The gang’s back from Oaklawn’s Southwest Stakes to renew acquaintances, all the while welcoming newcomers from Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher and Kenny McPeek. It’s a Sunday stakes showcase in the Rebel over 1-1/16 miles with 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner – and major geographic strength of schedule implications.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet take advantage of up to a $10 money-back special promo on Triple Crown prep race win bets, featuring Saturday’s Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream and Gotham at Aqueduct, as well as Sunday’s Rebel at Oaklawn. Get up to $10 back if your win bet finishes second or third when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.Let’s meet the contenders for the Rebel Stakes (Race 11):#1-BRAVARO: Cross-entered in Saturday’s Fountain of Youth Stakes at his home base in Florida, he’ll reportedly scratch from the Rebel to run at Gulfstream.#2-LITMUS TEST: 8-time Rebel winner Bob Baffert looks to pad his race record with the 2026 return of this Los Alamitos Futurity winner. The son of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist had been pointed to the Southwest, but scratched out of that race, presumably after a subpar workout. He’s trained right on beat since and gets reigning Eclipse Award-winning jockey Flavien Prat aboard the fourth-place finisher in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.#3-CLASS PRESIDENT: Gulfstream debut winner Dec. 27 at a mile, this Todd Pletcher trainee returned simply second-best to elite sprinter Solitude Dude in the Swale Stakes a month later at 7 furlongs. The Florida-based colt by Uncle Mo stretches out around 2 turns for the first time as Pletcher seeks a third Rebel win (2017 Malagacy, 2018 Magnum Moon). John Velazquez takes the return call.#4-BLACKOUT TIME: Morning line favorite makes his first start since finishing second in the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland in October. The Not This Time colt was scratched by the veterinarians prior to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and did not return to the workout tab until Jan. 23. He’s had 5 drills for the comeback bid between his Fair Grounds base and a Feb. 11 bullet move at Oaklawn. Kenny McPeek and Brian Hernandez Jr., who came through this circuit with 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, reunite.#5-HONEY’S TO BLAME: Arkansas-bred has won 2 straight at Oaklawn and rises into the stakes ranks for the first time. His last victory came at the Rebel’s 1-1/16 miles trip. Emmaneul Esquivel has been perfect on him locally after the colt began 0-for-3 in open company in New York. Sire Blame was also responsible for 2020 Rebel winner Nadal. Second of 2 Kenny McPeek charges in the field, joining Blackout Time.#6-STRATEGIC RISK: The Southwest Stakes and Florida Sire Stakes In Reality winner had a massive fall from grace in the Southwest when finishing 10th of 12. It’s one of the few missteps by Mark Casse trainees at Oaklawn dating back to the holiday meet (a remarkable 13: 8-2-0 stakes record). He’s had 1 workout since to get things righted as jockey Javier Castellano returns from Florida to find out.#7-SILENT TACTIC *pictured*: The second of 2 Mark Casse entrants likely will flip the toteboard this time with Strategic Risk. He was a 12-1 outsider when rallying to upset the Southwest Stakes on Feb. 6 but now will be considered a leading contender. Cristian Torres rides the colt making his third stakes start of the meet, opening with a runner-up to Strategic Risk in the Smarty Jones. The $500,000 Tacitus colt wants a fast pace.#8-RANCHO SANTA FE: Another local stakes veteran making his third start of the Arkansas Derby series, this Brad Cox trainee tries to improve on a Smarty Jones fifth and Southwest Stakes fourth. He won both starts at 2 for a barn that captured the Rebel 2 years ago with favored Timberlake. Irad Ortiz Jr. takes the mount for the first time as Flavien Prat hops seats to Oaklawn newcomer Litmus Test. Sire Tapit was responsible for 2016 Rebel winner Cupid.#9-TIME FOR MUSIC: Longshot entrant for Steve and Keith Asmussen has won 1 of 6 starts and was soundly defeated in the Springboard Mile at Remington Park in his lone stakes attempt. This $750,000 Not This Time colt hasn’t lived up to the billing. He’ll try to shock the lineup and give Asmussen a second Rebel victory, following 8-1 shot Long Range Toddy in 2019.#10-SOLDIER N DIPLOMAT: Stronger chance of the Steve Asmussen uncoupled pair in the Rebel, his runner-up from post 11 in the Southwest Stakes was an admirable performance. The post doesn’t get much easier here over the same trip, so return jockey Jose Ortiz will be tasked with working out a trip. This $950,000 juvenile purchase by Army Mule has won 2 of 5 but has never been out of the superfecta despite stakes journeys to Saratoga, Churchill and Oaklawn.

