There’s zero chance of precipitation in the advance weather forecast at Penn National Race Course this Friday, May 29. That’s good news for horseplayers, who will have four turf route races -- including the $400,000 Grade 3 Penn Mile – to navigate for an All-Stakes Pick 4 in the middle of the 10-race card.PEN 3rd Race (6:04 p.m. EST) -- MODAROSA is a deserving favorite and the horse to beat in the $75,000 Lyphard Stakes at 1-1/16 miles on the lawn. She was squeezed at the start in a 6F sprint at Aqueduct last out, cruised to the lead on her own courage, dug in through the stretch to win and galloped out powerfully. She won an allowance race at this distance on the Gulfstream Park lawn under a “mild drive” but gave way on the lead in a follow-up grass route against three $500k earners, including multiple Grade 2 winner Hang The Moon and Grade 1-placed Vixen. She will carry the hopes of our Pick 4 ticket as a solo play.PEN 4th Race (6:37 p.m. EST) -- Local star FIERCE AND STRONG arrives for his title defense in the $75,000 Alphabet Soup Handicap with the same ultra-consistent and versatile form that led to a 6-for-9 record on the Penn National lawn. He sprinted to a commanding lead through middle fractions of :45.26 and 1:09.21 on a yielding course last year and desperately held on to win. SHARP TONES benefited from the fast pace and rallied to finish 2-1/4 lengths behind FIERCE AND STRONG. He hasn’t raced on turf since then, but he won a $40,000 optional claiming race on the main track last out and, more importantly, had a rough trip in his seasonal debut against next-out Pimlico Special (G-3) runner-up Maclean’s Rook and $760k earner Lure Him In. He “lost early position” in that race, checked in traffic at the half-mile pole and finished well while 5-wide. He’s worth using on the Pick 4 ticket at 12-1. EFF THIRTY FIVE, the beaten 2-to-5 favorite in last year’s Lyphard, makes his seasonal debut. He usually rallies from the clouds but might be a bit closer in here off a 5F bullet workout in 1:00.80. His late kick is enhanced with the added presence of rail-sitter BARTLETT, who went wire-to-wire in 6 of his last 11 starts at various venues. If a projected fast pace completely falls apart and UNCLE HEAVY adapts to turf, he poses a late-running upset chance.PEN 5th Race (7:12 p.m. EST) -- VEKOMA VIEW lost a couple lengths on the final turn behind a back-pedaling rival, but she regained rail momentum, finished 2-1/4 lengths behind repeat winner Tam Tam – who just missed in the Grade 2 Edgewood Stakes next out – and led past the wire. Trainer George Weaver is 15-for-63 the last three years with turf horses off 2-plus months. FINAL ACCORD, the lone stakes winner in the $150,000 Penn Oaks, returned from ankle surgery but ran into trouble in the 5-1/2F Mamzelle Stakes. She steadied into the turn and hit a stretch traffic jam, losing all chance to challenge Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Cy Fair and Grade 3 winner Slay The Day.PEN 6th race (7:51 p.m. EST) -- Seven 3-year-olds will be looking for their first graded stakes win in the $400,000 Penn Mile. HONEY DUTCH tries to upstage six consecutive in-the-money finishes since his maiden win at Kentucky Downs. He earned the field’s best 92 Beyer in the Grade 1 American Turf last out, building a commanding lead into the final turn before the two deep-closing favorites passed by. The one-mile distance suits him well. TEDDY’S ROCKET was a debut winner at Saratoga and got beat 1-1/2 lengths in a Grade 1 follow-up as a 2-year-old, but he was dull in a slow-paced seasonal debut after he nearly unseated jockey Manny Franco at the start. Trainer Miguel Clement reiterated to Daily Racing Form writer Patrick Moquin that TEDDY’S ROCKET “is one of my most talented horses this year.” ALPYLAND finished 2-1/2 lengths behind HONEY DUTCH but he won 4 of his 5 previous starts, spanning three different tracks and winning three times at today’s distance. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse seeks his record fourth Penn Mile victory. IMMORTALISED starts fresh off a three-race winning streak, beating next-out winners in all of them. Hall of Fame jockey John Velzaquez will be aboard. CLASSIC NOFTY beat a very weak field to win a one-mile allowance in his first try on turf, but he looked good doing it. He split rivals at the top of the stretch and was full of run pulling away to an easy victory.Suggested 50-Cent Pick 4 TicketPN 3rd Race: 5PN 4th Race: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8PN 5th Race: 1, 5PN 6th Race: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7Cost: $25

