Gulfstream Park on Saturday boasts a big card headlined by the Mr. Prospector (G3), featuring the return of White Abarrio. The son of Race Day last competed in the afternoons in late August in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) since he was scratched prior to the running of the Breeders’ Cup. The race looks like a two-horse battle between he and Knightsbridge, so I will look elsewhere to use the 20% that Xpressbet and 1/ST BET customers will receive on all Win bets Saturday in Hallandale Beach up to $25. Just remember to register on the promotional landing page. Here are a few horses I like on the 11-race slate.Race 6:The Saturday Pick 6 kicks off with this MSW event for 2YOs going the one-turn mile over the main track where I like the chances quite a bit of morning line favorite #2 Boss Dylan. The $400k OBS April 2025 purchase debuted in a full field MSW going 6.5-furlongs at Churchill Downs in late November for trainer Brendan Walsh. In that first try, the Liam’s Map colt completely botched the start of the race, but ran extremely well from there considering. A gate-to-wire winner won the race for Brian Lynch, while Boss Dylan passed all, but one of his rivals to finish second. I do not always like backing horses with slow starts and big late runs on debut, but this guy looks serious. He retains Tyler Gaffalione and should love the added ground. Hopefully, a firster or two gets steamed and helps our price.Play: #2 Boss Dylan (2-1 ML)Race 9: Abundantia StakesThe other stakes race on the Saturday agenda is this 5-furlong turf dash for fillies and mares where #6 Love Appeals was made the 2-1-ML favorite by oddsmaker Brian Nadeau. She has a shot off the freshening shipping in for Miguel Clement, as does 3-1-second choice #8 Moon Spun, who just won convincingly off a 13-month respite. Neither of them are outright tosses for me, but I greatly prefer the value #7 Le Amazonia offers. Now, I realize the daughter of Practical Joke is winless in 4 starts over the lawn, but she did finish second in two of those tries. Plus, in her most recent start on the grass on Halloween she ran better than her final fourth place finish would suggest. In that October 31 race over this surface and distance, Le Amazonia battled throughout before giving way to three rivals from off the pace. With less speed signed on in this one, I think the Victor Barboza Jr. trainee appears poised for a big effort near or on the front end. At her price, she is worth a swing, especially with a 20%-win bonus.Play: Le Amazonia (15-1 ML)Race 11:The Saturday finale is a first-level allowance event at two-turns over the grass and there is not much early speed signed on. The race shape is likely to benefit #4 Capturing. The daughter of More Than Ready makes her first start since early May for Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Her last race before the break is a complete toss since it was washed off the grass, but the prior two efforts should put her in the mix assuming she moves forward after nearly eight months of rest. She showed enough tactical speed in her two turf routes to think Johnny V will be aggressive off the layoff from an inside draw. Whether she makes the lead or sits just off, I like her chances to best this bunch off the break at a playable ML offering.Play: #4 Capturing (9-2 ML)

The Meadowlands has a 14-race card with the 0.50 Early Pick 4 starting in Race 6. 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 6 (8:25 PM EST)8-Saturday (12-1) -The Gary Levin barn has been clicking, and this 4-year-old had a 154.4 mark last year at Wbsb. Saratoga shipper makes his M1 debut and looks like a live price shot with its recent form.9-Sainthood (8-1)-Posted a win at this level 3 back and broke at the start last week versus better. Joe B drives for the 2nd straight time and now lands back to face the same as its most recent win. The post helps the price and should be put in play early on.10-Iwon't Backdown AS (5/2)-Came 3rd versus better last time and should relish the company despite the post draw. Has the gate speed to get a good early seat and may have met a beatable field to capture its 1st win at M1 in 8 starts.Race 7 (8:50 PM EST)2-Perfidious Crown (3-1)-Beat this kind 2 back leaving from post 5 and was used a couple of times. Shipped to Philly and came 2nd in NW10000L4, now ships back and lands in a winnable situation.6-More Gooda N (4-1)-This will be the 2nd start on Lasix plus the 2nd time on this surface for the New Zealand bred, in only the 3rd race since 8-23. Comes back in sequence, Jim Marohn should have forwardly placed off the gate and could offer a square price.Race 8 (9:15 PM EST)2-Parody (6-1)-Didn't race poorly last week and showed some heart down the lane. But wasn't as sharp as needed and lost a photo for 2nd. Did skip a start and raced on an off-track. Does fit here and came off dull cover last time. May look to get on the point early on and not look back.Race 9 (9:40 PM EST)1-Delitfulcatherin N (6-1)-This 9-year-old has some back class and surprisingly this will be its 1st start at M1. Yonkers shipper drops, was 10 lengths back at the half in last and finished 2nd by a half-length. With this post draw Steve Smith can race near the top of the stack and look to be the best down the lane.3-I'm A Believer (10-1)-Tossing last from the 8-hole on a Good-track, this is another Yonkers shipper who was facing better and can benefit from and alert start. Is winless in 7 races at the Big M but has finished 2nd twice.7-Miss Dottie Mae (3-1)-Shipped in from YR after 2 sharp efforts against better. Then took the long way around from the 9-hole at M1 and now drops. Cashed a small check against this kind on 11-1 but was off 2-weeks between races. Comes back in sequence this time in a race without standout.$1 Early Pick 48,9,10/2,6/2/1,3,7Total Bet=$18Check me out on Twitter!

