The Lead:Belmont Park puts the 3-year-olds front and center one last time for 2026 with the Grade 2 $300,000 Mother Goose for fillies and the $200,000 Dwyer for the colts and geldings. Both attracted full fields, but the latter’s inclusion of 2026 Champion 2-Year-Old Ted Noffey in his long-awaited return steals the spotlight. The Dwyer is a 1-turn mile and goes as Race 8, immediately followed by the Mother Goose at 1-1/16 miles. It’s about as intriguing a stakes double as you’ll see the week after a Breeders’ Cup.​​​Field Depth:Grade 1 winner TED NOFFEY is the only graded winner in the field. Grade 2-placed STOP THE CAR and the Grade 3-placed pair of BRAVARO and IGNITER have some black-type repute. Beyond the race classifications this race is pretty evenly matched on schedule strength when you factor in things like layoffs, distances and more.​Pace:The clash between sprinters and routers at this 1-turn mile looks evident. Expect plenty of early heat from the likes of OVERTIME RULES, STIMULATE, DECISIVE WIN and MAILATA, while TED NOFFEY could also be right in the mix while returning fresh and BRAVARO could be sent along from the rail despite a versatile style. A finisher would seem to have every chance with this table setting.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-BRAVARO: Versatile and consistent sort looks reliable once again in this spot after a 3-week blip to his training in late September-early October. Won from the rail in a 1-turn mile last year in the Sleepy Hollow but it’s an uncertain trip here stylistically with pure speed breaking in the 2 stalls next door.2-OVERTIME RULES: Wire-to-wire winner in 2 straight has made the lead in all 3 outings for Arnaud Delacour and will be testing stakes runners for the first time. Fast-early, slow-late Keeneland sprint win where the exacta was 489-1 provides more questions than answers for tougher and farther assignment.3-STIMULATE: Credible third around 2 turns in the Bourbon Flight when tested for distance and class at Churchill. Regally bred Tapit-Elate colt should appreciate the return to 1-turn racing and be right into the mix from the outset. Mott-Alvarado team coming off huge Breeders’ Cup Classic score with Sovereignty and riding high. Prefer this one to the other speeds in the race.4-WHITE SMOKE RISING: Disappointing third as the 9-5 favorite in local allowance over this trip Sept. 24, but local experience and a sharp workout tab since give him some home-field edge. Pace should set up for a late move and his style could fit that shape for a Charlie Baker barn that has struggled. Kendrick Carmouche picks up the mount for the first time.5-STOP THE CAR: Closer will be working late to make up a sure deficit but is hard to recommend on top after 6 straight stakes defeats. Trainer Brendan Walsh turns to Dylan Davis for the first time with this Pat Day Mile third-place finisher whose best races have come at this trip. Late piece upon best outlooks.6-TED NOFFEY: Undefeated Eclipse Award winner has been out more than 12 months and has trained on a steady and consistent pattern since late summer. Bone bruising cited over the winter and was expected to be back in serious training at the start of May, but took until August to log his first drill. Plan has been the Cigar Mile since Labor Day and this race could put him on track for that but isn’t the destination. Given the high-pressure pace scenario and time away, I’ll try to beat him.7-DECISIVE WIN: California raider adds blinkers for trainer Doug O’Neill and should be part of a contested early pace. Inconsistency has plagued the Nyquist colt, a $600K purchase with just 1 victory from 6 starts. Off the board in both stakes tries to date against fields that look weaker than this one.8-IGNITER: Versatile running style could come in handy in a race with a pronounced early pace. Won the Ellis Park Derby over this mile trip and broke his maiden in his other 1-turn mile bid last year. Rick Dutrow trainee is a 4-time winner and could be a square price to consider on Saturday.9-SEA STRIKE: Curlin Stakes winner found the Travers a bit too much over 10 furlongs when fading in the final sixteenth but should be very strong in a 1-turn mile with a great pace set-up. Expect him mid-pack with a finishing ability against these sharper milers. Perfect workout tab over the past 2 months since Saratoga and should be set for a top effort for Chad Brown-Flavien Prat, both excelling at the new Belmont meet.10-MAILATA: Parx speedster has had wild fluctuations in performance over the past 2 seasons. Which version of trainer Butch Reid’s top sophomore shows up? He’ll need to be his very best to compete with the top of this lineup and the taxing early pace makes it feel like a hurdle very difficult to top.Most Likely Exotics Contender:SEA STRIKE is classy, training well and gets a great pace set-up.Best Longshot Contender:IGNITER is best at this 1-turn mile and his PA Derby was excusable when the 1-2 finishers came back to shine in the Breeders' Cup.