Saturday's Arkansas Derby Day at Oaklawn Park features a 2 Million 1/ST Rewards Point Hit & Split when you play through 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Races 11-14 make up the sequence, which includes the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile and the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby. A couple of 11-runner maiden races add depth to the late pick 4, which gets underway at 6:22 pm ET.I’m extremely focused on this ticket with 3 singles, 2 of which are not the morning line chalks, and will be punching multiple units on the streamlined number of combinations. Let’s get to work.Oaklawn: Race 11 | $500,000 Oaklawn MileI have a ton of respect for the resumes in this race, including a Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile score by 2-1 morning line favorite Full Serrano, another Grade 1 by East Avenue at Keeneland and the rags to riches run last year by Coal Battle through the Kentucky Derby. But the now horse is Nu What’s New, and this Jimmy DiVito trainee proved that his maiden and allowance romps were no fluke when running a dynamite second in the Razorback behind the high-class Magnitude. He’ll get Luis Saez back, and while there’s other early speed in the race, none of them have kicked late with strong BRIS late pace figures like his. I’m singling Nu What’s Nu as the 3-1 morning line second choice, but if you’re gambling intra-race, Neoquous and Gun Party may have some interest underneath at 12-1 ML prices.Oaklawn: Race 12 | maidenIn a race over 9 furlongs in which nearly every horse in the race has running lines where they’re losing margin on the winners over the final call, Banksy’s should absolutely roll by late. He’s run second in both career outings, earning a 91 and then a 101 BRIS late pace figure, the latter coming when stretched out around 2 turns. There’s plenty of distance pedigree and he served noticed March 20 with a bullet workout. He’s the 2-1 morning line second choice as Kelz comes in from Fair Grounds with 9-5 ML favoritism. Two-deep will be the approach for many in this race, but I’d rather make the single and be in for double the payout on the same-priced ticket.Oaklawn: Race 13 | $1.5 million Arkansas DerbyRenegade, the 3-2 morning line favorite, was the most visually impressive stakes winner so far on the Kentucky Derby trail in 2026 when striding home convincingly in the Sam F. Davis Stakes. If he’s maintained that form or improved, he’ll be a handful in the 1-1/8 miles Arkansas Derby following a flashy 111 BRIS late pace figure. Todd Pletcher opted not to return his Rebel Stakes winner Class President in order to fill this slot with Renegade; that one goes next week in the Blue Grass or Wood Memorial. The Arkansas Derby pace looks honest and Irad Ortiz Jr. – who drops the mount on Fountain of Youth winner Commandment in the Florida Derby to ride here – should have him rolling late. The other main player, Silent Tactic, employs the same style. I won’t go 2-deep for that reason. If the race sets up for a closer, Renegade is the superior animal. I don’t like any of the early pace players to surprise.Oaklawn: Race 14 | maidenArkansas-breds round out Derby Day and note this race for 3-year-olds and up has only 2 elders, the 4-year-olds Whitley and Own My Destiny. Whitley is the 7-5 morning line favorite and has been solid in all 3 starts while the beaten favorite each time. Irad Ortiz Jr. is going to draw a lot of money and helps the cause, but the cold nature of the Ron Moquett barn this season and the colt’s 3 losses as a favorite give reason to add coverage. Own My Destiny raced in open company at Delta Downs and was traveling easy, wasn’t urged on the turn, and then came back on a bit in the lane but the winner was already clear on the short stretch. He’s 20-1 morning line, sire Hamazing Destiny was a top-class sprinter over this track and this will be my sneaky, upset choice. I’m also including the fast-working debut runner Our Vekoma Ride (10-1 morning line). The Matt Shirer trainee had 6 perfectly spaced works for the debut and lures Luis Saez (jockey-trainer combo a very strong 6-16 together since the start of 2025).The Ticket:7 with 2 with 6 with 3,2,5 = $1.50 for each 50-cent play

Just three more weeks left in our ongoing “Triple Crown Prep Races Money-Back Special” promotion that began back in early February. For those just checking in for the spring, remember to register on the promotional landing page for this offer, which rewards you up to $10 back on your first Win bet if your horse finishes second or third. We have the first of two huge Saturdays on Road to the Kentucky Derby with another massive one next weekend. Here are the horses I plan to use my Money Back insurance on in the Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, and UAE Derby.Florida Derby (G1), Gulfstream Park - Race 14The Florida Derby came up strong this year with the top two from the Fountain of Youth (G2), the winner of the Holy Bull (G3), and the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) victor all set to break from the gate at 6:42 PM eastern. #6 Nearly and #9 The Puma both bring strong resumes into their