EXTRA INCENTIVES20% Win Boost (up to $20) | Churchill Downs | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTEDel Mar | cancelled due to rainNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $16,285 | Aqueduct | begins Race 5 | 1:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $49,514 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 6 | 2:47 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $123,381 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 12 | 6:40 pm ETMandatory Payout Super Hi 5 | $47,384 | Lone Star (AQHA) | Race 12 | 11:51 pm ETKEY RACESChurchill Downs | Race 3 | 1:58 pm ET | Chilukki StakesChurchill Downs | Race 4 | 2:28 pm ET | first of 8 Claiming Crown racesAqueduct | Race 7 | 2:39 pm ET | Jockey Club OaksAqueduct | Race 9 | 3:39 pm ET | Knickerbocker StakesGulfstream Park | Race 9 | 4:16 pm ET | Juvenile Fillies Sprint StakesWoodbine | Race 10 | 5:44 pm ET | Kennedy Road StakesCharles Town | Race 7 | 10:02 pm ET | Funkhouser Memorial StakesLone Star | Race 11 | 11:25 pm ET | Texas Classic Futurity (AQHA)LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXAqueduct | Race 6 | 2:10 pm ETLaurel | Race 6 | 2:25 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 9 | 4:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHKevin Attard | Woodbine | 5 of 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Churchill Downs | favorites went 0-10 on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Claiming Crown Win Boost Spot Plays for Churchill | Horse Cents PicksJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Aqueduct’s Jockey Club OaksScott Shaprio: Aqueduct Late Pick 4 Analysis for SaturdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Tonight, Grand Circuit racing for this season is ending and there are 8 big money stakes on the 14-race card at M1. The 0.50 Early Pick 4 starts 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 (8:25 PM EDT)5-Atlantic Summer (8-1)-Comes off a 2nd place finish in the Matron as an odds-on choice, before that had a 4th place finish in the BC Final and was parked a long way. Looks like a player at a solid price and Ronnie Wrenn could leave and race near the top of the stack throughout.9-Nezuko Kamado S (3-1)-Beaten post time chalk in the BC Final got a bumpy ride. Has won 6 of 10 this year and does good work on larger ovals. Makes its M1 debut and will look for Scott Zeron to leave with a purpose and land in a good early seat. Did win 4 straight before the Final and with a smooth journey tonight another winning streak could start.Race 7 (8:50 PM EDT)1-Ervin Hanover (3-1)-Winner of 5 in row including the last start in the BC Final is the one to beat. But in 7 races at the Big M has only hit the board once, finishing 3rd. Hasn't been at M1 for a while, will respect chances of another picture, but will use some with more value.2-Oakwood Ardan IR (12-1)-Has only 2 wins this year and recent form has been dull but some excuses could be found. Did race against tough company, and lately has been starting outside. Will look for an upset and did win early in the year here setting a 147.3 mark. Should be a large price and has posted 13 wins in 17 races at the Big M.4-Maximus Miki (9/2)-Raced big at RcR to win the Potomac and left from post 8. Has done well at M1 (17-7-4-2) and has a 148.0 mark there. Scott Zeron should be aggressive when the wings fold. Could offer a square price and it's best to not overlook.Race 8 (9:15 PM EDT)4-Seaside Shuffle (5-1)-Took the long way around in the BC Final but kept coming down the lane and finished a beaten 3rd. Does have 4 wins in 11 starts and has been resting since 10-24. Needs a trip and Yannick Gingras could work his magic to post a win at a nice price.10-Loua Dipa (9/5)-If you are looking to fade the best 2-year-old pacing filly there are a couple of reasons to consider. This gal has never started further out than post 6 and this will be her M1 debut. Otherwise, there isn't a reason to think she will lose unless the trip is very bumpy. Her last start was on 10/24 in the BC Final and this late in the season being off 3 weeks could help.Race 9 (9:40 PM EDT)4-Fragment (5/2)-Winner of 9 races in 15 starts seemed to get better on the larger ovals later in the season but has not raced at M1. Jason Bartlett will likely look to take control early on but can win coming off cover as well. The Per Engblom pupil has banked over $580,000 and with a clean trip should cash the top check again.$2 Early Pick 45,9/1,2,4/4,10/4Total Bet=$24Check me out on Twitter!

