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7.7.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Tuesday, July 7, 2026

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Thistledown | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $107,244 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $290,737 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $8,230 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | Race 7 | 11:05 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFairmount Park | Race 8 | 5:25 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 9 | 6:18 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJamie Ness | Parx | all 8 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Horseshoe Indianapolis | Saturday’s 13-race (8 stakes) Indiana Derby Day card drawnPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Thistledown Bet $100, Get $10 Key PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

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7.7.2026:

Jeremy Plonk: Bet $100, Get $10 Thistledown Key Plays | Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Throughout July, Tuesdays and Thursdays heat up at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Red, White & Bet promotion. Bet $100, Get $10 on select tracks this month. Next up Tuesday will be Thistledown. Here’s how I’ll approach the card in Ohio with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.Thistledown Race 1 | 12:50 pm ET#4 The Pink Z (5-1 morning line odds) could be a buying price today after finishing third last out at 1-5 odds. The upsetter last out returned right back to win as an odds-on favorite, so this veteran’s effort might be better than it looks. Trainer Robert Cline has been going very well in recent weeks at Thistledown. Win bet #4. Exacta box 4-1. Picks: 4-1-5Thistledown Race 3 | 1:50 pm ET#2 Battle Ready (6-1 morning line odds) is a first-time starter for a Robert Gorham barn that’s already won with 2 of his first 3 juvenile starters at the meet ($8, $18). Gorham has been particularly hot even by his Tdn standards over the past few weeks. Sire Army Mule’s 2YO debut runners have a wild $1.52 ROI for every $1 bet from nearly 150 starters. Win bet #2. Picks: 2-4-1Eligible tracks and days:• Tuesday, July 7 // Thistledown• Thursday, July 9 // Canterbury Park• Tuesday, July 14 // Finger Lakes• Thursday, July 16 // Belterra Park• Tuesday, July 21 // Mountaineer• Thursday, July 23 // Penn National• Tuesday, July 28 // Horseshoe Indianapolis• Thursday, July 30 // Charles Town

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7.6.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Monday, July 6, 2026

EXTRA INCENTIVESKing’s Plate Flyaway Sweepstakes | Woodbine | earn up to 4 entries todaySCHEDULE NOTESColonial Downs | early first post 10:45 am ETEllis Park | makeup day | first post 12:50 pm ETWoodbine | makeup day | first post 1:00 pm ETTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $97,011 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $68,425 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 10 | 5:34 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $130,977 | Prairie Meadows | begins Race 6 | 7:07 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXEllis Park | Race 2 | 1:19 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETMountaineer | Race 1 | 7:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHDavid Jacobson | Ellis, Horseshoe Indy | 5 of 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Woodbine | favorites won 1 of 12 on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Ellis Park Monday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

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7.6.2026:

Scott Shapiro: Ellis Park Spot Plays | Monday, July 6, 2026

A rare Monday of racing in the Blue Grass is upon us due to the excessive heat last week forcing Ellis Park to postpone their first two cards of the summer. The card originally scheduled for Opening Day was moved to later today when they kick things off for Day 3 of the 2026 season in Henderson at 12:50 pm ET. The nine-race card is headlined by a trio of allowance races and the $3 All-Turf Pick 3 that gets started in Race 5. Here are a few horses that are double-digits on the morning line that I give a serious chance of springing the upset.Race 4:A full field of 2YO fillies is set to travel 5.5-furlongs in this MSW event over the main track. The field consists of a lot of first-time starters, but I like one of the gals with experience. #6 By Her Decree debuted on May 28 at Churchill Downs where she broke fine and was sent aggressively from there to the front from her rail draw. The Jeremiah O’Dwyer was no match for late for off-the-pace winner Epic Reign, but that Steve Asmussen runner came back to run a good second in the Debutante as part of the closing day card in Louisville. Her speed is a weapon and she is likely to benefit with the move off the inside. Adam Beschizza was aboard in her first start and returns to ride this afternoon.Play: #6 By Her Decree (10-1 ML)Picks: 6-4-7Race 5:This non-winners of two claimer at one-mile over the Ellis sod kicks off the All-Turf Pick 3 and appears wide-open. The pace is likely to be honest if not contentious in this spot, which I am hoping sets things up for Henry Hinkle homebred #3 Got Gone. The 3YO filly makes her first start over this course after an even fifth-place finish against better at Churchill Downs on June 21. Trainer John Ennis keeps regular rider Alex Achard aboard the Hit It a Bomb filly that certainly has been no world beater thus far through seven starts, but should get a dream run along the inside. Trip is likely to make the difference in this one. I am hopeful that Got Gone gets the right one at a juicy price.Play: #3 Got Gone (12-1 ML)Picks: 3-9-1Race 9:The finale is a MSW event for fillies and mares at one-mile over the turf where I like #1 Marcheline. The $125,000 FTS October ’24 purchase makes her third lifetime start for trainer Vickie Oliver after a pair of turf sprints to kick off her career. The daughter of Not This Time broke slow and did little running in mid-April at Keeneland, but took a noticeable move forward with a solid finish and gallop out at 5.5-furlongs in Louisville on June 4. She is bred to want more ground and gets it along with a favorable inside draw at 4:42 eastern time. The pace should be honest, which should allow jockey Axel Concepcion to save ground early and come with a strong run late. Hopefully, we get the ML offering.Play: #1 Marcheline (12-1 ML)Picks: 1-8-9

