EXTRA INCENTIVES2 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Turfway Park Late Pick 4$10 Money-Back Special | John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway | up to $10 back if win bet finishes 2nd, 3rdSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 10-11-12; Santa Anita Races 8-9-10Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-11; Santa Anita Races 3-5-7TOURNAMENT TIME$1000 Ultimate Betting Challenge Qualifier | details$50 Beat the Host vs. Zoe Cadman | details$100 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $56,634 | Tampa | begins Race 5 | 2:18 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $77,135 | Fair Grounds | begins Race 4 | 3:15 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $12,478 | Gulfstream Park | Race 12 | 5:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $66,739 | Turfway | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $7,201 | Turfway Park | Race 10 | 10:25 pm ETKEY RACESLaurel | Race 7 | 2:58 pm ET | Wide Country StakesLaurel | Race 8 | 3:26 pm ET | Miracle Wood StakesGulfstream | Race 10 | 4:50 pm ET | Gulfstream Sprint StakesOaklawn | Race 8 | 5:10 pm ET | Nodouble Breeders’ StakesSanta Anita | Race 7 | 6:37 pm ET | Wishing Well StakesDelta Downs | Race 7 | 8:33 pm ET | Vulcan StakesTurfway | Race 9 | 9:55 pm ET | John Battaglia Memorial StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream | Race 1 | 12:20 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 9 | 7:37 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 10 | 10:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJoe Sharp | Fair Grounds | all 4 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Delta Downs | jockey Vicente Del-Cid | 4 wins ($8, $12, $15, $17) from 9 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Saturday Spot PlaysJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Gulfstream Park SprintScott Shapiro: Turfway Late Pick 4 Hit & Split AnalysisFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

After a Friday that saw a big upset early and formful results late at the Great Race Place, they are back at it at Santa Anita Park. A strong 10-race card that kicks off at 12:30 PM local time is led by the $100,000 Wishing Well where undefeated Gratefully tries stakes foes for the first time. Here are the horses I plan to lean on throughout the day in Arcadia.Race 1:The opener is a state-bred first-level allowance event at one mile over the grass where there should be an honest pace at the very least. Longshot #1 Arkadelphia has no choice but to go from his inside draw while #3 Dark Blue, #7 Maker and Sons, #8 Dark Omen, and #9 Can’t Help Myself have all shown speed at some level thus far as well. This should set things up beautifully for #4 Third Beer. The son of Mendelssohn drops back into the state-bred ranks after stalking a slow pace in the Eddie Logan last month. His running style and class are likely to be too much in the lane for this group of 3YO males.Play: #4 Third Beer (3-1 ML)Race 3:I will take a bigger swing in this open company first-level allowance also at two-turns over the Santa Anita sod with #7 Baltic Fire. The daughter of Flameaway made her first start off a 3-month break on January 31 in the Megahertz (G3). Not only was the competition too much for this 5YO mare evidenced by her 60-1 off odds, but she also had no real chance after being caught three-wide on the first turn and remaining wide throughout. This could happen again with jockey Cesar Belmont back in the saddle this afternoon, but the price should be right to hope he gets a big setup and shorter voyage from start-to-finish for veteran trainer Simon Callaghan. Hopefully, the drop in class leads to her first score over this course.Play: #7 Baltic Fire (6-1 ML)Race 9:My final play of the day out west comes in this first-level allowance event down the hill where I expect #5 Yacowlef to run a big race in his first start of 2026. The 6YO gelding was re-claimed by trainer Jeff Mullins for $50k last October after losing him in late winter for $40k. Mullins gave the Irish-bred a freshening before bringing back on December 28 in a similar spot to this one. Yacowlef was unable to get to the wire first, but finished a strong second in a race where no other runner made much of an impression from off the pace. Look for the son of Kessaar to get a more favorable setup this afternoon. Hector Berrios is back onboard and should be loaded in the lane.Play: #5 Yacowlef (6-1 ML)

