‍Today’s Skinny:Day 1 of 5 from the prestigious Royal Ascot stand is headlined by a trio of Grade 1 races and some names quite familiar to American racing enthusiasts. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Notable Speech should go as favorite in the Group 1 Queen Anne in the meet’s opening race for Godolphin, Charlie Appleby and William T. Buick.Undefeated Bow Echo looks for five straight as England’s headliner in the Group 1 St. James’s Palace, where 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Gstaad stands in the way for Coolmore, Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. Kentucky Downs’ 2025 Nashville Derby winner Wimbledon Hawkeye takes his shot in the 10-furlong Wolferton Stakes.The Group 2 Coventry is the meet’s first juvenile dash and goes with 22 entered – while the Group 1 King Charles III lines 26 across the grass in a 5-furlong melee. Jockey John Velazquez has the call on Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien’s Aeronautic in the Copper Horse.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 | Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes | 1 mile10:05 AM ET | Group 2 Coventry Stakes | 6 furlongs10:40 AM ET | Group 1 King Charles III Stakes | 5 furlongs11:20 AM ET | Group 1 St. James’s Palace Stakes | 1 mile12:00 PM ET | Ascot Stakes Handicap | 2-1/2 miles12:35 PM ET | Wofterton Rated Stakes | 1-1/4 miles1:10 PM ET | Copper Horse Stakes | 1-3/4 milesFeatured Races | This WeekTuesday | Group 1 Queen Anne, Group 1 St. James’s PalaceWednesday | Group 1 Prince of Wales’sThursday | Group 1 Ascot Gold CupFriday | 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 ‍

Santa Anita wraps up its winter-spring and Hollywood meetings with an 8-race makeup card from last Thursday's mid-day cancellation. The featured Affirmed Stakes headlines the action with mandatory payouts in all pools.   Santa Anita Park - Race #3 #6 Gaines: Nothing at all from him when sent long last time out, which was a disappointment after a really solid debut. I think it's encouraging that they give him another shot going long despite the flat try last time out -- expecting better. #3 Jacklyn Lucas: The only career turf route was pretty solid, and something like that two-back run would keep her in the picture here. Dangerous, but she is starting to feel like a horse who is happy to settle for shares. #1 Big Vengeance: He has now turned in a couple of solid tries in a row, and I think he's a player right back at another nice price if he's able to hold that recent form. Race Summary: Gaines was never really involved going long last out after showing some pace in the sprint debut, so I'm hoping that was just a tossout race across the board. Better today with a forward trip waiting for him?   Santa Anita Park - Race #6 #7 One More Freud: He came back in a tough spot last time out, and the runner-up was back to roll a good group in the Grade I Woody Stephens last weekend, so I am thinking this softer spot might give him room to bounce back while going second off the bench. Enough to like. #4 Secured Freedom: He finished in front of the top choice last out, but I think there might be less upside after a string of solid races that still left me wanting a bit more -- especially if the price is short. #5 Decisive Win: He looked like a potential talent last out when getting around two turns, and the winner he caught on debut was the same one who handled the top pair here in the Pat Day Mile. All roads run through common ties with Crude Velocity is this one. Race Summary: One More Freud never really got involved in the comeback spot, but that gives him room to come forward today with a more tactical trip.   Santa Anita Park - Race #8 #4 Druidic: He is the kind of horse who seems like he's always right there at a price, and one of those times he's going to punch home. Think he's on par with the better ones in here if he brings his A-game, and he has turned in a couple quick works since the last one that I'm hoping are hints that he's ready to. #2 Frank Bullitt: He didn't miss by much last time out and figures tough if he holds the form right back, but I worry he's going to get bet again in a race where I feel like a small handful of them could win it. Obvious player. #7 Warm Sun and Brew: Considered him on top, as he hasn't done anything wrong through those six starts and might like this type of local sprint trip. Dangerous tactical threat. Race Summary: Druidic typically shows up with an honest race, and he has been working forwardly since his last run -- could see him landing this if he brings a peak try.

SCHEDULE NOTESSanta Anita | closing day today (makeup date on schedule)Royal Ascot | meetings runs Tuesday-Saturday this weekNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $161,374 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ET-- Santa Anita has mandatory payouts today, but no carryoversKEY RACESPresque Isle | Race 7 | 6:12 pm ET | Tom Ridge StakesSanta Anita | Race 6 | 6:30 pm ET | Affirmed CapistranoLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 8 | 7:30 pm ETMountaineer | Race 5 | 8:40 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJeff Radosevich | Thistledown | all 7 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Santa Anita | jockey Antonio Fresu | 3 wins from 9 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 with a $20,000 guaranteed pool rolls in Race 5. The Spot Plays are in Race 3, Race 7, and Race 8. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 3 (7:25 PM EDT)5-Lyons Benjamin (9/2)-Came a close 2nd last time and has been popular at the claiming box. Makes the 1st start for the Dilloian barn and that outfit posts 40% winners after a claim. Will need to be forwardly placed off the gate and gets a new set of hands in George Brennan. Will look for an aggressive drive. If Brennan handles the assignment without a hitch the 5-year-old should be on the point or close to it around the opening turn. Can offer a square price and is a main threat.5-Lyons Benjamin (9/2) to Win5-2-3Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)6-Dandy Ideal (2-1)-Went gate to wire in the first start of the year on 5-30 downing W/O at Pocono Downs. Has a win and two 2nd place finishes at Yonkers. Bartlett could work the same plan as last time and make every call a winning one.Exacta 6-36-2-1Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)5-Sweet Beach Life (2-1)-Was a one 1 trick pony, sorry for the pun. But has matured into a fine 5-year-old that can win on the engine or coming off cover. Has big gate speed and now can also close the deal coming off the pace. Could double up versus this group with a smooth steer from Matt Kakaley.Exacta 5-15-1-3Check me out on X!

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