After a big weekend in the Mid-Atlantic and closing week out west at Santa Anita Park focus for most horseplayers will shift regions over the next couple of weeks. The Ohio Derby card at Thistledown headlines the stakes racing this weekend, but most of the best action leading up to that will be in New York and Kentucky.My focus for the next couple of weeks will be my old stomping grounds of Churchill Downs. Derby weekend is the best, but some of the strongest wagering opportunities in Louisville come over the final few weeks of their spring meet. Hopefully, we can make the most of it starting with Wednesday’s nine-race card that kicks off at 12:45 PM eastern. Here are a few horses I like on the first of five racing dates under the twin spires this week.Race 3:My first play of the week comes in this $50k maiden claimer at 7-furlongs over the main track where class dropper #5 Life’s Reward is likely to take a lot of public support. Not only does he exit protected maiden races last summer, but he is a Brad Cox trainee that will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. The Gary & Mary West homebred is obviously capable of winning, but is almost guaranteed to be an underlay regardless of result. For that reason, I will side against him with a runner that has some upside still.#8 My Lucky Penny debuted against slightly tougher at Keeneland in late April for trainer Matthew Sims. The son of Connect did not break particularly well that afternoon and then was moved up the inside to battle with the 6-5-favorite in the early stages. Not only is being down on the inside taking pressure not ideal for a debut runner, but the track did not favor that trip either on April 24. Therefore, I can forgive the fact that My Lucky Penny faded badly late to finish fifth. Now, Sims has given him nearly two months and he draws to the far outside in this compact group of 8. This should allow jockey Luan Machado to relax his gelding a bit more in the early stages, which ideally leaves him with far more energy late. At his 8-1-ML offering, I am very much willing to take my chances.Play: #8 My Lucky Penny (8-1 ML)Picks: 8-7-5Race 5:The pace scenario is murky in this seven-furlong dash over the main track for $50k starter allowance foes, but the price should be right to take a swing with #3 Frosty Indulgence. The 5YO gelding has earned 2 of his 3 career victories over the all-weather, but ran very well on the surface switch and cutback to a sprint in mid-April for trainer Chris Davis. In fact, he lost by a nose at odds of 25-1 in a first-level allowance at Keeneland, but was placed first via disqualification. The concern is whether jockey Luan Machado can avoid getting caught in a tight spot along the inside off a moderate early tempo, so I will need close to his morning line price to gamble. That said, his dirt race prior to this at Ellis last summer saw him get caught up in an early battle and tire badly late. That is not likely to occur in this spot, but I am hopeful he can use some of that gate speed to find early forward position. If so, I am confident he enters this spot in the best form of his career.Play: #3 Frosty Indulgence (10-1 ML)Picks: 3-6-8Race 8:The pace should be honest at the very least in this $141k allowance at 6-furlongs over the main track given the presence of #4 Tough Catch and #8 Macho Music. Neither 4YO colt enters this spot in their best form regardless of pace and are unlikely to have much left late in the final furlong. I am hopeful the pace is fast enough to set things up for #6 Thoughtthatcounts. The son of Sky Mesa makes his second start of the meet after his second consecutive runner-up finish since returning to Kentucky this spring. The prior one came at odds of 22-1 at Keeneland and in both starts he was done no real favors. Last out over the off track here at Churchill Downs, the 5YO gelding ran into an off-track front running monster in Harrodsburg and prior to that he nearly overcame being caught wide throughout at a big price. Given his previous success over this racetrack and his ability to finish, Thoughtthatcounts looms large in the Wednesday feature.Play: #6 Thoughtthatcounts (9-2 ML)Picks: 6-2-5

