EXTRA INCENTIVES15% Win Boost | Royal Ascot | all races this week10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Thistledown | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESRoyal Ascot | final day of meeting | first post 9:30 am ET | Wager GuideChurchill Downs | night racing | first post 6:00 pm ETTOURNAMENT TIME$100 NYRA feeder | details$40 Canterbury feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $53,056 | Monmouth Park | begins Race 1 | 12:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $99,647 | Churchill Downs | begins 5 Race | 8:05 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $55,068 | Prairie Meadows | begins Race 6 | 8:08 pm ETKEY RACESRoyal Ascot | Race 3 | 10:40 am ET | G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee StakesLaurel | Race 7 | 3:13 pm ET | Jameela StakesThistledown | Race 8 | 3:18 pm ET | Lewis Memorial StakesThistledown | Race 9 | 3:57 pm ET | Cleveland Gold CupAqueduct | Race 7 | 4:13 pm ET | NYSS Spectacular Bid StakesLaurel | Race 9 | 4:17 pm ET | Ben’s Cat StakesGulfstream | Race 10 | 4:54 pm ET | Azalea StakesLos Alamitos | Race 9 | 8:14 pm ET | Bertrando StakesThistledown | Race 10 | 4:48 pm ET | Classen Memorial StakesThistledown | Race 11 | 5:35 pm ET | Lady Jacqueline StakesThistledown | Race 12 | 6:20 pm ET | Ohio DerbyChurchill Downs | Race 9 | 10:14 pm ET | Chicago StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 5 | 2:28 pm ETGulfstream | Race 9 | 4:21 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 6 | 8:39 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHLinda Rice | Aqueduct | all 7 entrants 5-1 or less odds (6 at 3-1 or less)DID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Emerald Downs | favorites 4 for 7 on card, now 46 of last 92 (50%)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Saturday Spot PlaysJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week Azalea Stakes at GulfstreamScott Shapiro: Ohio Derby Day at Thistledown Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

There are just two Saturdays left at the Churchill Downs Spring Meet with next week’s final one being Stephen Foster (G1) Day. Tonight’s slate will be a “Downs After Dark” card meaning first post is not until 6PM eastern. The 10-race slate is headlined by the Chicago (G3) at 7-furlongs over the main track. Here are the horses I like most on the evening, including my top choice in the feature.Race 4:The pace should be honest to fast in this $30k non-winners of two lifetime event at one-mile over the sod. This should benefit Florida-bred #3 The Town. The $150k OBS March ’25 purchase debuted in dirt races for trainer Brad Cox, but eventually moved to two-turn turf races where he has a win and a second in four starts. The last two have been off the board efforts, but have come against stronger competition than he encounters today. Cox has given the 3YO colt time since an arduous winter and early spring in Florida and legs up Irad Ortiz Jr. The Town’s lack of gate speed has always left him with a lot to do late, but the probable race shape really should set things up for his strong late run.Play: #3 The Town (4-1 ML)Picks: 3-2-11Race 8:My next “Downs After Dark” play comes in another one-mile excursion over the turf, but this one for $80,000 claimers that have never won two races. #1 Mesa Magic stretches out to a true route of ground for the first in over a year for Al Stall Jr. and finds a favorable spot to do so. The Good Magic gelding drops in class and draws the rail after breaking from the far outside in a turf sprint on May 17. Stall takes the blinkers off and attracts Luis Saez for the first time this year. Given the overall lack of early zip signed on, I am hopeful it is the aggressive Saez who uses his post and his runner’s tactical speed to find a favorable forward position in the early stages. If he is able to do so and avoid getting caught up in a tussle on the backstretch, he has a strong chance of finishing off a somewhat underwhelming group to kick off the late Pick 3.Play: #1 Mega Magic (7-2 ML)Picks: 1-2-6Race 9: Chicago (G3)The Saturday night feature looks like a bit of a two-filly race between #2 Eclatant and #5 Usha (pictured). Eclatant really has turned a corner in 2026 after disappointing as a 4YO for Stonestreet Stables and Brad Cox. The daughter of Into Mischief ran huge in her return race at Gulfstream Park in February before putting in a monster effort besting Grand Job by a nose in the Madison (G1). Cox has given Eclatant extra time after the career best run, but I am still concerned about how much the race took out of her. Therefore, swallowing her 6-5-ML price does not seem wise, so I will go to second choice Usha. The $600,000 NY-bred makes her third start of the form cycle after a gutsy head win over #4 Zeitlos in the Winning Colors (G3) in late May. She has run well in both starts over this surface and should get a cleaner trip than the favorite breaking from the 5-hole. She will not be a big price, but she is solid value at her 3-1-morning line offering.Play: #5 Usha (3-1 ML)Picks: 5-2-6

Northfield Park has a 15-race card featuring Ohio Sires Stakes action. The Spot Plays are in Race 5, Race 8, and Race 11. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 5 (7:28 PM EDT)8-Mollys Ace N (9/2)-Beat this kind back in April, then faced better and the water was too deep. Dan Noble steers and was between the pipes on 4-11. Went gate to wire that night leaving from post 4 against this kind. Comes off a dull try and now drops to a level of past success. Camera-shy mare has the gate speed to land in a decent seat off the car. Noble should be aggressive against this field. If things go well around the opening turn it could lead to a picture at a square price.8-Mollys Ace N (9/2) Betting to Win8-5-4Race 8 (8:34 PM EDT)3-Rock Son (6-1)-Noble gets the call tonight and that could make a winning difference. First time Noble attracts interest but the 3-year-old has only 2 wins and should offer a square price. Raced at Nfld and took a picture going gate to wire. Seems to do its best work racing at the top of the stack and should get that trip here. Will use on top and underneath in Exactas.3-Rock Son (6-1) Using in Exactas3/2,4,62,4,6/33-4-2-6Race 11 (9:40 PM EDT)5-Myboypank (9/2)-Looking for a solid price and the Tony Alagna pupil came off the bench hot (5-3-2-0). The son of Catch The Fire is versatile, can win coming off cover, on the lead or racing near the top. Finished 3rd in its only start at Nfld and has done good work facing Ohio Sires Stakes company. Comes off a sharp effort to finish 2nd and could be sitting on a big try.5-Myboypank (9/2)-Betting to Win5-2-4Check me out on X!

Today’s Skinny:Day 5 of 5 from the prestigious Royal Ascot stand is headlined by Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. The stand’s final main event at 6 furlongs boasts 19 runners. Joliestar has won 3 straight in Australia this year and is the morning line favorite. Japan and Hong Kong rep Satono Reve figures to vie for favoritism in a truly intercontinental clash.The Americans are represented by trainer Wesley Ward in the day’s opener, the Grade 2 Norfolk for juvenile dashers. He has Woodbine debut winner EZ Tina, Churchill debut winner Fanshell Beach and Aqueduct second-start graduate Through the Years entered.Free Wagering Guide:Download the free Sky Sports Racing Royal Ascot Wager Guide for today’s full card. ACCESS THE GUIDEExtra Incentives:Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can enjoy a 15% boost on successful win bets – up to $25 total per day per player – during each race of the Royal Ascot meeting. VIEW OFFER Today’s Lineup:9:30AM ET | Group 2 Norfolk Stakes | 5 furlongs10:05 AM ET | Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes| 1-1/2 miles10:40 AM ET | Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes | 6 furlongs11:20 AM ET | Group 3 Jersey Stakes | 7 furlongs12:00 PM ET | Worthington Stakes | 5 furlongs12:35 PM ET | Golden Gates Stakes | 1-1/2 miles1:10 PM ET | Queen Alexandra Stakes | 2-3/4 milesFeatured Races | This WeekSaturday | Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee StakesWagering Particulars | Commingled World Pool17.5% takeout Win & Place17.5% takeout Quinella17.5% takeout Omni (2 of 3 must finish top 3)19.5% takeout Exacta25% takeout Trifecta25% takeout Pick 326% takeout Place Pick 427% takeout Place Pick 630% takeout Superfecta