After a slow week on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with just a pair of international preps and one conducted over a synthetic surface, things pick up big time this weekend. The Fountain of Youth (G2) on Saturday and the Rebel (G2) on Sunday are arguably the two deepest Triple Crown prep races to date. Handicapping both will obviously be a major focus in the next couple of days as well as the Gotham (G3), but first it is time for another edition of Prep School.Horse That Made His Presence Felt During the Slow Week: Reagan’s HonorDespite the slow week in terms of Triple Crown preps and significant leaderboard updates, a horse vaulted up many horseplayers' Derby lists in New Orleans last Thursday. Cherie DeVaux-trained Reagan’s Honor rattled off his second consecutive victory going two turns over the Fair Grounds main track and did so in impressive fashion. Jockey Jose Ortiz took the $140,000 Keeneland September ’24 purchase to the front and controlled the pace throughout much like he did in his maiden victory in mid-January. According to the Daily Racing Form’s Marcus Hersh, the plan is to send this colt to the Blue Grass (G1) with stablemate Golden Tempo likely to add blinkers and make his next start in the Louisiana Derby (G1). Reagan’s Honor is well worth watching given the lack of dominance we have seen thus far from this crop.Horse That Took Biggest Step Forward in a Triple Crown Prep Last Weekend: Great WhiteOutside of Reagan’s Honor, it is difficult to get excited about anything hoping to make the starting gate in Louisville in a couple of months that we saw compete last week. Salloom, the big favorite in Dubai, failed to relax before the race and was forced to scratch after running off before the break from the gate and runners exiting the Hyacinth in Tokyo are unlikely to impact this year’s “Run for the Roses.” On the other hand, Great White’s win in the Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park was intriguing at the very least. The massive son of Volatile corrected the issues at the gate that plagued him through his first two starts and proved best despite being wide throughout on Saturday evening. He certainly has the look of a horse that should have no issue getting more ground, so much like it did with Rich Strike and Final Gambit, it will come down to his ability to take to the surface switch. Great White is a huge long shot as of now to make an impression in the Triple Crown, but he took a big step forward in career start number 3 nonetheless.Horse With Most to Prove this weekend: Napoleon SoloAs I mentioned, several legitimate contenders return to the races this weekend, including three colts who were competitive in Grade 1s as a 2YO that will make their first start of 2026. Litmus Test and Blackout Time return at Oaklawn Park in the Rebel (G2) and are hoping to cement their place in the Kentucky Derby starting gate on Sunday, but it is Champagne (G1) winner Napoleon Solo that has the most to prove. The son of Liam’s Map has been dominant through two starts, including a 6.5-length romp in early October to end his 2YO campaign. The bargain-basement $40,000 Keeneland September 2024 purchase has already run well fresh, so the assumption is he should be ready to fire a big one off the bench. The question is how much he matured while on the sidelines in comparison to the rest of the competition he faces in the Fountain of Youth (G2). The Chad Summers trainee is impossible to knock thus far, but has been somewhat forgotten since he bypassed the Breeders’ Cup and has not raced in nearly 5 months. I am looking forward to seeing what he does at Gulfstream Park a little after 6PM on Saturday.

February is nearly complete, which means horseplayers last chance at our two-month long Wednesday Wins promotion. I am sure most of you by now have registered on the promotional landing page, but for those just checking in, be sure to do so. It is simple. Just bet $50 each Wednesday (February 25) at Tampa Bay Downs and Turfway Park and receive a $10 bonus. I have been taking part and will do so again relying on these horses.  Tampa Bay Downs, Race 6The pace should be honest in the Wednesday feature in Oldsmar, Florida given the presence of #1 X Y Prime and #2 Tapirs Valor. Potentially 2-1-ML favorite #5 Digital Ops will be close to the pace early as well. This bodes well for second choice #4 Twilight Dancer. The Pennsylvania-bred gelding stretches back out to two-turns after stalking early and tiring late against a strong group of allowance runners going 7-furlongs just ten days ago. Owner/trainer Juan Arriagada wheels this son of Tapiture back quickly suggesting he came out of the last race fine. He has lacked gate speed in his last few starts, but should be full of run late with a solid pace to chase under jockey Antonio Gallardo.  