Northfield Park has a 14-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 EST)1-A Delightful Act N (9/2)-This level has been a challenge, but it looks like an open affair with a beatable field. Aaron Merriman sticks and he does well on Sam Schilacci trainees, posting 32% winners. Drawing the rail could be the winning difference and the morning line seems to high.2-First Of Her Name (7/2)-Fits with this kind, last time there was a fast pace and was too far back off the gate. Being 12-length behind at the 1st call into a .55 opening half was not ideal. Will look for a more alert start and could make the most of a cozy trip.7-Rockabillycockshut (10-1)-Has won 2 of the last 3 starts and the most recent picture came versus this kind. Likes to come off cover and can rally late. The drawback is being somewhat pace dependent, but the fractions should be honest here.Race 12 (10:02 PM EST)5-She Comes And Goes (5/2)-Beaten odds-on chalk was used up early in the mile. Merriman sticks, the trip should be more friendly and the price can be better.9-Love That Smile (7/2)-Steps up off some even efforts but has beaten better in the past. Dan Noble knows well and he is between the pipes. Will likely need to rally from the backfield and might be a longer price than the morning line. Could wake up with a good trip.Race 13 (10:24 PM EST)1-PLays Pro (3-1)-Beaten 4/5 chalk wasn't used off the gate and was far back early after leaving from post 3. Raced wide, which isn't unusual, and could only rally enough to come 3rd. Should get a more efficient trip with this post draw. Then Jason Thompson will need to push the button at the right time.5-Pams For Real (5-1)-Often shows some gate speed and lands in a good early seat. That wasn't the case last time. Will look for a better effort, and for Justin Irvine to have in a position to win turning for the wire.9-Evelyna Itis (6-1)-Went gate to wire in last and paid off at 6-1 versus this kind. Has been in sharp form and leaving from the 2nd tier helps the price. It won't be easy to get off the gate and get the lead early in the mile. But has an upset chance if Braiden Rhodes works a good trip in a race without a standout.Race 14 (10:46 PM EST)1-Stay Salty (7/5)-The mare does its best work getting on the point when the wings fold. Noble should have that plan in mind and with this post draw can be a main player.7-Maggie Time (5/2)-The Kresier entry is looking for its 3rd straight after going gate to wire in the last 2 starts. Merriman will be at the controls again, but those wins came after leaving from post 3. The post draw helps the price and could land in the pocket for a trip out 3-peat.$1 Late Pick 41,2,7/5,9/1,5,9/1,7Total Bet=$36Check me out on X!

Hoosier Park begins the weekend with a 14-race card. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11. The sequence has a low 12% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (9:20 PM EST)3-Joker Rockwell (6-1)-Put in a nice qualifier, then had a good effort in the 1st start since 12-6 considering it was a needed race. Does take on better, but fits, comes right back and should be in play off the gate. Has enough gate speed to race at the top of the stack and pick up a suck-around win with the morning line choice starting outside.7-American Classic (2-1)-Came off the bench with a sharp try after being off since 11-28. Came 3rd and rolled home with a 55.4 back half and a 26.4 last panel. Should be tuned up to be the best down the lane this time and has won 9 of 47 races at HoP.Race 12 (9:43 PM EST)1-Rae Gram (3-1)-Wasn't used hard off the gate in the 1st race in town. But started from post 6 and was off for 3-weeks between races. The Tom Tetrick 5-year-old, can show gate speed here with an inside post draw. That was the case in win at HoP on 11-1 versus cheaper. Should be better in the 2nd start on the oval and Trace Tetrick will be racing at the top of the stack when the wings fold.Race 13 (10:06 PM EST)7-Flirtnwiththepilot (5/2)-Went gate to wire in 2 qualifiers and then drew off by 5 lengths in the last tune-up. Both qualifiers were on Lasix and looks ready to take a picture. Trace Tetrick should have the pedal down and look to start 2026 by posing. The Melanie Wrenn 5-year-old has made 49 starts at Hoosier. It hit the board in half of those races and has taken 10 pictures.Race 14 (10:29 PM EST)2-Just A Start (20-1)-The veteran is only 1-15 at HoP but did put in a good effort to come 3rd last week. Outraced its 54-1 odds and went the back half in 56.3. Brandon Bates can be closer to the leader at the half pole and if so, could be in the mix at a large number.4-Imalwaysclassy (7/2)-This is another who outraced its odds last week and won at 41-1. Won't be close to that price as it gets post relief after starting from the 8-hole. John DeLong sticks, and he should put the Stewart trainee in a position to win at the top of the lane again.7-Ishotthesheriff GB (5/2)-Made its 1st start off the bench a winning one with a sharp steer from Kyle Wilfong. When that pilot teams up with the Britany Dillon barn they post 19% winners. Starts outside tonight, that could help the price and should be a main player again.$3 Late Pick 43,7/1/7/2,4,7Total Bet=$18Check me out on X!

