Bob Sullivan led all players to capture the $1,000 weekly prize in the opening round of the 21st Xpressbet Beat the Host handicapping contest. His $172 total bankroll easily outpaced Week 1 host Pete Aiello, track announcer at Gulfstream Park, who netted $32.50 in returns. The Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park handicapping contest returns this Saturday for the second of a nine-week run. Santa Anita Park racing analyst Millie Ball will be the handicapping target in Beat the Host this Saturday.Sullivan’s $172.00 total was followed next by Mark Kennedy at $167.00, who earned a $750 prize, and Joseph Rich, whose $155.50 total netted a $250 prize. They are among 166 players from 505 registrants who knocked off Aiello and already have earned a spot in the March 7 Beat the Host Championship Round.The $65,000 Beat the Host competition encompasses 10 races each contest Saturday, split between the final 5 Gulfstream Park races and first 5 from Santa Anita. Contestants place $5 win bets on the Xpressbet platform for each of the 10 Beat the Host races, earning their parimutuel winnings as well as prize pools.All contestants who beat the cumulative bankroll total of the host each Saturday qualify for the Beat the Host Championship on March 7. Weekly prize pools of $2,000 are also in play for the top-3 finishers, while a $6,500 Sweep the Host bonus split is in store for those sharp enough to top the host totals all 9 weeks of the contest.The BTH Championship pits all weekly winning players against one another in pursuit of seats in the lucrative Pegasus World Cup Betting Challenge, Xpressbet Santa Anita Derby Challenge and Xpressbet Florida Derby Challenge tournaments.Last season, 496 of 711 Beat the Host players were able to top the host total at least once during the season. Glenn Gulden paced all players in the cumulative season totals last year, while George Blanchard took down the top prize in the Beat the Host Championship round finale.Tournament & Host Schedule:Saturday, January 3, 2026 - Pete AielloSaturday, January 10, 2026 - Millie BallSaturday, January 17, 2026 - Michelle YuSaturday, January 24, 2026 - Scott ShapiroSaturday, January 31, 2026 - Brian NadeauSaturday, February 7, 2026 - Tom QuigleySaturday, February 14, 2026 - Samantha PerrySaturday, February 21, 2026 - Zoe CadmanSaturday, February 28, 2026 - Ron NicolettiSaturday, March 7, 2026 – Beat the Host Championship Round

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Parx | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $26,842 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:11 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXMahoning Valley | Race 4 | 1:39 pm ETParx | Race 10 | 4:08 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 5 | 5:12 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJacinto Solis | Parx | all 4 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mahoning Valley | jockey Jose Bracho | 3 wins from 8 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Thursday racing was added to the Santa Anita ledger this week as part of a series of makeup days from early season cancellations. The stakes co-features will add weekday intrigue with the Eddie Logan for 3-year-olds and the Grade 3 $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes for elder fillies and mares. The Frankel is part of the Sunset 6 wager between Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park, comprising the final 3 races on each card.Let’s meet the contenders for the Frankel Stakes (Race 7):#1-PUBLIC ASSEMBLY: Last year’s Grade 3 Royal Heroine winner over this course at a furlong shorter, she also was second in the Yellow Ribbon and Red Carpet at Del Mar on the campaign. First of 2 Phil D’Amato trainees in the field for a conditioner who won this race in 2019. Umberto Rispoli takes the mount for the first time.#2-WILLA T: Stakes debut for the field’s hottest runner, who rides a 3-race winning streak into the Frankel. Maiden claiming graduate at Del Mar lost her first 6 starts, but has found success since dropping in class. Big test here for trainer Tim Yakteen, who won this race in 2020 with Mucho Unusual. Hector Berrios takes the mount on the lightly raced 5-year-old.#3-IMA JOKER: Practical Joke mare seeks her first stakes victory and first score at 1-1/8 miles after 5 unsuccessful tries at the trip. Doug O’Neill charge did win over the Santa Anita course 2 starts back at a mile and returns to the stakes ranks for the first time since running fifth in the November 2024 Red Carpet at Del Mar.#4-HANNAH BUCKLE: Stakes debut for Leonard Powell’s Irish export. She made just 4 starts in 2024 and 3 in 2025; hero trio last year all at Del Mar, including an allowance win at a mile. She’s yet to run beyond a mile in 9 starts to date. Regular rider Armando Ayuso returns to the saddle.#5-PARADISE LAKE: Consistent finisher rallied for third in the Red Carpet at Del Mar to finish on the heels of Frankel return rival Public Assembly last out. It was the Uncle Mo filly’s first stakes try after winning 2 of 3 allowance races in the lead-in. Juan Hernandez piloted her to a 9-furlong Santa Anita turf allowance win 2 starts back and returns for the same assignment.#6-SUN OF HILL: Brazilian export has lost all 11 starts since arriving in California in 2024, but was second in the Royal Heroine in April over this course. Exits a fourth at Del Mar in the Red Carpet behind a couple of Frankel returnees. Second of 2 Phil D’Amato trainees in the field for a conditioner who won this race in 2019. Kazushi Kimura will be back aboard the 6-year-old.#7-STARRY NIGHT: Trainer Jonathan Thomas looks for back-to-back Frankel Stakes wins as a follow up to Mrs. Astor. This Justify filly has won both starts since moving from Kevin Attard’s barn in Canada, Thomas finishing the winner’s circle twice at Colonial in maiden claiming and starter allowance races at the Frankel’s 9-furlong trip. Ricardo Gonzalez will ride in her stakes and SoCal debut.#8-WATCHTOWER: Santa Anita’s 2024 Autumn Miss Stakes winner has lost 6 straight since then and exits a sixth-place finish in the Swingtime Stakes in October. The Richard Baltas barn is a 3-time winner of the Frankel (2016, 2017, 2022). Mirco Demuro piloted her to a third-place Yellow Ribbon finish this summer at Del Mar and returns.

