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

There are just two days remaining to get involved at Santa Anita Park with tomorrow being closing day due to the power issues that forced cancellation of the second half of Thursday’s card. Today’s 12-race slate at the “Great Race Place” has a number of high-quality wagering opportunities. Here are a few horses I will be keying in on in hopes of taking advantage.Race 1:The day kicks off with a wide-open state-bred MSW at 6-furlongs over the sod. Of those that have competed in the afternoons I like #4 Come On Om best. The Harris Farm homebred ran too good to lose at double-digit odds in her debut last month and will be tough to beat if she moves forward off that first run. However, the value is likely to be good to pass on first-time starter #1 Rousing Rhythm. The Mr. & Mrs Larry D. Williams homebred is out of a mare that has produced 2 first-out winners and a runner-up with her first four foals. Trainer Dean Pederson does not have sparkling numbers with debut turf sprinters, but certainly has proven capable over the years. I will gamble this gal is live at first asking.Play: #1 Rousing Rhythm (8-1 ML)Picks: 1-4-10Race 5:I am less creative in this second-level allowance at 6-furlongs over the grass where #5 Can’t Sleep appears to be better than these. Trainer Carla Gaines brings back this Harris Farms homebred for her first start of 2026 after a win against first-level allowance foes at Del Mar to conclude her 4YO campaign. She has not been great out of the gate in some of her starts, but otherwise has done little wrong through 6 starts. Gaines sports a positive ROI off a 72-race recent sample of runners returning off 90+ day breaks and Can’t Sleep won on debut and ran well last summer on the dirt in her return race. Therefore, my concerns off of her not being ready off the bench are minimal. Her talent should be good enough to handle this field.Play: #5 Can’t Sleep (5-2 ML)Picks: 5-4-2Race 11:My final play of the day comes in this first-level allowance down the Hillside Turf Course where #6 No Cap should be loose on the lead. The Dad’s Caps mare has done most of her running on dirt, but when she has run on turf she has been solid. She has a win in five starts and a good third at odds of 51-1 in a similar spot in February. The difference in this race is not only the quality of the competition, but the fact she was not ridden for speed that day by Armando Ayuso. I would be shocked though if Emisael Jaramillo is not cognizant of the lack of overall speed signed on. Expect him to send the 5YO aggressively to the front and have enough left late to earn her fourth career victory.Play: #6 No Cap (4-1 ML)Picks: 6-1-8

Northfield Park begins the week with a 15-race card. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool starts in Race 11. The Spot Plays for tonight are in Race 6, Race 7, and Race 12. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (7:50 PM EDT)6-HP Terpsichore (12-1)-Finished 2nd against a well-meant winner in last. Has the gate speed to get another close-up seat. This is a camera shy group but has shown a win and a 2nd place finish in its last 2 starts at this level. Willing to use as a win play at the morning line price and in Exactas. Did move forward off the gate with James Day at the controls in last. He will be steering tonight and will look for an aggressive drive.6-HP Terpsichore (12-1) to Win and in 2Exacta Boxes 4-6, 6-8Race 7 (8:12 PM EDT)6-Bad Girls Racing (3-1)-Raced better than the last line looked to come 2nd considering the winner got away with a (.31) 2nd panel. Dan Noble wasn't going to be caught down the lane after that breather. Drops, and Chris Lems gets the call. Did win 3 levels higher the last time Lems drove, and he posts 24% winners when steering for the Brian Miller barn. Comes back in sequence and could have its way with this field with a smooth trip.Exactas 6-1, 6-9Race 127-U Going (4-1)-The post draw helps the price and has won 5 of 24 races at Nfld. Noble beat this kind on 3-22 on a sloppy track and this pilot posts 33% winners when teaming up with the Peter Stratton barn. Will fade the 3/2 choice #8 Silver Bentley and will add points with Noble landing here. Noble has one move to use and will