After an Opening Day card that saw an average Win price of $7.38 and just two winners pay over $10, they are back at it for the second day of the meet at Churchill Downs. The 9-race card is an addition to the calendar from years’ past and kicks off at 12:45 PM eastern. Here are a few horses I plan to build my Sunday around in Louisville.Race 2:This auction-restricted MSW event for 2YO fillies at 4.5-furlongs over the main track kicks off the early Pick 4 and is wide-open considering 9 of the 11 runners entered are making their first career start. The two fillies that have competed were both outrun on debut at Keeneland on April 8 and appear to be up against once again despite the experience edge. Therefore, like most I will try a first-time starter. #5 Go New York Go shipped up from Florida in the middle of the month for trainer Chad Summers. Summers has not started a 2YO in Kentucky over the last 5 years, but is 4 for 20 overall in that time span with juveniles making their first start in a dirt sprint. Summers attracts Luis Saez on this daughter of Knicks Go that fired a bullet 3-furlong drill over this surface last Sunday. She is out of a mare that produced a first out winner at Oaklawn Park last spring with her first foal and appears ready to fire fresh. I will give the daughter of Knicks Go a shot to get my day started under the twin spires.Play: #5 Go New York Go (9-2 ML)Race 6:The pace may not be totally to his liking in this third-level allowance at 5.5-furlongs over the grass, but the price should be right to wager on #7 Sine Qua Non. The Doubledown Stables gelding makes his first start of the year for trainer Jimmy Divito after rattling off a pair of wins going away at Hawthorne to end his 4YO season. The son of Yoshida competed mainly in two-turn races out west to start his career before heading to Illinois and rattling off three consecutive strong runs from off-the-pace before returning to the sidelines. He comes in from Oaklawn Park off a bit of a bumpy work tab, but was likely pointed for this spot at some point this winter. Hopefully, he is ready to fire big off the layoff and gets a better setup than it appears on paper.Play: #7 Sine Qua Non (8-1 ML)Race 9:The card concludes with this first-level allowance at two-turns over the grass where California import #3 Brilliantly was made the 3-1-ML favorite. The daughter of Uncle Mo was probably not set out to be a turf horse since she landed in the hands of Bob Baffert, but did her earn her lone win over the grass before competing against stakes company on the dirt this winter. She is capable of wiring out this field like she did that day, but will probably be over bet. I prefer #1 Midway Memories. The 4YO filly makes her second start off the layoff for Chad Brown after getting handled easily by her stablemate Portfolio Duration. She does not meet anyone though at that gal’s level in this spot, moves to an inside post, and attracts Irad Ortiz for the first time. I expect her to be a bit closer to the early pace today and finishing with a lot more energy.Play: #1 Midway Memories (4-1 ML)

Take advantage of 10X 1/ST Rewards Points on all bets Sunday at Woodbine. It's early in the Canadian racing calendar and catching horses at the proper fitness level and readiness is key. Here are a couple of runners I've got on my radar for the card.Woodbine: Race 5#1 Vamos Viejo (8-1 morning line odds) was claimed at Turfway in February, so he’s run through the winter and should have some fitness edge over a field of all layoff horses. Turfway runners are a sharp 10: 3-3-0 during the initial days of the Woodbine season. Trainer Debra Rombis has won with 2 of her first 3 starters at the meet. Win-place bet #5.Woodbine: Race 8#8 Baxley (5-2 morning line odds) has won his last 4 races around 1 turn and has a fitness edge with recent activity in Ohio and Kentucky for high-percentage trainer Larry Rivelli. As mentioned previoujsly, the Turfway runners are having a strong say early at Woodbine. Won’t be a big price, but looks trustworthy in the late-day multi-race wagers. Win bet at 2-1 or more. Exactas 8 with 3,1. Single in multis.

