EXTRA INCENTIVES$10 Money-Back Special | Louisiana Derby (FG) & Jeff Ruby (TP) | up to $10 back if win bet finishes 2nd, 3rd$3,000 Exacta-Thon | Fair Grounds / TurfwaySCHEDULE NOTESTurfway | special matinee first post 12:45 pm ETSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 10-11-12; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-9; Santa Anita Races 2-3-5TOURNAMENT TIME$500 Santa Anita Challenge | details$300 Florida Derby/Santa Anita Derby Challenge Qualifier | details$40 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $75,569 | Tampa Bay Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:05 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $99,029 | Turfway Park | begins Race 8 | 4:13 pm ETPick 6 | $10,727 | Oaklawn | begins Race 6 | 4:14 pm ETSunset 6 | $10,767 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 10 | 5:25 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $200,754 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 6:15 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $7,318 | Turfway Park | Race 13 | 7:05 pm ETKEY RACESFair Grounds | Race 2 | 1:30 pm ET | Crescent City OaksLaurel | Race 7 | 2:58 pm ET | Beyond the Wire StakesOaklawn | Race 4 | 3:11 pm ET | Lapatourel StakesLaurel | Race 8 | 3:28 pm ET | Private Terms StakesFair Grounds | Race 6 | 3:30 pm ET | Benson Memorial StakesTurfway | Race 7 | 3:43 pm ET | Latonia StakesTurfway | Race 8 | 4:13 pm ET | Rushaway StakesFair Grounds | Race 8 | 4:32 pm ET | Costa Rising StakesTurfway | Race 9 | 4:43 pm ET | Animal Kingdom StakesFair Grounds | Race 9 | 5:04 pm ET | New Orleans ClassicTurfway | Race 10 | 5:13 pm ET | Kentucky Cup ClassicGulfstream | Race 10 | 5:25 pm ET | Texas Glitter StakesFair Grounds | Race 10 | 5:36 pm ET | Muniz Memorial StakesTurfway | Race 11 | 5:43 pm ET | Bourbonette OaksOaklawn | Race 9 | 5:51 pm ET | Essex HandicapFair Grounds | Race 11 | 6:08 pm ET | Fair Grounds OaksTurfway | Race 12 | 6:25 pm ET | Jeff Ruby | Meet the ContendersFair Grounds | Race 12 | 6:42 pm ET | Louisiana Derby | Meet the ContendersSanta Anita | Race 7 | 7:10 pm ET | Irish O’Brien StakesTurf Paradise | Race 5 | 7:17 pm ET | Turf Paradise DerbyTurf Paradise | Race 6 | 7:49 pm ET | Arizona OaksSanta Anita | Race 9 | 8:10 pm ET | San Luis Rey StakesTurf Paradise | Race 7 | 8:21 pm ET | Cotton Fitzsimmons HandicapTurf Paradise | Race 8 | 8:51 pm ET | Phoenix Gold CupRemington Park | Race 9 | 10:40 pm ET | Oklahoma Derby (AQHA)Remington Park | Race 10 | 11:09 pm ET | Oklahoma Futurity (AQHA)LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTurfway Park | Race 4 | 2:13 pm ETTampa Bay | Race 9 | 4:40 pm ETOaklawn | Race 11 | 6:54 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHCherie DeVaux | Fair Grounds | 8 of 9 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Aqueduct | jockey Manny Franco | 4 wins, 3 seconds from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Triple Crown Prep Money-Back Special PicksJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Kentucky Cup ClassicScott Shapiro: Exacta-Thon Picks for Fair Grounds / TurfwayRon Nicoletti: Gulfstream Saturday PicksScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for SaturdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Download Gulfstream Park on-track handicapper Ron Nicoletti's full-card picks for Saturday. The Sunset 6 wager, matching the final 3 races at Gulfstream and Santa Anita, has a $10,767 carryover for today.