Saturday’s card at Churchill highlights the unsung heroes of the local circuit: the claiming horse. Coined in 1999 by the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, this octet of starter allowance races run for a sum of $1.1 million in purse money celebrates the hard-knocking horses across both surfaces at a variety of distances. Before all that action kicks off, fillies and mares will dazzle us in the one-turn mile Grade 3 Chilukki Stakes.Successful Win bets on the card will come with an extra 20% bonus from Xpressbet and 1/ST BET, up to $20 per player on your cumulative Win bet winnings. Say that five times fast.Race 3 – Chilukki S.This field of seven talented fillies and mares is full of short prices, but I’ve got my eye on a mare making her debut for the Brad Cox barn after spending the majority of her 17 starts in Canada under the Martin Drexler banner. That’s the #3 LITERATE with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard who’s been training in Cox’s Ellis Park string since early October. Horses making their first start for Cox win at a healthy 34% clip combined with 27% and 28% in dirt races and routes, respectively. Her 10-1 morning line price sure doesn’t hurt, either.Race 10 – Claiming Crown JewelThe jewel of the card (pun intended, obviously) is a 1 1/8 mile effort for three-year-olds and up who have started for a claiming price of $35,000 or less in the last year, now running for their shot at $200,000 in purse money. I like a pair of four-year-old geldings in this race, #7 DOUBLE YOUR MONEY and #10 BERNIN HOT. DOUBLE YOUR MONEY drops in class and cuts back in distance off a win at Aqueduct, but it’s his performance two starts back I’m most impressed with. The Grade 3 Greenwood Cup at Parx is one of a handful of mile and one-half races on the US calendar and he managed to stay in second behind the pacesetter for almost a mile, then just barely got nabbed a length and a quarter at the finish.#10 BERNIN HOT, a front running pace setter is 3 for his last four, including one at Churchill at the same distance as the Jewel. He’s somewhat of a horse-for-course with eight of his twenty lifetime starts having come at Churchill and four of those all wins. Luis Saez sticks in the tack again after that September 18 win. That effort earned him a field topping 91 Beyer and those figures continue to improve after his move to the Rohan Crichton barn.What Would Scott Do?It wouldn’t be a version of Horse Cents without Scott Shapiro, who’s graciously provided his picks in some key races on Saturday’s card.Race 3: #6 ONE MAGIC PHILLY (3-1 ML)Race 7: #11 NEXT GIRL (5-1 ML)Race 10: #2 CADET CORPS (6-1 ML)Race 11: #4 NANTASKET BEACH (8-1 ML)

The Saturday card at Sha Tin offers a bit of everything, from first-time starters to synthetic racing, and all the usual turf action in between. I once heard gambling described as an offensive on the markets, with variety bringing opportunities to find weaknesses and value to be taken advantage of. Whether that’s attacking different conditions or wager types, we’re going to get our soldiers in place and hope to walk away with a hefty bounty.Helpful ResourcesSha Tin – November 15HKJC Resource Page – Free PPs, Pace Projections, Workout Videos, Weather Race 3 | 2000M | Class 4Win/Place - #4 PACKING HURRICANEGrade: BNotes: This ten-furlong bout over the Sha Tin lawn seems to feature a handful of runners that are going to want a share of the lead. At the same time, there isn’t a clear-cut closer that you must stake your day on. I think the race is wide open even with a 9/10 ML favorite and 7/2 second choice on the board. #4 PACKING HURRICANE has not found the winner’s circle in quite some time but has an outstanding 11-3-1-1 record going ten furlongs at Sha Tin. In his last try over this distance, the six-year-old came up 3/4 of a length short in a Class 3 try. He’s getting a seven-pound handicap and running back a class lower. At 53/1 on the Morning Line, I can’t pass up taking a shot on this price. I’ll play him to Win/Place, and remember, Place bets cover 2nd and 3rd place finishes in Hong Kong.Race 6 | 1650M | Class 4 (All-Weather)Win - #13 NIGHT PUROSANGUEGrade: ANotes: I’m taking a shot on a four-year-old out of the American ELUSIVE QUALITY mare, BRAIDED, to step up in class and take this route over the synthetic course. Horses with ties to American stallions or mares tend to outperform their resume when they try the synthetic course at Sha Tin, and #13 NIGHT PUROSANGUE is no exception. In his first try over the surface, he came up 3/4 of a length short of #12 YODA’S CHOICE before coming back to win a Class 5 on October 30. I’m expecting some pressure upfront in this one, but if NIGHT PUROSANGUE can stay within 3-5 lengths of the lead he has shown he has more than enough closing power to get it done. I’ll be rooting him home.Race 7 | 1200M | Class 2Win - #6 AURORA LADYGrade: BNotes: James McDonald hasn’t had the most welcoming start to his stint in Hong Kong, going 0-for-6, but I’m hoping his luck turns around in this Class 2 try. #6 AURORA LADY has been tabbed with a 16/1 Morning Line with good reason. This gelding has missed in his last five tries, but his first two races of this season are what intrigue me the most. He has gotten a tough trip and rallied well in two straight. It seems to be a bit of a pattern for him, looking at the past performances, but getting a decent pickup in McDonald could be the thing that nudges this horse over the line. If it weren’t for a double-digit Morning Line, I likely wouldn’t be doing the mental gymnastics to say this horse has a good chance, but looking at the field I’m just not sold on anyone else, really. The pattern is trending up, the horse has plenty of upside given his 4-for-14 win record at six furlongs, and he gets a Hall of Fame mount. Here’s to hoping the price holds and we get a big performance from our New Zealand brethren.Good luck!

November in New York means quality racing on Saturday afternoons at Aqueduct and that continues this weekend with a 10-race card at the Big A headlined by a pair of stakes at two-turns over the grass. Both the Jockey Club Oaks (G3) and the Knickerbocker are included in a late Pick 4 sequence that concludes with a challenging MSW event over the sod. Here are my thoughts.Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.Race 7: Jockey Club Oaks (G3)Grade: BMain Ticket: 7 Laurelin *pictured*Backups: NoneForecast: The lone graded stakes on the agenda looks like a two-filly race between #4 Fionn and #7 Laurelin. Fionn comes in off her first loss since April, while Laurelin suffered her first defeat when finishing second to Lush Lips in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) at Keeneland last month. I respect Fionn’s campaign and late kick, but prefer Laurelin given the lack of early speed signed on. This should allow jockey Kendrick Carmouche to stalk just off the early pace of #6 Don’t Jinx It and get the jump on her main rival. The Graham Motion trainee lost little in defeat in Kentucky last out and appears poised to bounce back in a big way.Race 8:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 2 Long Pour; 4 Three B’sBackups: 8 Share the LudtForecast: The lone dirt race in the sequence is a first-level allowance event for NY-breds traveling the tricky 6.5-furlong distance. #2 Long Pour is the deserving 2-1-ML favorite on oddsmaker David Aragona’s morning line after a pair of seconds to quality horses for the level in similar spots over the last couple of months. The Tom’s d’Etat colt is the clear one to beat, but could get caught up in an early battle with #3 Roofer since he draws inside, not outside that one this time around. If they go at it early, perhaps #4 Three B’s can take advantage. The son of Collected moves up in class after an upset victory from off the pace just two weeks ago. Trainer Linda Rice thought enough of this guy to re-claim him for $12k more than she lost him for this summer at Saratoga. He loves this surface and could get the right setup with jockey Sahin Civaci jumping back aboard.Race 9: KnickerbockerGrade: C+Main Ticket: 7 Air RecruitBackups: 4 Ohana HonorForecast: The other stakes race on the agenda also appears to be a two-horse race between the two favorites. #4 Ohana Honor exits the best races and should be poised for a strong