relaxing on the inside. The filly she ran down came back to win by six in her next start during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival making this one’s victory appear that much stronger. Pierette will likely to need work out a similar trip in her first start against winners, but her ability to do so while in a tricky spot for a young horse gives me confidence she has a big chance to win right back as the ML second choice.Picks: 2-1-6Race 8: Bashford ManorGrade: XMain Ticket: 8 Hey Tuff GuyBackups: 7 He is No LieForecast: I lack creativity in this year’s Bashford Manor with the two favorites looking like the clear ones to beat in this 6-furlong dash for 2YOs over the main track. #7 He is No Lie is likely to get the jump on #8 Hey Tuff Guy. The California invader showed strong speed from the gate in his 4.5-furlong debut at Santa Anita Park last month and pulled away to win for fun. He has to prove he can stretch out to a furlong and a half in his first start versus winners, but California speed can be a massive weapon. Emisael Jaramillo has made the trip from the west coast to ride this son of Early Voting. He is unlikely to lack aggression early. Hey Tuff Guy did not break that well in his first start, but cruised up on the backstretch and crushed a field of 2YOs at odds-on on May 25. Brian Lynch has done a lot right in 2026 and his colt drawing outside his main rival is ideal. He will be tough to beat.Picks: 8-7-9Race 9: Maxfield (G3)Grade: BMain Ticket: 8 Crown the Buckeye; 7 Deep FlameBackups: 6 Prize PickForecast: This 7-furlong affair for 3YOs conducted at 7-furlongs over the main track came up strong. #7 Deep Flame was made the 9-5-ML favorite by oddsmaker Nick Tammaro, but perhaps it is the return of #4 Brant that is most noteworthy. The $3M OBS March ’25 purchase rattled off a pair of wins at Del Mar to kick off his career, but was beaten in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and has only competed once in the afternoons since. The cutback to one-turn is probably what he is looking for, but this is a tough spot for his return to the races. I prefer both the favorite Deep Flame and Ohio-bred #8 Crown the Buckeye. Deep Flame is hard to knock despite losing in both of his first two starts. The Juddmonte runner lost to serious colts in those MSW races without having things his way and then earned his first win on May 17. He draws favorably to the outside and could be tough. That said, Crown the Buckeye is likely to be a bigger price. The son of Yaupon chased the pace of Englishman early in the Pat Day Mile (G1), but gets class relief in his second start over this oval. He should get a great trip from his outside draw under Jose Ortiz.Picks: 8-7-6Race 10: Hanshin (G3)Grade: BMain Ticket: 10 Tour PlayerBackups: NoneForecast: The Hanshin is one of the more competitive races on the closing day slate, but I am going to take a stand with one-turn mile specialist #10 Tour Player. The son of American Pharoah has been in a number of strong barns, but found a home in the Whit Beckman barn this year after being purchased for $350k at horses of racing age sale at the end of 2025. Since then, he was outrun in the Fred Hooper (G3), but has bounced back with two wins going away. Tour Player has shown an affinity for this surface and draws favorably to the outside, which should allow jockey Tyler Gaffalione to work out a solid trip while avoiding likely traffic along the inside. He meets one of the toughest fields he has encountered through his 12-race career, but should be up for the challenge.Picks: 10-5-4Race 11:Grade: XMain Ticket: 2 Moona LisaBackups: 10 AudraForecast: A pair of logical second-time starters are not only likely to take a lot of the public support in this MSW event at 6.5-furlongs to close the sequence and meet, but also one will probably hit the wire first. #2 Moona Lisa is my top choice. The $1.9M daughter of Tiz the Law has only raced once despite being 4YO, but ran well in her first start late last month at Santa Anita. She was run down by her stablemate that afternoon, but did not break all that well and it was almost double-digit lengths back to third. The blinkers come off and Baffert has moved her to Kentucky to try to take advantage of the six-figure pools. She has a good chance to do so, but if she is to get run down again it will probably by #10 Audra. The Stonestreet Stables filly lacked speed on debut, but finished with some energy along the inside of the sloppy track that day in Louisville. She gets a rider upgrade to Irad Ortiz and comes in off a nice work over this surface. Improvement should certainly be expected.Picks: 2-10-8