The Lead:Churchill Downs hosts its Stephen Foster Preview Day card with 7 stakes races crammed into an 11-race lineup. The Blame Stakes will feature Stephen Foster prospects awaiting next month's potential clash of titans on June 17 and be part of a 2 Million 1/ST Rewards Late Pick 4 Hit & Split promo. Meanwhile, the Race 7 Mint Julep caught my eye as the most attractive race of the stakes menu Saturday. The 1-1/16 miles turf test brings together a cast of 9 distaffers, including last year's 1-2 finishers PIN UP BETTY and CHARLENE'S DREAM.​​Field Depth:CHARLENE'S DREAM has won at the Grade 2 level, while Grade 3 winners here include PIN UP BETTY and MEDORO, the latter Grade 1-placed. Stakes winners include PROCTOR STREET (who is Grade 2-placed) and STYLISH SUE. That group is very well matched on class while the others will need to raise their games.​Pace:CHARLENE'S DREAM has rail speed while STYLISH SUE on the far outside also has early interest (but she's cross-entered in Woodbine's Belle Mahone Stakes on Saturday; check updates). It doesn't look like a fast pace, but speed in the extreme posts can often turn up the tempo more than expected. A runner capable of staying in touch early in a midflight position could get a good trip in this race shape.​Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-CHARLENE'S DREAM: Nearly wired this cast a year ago at 7-1 odds and stands a chance on the return. I like the sprint-to-route move second start of the form cycle like this, and note her last 2 times going sprint-to-route produced wins in 2023 and 2024. Disappointed me in the Giant's Causeway when I picked her, thinking she'd do more fresh in that turf sprint. Expect Florent Geroux to put her on the lead.2-FAVORITE MEMORY: British export makes first start for Cherie DeVaux while coming off a November layoff. Modest overseas form with a long series of Keeneland workouts for this. Drawn well under John Velazquez and might fit, but don't have enough feel for this one.3-PIN UP BETTY: Churchill turf horse-for-course is 4-8 on the surface and defending champ in the Mint Julep (compared to 0-14 in all other setttings/surfaces). Decent efforts in the Jenny Wiley and Distaff Turf Mile in her last 2 starts and now gets money rider Flavien Prat for Mike Maker. Legitimate contender should be finishing from the back half of the field.4-MEDORO: West coast transplant has shifted game successfully to midwest, holding form at Fair Grounds and Keeneland. Grade 1 Jenny Wiley wasn't up to its usual quality this year, so that third-place effort might get slightly overbet Saturday. Appreciate the consistency and another with a big chance under Jose Ortiz.5-PROCTOR STREET: Rated the Modesty, despite being a Grade 3, a tougher field than the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley, so her recent third over this course may be better than it looks. She's relished 1-1/16 miles (4-6 lifetime) and simply ran out of steam in her last 2 over 1-1/8 miles. Times up the move better this time at a shorter trip with designated targets in front under Tyler Gaffalione. Her 104 BRIS late pace figure last time zips her past them late if near-repeated.6-VINA ARANA: Irish export has won 2 of 6 since coming stateside to Jack Sisterson, but has not been a threat in either stakes bid to date. Some excuses last time in the Distaff Turf Mile, but that was over her best trip and this one extends her. Prefer others.7-IN THE STARS: Regally bred Into Mischief-Stellar Wind filly posted a '26 return victory at Keeneland in allowance company and should be poised for the stakes re-rise. Graded-stakes win would do wonders for her value in the breeding shed, though she's done her best turf work on other courses than this one and has run poorly twice without Lasix.8-SWEET TREASURE: Impressive Keeneland allowance winner while getting zero pace help and doing so from post 11 of 11 on April 15. The Brad Cox trainee couldn't match up with Medoro twice at Fair Grounds this winter but has been strong on the Kentucky lawn. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the return mount on a live threat on a class rise.​9-STYLISH SUE: Cross-entered in Woodbine's Belle Mahone Stakes on Saturday. If here, expected to prompt the pace from the outside and should appreciate the cutback in trip from the 1-1/8 miles Modesty. Joe Sharp trainer has been a need-the-lead type over the years and benefits if Charlene's Dream is not aggressively ridden from the rail. Not impossible to hold for a share, but her last 4 losses have seen her finish off the board -- so might be an all-or-nothing candidate.Most Likely Exotics Contender:PROCTOR STREET has been outstanding at 1-1/16 miles (5-6 in the exacta) and hasn't missed the trifecta in 3 local starts on the CD lawn.Best Longshot Contender:CHARLENE'S DREAM at 12-1 morning line has been on the board in this race before and the pace scenario doesn't look brutal for her front-end style.​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$80 win PROCTOR STREET. $10 exacta part-wheel PROCTOR STREET over PIN UP BETTY and CHARLENE'S DREAM ($20).