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7.6.2026:

Al Cimaglia: Yonkers Raceway Spot Plays | Monday, July 6, 2026

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card with the $1.00 Pick 5 starting in Race 5, and the sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The Spot Plays for tonight are in Race 1, Race 3, and Race 5. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 1 (6:45 PM EDT)4-Better By Seaside (7/2)-Won 2 straight at this level then stepped up to face $50k claimers and drew post 8. Comes off a no-move mile and now faces the same kind it beat. Has the gate speed to land on the point and could start a new win streak as the 3rd morning line favorite. (4-1-6)Will use #4 Better By Seaside in a Win Bet.Race 3 (7:25 PM EDT)5-Optical Illusion N (9/2)-Bumps up after a win and a 2nd place finish at the condition below. Has only 1 win in 15 races this year and could be overlooked. Will look for an honest pace as there is gate speed inside. Brent Holland could find some live cover and then be the best down the lane as in the last start. (5-3-1)Playing #5 Optical Illusion to WinRace 5 (8:05 PM EDT)2-The Ideal Dancer A (9/2)-Gets another swing at the same level after coming a good 2nd on 6-30. Will looks for some value with a veteran that knows how to win but doesn't have big gate speed. Broke slowly from the gate, was 10-lengths back last time and then rolled the back half in 55.3 to miss by a length. Should be racing closer to the lead tonight. Comes back quickly versus the same as 3 of 4 horses drawing inside are stepping up. Pat Lachance knows his trainee and will bank on him being in striking range down the lane at a square price. (2-5-1)Playing #2 Ideal Dancer A to WinCheck me out on X!

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7.5.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Sunday, July 5, 2026

EXTRA INCENTIVES$2,500 Hit & Split Late Pick 5 | Saratoga | Friday-Saturday-Sunday offered$5,000 Hit & Split Triple Tri | Los Alamitos | Friday-Saturday-Sunday racesKing’s Plate Flyaway Sweepstakes | Woodbine | earn up to 4 entries todaySCHEDULE NOTESLos Alamitos | closing day of meetTOURNAMENT TIME$500 Los Alamitos Challenge | details$40 Monmouth Feeder | details$40 Canterbury Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $185,091 | Saratoga | begins Race 4 | 2:56 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $58,051 | Los Alamitos | begins Race 6 | 6:19 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $63,059 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 12 | 6:56 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $121,892 | Prairie Meadows | begins Race 6 | 7:07 pm ETKEY RACESGulfstream | Race 7 | 3:38 pm ET | Proud Man StakesSaratoga | Race 6 | 4:04 pm ET | Kelso StakesEllis Park | Race 8 | 4:12 pm ET | Pea Patch StakesMonmouth | Race 7 | 4:16 pm ET | Monmouth County StakesWoodbine | Race 8 | 4:50 pm ET | Pink Lloyd StakesSaratoga | Race 8 | 5:12 pm ET | Harvey Pack StakesWoodbine | Race 10 | 5:56 pm ET | Ballade StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXEllis Park | Race 4 | 2:16 pm ETWoodbine | Race 7 | 4:17 pm ETSaratoga | Race 9 | 5:46 pm ETLos Alamitos | Race 8 | 7:17 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHChad Brown | Saratoga | 4 of 5 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Saratoga, Ellis | trainer Brendan Walsh | 3 wins, 2 seconds from 8 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Saratoga Sunday PicksJeremy Plonk: Los Alamitos Triple Tri Hit & Split Promo Plays | Friday thru SundayBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

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7.5.2026:

Scott Shapiro: Saratoga $185K Pick 6 Carryover Picks / Analysis | Sunday, July 5, 2026