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Red Shores-Charlottetown | today’s racesPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 4TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Park feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $10,594 | Oaklawn | begins Race 5 | 3:24 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $225,162 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:11 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $226,238 | Turfway | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ET -- Turfway, Turf Paradise have mandatory payouts SaturdayKEY RACESAqueduct | Race 9 | 3:39 pm ET | Alex M. Robb StakesGulfstream Park | Race 9 | 4:18 pm ET | Rampart StakesOaklawn | Race 8 | 4:52 pm ET | Pippin StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXOaklawn | Race 7 | 3:22 pm ETAqueduct | Race 10 | 4:08 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 2 | 6:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSaffie Joseph Jr. | Gulfstream | 3 of 4 races with entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Today | Aqueduct | post time 11:40 am in attempt to miss winter storm pendingPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli: Gulfstream Park Pick 3 Analysis for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet will resume the day after Christmas with a 10-race card. The featured $125,000 Rampart Stakes is part of a $1 Bet 3 wager that spans one hour and has nine entrants in each leg. Here a closer look with a suggested $18 play:GP 8th race (3:48 p.m. EST) -- BACK EM UP validated a troubled trip two back at 6F with a class-rising, runaway victory at 7F and a career-best 92 Beyer in his third start for this barn. He checked sharply nearing the turn and lost a couple lengths in the race two back, but he re-gathered momentum too late to catch the lead pair. CANUTO made an eye-catching sweep on the turn in the same race but was repelled by the pace setter en route to a half-length setback and his top 87 Beyer in the same spot. Our Bet 3 hopes will rest on these two runners in a competitive leadoff leg.GP 9th race (4:18 p.m. EST) -- DAZZLING MOVE held clear leads and held for minor awards in three graded stakes at 1-1/8 miles in her last four starts. She hasn’t raced since she drifted to third in a five-horse field as the odds-on favorite in the G-3 Delaware Handicap in September, but she should appreciate the cutback in distance for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who stands 54-for-254 with route runners off a similar rest the last two years. STERLING SILVER parlayed her late kick into three Grade 2 placings, three 90-plus Beyers in dirt route races this year and a NY-bred stakes win at this distance. The millionairess raced with the track bias when she improved to 10-for-35 last out and starts fresh for a new barn in today’s Rampart Stakes. ONE MAGIC PHILLY willingly pursued but couldn’t pass eventual Breeders’ Cup Fillies & Mares Sprint champion Splendora and promising 3-year-old filly Shred the Gnar (3-4, $312k) in a pair of recent one-mile stakes. She won a six-figure allowance in between those starts to enhance her morning-line favoritism.GP 10th race (4:48 p.m. EST) -- LA CANTERA is 7/3-2-1 in non-stakes races since she was claimed 15 months ago. She was patiently handled in her one-mile turf victory two starts ago, waiting for and finding a rail opening in the stretch to pull away from the field and gallop out strongly at this distance. SOUPER AMUSING has three wins and two losses by a neck in seven starts on the lawn, spanning 5-1/2F to 1-1/8 miles. She should sit a good stalking trip and offers good value to the Bet 3. INSOLENTA wasted clear stretch leads twice to fall to 0-for-7 on turf, but she romped in her last two route races on Gulfstream’s synthetic track in a manner that suggests she can handle the class hike off the re-claim on her return to the turf.Suggested $1 TicketGP 7th Race: 4, 5GP 8th Race: 1, 7, 8GP 9th Race: 1, 2, 5Cost: $18

