EXTRA INCENTIVES1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Santa Anita | today’s races10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Remington Park | today’s races$10 Money-Back Special | Woodbine | Race 5 and Race 9 win bets that finish 2nd, 3rdtheSCHEDULE NOTESBelmont | cancelled due to rainChurchill Downs | closing day of meetSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-9, Santa Anita Races 3-4-5Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 7-8-9, Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Breeders’ Cup Classic Future Wager Pool 2 | closes 6 pm ETTOURNAMENT TIME$1,000 Santa Anita BCBC Low Ratio Qualifer | details$100 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $188,256 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 5 | 2:45 pm ETSunset Pick 6 | $6,878 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 7 | 3:38 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $5,921 | Gulfstream | Race 9 | 4:46 pm ETKEY RACESWoodbine | Race 5 | 3:08 pm ET | Grand Valley StakesWoodbine | Race 9 | 5:30 pm ET | Breeders’ StakesSanta Anita | Race 4 | 5:35 pm ET | SA Sprint ChampionshipRemington Park | Race 5 | 6:06 pm ET | Remington Green StakesRemington Park | Race 6 | 6:40 pm ET | Scissortail StakesRemington Park | Race 7 | 7:12 pm ET | Ricks Memorial StakesSanta Anita | Race 8 | 7:35 pm ET | Zenyatta StakesRemington Park | Race 8 | 7:42 pm ET | David M. Vance StakesRemington Park | Race 9 | 8:12 pm ET | Clever Trevor StakesRemington Park | Race 10 | 8:42 pm ET | Great West Turf Sprint StakesRemington Park | Race 11 | 9:13 pm ET | Remington Park OaksRemington Park | Race 12 | 9:45 pm ET | Oklahoma DerbyLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 8 | 4:22 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 9 | 8:05 pm ETRemington Park | Race 12 | 9:45 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMark Casse | Woodbine, Remington Park | 6 of 7 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Churchill Downs | jockey Tyler Gaffalione 6 wins (2 stakes)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Late Pick 4 Hit & Split AnalysisJeremy Plonk: Remington Park OK Derby Day All-Stakes Pick 4sBrian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

Opening Week of the Autumn Meet at Santa Anita Park concludes this afternoon with a nine-race card co-headlined by a pair of Grade 2 events over the main track. The day of racing also includes another promotion from the 1/ST BET and Xpressbet team after the $10k Exacta-Thon on yesterday’s Goodwood Day slate. This time it is a 1 million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split on the late Pick 4 sequence that begins in Race 6. Just remember to register for the new promotion and you will be all set to scoop your share if able to connect the dots on the sequence that includes the Zenyatta (G2) for fillies and mares at two-turns.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 6:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 6 Freddy Five Four; 33 Whynotanotherone; 7 Sharon MaxfieldBackups: NoneForecast: A number of runners in this $20k maiden claimer exit a race last month at Del Mar where the eventual winner #3 Whynotanotherone was disqualified for crossing in front of longshot Texas Wildcat early in that 1 1/16-mile event for $16k maiden claimers. Whynotanotherone raced again at Los Alamitos just 11 days ago for Bob Hess Jr. where he finished second beaten over four lengths at odds-on. The son of Midshipman certainly has had his chances, but also meets a field he fits extremely well with once again making his 7-5-ML price understandable. I will use the chalk, as well as a pair of others, including lukewarm top choice #6 Freddy Five Four. The son of Omaha Beach has some upside still having raced four times against better competition, all at one-turn. He has the pedigree to relish more ground and appears the best value option of the bunch.Race 7:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 3 Poppi’s Charlie; 6 Bottled in Bond; 5 Halo Howie; 2 Little KingBackups: NoneForecast: I will try to beat the ML favorite in this state-bred MSW at six-furlongs over