They are back at it in Louisville for the start of a new racing week at Churchill Downs. Saturday’s stakes-laden card headlines the late May action, but as always, the Twilight Thursday slate offers horseplayers several quality wagering opportunities. Here are a few horses I like on the card that kicks off at 5PM eastern.Race 3:This MSW event for 2YO fillies is led by a pair of debut runners from both the Mark Casse and Steve Asmussen barns. Casse has the two ML favorites with #2 Exile and #4 Ez Miss Sassy, but I like #5 Lead by Example most. The daughter of Jackie’s Warrior is out of a Malibu Moon mare that won her first three starts over the all-weather in Southern California and has been productive as a broodmare as well. Winding Way not only produced underachieving Skinner, but Essential Coffee as well. That dominant first out winner for these same human connections won by over 8 lengths almost a year to the day (May 30, 2025). His younger sister comes in off a steady series of drills for Asmussen, who calls on Jose Ortiz. Hopefully, the daughter of one Asmussen’s best sprinters is ready to fire at first asking.Play: #5 Lead by Example (5-1 ML)Race 4:This maiden claimer at two-turns over the grass is a challenging one, but has appeal since I am against 5-2-ML favorite #7 Prince of Light. The Dixiana Farms homebred has had 9 chances already, including back-to-back starts in New Orleans where he was set off at even money or less. He is a colt that is likely to be good enough to earn yet another minor share, but is impossible to trust on top. I will take a swing against him with #1 Captain Mercury. The son of Tapiture debuted earlier this month in a 6-furlong race over the dirt where he was beaten out of the gate and chased while wide before finishing an underwhelming sixth. Trainer Rohan Crichton turns to Luis Saez, moves this gelding to the grass, and stretches him out to a route of ground three weeks later. I expect Saez to get him out of the gate and into the race right away instead of being caught in chase mode immediately. The price should be right to gamble on the $30k October ’24 purchase.Play: #1 Captain Mercury (8-1 ML)Race 5:My final play on the final Thursday of May comes in this starter allowance at 1 1/8-miles where there is likely to be a contentious early pace. With a number of runners likely to flash some sort of early speed, this race should set up for a runner from off the pace. #9 Carolo Rapido is the one I like most. The son of Curlin was claimed for $62,500 two weeks ago by Norm Casse and Aj Suited Racing Stable. Casse opts to wheel him back quickly and stretch him back out to a distance he has won 2 of 9 at during his career. The affinity for the surface only strengthens the case for this 5YO gelding.Play: #9 Carolo Rapido (9-2 ML)

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $288,787 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $78,770 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETPick 5 | $91,575 | Northfield Park (harness) | begins Race 6 | 7:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $48,061 | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 4 | 1:56 pm ETFinger Lakes | Race 5 | 2:51 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJamie Ness | Parx, Delaware Park | all 8 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Horseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | nation’s highest-paying exacta ($396), trifecta ($2870) and superfecta ($19,584)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $271,061 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $73,200 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETLouisiana Downs | Race 7 | 7:53 pm ETMountaineer | Race 4 | 8:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJerry Gourneau | Assiniboia Downs | 4 of 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Thistledown | 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