rely on him to push the button at the right time.Exactas 7/1,2,8Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVES$2,500 Late Pick 5 Hit & Split | Delaware Park10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Monmouth Park | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESSanta Anita | announced that Monday racing will be added due to Thursday’s power outage cancellationSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-10; Santa Anita Races 5-6-8Sunset 6 | Gulfstream Races 9-10-11; Santa Anita Races 10-11-12TOURNAMENT TIME$2000 Monmouth Pick Your Prize Challenge | details$500 Santa Anita Park Challenge | details$100 NYRA feeder | details$40 Canterbury Park feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $19,797 | Delaware Park | begins Race 1 | 12:20 pm ETPick 5 | $41,768 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 4 | 6:44 pm ETPick 6 | $53,570 | Santa Anita | begins Race 7 | 7:05 pm ETKEY RACESMonmouth | Race 4 | 2:20 pm ET | Eatontown StakesMonmouth | Race 5 | 2:52 pm ET | Pegasus StakesDelaware Park | Race 6 | 3:10 pm ET | Alapocas Run StakesMonmouth | Race 6 | 3:24 pm ET | Monmouth StakesDelaware Park | Race 7 | 3:44 pm ET | Robert G. Dick Memorial StakesAqueduct | Race 7 | 4:13 pm ET | NY Stallion StakesDelaware Park | Race 8 | 4:18 pm ET | Obeah StakesDelaware Park | Race 9 | 4:52 pm ET | Cape Henlopen StakesChurchill Downs | Race 9 | 4:56 pm ET | Monomoy Girl StakesMonmouth | Race 9 | 5:01 pm ET | Salvator Mile StakesDelaware Park | Race 10 | 5:26 pm ET | Delaware DerbyChurchill Downs | Race 10 | 5:28 pm ET | Chorleywood StakesDelaware Park | Race 11 | 6:00 pm ET | Delaware OaksEvangeline Downs | Race 3 | 7:24 pm ET | Alabama StakesSanta Anita | Race 8 | 7:35 pm ET | Daytona StakesPrairie Meadows | Race 6 | 8:08 pm ET | Prairie Mile StakesPrairie Meadows | Race 8 | 9:00 pm ET | Rasmussen StakesSanta Anita | Race 11 | 9:05 pm ET | Summertime OaksCharles Town | Race 8 | 10:32 pm ET | Confucius Say StakesWoodbine Mohawk | Race 11 | 10:45 pm ET | North America CupLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXAqueduct | Race 10 | 5:48 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 11 | 5:59 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 8 | 7:35 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMac Robertson | Canterbury Park | all 5 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Charles Town | favorites won 8 of 9 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for SaturdayJeremy Plonk: Delaware Park Late Pick 5 Hit & Split AnalysisScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Spot Plays for SaturdayJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Monmouth’s Salvator MileAl Cimaglia: North America Cup Night Best Bets for Woodbine MohawkFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Tonight, all eyes will be on Woodbine Mohawk Park as the $1,000,000 Pepsi North America Cup is the headliner of the 13-race card. It is a stakes heavy program with over $2.2 million in purses. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 7 Armbro Flight Final-$215,000 Purse (9:00 EDT)6-Yo Tillie (7/2)-Comes off a tough loss to a 58-1 shot who was driven perfectly and came out of the pocket to win. That was at Oak Grove on 5-16 and Tillie got the top off the gate just before the 1/4 pole after leaving from post 7. If Todd McCarthy had to do it all over again, he probably wouldn't have gone a (27.2) 3rd quarter, especially after the 2nd chalk broke stride at the top of the last turn. That was then and this is now. Tonight, Tillie starts from the choice post and is a perfect 2-2 at Mohawk. Not sure the 7/2 morning line holds up but won't be 1/2. Looking for a rebound, and to take its 3rd picture in 4 starts this season.6-Yo Tillie To WinExactas6/1,8,4Race 9 Mohawk Gold Cup-$100,000 Purse (9:49 PM EDT)7-Prince Hal Hanover (4-1)-Started the year with 3 straight wins. Then came 3rd the last time at Wbsb on 5-30 to snap the streak. Was used to get the top early in the mile on that night. Did put away the race time chalk who immediately posed a challenge. Sizzled the 3rd quarter in 26.2, didn't get a breather and finished a game 3rd. Flew home from a tough spot to lose by only a nose in the Battle of Potomac at Nfld