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Gulfstream Park | today’s races$2,400 Late Pick 4 Hit & Split | Gulfstream ParkPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 4TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Park feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSSuper Hi 5 | $9,512 | Gulfstream Park | Race 9 | 4:20 pm ETKEY RACESGulfstream Park | Race 9 | 4:20 pm ET | Via Borghese StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream Park | Race 2 | 12:50 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 4 | 2:15 pm ETParx | Race 11 |3:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHErnesto Padilla-Preciado | Parx | 5 of 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mahoning Valley | trainer Nestor Rivera| 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 4 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMRon Nicoletti & Brian Nadeau: Gulfstream Park full-card picks & best betsFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The Lead:Weekday rains pushed back opening day at Santa Anita to Sunday, but the traditional slate of stakes races that welcomes action back to The Great Place remains. Six important stakes emblaze the marquee, headed by the Grade 1 American Oaks, Grade 1 Malibu and Grade 1 La Brea. I'll focus on the Race 8 La Brea over 7 furlongs with a deep field of 11 sophomore fillies.Horseplayers at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet be sure to take part in the $10,000 Exacta-Thon promotion, and don't forget the Sunday return of the Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 and Sunset Pick 6 wagers with Santa Anita's sister track Gulfstream Park. Also note Santa Anita has added Monday racing on December 29 to replace 1 of the missed programs for opening weekend.​​Field Depth:Grade 2 winner FIVE G has the top victory in the lineup. LIsted stakes winners SO THERE SHE WAS, SIMPLY JOKING and SILENT LAW are also either Grade 1 or Grade 2-placed. SIMPLY JOKING arguably has kept the strongest company lines, but this field has just the 1 graded stakes winner and therefore is ripe to be taken on a class rise by a sharp filly.​Pace:SILENT LAW is the most committed front-runner in the field and will pop from the outside if she runs to form. Stablemates USHA and BRILLIANTLY won't be far off of it, nor will MAGNIFICAT, FORMULA ROSSA, ARTISMA and FIVE G. The pace should be strong.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.#1-SIMPLY JOKING: Midwestern transplant has made a new home in Michael McCarthy's Santa Anita barn. She was second-best to elder star mare Hope Rode at Del Mar at a mile last out. The cutback in distance and hot pace could serve her well under Kazushi Kimura, who won this race last year aboard Kopion.#2-SO THERE SHE WAS: Remington Park Oaks winner followed that with a fourth-place finish in the Mother Goose at Aqueduct. She returns home and to the sprint ranks for the first time since summer. A bullet workout Dec. 10 from the gate hasn't been followed up in the morning, so it's fair to question if the Doug O'Neill trainee did a little to much that morning.#3-FIVE G: Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks winner hasn't run since March and returns in a difficult spot on the road for Florida-based trainer George Weaver. She won the 1-turn mile Cash Run at Gulfstream, but has primarily routed with much success. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount. Watched her workout at 1st.tv and thought it was so-so for the comeback with only 1 timed drill in a month.#4-ARTISMA: Blinkers go on this Richard Baltas trainee as she exits a trio of allowance runner-up finishes. Second-itis has been the diagnosis 5 times in 6 starts this year. Fits fairly well with several of these based on her allowance performance November 16 at Del Mar and has been working well since.#5-USHA (pictured): First of 3 Bob Baffert trainees in the gate as he aims for a record-padding 10th win in the La Brea and third straight. Tiz the Law filly disappointed in the maiden ranks with several short-priced losses, then turned it on at Del Mar this summer before a befuddling fold in the Raven Run at Keeneland. Juan Hernandez won this race in 2022 and 2024 and was aboard for her Del Mar scores. Looked good in December 20 workout video cutting the corner. Capable, but not trustworthy at a shorter price.#6-BRILLIANTLY: What his Bob Baffert trainee lacks in experience, she makes up for in potential off of her December 15 workout over the track. She literally toyed with elder Grade 1-winning colt Nevada Beach that morning and could be rounding into a freakish effort in just her fourth start and first in a stakes. That Flavien Prat takes the mount speaks volumes. The form may not show it, but she's my horse to beat. When Baffert horses train like this, you don't shop elswhere.