EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | Gulfstream Park | today’s races1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Tampa Bay late pick 4SPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 9,10,11; Santa Anita Races 8,9,10Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8,11; Santa Anita Races 4,6,8TOURNAMENT TIME$50 Beat the Host vs. Millie Ball (GP/SA) | details$1,000 Gulfstream Park PWCBC Qualifier | details$100 Gulfstream Park Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $17,329 | Laurel | begins Race 6 | 2:26 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $79,650 | Turfway Park | begins Race 4 | 7:25 pm ETKEY RACESTampa Bay | Race 6 | 3:02 pm ET | Gasparilla StakesTampa Bay | Race 7 | 3:32 pm ET | Wayward Lass StakesFair Grounds | Race 5 | 3:45 pm ET | Wright Memorial StakesSanta Anita | Race 3 | 4:00 pm ET | Santa Ynez StakesGulfstream | Race 10 | 4:50 pm ET | Sunshine Classic StakesSanta Anita | Race 5 | 5:00 pm ET | San Vicente StakesFair Grounds | Race 8 | 5:15 pm ET | Menard Memorial StakesGulfstream | Race 11 | 5:20 pm ET | Sunshine F&M Turf StakesFair Grounds | Race 9 | 5:45 pm ET | Palmisano Memorial StakesTurfway | Race 8 | 9:25 pm ET | Likely Exchange StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay Downs | Race 4 | 2:00 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 4 | 4:30 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 1 | 5:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBill Mott | Gulfstream, Tampa, Aqueduct | 6 of 7 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Santa Anita | trainer Doug O’Neill | 4 wins (Races 1-3, 10) from 7 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Gulfstream’s Sunshine F&M TurfScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for SaturdayRon Nicoletti: Gulfstream Park Full-Card Picks for SaturdayJeremy Plonk: Tampa Bay Downs Late Pick 4 Hit & Split AnalysisFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Saturday’s card at Santa Anita Park is headlined by a pair of stakes races for newly turned 3YOs. The $100,000 Santa Ynez goes as Race 3, while the featured San Vicente (G2) closes out the early Pick 5. Jeremy Plonk and I discussed those races on the 1/ST Call Podcast this week, which can be found on YouTube, X or wherever you take in podcasts, so I am going to highlight a few races towards the back end of the slate below that piqued my interest.Race 6:This optional claimer for fillies and mares at 6-furlongs over the lawn kicks off the late Pick 5, as well as the $3 All-Turf Pick 3, and there is very little early speed entered despite a field of 10 signed on. First-time turfer #5 Pocket Venus might make the lead, but has regressed in both starts since a dominant win on debut. She is not for me on the surface switch for Mark Glatt. I prefer the filly that should get a great trip just off the early pace in #7 Lady Rider. The daughter of Accelerate moves up in class after trying the sod the first time on October 19 in a non-winners of two lifetime event. On paper, this is a significant class hike, but a deeper dive shows the only runner who beat Lady Rider home in that first turf effort was a 4-5-class dropper loose on the lead for Bob Baffert. The move off the rail should allow jockey Juan Hernandez to work out a cleaner trip than the Vladimir Cerin trainee had to close out 2025. I like her chances to put forth her best at a playable price.Play: #7 Lady Rider (5-1 ML)Race 8:Another big field was drawn for this open $25k claimer at one-mile over the lawn where I like #1 Neon Lights. The 6YO gelding moved into the Jeff Mullins barn this summer and has yet to visit the winner’s circle through two starts, but should have a better chance on Saturday given the inside draw and possible race shape. The Irish-bred showed speed early and tired badly at Del Mar two-back, but showed a lot of grit battling hard to the wire despite not having things his way on the front end in a common race on October 19. The top two finishers in that event also return here, but they came from off the pace, while this guy fought on hard to only miss by a length. It is unlikely with the inside draw and the field outside of him, that Neon Lights will not make the front again in this spot. I just hope he has enough left late to get to the wire first.Play: #1 Neon Lights (12-1 ML)Race 9:The first half of the late Double is a 6-furlong event for open $10k claimers