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $2,612 | Sunland Park | begins Race 5 | 4:09 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $18,447 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:15 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXMahoning Valley | Race 9 | 3:59 pm ETParx | Race 10 | 4:08 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 6 | 5:45 pm ETSunland | Race 9 | 6:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHTodd Fincher | Sunland | all 5 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | trainer Dick Cappellucci | 3 wins from 7 starters at Sunland, Sam HoustonPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Western Fair Raceway has a 10-race card with the Late Pick 4 starting in Race 7. The sequence has a $5,000 guaranteed pool, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 7 (8:08 PM EST)2-Modern Writer (8-1)-Doesn't start quickly, and that makes things more difficult. Garrett Rooney knows well and a big factor for success will be having honest fractions. Should be in a position to win at the top of the lane and will look for lively pace to close into.5-Thatmomentinlife (5/2)-The pace of this race should come into play, and this one has my vote to get an early lead. Does good work at Lon (35-7-6-5) and should be on top or in the pocket after the wings fold.Race 8 (8:31 PM EST)4-Justine Ray (3-1)-Brady Galliers should get an up-close seat off the gate and and is a threat with an efficient trip. Will look for an aggressive try and might be overlooked.5-Gentrify (6-1)-Nfld shipper is an interesting option, looks like a good fit and has gate speed to be put in play early on. Brett MacDonald knows well and could win its London debut at a big number.6-Charmbo Stormy (2-1)-Grinded its way around at FlmD to finish 2nd, and this race could set up for a closer. The veteran knows its way around this oval (42-11-7-4) and could tackle the leader down the lane. But Sam Fillion has some choices, as the 8-year-old can still leave in a hurry.Race 9 (8:54 PM EST)1-Bettor Beast (3-1)-This is a logical play who is usually in the hunt versus this kind. This post draw could be the winning difference for a 4-year-old who has won 3 of 11 at Lon.4-All Bets On Gary (2-1)-Beaten chalk gave it a strong try leaving from post 8 on 12-22 to finish 2nd. Now faces a bit tougher on paper but 5 from this field were in the last race and not the winner. Will look for another big effort and the price could be better than the morning line.Race 10 (9:17 PM EST)3-Mickeymaksomespeed (10-1)-Will take a swing Austin Sorrie can get Mickey to land on the point. Will need to time the gate and get the jump on the one below. The veteran does best on the engine and at this price is worth a look4-Yourtheone (8/5)-The 8-year-old figures to be tough to down. Similar in some ways to the one above but does win more often. Comes off a gate to wire score for win 8 in 29 races last year. Has won 2 of 6 here and could take charge again at a small price.$1 Late Pick 42,5/4,5,6/1,4/3,4Total Bet=$24Check me out on Twitter!