EXTRA INCENTIVES$2,000 Late Pick 4 Hit & Split | Santa AnitaTOURNAMENT TIME$1,500 Santa Anita Gold Cup Challenge | details$100 NYRA Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $261,371 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $54,587 | Churchill Downs | Race 1 | 12:45 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $68,342 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETPick 5 | $15,222 | Finger Lakes | begins Race 4 | 2:22 pm ETKEY RACESFinger Lakes | Race 7 | 3:49 pm ET | George W. Barker StakesChurchill Downs | Race 8 | 4:22 pm ET | Winning Colors StakesSanta Anita | Race 5 | 6:00 pm ET | Hollywood Gold CupSanta Anita | Race 6 | 6:30 pm ET | Gamely StakesSanta Anita | Race 8 | 7:30 pm ET | Shoemaker Mile StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 2:53 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 9 | 4:55 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 10 | 8:30 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJoe Sharp | Churchill, Aqueduct | 4 of 5 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Churchill Downs | 20-cent jackpot pick 6 hit for $311,766 on single ticketPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Santa Anita Stakes & $2K Hit & Split Late Pick 4 AnalysisFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card, the $1.00 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool rolls in Race 5. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 sequence starts in Race 6, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (8:25 PM EDT)2-Speaker Of Peace (5-1)-Bumps up after a big effort against easier, Brent Holland almost wired the last field from the 8-hole. Now, leaves from post 2 and at 5-1 is well worth a swing.4-Hemsworth N (5/2)-Need to use at this level. Austin Siegelman could have the pedal down and land on the point or in the pocket behind Speaker, and either could work for a picture.Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)2-Sterling Choice (5/2)-Put in a no-move mile at PcD versus WO’s. Ships back and Bartlett grabs the lines. He was between the pipes on 4-1 and looked like a winner but broke in the late going. Could seal the deal this time at a small price.8-Iknowbetter (6-1)-Beat the $60k claimers from the rail going gate to wire in last. My take is Joe B can out leave most of these, and if things go good around the opening turn it has a shot to win at a nice price.Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)1-Copperffield (5-1)-Likes to compete at Yonkers, fits and drawing the 1 hole should help. Could win off a pocket ride and can offer a square price.7-Catalpa Rescue A (3-1)-Steps up after leading from start to finish in the last two races. Bartlett sticks here and Copperfield is an Engblom trainee. That’s not a surprise and this post draw could pose an issue but went in a sharp 151.1 last time. There shouldn't be a doubt Bartlett will be out and rolling from the word Go.Race 9 (9:25 PM EDT)3-Delightful Terror (9/2)-The 9-year-old was a 10-time winner in 2015 and is 0-12 this year. Showed some life with Steve Smith steering last time and he is seldom aggressive. But the vet did go the back half in 57.2 to lose to Nandolo by a half-length. Will take a swing at this price that the change to pilot Colin Kelly will make a winning difference.6-Gothic Rock (4-1)-In a field full of horses who don’t like to win there is a need to get creative. This veteran won with Bartlet at the controls on 4-8 against this kind. Left from the rail, came away 3rd and was close to the top at the 3/4 pole. Looking for a similar plan, leave, get away 3rd, come 1st over, and take a picture.$1 Late Pick 42,4/2,8/1,7/3,6Total Bet=$16Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVES$2,000 Late Pick 4 Hit & Split | Santa Anita | today through MondaySPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-9; Santa Anita Races 3-5-7Sunset 6 | Gulfstream Races 7-8-9; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9TOURNAMENT TIME$500 Santa Anita Anything Goes Challenge | details$100 NYRA Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $79,178 | Gulfstream | begins Race 4 | 2:26 pm ETPick 6 | $33,406 | Aqueduct | begins Race 4 | 2:36 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $159,902 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 5 | 2:46 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $103,461 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 10 | 6:00 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 6 | 3:19 pm ETAqueduct | Race 7 | 4:11 pm ETMountaineer | Race 4 | 8:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJose Silva | Canterbury Park | all 6 entrants 5-1 or less odds (5 at 5-2 or less)DID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Woodbine | trainer Josie Carroll | 3 wins ($9, $11, $38) from 7 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Santa Anita $2K Hit & Split Late Pick 4 AnalysisBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section