Play: #4 Twilight Dancer (5-2 ML) Turfway Park, Race 7It is not often I endorse a Southern California import at Turfway Park, but I like the chances of #4 Sakura Blossom in this second level-allowance at 10-furlongs. The daughter of Classic Empire is winless since March ’24, but has kept solid company in turf and dirt races out west. Leonard Powell is a capable horseman that generally means business when he ships horses out of town that enters a mare that comes in off a third-place effort in the Astra at 1-1/2 miles in a race that fell apart late. Powell attracts Walter Rodriguez. If this gal takes to the surface switch, she should be tough to get by late.  Play: #4 Sakura Blossom (3-1 ML) Turfway Park, Race 8My final Wednesday spot play comes in this auction restricted MSW for 3YO fillies at one mile where I like second-time starter #5 Quality View. The Essential Quality filly debuted in an open $50k maiden claimer on January 21 and was arguably best when finishing fourth beaten just a length. The Chris Davis trainee was caught three-wide into the first turn and remained wide throughout, yet got the best of those prominently placed before being run over by a trio of closers. I like that Davis finds a protected spot for the $60k FTK February purchase that comes in off a pair of maintenance drills over this surface since the solid start to her career. Jockey Joe Ramos sticks around.  Play: #5 Quality View (10-1 ML)

SCHEDULE NOTESParx | cancelled due to weatherNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $12,737 | Mahoning Valley | begins Race 4 | 1:39 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXWill Rogers Downs | Race 4 | 2:36 pm ETMahoning Valley | Race 9 | 3:59 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 6 | 5:45 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHScott Young | Will Rogers Downs | 6 of 7 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Turf Paradise | favorites 2-for-7 on the card (1-for-7 in Thoroughbred racesPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Turf Paradise Bet $100, Get $10 Key PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The “Love at First Bet” promotion this February at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet offers a $10 bonus when you bet $100 or more at select tracks each Tuesday and Thursday. Turf Paradise will be the track spotlighted for this Tuesday. Here’s how I’ll approach with the help of the Betmix Angler database.Turf Paradise: Race 3#2 Where’s the Loot (7-2 morning line odds) ventures from Los Alamitos to Turf Paradise for the first time and has some back class on the major SoCal scene. Trainer Franisco Rodriguez’s four local starters during February include $10 and $12 winners as well as a runner-up and a 15-1 third-place effort. All firing. Horses who last raced at Los Al are 7-31 ($23%) with a $1.11 ROI for every $1 bet so far in 2026 at Turf Paradise. Win-place bet #2.Turf Paradise: Race 8#1 Pink Channel (7-2 morning line odds) has been competitive at a higher claiming level since arriving at Turf Paradise and takes a double drop in class of sorts. She not only finds a lower claiming price, but generally speaking, the turf races there are stronger than dirt. The move in surfaces may work in her favor even if her prior dirt form isn’t boastful. Trainer Ryan Bratcher has done a lot right of late, going 14: 4-2-0 since the start of 2026 at TuP with a $1.57 ROI for every $1 bet. Win-place bet #1.

It’s about to get serious on the Triple Crown trail. Kentucky Derby hopefuls are down to their final preps in some cases, but most have 2 races to go and beginning this weekend with the Fountain of Youth, Gotham and Rebel in the spotlight. The Fountain of Youth delivered us last year’s star sophomore Sovereignty and anything close to that level of 2026 prospects would make for a super Saturday in Hallandale Beach.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet take advantage of up to a $10 money-back special promo on Triple Crown prep race win bets, featuring Saturday’s Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream and Gotham at Aqueduct, as well as Sunday’s Rebel at Oaklawn. Get up to $10 back if your win bet finishes second or third when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.Let’s meet the contenders for the Fountain of Youth (Race 14):#1-JACKSON HOLE: Unbeaten colt has wins at Gulfstream and Fair Grounds as he ascends to the stakes ranks for the first time. You’ve got historic Fountain of Youth connections as John Velazquez’s 5 wins are most by any jockey and Todd Pletcher leads all trainers with 4. They scored in tandem in 2007 (Scat Daddy) and 2010 (Eskendereya). This $1.3 million purchase is by Florida Derby / Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist.#2-ROCKIES BALBOA: Sprinter took 4 tries to break his maiden, dropping in class, and then followed with a restricted allowance score for back-to-back wins. Girvin colts gets major distance and class tests in one swoop. Luis Saez is a 3-time FoY winner (2014, 2015, 2024), and takes over for departing rider Junior Alvarado, who pilots Chief Wallabee on Saturday. Trainer Dale Romans had success here with Promises Fulfilled in 2018.#3-TALKIN: Champagne Stakes runner-up makes his 3-year-old return while looking to wash away the disappointment of a ninth-place effort in the Remsen to close 2025. Trainer Danny Gargan looks for a second Fountain of Youth title in 3 years, having won in 2024 with eventual Belmont Stakes hero Dornoch. Joel Rosario curiously swaps seats as Kendrick Carmouche takes the call on Napoleon Solo on Saturday.