traveling 6-panels over the main track. #8 Dial a Friend is listed as the 5-2-ML favorite and seems like the right horse to me. Some may balk at a horse that has done almost all of her running recently in 1000- yard allowance races at night at Los Alamitos, but she has proven she can handle the big ovals as well. Furthermore, trainer Jesus Mendoza does not sport big numbers with his recent starters at Santa Anita Park, but if you omit races where he was 35-1 or higher, they look a whole lot better. This mare has won 7 of 15 in her career, including her lone start over this surface in January ’24, and should make the lead under Hector Berrios. She will not be a big price, but how many will be willing to single her in the late horizontals?Play: #8 Dial a Friend (5-2 ML)

The Pegasus World Cup Bankroll Builder continues Saturday for 1/ST BET and Xpressbet players. Bet $25 on the Gulfstream Park card and receive a $5 wagering credit to be deposited prior to the Jan. 24 huge day of racing in South Florida. The PWC Bankroll Builder will be offered each racing day through Jan. 23, giving 10 opportunities for players to earn up to $50 in credits. To help you along the way, Gulfstream Park track handicapper Ron Nicoletti has his Saturday full-card picks.Race 1:11 Velvet Rage7 Bella’s Breeze4 Hot CocoaRace 2:5 Eton8 Nano Man7 Change At JamaicaRace 3:5 She’s a Gamer6 Boombox Betty1 SunnaRace 4:7 Halogen2 Al Arqraah1 Diamond KnifeRace 5:6 Message of Hope (IRE)7 Try to Make Cents5 Il AlchemystaRace 6:7 St. Armands Key1 Border War9 Nantasket BeachRace 7:2 Surf’s Up5 Catch a Tiger3 Moon LandingRace 8:9 Pax Mundi1 Ramajay5 SartorialRace 9:6 La Amazonia BB)4 Greenfield Cougar8 Vindicate Cha ChaRace 10: The Sunshine Classic6 Neoequos4 Lure Him In5 Lightning TonesRace 11: The Sunshine F & M Turf9 Rugelach (LS)7 Ashima11 Great VenezuelaBest Bet: R9: 6 La Amazonia-- Returns to turf after 2nd to classy Great Venezuela on Tapeta.-- Has tactical stalk speed to sit the trip in a race with a torrid pace scenario expected.Longshot: R11: 9 Rugelach-- Returned from a layoff at Tampa to finish 2nd to a next-out winner.-- Has shown speed going longer at Del Mar.-- Firing bullets for this assignment.

Northfield Park has a 15-race card with the $1.00 Late Pick 4 starting in Race 11. The sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool with a 14% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (9:40 PM EST)1-Track'N Field (9/5)-Went gate to wire off a well-rated mile. Left from post 5 that night, now gets post relief and Dan Noble sticks. Drawing the rail shouldn't hurt, beat 6 from this field last time and is a logical play at a small price.4-Smothastenesewisky (3-1)-Raced well in 3 straight, then ran into the one above last time and was hung most of the mile. Might be overlooked and is a threat with the right trip5-Jumpingjoy N (9/2)-Was no match for #1 last time even though was in the pocket all the way around. This race could set up differently. Did beat Track'N Field 3 back and that night it left from the rail.Race 12 (10:02 PM EST)3-Stay Salty (3-1)-Left From post 7 in last and was hung the mile. Finished gamely to lose by only a neck. Took the long way around 2 back and took a picture. Noble should be on the point or close to it when the wings fold. Has only 1 win at Nfld but has been racing better in the last 5 starts despite bumpy trips. Should have her way with this crew unless fires a dud.Race 13 (10:24 PM EST)4-Tr'sshining Star (2-1)-Beat a couple of these last time and it was another dominant effort. Gets post relief and the race should go through the Jason Shaw trainee. Justine Irvine should have the pedal down and landing on the point appears a likelihood.7-Ribbon Ridge (25-1)-Will use the other Jessica Milner trainee that should be a large price. Noble steers #9 and this one will be overlooked. Has the gate speed to get a good early seat and could be in the hunt at the wire with a smooth trip.Race 14 (10:46 PM EST)4-Jk's Shining Star (3-1)-Came a head short last week and fits well with this group of Consolation contenders. Can rally off cover but was pace compromised in last and is in the hunt with honest fractions.8-Downbytheeastside (5-1)-Noble will be at the controls and in 9 races for the Calvin Hollar barn he posts 44% winners. Should appreciate the company and will be out and rolling early in the mile.$2 Late Pick 41,4,5/3/4,7/4,8Total Bet=$24Check me out on Twitter!