the Santa Anita sod where it is #11 Chiseled in Stone that was made the 5-2-top choice after two runner-up efforts at Del Mar to start his career. The son of Stanford has strong early speed, but has made an easy lead twice at five-furlongs and been unable to seal the deal. Now, he moves outside and needs to carry his stamina an extra furlong. I will try to separate a bit from the public with a few against the chalk, including top pick longshot #3 Poppi’s Charlie. The son of Sir Prancealot makes his fourth career start, but first over the grass for trainer Manuel Badilla. His pedigree is as good as any in this group when it comes to the grass and he draws inside, which should allow jockey Tiago Pereira to save ground early and hopefully come with a strong run late. The 12-1 shot is one of several that should offer some value given the amount of public money Chiseled in Stone and #1 Golden Club should take in a race that also kicks off the $3 minimum, 15% takeout late Pick 3.Race 8: Zenyatta (G2)Grade: BMain Ticket: 6 RebeebaBackups: NoneForecast: Trainer Bob Baffert may not have won with four starters over the last two days at Santa Anita Park, but he comes in hot nonetheless after Plutarch’s dominant off-the-pace win at Churchill Downs yesterday. The Hall of Fame conditioner sends out two in this year’s Zenyatta, including 5-2-second choice #6 Rebeeba. The $750k Keeneland September ’24 purchase got off to a late start to her career, but has rattled off three wins going away since kicking things off at Los Alamitos in June. Last out, she overcame being in tight in the early stages winning the Torrey Pines (G3) by more than two lengths and now Baffert takes the blinkers off before her biggest test to date. Over the years, the shades off for Bob has often times meant his horse was relaxing better in the mornings. If that is the case with this Curlin filly, she will be tough to hold off in the lane under Juan Hernandez.Race 9:Grade: BMain Ticket: 7 Feeling LuckyBackups: 10 Cardiff CrackForecast: I have little doubt that this state-bred first-level allowance over the grass goes through 5-2-ML favorite #7 Feeling Lucky. The son of Vronsky wired out a field at Del Mar in late July in his first start going a route of ground before being best, but losing by a half-length on August 22 at odds of 25-1. I say he was best because he battled early and nearly hung in there all the way to the wire in a race that feel apart late. A move forward for the Brian Koriner trainee and they are running for second place. If Feeling Lucky is to lose, it is likely because they went too fast upfront. If so, I give a puncher’s chance to 7YO gelding #10 Cardiff Crack. He once again was done no favors at the draw, but has one of the better closing kicks in this group. His 4 for 43-record is tough to overlook, but anything can go sometimes when a race collapses in the final furlong. He should offer solid value in the sequence.

Remington Park’s biggest card of the season features 8 consecutive stakes races Sunday, culminating in the Grade 3 $400,000 Oklahoma Derby. The track offers back-to-back all-stakes pick fours on Races 5-8 and Races 9-12. 1/ST BET and Xpressbet offer 10X 1/ST Rewards Points on all wagers across the 12-race program for a little Sunday extra spice. Note a special twilight first post at 4:03 pm ET / 3:03 pm CT in Oklahoma City.Let’s get to work.Remington Park: Race 5 | 6:06 pm ET | Remington Green StakesDespite the field size, coverage feels necessary here with legitimate win contenders. #1 Eff Thirty Five gets top billing for a Mike Maker barn that’s an astounding 21: 12-5-2 with Remington Park shippers since 2014.Remington Park: Race 6 | 6:40 pm ET | Scissortail StakesTwo-year-old fillies go here and #8 Don’t Worry Bout It impressed in the local debut and the outside draw going 6-1/2 furlongs should be to her advantage. Single for me with consideration to 5,1,7 in the event of a scratch.Remington Park: Race 7 | 7:12 pm ET | Ricks Memorial StakesCouple of fair prices in the morning line here with #2 Gallant Greta and #1 Long Ago my preferred duo. Pace looks moderate and this race can be won near the front.Remington Park: Race 8 | 7:42 pm ET | David M. Vance StakesAs good as #3 Heavenville was in breaking a nearly 30-year-old track record last time out, he’s going to take some pace pressure here and may bounce off that big effort. A repeat wins it, but #4 Yo Banana Boy’s stalking trip 2 starts back would be very effective here as the value play.Races 5-8 Pick 4 Ticket: 1,3,4,5 with 8 with 2,1 with 4,3 = $8 for each $.50 playRemington Park: Race 9 | 8:12 pm ET | Clever Trevor StakesJuveniles match up in what should be an either-or between local dominator #5 Iamkirk and the classy Ellis Park Juvenile runner-up #7 Grand Yaupon for Steve Asmussen. Big surprise to get beyond these.Remington Park: Race 10 | 8:42 pm ET | Great West Turf Sprint StakesA competitive group of turf sprinters clash for $250,000 but there’s little doubt that a top effort from classy #4 Governor Sam trumps the rest. Elite turf sprint pilot Paco Lopez provides confidence. In case of scratch, consider last year’s 1-2 finishers 8,5.Remington Park: Race 11 | 9:13 pm ET | Remington Park OaksNot a strong opinion here at all with #3 Krissys Star the selection. Given the field size, going to buy the race with an ALL.Remington Park: Race 12 | 9:45 pm ET | Oklahoma DerbyI’ll stand against favorite Silent Tactic without any sense of how he’ll bounce back from a Travers disaster that he trained poorly up to. #4 Zihnal was excellent late in the WV Derby and #9 Tricky Business could love this track by sire Vekoma (offspring 15: 4-2-1 locally including last year’s OK Derby winner Bracket Buster).Races 9-12 Pick 4 Ticket: 5,7 with 4 with ALL with 4,9 = $10 for each $.50 play

Northfield Park starts the week with a 15-race card. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 rolls in Race 11, and it has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The Spot Plays are in Race 2, Race 6, and Race 13. Comments are based on a fast track.Race 2 (6:22 PM EDT)5-LT Loverboy (5-1)-Lightly raced 4-year-old banked $314,879 in 2025 but seems to have issues staying on the track. Qualified at Nfld on 8/5 and drew off by 10-lengths and then didn't get back to the races until on 9-13. That night started from post 5 as soon as the wings folded headed to the back of the pack and was 8th by 12-lengths. Stayed inside and started to advance just before 3/4 pole and was blocked by a tiring horse. Had to go 3-wide and closed willingly down the lane to finish a beaten 6th. Using at what should be a good price in a race with a soft group of Open Pacers. The morning line chalk #7 Disgruntled Charles comes off a trip compromised effort to finish a distant 3rd. If the wrapper comes off the Daren Harvey entry and it brings a top try then there's probably only the chalk to beat. Using in a Win Bet plus in Gimmicks and this could be "go" time.5-7-3Race 6 (7:50 PM EDT)7-Lake Charles (5/2)-Has 11 wins on the season so was often handicapped with the outside draw as was the case on 9-20. Left from post 8 and was hung the mile. Still managed to finish 2nd and now drops to the softest spot in months. Skipped a race before the last start and comes back in sequence here. Should be no worse than in the pocket off the gate this time. Looking for a bounce back effort at a fair price, as a few others also drop in class and have drawn better.7-1-3Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)3-Unique Catch (4-1)-Put in a sharp effort going gate to wire from post 5 to beat easier. Then drew the 7-hole, stepped up, raced wide and very wide but still rallied after being 13-lengths back after the 1st call. Does good work at Nfld (16-5-3-2) and now gets post relief. Daren Harvey should be able to work a smother trip here and could win at a square price.3-2-5Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVES$10,000 Exacta-Thon | Santa Anita | today's racesBet $100, Get $10 | Red Shores-Charlottetown (harness) | today's racesSCHEDULE NOTESBelmont, Delaware Park, Meadowlands (TB) | cancelled due to rainPrairie Meadows | closing daySPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10, Santa Anita Races 3-4-5Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10, Santa Anita Races 8-9-10Breeders’ Cup Classic Future Wager Pool 2 | now through Sunday 6 pm ETTOURNAMENT TIME$3,000 Santa Anita Autumn Showcase | details$500 Laurel Autumn Challenge | details$100 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $170,552 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 6 | 3:21 pm ETPick 6 | $23,991 | Santa Anita | begins Race 5 | 6:10 pm ETMandatory Payout Super Hi 5 | $24,199 | Prairie Meadows | Race 15 | 11:00 pm ETKEY RACES1:50 pm ET | Belmont | Race 4 | Gallant Bloom Stakes2:23 pm ET | Laurel | Race 6 | All Along Stakes3:22 pm ET | Laurel | Race 8 | Selima Stakes3:26 pm ET | Delaware | Race 6 | Battery Park Stakes3:51 pm ET | Laurel | Race 9 | Laurel Futurity4:02 pm ET | Delaware | Race 7 | Rocky Run Stakes4:17 pm ET | Gulfstream Park | Race 8 | Hollywood Beach Stakes4:26 pm ET | Churchill Downs | Race 8 | Bourbon Flight Stakes4:58 pm ET | Churchill Downs | Race 9 | Ack Ack Stakes5:06 pm ET | Santa Anita | Race 3 | City of Hope Mile5:29 pm ET | Churchill Downs | Race 10 | Lukas Classic6:10 pm ET | Santa Anita | Race 5 | Eddie D Stakes7:10 pm ET | Santa Anita | Race 7 | John Henry Turf Championship7:40 pm ET | Santa Anita | Race 8 | Goodwood Stakes7:58 pm ET | Prairie Meadows | Race 8 | first of 8 Thoroughbred stakes8:10 pm ET | Santa Anita | Race 9 | John C. Harris StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXLaurel Park | Race 3 | 1:06 pm ETWoodbine | Race 10 | 5:42 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 11 | 6:01 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSteve Asmussen | Remington Park | 4 of 5 entrants 9-2 or less odds (3 at 5-2 or less)DID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Santa Anita | favorites went 1-8 on the opening day cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Exacta-Thon Plays for SaturdayJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Santa Anita’s Eddie DMatt Bernier: Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita AnalysisJeremy Plonk: 20 Stakes in 20 Sentences for Saturday

It’s had its share of different names over the past decade, but one thing has remained constant – the G1 Goodwood at Santa Anita has functioned as Southern California’s key prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This year’s race offers some added intrigue, as four of the nine entrants are east coast based. Sprinkle in a three-year-old taking on elders and the typically strong Baffert contingent and you have the recipe for an interesting race on Saturday.Below you will find my fair win odds for each of the runners scheduled to compete in the G1 Goodwood as well as my thoughts on some of the key contenders.1 – Taif / 4% / 24-12 – Vodka Vodka / 4% / 24-13 – McAfee / 10% / 9-14 – Original Sin / 10% / 9-15 – Midnight Mammoth / 2% / 49-16 – Mr. A. P. / 7% / 13-17 – Forged Steel / 10% / 9-18 – Caldera / 25% / 3-19 – Nevada Beach / 28% / 5-2The assessment of this year’s Goodwood begins with the winner of last year’s Goodwood, NEVADA BEACH (9). The clear ‘A’ player for trainer Bob Baffert in this spot Saturday, the son of Omaha Beach pulled off an 8-to-1 upset last year, earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure in the process. A 101 Beyer in this race likely gets him back to the winner’s circle and would thrust him into the Breeders’ Cup Classic discussion, albeit as a fringe contender.Nevada Beach is far from a cinch here, though. Not only has he yet to win a race where more than six horses have started, but Nevada Beach is also making his first start since a disastrous trip to Saudi Arabia when finishing twelfth in the G1 Saudi Cup. The layoff itself doesn’t give me pause given his conditioner – it’s the steady diet of drills he’s had without a race that make me curious.This horse has been working steadily since June 13…yet hasn’t made a start? Perhaps this has been the plan all along, but to willingly bypass both the San Diego and the Pacific Classic over the summer at Del Mar makes me skeptical enough to take a shot against him at a short price.I’m sure there’s going to be a large contingent drawn to MCAFEE (3) for trainer George Weaver off his six-plus length victory going nine-furlongs at Saratoga, but