​​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$40 Exactas SEA STRIKE over IGNITER and STIMULATE ($80). $10 Exactas SEA STRIKE over BRAVARO and STOP THE CAR ($20).​

Racing reconvenes on Thursday afternoon at Belmont Park and it does so with style after horseplayers were unable to connect the dots on the Sunday Pick 6. Therefore, the traditional style $1 minimum wager has a $63,668 carryover for the card that gets started at 12:40 PM eastern time in Long Island with the Pick 6 sequence kicking off with Race 3 at 1:40 PM. The card also is part of our new promotion. The Cornucopia of Cash is on Tuesday and Thursday and offers horseplayers a chance to earn a $10 bonus for wagering $100+ on select tracks throughout the month of November. The good news is Belmont is the select track for November 5! So, head on over to the promotional landing page for full details and to register.Here are a few horses I consider must uses.Race 5:This maiden optional claimer at one-mile over the turf is one of the more intriguing races on the Thursday New York slate. The two ML favorites #7 Hetch Hetchy and #2 Proper Jack exit a similar spot over this surface at 8.5-furlongs last month where they finished second and third. The two off-the-pace colts are in with a chance, but likely to be a bit over bet.I prefer the value #4 My Man Max should offer. The son of Maxfield goes two sprints on the dirt to a turf route for trainer Horacio De Paz. He made a big run late to finish second at Colonial Downs on debut before an even fourth over this racetrack on October 4. De Paz sports incredibly strong numbers over the last five years with horses making their first start in a turf route clicking with 12 of 56 for a $3.56 ROI. Add to the mix, this colt being out of a Smart Strike mare that was a marathon turf horse overseas and you have a runner that makes for a very intriguing option.Play: #4 My Man Max (6-1 ML)Picks: 4-1-7Race 6:There is not much speed signed on in this second-level allowance event at seven-furlongs over the main track. #1 Amberjack is likely to set the pace with a clean break from the rail. The 3YO takes on older runners for the first time after a less-than-ideal start led to a disappointing run as a long shot in the Gallant Bob (G2). He has a shot to wire the field, but the final furlong could prove challenging. #2 Two Eagles River should be in a perfect stalking position throughout allowing him to take advantage in his second start off the claim for trainer Rob Atras. The hard knocking son of Cloud Computing has won 7 of 32 throughout his career, including 4 of 9 at the tricky seven-furlong distance. The 5-2-second choice looks like the clear horse to beat in the Thursday feature.Play: #2 Two Eagles River (5-2 ML)Picks: 2-1-3Race 7:#8 Ice Chocolat was made the 8-5-ML favorite in this open $25k claimer over the sod at 1 1/8-miles after taking a similar group gate-to-wire going a sixteenth shorter on October 10. The 8YO gelding broke on top from his inside draw that day, dictated terms throughout, and had enough left late to hold safe as the 4-5-top choice. I do not expect things to be as easy in this spot though given the presence of a couple of runners that could put a bit more pressure on him in the early stages and more importantly the added ground. Both work against the nine-time winner. I will try to beat him with the New York-bred #2 Clear Conscience. The son of Blame makes his second start of the meet after a mid-pack finish versus better on October 14. He draws inside, which should prove advantageous as it often does going long on the sod. Hopefully, Edgard Zayas can save ground throughout and make a big run late to get the money.Play: #2 Clear Conscience (6-1 ML)Picks: 2-6-8