#4-COMMANDMENT: Tries to join Simplification (2022) as the only horses to win the Mucho Macho Man and Fountain of Youth – the former run for the first time as a mile race in January in 2013. Left no doubt who was best over this track Jan. 3 by 6-3/4 lengths for trainer Brad Cox. Irad Ortiz has FoY scores aboard Promises Fulfilled (2018) and Forte (2023). This $500,000 Into Mischief colt is out of 2018 Grade 1 Spinaway winner Sippican Harbor.#5-BRAVARO: With Holy Bull Stakes winner Nearly bypassing this race to train up to the Florida Derby, this Jan. 31 runner-up is that prep’s major alumnus in action Saturday. New Yorked-bred Bravaro won twice last fall at Aqueduct vs. state-breds, including the Sleepy Hollow Stakes. He’s wintered in Florida for local trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and fit in well enough in his Gulfstream unveiling. Tyler Gaffalione has the return mount on the son of 2015 Fountain of Youth disqualified winner Upstart, who was placed second for interference.#6-CHIEF WALLABEE: Connections of 2025 FoY winner and eventual Kentucky Derby / Belmont hero Sovereignty, trainer Bill Mott and jockey Junior Alvarado, seek a repeat. That hasn’t happened in this race since Jimmy Jones and Bill Hartack in 1957-’58. Junior Alvarado also guided Mohaymen (2016) to a Fountain of Youth victory. If they pull it off, it will be with this field’s most lightly raced runner, a Jan. 10 Gulfstream debut winner in sharp style. His runner-up, The Puma, since returned to finish third in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.#7-NAPOLEON SOLO: Undefeated winner of the Grade 1 Champagne on Oct. 4 hasn’t raced since, making this one of the most anticipated returns of the 2026 class. The Chad Summers trainee was put away following his 6-1/2 length victory over Fountain of Youth return rival Talkin and has trained with 4 bullet workouts from 6 drills at Palm Meadows this winter. Kendrick Carmouche has the mount on this Liam’s Map $40,000 bargain.#8-BULL BY THE HORNS: Stakes debut for this Nov. 1 Gulfstream maiden graduate, who looks to improve off a Tampa Bay allowance third last month in his only start since. Saffie Joseph Jr. trains this Essential Qualit colt, who will be ridden once again by Micah Husbands. Longshot at least has a win over the track and some 2-turn experience.#9-GLOBAL AVIATOR: No threat fifth-place finish in the Holy Bull Stakes at 12-1 odds after minor trouble at the start. Rohan Crichton trainee has had gate issues in both starts, but overcame them for a rallying debut win at 6 furlongs. The $12,000 Global Campaign colt faces his toughest cast year and regular rider Joe Bravo returns.#10-SOLITUDE DUDE: Arguably the leading 3-year-old sprinter on the east coast, this unbeaten Saffie Joseph trainee looks to build on Inaugural and Swale Stakes victories for a fourth tally. He’ll try beyond 7 furlongs for the first time, from a wide draw under new rider Flavien Prat as Irad Ortiz Jr. hops to ride Commandment. Colt by Yaupon has a sprint pedigree both top and bottom, but he’s opened up margin late in all 3 wins to date.#11-LOST MONEY: Longshot maiden hasn’t come close in 3 starts, but does exit 2 of the most live maiden races of the meet vs. Waymark and Canaletto. Juan Arias trains the Street Sense colt who will be making his first start around 2 turns from an extremely difficult post draw. Jockey Javier Castellano posted FoY success with Gunnevera in 2017.

SCHEDULE NOTESParx | cancelled today and Tuesday due to weatherLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXWill Rogers Downs | Race 4 | 3:41 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 6 | 5:40 pm ETSunland | Race 9 | 6:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJustin Evans | Sunland Park | favorites 9-5 or less in 4 races todayDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Sunland Park | favorites won 5 of 9 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

SPECIAL 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 3-4-5TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $62,659 | Tampa Bay Downs | begins Race 4 | 1:58 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $82,328 | Fair Grounds | begins Race 3 | 2:45 pm ETPick 6 | $6,865 | Oaklawn | begins Race 4 | 3:03 pm ETSunset 6 | $23,784 | Gulfstream / Santa Anita | begins GP Race 8 | 3:49 pm ETPick 6 | $40,088 | Santa Anita | begins Race 5 | 5:34 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $16,855 | Santa Anita | Race 10 | 8:07 pm ETKEY RACESSanta Anita | Race 7 | 6:37 pm ET | Pasadena StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream | Race 1 | 12:20 pm ETOaklawn | Race 9 | 5:38 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 9 | 7:37 pm ETDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Gulfstream | jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. | 4 wins from 10 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Sunday Pick 6 AnalysisBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section