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5.25.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Monday, May 25, 2026

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5.25.2026:

Al Cimaglia: Yonkers Raceway Late Pick 4 Analysis | Monday, May 25, 2026

By Al CImaglia

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!

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5.24.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Sunday, May 24, 2026

By Jeremy Plonk

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5.24.2026:

Jeremy Plonk: Santa Anita $2K Hit & Split Late Pick 4 Analysis | Sunday, May 24, 2026

By Jeremy Plonk

Favorites dominated Saturday’s California Gold Rush Day card at Santa Anita, winning 8 of 10 races, including all but 1 of the races in the pick 6. We’ll see what kind of prices emerge Sunday as we return to a more overnight-type of racing card. Horseplayers at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET can take part in a $2,000 Late Pick 4 Hit & Split Promotion on the final 4 races each Santa Anita racing day through Memorial Day Monday.Let’s get to work.Race 6: maiden special weightA cast of 8 rookie juveniles match up and you’ll benefit from being able to see the horses pre-race and the tote action for some clues before this pick 4 sequence begins. Among the barns here who have had some success in the baby dashes at Santa Anita include Doug O’Neill (#1 Lease Instead) and Jorge Periban (#6 Stanford Warrior). Favorites are 25-for-51 (49%) in these 2-year-old dashes the past 5-plus years at Santa Anita. Main tickets may be safe with just that aforementioned duo and use your judgement based on additional info between now and post time. If adding depth, go with #2 Is That You Wing off of some promising gate works as well as #8 Prime Listing for a typically quiet Paula Capestro barn that’s posted a 26-1 winner and 5-2 runner-up among its 3 most-recent starters.Race 7: allowance/optional claimingOdds-on favorite #2 Matt at Five will be a single for many off of his smashing turf unveiling 14 days ago. Peter Miller took over the training from Carla Gaines just prior and this one finished with more late flair than in 2 prior dirt runner-up efforts to open his career. Miller is 8: 3-3-1 at Santa Anita since 2015 bringing turf sprinters back off a win on 15 days’ rest or less, solid but not dominant, numbers. While there does appear to be other speed in the race, finding a reliable turf finisher is a reach in this spot based on past performances. That best candidate would be #6 Uecker, whose cut back in distance might give him more late ability than he showed in prior sprints.Race 8: maiden claiming#5 King of Success (8-1 ML) might be our best shot at a price in the sequence and will be my gutsy single. I love this form cycle moving sprint-to-route and turf-to-dirt while second off the layoff. The class drop won’t hurt either for the Jeff Bonde trainee. The 6-5 morning line favorite #2 Lorenzo Bernini failed at 3-5 last out and has been beaten 3 times in his last 4 starts at 2-1 or less. Even though George Papaprodomou’s barn is going well right now, this is a vulnerable chalk as much as any in the late pick 4.Race 9: starter allowanceThe class drop for #4 Catalina Cocktail puts this mare back at a competitive level from 2 starts ago. But she doesn’t hold any decisive edge. #1 Deep Blue responded first off the claim for Victor Garcia, doing it the hard way from last-to-first turf sprinting. Not sure she’s better around 2 turns based on form and pedigree, but her last move was different from her prior tries and the new outfit may have found something.The Ticket8,1,6,2 with 2,6 with 5 with 4,1 = $8 for $.50 playPotentially use just 8,1 in opening leg and double the units

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5.24.2026:

Al Cimaglia: Northfield Park Late Pick 4 Analysis | Sunday, May 24, 2026

By Al CImaglia

Northfield Park has a 15-race card with the $1.00 Late Pick 4 starting in Race 11. The sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool with a 14% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (9:40 PM EDT)2-Cocosdream A (7-1)-Put together 2 sharper efforts against easier and did win last week. Braiden Rhoades got on the point last time and should be racing near the top of stack. Has beaten this kind before at Nfld, can offer a solid price and will string along.5-Miki Shan N (4-1)-Bill Rhoades trainee raced from the back in the last 2 starts. Will look for a plan similar to the win that came 3 back. Took control early on and drew off for a picture.Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)4-John's Baby Filly (3-1)-Steps up after a working to get the top and then stood tall to the wire. This will be a test but draws well and Dan Noble could get the top again and control the mile.9-Don't Take My Keys (9-1)-Comes off a tough trip but cashed checks versus this kind in the previous 4 and did win 2 back. Chris Lems was in the bike on 4-12 and he has the know-how to cash the top check again with this post draw.Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)2-Birthday (2-1)-Had its way with the NW6500 at Mea on 5-16 and has 10 wins in 20 races at Nfld. Has beaten this kind at Nfld before and will look for Ronnie Wrenn to have in the play when the wings fold. Comes off a sharp effort and knows how to string wins together.Race 14 (10:46 PM EDT)5-Base Stealer (4-1)-Beat this kind on 4-12 and then stepped up to face tougher. Didn't seal the deal but did cash checks. Now drops to the level of its last win on 4-12 and that night's pilot, Dan Noble, steers again.9-Booker Seelster (5-1)-The Burke trainee made its Nfld debut on 5-17. Cashed a small check off a wide journey and now drops to a spot to shine. Wrenn needs to work a smooth trip, and the 2-horse could leave. The lightly raced 4-year-old may have met a beatable field.$2 Late Pick 42,5/4,9/2/5,9Total Bet=$16Check me out on X!