first 9-furlong test, but the top two finishers from the Fountain of Youth are in a tier above them at the moment. #4 Commandment beat #2 Chief Wallabee by a neck in a big run from both colts in late February and give me no reason to expect regression in their third starts of the form cycle. The question is which one to back. Chief Wallabee appears to have the higher ceiling, while Commandment is probably more likely to fire given his foundation. This one feels like the classy Chief Wallabee’s race to lose given the inside draw and obvious talent, but if he is bet significantly harder than Commandment, I will be pivoting in terms of a Money Back Win wager. Either way, it should be a good one to close an outstanding card in Hallandale Beach on Saturday afternoon.Play: #2 Chief Wallabee (2-1 ML)Arkansas Derby (G1), Oaklawn Park - Race 13Sam F. Davis winner #6 Renegade is the likeliest winner of Saturday’s $1.5M Arkansas Derby, but his resume is not strong enough for me to endorse as a wager at his 3-2-ML price. Not only does he try the unique Oaklawn surface for the initial time, but also may not get an ideal setup for his off-the-pace run. I will certainly back this Win bet up with a 6-3 exacta, but I give #3 Blackout Time a big shot to rebound from his underwhelming fourth-place effort off the bench in the Rebel (G2). On the surface, the son of Not This Time sort of just ran around the racetrack, but it felt like a clear prep with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. more than willing to give up valuable ground throughout the race. I do not expect that to be the case on Saturday. Instead, expect the veteran rider to find a perfect pocket spot off the early leaders and hopefully have far more left to give when they turn for home. It is now or never for the runner-up in last year’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1) to Ted Noffey. At his price, I will wager he delivers.Play: Blackout Time (6-1 ML)UAE Derby (G2), Meydan - Race 4The lone international race to reward 100-points to the winner on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard goes to post at 9:30 AM eastern where I will back #5 Salloom. The son of Authentic was made the heavy public choice in the Road to the Derby Conditions Stakes on February 25, but broke through the gate prior to the start and forced to scratch. It is good to see his connections opt to bring him back for this $1M event at 1 3/16-miles, which is enough for me to back him at this price. His dominant win back in late January shows that when his head is in the game, he is capable of firing a big shot. Hopefully, he fires one good enough to get him to Louisville for a big race in early May.Play: #5 Salloom (4-1 ML)

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Charles Town | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Gulfstream Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $115,638 | Gulfstream | begins Race 5 | 2:54 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $8,493 | Gulfstream | Race 10 | 5:25 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $116,885 | Turfway | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $11,460 | Turfway | Race 10 | 10:25 pm ETKEY RACESOaklawn | Race 8 | 5:19 pm ET | Hot Springs StakesTurf Paradise | Race 6 | 6:51 pm ET | Arizona Stallion StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXOaklawn | Race 9 | 5:52 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 1 | 5:55 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 7 | 7:19 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHKristy Gazzier | Charles Town | all 4 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Turf Paradise | favorites won 7 of 9 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Charles Town Bet $100, Get $10 Promo PicksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The Lead:The 30th Dubai World Cup features FOREVER YOUNG as he further solidifies himself as an all-time great. The Japanese globetrotter headlines a field of 9 in the 1-1/4 miles showcase. Early bird wagering begins Friday with Saturday's first post 7:45 am ET from Meydan. The Dubai World Cup goes as Race 9 with a scheduled post of 12:40 pm ET.Horseplayers be sure to take part $10 Money-Back Special on all Kentucky Derby preps this season with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. That includes Saturday's UAE Derby on the Dubai World Cup undercard (as well as the same-day Florida Derby at Gulfstream and Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn).​​Field Depth:FOREVER YOUNG is the most successful international dirt horse of all time and stands out on class. HIT SHOW won this race last year and obvious proven for the task with MAGNITUDE on a similar plane with him at slightly shorter trips. MEYDAAN proved his international quality in Australian classics. It would be surprising to see this race get beyond that quartet.​Pace:WALK OF STARS likely sets the tempo with MAGNITUDE and FOREVER YOUNG in close proximity. The pace should be fair, but not overcook.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.