Northfield Park begins the week with a 15-race card. 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 EDT)6-Bismarkduplessis N (9-1)-The 6 & 8 are Christi Noble trainees, and both were a Judges scratch on 4-19 due to transportation, and they haven't raced since 4-6. Maybe the time off will hurt. But will use both because they probably are ready. This is a price shot who could finish best of all if the fractions are hot.7-Ammo (7/2)-If the Noble entries didn't miss a start, the veteran wouldn't be on my list. But under the circumstances this might be a beatable field. The Burke trainee has been finishing 2nd and this time it could do better..8-Helium N (6/5)-Maybe the outside draw and missing a race may help the price but this should be the chalk. If the plan is to go hard when the wings fold, an easy lead has the 6-year-old posing. But if a more conservative plan is in play, then coming off cover is not her strong suit.Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)8-Spaaaanzano (9/5)-The Chris Beaver trainee comes right back after beating straight Open company leaving from post 5. Will be a small price and could double up with this post draw but will use one more. Got a 29.3 breather after being hung the opening quarter and was much the best.9-Disgruntled Carl (9/2)-Came 3rd after losing ground down the stretch, after landing in the pocket. Was hung out into a 27.2 opening quarter and didn't have much left down the lane. Did miss a start and could benefit here from the inside horses having some gate speed. Will look for a more efficient journey.Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)1-Betterdealmein (5-1)-Aaron Merriman steers and that is a ++ driver change. Came 2nd the last time this pilot was in charge and that was on 3-29. Put in an even effort last week and had missed a start. Comes right back against the same and when Merriman drives for the Umholtz barn he posts 43% winners.2-Cocosdream A (5/2)-This is the 3rd start off the bench and should fit well with this group. Chris Lems could work an efficient trip and is a player if brings a big try.7-Trosa A (8-1)-Left hard and got a 2-hole trip versus this kind. AMac probably has little choice but to leave as the 2nd morning line choice starts outside and has gate speed. Getting a smooth trip is the question but could be overlooked and has been racing well.Race 14 (10:46 PM EDT)5-Highland Mowgli (5/2)-Meadows shipper knows its way around the Nfld oval (39-10-9-5). Merriman steers and when he combines with Rone Burke they post 35% winners. Should be out and rolling and can get a winning trip with this post draw.9-Whiskey Finish (5-1)-The Ryan Angus entry bumps up after winning easily off a ground saving journey. A similar trip could happen as the rail horse should be leaving and could offer a square price.$1 Late Pick 46,7,8/8,9/1,2,7/5,9Total Bet=$36Check me out on X!

A capacity Kentucky Derby field of 24 (including 4 also-eligibles), one that features no less than 7 trainers who’ve already won the roses, was drawn Saturday at Churchill Downs. Arkansas Derby winner Renegade begins next Saturday from post #1 and has been deemed the 4-1 morning-line favorite. He’ll try to give champion jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. his first win in America’s biggest race and become the first to win from the rail since Ferdinand in 1986.Check out the free 1/ST Kentucky Derby Wager Guide for all your handicapping needs leading up to a huge weekend at Churchill Downs. And play with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet in our $20,000 Exacta-Thon on Friday and Saturday for your share of bonus cash.Notable contender draws include Florida Derby winner Commandment (post #6), his Gulfstream Park rivals The Puma (post #9) and Chief Wallabee (post #12) as well as Blue Grass winner Further Ado (post #18). Japan will be represented by the unbeaten Danon Bourbon (post #7) and UAE Derby