Kentucky Derby week starts in earnest on Tuesday afternoon after kicking off the spring in Louisville last weekend. The “502sday” card at Churchill Downs, as it has been recently dubbed, kicks off at 12:45 eastern and is headlined by a pair of high-level allowance races at the back end of the afternoon. Here are the horses I like most on April 28.Race 2:I have a pair of more creative picks later in the card, but I will start the week with a short price that should be very tough to beat to kick off the early Pick 4. #1 Booked debuts for North America’s all-time leading trainer Steve Asmussen. The son of Yaupon could easily opt to run versus fellow Indiana-breds at some point soon, but instead Asmussen enters him for the more juicy $120,000 purse offered up in at Churchill Downs in MSW events for 2YOs. The rail may present a challenge if he breaks poorly, but otherwise it will provide this colt with the shortest distance between two points, instead of potentially getting caught wide with that quick run into the turn. The presence of Jose Ortiz helps illustrate that Asmussen means business with this $325k Keeneland September 2025 purchase. I expect a big run at first asking.Play: #1 Booked (7-5 ML)Race 3:The pace should be honest in this starter allowance at one mile over the grass, which should lead to a favorable ground saving voyage from #2 Queen Wilhelmina. The Arkansas-bred has had a lot of chances already, but only three going long over the grass. Trainer Lindsay Schultz got the daughter of The Factor back at the beginning of the year and moved her to the lawn at Fair Grounds for the first time on January 23. The result was a win going away at a massive 49-1 offering. Since then the 5YO mare has taken on better in two first-level allowance events and held her at own both times as a long shot. Schultz has given Queen Wilhelmina a 6-week freshening and finds a perfect spot for her to earn her second career win. The move to Jose Ortiz for the first time strengths her case.Play: #2 Queen Wilhelmina (9-2 ML)Race 8:This third-level allowance at 7.5-furlongs over the main track appears wide-open, so I will take a swing with #2 Hold My Bourbon. The son of Anchor Down makes his first start of the year and competes for the first time for trainer Jose D’Angelo. It was a slow winter after a strong fall for D’Angelo, but he has started to heat up again. The Florida-based conditioner won three races in Florida over the weekend, has a $2.48 ROI over a recent 30-day, 49-race sample, and gets this guy back to a racetrack he has run well over throughout his career. The pace should be contentious, which should allow the Gray V Train Racing ridgling to work out a perfect trip just off the pace under Luis Saez. Hold My Bourbon has races to go back to and comes in fresh. Hopefully, he fires a big shot at a big price.Play: #2 Hold My Bourbon (10-1 ML)

1/ST KENTUCKY DERBY WAGER GUIDEFree Access | link Monday Wager Guide Updates:--1/ST Handicappers Consensus Oaks & Derby Picks *-- free Betmix Oaks Day Friday full-card past performances-- Weekend Workout Videos *-handicappers continually adding as availableDERBY DOINGS FOR MONDAY-- Six Speed: half-mile workout in :48.80, galloping out 1:01.60 for 5 furlongsDERBY ON DECKScott Shapiro: Tuesday Churchill Downs Spot PlaysHorse Cents Podcast: Bailey Armour & Scott Shapiro | Kentucky Derby Wagering Strategies1/ST Call Podcast: Jeremy Plonk & Scott Shapiro | Kentucky Derby 20 Questions on Each Contender IT PAYS TO PLAYBet Kentucky Oaks Friday and Derby Saturday with 1/ST BET and take part in the $20,000 Exacta-Thon for your share of bonus cash. Details.