in its last race. This is a big, powerful horse who is versatile and wins on large and small ovals. Might be overlooked here and offers some value at the morning line price or higher. Todd McCarthy should be aggressive and has the gate speed to get a close-up early seat.7-Prince Hall Hanover to Win7-9-3Race 11 Pepsi North America Cup-$1,000,000 Purse (10:45 PM EDT)4-Sweet Lovin Lou (9/2)-The son of Sweet Lou is the "other" Elimination winner, and isn't getting much respect. The 2nd Elim was the main event, it had the advertised match-race between Odds On Mr Mamba and the unbeaten Beau Jangles. That said, Lou is kind of an afterthought coming into the Final, but my eyes say he comes off a very impressive score. The Dan Lagace pupil will get a new set of hands in Scott Zeron as James MacDonald will drive Odds On Mr Mamba. Zeron has more than one gear to use on this 3-year-old who has hit the board in 10 of 11 at Wbsb and has taken 4 pictures. The colt should be forwardly placed, and there will be a spicy pace as soon as the wings fold. Will look for Zeron to be in striking range at the top of the last turn and then roll by them all down the lane at a square price.4-Sweet Lovin Lou to Win4-3-10-5Check me out on X! Photo Courtesy Woodbine Mohawk

In addition to the stakes action in the Mid-Atlantic and the final Saturday of live racing at Santa Anita Park until the fall, Churchill Downs has yet another solid weekend slate to attack. Their 11-race card features a pair of non-graded stakes and offers a plethora of horizontal wagering opportunities. Here are a few horses I will be building my Saturday afternoon around under the twin spires.Race 3:My first play comes in this auction-restricted MSW event for 2YO fillies at 4.5-furlongs over the main track where I have little interest in any of the three runners with experience. Of the first-time starters, I landed on #1 Countthetrue. The Enticed filly comes into her first lifetime start off a steady series of local drills for veteran conditioner Wayne Catalano. Catalano has not won a springtime 2YO race at Churchill in some time, but that comes with a limited sample size. This Stephen Fidel homebred is out of a To Honor and Serve mare that won on debut over this surface back on 9/5/24. The rail draw in these 4.5-furlong dashes can be a major advantage if you get out of the gate in good order. Hopefully, jockey Victor Carrasco is able to do just that to kick off a middle Pick 5.Play: #1 Countthetrue (7-2 ML)Picks: 1-7-4Race 7:This third-level allowance at one-mile over the grass drew a compact group of seven where the inside three mares are likely to take the lion’s share of public support. #1 Austere was made the 2-1-ML favorite for Brendan Walsh with Matt Shirer conditioned #3 She’s Lookin Lucky listed as the 5-2-second choice. #2 Smiling Ellie is right behind them at 3-1 and my top choice. The daughter of Midshipman ran well in both of her 2026 starts, including last time out when she was between rivals, mid-pack much of the way before battling for clear sailing and almost springing the upset at odds of 14-1. Smiling Ellie was out finished that day by the 5-2-favorite that got a dream run up the inside and would be a significant favorite versus this bunch. Francisco Arrieta should be able to save ground early with the Mark Casse trainee and come with a late run strong enough to earn this gal’s sixth lifetime victory.Play: #2 Smiling Ellie (3-1 ML)Picks: 2-3-1Race 8:My final spot play of the day in Louisville comes in this $62,500 claimer at 7.5-furlongs over the main track where I will take a big swing with #8 Tom Cat Tuesday. It has not been a good spring in Kentucky thus far for trainer Genaro Garcia, but maybe his colt can take advantage of a field that appears to have a seriously lack of early speed. #7 Big City and #10 Bernin Hot are likely to be prominent early, but Tom Cat Tuesday exits a strong allowance race at 6-furlongs and has become accustomed to races that are run much faster over the first half mile. The son of Bolt d’Oro has earned 2 of his 3 career victories over this surface and should be a huge price. Hopefully, jockey Edgar Morales is far more aggressive on the stretch out than he was last time. If so, this colt should outrun his odds at the very least.Play: #8 Tom Cat Tuesday (20-1 ML)Picks- 8-3-9