#1-FOREVER YOUNG: Only loss in his last 6 came in last year’s Dubai World Cup when third to completely inferior competition. Takes the same prep path via the Saudi Cup, but a year ago that race was a rugged throwdown with Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior and came after a Japanese winter tune-up. He’s fresher now and it’s hard to make strong case against the 4-5 morning line favorite. Japan won this race in 2024 and has finished second in back-to-back years.#2-MAGNITUDE: Just 6 starts in the last 13 months, arguably America’s top DWC hope benefits now from missing 5 rugged months of the sophomore season and the Triple Crown grind. Steve Asmussen has had some success in the Middle East over the years and this one’s 2 losses in the past year have come to Sovereignty and Baeza, at the cream of his crop. Beat a very sharp one at Oaklawn last out in what looks like a strong prep. The 1-1/4 miles trip is still a question mark, but his brilliance is not. He couldn't outfinish Bracket Buster in the Travers for second but reasonably is a stronger horse now.#3-HIT SHOW: Late-runner sprung improbable upset in this race last year and comes into the defense on a similar pattern to his half-length Clark Handicap conqueror Magnitude. Both got a productive prep, his at Fair Grounds, to improve his mark to a surprising 12-for-24 lifetime. He’s alternated wins and losses in 11 straight races, last doubling up in 2024. May be stronger over 1-1/4 miles than Magnitude and his local experience does not hurt the cause. The pace held extremely well last year, so his rallying victory actually looks better than many scoffed as a fluke.#4-MEYDAAN: Tenth of 24 in the Melbourne Cup indicates his international credentials as a stayer, while the Frankel gelding has bedded down at Meydan this winter with 2 pair of wins from 3 starts. Last month’s win in the Grade 2 Al Maktoum Classic was a 10-furlong rehearsal for this in which the visuals were fantastic with him exploding late. But he’ll have to run 5-6 lengths faster to match last year’s DWC clocking. Big-money rider William Buick won this race in 2015, but it’s been a while, though his 25% win rate at the current meet tops all jockeys. Clearly best local chance.#5-IMPERIAL EMPEROR: Eleventh in this race a year ago, top UAE conditioner Bhupat Seemar brings this 6-year-old back with just 2 official starts between bids. Dubawi gelding won both of those at Meydan, including Jan. 23 in the Grade 1 Al Maktoum Challenge when besting Tumbarumba and Heart of Honor, who re-match in the DWC. Stride was shortening that day and the 10 furlongs against tougher foes could be imposing. Still, may be best of the second tier with an outside shot at a placing. Dam Zhukova came to the US in 2017 to blow away the boys in the Grade 1 Man o’ War at Belmont.#6-TUMBARUMBA: Quality American miler relocated to Dubai after the Breeders’ Cup and may have had his best chance in the 1-turn Saudi Cup last out. Finished a credible third in that one to Forever Young, but needs to make up 5 lengths over a distance and stretches this gelding beyond his best. Couldn’t handle Imperial Emperor in a pair of Meydan trips prior to the Saudi Cup, providing another big hill to climb Saturday.#7-WALK OF STARS: Set the pace in last year’s Dubai World Cup and was second until the final 100 meters before settling for fourth. Raced ahead of Meydaan for much of the Al Maktoum Classic while conceding the front to a determined pacesetter. Reasonable expectation he’ll make the lead Saturday but had no response for Meydaan in their tuneup. Was a Godolphin Mile runner-up on this card in 2024 at age 5, but now at age 7 may have lost an elite step to go against milers. Mickael Barzalona stunned the 2012 DWC aboard Monterosso with one of the craziest pre-wire celebrations of all-time.#8-HEART OF HONOR: Last year’s UAE Derby runner-up mustered fifth and sixth-place finishes in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes for the father-daughter team of Jamie and Saffie Osborne. Honor A.P. colt got well-earned time off before returning in the Fall at Meydan and eased into the local stakes scene. Hasn’t been up to the test in the last pair once the competition increased and would be a major surprise based on recent efforts.#9-TAP LEADER: Al Maktoum Classic third-place finisher outran expectations in that one while making just his second lifetime start. Must make up 6 lengths on Meydaan alone and then worry about tackling some of better dirt horses in the world with little foundation. Kentucky-bred by Tapiture lacks any sort of classic-distance pedigree, making his pair of 10-furlong efforts to date a surprising level of success. Trainer Doug Watson has been one of the most successful conditioners in the UAE, but has yet to land a Dubai World Cup. This would be a stunner.Most Likely Exotics Contender:FOREVER YOUNG is 14-for-14 in the trifecta lifetime with 11 wins and is a pure, 10-furlong dirt horse.Best Longshot Contender:Defending champ HIT SHOW at 12-1 morning line odds rates my second-best win chance and has landed in the superfecta in 11 of his last 13 starts.Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$80 exacta FOREVER YOUNG-HIT SHOW. $20 trifecta FOREVER YOUNG-HIT SHOW-MEYDAAN.