#7-SCHILFLIED: 13-start veteran of the field has been racing on turf each time and is bred for the grass. Paddy Gallagher takes a dirt fling here and has Tyler Baze aboard at what will be big odds after 36-1 and 49-1 dull efforts turf sprinting.#8-HER LAUGH: Trainer Riley Mott brings this Kentucky filly from her Florida winter base in a second-off-the-layoff form cycle. She was off March to November when returning for a decent second in the allowance ranks at Churchill Downs. She won Tampa Bay Downs' Untapable Stakes routing on the front end, but projects more of a midpack to closer in this spot under Jose Ortiz. Regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. hops seats to Five G on Sunday.#9-FORMULA ROSSA: Veteran jockey Mike Smith looks for a record-setting sixth La Brea Stakes score when he partners with this Mark Glatt trainee. The Vekoma filly ran a sharp second to the elder sprint star Sweet Azteca in the Rancho Bernardo at Del Mar in August and comes off the layoff. She's fired big fresh in the past and is dangerous here despite just 3 career starts, but has been asked for some run in her morning drills.#10-MAGNIFICAT: Trainer Richard Mandella hopes to follow up Kopion's La Brea win last year with this lightly raced daughter of his star Omaha Beach. She's won 2 of 3, both in photos and has yet to taste defeat on dirt. She won a Nov. 16 allowance against Artisma and Brilliantly, who return in the La Brea as well.#11-SILENT LAW: Tiz the Law filly is the final of 3 Baffert trainees in the La Brea field and she's got 1 way to go -- to the front. Juan Hernandez jumps to ride stablemate Usha, leaving the mount to Joel Rosario. I thought she got out-worked recently and it's odd to see a quality horse have 3 straight gate workouts. She's run against tome top elders like Tamara, but I'm not certain she's flourishing right now.Most Likely Exotics Contender:BRILLIANTLY has my undivided attention.Best Longshot Contender:MAGNIFICAT has hard-to-knock form and her BRIS Late Pace Figures are admirable to garner a share. You could do worse at 20-1 morning line.Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$90 win BRILLIANTLY. $5 trifecta key BRILLIANTLY over MAGNIFICAT and USHA ($10).

A Christmas Eve gift to horseplayers is the Daily Double promotion we have Wednesday for Gulfstream Park. Not only will there be 10X 1/ST Rewards Points on the entire card, but also a $2,400 late pick 4 Hit & Split when you play with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. What better way to attack the Daily Double promotion than Gulfstream's dynamic handicapping double of Brian Nadeau and Ron Nicoletti? Here are the picks.Brian Nadeau Gulfstream Wednesday SelectionsRace 1:4 – Tiadoro2 – Lion Lake11 – Brat PackRace 2:3 – Distinguished Guest4 – Magic Red2 – Final PaymentRace 3:7 – Accelerate Me2 – Sound of the Beast5 – Mustang BayRace 4:1 – Well Shaken5 – Rosie Dozie6 – Lucky BerryRace 5:5 – Shades of Jade (Best Bet)4 – The Dove Rules8 – On the PayrollRace 6:3 – Final Drama7 – El Guty6 – MiloRace 7:7 – Baytown Parfait5 – American Speed4 – American FarmerRace 8:1 – American Monach4 – Souper Quest3 – Pure ClassRace 9:1 – Louise Proctor (Longshot)4 – Alluring Angel6 – La MehanaBest Bet: R5: #5 Shades of Jade (7-5)* MSW win hints at big things to come* Catches a modest group of winners* Antonacci/Irad are 6-for-12 togetherLongshot: R9: #1 Louise Proctor (10-1)* Lightly raced with plenty of upside* Brown runners can outrun their figs* Turf ace rarely runs without a chanceRon Nicoletti Gulfstream Wednesday SelectionsRace 1:11 – Brat Pack9 – Forget About You (IRE)7 – Osmosis (FR)Race 2:1 – Expert Witness4 – Magic Red2 – Final PaymentRace 3:7 – Accelerate Me3 – Song So Sweet5 – Mustang BayRace 4:2 – Divine Blue1 – Well Shaken6 – Lucky BerryRace 5:5 – Shades of Jade8 – On the Payroll6 – Clay SoldierRace 6:6 – Milo7 – El Guty4 – ImapeppaRace 7:4 – American Farmer7 – Baytown Parfait8 – BulldozeRace 8:1 – American Monarch (BB)2 – Neshume7 – Beach Colt (CHI)Race 9: The Via Borghese5 – No Show Sammy Jo (GB) (LS)4 – Alluring Angel (GB)6 – La Mehana (FR)Best Bet: R8: 1 American Monarch3 for 6 at the distance on the dirt, moves to the main track after the recent inconsistent campaign sprinting on turf vs a notch tougher.Longshot: R9: 5 No Show Sammy JoWas beat 1 1/4 lengths by Morning Line fave Alluring Angel last out, despite the fact she bumped & was shuffled back in G3 Long Island.

