Gulfstream Park will ring in the New Year with a 10-race card this Thursday, Jan. 1. It starts early, with the first post at 12:20 p.m. EST, but if you wake up a bit late, don’t worry. You will have plenty of time to watch nd wager on the Pick 3 that encompasses a pair of stakes races for newly turned 3-year-olds. Here’s a look at the action with a suggested $2 Pick 3 ticket that costs $36:GP 8th race (3:48 p.m. EST) -- Seven sophomore fillies bring a combined 29/7-11-4 record with average earnings of $64,900 into the $175,000 Cash Run, but all are seeking their first stakes victory. Woodbine invader DUNBAR BEACH gets Hall of Famer John Velazquez to ride and gets the call in her first start on conventional dirt. She was disqualified from second in her debut race won by eventual two-time stakes winner Piper’s Gift, swung 5-wide and ran third after a troubled start as a follow-up favorite, then launched a strong run between rivals to win going away in her first long distance test. SECANE was most impressive in her 7F debut win at Gulfstream, sprinting to a clear lead, finding another gear when challenged on the turn and running away from the wandering favorite in the stretch. She returned in the one-mile Tempted Stakes at Aqueduct three months later, chased Shilling – who set the pace for 6F in a Grade 2 stakes next out – and ‘kept on’ to finish third. The daughter of 2018 Florida Derby winner Audible is a deserving favorite and the one to catch.GP 9th race (4:18 p.m. EST) -- CHARLIE’S WISH (pictured), nearing a half-million as the field’s top money earner, is a steady mid-80 Beyer type when she races with Lasix. She’s a stakes winner on Gulfstream’s synthetic surface and could hold a tactical advantage in a race that lacks quality speed. FOR FLYING placed in a pair of Grade 3 stakes at Woodbine in four starts on the synthetic track and she, too, can make good use of her speed. DANCING N DIXIE, pinched and in tight early, unwound at the quarter pole and had a ‘solid late charge’ to finish third in the Grade 3 Maple Leaf, ahead of FOR FLYING in the 1-1/4-mile marathon that favored closers.GP 10th race (4:48 p.m. EST) -- GLORIOUS BOY made an eye-catching stretch run and wouldn’t have needed a disqualification to emerge the winner from a dead heat with the rival that forced him inward and exchanged bumps in the closing yards. He broke his maiden sprinting on the Aqueduct lawn, ran second in a follow-up 6F stakes race and should have no trouble transitioning back to the grass after a :46 bullet workout at Gulfstream last Friday. He could be a solo play, but with maiden breakers from nine different tracks uniting in the $175,000 Dania Beach, use a couple longshots on the Bet 3 ticket. ZEPPELIN awaited room on the final turn and found it in time to catch the two favorites in a 25-1 debut upset on the Churchill Downs lawn. EASY WIND improved his speed figures at four turf venues to start his career, then changed tactics and set a fast pace in a turf-to-dirt mile won by his 1-to-2 stablemate. Morning-line favorite HONEY DUTCH will be a popular play with a high turn of early foot and Irad Ortiz Jr. summoned to ride. He widened a big lead on the turn and got caught two back, then controlled a soft pace and got caught again in his first stakes attempt at a longer distance. For value purposes, we won’t use him on the ticket.Suggested $2 Pick 3 TicketGP 8th Race: 4, 7GP 9th Race: 2, 3, 6GP 10th Race: 4, 6, 7Cost: $36

Our second of back-to-back 1 Million 1/ST Reward Points Hit & Split promotions for Parx takes place Wednesday on the New Year’s Eve card. The sequence starts with a trio of stakes races and field sizes of 11-8-12-15 before scratches. First post is 12:05 pm ET with the late pick 4 starting at 2:47 pm ET. Let’s get to work.Parx: Race 7 | Kris Kringle Stakes#2 Point Dume hasn’t lost at Parx in 3 starts and provides a tough opposition when able to get near the lead in any race. From an inside post, expect him to be sent for the front, but the pace could be contested. I trust him to gut any other frontrunners, leaving the other spots on the ticket for late closers. #3 Wild Vine can finish as can #4 Double Your Money on the cut-back in trip. #9 Golden Ice steps up in class but these connections are winning like it’s easy money, and he gets a good pace set-up.Parx: Race 8 | Blitzen Stakes#5 Buccherino has been almost impossible to tackle at Parx, going 7: 6-0-1 locally. He’s yet to try 7 furlongs, but he’s mostly added margin late in his local sprints and doesn’t show any sign of let-up. I don’t think you beat him from the front; a pace collapse would be the biggest risk to his chances. If so, late-running #2 Howgreatisnate really looks attractive over 7 furlongs.Parx: Race 9 | Mrs. Claus StakesWhile morning line favorite #10 Foxy Junior has won 12 of 26 and makes a strong case here over a distance at which she’s been highly proficient, she’s failed to follow up winning efforts on several occasions. Her best efforts have been at Laurel and I’m going to try and beat her today. #2 Alani has had a fantastic 12: 6-4-0 season in 2025 and looks to be the only true sprint speed in the field. No excuse for these high-percentage connections not to just employ the same tactics that saw them win the Cornucopia wire-to-wire last out.Parx: Race 10 | starter / optional claimingThe inside 3 runners here all figure to show early speed and there’s plenty more where that came from with #9 Normandy Hero never conceding the engine. With a 14-horse field in the main body and ton of speed in extreme circumstances, take as many closers as you can afford on the ticket and forecast for the frontrunners to come back to the spread horses. The #15 He’s In Charge offers major appeal if he draws into the cast.The Ticket2,3,4,9 with 5,7 with 2 with 15,5,6,7,11,12,13 = $28 for 50 cents