effort in his third start off the long layoff, but has been a bit camera shy for the most part. I prefer 3-1-second choice #7 Air Recruit. The Air Force Blue gelding has been meticulously handled by trainer Arnaud Delacour and appears to be back in strong form after being on the sidelines for close to two years following his seventh-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) in 2023. He should find a prominent spot early under Dylan Davis. Hopefully, he handles his first 1 1/8-mile journey as well as I expect him to.Race 10:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 1 Mis Bruenllas; 6 Just Tell AnneBackups: 8 SiouxseForecast: The finale appears the most wide-open race in the sequence with #8 Siouxsie and #12 Isadora Duncan expected to take the most public support. Both have significant chances, but certainly do not appear to be world beaters. Therefore, I will opt to feature a pair of fillies who should improve in their second start around two-turns on my main ticket.#1 Mis Brunellas failed to relax in her first try at a route of ground, but ran a solid third nonetheless. Do not be surprised if you see her on the lead given her inside draw and the move to Hall of Famer John Velazquez. At 12-1 she seems like solid value, as does 6-1-ML shot #6 Just Tell Anne. The Ray Handal trainee was caught three-wide much of the way in the same race Mis Brunellas exits and tired late to finish fourth. Kendrick Carmouche takes over riding duties, so do not be surprised if she is involved early on as well. With both stakes races looking formful, I am hopeful we can find some value to close this things out.

Hoosier Park has a 14-race Friday night card. The 0.50 Early Pick 4 starts in Race 6. The sequence has a low 12% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (7:25 PM EDT)2-Banderas (5-1)-May have been in too deep in some races in Kentucky and should relish this company. Would benefit from a cozy trip and could get one tonight. Beat the one below at CBRN with an efficient trip and should be looking for that same journey when the wings fold.6-Caviart Seacrest (5/2)-Won 3 straight at Mohawk, then shipped to CBRN and finished 2nd in 3 consecutive races. The short field won't hurt chances and could start a new win streak with the return to a another 7/8's oval.Race 7 (7:48 PM EDT)5-Can'ttouchthese (3-1)-Won its 1st start for the new connections and will look to pick up another nice check. Comes right back for team DeLong and did beat 6 from this field last time. The filly does good work at HoP (25-14-2-5) and is a double up possibility leaving from a choice post.6-Send It Down Slim (5-1)-Raced well last week and was used a couple of times but fell short to the one above by a length. That was its HoP debut and the 1st race in the Ryan Miiler barn. This time could be even better with a race over the surface.Race 8 (8:11 PM EDT)5-Im Skinnydipin N (4-1)-This is the other entry from the Tyler George stable who came out of the pocket to lose by a nose to the one below last week. Hasn't solved the A-entry so far but could be overlooked late in the season and pick up a trip-out win.6-Golden Bay N (9/5)-Winner of 4 straight had his way versus this kind all year. Will look to get on the engine again, and knows how to win, (25-13-3-1) this year. The race will likely go through this 6-year-old.Race 9 (8:34 PM EDT)2-Flirtnwiththepilot (8-1)-Comes off a win and takes a big step up. Willing to take a swing, has danced with his kind before and could get an efficient trip with this post draw. Peter Wrenn steers his own and is in a spot to trip out.7-Seven Sins (5/2)-Won last and now moves up, and this will be a bigger challenge. But did beat this kind back on 9-20 by getting a pocket ride. Trace Tetrick has some gate speed to use and could work that plan again.9-Famous Father (9/2)-Its last win came at this level but started from post 4 that night. Could be overlooked here, and Luke Plano has enough gate speed to get a close-up seat. Could bring the heat in the back half of the mile and is a threat if in striking range when turning for the wire.$1 Early Pick 42,6/5,6/5,6/2,7,9Total Bet=$24Check me out on Twitter!