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 rolls in Race 5 and it has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 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)3-Coaches Corner (8/5)-It looks like the Coach will need a win to make the Final and with this post draw he should get the jump on others. Captain Albano could be leaving too but draws the 6 hole and isn’t as desperate for a win. Fell short by a neck in last leaving from post 7 and will lean toward Jason Bartlett finding a way to win tonight.Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)4-Bet On Big Joe (3-1)-This is the 3rd start on Lasix and in the previous 2 races stayed inside and cashed smaller checks. Drops and this looks like the time to take the wrapper off and post the first win of the year.7-Coalford Topguy GB (5/2)-Winner of 2 straight versus similar lands in a good spot and is the one to beat. Went gate to wire and won easily in last and should be on the point or racing in the pocket behind Big Joe around the first turn. A 3-peat could happen.Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)1-The Bigboss A (6-1)-Could offer a square price, drops and at this level should be a player drawing the rail. Beat this kind going gate to wire at the beginning of the year and will expect an aggressive steer from Matt Kakaley and probably needs to be leading at the top of the lane to win.4-Hammering Hank (5/2)-The Laterza trainee dropped to this level in last and drew post 4. Went off at 7/5 and tried to come off cover but could only finish 2nd. Has the speed to win but needs a trip. Brent Holland should be racing close to the leader at the 3/4's poleRace 9 (9:25 PM EDT)2-Major Pocket A (6-1)-Could be overlooked and does its best work when getting an up-close seat and might be able to land on the point early on. Has hit the board in 20 of 29 and took 4 pictures at YR. Colin Kelly posts 19% winners when driving for the Adamczyk barn and could be sitting on a big try.5-Checkonwilliam GB (5/2)-The veteran won 3 back for the Laterza barn and was claimed back in the last race. This barn wins 35% of the time in first starts off a claim. Holland is the regular driver and this time he is between the pipes.7-Deetzy (4-1)-Was claimed 2 back by the Deb Daguet barn and left hard last time from post 7 and faded badly. Does comes right back, and now Bartlett is at the controls. When Bartlett steers for this Daguet +barn he posts 44% winners. Should offer a fair price and will respect chances of a rebound with an aggressive steer.$2 Late Pick 43/4,7/1,4/2,5,7Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!

1/ST KENTUCKY DERBY WAGER GUIDEFree Access | linkSCHEDULE NOTESFinger Lakes | opening day | first post 12:55 pm ETSPECIAL WAGERSPreakness Future Wager | open now through SaturdayNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $278,046 | Turf Paradise | begins Race | pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 8 | 3:49 pm ETWill Rogers | Race 8 | 5:24 pm ETMountaineer | Race 4 | 8:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHChris Englehart | Finger Lakes | 4 of 5 entrants 5-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Santa Anita | carryovers set for Thursday in the Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 ($68K),Pick 6 ($44K) and Sunset 6 ($7K).PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

1/ST KENTUCKY DERBY WAGER GUIDEFree Access | link EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Woodbine | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESPreakness Future Wager | open now through SaturdaySPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10; Santa Anita Races 3-6-7Sunset 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9TOURNAMENT TIME$40 Santa Anita feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $17,063 | Laurel Park | begins Race 5 | 2:03 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $12,915 | Gulfstream Park | Race 10 | 5:38 pm ETKEY RACESWoodbine | Race 7 | 4:37 pm ET | Woodstock StakesAqueduct | Race 8 | 4:53 pm ET | Memories of Silver StakesOaklawn | Race 8 | 5:39 pm ET | Majestic StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXLaurel | Race 6 | 2:31 pm ETAqueduct | Race 5 | 3:16 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 9 | 4:26 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMike Trombetta | Laurel | 4 of 5 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Churchill Downs | favorites won 5 of 10 races opening dayPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Spot Plays for SundayJeremy Plonk: Woodbine 10X 1/ST Rewards Points Spot Plays for SundayBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

After an Opening Day card that saw an average Win price of $7.38 and just two winners pay over $10, they are back at it for the second day of the meet at Churchill Downs. The 9-race card is an addition to the calendar from years’ past and kicks off at 12:45 PM eastern. Here are a few horses I plan to build my Sunday around in Louisville.Race 2:This auction-restricted MSW event for 2YO fillies at 4.5-furlongs over the main track kicks off the early Pick 4 and is wide-open considering 9 of the 11 runners entered are making their first career start. The two fillies that have competed were both outrun on debut at Keeneland on April 8 and appear to be up against once again despite the experience edge. Therefore, like most I will try a first-time starter. #5 Go New York Go shipped up from Florida in the middle of the month for trainer Chad Summers. Summers has not started a 2YO in Kentucky over the last 5 years, but is 4 for 20 overall in that time span with juveniles making their first start in a dirt sprint. Summers attracts Luis Saez on this daughter of Knicks Go that fired a bullet 3-furlong drill over this surface last Sunday. She is out of a mare that produced a first out winner at Oaklawn Park last spring with her first foal and appears ready to fire fresh. I will give the daughter of Knicks Go a shot to get my day started under the twin spires.Play: #5 Go New York Go (9-2 ML)Race 6:The pace may not be totally to his liking in this third-level allowance at 5.5-furlongs over the grass, but the price should be right to wager on #7 Sine Qua Non. The Doubledown Stables gelding makes his first start of the year for trainer Jimmy Divito after rattling off a pair of wins going away at Hawthorne to end his 4YO season. The son of Yoshida competed mainly in two-turn races out west to start his career before heading to Illinois and rattling off three consecutive strong runs from off-the-pace before returning to the sidelines. He comes in from Oaklawn Park off a bit of a bumpy work tab, but was likely pointed for this spot at some point this winter. Hopefully, he is ready to fire big off the layoff and gets a better setup than it appears on paper.Play: #7 Sine Qua Non (8-1 ML)Race 9:The card concludes with this first-level allowance at two-turns over the grass where California import #3 Brilliantly was made the 3-1-ML favorite. The daughter of Uncle Mo was probably not set out to be a turf horse since she landed in the hands of Bob Baffert, but did her earn her lone win over the grass before competing against stakes company on the dirt this winter. She is capable of wiring out this field like she did that day, but will probably be over bet. I prefer #1 Midway Memories. The 4YO filly makes her second start off the layoff for Chad Brown after getting handled easily by her stablemate Portfolio Duration. She does not meet anyone though at that gal’s level in this spot, moves to an inside post, and attracts Irad Ortiz for the first time. I expect her to be a bit closer to the early pace today and finishing with a lot more energy.Play: #1 Midway Memories (4-1 ML)