The last card of the year in Southern California is scheduled to go to post at 3 pm ET / noon PT on New Year’s Eve at the Great Race Place. The 9-race slate is led by the featured Robert J. Frankel (G3) for the ladies at 1 1/8 miles over the Santa Anita lawn. Here are a few horses I like on the card in hopes it leads me into a great 2026.Happy New Year to all of you! I appreciate your support this year. Let’s close things out with a bang!Race 1:The opener is a state-bred MSW event for fillies and mares at one-mile over the grass. #2 Warm Reception exits a common race with a few of her rivals where she missed by just a head over this same surface and distance. The effort was a solid one since she almost got to the 4-5-favorite that was loose on the lead throughout. However, a deeper dive suggests this was just a subpar group since the odds-on victor came into the race having lost 8 times already, including four as the favorite and twice at below even money. I will opt for a fresh face in #1 Syntax. The Pavel filly put forth a solid second on debut sprinting over the main track and should move forward with the surface switch and stretch out in distance. She is a half-sister to Syntatic, a winner of 3 of 18 in grass routes. She seems worth a gamble against this bunch.Play: #1 Syntax (6-1 ML)Race 2:The second half of the early Double is this first-level allowance at two-turns over the main track. The speedy #1 Del Mar Jerry was made the 2-1-ML favorite with a pair of Bob Baffert runners likely to take plenty of public support as well. They are capable, but I am not in love with their chances compared to their likely off odds, so I will take a big swing with #4 Runaway Charlie. The Ontario-bred has been given time since early May when he held off the odds-on favorite in an allowance event at Hawthorne. The competition gets tougher here without question, but he has been working steadily for his return to the racetrack. The son of Ghostzapper is now in the hands of veteran conditioner Vladimir Cerin and could get the right trip off a lively early pace under Joel Rosario. The price should be solid despite just a field of six.Play: #4 Runaway Charlie (12-1 ML)Race 7: Robert J. Frankel (G3)The featured event kicks off the $3 late Pick 3, is the second leg of the All-Turf Pick 3, and obviously is a part of all standard late sequences, so it is a pivotal race for horizontal players on New Years’ Eve to say the least. I will single second choice #6 Paradise Lake. The daughter of Uncle Mo was beaten on the square last time by 8-5-ML favorite #1 Public Assembly, but also got came from further off the pace. That very well could happen again, but I prefer the Peter Eurton trainee over the Santa Anita sod. This stands to reason since she has earned all 3 of her career wins over the course. Plus, she is likely to benefit from the cut back to 9-panels. I will live and die with the C R K Stable runner in this year’s Robert J. Frankel.Play: #6 Paradise Lake (2-1 ML)

EXTRA INCENTIVESPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 41 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Parx late pick 4SCHEDULE NOTEMahoning Valley | cancelled due to weatherToday’s Thoroughbred Tracks: Parx, Turf Paradise, Delta DownsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $19,222 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETKEY RACESParx | Race 6 | 2:20 pm ET | Miss Behaviour StakesParx | Race 8 | 3:14 pm ET | Parx Future Stars StakesParx | Race 9 | 3:41 pm ET | Parx Future Stars Fillies StakesTurf Paradise | Race 8 | 7:16 pm ET | Lost in the Fog JuvenileLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 7 | 2:47 pm ETDelta Downs | Race 9 | 4:44 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 6 | 5:44 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAbel Ramirez-Rodriguez | Delta Downs | all 4 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | jockey Yedsit Hazlewood | 2 wins, 2 seconds from 6 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Parx Late Pick 4 Hit & Split Analysis for TuesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