I’m not convinced this colt is of the grade one variety – and especially so at this distance. Yes, McAfee’s older sister Thorpedo Anna excelled in races at a mile-and-an-eighth, but this colt has lost ground in the final furlong in all but one of his two-turn races: the gate-to-wire victory at Saratoga on July 3. The field of allowance runners he defeated in early July leave quite a bit to be desired and I’m not sure McAfee will offer a large enough price to entice me to take a chance.Both ORIGINAL SIN (4) and FORGED STEEL (7) were humbled by Knightsbridge in the G1 Pacific Classic last month, but there are no horses of Knightsbridge’s ability running here on Saturday. Forged Steel’s win in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita was solid enough to give him a chance against this bunch, but I don’t believe the pace scenario will be an advantageous one for him. As for Original Sin – he’s not a particularly good gate horse, and unless the pace completely comes apart down the stretch, I’m inclined to view him as nothing more than an underneath key in exotics.MR. A. P. (6) will certainly have his backers, but that will largely be due to a runner-up effort in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile behind Champion Ted Noffey. His three turf tries this season have left me cold, and the move back to the main track feels as much like trying to find something with him as it is a vote of confidence by throwing him into the deep end of the pool.Ultimately, I’m going land on CALDERA (8) for Saffie Joseph, Jr. Once under the tutelage of the late D. Wayne Lukas, Caldera missed more than a year of racing prior to making his debut for Saffie in South Florida back in April. A son of Liam’s Map, the My Racehorse owned colt has ripped off three-consecutive victories, all of which have come by more than a couple of lengths in the end. The distance of the Goodwood may be of slight concern, but his pedigree would suggest it shouldn’t be an issue and the way he’s finished his one-turn miles leads me to believe he can handle the nine furlongs. I would expect jockey Paco Lopez to allow a few of the speed to clear and then take up a stalking trip by the time the field hits the backstretch, biding his time before taking a shot around the far turn.THE PICKS: 8-9-4-7THE PLAY: 8) CALDERA TO WIN AT ODDS OF 3-1 OR GREATER

Santa Anita’s opening weekend of the autumn meet signals a significant round of Breeders’ Cup preps and the national schedule overflows with top-class races. What better time to hop aboard the stakes express? This Saturday’s whistle stops include the Great Race Place, the rebuilt Belmont Park, historic Churchill Downs. sunny Gulfstream and Mid-Atlantic neighbors Laurel and Delaware Park.Players at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can benefit from a $10,000 Exacta-Thon promotion on Saturday for Santa Anita’s card.All aboard! (Listed in post time order)1:50 pm ET | Belmont | Race 4 | Gallant Bloom Stakes | Picks 6-2-5While favorite #5 R Disaster looks loose on the lead, she’s had just 1 race since spring and no works since a bad effort at the Spa, so I’ll try #6 Beauty Reigns, who has trained with intent since the Ballerina.2:23 pm ET | Laurel | Race 6 | All Along Stakes | Picks 8-5-1When the best horse on paper also gets the proper pace set-up, they rarely give back such an edge as classy #8 Grayosh should deliver for Chad Brown.3:22 pm ET | Laurel | Race 8 | Selima Stakes | Picks 5-4-9Rallying debut sprint winner #5 Maybe Gold got a solid 83 BRIS late pace figure for a fast dash that could translate well with her pedigree as she makes the 2-turn stretchout.3:26 pm ET | Delaware | Race 6 | Battery Park Stakes | Picks 4-5-2Defending champ #4 Cooke Creek is 3-for-3 in DelPark raids for a Mike Maker barn that reads the national stakes condition books with about as much success as anyone in picking spots that fit his horses.3:51 pm ET | Laurel | Race 9 | Laurel Futurity | Picks 5-2-6#5 Broadcast likely an underlay price by Miguel Clement’s regally bred son of Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Shared Account (who opened her career 2-for-2 at Laurel over