winner Wonder Dean (post #10).Post position draw winners and losers are never an easy assessment. Chief Wallabee is beautifully drawn in post 12, away from some of the other speed pockets and potential trouble neighborhoods. Posts 19 and 20 will very much suit deep closers Golden Tempo and Full Effort as they’ll not have any of the speed crossing over their face and can take their time at the back to pick a spot to save ground. Just a matter if they’re good enough.As for the losers, Renegade’s deep-closing style could see him shuffled farther back than he’d like from the rail. It's safer on the rail with the 20-horse starting gate allowing for more space than the auxiliary-gate era. But you've still got a mass of horseflesh trying to all save as much ground as they can in front of you. Further Ado wants a pressing trip, but from post 18, he’s got a lot of speed inside of him and will need to work out a path to save ground behind the initial leaders. So Happy and The Puma are drawn between the Japanese entrants and that could make for some congestion if one or both of the international runners don’t negotiate the start cleanly as has been known to happen. And the inexperienced Emerging Market in post 15 has speed horses in the 3 immediately posts outside of him and will have to resist getting rank as those horses try to cross his face early in the going.The pace of Kentucky Derby 152 could come from Dubai-based Six Speed, who leaves from post 17. Others expected to show early interest include Pavlovian (post #16), Potente (post #14) and Litmus Test (post #4). Expect Intrepido (post #3) now to be inserted into the early pace discussion as rookie Derby rider Hector Berrios will have to use some horse to maintain safe position with the field working down to the rail.Note that Chief Wallabee and Litmus Test both get equipment changes to blinkers on for the Kentucky Derby.Fields for all races Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs were drawn today, including Friday’s primetime 8:40 pm ET Kentucky Oaks. The headliner for 3-year-old fillies canvasses the country with west coasters Meaning (post #5) and Explora (post #1), the midwestern trio of Percy’s Bar (post #11), Counting Stars (post #3) and Bella Ballerina (post #12) and the eastern pair of Zany (post #2) and Always a Runner (post #9) among the field of 14 with 3 also-eligibles. Zany has been set as the chilly 4-1 Oaks favorite in what’s expected to be wide-open betting.Advance wagering on the complete Kentucky Derby Day Saturday card at Churchill Downs will be available Friday at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.Kentucky Derby 152 | Churchill Downs | Saturday Race 12 | 6:57 pm ET1-Renegade (Todd Pletcher / Irad Ortiz Jr.) 4-12-Albus (Riley Mott / Manny Franco) 30-13-Intrepido (Jeff Mullins / Hector Berrios) 50-14-Litmus Test (Bob Baffert / Martin Garcia) 30-15-Right to Party (Kenny McPeek / Chris Elliott) 30-16-Commandment (Brad Cox / Luis Saez) 6-17-Danon Bourbon (Manabu Ikezoe / Atsuya Nishimura) 20-18-So Happy (Mark Glatt / Mike Smith) 15-19-The Puma (Gustavo Delgado / Javier Castellano) 10-110-Wonder Dean (Daisuke Takayanagi / Ryusei Sakai) 30-111-Incredibolt (Riley Mott / Jaime Torres) 20-112-Chief Wallabee (Bill Mott / Junior Alvarado) 8-113-Silent Tactic (Mark Casse / Cristian Torres) 20-114-Potente (Bob Baffert / Juan Hernandez) 20-115-Emerging Market (Chad Brown / Flavien Prat) 15-116-Pavlovian (Doug O’Neill / Edwin Maldonado) 30-117-Six Speed (Bhupat Seemar / Brian Hernandez Jr.) 50 -118-Further Ado (Brad Cox / John Velazquez) 6-119-Golden Tempo (Cherie DeVaux / Jose Ortiz) 30-120-Fulleffort (Brad Cox / Tyler Gaffalione) 20-1Also-Eligible (in order of field selection if scratches occur by 9 am ET Friday):21-Great White (John Ennis / Alex Achard)22-Ocelli (Whit Beckman / Joe Ramos)23-Robusta (Doug O’Neill / Emisael Jaramillo)24-Corona de Oro (Dallas Stewart / Brian Hernandez Jr.)