EXTRA INCENTIVES15% Win Boost | Royal Ascot | all races this weekSCHEDULE NOTESRoyal Ascot | meet daily through Saturday | first post 9:30 am ET | Wager GuideTOURNAMENT TIME$100 NYRA feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $90,759 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:13 pm ETKEY RACESRoyal Ascot | Race 4 | 11:20 am ET | G1 Coronation StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 3 | 1:43 pm ETAqueduct | Race 7 | 4:11 pm ETEvangeline Downs | Race 1 | 5:30 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHChad Brown | Aqueduct, Churchill | all 5 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Horseshoe Indy | trainer Brad Cox won with both startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Friday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli: Gulfstream Pick 3 Analysis for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The week continues this afternoon under the twin spires of Churchill Downs when their 9-race card kicks off at 12:45 PM eastern. The slate features a trio of allowance races over the back half of the day, including a pair of events with a $141k purse. I am looking to work my way out of a little slump. Hopefully, today is the day.Race 5:This auction-restricted MSW event for 2YOs at 5-furlongs goes through a trio of colts with experience led by 3-1-ML favorite #5 Trim Castle. The John Ennis trainee was eased on debut, but ran a lot better in his second career start. In fact, the son of Collected showed good speed from the gate, was not able to keep up with the dueling leaders early, but settled off the pace and grinded out a runner-up finish at 8-1. A move forward very easily could lead to victory for him, but I prefer #9 Bourbon Town. The son of Echo Town ran a solid second in his debut over the Keeneland slop despite traffic issues along the inside midway through before a speed and fade effort on May 25. In his Churchill debut, Bourbon Town battled with a 3-5-favorite winner for the Brian Lynch barn during the middle stages before tiring late. He drops back into the restricted maiden ranks, attracts Luis Saez, and should get the jump on his main rivals. 6-1 seems like a fair offering.Play: #9 Bourbon Town (6-1 ML)Picks: 9-3-5Race 6:The pace should be honest at the very least in this 1 1/16-mile allowance event over the Churchill lawn. This should set things up for a runner from off-the-pace. #1 Lambeth, #4 Irish Aces and #8 West Hollywood are likely to be seen as the best options for this type of race shape, but I will take a bigger swing with #7 Herchee (pictured).  The Twirling Candy gelding showed a lot of talent right away for trainer Helen Pitts winning his first starts and has captured 4 of 8 overall, but his return race off an 11-month break was underwhelming. That said, he was caught 3-wide early in his May 21 return and came into the race off a limited work tab. He should run a lot better after shaking off the rust last time out. Hopefully, he shows his strong turn of foot after an honest tempo with regular rider Edgar Morales aboard. The price should be right to take a little swing.Play: #8 Herchee (8-1 ML)Picks: 7-8-4Race 9:My final play of the day comes in this first-level allowance at 1 1/8-miles over the lawn where I will hope to take them all the way on the engine with #4 Sunshine Daydream. The 4YO filly comes into this race having made the lead in each of her two starts against winners since breaking her maiden in New Orleans this winter at the tail end of the Fair Grounds meet. Unfortunately, she has not had the stamina in either try to see it out. She may not be good enough to win at this level, but I am willing to give her one more chance since she should have things her way under jockey Ben Curtis. Last month, she made an easy lead going one-mile over this course, but was unable to come close to sealing the deal. If Curtis can harness some of the early zip a bit more in the early stages later today, this is a group Sunshine Daydream fits with. Plus, her speed looks like a serious weapon against a group that does not possess too much of it. Once again, a runner that looks like an overlay regardless of result.Play: #4 Sunshine Daydream (12-1 ML)Picks: 4-6-7