It is a light week on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with Turfway Park taking center stage. The John Battaglia Memorial was made a points race in 2021 and while its winners have yet to make an impression in Triple Crown races, 2022 fourth-place finisher Rich Strike went on to shock the world on the first Saturday in May.It remains to be seen whether this year’s group can produce a contender in 2026, but it is the race that will play largest in this week’s 1/ST BET and Xpressbet promotions. The featured event is not only part of our “Triple Crown Prep Races Money Back Special” promo, but the late Pick 4 is this week’s sequence in our ongoing 2-Million Point Saturday Hit & Split. As always, just remember to register for both if you have yet to do so. Here is how I plan to approach the late Pick 4 that kicks off at 8:55 eastern.Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.Race 7:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 1 Princess JuliaBackups: 5 Late Spring NightForecast: I landed on the chalk on top in this MSW for 3YO fillies at 5.5-furlongs where #1 Princess Julie appears the clear one to beat. The daughter of Caravaggio has progressed in each of her first three starts for trainer Eric Foster, including a runner-up effort at nearly 25-1 on February 5. She meets a modest group of protected non-winners and should be able to use the inside draw to her advantage. I will throw in long shot #5 Late Spring Night as a backup. The Optimizer filly did little running after breaking slowly from her inside draw on debut. I can forgive the effort given her likely value in the sequence, especially since it has been a good meet for trainer Kevin Fletcher.Race 8:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 6 Lorelei Lee; 7 L’clair; 9 Lotta AlphaBackups: NoneForecast: The pace should be contentious at the very least in this first-level allowance for 3YO fillies, which should make things difficult for 7-2-second choice #3 Gracie’s Delight. Theoretically, 5-2-morning line favorite #2 Cadenza should get a great pocket trip in her first start of the year for Brad Cox, but might need the race given the gap in her public works from January 2 to February 6. I will try to beat them both. #6 Lorelei Lee is the one I like most, but the public will agree. The Mike Maker trainee won nicely on debut with a favorable flow and has put forth a pair of solid local drills since. I also give #9 Lotta Alpha a shot to win right back and a long shot look to #7 L’clair. The Beau Liam filly draws outside the likely speeds in her first start over this course. She is in with a serious chance at a juicy price if she takes to the surface.Race 9: John Battaglia MemorialGrade: B-Main Ticket: 8 Great White; 4 Kilo TangoBackups: 10 Aces HonorForecast: I will also toss the favorites in the aforementioned feature event at 1 1/16-miles and instead hope to gain separation in the sequence. #8 Great White intrigues me most. Trainer John Ennis rarely wins with first-time starters, yet this son of Volatile overcame a poor start to win going away on debut over this course. He tried two-turns in his next start in the Leonatus and failed to hit the board, but again had issues at the break and chased gate-to-wire winner #1 Street Beast throughout. Great White had plenty left to give after the wire and has a look at a big price if he is able to fix those issues at the break. I will use my Money Back wager on him, but also include #4 Kilo Tango. The “other” Cox came home nicely to get the job done on January 3 and is one of those that would benefit most from a lively early tempo.Race 10:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 4 Pack a Lunch; 10 ScovilleBackups: NoneForecast: I lack creativity in this $7500 maiden claimer to close the card where one of the two favorites is likely to cross the wire first. #4 Pack a Lunch takes a big drop in class for Doug Cowans after disappointing in a $30k event on December 12. He makes the most sense, but #10 Scoville could sneak away. The Get Stormy gelding has had his chances, but his speed eventually will lead him to the winner’s circle for the first time.

SPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10; Santa Anita Races 3-4-6TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $7,097 | Laurel | begins Race 3 | 12:58 pm ETPick 6 | $15,392 | Aqueduct | begins Race 3 | 2:11 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $73,206 | Fair Grounds | begins Race 3 | 2:45 pm ETPick 6 | $15,594 | Oaklawn | begins Race 5 | 3:34 pm ETSunset 6 | $64,308 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 8 | 3:50 pm ETPick 6 | $34,288 | Santa Anita | begins Race 4 | 5:02 pm ETKEY RACESDubai | Race 7 | 12:10 pm ET | Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby StakesOaklawn | Race 8 | 5:07 pm ET | Downthedustryroad StakesTurfway | Race 9 | 9:55 pm ET | Cincinnati TrophyLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay Downs | Race 7 | 3:38 pm ETOaklawn | Race 9 | 5:38 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 8 | 9:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHLinda Rice | Aqueduct | all 9 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Gulfstream | favorites won 1 of 10 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli: Sunset 6 Carryover Analysis for FridayScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Friday Carryover Pick 6 AnalysisFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Can you answer the $100,000 question? If you pick the winners of the last three races at Gulfstream and Santa Anita this Friday, Feb. 20, a six-figure payout could be headed your way. The Sunset 6 pool starts with a $64,000 carryover and could grow to six figures when the new money for the $1 wager is added.GP 8th race (3:50 p.m. EST) -- Going 5-deep in this crowded grass sprint for fillies and mares at 5F. THANKFULLY posted a career-best 80 Beyer in winning a main-track sprint, now changes surfaces in her second start for trainer George Weaver, whose runners are 7-for-27 on the Gulfstream turf in the last three years with an average $11.20 payout. NANA’S CORN MUFFIN caught 3-to-5 favorite Hot Cargo (6-16, $233k on turf) in her only turf start since 2024. It was her second start off a similar layoff to the one she’s on today. INDEPENDENCE AVENUE won on four turf courses in 11 starts and runs for the cheapest price of her career. SOD SIREN set faster fractions than a same-day, $62,500 optional claimer when she broke her maiden in October, the last time she raced. THE DOVE RULES made a late, wide run but settled for second behind an odds-on repeat winner.GP 9th race (4:20 p.m. EST) -- NAVY CROSS didn’t corner well after a bumpy start, settled down to press the longshot pace-setter to the stretch but flattened out as the favorite in a shorter route race. He steps up off the claim and should hold a decided tactical advantage from close-up in a field that lacks speed, but he’s still a risky play at a short price. LAS OLAS was slowed by the pace last out and is a live longshot despite a 2-for-35 record. He met four next-out winners and two runners-up – all with 80-plus Beyers -- in his previous four starts.GP 10th race (4:50 p.m. EST) -- SAPPHIRE GIRL, unhurried while saving ground behind a fast pace, sustained a rally to break her maiden at this distance, before a non-factoring stakes try. She will be an underlay with Irad Ortiz Jr. getting the call, but she should be on the ticket. FISH MOONEY is 0-for-14 on the lawn, but she rallied for minor awards in 3 of 4 turf routes at Gulfstream, two at this level.SA 7th race (6:33 p.m. EST) -- If SHARON’S BEACH doesn’t ‘bounce’ off his seasonal debut, he should win this Maiden Special Weight sprint at odds-on. He chased favored Liam Smith and ‘dug in late’ to miss in a photo finish at 6-1/2F. He showed marked improvement with Lasix and the performance was validated when Liam Smith came back to win a $50,000 optional claiming race by 11 lengths with a 90 Beyer.SA 8th race (7:03 p.m. EST) -- LINO’S ANGEL defeated seven of the same rivals in January, six in the same spot at 6F last out. But she had trouble at the break in 3 of her last 6 starts and it could change the complexion of this 5-1/2F sprint as she draws post 9 for the first the first time in her career. I’ll try to beat her with three better-priced options. MEMETIC appeared outrun as the 2-1 favorite, but she was racing on short rest and hit her best stride in the final sixteenth. She’s worth using with a strong maiden victory on the Santa Anita dirt to summon. STILL UNWRITTEN showed good zip on the dirt to start her career, then returned from an eight-month layoff and went wire-to-wire in her turf debut, running 2/5 faster than a split-division race on the same card. She remains a front-end presence on the surface switch. PASALUBONG steadied and lost momentum into the turn behind the dueling leaders but recovered with a contending rail rally in the stretch before flattening out late. She gets in light with apprentice Alfredo Bautista summoned to ride.SA 9th race (7: 33p.m. EST) -- AFTERNOON NAP is working up a storm on the Santa Anita dirt after facing some hard-hitting turf rivals like stakes winner Flyover, recent $50,000 optional claiming winner Proof He Rides and multiple stakes-paced Cali Cat. The last time he ran on the main track, he pressed stakes winner Lonesome Stew (5-10, $189k) before fading in a long sprint. COACH CRONIN was dull as the favorite in his last start, but he is reunited with Kamura, who coaxed open-length victories from the 6-year-old the two times he rode. He projects a similar up-close journey from a favorable post on the heels of a :35-1/5 bullet workout.Suggested $1 TicketGP 8th Race: 1, 4, 5, 7, 9GP 9th Race: 4, 5GP 10th Race: 3, 4SA 7th Race: 2SA 8th Race: 2, 4, 8SA 9th Race: 3, 7Cost: $120