The Meadowlands begins the weekend with a 14-race card. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 10. 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 10 (10:05 PM EST)2-Pressure Cooker (4-1)-Shipped in from Yonkers and was off 3 weeks before an even effort on 1-2. The Linda Toscano 5-year-old has done good work at M1 in a limited number of starts (5-2-1-0). Has enough gate speed to be on the point or in 2-hole and will look for a big try after a race on the oval.5-Laurie Lee (6-1)-Landed here after a race at Stga and put in a no-move mile. Gets some post relief and comes right back. Will look for Tyler Miller to have her forwardly placed and like the one above should be better tonight.9-Tick A Loch A (3-1)-Aussie bred makes its M1 debut after a pair of qualifiers. The last tune-up signals the 5-year-old is ready to battle as it won in 153.2 with a 55.1 back half. The post draw helps the price and looks like a threat with a smooth steer.Race 11 (10:30 PM EST)1-Iwon't Backdown AS (3-1)-This 7-year-old is 0-7 at M1 and has been off since 12-19, but now drops to a soft spot. Not automatic but could post an overdue win with a top of the stack trip and Brett Beckwith can execute that plan.5-Rocket Man Hill (4-1)-The Amanda Fine entry was off a month and stayed inside to finish 3rd in a needed race on 1-2. Comes right back, has some gate speed, and may try to go gate to wire versus this crew.Race 12 (10:55 PM EST)7-Dream Shot (10-1)-Comes out of TM race in its M1 debut and had pretty much a no-move mile from the 8-hole. The price is right to use, even though this is considered a move-up in class. In reality this group doesn't like to win and should fit. Has the speed to get the job done and will need a smooth steer by Ridge Warren.10-Cover The Crown (5/2)-This mare got to town in early December and cashed smaller checks against tougher foes. The question marks are the post draw and Bradley Chisholm putting her in a position to win. This is a soft bunch and needs to be used even with some reservation.Race 13 (11:20 PM EST)3-Roma Amor (3-1)-Slow starter makes it more difficult on herself as was the case last time. Austin Siegelman steers for his 2nd straight, that could make a difference and gets some post relief. Using and hoping it won't be bet down.9-Paige Perfect (7/2)-This is a rag-tag bunch and that makes this 1-time winner last year the 2nd chalk. But most important, this should be a meaningful drop in-class. Does have gate speed to get a close-up seat and did take a 1.52 mark here last year.$1 Late Pick 42,5,9/1,5/7,10/3,9Total Bet=$24Check me out on Twitter!