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card. The Spot Plays are in Race 4, Race 6, and Race 8. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 4 (7:45 PM EDT)Looking at a 2 horse box with 1-Seaside Diva (9/2) and 6-Tick A Loch A (6-1), and will play #6 to win.6-Tick A Loch A (6-1)-Popped at a very nice 8-1 last week leaving from post 6 against this kind. Shipped in from Philly and missed a start, now comes back in sequence. Did get a 2nd quarter breather last time but could be even sharper in the 2nd race in town. Likes racing on the Hilltop (12-4-3-1) and should be a main player if driver Matt Kakaley does his job.1-Seaside Diva (9/2)-The camera-shy mare has only a single win in 2026 (10-1-3-3) and at Yonkers is (21-2-8-2). But has been racing well versus Invites. Yannick Gingras will need to work a smooth trip, and if so, can be a top of the ticket candidate. Can make the most of the inside post draw.6-Tich A Loch to WinExacta Box 1-66-1-7Race 6 (8:25 PM EDT)1-Elegant A (2-1)-Won its last at Tioga and did take a picture at Yonkers against this company. Posted a win and came a good 2nd versus this kind at YR last year in the fall. This is a beatable field and can get a preferred top of the stack trip with this post draw. Was off over 3 weeks before the last start and now comes back in sequence. Colin Kelly sticks, will respect chances of doubling up and will key on top in Exactas.Exacta 1/5,61-6-5Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)4-BJM'S Lil Man (6-1)-Won against easier on 5-15 and then stepped up to face this kind on 5-22. That night was bet down to 4/5, suffered an interference break early in the mile and lost all chance. Then, stepped up to face Invites and raced evenly. Was back in against this kind on 6-12 and raced from the backfield to come a close 5th. Did roll the back half in 56.4 leaving from post 7, and this will be the 3rd start on Lasix. Gets a new set of hands in Matt Kakaley, draws a choice post, and should be forwardly placed off the car. Will play BJM's Lil Man to win and can offer a solid price.4-BJM"S Lil Man (6-1) to Win4-1-3Check me out on X!

Today’s Skinny:Day 4 of 5 from the prestigious Royal Ascot stand is headlined by Group 1 co-features, the Commonwealth Cup and the Coronation Stakes. Sprinters are spotlighted in the Commonwealth Cup, where Venetian Sun is a standout favorite among a field of 22 that includes Wesley Ward’s Outfielder, winner of Churchill Downs’ William Walker Stakes in May. Irish 1000 Guineas winner Precise is the odds-on choice in the Coronation for 3-year-old filly milers.The Americans also will be in action the finale, the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Wesley Ward sends out Churchill turf sprint winner Bacio while George Weaver returns with Sandal’s Song, third in last year’s Norfolk at Royal Ascot.Free Wagering Guide:Download the free Sky Sports Racing Royal Ascot Wager Guide for today’s full card. ACCESS THE GUIDE Extra Incentives:Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can enjoy a 15% boost on successful win bets – up to $25 total per day per player – during each race of the Royal Ascot meeting. VIEW OFFER Today’s Lineup:9:30AM ET | Albany Stakes | 6 furlongs10:05 AM ET | Commonwealth Cup | 6 furlongs10:40 AM ET | Duke of Edinburgh Stakes | 1-1/2 miles11:20 AM ET | Group 1 Coronation Stakes | 1 mile12:00 PM ET | Sandringham Stakes | 1 mile12:35 PM ET | King Edward VII Stakes | 1-1/2 miles1:10 PM ET | Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes | 5 furlongsFeatured Races | This WeekFriday | Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, Group 1 Coronation StakesSaturday | Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee StakesWagering Particulars | Commingled World Pool17.5% takeout Win & Place17.5% takeout Quinella17.5% takeout Omni (2 of 3 must finish top 3)19.5% takeout Exacta25% takeout Trifecta25% takeout Pick 326% takeout Place Pick 427% takeout Place Pick 630% takeout Superfecta