The first Sunday of the Saratoga summer includes a carryover in the Pick 6 of $185,090 after the wager went unsolved on Saturday afternoon. The nine-race card kicks off at 1:10 PM eastern with the first steeplechase of the meeting followed by eight thoroughbred races. The Pick 6 commences in Race 4. Here are a few horses I like most over the course of the afternoon.Race 4:I will single #7 Holy Seven to kick off the first Pick 6 carryover of the meet. The $700k son of Into Mischief debuted at Churchill Downs back in mid-September for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen. The FTS August ’24 purchase broke mid-pack before being four-wide during the middle stages of that 6-furlong dash over the main track. He moved into second as they turned for home, but tired chasing the winner to the wire and ended up finishing fourth beaten a little over a length. Asmussen opted to give Holy Seven lots of time after his solid debut before a long series of works this spring in Louisville. He has looked very good in the morning and returns in a 6.5-furlong dash in upstate New York. He should handle this compact field of seven without much issue assuming a move forward off his 2YO debut.Play: #7 Holy Seven (2-1 ML)Picks: 7-2-3Race 6: Kelso (G3)The pace should certainly be contentious in the first of two stakes races conducted over the grass to close the first week of the summer. #1 Zulu Kingdom may opt to try to stalk instead of show speed from the rail with #2 Maycocks Bay, #3 My Boy Prince, #7 Itsallcomintogetha, and #8 Mi Bago all drawn to his outside. The 5-2-ML favorite disappointed at odds-on in his return race and appears to have a much tougher task shortly after 4PM eastern this afternoon. I prefer backing a runner who should benefit off the probable race shape. Hall of Famer Bill Mott has a two-horse uncoupled entry that should be in the position to take advantage of an honest to fast first half mile. #11 Capitol Hill came with a strong run at a big price in the Poker (G3), but was unable to get to #5 Pass the Hat. Capitol Hill has a great kick and enters in the best form of his life. He might have been my play if he was not done so dirty at the draw, but the 11-hole makes his task that much tougher. On the other hand, Pass the Hat drew well giving him a big chance to make it three wins in a row. The son of Collected was forced to keep Zulu Kingdom honest in his win last month, but should be able to settle mid-pack off a brisker first half mile in the Kelso. The Pin Oak Stud runner has one of the best kicks in the field and proved he can handle this course just a month ago. Johnny V sticks was aboard for the first time last out. He is back aboard for the Sunday feature.Play: #5 Pass the Hat (6-1 ML)Picks: 5-11-8Race 8: Harvey PackMy final play of the day comes in this $200k turf sprint for 4YOs+ where I will try #3 Possiblemente. The son of Tale of Ekati makes his third start of the form cycle for trainer Joe Sharp after a Grade 3 win over the all-weather at Woodbine on May 30. Prior to that, the 6YO gelding ran better than looks when taking on some of the best in the division on Derby Day in the Turf Sprint (G2). He found himself last early, but came with a solid run late to split the field and lost by a little over a length at odds of 21-1. He galloped out with a ton of interest, which should set him up for a big run in his first start over the Saratoga sod. The fact trainer Joe Sharp attracts Jose Ortiz does little to hurt his chances in a race named for one of the most iconic folks in New York Racing Association history.Play: #3 Possiblemente (4-1 ML)Picks: 3-7-1

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7.5.2026:

Al Cimaglia: Northfield Park Spot Plays | Sunday, July 5, 2026

\ Northfield Park begins the week with a 15-race card and the $1.00 Late Pick 4 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool starts in Race 11. My Spot Plays are in Race 2, Race 9, and Race 13. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 2 (6:22 PM EDT)9-Don't Take My Keys (5/2)-Recent races versus better including Open company have been dull. Has started with an outside post draw in the last 5 races and now drops to the lowest level in quite a while. This is a spot to wake up and did beat better on 4-12 from the 9-hole. Regular pilot Chris Lems returns after missing the last race and that should help chances. Plus, there is some gate speed inside, that won't hurt and this is a beatable field. Will likely be bet and will use on top in Exactas with a 7/2, 6/1 and 7-1 horse underneath.#9-Don't Take My Keys in Exactas 9/3,5,79-3-5Race 9 (8:56 PM EDT)7-Looks Like Moni (12-1)-Meadows shipper was hung the mile last week against Open Handicap company. Makes the 2nd start in the Jason McGinnes barn and the Stable.ca entry did miss a race before the last outing. Now, comes back in sequence, Dan Noble takes the lines, has gate speed, and will look for a smoother trip from start to finish. There are other droppers in this field but could be sitting on big try in the 2nd race in town. Banked over $147,000 in 2025 and its Nfld record is (3-1-0-0). Noble doesn't usually steer for this barn, so not thinking the morning line holds up but still should be a solid price.Playing #7 Looks Like Moni in a Win Bet7-3-4Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)2-Racing Rampage (3-1)-Makes its season debut after 2 sharp qualifiers at Dela. Yonkers shipper was cashing checks against stronger competition before being put away in mid-December. Has hit the board in 4 of 6 at Nfld with 2 pictures. Qualified without Lasix and will race that way tonight. Could get on the point or land in the pocket and either can work for a picture. Will use on top in Exactas with a 9/2, 7/2 and a 5-1 shot.2-4-7Playing Racing Rampage on top in Exactas 2/4,7,9Check me out on X!

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