The final Twilight Thursday card of the spring at Churchill Downs is upon us with a solid 8-race slate set to begin at 5PM eastern. The card features a trio of allowance races, including two that make up the late Daily Double. Here are the horses I like most.Race 4:The pace should be honest, but not overly chaotic in this open $32k claimer at one-mile over the main track. This should allow #3 Real Macho to work out a great trip under Irad Ortiz Jr. in his second start off the claim for trainer Joe Sharp. Sharp claimed this 5YO gelding from Rohan Crichton out of a $25k spot at the beginning of the meet and he ran well in the first start for his new barn. He finished second to Systematic Change, a runner that took advantage of a great trip off a quick early pace, while Real Macho was stalking three-wide as part of the early proceedings. I like the way the son of Mucho Macho Man easily put away the inside speed horses before being unable to go with the eventual winner. With the pace likely to be a bit softer and the stretch out to the one-turn mile, Real Macho should be in a perfect spot early and able to seal the deal late for his fifth lifetime score.Play: #3 Real Macho (7-2 ML)Picks: 3-7-9Race 6:It could be a big evening for Irad Ortiz, who rides 5-2-ML favorite #2 About Face in this MSW event at one-mile over the turf. The son of Candy Ride debuted in a two-turn race in Arkansas for Brad Cox suggesting the barn knew he was not fast and instead would be best using his stamina. Cox moved the Gary & Mary West homebred to the turf last out at Churchill Downs where he ran very well to finish second at odds of 9-1. In that first grass try, the 3YO colt was between rivals most of the way a couple of lengths off the early pacesetter. The pacesetter ended up being a long shot that got brave on the front end and won going away. One could argue About Face ran fine, but not worthy of taking a short price in his next start. My response would be that he meets a modest field, draws favorably along the rail, and gets a big rider upgrade after a promising first trip over a new surface. He is going to take some beating with a move forward off his May 25 run.Play: #2 About Face (5-2 ML)Picks: 2-4-11Race 7:My final Twilight Thursday play of the meet comes in this first-level allowance for 3YOs at the tricky 6.5-furlong distance where #1 It’s Our Time makes his return to the races. The 5-2-ML favorite dazzled with a massive number on all metrics in his debut at Saratoga last August, but has not been able to get close since. He certainly could be ready to fire another big one off the long break, but I will play against these horses every day of the week and twice on Sunday. It just is a difficult task to get a horse back to that sort of effort on debut, yet the public is often attracted to these horses far more than I am.I much prefer #7 Munnings Challenge. The Brad Cox trainee has a win and two seconds in three starts, including a runner-up effort to American Man last out. Not only is American Man a length away from a 3 for 3-start to his career, but he had a tactical advantage over Munnings Challenge when they raced in late May since the latter was down on the inside throughout on a day where the outside was more favorable. With the move to an outside draw, Irad Ortiz should have options out of the gate instead of having his hand forced to send aggressively. This colt has speed, but settling on the outside should allow him to finish with more energy in his second local start.Play: #7 Munnings Challenge (7-2 ML)Picks: 7-6-9

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | $12,627 | Churchill Downs | Race 1 | 12:45 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $126,361 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:13 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $6,308 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 5:03 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $216,322 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 4 | 9:50 pm ET--Aqueduct will have $139,950 pick 6 carryover for ThursdayKEY RACESHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:36 pm ET | Checkered Flag HandicapHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 6:09 pm ET | Nobody Listens HandicapAssiniboia Downs | Race 6 | 10:40 pm ET | Chantilly StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 7 | 11:05 pm ET | La Verendrye StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill Downs | Race 6 | 3:18 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 3 | 3:27 pm ETDelaware Park | Race 8 | 4:04 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJoe Sharp | Churchill Downs | all 5 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Finger Lakes | jockey