Oaklawn Park offers the perfect remedy for afternoon horseplayers looking for a nice score to end the day. The “Get Out Pick 3” encompasses two 12-horse fields and the Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes, all in a 70-minute window this Friday, March 27. Our suggested ticket below wouldn’t pay $5,079 as the winners received two weeks ago, but it only costs $27 to play.OP 10th race (6:19 p.m. EST) -- SPRINGTOWN earned his top speed figure on dirt when he stepped up and finished third at this level off the claim last out. He chased the winner in a 6F sprint that timed a full second faster than a same-day, $12,500/nw3 claimer and $16,000/nw2 in six months sprint. HE IS HEAVEN SENT finished 3-1/2 lengths behind SPRINGTOWN, but he was squeezed at the start and caught 5-wide on the backstretch before he finished evenly. He can turn the tables at an inflated price in his second start for trainer Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez, who won with 5 of 14 first-off-the-claim runners at Oaklawn since that race three months ago. WAR MUNNY, 15-1 on the morning line, can’t seem to avoid slow starts, except in the mornings when he posted three consecutive bullet workouts, the last two from the gate in :34 and :35 seconds, respectively. He wears blinkers for the first time and drops in class, so use him on the ticket.OP 11th race (6:54 p.m. EST) -- With the scratch of ML favorite EXPLORA, look for COUNTING STARS to be tough. She loomed boldly with a 3-wide sweep on the turn in the Honeybee and finished gamely in a photo-finish setback at the same distance as the Fantasy.OP 12th race (7:25 p.m. EST) -- LADY BELLE impressed in her debut for half this claiming price against Arkansas-bred fillies and mares. She accelerated on the backstretch to maintain rail position, widened while in-hand on the turn and hit another gear to keep the pursuing favorites in the rearview mirror. J J’S TRUE BET can make good use of her speed today as well, and she should be used on the ticket despite a short price. In her three starts this year, she went wire-to-wire in a maiden win that came back weak (8/0-1-0 follow-up tries), dueled with a next-out winner to the stretch before fading at one mile, then battled with second favorite to the quarter pole before a repeat winner passed by both of them. HONDURAS PASSION looks to recapture her 2025 form, when she benefitted from short fields and finished third in four allowances at Thistledown. She had a rough trip last out and drew posts 9 and 10 in the two races before that.Suggested $3 Get Out Pick 3 Ticket:OP 10th Race: 1, 2, 5OP 11th Race: 6OP 12th Race: 2, 3, 8Cost: $27

The “Lucky Strides” promotion this March at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet offers a $10 bonus when you bet $100 or more at select tracks each Tuesday and Thursday. Charles Town will be the track spotlighted for this Thursday. Here’s how I’ll approach that card with the help of the Betmix Angler database.Charles Town: Race 2#2 Tidbit (12-1 morning line odds) should be inside speed and gets a 7-pound weight break to the favorite who draws next door. She’s had a propensity to lose steam late, but note the jockey change Thursday. Apprentice jockey Moises Santaella has been on fire during March at Charles Town, winning 30% and hitting the exacta 47% of the time with a $1.16 ROI for every $1 bet. He’s on 2 favorites later on the card for his main man Ronney Brown, so this is the chance to catch Santaella at a price. Win-place bet #2. Exacta box 2-6.Charles Town: Race 7#7 Musical Standard (5-1 morning line odds) has run 2 excellent races in his 2-turn bids at Charles Town for Jill Spangler’s small, but effective barn. He’s proven at the class and trip, whereas morning line favorites Mitote and Malibu Son both won career debuts at the 4-1/2 furlong dash trip. Note horses going from debut dash wins like that to allowance races over this local distance the past 3 years are 2-for-16 with 12 of them out of the money. I’ll see if we can’t skate by both of the chalks. Win bet #7.