Good things come to those who wait is what I was once told as a youngster. That seems to be the case for Southern California racing fans to close 2025. Mother nature has stepped in forcing track officials to push the traditional December 26 opening day card at Santa Anita Park back until Sunday, December 28. All good here though. It should make for an outstanding Sunday Funday that has been made even better by the 1/ST BET and Xpressbet marketing team. They have not only brought the Exacta-Thon back just a week after the $5000 promotion at Gulfstream Park last Saturday, but they have upped the ante to $10,000! The goal once again is to connect on the most $2 exactas over the course of the 11-race extravaganza. Those who hit five, split $7,500, the customer(s) who hit the most, get the other $2,500. Here are a few I will include as part of my attempt at the $10k.Race 2:My first play of the day comes in this MSW event for 2YOs where I expect most horseplayers to understandably gravitate to the Bob Baffert uncoupled entry of #1 Winston Ave and #4 Newton. Winston Ave holds the experience edge after coming from off the pace to finish second on debut last month at Del Mar. His stablemate Newton comes in off a long series of drills and attracts Juan Hernandez for his first lifetime start. He could be quick, but the amount of gate works leading up to his debut is a bit concerning. I will try to beat them both with #2 Liam Smith. The Donald Dizney homebred is a half to talented Brian Lynch runner Jimmys Dailys and comes in off some quick local drills. New jock to the colony Emisael Jaramillo will be onboard. For those not familiar with Jaramillo, he is one of the best in the game at getting a horse into the race. Hopefully, he can do just that with this son of Midshipman.Play: Exacta 2 with 1+3+4Race 7:The late Pick 5 kicks off with this first-level allowance down the hill where there are only two horses I fully trust over this unique configuration. #1 Anmer Hall is the deserving 7-2-ML favorite. He has 5 career wins, 3 over this course, and even won at the 6.5-furlong distance out of town at Kentucky Downs in mid-September. The only concern for those willing to swallow chalk is the inside draw and lack of early speed. Antonio Fresu knows him well, so I am not too worried about him getting caught on the rail, but I do think #8 Mucho Del Oro could get the jump. The 7YO gelding makes his third start since entering the George Papaprodromou barn this fall. He was off slow last out costing him any chance in a five-furlong dash at Del Mar and prior to that he went very quick early before fading back to fourth in the Eddie D (G2). He is 7 for 16 over this course and could be tough to catch if Edwin Maldonado can control the early pace.Play: Exacta Box 1-8Race 9: San Gabriel (G3)This year’s San Gabriel field does not have that much speed signed on. #6 Nesso’s Lastharrah could be the pacesetter, but he missed the break last out in a softer spot and has been on the sidelines since. #9 Cabo Spirit is the only other runner in here with any sort of early zip. The son of Pioneerof the Nile is consistent when he has things his way. Last out in the Seabiscuit, it was Umberto Rispoli aboard not normal rider Mike Smith. Rispoli opted to stalk just off the early pace going 8.5-furlongs at Del Mar and ended up tiring badly late. With Smith back onboard, I expect him to be aggressive from his outside draw, especially if the pace appears moderate early. Either way, I like the chances of one of these price options to have things their way early and be tough to get by late. At their likely off odds, not only can I get a lot of bang for my buck, but also could knock down an exacta that most other players will whiff on in the Exacta-Thon.Play: Exacta 6+9 with 4+6+8+9Have a great holiday and I will be back on Saturday with full card selections for this fantastic opening day slate at the Great Race Place!!