With about six weeks left until they break from the gate for the Kentucky Derby, it is time for the final round of Triple Crown preps. The first of three huge weeks for 3YOs gets started with a pair of 100-points to the winner races. The Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds and the Jeff Ruby (G3) at Turfway Park may not offer us a glimpse at the 2026 Derby winner, but they will go a long way and shaking out the field for the first Saturday in May.As you have come to expect, 1/ST Bet and Xpressbet have yet another fun promotion to celebrate the big days in New Orleans and Florence. This time it is a $3000 two-track Exacta-Thon with the goal of connecting on 3 different $2 exactas over the course of the day at both venues. Those able to successfully do so will split the $3k. Here are a couple of exactas at each track I will be using as part of my Exacta-Thon approach.Fair Grounds, Race 3My first play on the 14-race Louisiana Derby card comes in this two-turn MSW event for 3YOs over the main track where I will key #8 Tiernanogue. The son of Quality Road has failed to hit the board through three starts for trainer Brendan Walsh, but ran a bit better than looks on Risen Star Day. In that mid-February start over this same surface and distance, Tiernanogue was caught wide into the first turn and raced against the flow chasing gate-to-wire winner Awesome Gem. He has to get a little better out of the gate, but I am hopeful the move back to Brendan Walsh’s main man Tyler Gaffalione will lead to improved speed and a career best run from this Mulberry Racing colt. I will key him with a #4 Direct Strike and #6 Double Entendre. Both colts make equipment changes in hopes of leading to their first lifetime score.Play: Exacta Key Box 8 with 4+6Fair Grounds. Race 12, Louisiana Derby (G2)As I discussed in my Triple Crown Money Back Offer blog from Thursday, this is not the strongest edition of the Louisiana Derby. That said, I am hopeful it allows me to knock down one of the needed exactas for the promotion. #3 Chip Honcho failed to seal the deal last out in the Risen Star (G2) despite having things all his way. That said, he lost little in defeat when nailed at the wire by one of the Derby favorites at this point Paladin. The Steve Asmussen trainee showed improvement and still the same speed without blinkers last out and should control the tempo again under Luis Saez. I like his chances of getting to the wire first for the third time in his career. #9 Emerging Market is likely to go off as one of the favorites and understandably so. The Candy Ride colt ran huge at two-turns on debut at Tampa Bay Downs. He has to prove himself at this level, especially with the way Powershift ran in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2), but it appears the talent is there to be a factor in the Triple Crown this spring. He may have to overcome a soft early pace though from his far outside draw giving Chip Honcho the edge in this year’sLouisiana Derby.Play: Exacta 3-9Turfway Park, Race 10, Kentucky Cup Classic (G3)The pace should be honest in this 9-furlong affair over the all-weather given the presence of #4 Tickled Quist and #5 Willy D’s. This should set things up for #1 Honor Marie. The son of Honor Code competed in the 2024 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, but struggled through his 4YO season winning just 1 of 6 races. Trainer Whit Beckman opted to keep Honor Marie in Kentucky this winter and the plan proved to be a good one when he romped home to an off-the-pace victory in the Dust Commander. The inside draw and his turn of foot over this surface should bode well for the $40k Keeneland September ’22 purchase. I will play the late runner over #2 Utah Beach and then box him with #8 Wadsworth.Play: Exacta 1-2 and Exacta Box 1+8Turfway Park, Race 12, Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)Some may not agree with this 1 1/8-mile event rewarding as many points as it does on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, but I am more bullish. While most of these are not dirt horses at the early point of their careers, history tells us that runners exiting these preps recently at Turfway Park are capable of running well on the surface switch. I am not sure if that is the case this year, but I am looking forward to gambling on #4 Two Out Hero. The War Front colt raced for the first time off a 5-month layoff in the Battaglia Memorial and unsurprisingly did not fire his best shot. The Kevin Attard trainee stumbled at the start from his far outside draw basically costing him all chance. He got something out of the race though making a middle move before understandably tiring badly in the lane, which I think sets him up for a career best run on Saturday. I will play Two Out Hero on top of a pair of logicals for the sake of the promotion and then of course bet him to Win as well.Play: Exacta 4 with 2+11