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $83,715 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $53,803 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 5 | 2:57 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $4,296 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 7 | 4:42 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $64,979 | Charles Town | begins Race 3 | 7:57 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 7 | 3:55 pm ETDelta Downs | Race 1 | 5:40 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSteve Asmussen | Remington Park | all 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Horseshoe Indianapolis | favorites went 0-10 on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Parx | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $72,861 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETPick 5 | $4,315 | Mahoning Valley | begins Race 1 | 12:15 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $3,892 | Mountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXZia Park | Race 2 | 2:32 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 4:30 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHTodd Fincher | Zia Park | 7 of 8 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Zia Park | jockey Luis Valenzuela | 4 wins from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Parx Bet $100, Get $10 promo picksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

All throughout November 1/ST BET and Xpressbet extend thanks to players with the twice-weekly Cornucopia of Cash promotion. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, bet select tracks to receive a $10 balance when you wager at least $100 on the card. First up Tuesday will be Parx Racing. Here’s how I’ll approach the card from Pennsylvania.Parx: Race 5 | 1:53 pm ET#4 Weekend Honor (4-1 morning line odds) exits a maiden-breaking win for the $25,000 level and that’s the best win on paper by any of these non-winners of 2 lifetime claimers. Vast improvement in both starts this year from the 0-6 campaign in 2025 that otherwise soils her form. Win bet #4. Picks 4-3-5Parx: Race 8 | 3:14 pm ET#5 Dreambuilder (7-2 morning line odds) was a strong second in stakes company last out without Lasix and gets back on the medication today under top pilot Paco Lopez in the return to allowance company. Should be pressing right in the mix. Win bet #5. Picks 5-6-3

The race that stops a nation assumes the international stage tonight as the $7.2 million Melbourne Cup is renewed for the 166th time. The 2-mile fixture at Flemington will be Race 7 on a card that gets underway at 6:45 pm ET US. The main event takes flight at 11:00 pm ET with a field of 24 international stayers. Showery forecast expected to produce soft going.Wagering offered to US customers, including at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET includes: Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta and Pick 4 (Races 7-10). The favorite hasn’t won the Melbourne Cup since 2013 and last year’s winner, Half Yours, was third choice in the market.Let’s meet the leading contenders for the Melbourne Cup:20-POINT OF LAW (4-1): One of 7 stablemates in the lineup representing trainer Ciaran Maher, who won this race in 2022 with Gold Trip. Lightly raced son of Frankel has won 3 of 5, but yet to race above the Group 3 level and will be tested for stamina and class while the ‘now’ horse. Sold by owner/breeder King Charles of England just prior to winning the Oct. 21 Geelong Cup and was previously campaigned in the UK by John and Thady Gosden, winning the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket.2-TRUSTYOURINSTINCT (4-1): Group 2 Curragh Cup winner exits a fourth in the classic Group 1 Irish St. Leger in September. The 6-year-old has won 9 of 25 starts. Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien twice has found success in the Melbourne Cup (Rekindling 2017 and Twilight Pavement 2020). Jockey James McDonald won this race in 2021 aboard Very Eleegant.12-HOPEWELL ROCK (5-1): Star British trainer George Boughey has had a remarkable year with Bow Echo his stable star and last week won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with Libertango. This UK raider was runner-up in the Ebor at York in August when last seen and has won 3 of 10, including a 1-3/4 miles handicap this summer at Goodwood. South African-born and Aussie-raised jockey Zac Lloyd has had a breakout year in 2026, winning the Golden Slipper in the Spring and getting to team with Boughey at Royal Ascot on the international stage.1-SONS AND LOVERS (10-1): Carries