this course) ran well enough in her debut with no pace help to like in this spot.4:02 pm ET | Delaware | Race 7 | Rocky Run Stakes | Picks 4-1-8Excited to see Further Ado’s half-brother by Justify – #4 Earth Song – an eye-popping Monmouth debut winner, stretch out here and just maybe become a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile sneaky play for Keeneland.4:17 pm ET | Gulfstream Park | Race 8 | Hollywood Beach Stakes | Picks 5-7-6#5 Road to Midnight was superb in his only turf try and draw a line through his last on dirt when hooking a multiple stakes-winning freak named Sum of Success.4:26 pm ET | Churchill Downs | Race 8 | Bourbon Flight Stakes | Picks 6-1-5Stronger-than-expected 102 BRIS late pace figures in back-to-back sprints for #6 Local Knowledge make him interesting here on the stretch-out after facing a superstar at the Spa.4:34 pm ET | Delaware | Race 8 | White Clay Creek Stakes | Picks 1-3-9-4Late-running maiden #1 Spectacular Sam could benefit from both blinkers on and the rail draw/saving ground after being her own worst enemy through 3 starts as Spinaway class droppers likely take a good deal of the money.4:44 pm ET | Belmont | Race 9 | Vosburgh Stakes | Picks 8-3-7Big field of 10 and no standouts left in the elder Sprint division makes for a great betting race in which #8 Contrary Thinking is the ‘now’ horse with speed who has found a home since cutting back distance.4:58 pm ET | Churchill Downs | Race 9 | Ack Ack Stakes | Picks 2-3-8#2 Arrowthegreat – who gets a great pace set-up to punch late – beat an absolute, stakes-caliber field in allowance company at Del Mar last time so don’t see this as the rise in class it may look on paper.5:06 pm ET | Santa Anita | Race 3 | City of Hope Mile | Picks 4-2-6#4 Detain was seriously hindered by a very slow second-quarter in the Del Mar Mile but still came with a heated run late and should blow by them Saturday with what looks to be more pace help.5:19 pm ET | Belmont | Race 10 | Jose Hirsch Turf Classic | Picks 3-4-2Love classy Euros picking up American-experienced jockeys (Flavien Prat rides here vs. 2 Chad Browns) and we saw #3 El Cordobes win domestically last summer in his ‘first off the plane’ effort.5:29 pm ET | Churchill Downs | Race 10 | Lukas Classic | Picks 4-3-7His record isn’t as strong at Churchill as other venues, but #4 Banishing opted here over the Jockey Club Gold Cup last week and his best is very, very good when he’s on and a few of these could struggle with the 9F trip.5:45 pm ET | Delaware Park | Race 10 | Delaware Handicap | Picks 6-5-4Dominant defending champ #4 Regaled isn’t forecasted to get her preferred wet track, opening the door for last year’s Delaware Oaks runner-up #6 Margie’s Intention to continue a strong history in this race for trainer Brad Cox.5:54 pm ET | Belmont | Race 11 | Flower Bowl Stakes | Picks 4-8-11With options shorter in distance upcoming at Keeneland, Chad Brown must love the 1-1/4 miles for #4 Kathynmarissa while she’s in career-best form and she faces a field where 9 of 11 exit defeats (several emphatically).6:10 pm ET | Santa Anita | Race 5 | Eddie D Stakes | Picks 1-3-7Don’t let the 1-for-9 record at this turf trip fool you – #1 Sumter has run 4 dynamite races in a row on the downhill turf at Santa Anita and offers an inflated price after a dull Del Mar try.7:10 pm ET | Santa Anita | Race 7 | John Henry Turf Championship | Picks 1-7-8#1 Mondego moved too soon in the Del Mar Handicap and gets a rider change while returning to the Santa Anita lawn where he won the Whittingham and San Marcos in his last 2 trips over this distance and course.7:40 pm ET | Santa Anita | Race 8 | Goodwood Stakes | Picks 4-8-9Defending champ #9 Nevada Beach comes off a February layoff and his workout videos aren’t overwhelming to me, so give me late-running #4 Original Sin (pictured) in a race with plenty of set-up speed and a confident Brendan Walsh who scratches from Churchill’s Lukas Classic to seek this Grade 1.8:10 pm ET | Santa Anita | Race 9 | John C. Harris Stakes | Picks 10-3-4They’ll have to catch #10 Little Opal off 2 sharp dash scores at Del Mar as the outside draw is advantageous down the hill.