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5.23.2026:

Al Cimaglia: Meadowlands Early Pick 4 Analysis | Saturday, May 23, 2026

By Al CImaglia

The Meadowlands has a 15-race card with the 0.50 Early Pick 4 starting in Race 6. The sequence has a $50,000 guaranteed pool with a 15% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (8:40 PM EDT)2-Sonofanutckracker (5/2)-Comes off a sharp mile on an off track leading from start to finish. This is the 2nd start on Lasix, and the 3-year-old has won 4 of 7 at M1. Tim Tetrick is at the controls, and this is a logical use.3-Rocknacious (8-1)-Here is an interesting play that will probably be bet down in its 3rd start on Lasix. In the last 3 races, two were on a sloppy track and sandwiched in between is a 10-hole starting slot. Has only 1 win in 12 starts, but Jason Bartlett will have in play early on.5-Bookie J (2-1)-The Chris Ryder trainee has the best resume (14-6-2-3) and will be driven today by usual driver Dexter Dun. Should be a player at a small price.Race 7 (9:05 PM EDT)3-Practical Man (5-1)-Jordan Stratton steers for trainer Tom Fanning and this colt knows how to cash checks (12-3-3-3). Comes off a solid win off an efficient trip with today's pilot between the pipes. Will look for a similar game plan, at a square price.5-Gabes Luck (7/2)-Stayed inside in the 1st race since 8-27 and came 2nd despite a 26.4 last panel. Nancy Takter trainee lost to a tough customer last time and it isn't in this field. Lightly raced colt could be ready for the wrapper to come off.Race 8 (9:30 PM EDT)1-Whoa Black Betty (2-1)-This is a big track horse who does good work at M1 (5-3-1-0). The entire field has only 5 wins at the Big M and the Ron Burke trainee comes off a nice score in its 2nd start for the new barn. Likes to be sitting on the point or close to it and Yannick Gingras shouldn't have an issue working that trip. Will be a small price and could have its way with this crew.Race 9 (9:55 PM EDT)6-David Seaman S (3-1)-The Ake Svanstedt pupil seems to have trouble passing foes but will cut some slack because it has been facing some tough customers. Could take advantage of a beatable field and will look for an aggressive steer.7-King Of The Wind (4-1)-On 5-15 they went to the half in 54.1 and Joe B couldn't get the top. Will look for a kinder trip and will use on the assumption the Walner 3-year-old could be overlooked.8-Never Say Die (7/2)-Did get bet in last and got the top but couldn't seal the deal missing by less than a length. Did win 4 of 8 last season and should be ready to bring a big try in the 3rd race off the bench. Will need a smooth trip because there are others who will be leaving. But will rely on Dunn to work out the details.$1 Early Pick 42,3,5/3,5/1/6,7,8Total Bet=$18Check me out on X!

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5.23.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Saturday, May 23, 2026

By Xpressbet

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5.22.2026:

Jeremy Plonk: Saturday’s California Gold Rush Day at Santa Anita Analysis

By Jeremy Plonk

Five stakes races are featured Saturday for the California Gold Rush Day at Santa Anita, starring top state-breds across several racing divisions. Horseplayers at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET also can take part in a $2,000 Late Pick 4 Hit & Split Promotion on the final 4 races each day through Memorial Day Monday. Saturday’s late pick 4 includes the Melair Stakes and the Snow Chief Stakes.Let’s get to work.Race 3: $100,000 Thor’s Echo StakesFour last-out winners are among the 7 sprinters, while 2 others were recent runners-up in photo-finish defeats. Current form abounds, but the lightly raced 7-year-old #5 Big City Lights (6-5 ML odds) still manages to stand out. He’s 6 of 8 locally, including an open-company allowance May 2 in his first start of the year. Trainer Richard Mandella’s runners have won 3 of 6 starts locally since the start of May heading into this important racing weekend and are trending the right direction. Since The Chosen Vron’s retirement, his former rival has assumed the baton as best sprinter among the Cal-breds. He’ll be a single for me in early multi-race bets. As for exactas, consider #3 Uncle Chilly (10-1 ML odds) a late-moving threat in a race with plenty of tempo as he steps up in class after 3 straight wins since coming to the barn of Jeff Mullins.Race 4: $100,000 Fran’s Valentine StakesFilly and mare turf milers try to come up with an answer for #3 Grand Slam Smile (1-1 ML odds), who is a head shy of winning her last 5 starts in the Cal-bred ranks. The Sean McCarthy gets right into the race and throws down the challenge, and a 20: 11-6-3 career mark indicates just how salty she can be. While turf hasn’t been her calling card, #8 Om N Joy (5-1 ML odds) should be considered the late threat. She rattled off 5 straight wins last year, including the Melair on this Gold Rush Day card, and has been taking on graded stakes company since last summer. Sire Om was a spectacular turf miler, so perhaps she’s ready to take to the grass better than she did early in her career when finishing third or fourth in 3 local grass bids. Hard to see this race getting beyond that pair. At 5-1 or more, taking a shot on Om N Joy would have appeal.Race 6: $100,000 Crystal Water StakesThe Cal-bred turf mile scene for the colts and geldings attracted 9 entrants, including #7 Flyover (1-1 ML odds), an all-or-nothing pace player with a 10: 5-0-0 lifetime mark, mostly in turf sprints. He’s obviously the horse to catch, but his ledger and this 2-turn trip give you reason to entertain shopping. Anyone short on stamina or distance will pay the price against his speed, so think late-runners if wanting to pull the upset. #1 Santa Barbarian rallied to win the 9-furlong Snow Chief on this card last year and should have benefitted from a well-placed allowance return April 26 after 10 months away. The blinkers removed from #3 Cali Cat (6-1 ML) could help awaken Santa Barbarian’s 2025 Snow Chief closest pursuer and I expect him to be heard from late. Give me the well-drawn 1-3 duo intra-race and multi-race in the Crystal Water.Race 7: $125,00 Melair StakesSprint-bred #4 Mohaven (3-5 ML odds) obviously is the most accomplished in this lineup with wins in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies and Evening Jewel Stakes. But the John Sadler trainee is questionable around 2 turns based on pedigree and lack of experience, and she has yet to score consecutive victories despite 3 wins in 6 starts. Respect, but don’t concede this race to her. The 2-turn record for #5 Cecilia Street (12-1 ML odds) impresses at 5: 1-2-2 with dirt sprint races really soiling her form. I like the rider change to Antonio Fresu here. Given the struggles of the Leonard Powell barn, demand a fair price, but I’d like her at 6-1 or more. And prices? How about #6 Lino’s Angel (30-1 ML odds). She’s bred to run long but has just been an even-steven sprinter in all 12 starts. She could really appreciate the stretchout and notice a very fast uptick in her workouts since that last start. Why not at that number?Race 8: $125,000 Snow Chief StakesIt’s a long way from turf sprints to 1-1/8 miles for favorite #3 He’s a Knockout (6-5 ML odds). He’s been brilliant in 2 wire-to-wire scores, but he’s never run 2 races in a form cycle and we don’t know he’ll respond to that comeback sprint win April 19. Won’t take a short price, but tip the cap if he beats me. #7 Third Beer (6-1 ML odds) has been facing tougher and is 2-for-2 when dropped into the state-bred ranks. This colt is bred for the distance and has been solid-enough late in turf miles to think the additional furlong is within his grasp. Moved too soon last time under Florent Geroux and could get a more patient ride from Kazushi Kimura. #1 Unrivaled Time adds blinkers, saves ground from the rail and drops in class after facing tougher in each of his last 3. Could be a wakeup day for the Leonard Powell barn as he has a couple of live chances.If you’re looking at playing the Late Pick 4 Hit & Split promotion, I like the post, turf-to-dirt move, stretch-out and hot George Papaprodomou barn with #2 Known Idea (7-2 ML odds) in Race 9. And deuces wild for me in the Race 10 finale as #2 Tight Daily (20-1 ML odds) gets a real longshot look for a Peter Eurton barn having a strong run in May at Santa Anita. This is the classic Jeff Siegel “2 sprints and then a route” form cycle that could be ready for a breakout maiden score.

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