  Tuesday’s Parx racing card includes a trio of stakes races and a 1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split promotion when you play with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. First post is set for 12:05 pm ET, while the late pick 4 begins with Race 7 at 2:47 pm ET and includes 2 of the stakes. Let’s get to work.Race 7: optional claiming#1 I Feelucky Tonite has fit beautifully at this starter allowance condition with a 6: 2-3-1 mark in such races since May and seems to fire regardless of price – beyond a trip to the Claiming Crown. #8 Guaponess likely goes favored off a claim-and-score by high-percentage trainer Jamie Ness. The distance and post pose some risk, but this barn hard to dismiss and a bullet workout is in tow. #5 Kissthemoon fits the conditions perfectly and has transferred his Penn National form to Laurel in the past, which should translate here if he takes to the Parx surface. The post does him no favors, but veteran #10 Dreaming of Gerry should be finishing among the best here and the 5-pound weight break to hot-riding apprentice Yedsit Hazlewood could help the cause.Race 8: $75,000 Parx Future Stars StakesTrainer Butch Reid holds the cards and wildcards in this 2-year-old sprint. He’s entered #1 Mailata, #2 Tough Guy Tony and #3 Connor’s Crew (the latter scratched, along with #s 4,5,6). Mailata has won on fast and wet tracks and clearly the horse to beat if he runs here and not in Saturday’s Jerome, where he’s cross-entered at Aqueduct. Solidly in this one’s camp for a 33% local jockey-trainer combo and past form.Race 9: $75,000 Parx Future Stars Fillies Stakes#1 Divine Intentions provides rail speed and a wire threat so long as she breaks cleanly for Tyler Servis and regular rider Frankie Pennington. #7 Tap Into Grace will attract a lot of money for Maryland dominator Brittany Russell, but this filly has been her worst enemy at the start of several races. Top local pilot Mychel Sanchez has the one to beat if he rights the ship.Race 10: claimingThe morning line favorites look vulnerable as #2 Romantic Gamble and #5 Lord Winsalots have holes in their resumes. The former hasn’t been able to translate his form past his Penn National homebase with regular success, while the latter has been eased and a well-beaten fourth in 2 starts since being claimed. Both go for high-percentage trainers capable of getting the results the betting public is drawn to, but at this cheap class level, invite some chaos to your ticket. Toss them and part-wheel the other 9.The Ticket:1,8,5,10 with 1 with 1,7 with 1,3,4,6,8,9,10,11 = $36 for 50 cents.

The 21st season of the Xpressbet Beat the Host handicapping contest returns this Saturday and provides horseplayers a weekly chance to strut their stuff against personalities from Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. First up: Gulfstream Park track announcer Pete Aiello. Eight additional handicappers will follow each Saturday of January and February. Register now: www.xpressbet.com/tournaments.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

The Arkansas Derby trail opens Saturday when 9 freshly turned sophomores battle in this $250,000 event over 1-1/16 miles. Stakes performers from across North America converge in Hot Springs in what looks to be one of the deeper renewals in this race’s 19-year history. Kentucky Derby qualifying points are on the line, including 10 to the winner.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet be sure to take part in the 1 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split on Saturday’s late pick 4 at Oaklawn.Let’s meet the contenders for the Smarty Jones Stakes (Race 10):#1-UNIVERSE (pictured): Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes runner-up also has graded stakes-placings in the Champagne and Street Sense, facing some of the top 2-year-olds of 2025. Son of Global Campaign debuted a winner sprinting at Saratoga, but has proven himself capable twice around 2 turns at a quality level. Trainer Kenny McPeek came through Oaklawn 2 years ago with Mystik Dan en route to Kentucky Derby glory. He won this race in 2022 with Dash Attack. Joel Rosario rides for the first time.#2-BAYTOWN DREAMER: $5,000 yearling bargain has bagged $200,000-plus for trainer Paul McAntee, boosted by a third-place finish in the $1 million Juvenile Mile at Kentucky Downs on turf. He’s run on grass 5 straight starts, but ran solidly in 3 dirt dashes this spring and summer prior. Mendelssohn colt has some damside distance questions. Orlando Bocachica rides for the first time.#3-BOCA BEACH CLUB: Visually impressive Hawthorne debut winner for Jimmy DiVito was bet to favoritism when second-bset in Oaklawn’s 5-1/2-furlong Advent Stakes on Dec. 12. Son of Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach has plenty of damside pedigree to stretch out and attracts Luis Saez for the first time. Big drill locally since the Advent Stakes may tip his performance.#4-SILENT TACTIC: Woodbine’s Grey Stakes runner-up leaves behind the synthetic surface in Canada for the first time Saturday. This $500,000 juvenile purchase by Tacitus rallied to win his debut in October over 1-1/16 miles and is proven around 2 turns. Jaime Torres takes to the saddle for the first time and leads a two-pronged attack for Mark Casse (who also saddles Strategic Risk).#5-RANCHO SANTA FE: Tapit home-bred notched Ellis Park and Keeneland route victories to open his career and brings a perfect mark into his first stakes test. Half-brother to active, graded-stakes winner and millionaire earner Heroic Move. Trainer Brad Cox won the 2021 (Caddo River), 2023 (Victory Formation) and 2024 (Catching Freedom) editions of the Smarty Jones, the only barn to win 3 times in this race. Florent Geroux teamed with Cox aboard Caddo River. Training strongly at Payson Park in Florida for this road trip.#6-OSCAR’S HOPE: Tom Amoss saddled Liberty Bull to win the first Smarty Jones in 2008 and looks for a long-awaited follow-up. This Twirling Candy colt exits a Churchill allowance win and a Jean Lafitte Stakes score at Delta Downs, while never finishing worse than second in 5 starts. Bet to 8-5 or less in every start, including Saratoga and Keeneland appearances, he’s a fan favorite. Ricardo Santana Jr. gets the call for the first time.#7-STRATEGIC RISK: Second of 2 Mark Casse trainees in the entries, this Noble Bird colt blitzed the route competition in the Florida Sire Stakes series finale Nov. 29 at Gulfstream Park. Drew off by 9 lengths in first dirt try around 2 turns, albeit vs. Florida-breds. Fourth in Saratoga’s Sanford Stakes against open company this summer. Javier Castellano rode for the first time in the FSS In Reality and makes the trip to Oaklawn.#8-SCAR SHIP: Louisiana-bred steps into open company for the first time, adding blinkers off a narrow second in the Louisiana Juvenile at Fair Grounds on Dec. 13. Ricky Courville trains the Midshipman colt, who is a late May foal. Ramon Vazquez gets the call for the first time on a 1-for-4 performer expected to be a longshot.#9-SLEEPINGONFREEDOM: Second entrant in the lineup for trainer Kenny McPeek, joining the more proven Universe. McPeek aims for a second Smarty Jones score (2022 Dash Attack). This colt by Independence Hall has won 2 of 3 while racing in sales price-restricted company in each start. Steps up in class under Brian Hernandez Jr., whose task will be to save some ground from the wide draw.