EXTRA INCENTIVES15% Win Boost | Royal Ascot Bet $100, Get $10 | Mountaineer | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESRoyal Ascot | meet Tues-Sat | first post 9:30 am ET | Betting PrimerNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $172,750 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $126,401 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESRoyal Ascot | Race 3 | 10:40 am ET | G1 King Charles III StakesRoyal Ascot | Race 4 | 11:20 am ET | G1 St. James’s Palace StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 9 | 4:16 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETMountaineer | Race 1 | 7:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJuan Pablo Silva | Presque Isle, Thistledown, Mountaineer | all 10 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Presque Isle Downs | favorites only 1 for 8 on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Mountaineer Bet $100, Get $10 Spot Plays for TuesdayFrank 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 Tuesday will be Mountaineer. Here’s how I’ll approach the night card in West Virginia with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Mountaineer Race 1 | 7:00 pm ET#2 Frozen Four (5-1 morning line odds) makes his first start for trainer Wilson Langley, whose 3 turf starts at the meeting have produced 2 wins and a runner-up. This gelding hasn’t been on the grass since breaking his maiden at Mnr in his only local turf try last September. Win bet #2. Exacta key-box 2 with 1,6. Daily Double 2-1. Picks 2-1-6Mountaineer Race 2 | 7:25 pm ET#1 My Lucky Deia (3-1 morning line odds) has a sharp 5: 2-2-1 turf mark and fires second off the layoff and first off the claim for a red-hot barn. Trainer Juan Pablo Silva has gone 31: 10-6-3 over the past 4 weeks locally, landing 32% winners and 52% in the exacta over that span – including 11: 4-2-1 when paired with jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. Win bet #1. Picks 1-5-10Eligible tracks and days:• Tuesday, June 16 // Mountaineer• Thursday, June 18 // Canterbury• Tuesday, June 23 // Thistledown• Thursday, June 25 // Colonial Downs• Tuesday, June 30 // Fort Erie

‍Today’s Skinny:Day 1 of 5 from the prestigious Royal Ascot stand is headlined by a trio of Grade 1 races and some names quite familiar to American racing enthusiasts. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Notable Speech should go as favorite in the Group 1 Queen Anne in the meet’s opening race for Godolphin, Charlie Appleby and William T. Buick.Undefeated Bow Echo looks for five straight as England’s headliner in the Group 1 St. James’s Palace, where 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Gstaad stands in the way for Coolmore, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. Kentucky Downs’ 2025 Nashville Derby winner Wimbledon Hawkeye takes his shot in the 10-furlong Wolferton Stakes.The Group 2 Coventry is the meet’s first juvenile dash and goes with 22 entered – while the Group 1 King Charles III lines 26 across the grass in a 5-furlong melee. Jockey John Velazquez has the call on Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien’s Aeronautic in the Copper Horse.Free Wagering Guide:Download the free Sky Sports Racing Royal Ascot Wager Guide for today’s full card. ACCESS THE GUIDE Extra Incentives:Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can enjoy a 15% boost on successful win bets – up to $25 total per day per player – during each race of the Royal Ascot meeting. VIEW OFFER Today’s Lineup:9:30AM ET | Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes | 1 mile10:05 AM ET | Group 2 Coventry Stakes | 6 furlongs10:40 AM ET | Group 1 King Charles III Stakes | 5 furlongs11:20 AM ET | Group 1 St. James’s Palace Stakes | 1 mile12:00 PM ET | Ascot Stakes Handicap | 2-1/2 miles12:35 PM ET | Wofterton Rated Stakes | 1-1/4 miles1:10 PM ET | Copper Horse Stakes | 1-3/4 milesFeatured Races | This WeekTuesday | Group 1 Queen Anne, Group 1 St. James’s PalaceWednesday | Group 1 Prince of Wales’sThursday | Group 1 Ascot Gold CupFriday | Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, Group 1 Coronation StakesSaturday | Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee StakesWagering Particulars | Commingled World Pool17.5% takeout Win & Place17.5% takeout Quinella17.5% takeout Omni (2 of 3 must finish top 3)19.5% takeout Exacta25% takeout Trifecta25% takeout Pick 326% takeout Place Pick 427% takeout Place Pick 630% takeout Superfecta ‍