TOURNAMENT TIME$40 Del Mar Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $40,297 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 4 | 1:49 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $48,439 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 5 | 2:57 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $114,945 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 10 | 8:51 pm ETKEY RACESAqueduct | Race 5 | 2:10 pm ET | Notebook StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 4 | 2:27 pm ETAqueduct | Race 8 | 3:39 pm ETDel Mar | Race 7 | 6:34 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAbel Ramirez-Rodriguez | Delta Downs, Remington Park | 5 of 6 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Churchill Downs | jockey Tyler Gaffalione | 3 wins, 2 seconds from 8 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli: Gulfstream Pick 3 Analysis for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Horses from 30 different tracks are shipping in to Louisville on Saturday afternoon for another edition of the Claiming Crown. With eight races and 121 horses entered, the wagering promises to be fantastic at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet, especially with a promotion to add to the fun. Simply, move to the promotions page or tab on your app, register for the “Claiming Crown Winnings Boost” and automatically receive a 20% boost on your total win payouts on Saturday at Churchill Downs up to $20 per player. Here are a few horses I plan to hopefully get the Win boost on at my old stomping grounds.Race 3: Chilukki (G3)Prior to the Claiming Crown races, the racing office at Churchill Downs has rewarded us with a high-quality event for fillies and mares over their one-mile dirt configuration. Godolphin’s #7 Ragtime was made the 8-5-ML favorite by oddsmaker Mike Battaglia off of her half-length defeat last out in the Raven Run (G2). The Union Rags filly is less than a length away from being a perfect 5 for 5, but her running style might not be ideal given the likely race shape. I prefer #6 One Magic Philly. The John Gallegos homebred got off to a strong start to her career out west before tackling some of the best female sprinters in the country this summer. The daughter of Good Magic moved into the Brendan Walsh barn prior to her last start, was hammered on the tote board, and took advantage of a favorable trip to beat a next out winner by a length in the end. One Magic Philly projects to get another great trip off of the likely pace setter #2 Shred the Gnar. I expect her to be tough to hold off in her first start over the Churchill Downs main track.Play: #6 One Magic Philly (3-1 ML)Race 10: Claiming Crown JewelThe featured event on the Claiming Crown slate is contested at 1 1/8-miles over the main track and there appears to be quite a bit of early speed signed on. The pace is even more likely to heat up since #1 Gilded Craken is down on the inside, while #10 Bernin Hot and #13 Point Dume are likely to be sent aggressively from their outside posts. This should work out perfectly for #2 Cadet Corps. The son of Will Take Charge has been freshened up by trainer Kelly Breen after a strong summer in the mid-Atlantic that included a pair of victories from off the pace. The 6YO gelding has won 15 of 41 starts throughout his career and drew kindly in the 2-hole. Jockey Junior Alvarado should be able to save ground early, angle out, and run this field down late at hopefully a playable price.Play: #2 Cadet Corps (6-1 ML)Race 11: Claiming Crown TiaraI will move to the lawn for my play of the day, which is contested at 1 1/16-miles over the Churchill lawn. #3 Risk Manager and #9 Echo Lane bring the strongest resumes in and are likely to take the most public support, but do not overlook #4 Nantasket Beach. The son of Street Boss took a shot against top tier allowance horses in Saratoga this summer and while he did disappoint, perhaps the effort was not quite as poor as it looks on paper. Not only, did the winner cruise on an uncontested lead, but he also rode a good rail, while Nantasket Beach was caught wide much of the way. Trainer Lauren Robson has freshened up her trainee in hopes he can get back to his dominant win over this course back on May 25. The price should be right to gamble that he can in the Saturday finale.Play: #4 Nantasket Beach (8-1 ML)