Saturday’s international simulcast of the 30th Dubai World Cup will be offered to Xpressbet and 1/ST BET customers in its full-card entirety. Early bird wagering begins Friday on the 9-race program from Meydan, featuring globetrotting superstar Forever Young and defending champ Hit Show in the $12 million main event. First post will be 7:45 am ET with the Dubai World Cup slated for 12:40 pm ET.Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Forever Young drew post 6 of 9 at Wednesday’s ceremony and looks to add to his already world-record bankroll of nearly $30 million. The Japanese stalwart won the Saudi Cup for the second straight year when last seen Feb. 14 and looks to make amends for last year’s third-place finish at Meydan.The Americans are represented in the mile and one-quarter DWC by Hit Show (post 5), the improbable hero last March at Meydan for trainer Brad Cox and repeat rider Florent Geroux. He won the Mineshaft at Fair Grounds in preparation for his defense. Steve Asmussen-trained Magnitude (post 1) may be second choice in the betting off back-to-back wins in the Clark at Churchill and Razorback at Oaklawn a month ago. Heart of Honor (post 4), alum of last year’s Preakness and Belmont, as well as Tumbarumba (post 9), fourth in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, represent international connections but will be familiar to US followers.The undercard features Florida-based Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Bentornato in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen; Charles Town Classic winner Banishing in the $1 million Godolphin Mile; international Kentucky Derby qualifying points on the line in the $1 million UAE Derby; and Japan Cup / English Champions winner Calandagan trying to one-up his second-place finish last year in the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic on turf.//$12 million Dubai World Cup Field1-Forever Young (post 6) | Yoshito Yahagi | Ryusei Sakai2-Magnitude (post 1) | Steve Asmussen | Jose Ortiz3-Hit Show (post 5) | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux4-Meydaan (post 2) | Simon Crisford | William Buick5-Imperial Emperor (post 7) | Bhupat Seemar | Tadhg O’Shea6-Tumbarumba (post 9) | Al Jehani | James Doyle7-Walk of Stars (post 3) | Bhupat Seemar | Mickael Barzlalona8-Heart of Honor (post 4) | Jamie Osborne | Saffie Osborne9-Tap Leader (post 8) | Doug Watson | Pat Dobbs//Saturday’s Meydan Racecourse Racing Schedule7:45 am ET | Race 1 | $1 million | Dubai Kahayla Classic | 1 mile on dirt8:20 am ET | Race 2 | $1 million | Godolphin Mile | 1 mile on dirt8:55 am ET | Race 3 | $1 million | Dubai Gold Cup | 2 miles on turf9:30 am ET | Race 4 | $1 million | UAE Derby | 1-3/16 miles on dirt10:20 am ET | Race 5 | $1.5 million | Al Quoz Sprint | 6 furlongs on turf10:55 am ET | Race 6 | $2 million | Dubai Golden Shaheen | 6 furlongs on dirt11:30 am ET | Race 7 | $5 million | Dubai Turf | 1-1/8 miles on turf12:05 pm ET | Race 8 | $6 million | Dubai Sheema Classic | 1-1/2 miles on turf12:40 pm ET | Race 9 | $12 million | Dubai World Cup | 1-1/4 miles on dirt//World Pool Wagering NotesEarly Pick 4: begins Race 2Pick 6: begins Race 4Pick 5: begins Race 5Late Pick 4: begins Race 6

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 5 | $276,356 | Parx | begins Race 6 | 2:55 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $109,475 | Turfway | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 6 | 2:55 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 7 | 3:25 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJamie Ness | Parx | all 7 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Today | Dubai World Cup | field of 9, led by Forever Young and Magnitude, drawn for SaturdayPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Parx $276K Carryover / Mandatory Payout Pick 5 Key PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section