In addition to the great stakes action in Northern Kentucky and Louisiana this afternoon, the racing continues at 1PM local time at the Great Race Place. The Santa Anita Saturday slate is 9-races headlined by the San Luis Rey (G3) at 10-furlongs over the grass. Here are a few horses I like most today in Arcadia. The Sunset 6, matching the final 3 races at Gulfstream and Santa Anita today, has a $10,767 carryover and includes a pair of my key plays on the card. Race 1The opener is a MSW for 3YO fillies at 1 1/8-miles over the Santa Anita turf and I have quite a bit of interest in second-time starter #1 Mass. The Not This Time filly did not do any real running on debut going a route of ground over the main track, but took noticeable public support throughout the wagering. It is not as if Whitey sports strong numbers debuting horses in two-turn dirt races, so I made note. Now, McCarthy moves this $610k FTS August ’24 purchase to the grass and legs up Juan Hernandez. Her pedigree suggests a move forward could certainly come on the surface switch and she draws favorably along the inside for her second career start. Hopefully we get at least the ML offering.Play: #1 Mass (5-2 ML)Race 8#3 Code Duello has proven to be a cool horse throughout his 37-race career. Not only has he won 5 of 16 over the turf, but he has won at night at Los Alamitos in an 870-yard contest, as well as at one mile over the Fair Grounds lawn. He has certainly proven versatile over the years and last time almost did so again when he opted to stalk off the pace, instead of go to the front like he did in his most recent victory in mid-January. I thought he ran well to finish third beaten less than a neck versus better going 6.5-furlongs on February 21 and now moves back to the main track. Hector Berrios stays onboard and should be able to find a perfect stalking spot just off a contentious early pace. I will take my chances he gets back to his best on surface switch.Play: #3 Code Duello (3-1 ML)Race 9: San Luis Rey (G3)The aforementioned feature at 1 1/2-miles over the lawn has a noticeable lack of early speed enters. There is a chance that leads to a bunched field early and sprint to the wire late that benefits those with strong closing kicks, but I will take my chances in a horse that might be able to steal it on the front end. #8 Watsonville (pictured) makes his third start off the bench for trainer Mark Glatt after a pair of solid runs going a mile over this course to start 2026. Glatt sheds the blinkers and legs up Hall of Famer Mike Smith on the 2-time winner of this course. I am hopeful and fairly confident Smith will notice that lack of speed to his inside and give this gelding an aggressive ride early much like he has with Cabo Spirit throughout the last few years in shorter races. Hopefully, he has the stamina to get the marathon distance. The value should be there to gamble.Play: #8 Watsonville (12-1 ML)

Northfield Park has a 14-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 EDT)6-Uptown Hanover (10-1)-Will toss the 7-hole effort 2 back and was off 3 weeks between starts. Then finished 3rd behind the odds-on chalk #8, and #7. Will look for a big try and the price is right to take a swing.8-High Flyin' Filly (2-1)-Ronnie Wrenn has options and could leave when the wings fold. But, if necessary, can grind it out and double up if the fractions are lively.Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)1-Pams For Real (9/2)-Cashes checks, then wins off cozy trips and that can happen here. Kurt Sugg steers, he won 2 back and fits with crew. Likes Nfld and has taken 7 pictures in 28 starts.3-Downbytheeastside (5-1)-This mare is another gal who could get the trip it needs to win and should be a square price. Stayed inside and came 2nd after leaving from the 2nd tier. Fits, and has hit the board in 13 of 28 at Nfld with 5 pictures.6-Lastchanceforlove (3-1)-Cashed a 3rd place check after being hung the mile in last. Gets some class relief and should be a player if Dan Noble provides a better trip this time.Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)4-Not That Hilary (5/2)-Aaron Merriman steered last time and Hillary was hung the mile. The beaten 8/5 chalk gets Noble between the pipes tonight. Going with both Alvarez trainees and can rebound with a smoother trip.5-Luckystair (7/2)-Finished 5th after leaving from the 8-hole and being 13 lengths back at the 1st call. Merriman sticks and will look for this Alavrez entry to come with a much better effort with the post relief.Race 14 (10:46 PM EDT)2-Allsmokeandmirrors (5/2)-Mohawk shipper is 0-10 this year after winning 8 of 43 in 2025. Noble gets the nod and this mare probably isn't here for the scenery. Did put in a 151.1 mark at Wbsb last year. Using, and will count on the turns not being an issue.$1 Late Pick 46,8/1,3,6/4,5/2Total Bet=$12Check me out on X!