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | Gulfstream Park | today’s racesSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8,9,10; Santa Anita Races 8,9,10Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 7,10; Santa Anita Races 2,4,5TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Park Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSunset Pick 6 | $12,702 | Gulfstream / Santa Anita | begins GP Race 8 | 3:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $75,892 | Turfway Park | begins Race 4 | 7:25 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay Downs | Race 8 | 3:58 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 1 | 5:55 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 10 | 7:30 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAnthony Farrior | Charles Town | 4 of 5 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Gulfstream | Rainbow 6 hit on single ticket for $416,348.44PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for FridayRon Nicoletti: Gulfstream Park Full-Card Picks for FridayFrank Carulli: Tampa Bay Downs Late Pick 4 Analysis for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The Pegasus World Cup Bankroll Builder continues Friday for 1/ST BET and Xpressbet players. Bet $25 on the Gulfstream Park card and receive a $5 wagering credit to be deposited prior to the Jan. 24 huge day of racing in South Florida. The PWC Bankroll Builder will be offered each racing day through Jan. 23, giving 10 opportunities for players to earn up to $50 in credits. To help you along the way, Gulfstream Park track handicapper Ron Nicoletti has his Friday full-card picks.Race 1:5 Call the Bullpen7 Miss Magical1 NieceyRace 2:7 Kazooza3 Lovethisbizz8 Don’t Go AstrayRace 3:2 Diriyah5 Flatter Fanatic6 Five Eyes OnmichelRace 4:7 If I Can Dream4 The Last Page6 Win N WinRace 5:7 I C Light4 Itza Lock9 WootunRace 6:5 Skellig Michael1 Miami Frank3 Lou the BodyRace 7:3 Camm’s Princess5 Dialithic6 WhirlwindRace 8:1 Operation Overlord6 Gold Sovereign7 Peak PerformerRace 9:6 Phoebeinwonderland (BB)5 Bad Gal Party8 Prism Pool PatRace 10:7 One Sweet Girl (LS)6 Covered in Crystal2 BackgammonBest Bet: R9: 6 Phoebeinwonderland-- Exits key turf sprint at Aqueduct when 2nd vs better.-- W Ward is 37% with Turf to Tapeta-- Rosario/Ward are 21% togetherLongshot: R10: 7 One Sweet Girl-- Goes for 3rd straight victory’-- Proven on grass and Tapeta-- C David 23% winning back-to-back-- Gets the pace need to close with rail at 31 feet-- David & Vazquez 28% together

The racing week continues on Friday afternoon at the Great Race Place with a 10-race card that kicks off at 3 pm ET / noon local time. The card has a couple of intriguing maiden races, as well as the allowance feature at one-mile over the race track that goes as Race 9. Here are the horses I like most on Day 2 of what we are hopeful is the first full racing week of the year at Santa Anita Park.Race 6:I am far from creative in this MSW event at one-mile over the turf, but it is an important race for horizontal players since it is included in the Pick 6 and kicks off the late Pick 5 and All-Turf Pick 3. Therefore, I am willing to chalk it up with #6 Kokosan. The 4YO colt has had his chances so far, but is a stand out in this spot. Often times I am against horses at shorter prices that may look best, but have struggled to seal the deal for the first time despite a lot of tries. That is not really the case with this colt because he has never gone off the favorite. In fact, his lowest off odds were two-back at Del Mar when he was sent off at 7-2 in a compact group of 6. Trainer John Sadler thought enough of him to run him in the Hollywood Derby (G1) last out. He should finally find his friends in his first start of 2026.Play: #6 Kokosan (9-5 ML)Race 9:The aforementioned Friday feature drew a compact group of 6 going 8-furlongs over the main track and there is not much early zip signed on. I am hopeful Kyle Frey takes advantage of the inside draw and sends 5YO mare #1 Chai to the front. The Washington-bred daughter of Race Day has competed in three consecutive one-turn races since arriving in the Bob Hess, Jr. barn midway through 2025. The fact she has been up close to the pace in the sprints leads me to believe the plan will be to go and see how far she can take them on the engine. The price should be fair enough on one of just two runners in the field with more than one lifetime victory.Play: #1 Chai (5-1 ML)Race 10:The finale is a full-field $25k open claimer at 6-furlongs over the grass and I am hoping to take them gate-to-wire to close the day with #1 Cyprus Moon. Trainer George Papaprodromou put the blinkers back on this 5YO mare two-back against better and she ran off on the front end before tiring to finish a mid-pack sixth. She performed much better last out though whendropped into a spot much more similar to this one at Del Mar. Papaprodromou is off to a strong start to the meet and I like the fact Umberto Rispoli sticks around. This gal should be tough to catch with a clean break.Play: #1 Cyprus Moon (4-1 ML)