EXTRA INCENTIVES$10 Free Bet | The Meadows | Race 14 PentafectaSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10; Santa Anita Races 6-7-8Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10; Santa Anita Races 4-6-7TOURNAMENT TIME$40 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $12,190 | Aqueduct | begins Race 3 | 2:16 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $92,883 | Turfway Park | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFair Grounds | Race 7 | 4:45 pm ETOaklawn | Race 10 | 6:22 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSaffie Joseph Jr. | Gulfstream | 5 of 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Oaklawn | jockey Cristian Torres | 4 wins from 8 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMAl Cimaglia: The Meadows Pentafecta $10 Free Bet Analysis for Friday Frank Carulli: Gulfstream Pick 3 Play for FridayScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The racing week at Santa Anita Park kicks off Friday afternoon at 4 pm ET / 1 pm PT. The 8-race slate is headlined by a pair of state-bred first-level allowance events over the main track. Here are the horses I plan to build my day around in Arcadia.Race 2:My first spot play of the racing week out west comes in this state-bred $50k maiden claimer over the main track where I landed on #8 Hungover. The Halladay gelding debuted at this same level on February 28 for trainer Ryan Hanson. The 3YO gelding was beaten out of his inside draw in that initial try, but moved up to find a pocket spot just off the pace of the eventual gate-to-wire winner. Hungover remained along the inside throughout, was in tight a good deal of the way, and was looking for room throughout much of the stretch drive. I am not sure how much horse the $23k FTD purchase had late, but it simply was not an easy voyage for a first-time starter to handle. Now, he remains at the same level, but moves to a more favorable outside draw after gaining invaluable racing experience last out. He should take a sizeable step forward in career start number 2.Play: #8 Hungover (4-1 ML)Race 6:#8 Central Dispatch was made the 9-5-ML favorite in this open $25k claimer at 6-furlongs over the grass. The class dropper for trainer John Sadler should theoretically be primed for his best third off the layoff, but clearly seems to have lost a step when away from racing in 2025. The draw is favorable, but he is likely to get over bet. I will take my chances with 3-1-second choice #3 Mubtadaa. The 8YO gelding makes his first start since December ’24 for trainer Vladimir Cerin. Cerin has not started many runners at the Classic Meet, but has meant business with the ones he has sent out. In fact, he is 3 for 5 over the last 60 days at Santa Anita Park for an ROI of $2.96. It is likely the Holly and David Wilson owned runner has seen his best days, but was competitive when we saw him last. He will not have to be all that much to find his way back to the winner’s circle to kick off the late Pick 3.Play: #3 Mubtadaa (3-1 ML)Race 7:I will ride a hot barn locally as well in this state-bred first-level allowance event at 5.5-furlongs where #5 Tiger in My Tank is listed at a fair 8-1-ML price. The son of Smiling Tiger was unable to hold off #1 Jaguar Jon last out in an open company allowance, but that came at the 6-furlong distance. The half-furlong may not seem like much, but it clearly has been a difference maker for this 5YO gelding evidenced by his 5 for 8-record at the distance. Add to the fact, he is sent out by hot training Librado Barocio and you have a runner capable of getting to the front and having enough left late at a solid ML offering. Kyle Frey will be back onboard the Mia Familia Racing Stable runner in the start of the late Double.Play: #5 Tiger in My Tank (8-1 ML)

It's Friday and that means another Bet $10 Promo for The Meadows 0.20 Pentafecta in Race 14. There are 2 Pentafecta tickets posted below, comments and selections are based on a fast track.Xpressbet and 1st Bet Account holders who register will be eligible for up to $10 Back on Pentafecta Bets in Race 14. Bet $10+ on the Pentafecta, get $10 back. If you Bet less than $10 on the Pentafecta, get your amount bet back. This Promo will run every Friday in March for the Pentafecta in the last race at The Meadows.Race 14 (5:05 PM EDT)2-Universal (8-1)-Eventually landed in the pocket and followed a well-meant winner in #7 Duke Of Cornwall and now moves up. Could get another suck-around trip but did lose ground down the lane. Will look for a bottom of the ticket finish.4-Dragon City (8-1)-Aaron Merriman steers and hasn't raced since 1-24. The Bendis barn has been clicking, so won't completely dismiss. Could pick up a smaller check versus this field.5-Cruzin America (2-1)-If the 5-year-old runs its best race this should be the winner. Has cashed smaller checks when facing tougher and should relish the company. Gets the choice post draw, and the top pilot on the circuit steers in Dave Palone. Posted 11 wins last year in 29 races and has 2 pictures in 7 tries this season against better. Using on top but can't completely trust so will play a ticket with the Presto trainee in the 2-hole as well.6-Whiskey Break (12-1)-My guess is the connections accomplished what they wanted last week. It was the 1st start since 7-9 and Ronnie Wrenn drove. Faced similar, stayed inside, and shook loose down the lane to finish a beaten 2nd. Loses Wrenn and will need a good steer from Chris Shaw. The driver change helps the price but could hurt its finish. Would need everything to come together to win but looks like a player to hit the board at a nice price.7-Duke Of Cornwall N (9/2)-Got on the engine and didn't take any prisoners in last. Set a lively pace and would have won by more than 3 lengths but drifted out down the lane. Meets tougher but has the gate speed to get a good early seat and there are question marks in this field. Could get a pocket ride behind the program chalk and can be in the hunt at the wire.8-Captain Cowboy (5-1)-Wrenn sticks with the Burke trainee and gets some needed class relief. Put in an even effort in last and did go the back half in 56.3. Comes back in sequence this time and does have enough gate speed to get a decent seat off the gate. Did have a 149.3 mark at Mea last year. The 7-year-old should offer a square price and may have met a beatable field.0.20 Pentafecta5/6,7,8/6,7,8/2,4,6,7,8,9/1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9Total Bet=$240.20 Pentafecta7,8/5/6,7,8/2,4,6,7,8,9/1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9Total Bet=$16Check me out on X!

The time is getting closer. The start of the Triple Crown in Louisville is a little over six weeks away meaning the biggest round of Kentucky Derby qualifiers is upon us. It starts this Saturday with a pair of 100-points to the winner events east of the Mississippi. The Louisiana Derby (G1) at Fair Grounds and the Jeff Ruby (G3) at Turfway Park are the headliners and of course both are included in our ongoing “Triple Crown Prep Races Money Back Special” promotion. Remember, you get up to $10 back on your first Win bet if your horses finishes second or third. The insurance is great, but here are my thoughts on I like to win each prep.Louisiana Derby (G1), 6:42 easternThis year’s Louisiana Derby did not come up as strong as some of the other final preps will over the next couple of weeks, but it essentially rewards two horses with a spot in the Derby starting gate nonetheless. The field lacks depth making debut maiden winner #9 Emerging Market the likely first or second choice when all is said and done. The Klaravich Stables colt ran a huge number on all metrics in besting Powershift at Tampa Bay Downs in early February, but that runner-up did not come back to perform well in his first start versus winners raising questions. That said, the Chad Brown trainee offers the most upside in the field and attracts Flavien Prat.Emerging Market may be the best hope as a Triple Crown prospect in this group, but #3 Chip Honcho is the likeliest to run his race. The son of Connect is not flashy, but has been consistent through five starts. Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen took the blinkers back off Chip Honcho last out and he still showed speed, but was beaten in the final strides by Paladin. The stable mate of Emerging Market is one of the Derby favorites heading into the Blue Grass (G1), so the loss was not overly concerning, but Chip Honcho did have things his way. With Luis Saez back aboard, he should have his way early again in a race without much serious speed signed on. I will roll with the Gun Runner S. winner with the first of my two Money Back plays on Saturday evening.Play: #3 Chip Honcho Jeff Ruby Stakes (G3), 6:25 easternThe deeper and more competitive qualifier comes less than 20 minutes earlier in Northern Kentucky with the $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks. The event of course is over Turfway Park’s all-weather surface raising questions annually, but the 100-points awarded to the winner certainly earns them a spot in the 20-horse starting gate in early May. Recent history proves that some of those that run well in Florence’s biggest race certainly belong in the field despite their lack of dirt form heading in. The same will be true in 2026 as the field of 12 lacks runners with dirt form outside of #12 Stop the Car, but there is some legitimate talent in this contest each year no matter how you slice it. The field is led Southern California import #11 Stark Contrast. The Amerman Racing Stables runner has won 3 of 4 since moving to two-turns on the turf, but tries the all-weather for the first time. Trainer Michael McCarthy won this race in 2024 with Endlessly and obviously holds a strong hand this year, but I prefer a colt that will provide much greater value.#4 Two Out Hero made his first start off a five-month break last month in the Battaglia Memorial after a strong third-place finish in the Summer (G1) to end his 2YO season. Going into the Battaglia, it looked like a likely prep for this race by trainer Kevin Attard to set him up for a big run in this Ruby. Unfortunately for his connections, Two Out Hero stumbled big time at the start costing him greatly from his far outside draw. The War Front colt made a middle move before tiring badly, but the result last out means little to me. Now, the Gold Square LLC runner moves inside, has a race over this surface, and should offer solid value off of the poor performance on February 21. Gerardo Corrales will take the call for the first time on this $240K Keeneland September 2024 purchase.Play: #4 Two Out Hero (8-1 ML)

Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet runs until the end of the month. The 10-race card this Friday, March 20, features four turf races with a $40,000 purse or more, two as part of a $1 Pick 3 wager to end the day. Here’s a closer look:GP 8th race (4:24 p.m. EST) -- YOU BE THE JUDGE adds blinkers for her first start this year – and she will have to keep wicked fast stablemate BRITTANY’S WAY and Wesley Ward-trained returnee BLACKFOOT DAISY in her sights to have an upset chance in this $35,000 claimer at 5-1/2F on the lawn. But she finished a troubled third in her only turf start last year won by stakes-placed turf sprinter Shotgun Wedding, shows a series of strong workouts for her return and should be used in the leadoff leg of the Bet 3. AERIALIST led clear after a half mile in three of her last four starts on turf, holding on only for her maiden victory. But she changed tactics last out and escaped a stretch traffic jam to finish well from off the pace, a move that comes in handy today.GP 9th race (4:55 p.m. EST) -- COPERNIUM broke sharp, tracked the 8-5 pace setter to the stretch and kicked away with authority in a suspect field that got him eligible for this spot. He holds a tactical advantage over his main rivals as he looks to go 3-for-3 in non-stakes races. It doesn’t hurt that new trainer Carlos David is 9-for-31 off the claim in the last five months. WIN N JUICE spent his 2-year-old season in stakes company, save for his MSW win on the Gulfstream lawn. He chased and gave way on the surface switch in his seasonal debut, but he finished behind three six-figure earners and a next-out, 29-1 allowance upsetter.GP 10th race (5:25 p.m. EST) -- DAZZLING CRUISER maintained steady form for her new barn with a pair of seconds at this level, one on turf and the other on Gulfstream’s synthetic track. She rallied 4-wide on the turn two back and led inside the eighth pole, then saved ground last out after the winner was carried out on the first turn. EVELYN LOUISE won on the Gulfstream turf a year ago and was disqualified from her only win since then in a turf-to-dirt route at Horseshoe Indianapolis in the fall. But she impressed in that race, nonetheless, after she tried to get out on the first turn and bumped soundly with another rival at the top of the stretch, only to recover quickly with a determined rail run. Hoping she can return to her best form in her second start this year. MOONLIGHT PROMISES will take some catching in her second start this year. She posted an 81 Beyer speed figure in her 5F maiden win on the turf and sprinted clear in her only start beyond 6F in the race prior, leading until the favorite caught up late at 7F.Suggested $1 Bet 3 Ticket:GP 8th Race: 4, 5, 6GP 9th Race: 7, 8GP 10th Race: 2, 5, 8Cost: $18

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Penn National | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Gulfstream Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $186,830 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 5:05 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $88,375 | Turfway Park | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETKEY RACESMahoning Valley | Race 5 | 2:07 pm ET | Southern Park StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream | Race 1 | 12:50 pm ETOaklawn | Race 4 | 3:05 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 10 | 10:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHLinda Rice | Aqueduct | all 5 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | trainer Anthony Farrior | Mahoning, Charles Town | 3 wins from 6 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Penn National Bet $100, Get $10 Promo PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

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. Penn National will be the track spotlighted for this Thursday. Here’s how I’ll approach that card with the help of the Betmix Angler database.Penn National: Race 1#3 Tudox Rocket (8-1 morning line odds) was well-backed in his debut when a troubled trip may have been culprit for the poor performance. Not much has misfired of late for trainer Elisha Perez, who has 5 exacta finishes with her last 10 local starters. Win bet #3. Exacta box 3-1.Penn National: Race 4#6 Red Head Italian (10-1 morning line odds) takes a confident step up in class having 2 wins and a second in her last 3 local starts. Trainer Mark Salvaggio is 4-for-5 in the exacta this year with limited starters and has clicked 27% wins with jockey Jomar Torres. Tough to beat 2 runners from top trainer Brandon Kulp in here, but this is the value play. Win bet #6. Exacta key-box 6 with 5,3.