With about six weeks left until they break from the gate for the Kentucky Derby, it is time for the final round of Triple Crown preps. The first of three huge weeks for 3YOs gets started with a pair of 100-points to the winner races. The Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds and the Jeff Ruby (G3) at Turfway Park may not offer us a glimpse at the 2026 Derby winner, but they will go a long way and shaking out the field for the first Saturday in May.As you have come to expect, 1/ST Bet and Xpressbet have yet another fun promotion to celebrate the big days in New Orleans and Florence. This time it is a $3000 two-track Exacta-Thon with the goal of connecting on 3 different $2 exactas over the course of the day at both venues. Those able to successfully do so will split the $3k. Here are a couple of exactas at each track I will be using as part of my Exacta-Thon approach.Fair Grounds, Race 3My first play on the 14-race Louisiana Derby card comes in this two-turn MSW event for 3YOs over the main track where I will key #8 Tiernanogue. The son of Quality Road has failed to hit the board through three starts for trainer Brendan Walsh, but ran a bit better than looks on Risen Star Day. In that mid-February start over this same surface and distance, Tiernanogue was caught wide into the first turn and raced against the flow chasing gate-to-wire winner Awesome Gem. He has to get a little better out of the gate, but I am hopeful the move back to Brendan Walsh’s main man Tyler Gaffalione will lead to improved speed and a career best run from this Mulberry Racing colt. I will key him with a #4 Direct Strike and #6 Double Entendre. Both colts make equipment changes in hopes of leading to their first lifetime score.Play: Exacta Key Box 8 with 4+6Fair Grounds. Race 12, Louisiana Derby (G2)As I discussed in my Triple Crown Money Back Offer blog from Thursday, this is not the strongest edition of the Louisiana Derby. That said, I am hopeful it allows me to knock down one of the needed exactas for the promotion. #3 Chip Honcho failed to seal the deal last out in the Risen Star (G2) despite having things all his way. That said, he lost little in defeat when nailed at the wire by one of the Derby favorites at this point Paladin. The Steve Asmussen trainee showed improvement and still the same speed without blinkers last out and should control the tempo again under Luis Saez. I like his chances of getting to the wire first for the third time in his career. #9 Emerging Market is likely to go off as one of the favorites and understandably so. The Candy Ride colt ran huge at two-turns on debut at Tampa Bay Downs. He has to prove himself at this level, especially with the way Powershift ran in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), but it appears the talent is there to be a factor in the Triple Crown this spring. He may have to overcome a soft early pace though from his far outside draw giving Chip Honcho the edge in this year’sLouisiana Derby.Play: Exacta 3-9Turfway Park, Race 10, Kentucky Cup Classic (G3)The pace should be honest in this 9-furlong affair over the all-weather given the presence of #4 Tickled Quist and #5 Willy D’s. This should set things up for #1 Honor Marie. The son of Honor Code competed in the 2024 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, but struggled through his 4YO season winning just 1 of 6 races. Trainer Whit Beckman opted to keep Honor Marie in Kentucky this winter and the plan proved to be a good one when he romped home to an off-the-pace victory in the Dust Commander. The inside draw and his turn of foot over this surface should bode well for the $40k Keeneland September ’22 purchase. I will play the late runner over #2 Utah Beach and then box him with #8 Wadsworth.Play: Exacta 1-2 and Exacta Box 1+8Turfway Park, Race 12, Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)Some may not agree with this 1 1/8-mile event rewarding as many points as it does on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, but I am more bullish. While most of these are not dirt horses at the early point of their careers, history tells us that runners exiting these preps recently at Turfway Park are capable of running well on the surface switch. I am not sure if that is the case this year, but I am looking forward to gambling on #4 Two Out Hero. The War Front colt raced for the first time off a 5-month layoff in the Battaglia Memorial and unsurprisingly did not fire his best shot. The Kevin Attard trainee stumbled at the start from his far outside draw basically costing him all chance. He got something out of the race though making a middle move before understandably tiring badly in the lane, which I think sets him up for a career best run on Saturday. I will play Two Out Hero on top of a pair of logicals for the sake of the promotion and then of course bet him to Win as well.Play: Exacta 4 with 2+11