EXTRA INCENTIVESPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | final day to enterTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $254,389 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:18 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $9,695 | Gulfstream Park | Race 10 | 4:48 pm ETKEY RACESOaklawn Park | Race 9 | 4:55 pm ET | Mockingbird StakesSunland Park | Race 7 | 5:04 pm ET | KLAQ HandicapSunland Park | Race 8 | 5:32 pm ET | NM State Racing Commission StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXOaklawn | Race 4 | 2:28 pm ETFair Grounds | Race 5 | 3:45 pm ETGulfstream | Race 10 | 4:48 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHLinda Rice | Aqueduct | 6 of 7 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | trainer Brad Cox | 5 wins from 7 starters at Aqu, GP, TPPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Sunday Gulfstream Spot PlaysBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The racing week at Gulfstream Park concludes on Sunday afternoon with a solid 10-race card that gets rolling at 12:20 pm ET. The card contains a pair of solid MSW races for newly turned 3YOs, as well as second-level allowance at 5-furlongs over the grass that goes as Race 8. Here are the plays I will build my Sunday afternoon in south Florida around.Race 7:This MSW at one-mile over the main track that kicks off the late Pick 4 drew a compact group of 7 led my 9-5-ML favorite #2 Betty’s Pearl. The $700k Munnings filly has hit the board in all 3 starts, but has not been great out of the gate yet and has burnt quite a bit of the public’s money thus far. In fact, she was defeated at 5-2 on debut and followed it up with losses at 4-5 and 6-5. Being drawn down on the inside is not ideal for the way she has run thus far. I much prefer second-time starter #6 Paradise. The Gun Runner filly is out of the talented mare Venetian Harbor, so she is bred to be a runner. Venetian Harbor had a strong 12-race career for trainer Richard Baltas that included a 10 3/4 length romp in her second start after finishing second on debut. The Brad Cox barn had a big day on Saturday and appears to have a filly with unlimited upside in this one.Play: #6 Paradise (5-2 ML)Race 8:Speed can often be tough on the Gulfstream Park turf, but I am hoping they go at it on the front end in the Sunday feature. That appears quite possible given the presence of #1 Speed Figures down on the inside and #9 Classy War and #10 Twisted Filigree to the outside. If they converge and set a brisk first half mile, #2 Eamonn should be coming with his veteran late kick. The 8YO son of Pioneerof the Nile has kept good company, so he should appreciate the drop out of stakes company in his 45th career start. The fact he ran well last year off the layoff in his first start of the meet and he has won 6 of 15 lifetime over the Gulfstream Park sod only strengthens his case. Hopefully, he gets a fast pace to chase in the first leg of the late Pick 3.Play: #2 Eamonn (6-1 ML)Race 9:My final play of the week at Gulfstream Park comes in this state-bred first-level allowance event at 6-furlongs over the main track where 5-2-ML favorite #4 Noble J looks tough to beat. In his first start off an 18-month break, the 4YO gelding battled early, easily disposed of the other speed, and had plenty left late to turn away runner-up Noble Sky. The December 7 effort was flattered a bit by the fact that Noble Sky came back and just missed in a similar spot yesterday at odds of 10-1. If veteran jockey Joe Bravo can get this one into the race early once again, he should have no problem making it back-to-back victories to get his Championship Meet started for trainer David Fawkes. A single in the late horizontals.Play: #4 Noble J (5-2 ML)

Northfield Park has a 15-race card to begin the week. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts 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)2-Oberto (7-1)-Going to fade the 9/5 choice #5 with Dan Noble and spread out in what could be a wide open race. This 10-year-old drew off on a sloppy track to win by 4 lengths and now steps up. Has cashed smaller checks versus this kind. But draws into a good slot to get rolling and does like an off-track ( 27-6-5-1).4-Disgruntled Carl (4-1)-Carl hasn't taken a picture in a while and ran into a monster last time in 154.1 winner. Fits, could be ready to take a picture and can get a top of the stack trip. This is a 10-time winner last year and could offer a square price.6-Legacy Affair (5-1)-This mare comes out of the same 154.1 win by Winslow and ran 2nd in that race. Two back took a picture versus this kind and has won 8 of 20 starts at Nfld. Team Sugg entry should be a player if Kurt Sugg provides a smooth steer.7-Ordained (7-1)-Saratoga shipper is no slouch and booked over $207,000 in earnings last year. This is its Nfld debut but has 1/2-mile experience. Has the gate speed to lands in a close-up seat and could surprise if there are no issues with the turns.Race 12 (10:02 PM EST)1-Sumomentsomewhere A (5/2)-The 9-year-old makes its 2nd start off the bench and lands in a soft spot. If all systems are GO, Ronnie Wrenn could make every call a winning one.3-Cyclone Banner N (9/2)-Beat cheaper 2 back then tried this kind and finished a beaten 4th off a bumpy trip. Merriman sticks here over #2 and could have his way with this field. The pedal should be down, might be able to take control and land on the point. If so chances for a win go upconsiderably.4-Magic Four N (2-1)-Seldom raced 8-year-old makes its Nfld debut. Showed good speed at ScD last year against Open company. This will be the 1st race since 7-31 but the team Noble entry did put in a nice qualifier on 12-23. Won by 31 lengths in 156.3 on a good track and could be ready to win at first asking.Race 13 (10:24 PM EST)2-Big Skewy N (1-1)-Team Noble entry beat the $15k claimers by 6 lengths in the slop and faces 3 from that field today. Should have its way with this crew, and the price might be better than 1/9 but don't look for a lot more.Race 14 (10:46 PM EST)1-Annie L (3-1)-Got a bumpy trip leaving from the 2nd tier last time. The sloppy track and the wide journey were too much but did win versus similar 2 back. Likes a top of the stack trip and that could happen. Has won 3 of the last 4 and this is a good opportunity to start another win streak.5-Sister Sadie (6/5)Noble steers for the Peter Stratton barn and when those 2 combine they post 35% winners. This mare fits and comes off a 6th place finish off a 1st over trip. Did come 2nd two back, recent starts were in the slop, and now gets a ++ driver change.$1 Late Pick 42,4,6,7/1,3,4/2/1,5Total Bet=$24Check me out on Twitter!