top weight at 127 pounds for Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien, who seeks a third Melbourne Cup success (2017, 2020). Dylan McMonagle, who rode a pair of runners-up among 4 mounts in the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland over the weekend, will be aboard. Group 2 winner at Longchamp in July and exits a second-place effort in the Group 3 Kilternan at Leopardstown back home in Ireland in September. Sons And Lovers was fourth over the 2-mile journey at Meydan in the Dubai Gold Cup on the World Cup Day undercard.11-JUJA KIBO (14-1): Ciaran Maher’s second-best of 7 options according to the morning line prices, this one rides a 2-race win streak in the main event. Exits wins at Randwick in the Metropolitan and over this Flemington course in the Moonee Valley, both Group 2 stakes. Known to possess a strong turn of foot late in the going. Everest Stakes-winning jockey Sam Clipperton bids for his first Melbourne Cup after a return from retirement.4-MIDDLE EARTH (15-1): Leaves from the inside gate in the field of 24. Part of the 7-fold Ciaran Maher brigade looking to bring the barn its second Melbourne Cup glory. Mark Zahra knows Melbourne Cup riding success, guiding Gold Trip and Without A Fight to back-to-back wins in 2022-’23. Overmatched at the highest levels of late in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup and Group 1 Cox Plate in a 1-for-6 season that includes a Group 3 win at Doomben in May.24-SHOCKLETZ (15-1): Yet another for the Ciaran Maher outfit, whose 7 runners here include 4 of the top-7 morning line choices in the betting. Jockey Harry Coffey rides just days after a surgically repaired broken collarbone. Jockey Michael Dee would be Plan B. Mare gets in extremely light at 112 pounds. Runner-up Oct. 24 in the Group 3 Tesio is a daughter of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking.

MELBOURNE CUPFlemington | Race 7 | 11:00 pm ET (card begins 6:45 pm ET)NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $61,745 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETPick 5 | $17,612 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 4 | 3:00 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $1,303 | Mountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXMahoning Valley | Race 6 | 2:35 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:00 pm ETMountaineer | Race 5 | 7:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrandon Kulp | Parx | all 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mountaineer | Race 2 | 125-1 winner Sway Me Over debuted a $252.20 mutuel and keyed a dime super worth a national-best $9.515.60.PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

Yonkers Raceway has a 10-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool starts in Race 5. The Spot Plays are in Race 2, Race 6, and Race 10. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 2 (7:05 PM EST)6-Vicious (5-1)-This is the 3rd start back after a lame scratch on 8-31. Came off the bench on 10-19, drew the 8-hole, and put in a no-move mile. Then came back in sequence, left from post 4, landed in the pocket and finished that way. Now bumps up and should be a solid price. Can leave and land right behind Jason Bartlett on the rail horse who is even money in the program. The 7-year-old has a tactical edge in a race without much early speed inside. Could challenge the chalk if the opening turn goes well.2-1-5Race 6 (8:25 PM EST)8-Theflyingrock (4-1)-If the 8/5 morning line choice #3 Missed The Truth A loses my guess it will be to someone close to the leader turning for the wire that proves best in the late going. The Rock draws outside but could fly off the gate and might get a pocket ride. Steps up, but is sharp, has won 3 straight and should be a fair price with this post draw. The 8-year-old still enjoys taking pictures, has posted 11 wins in 23 starts this year. Plus, it's Yonkers record is impressive as well (74-20-9-13).8-3-5Race 10 (9:45 PM EST)6-No Trespassing (4-1)-Took about 6-weeks off after being a sick scratch on 9-15. Comes off a dull try versus better at PcD on 10-24, ships in, and lands in a soft spot. Cashed checks versus better before the sick scratch and should enjoy the company. Bartlett gets the nod and when he steers for the Daguet barn they have combined for 41% winners. The 4-year-old should be in the mix and has a pilot who can push the button at the right time.6-2-5Check me out on X!