Dayton Raceway has a 14-race card. The Early Daily Double, and the Late Pick 3 that starts in Race 12 will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 1 (4:00 PM EST) Early Daily Double3-Port Royal Hanover (8/5)-Shipped in from Haw and didn't disappoint on 12-12 and now Sam Widger takes the lines. Left the Erv Miller barn on 11-23 and lands in the Ron Burke stable. Comes back against the same, could be even better in the 2nd race on this surface. Does loses Chris Page and that could help the price.Race 2 (4:20 PM EST)3-Don't B Blue (6-1)-Northfield shipper comes in off a very sharp score on 12-22 and it was 1st time Lasix. This 3-year-old should be a solid price and has 5/8's experience. Steps up, but could double up versus a soft group of older foes.$10 DD 3-3Total Bet=$10Race 12 (7:40 PM EST) Late Pick 35-Blue Ocean (8/5)-Started slowly and was fortunate to catch the leaders down the lane but got nipped at the wire. Needs to be used at this level but slow starts make it more difficult. Will look for Sam Widger to be closer to the leader turning for the wire in his 2nd straight steer.8-Lazy Jane (15-1)-Comes off an even effort in a needed start. Could be a large price and will give the veteran some respect in the 2nd start at a lower level. Does like to win and could surprise with a smooth trip.Race 13 (8:00 PM EST)1-Barley A Lie (12-1)-Drew off last week leaving from post 5 and that made 2 wins in 3 starts. Northfield shipper is sharp and could be a live price shot after drawing post 1. Has hit the board in 2 of 3 starts at DTN and could post a win if races near the top of the stack.6-Odds On Mad Hatter (8/5)-The Virgil Morgan entry has 6 wins in 12 starts on this oval and has only missed the board twice. Finished 2nd and 3rd to a tough foe in the last 2 races and he isn't in this field. Knows how to win taking 12 pictures in 24 races this year and may have met a beatable field.Race 14 (8:20 PM EST)3-Trifecta (20-1)-Price shot should be better in the 2nd start after a sick scratch. Could never get into the last race leaving from post 9. The last time the 6-year-old drew inside was on 11-7, started from post 3 and finished 2nd versus this kind. Will take a swing at what should be a jumbo price.6-Hell On Wheels (2-1)-Longshots started inside last time and they were able to secure the point and the pocket. Luke Hanners landed 3rd and the race fell apart when the leaders faltered. Was blocked in the lane but it didn't cost the win, although could have finished higher. Did attempt to leave hard in last and will expect a big try on the drop in class.$2 Late Pick 35,8/1,6/3,6Total Bet=$16Check me out on Twitter!