1/ST KENTUCKY DERBY WAGER GUIDEFree Access | link Oaks/Derby Post Position Draw | Today | after Churchill Downs Race 3EXTRA INCENTIVES$2,500 Triple Tri | Churchill Downs | today’s races10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Woodbine | today’s races10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Red Shores-Charlottetown (harness) | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESPreakness Future Wager | open through next SaturdayChurchill Downs | opening daySPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 10-11; Santa Anita Races 4-5-6Sunset 6 | Gulfstream Races 9-10-11; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9TOURNAMENT TIME$500 Santa Anita Challenge | details$40 Santa Anita feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $266,215 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 6 | 2:37 pm ETPick 6 | $12,100 | Aqueduct | begins Race 5 | 3:13 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $264,931 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 5 | 7:15 pm ETKEY RACESGulfstream | Race 6 | 2:37 pm ET | F&M Sprint FHBPA StakesAqueduct | Race 4 | 2:40 pm ET | Woodhaven StakesGulfstream | Race 7 | 3:21 pm ET | FHBPA Sophomore Sprint StakesGulfstream | Race 8 | 3:50 pm ET | FHBPA Turf StakesGulfstream | Race 9 | 4:19 pm ET | FHBPA Sophomore Fillies StakesWoodbine | Race 7 | 4:36 pm ET | Star Shoot StakesGulfstream | Race 10 | 4:49 pm ET | FHBPA Sprint StakesGulfstream | Race 11 | 5:21 pm ET | FHBPA F&M Turf StakesChurchill Downs | Race 9 | 5:41 pm ET | Roxelana StakesFonner Park | Race 9 | 6:40 pm ET | Bosselman Gus Fonner StakesOaklawn | Race 10 | 6:46 pm ET | Dig A Diamond StakesSanta Anita | Race 9 | 8:09 pm ET | Royal Heroine StakesCharles Town | Race 8 | 10:32 pm ET | Its Binn Too Long StakesSha Tin | Race 5 | 2:35 am ET | Chairman's Sprint | featuring Ka Ying RisingSha Tin | Race 8 | 4:55 am ET | QE2 Cup | featuring Romantic WarriorLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXLaurel | Race 6 | 2:31 pm ETAqueduct | Race 5 | 3:16 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 9 | 4:26 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSteve Asmussen | Oaklawn | 9 of 10 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Tampa Bay Downs | jockey Samuel Marin | 6 wins, 1 second from 9 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMBrian Nadeau: Gulfstream Mandatory Pick 6 Analysis / Full-Card Picks for SaturdayScott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Spot Plays for SaturdayJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – FHBA Turf Stakes at GulfstreamFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

With a $266,215 carryover and mandatory payout in today's Rainbow 6 at Gulfstream Park, track officials expect a pool around $3 million. The sequence begins in Race 6 at 2:37 pm ET. Here are the full-card Saturday selections from on-track handicapper and oddsmaker Brian Nadeau.Race 1:4 – Aporia1 – Pan Pan7 – SonnypeachesRace 2:6 – Leigh’s Last Hero9 – Nano Man1 – LodatoRace 3:7 – Street Sue5 – Khozy Me Up3 – TerrimendousRace 4:6 – Chaplin2 – Schnittker3 – InchonRace 5:6 – Ashley’s Archer (Best Bet)8 – Our Souper Hero11 – Discreet DancerRace 6:4 – Just a Philly (Longshot)5 – Nic’s Style3 – Mystic LakeRace 7:2 – Diciassette7 – Maykomotion9 – Rockies BalboaRace 8:2 – Private Thoughts5 – Tank6 – Adios ColeRace 9:5 – Mythical7 – Tessellate6 – Unfaithful RoseRace 10:1 – Classic of Course8 – Damon’s Mound6 – Flood ZoneRace 11:2 – Lets Go Koko9 – Souper Zanda8 – Dreaming of AbbaBest Bet: R5: #6 Ashley’s Archer (3-1)* Rough trip in first off long layoff* Was training strongly for return* Will get first run on the closersLongshot: R6: #4 Just a Philly (6-1)* Stalker can settle off very hot pace* Favorites (#3 and #5) have concerns* Class rise wasn’t too much in last