Santa Anita wraps up its winter-spring and Hollywood meetings with an 8-race makeup card from last Thursday's mid-day cancellation. The featured Affirmed Stakes headlines the action with mandatory payouts in all pools.   Santa Anita Park - Race #3 #6 Gaines: Nothing at all from him when sent long last time out, which was a disappointment after a really solid debut. I think it's encouraging that they give him another shot going long despite the flat try last time out -- expecting better. #3 Jacklyn Lucas: The only career turf route was pretty solid, and something like that two-back run would keep her in the picture here. Dangerous, but she is starting to feel like a horse who is happy to settle for shares. #1 Big Vengeance: He has now turned in a couple of solid tries in a row, and I think he's a player right back at another nice price if he's able to hold that recent form. Race Summary: Gaines was never really involved going long last out after showing some pace in the sprint debut, so I'm hoping that was just a tossout race across the board. Better today with a forward trip waiting for him?   Santa Anita Park - Race #6 #7 One More Freud: He came back in a tough spot last time out, and the runner-up was back to roll a good group in the Grade I Woody Stephens last weekend, so I am thinking this softer spot might give him room to bounce back while going second off the bench. Enough to like. #4 Secured Freedom: He finished in front of the top choice last out, but I think there might be less upside after a string of solid races that still left me wanting a bit more -- especially if the price is short. #5 Decisive Win: He looked like a potential talent last out when getting around two turns, and the winner he caught on debut was the same one who handled the top pair here in the Pat Day Mile. All roads run through common ties with Crude Velocity is this one. Race Summary: One More Freud never really got involved in the comeback spot, but that gives him room to come forward today with a more tactical trip.   Santa Anita Park - Race #8 #4 Druidic: He is the kind of horse who seems like he's always right there at a price, and one of those times he's going to punch home. Think he's on par with the better ones in here if he brings his A-game, and he has turned in a couple quick works since the last one that I'm hoping are hints that he's ready to. #2 Frank Bullitt: He didn't miss by much last time out and figures tough if he holds the form right back, but I worry he's going to get bet again in a race where I feel like a small handful of them could win it. Obvious player. #7 Warm Sun and Brew: Considered him on top, as he hasn't done anything wrong through those six starts and might like this type of local sprint trip. Dangerous tactical threat. Race Summary: Druidic typically shows up with an honest race, and he has been working forwardly since his last run -- could see him landing this if he brings a peak try.

SCHEDULE NOTESSanta Anita | closing day today (makeup date on schedule)Royal Ascot | meetings runs Tuesday-Saturday this weekNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $161,374 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ET-- Santa Anita has mandatory payouts today, but no carryoversKEY RACESPresque Isle | Race 7 | 6:12 pm ET | Tom Ridge StakesSanta Anita | Race 6 | 6:30 pm ET | Affirmed CapistranoLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 8 | 7:30 pm ETMountaineer | Race 5 | 8:40 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJeff Radosevich | Thistledown | all 7 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Santa Anita | jockey Antonio Fresu | 3 wins from 9 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank 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 $20,000 guaranteed pool rolls in Race 5. The Spot Plays are in Race 3, Race 7, and Race 8. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 3 (7:25 PM EDT)5-Lyons Benjamin (9/2)-Came a close 2nd last time and has been popular at the claiming box. Makes the 1st start for the Dilloian barn and that outfit posts 40% winners after a claim. Will need to be forwardly placed off the gate and gets a new set of hands in George Brennan. Will look for an aggressive drive. If Brennan handles the assignment without a hitch the 5-year-old should be on the point or close to it around the opening turn. Can offer a square price and is a main threat.5-Lyons Benjamin (9/2) to Win5-2-3Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)6-Dandy Ideal (2-1)-Went gate to wire in the first start of the year on 5-30 downing W/O at Pocono Downs. Has a win and two 2nd place finishes at Yonkers. Bartlett could work the same plan as last time and make every call a winning one.Exacta 6-36-2-1Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)5-Sweet Beach Life (2-1)-Was a one 1 trick pony, sorry for the pun. But has matured into a fine 5-year-old that can win on the engine or coming off cover. Has big gate speed and now can also close the deal coming off the pace. Could double up versus this group with a smooth steer from Matt Kakaley.Exacta 5-15-1-3Check me out on X!

SCHEDULE NOTESSanta Anita | announced that Monday racing will be added due to Thursday’s power outage cancellationSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-9; Santa Anita Races 2-4-5Sunset 6 | Gulfstream Races 7-8-9; Santa Anita Races 10-11-12TOURNAMENT TIME$1500 Santa Anita Park Challenge | details$100 NYRA feeder | details$40 Canterbury Park feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $64,110 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:13 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $56,154 | Gulfstream | begins Race 4 | 2:26 pm ETPick 6 | $38,706 | Aqueduct | begins Race 4 | 2:36 pm ET-- Santa Anita has mandatory payouts today, but no carryoversKEY RACESLaurel | Race 7 | 3:11 pm ET | Stormy Blues StakesSanta Anita | Race 9 | 8:08 pm ET | San Juan CapistranoPrairie Meadows | Race 9 | 8:25 pm ET | Ed Skinner StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXLaurel | Race 5 | 2:00 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 1 | 4:00 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 9 | 4:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJoe Sharp | Aqueduct, Churchill | 6 of 7 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Monmouth | jockey Paco Lopez | won 6 races from 9 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for SundayBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section