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 3-5-7Sunset 6 | Gulfstream Races 7-8-9; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9TOURNAMENT TIME$100 NYRA feeder | details$40 Santa Anita feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | $5,371 | Churchill Downs | Race 2 | 1:14 pm ET--Santa Anita will have mandatory payouts on SundayKEY RACESSanta Anita | Race 7 | 7:02 pm ET | Possibly Perfect StakesPrairie Meadows | Race 5 | 7:42 pm ET | Jack Bishop StakesPrairie Meadows | Race 7 | 8:34 pm ET | Panthers StakesPrairie Meadows | Race 9 | 9:26 pm ET | Prairie Rose StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXLaurel | Race 6 | 2:23 pm ETWoodbine | Race 5 | 3:00 pm ETEvangeline Downs | Race 5 | 8:18 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHGeorge Weaver | Aqueduct, Prairie Meadows | 4 of 5 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Aqueduct | jockey Manny Franco | 4 wins, 2 seconds from 8 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for FridayFrank Carulli: Gulfstream Park Rainbow 6 Analysis for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

After an early start to the final week of the winter-spring season at Santa Anita Park yesterday, they are back at it in Arcadia with a 9-race card that kicks off at 4PM eastern/1PM local time. The card is headlined by the $100,000 Possibly Perfect Stakes at 1 1/4-miles over the Hillside Turf Course and makes up the second leg of Friday’s All-Turf Pick 3. Here are a few horses I plan to build my day around.Race 1:The top two choices on the morning line are likely to be tough in this 5-furlong turf event for state-bred MSW foes. 6-5-favorite #4 Zip Me Up bested #6 Sacred Sound last month in a race where the speeds did not hang around late. I like Sacred Sound though to turn the tables in the rematch. The Altamira Racing Stable filly was returning off a 9-month break for Peter Miller last out and ran like it. She broke just okay and then struggled to relax leaving her with little left when the real running started, but I expect better in the opener. Her early speed, the cutback to 5-panels, and the move to Juan Hernandez all spell trouble for this field of non-winners assuming she can get out of the gate in good order.Play: #6 Sacred Sound (2-1 ML)Picks: 6-4-5Race 5:This state-bred MSW at 6.5-furlongs over the Santa Anita grass appears more wide-open than the morning line suggests. That is because I am not in love with taking anything close to the 9-5-ML offering on career maiden #10 Booked Clubhouse. The Sean McCarthy trainee has hit the board in 4 of his 8 starts, but lacks speed and has burnt a decent amount of coin along the way. He will eventually find his friends, but it will not be with my backing. I will try to beat him with #6 Owl. The son of Sir Prancealot makes his second career start after a solid run at odds of 40-1 to finish fourth on debut. Veteran conditioner Neil Drysdale adds the blinkers, which hopefully leads to enough improvement to handle this large field of non-winners. I will take my chances it does at his morning line price or higher.Play: #6 Owl (5-1 ML)Picks: 6-1-10Race 7: Possibly PerfectMy final play of the afternoon in Arcadia comes in the aforementioned feature at 10-furlongs over the lawn where I like #3 Innovative. This group of nine set to go to post at 4:02 local time lacks early speed and I am hopeful it is jockey Ricky Gonzalez that takes advantage. The daughter of Complexity broke fine from her inside draw last out going one-mile in the Royal Heroine (G3), but was not ridden for early speed in a race that was always going to set far quicker fractions than this one. With the knowledge that this is a quarter mile longer and her best chance to get the distance is to get to the front and carry her speed all the way much like she did in her maiden breaker at 1 1/8-miles a little over a year ago over this same turf, the mission should be obvious. With an inside draw and the probable race shape, I am hopeful it is Gonzalez that gets to the front early and dictates terms throughout. If so, Innovative stands a very good chance of springing the minor upset.Play: #3 Innovative (5-1 ML)Picks: 3-2-8