The Meadowlands has a 14-race card with the 0.50 Late Pick 4 starting 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 (10:20 PM EDT)1-Typhoon Banner N (3-1)-The Joe B veteran has burned money in the last 2 races by finishing 2nd and now drops. There really isn't an excuse for not beating this field. Can land on the point without much effort and could make every call a winning one.6-Dance Partner (10-1)-The last 2 races have been dull but that was while facing better. Now, drops down to the same level as a win 2 back. Has a post edge on the 2nd chalk #8 who hasn't raced since 12-15. This is a stalker who can fly down the lane and could finish fastest of all.Race 11 (10:45 PM EDT)5-She Stings (9/5)-This is the 3rd start in the Joe B barn. Won its last at Philly and then came a close 2nd, 2 back at M1. This looks like a 2-horse race between Darlin's Angel and this 3-year-old. My lean will be here, with the horse who isn't coming off the bench and has the better pilot.Race 12 (11:10 PM EDT)2-Big Ego (6-1)-Will toss last from the 10-hole. Before that lost by a neck from post 8 versus this kind. The 4-year-old fits could stalk or leave and race near the top of the stack. Should be a player but will probably be bet down.3-Hiranya N (4-1)-My take is this veteran fits with this kind and Tim Tetrick can work an efficient trip. Does good work when racing near the top of the stack and that can happen here. Could offer a square price in a race without standout.Race 13 (11:35 PM EDT)6-A Little Kick (3-1)-Has been in the mix in the last 5 starts and that includes winning twice. Fits well with this crew and should be racing with the leaders. Could take another picture if Joe B has in striking range at the top of the lane.8-Seargant Walt (5-1)-Beat this kind leaving from post 9 in March and came 2nd in the preceding race. Finished last by a city block on 4-4, requalified on 4-11 and then raced well on 4-18 considering the trip. Will look for a smoother journey and to be in the hunt at a square price.$2 Late Pick 41,6/5/2,3/6,8Total Bet=$16Check me out on X!

Yonkers Raceway has a 10-race card with the $1.00 Early Pick 4 starting in Race 1. The sequence features MGM Pacing Series Leg 5 action, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 1 (6:45 PM EDT)2-Aardie B Miki N (5/2)-Won 2 back from the 7-hole going gate to wire in a Series race and had the same post draw 3 back. Last week, didn't seem interested. But has won 4 of 10 this year and overall has posted 9 wins in 22 races on the Hilltop. Jason Bartlett will get the top and could be tough to tackle.4-Coastal Babe N (2-1)-Won Legs 1 and 2 in the Series and then took a week off. Last time was used hard off the gate into a 26.3 opening panel and missed by a length after getting on the engine. Now, comes right back in sequence and is the one to beat.Race 2 (7:05 PM EDT)2-Fashion Terror (8/5)-Not loving the short price but did take its 1st picture of 2026 at M1 last time. Comes back to Yonkers where it has had some breaking issues. Did take 2 pictures in 6 tries at Yonkers and could add to that total if Bartlett can keep her pacing.5-Alta Madeira N (6-1)-Will take a swing here in case the chalk isn't on its game under the assumption the morning line is too low. Saratoga shipper lands at a level that with a smooth trip a win could happen with this post draw.Race 3 (7:25 PM EDT)1-Louies Girl N (3/5)-The Engblom mare is looking for its 3rd straight picture and has won the last two drawing off by 4 and 5 lengths. Bartlett will leave and try to have his way on the front end, if that happens this is most likely the winner.3-Walkin On Sunshine (3-1)-If the big chalk isn't engaged Scott Zeron could be posing. Has hit the board in all 4 Series starts but last time did show good gate speed off the car. Hung on for another 3rd place check but was used into a 26.3 opening quarter. A pocket ride could happen again without burning as much gas.Race 4 (7:45 PM EDT)5-Bath Bomb (2-1)-This will be the 5th race of the year for the Engblom 5-year-old mare. Banked over $375,000 in 2025 and posted 12 wins in 18 starts. Hasn't won in 4 tries this year but has 3 wins in 7 races at Yonkers and has had excuses. Finished 2nd in the first 2 races off the bench and then was stuck with post 6 and 7 in the last 2 starts. Now meets a short field without big gate speed and needs a win. Andrew McCarthy should be aggressive off the car and will have in striking range turning for the wire.$2 Early Pick 42,4/2,5/1,3/5Total Bet=$16Check me out on X!