EXTRA INCENTIVES$10 Free Bet | The Meadows | Race 14 PentafectaSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10; Santa Anita Races 6-7-8Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10; Santa Anita Races 4-6-7TOURNAMENT TIME$40 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $12,190 | Aqueduct | begins Race 3 | 2:16 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $92,883 | Turfway Park | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFair Grounds | Race 7 | 4:45 pm ETOaklawn | Race 10 | 6:22 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSaffie Joseph Jr. | Gulfstream | 5 of 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Oaklawn | jockey Cristian Torres | 4 wins from 8 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMAl Cimaglia: The Meadows Pentafecta $10 Free Bet Analysis for Friday Frank Carulli: Gulfstream Pick 3 Play for FridayScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The racing week at Santa Anita Park kicks off Friday afternoon at 4 pm ET / 1 pm PT. The 8-race slate is headlined by a pair of state-bred first-level allowance events over the main track. Here are the horses I plan to build my day around in Arcadia.Race 2:My first spot play of the racing week out west comes in this state-bred $50k maiden claimer over the main track where I landed on #8 Hungover. The Halladay gelding debuted at this same level on February 28 for trainer Ryan Hanson. The 3YO gelding was beaten out of his inside draw in that initial try, but moved up to find a pocket spot just off the pace of the eventual gate-to-wire winner. Hungover remained along the inside throughout, was in tight a good deal of the way, and was looking for room throughout much of the stretch drive. I am not sure how much horse the $23k FTD purchase had late, but it simply was not an easy voyage for a first-time starter to handle. Now, he remains at the same level, but moves to a more favorable outside draw after gaining invaluable racing experience last out. He should take a sizeable step forward in career start number 2.Play: #8 Hungover (4-1 ML)Race 6:#8 Central Dispatch was made the 9-5-ML favorite in this open $25k claimer at 6-furlongs over the grass. The class dropper for trainer John Sadler should theoretically be primed for his best third off the layoff, but clearly seems to have lost a step when away from racing in 2025. The draw is favorable, but he is likely to get over bet. I will take my chances with 3-1-second choice #3 Mubtadaa. The 8YO gelding makes his first start since December ’24 for trainer Vladimir Cerin. Cerin has not started many runners at the Classic Meet, but has meant business with the ones he has sent out. In fact, he is 3 for 5 over the last 60 days at Santa Anita Park for an ROI of $2.96. It is likely the Holly and David Wilson owned runner has seen his best days, but was competitive when we saw him last. He will not have to be all that much to find his way back to the winner’s circle to kick off the late Pick 3.Play: #3 Mubtadaa (3-1 ML)Race 7:I will ride a hot barn locally as well in this state-bred first-level allowance event at 5.5-furlongs where #5 Tiger in My Tank is listed at a fair 8-1-ML price. The son of Smiling Tiger was unable to hold off #1 Jaguar Jon last out in an open company allowance, but that came at the 6-furlong distance. The half-furlong may not seem like much, but it clearly has been a difference maker for this 5YO gelding evidenced by his 5 for 8-record at the distance. Add to the fact, he is sent out by hot training Librado Barocio and you have a runner capable of getting to the front and having enough left late at a solid ML offering. Kyle Frey will be back onboard the Mia Familia Racing Stable runner in the start of the late Double.Play: #5 Tiger in My Tank (8-1 ML)

It's Friday and that means another Bet $10 Promo for The Meadows 0.20 Pentafecta in Race 14. There are 2 Pentafecta tickets posted below, comments and selections are based on a fast track.Xpressbet and 1st Bet Account holders who register will be eligible for up to $10 Back on Pentafecta Bets in Race 14. Bet $10+ on the Pentafecta, get $10 back. If you Bet less than $10 on the Pentafecta, get your amount bet back. This Promo will run every Friday in March for the Pentafecta in the last race at The Meadows.Race 14 (5:05 PM EDT)2-Universal (8-1)-Eventually landed in the pocket and followed a well-meant winner in #7 Duke Of Cornwall and now moves up. Could get another suck-around trip but did lose ground down the lane. Will look for a bottom of the ticket finish.4-Dragon City (8-1)-Aaron Merriman steers and hasn't raced since 1-24. The Bendis barn has been clicking, so won't completely dismiss. Could pick up a smaller check versus this field.5-Cruzin America (2-1)-If the 5-year-old runs its best race this should be the winner. Has cashed smaller checks when facing tougher and should relish the company. Gets the choice post draw, and the top pilot on the circuit steers in Dave Palone. Posted 11 wins last year in 29 races and has 2 pictures in 7 tries this season against better. Using on top but can't completely trust so will play a ticket with the Presto trainee in the 2-hole as well.6-Whiskey Break (12-1)-My guess is the connections accomplished what they wanted last week. It was the 1st start since 7-9 and Ronnie Wrenn drove. Faced similar, stayed inside, and shook loose down the lane to finish a beaten 2nd. Loses Wrenn and will need a good steer from Chris Shaw. The driver change helps the price but could hurt its finish. Would need everything to come together to win but looks like a player to hit the board at a nice price.7-Duke Of Cornwall N (9/2)-Got on the engine and didn't take any prisoners in last. Set a lively pace and would have won by more than 3 lengths but drifted out down the lane. Meets tougher but has the gate speed to get a good early seat and there are question marks in this field. Could get a pocket ride behind the program chalk and can be in the hunt at the wire.8-Captain Cowboy (5-1)-Wrenn sticks with the Burke trainee and gets some needed class relief. Put in an even effort in last and did go the back half in 56.3. Comes back in sequence this time and does have enough gate speed to get a decent seat off the gate. Did have a 149.3 mark at Mea last year. The 7-year-old should offer a square price and may have met a beatable field.0.20 Pentafecta5/6,7,8/6,7,8/2,4,6,7,8,9/1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9Total Bet=$240.20 Pentafecta7,8/5/6,7,8/2,4,6,7,8,9/1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9Total Bet=$16Check me out on X!