It is about time for Opening Day of the Autumn Meet at beautiful Santa Anita Park. The short meet runs until November 1 before racing returns to Del Mar for their Bing Crosby meeting. The stand will feature a total of 26 stakes races, including seven automatic qualifiers for this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships. As one would expect, 1/ST BET and Xpressbet are celebrating the start of the meet in style with the return of our ever-popular Exacta-Thon promotion. This time, the minimum goal for the day is four $2 exactas. If you connect on at least that many, you will earn an equal split of $7500 with all other customers that do so. The last $2500 goes to the customer(s) that can hit as many over the ten-race slate. Here are exactas in three of the stakes races that I will include in my attempt to take down at least four $2 exactas.Race 5: Eddie D (G2)My first exacta play comes in this Grade 2 turf sprint for 3YOs down the Hillside Turf Course named for my all-time favorite jockey. The 6.5-furlong affair that kicks off the traditional $2 Pick 6 appears to have an overall lack of early speed. This should give a pace advantage to #9 Virat. The son of Bayern makes his third start of the form cycle for trainer Dan Blacker after a pair of runs over the five-furlong configuration at Del Mar. He ran respectively in those races earning a victory in a second-level allowance event before a speed and fade to third last month in the Green Flash (G2) to #6 Sorrento Sky. Blacker legs up Paco Lopez this time with a runner that is 4 for 14 over the Santa Anita sod, draws perfectly for this course to the far outside, and offers fair value at his 8-1-ML offering. He is my key horse in exactas.Plays: Exacta Wheel 9 with 1+3+6 and Exacta Box 3+9Picks: 9-3-6Race 8: Goodwood (G1)The featured event has changed names a few times recently, but has been the same nine-furlong Grade 1 test over the main track throughout. This year’s edition appears likely to have an honest early tempo given the presence of #1 Taif, #5 Midnight Mammoth, #7 Forged Steel, and #8 Caldera. I am hopeful they go at it early, setting things up for #4 Original Sin. The Calumet Farm homebred stays in Southern California after coming from last place to finish a well-beaten second to dominant winner Knightsbridge in the Pacific Classic (G1). The Curlin colt has shown a strong turn of foot throughout his ten-race career and proved versatile three starts back with his win in the Blame (G3). He will not be a huge price, but a square one making for a solid key horse in the Exacta-Thon. I will box him with the aforementioned Forged Steel since he might be the best speed and play him on top of 7-5 ML favorite #9 Nevada Beach. Last year’s winner could be tough to beat in here, but has not raced since his disappointing twelfth-place finish in the Saudi Cup (G1). His best makes him tough, but it is difficult to swallow that short price off this sort of break.Plays: Exacta Box 4+7, Exacta 4-9Picks: 4-9-7Race 9: John C. Harris (G3)The final stakes race on Goodwood Day is this $100k event down the hill for 3YO fillies. 3-2-ML favorite #10 Little Opal was a machine on the front end this summer at Del Mar cruising home to a pair of gate-to-wire wins to start her career. The appeal is obvious and the draw is tasty, but swallowing a short price based on efforts over a totally different type of surface down south just does not make a lot of sense. With that in mind, I will take a big swing on top with California-bred #9 Run With Liberty. Trainer Jeff Mullins debuted this one at one mile on the grass and has never cut him back to a shorter distance until this spot where his filly also draws favorably to the outside. She has shown tactical speed in two-turn races, which often times plays well on the turnback to the 6.5-furlong downhill course. Both of her wins came over this surface this spring and she will be a big price. I will also use #1 Mo’ Em Down. I am not love with the rail draw, but jockey Juan Hernandez knows how to ride this course well enough to hopefully overcome any potential traffic issues. #8 Day to Day is another cutback that could take a liking to this unique configuration. She ships in from Virginia for Saffie Joseph Jr. and has the tactical speed to avoid leaving herself with too much to do late. Hopefully, I can get two of these three into the number and make some coin with my final play of the day.Plays: Exacta Box 1+8+9, Exacta 9 with 1+3+4+6+8Picks: 9-1-8