Andre Worrie | 3 wins from 5 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Wednesday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The start of closing week to the spring meeting at Churchill Downs begins on Wednesday afternoon with a nine-race card that gets started at 12:45 PM eastern. The slate features a pair of solid allowance races late in the day and gets a big five days in Louisville started capped off by two great wagering cards. Here are a few horses I like most.Race 1:My first play of the week comes in the opener, which is an open $20k claimer at 1 1/16-miles over the main track where I like #7 Great Escape. The two most recent efforts from this 7YO gelding leave a lot to be desired, but they both came over a sloppy track for his former barn. Trainer Joe Sharp claimed the son of Midnight Storm for $20,000 on May 22 and legs up Irad Ortiz Jr. for his first start under his care. Sharp takes the blinkers off of Great Escape, a move which he has only done six times over the last five years with horses he has raced first off the claim. He has won with two of those and comes in hot having tallied four wins over the final three days of racing in Louisville last week. Do not be surprised if the veteran conditioner has a big final week of the spring under the twin spires with this new acquisition getting things started.Play: #7 Great Escape (7-2 ML)Picks: 7-1-4Race 6:This MSW event for fillies and mares at one-mile over the grass is wide-open based on Nick Tammaro’s morning line with a lukewarm 4-1-ML favorite. I like #3 Conquering Marin. The Irish-bred returns to a two-turn trip after a pair of turf sprints in the Blue Grass this spring. She tried a route of ground back in February in her first start in the States for Brendan Walsh, but was headstrong early and caught wide throughout. She was also caught extremely wide most of the way in her first race over this turf course on May 14. Now, she moves inside and attracts Flavien Prat. Hopefully, Prat can do what he does best and find a way to relax this daughter of Ghaiyyath early, so she can run her race late. If so, I like her chances to breakthrough for career victory number one.Play: #3 Conquering Marin (5-1 ML)Picks: 3-6-8Race 9:The card concludes with a second-level allowance at one-mile over the grass where the pace should be honest with #1 Johny’s Rendezvous and #2 Barb likely to show early zip from their inside draws and perhaps #9 Joejoe Go from the outside. This should set things up enough for 5-2-ML favorite #3 Love’m Or Liam. There is no doubt this son of Liam’s Map got a much stronger setup in his win on May 9 than he is likely to get in the Wednesday finale, but he has shown a strong turn of foot in all starts since moving to the grass. Despite the rise in class, Love’m Or Liam does not meet that much tougher of a group than he encountered in his most recent score. In fact, the horse that finished second that day came back to win in Louisville in his next start flattering the Bill Mott trainee’s three-length victory. He will not be 5-1 like last time, but should be tough to hold off once again under jockey Jaime Torres.Play: #3 Love’m Or Liam (5-2 ML)Picks: 3-6-7

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Thistledown | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $62,657 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETPick 5 | $8,733 | Louisiana Downs | begins Race 3 | 6:01 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $191,306 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $39,382 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | Race 7 | 11:05 pm ET--Aqueduct will have $139,950 pick 6 carryover for ThursdayKEY RACESAssiniboia Downs | Race 3 | 9:25 pm ET | Golden Boy StakesAssiniboia Downs | Race 5 | 10:15 pm ET | Free Press StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 5 | 4:14 pm ETPresque Isle Downs | Race 7 | 6:12 pm ETMountaineer | Race 1 | 7:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHScott Becker | Fairmount Park | 5 of 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Louisiana Downs | jockey Rey Williams | 2 wins ($10, $18), 1 second from 5 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $67,505 | Prairie Meadows | begins Race 7 | 7:33 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $168,151 (CAN) | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 3 | 9:25 pm ETKEY RACESPresque Isle Downs | Race 7 | 6:12 pm ET | Malvern Rose StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFinger Lakes | Race 5 | 2:51 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 6 | 4:45 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHRon Potts Jr. | Presque Isle Downs | 5 of 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | favorites won 6 of 9 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Yonkers Raceway has a 10-race card, and the $1.00 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool starts in Race 5. The Spot Plays are in Race 1, Race 2, and Race 10. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 1 (6:45 PM EDT)4-I'm Some Graduate (3-1)-Looking for Jordan Stratton to be no worse than in the pocket around the opening turn. The veteran can show enough gate speed to get a cozy trip. Beat 4 from this field in last after finishing 2nd and the winner isn't in this group. This is a beatable field, will rely on Stratton to push the button at the right time and then stand tall until the wire.4-1-5Playing #4-I'm Some Graduate (3-1) to WinRace 2 (7:05 PM EDT)3-Topville Somebeach (9/5) gave up the lead late in the mile and was claimed out of that race by the Laterza barn. Brent Holland steers and in the 1st race after a claim this outfit posts 37% winners. 7-Lyons Benjamin (9/2) won the last start edging out #3, and comes right back against the same for trainer Deb Daguet. Her stable wins 25% of their races following a claim. Ben has the gate speed to get a close-up seat off the car, and has hit the board in 11 of 18 races in 2026. Has taken 4 pictures and finished 2nd in 7 starts. The outside post draw will add some pop to the exacta. The 9/5 program chalk could be racing near the top of the stack off the car. If Ben rounds the opening turn in a close-up seat he is a threat for top honors too, and driver Colin Kelly can provide an aggressive steer.3-Topville Somebeach (9/5) and 7-Lyons Benjamin in a 3-7 Exacta Box7-3-1Race 10 (9:45 PM EDT)3-Hammering Hank (7/2)-Has been cashing checks against $40k claimers and now drops to a spot to shine. Lands in a condition where it has been a main player this spring against similar. Gets post relief and beat better than this with this same post draw at YR on 5-4. Could reward connections with the top check once again.Using #3 Hammering Hank (7/2) in a Win Bet3-2-4Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Woodbine | today’s races10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Emerald Downs | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$100 NYRA feeder | details$40 Canterbury feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | $8,823 | Churchill Downs | Race 1 | 12:45 pm ETPick 4 | $35,743 | Monmouth Park | begins Race 2 | 1:20 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $25,262 | Gulfstream | begins Race 4 | 1:47 pm ET | Nicoletti Picks Pick 6 | $37,784 | Aqueduct | begins Race 4 | 2:36 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $114,476 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 5 | 2:47 pm ETPick 6 | $19,860 | Los Alamitos (TB) | begins Race 3 | 5:03 pm ETPick 5 | $14,685 | Emerald Downs | begins Race 6 | 7:20 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $59,287 | Prairie Meadows | begins Race 8 | 7:57 pm ETKEY RACESMonmouth | Race 3 | 1:49 pm ET | Lady’s Secret StakesMonmouth | Race 6 | 3:24 pm ET | Get Serious StakesWoodbine | Race 7 | 4:02 pm ET | Lake Huron StakesWoodbine | Race 9 | 5:06 pm ET | Georgian Bay StakesEmerald Downs | Race 6 | 7:20 pm ET | Budweiser StakesEmerald Downs | Race 7 | 7:50 pm ET | Hastings StakesEmerald Downs | Race 8 | 8:20 pm ET | Auburn StakesEmerald Downs | Race 9 | 8:50 pm ET | Seattle StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXLaurel Park | Race 6 | 2:41 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 7 | 3:53 pm ETGulfstream | Race 9 | 4:36 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHChad Brown | Aqueduct, Monmouth | all 7 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | trainer Steve Asmussen | 5 wins from 13 national starters, including Ohio Derby (Chip Honcho)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Sunday Spot PlaysTom Harris: Emerald 10X 1/ST Rewards Points Sunday PicksBrian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

With a 10X 1/ST Rewards Points Promotion today at Emerald Downs -- as well as Woodbine -- here are local handicapper selections to help you tackle the card that features 4 stakes races in Auburn, WA.Emerald Downs | track announcer Tom HarrisRace-1: 2-Make Mo Mine, 3-Eileen, 4-TwitchingRace-2: 2-Calmcoolncollected, 3-Yeti Lute, 2-Sir ArgentoRace-3: 5-Stratojet, 4-Tiz Dynamic, 8-Harbor BuddyRace-4: 1-My Vino, 9-Jullian In Paris, 7-Benny BucketsRace-5: 5-Creative Om, 6-Jin Tong, 3-Seas of NormandyRace-6: 4-Slews Tiz Whiz, 6-Si That Tiger, 3-BaladiRace-7: 3-Aloha Breeze, 7-Precise Timing, 2-Saleen GTRace-8: 7-Robin Racer, 5-Ole’s Surprise, 6-Blackberry JamRace-9: 2-Too Sassy, 1-Bewitching Joy, 4-Subtle ShimmerRace-10: 4-Doyouhearyourself, 2-Circle of Fire, 3-Denada