Take advantage of 10X 1/ST Rewards Points on all bets Sunday at Woodbine. It's early in the Canadian racing calendar and catching horses at the proper fitness level and readiness is key. Here are a couple of runners I've got on my radar for the card.Woodbine: Race 5#1 Vamos Viejo (8-1 morning line odds) was claimed at Turfway in February, so he’s run through the winter and should have some fitness edge over a field of all layoff horses. Turfway runners are a sharp 10: 3-3-0 during the initial days of the Woodbine season. Trainer Debra Rombis has won with 2 of her first 3 starters at the meet. Win-place bet #5.Woodbine: Race 8#8 Baxley (5-2 morning line odds) has won his last 4 races around 1 turn and has a fitness edge with recent activity in Ohio and Kentucky for high-percentage trainer Larry Rivelli. As mentioned previoujsly, the Turfway runners are having a strong say early at Woodbine. Won’t be a big price, but looks trustworthy in the late-day multi-race wagers. Win bet at 2-1 or more. Exactas 8 with 3,1. Single in multis.

Northfield Park begins the week with a 15-race card. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts 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)6-Bismarkduplessis N (9-1)-The 6 & 8 are Christi Noble trainees, and both were a Judges scratch on 4-19 due to transportation, and they haven't raced since 4-6. Maybe the time off will hurt. But will use both because they probably are ready. This is a price shot who could finish best of all if the fractions are hot.7-Ammo (7/2)-If the Noble entries didn't miss a start, the veteran wouldn't be on my list. But under the circumstances this might be a beatable field. The Burke trainee has been finishing 2nd and this time it could do better..8-Helium N (6/5)-Maybe the outside draw and missing a race may help the price but this should be the chalk. If the plan is to go hard when the wings fold, an easy lead has the 6-year-old posing. But if a more conservative plan is in play, then coming off cover is not her strong suit.Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)8-Spaaaanzano (9/5)-The Chris Beaver trainee comes right back after beating straight Open company leaving from post 5. Will be a small price and could double up with this post draw but will use one more. Got a 29.3 breather after being hung the opening quarter and was much the best.9-Disgruntled Carl (9/2)-Came 3rd after losing ground down the stretch, after landing in the pocket. Was hung out into a 27.2 opening quarter and didn't have much left down the lane. Did miss a start and could benefit here from the inside horses having some gate speed. Will look for a more efficient journey.Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)1-Betterdealmein (5-1)-Aaron Merriman steers and that is a ++ driver change. Came 2nd the last time this pilot was in charge and that was on 3-29. Put in an even effort last week and had missed a start. Comes right back against the same and when Merriman drives for the Umholtz barn he posts 43% winners.2-Cocosdream A (5/2)-This is the 3rd start off the bench and should fit well with this group. Chris Lems could work an efficient trip and is a player if brings a big try.7-Trosa A (8-1)-Left hard and got a 2-hole trip versus this kind. AMac probably has little choice but to leave as the 2nd morning line choice starts outside and has gate speed. Getting a smooth trip is the question but could be overlooked and has been racing well.Race 14 (10:46 PM EDT)5-Highland Mowgli (5/2)-Meadows shipper knows its way around the Nfld oval (39-10-9-5). Merriman steers and when he combines with Rone Burke they post 35% winners. Should be out and rolling and can get a winning trip with this post draw.9-Whiskey Finish (5-1)-The Ryan Angus entry bumps up after winning easily off a ground saving journey. A similar trip could happen as the rail horse should be leaving and could offer a square price.$1 Late Pick 46,7,8/8,9/1,2,7/5,9Total Bet=$36Check me out on X!