It is another big start to the racing week in Arcadia, California when Santa Anita Park re-opens on Friday afternoon. The 9-race slate not only includes a two-day carryover of $64,308 in the Sunset Pick 6, but also a $34,288 carry in the $2 Pick 6. The sequence kicks off at 5:02 PM eastern/2:02 local time with an open claimer at two-turns over the main track and concludes with a state-bred allowance. Here is how I plan on attacking the traditional Pick 6.Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.Race 4:Grade: XMain Ticket: 1 AustonianBackups: 6 TougherthantherestForecast: I lack creativity in this $8k claimer at one-mile over the main track where class dropper #1 Austonian looks like the horse to beat. The Cal-bred is 0 for 5 over this surface, but has hit the board 3 times, including twice back in September in his first two starts for trainer Bob Hess, Jr. If he gets an honest pace to run at, he will be tough to hold off, but there is a chance there is not a ton of early speed since trainer Steve Knapp has the two likely pacesetters on paper. If one is scratched, I will use the other on my main ticket, but if they both run, I like #6 Tougherthantherest more. The son of Take Charge Indy makes his second start of the year after battling early and tiring late on January 16 going 6.5-furlongs. He is far from proven traveling a route of ground, but has a chance to control the tempo in the early stages.Race 5:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 3 Ahrens; 5 Texas WildcatBackups: NoneForecast: #3 Ahrens was listed as the 7-5-ML choice in this maiden claimer at 6-furlongs over the main track after dueling early and tiring late against better on the grass last month. It is hard to be overconfident in a horse that finished ninth and 40-1 in his only start, but if he shows that same early zip over the main track, this field is going to struggle to catch him. I will use the Maryland-bred along with #5 Texas Wildcat. The son of Frosted finished second at this level off the freshening last out and should be right there at the wire with a similar performance.Race 6:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 2 Mici’s Express; 4 Ballyhooligan; 6 Unbridled VisionBackups: NoneForecast: #3 Handsome Ticket aims to make it two wins in a row in his first start off the claim for trainer Francisco Rodriguez in this conditional claimer, but appears vulnerable as the 9-5-top choice. The 7YO has to stretch his speed an extra half-furlong against better and may not have things easy on the front end. I will try to beat the ML favorite with a trio of runners, including top pick #2 Mici’s Express. Trainer Doug O’Neill has had a great meet winning with well over 20% of his starters and jockey Emisael Jaramillo has been aboard many of those. He brings back this Cal-bred off a 9-month break. His best bests these. Hopefully, he avoids leaving himself with too much to do when they turn for home.Race 7:Grade: XMain Ticket: 2 Sharons BeachBackups: NoneForecast: I will take a stand in this auction restricted optional claiming maiden event for 3YOs where #2 Sharons Beach is going to be a very tough customer if able to replicate his effort on January 23. Sure, the track favored those forward last month when this son of Omaha Beach ran second by a neck, but he did so to a horse that came back and romped in his next start. Antonio Fresu jumps aboard this likely single that also kicks off the $3 late Pick 3.Race 8:Grade: B+Main Ticket: 2 MemeticBackups: 8 PasalubongForecast: I am hoping to get serious separation from the public in this state-bed first-level allowance for 3YO fillies since I am against 5-2-ML favorite #7 My Kat amongst others likely to take a good deal of public support. My Kat and several others exit a January 23 race that had a favorable flow for those prominently placed. I thought #5 Memetic ran well in that start despite finishing fifth beaten over 3 lengths. The Calumet Farm runner did not break well and raced against the flow, yet still showed some life late off of just 8-days rest. Now, the Lexitonian filly gets normal rest, which should allow her to put forth much closer to her best. I will also use #8 Pasalubong. The Jeff Bonde trainee was down on the inside in the aforementioned January 23 race when finishing fourth. The move to an outside draw should give her a better chance to relax in the early stages. The daughter of Maximum Security is likely to be a big price.Race 9:Grade: BMain Ticket: 2 Mr. MachupicchuBackups: NoneForecast: I will take my final stand in this state-bred first-level allowance for the boys with #2 Mr. Machupicchu. The son of Conquest Fahrenheit returns to the races after being beaten to the lead in a similar spot on January 17. The Jeff Bonde trainee finds a field with much less early speed signed on, which should allow jockey Kyle Frey to get this one to the lead and never look back. A Kyle Frey late Double to close this card would be a beautiful thing.