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1.25.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Sunday, January 25, 2026

By Xpressbet

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1.25.2026:

Scott Shapiro: Santa Anita Carryover Sunday Bet $100, Get $10

By Scott Shapiro

After a monster day at Gulfstream Park headlined by Skippylongstocking’s upset victory in the Pegasus World Cup (G1), the action continues at both 1/ST Racing tracks on Sunday afternoon. Gulfstream Park’s final racing card of the week kicks off at 12:20 PM local time with Santa Anita Park once again commencing at 3:30 PM eastern. Within these two slates are yet again a number of carryovers heading into the day. A Sunset Six carryover of $106,872 is one of them involving the last three races at both tracks for a $1 minimum, 15% takeout, retail only wager. The parameters are the same for the Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 other than that is comprised of Races 10 & 11 at Gulfstream Park, Races 5 through 7 at Santa Anita, and has a carryover of $149,416. Additionally, the Great Race Place has carryovers in the $2 Pick 6 and $1 Super High Five making it a Sunday Funday surely worth firing on at 1/ST BET and XpressBet. And as if that is not enough, we have added a Bet $100, get $10 promotion for today’s card at Santa Anita, so be sure to register that for that right away. With all that said, here are a few horses I will be building my wagers around later today in Southern California.Race 5:This MSW event for older filles and mares at one-mile over the grass is an important race for those attacking the horizontal carryovers and one where I am willing to single #1 Pura Vida Princess. The daughter of Complexity has struggled to relax in each of her two starts since returning off the bench for trainer Doug O’Neill. O’Neill turns to Emisael Jaramillo, who I expect to get this 4YO filly into the race immediately. Jaramillo will need to avoid getting caught up in an early tussle with #2 Robin With a Why, but otherwise looks like a bit of a standout to kick off the Sunday All-Turf Pick 3 and late Pick 5.Play: #1 Pura Vida Princess (9-5 ML)Race 7: Baffle S.The Sunday feature is this 6.5-furlong affair for 3YOs conducted over the Hillside Turf where #2 Greenwich Village is listed as the 9-5-ML favorite in his first start over the lawn for trainer Bob Baffert. The Quality Road colt was off slow and never a factor in the San Vicente (G2) 15 days ago. He may take to the surface switch, but there is little chance this was the original plan. I much prefer #7 Later Than Planned. The late running colt trailed most of the way before putting in a decent run to split the field in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1). He has been on the sidelines since, but enters off a trio of maintenance drills over the main track. The Phil D’Amato trainee should be very tough to hold off late.Play: #7 Later Than Planned (7-2 ML)Race 9:My final play of the day comes in what will be an important finale given the number of horizontal wagers concluding in this 9-furlong test over the sod for MSW foes. One of these days #4 Army Man will find a field he can run away from, but I will take a swing against the 3-1-ML favorite with #9 Saharian. The son of Blame has been beaten handily in two starts thus far for trainer Jeff Mullins, but I liked what I saw in the tail end of his first try at two turns on December 29 in what is a common race between he and a few of today’s rivals. That one-mile race last month was one where those from off the pace had virtually no chance given the race dynamics, but this gelding showed a lot of run after the wire suggesting he has plenty more to give when the things are more honest early on. Trainer Jeff Mullins gets a big rider upgrade to Juan Hernandez in a race that should see an honest early pace at the very least. If so, this guy should be finishing well at a pretty good price.Play: #9 Saharian (12-1 ML)

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1.25.2026:

Ron Nicoletti: Gulfstream Carryover Sunday Full-Card Picks

By Ron Nicoletti

Close out a spectacular Pegasus World Cup Week at Gulfstream Park with full-card selections and analysis for the 11-race card that concludes with a $61,778 Super Hi 5 carryover in the finale. Also note Gulfstream and Santa Anita combine for carryovers in today's:Sunset 6 (GP/SA) | $106,872 | begins Gulfstream Race 9 | 4:20 pm ET--Gulfstream Races 9-10-11; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 (GP/SA) | $149,416 | begins Gulfstream Race 10 | 4:50 pm ET--Gulfstream Races 10-11; Santa Anita Races 5-6-7RACE 1: 4 CONNECT THE STARS, who showed promise going long on the turf when finishing second in three consecutive races at Saratoga, goes back to the grass with Lasix after failing to get untracked going a mile on the Aqueduct main track. Mark Casse has Javier Castellano overseeing the surface switch. 3 HEDGE BOOK is a $400,000 daughter of Practical Joke working sharply at Payson Park in preparation for the debut by trainer Chad Brown. Tyler Gaffalione rides. 2 A WONDERFUL WORLD (FR) is a daughter of Wootton Basset debuting for trainer Will Walden, who is 24% with his first-time starters. David Egan rides.SELECTIONS: 4-3-2RACE 2: 6 MIGRATORY is moving to the Ron Coy barn via the claim after finishing a troubled third – beaten a length – at this level and distance last out. The barn, 27% with new claims, has Jose Morelos up. 8 ARAUCANO, a solid maiden winner on the dirt two starts back, returns to the main track after setting the pace and weakening in a screw tightened performance going long on the Tapeta. Jeff Engler keeps it light with apprentice Yolber Torres in the saddle. 5 MILA’S WISH is dropping to the $8,000 level on the main track after showing speed against better in series of sprints on the Tapeta. Miike Yates has Mario Gutierrez atop the son of Cajun Breeze.SELECTIONS: 6-8-5RACE 3: 4 PRIZE PICK, a full brother to $1.5 million earner Tiztastic, cuts back to a sprint with Lasix after setting the pace and tiring to finish fifth going a mile last out. Brian Lynch, 19% with the turnback move, has John Velazquez in the irons. 3 ONE REWARD, back in the Will Walden barn, will cut back to 6 furlongs with Lasix after making a middle move, flattening out, and finishing fourth going a one-turn mile. The barn 27% with the turnback move, has Joel Rosario named to ride. 7 AMBERJACK is a son of Complexity debuting for Chad Brown with a consistent work tab showing over the stamina tweaking Payson Park training track. David Egan rides.SELECTIONS: 4-3-7RACE 4: 4 SHESHIMAINTENANCE, popular in the claiming box, goes for three in a row for new trainer Georgina Baxter. The daughter of Instagrand, undefeated at the distance, has leading jock Irad Ortiz Jr at the controls. 3 NEOM CITY drops and stretches out after chasing the pace and finishing third vs $20,000 starter optional claimers going seven furlongs. Tarek Moubarak has apprentice Yolber Torres in the saddle. 6 BRENNA is stretching out to a mile hoping the added distance helps her turn the tables on current nemesis Neom City. Trainer Herbie Miller has Luis Saez atop the previous winner at the distance.SELECTIONS: 4-3-6RACE 5: 2 VASY (IRE) is stretching out around two turns with Lasix after a trio of even outings sprinting on the grass in Kentucky. Trainer Brendan Walsh has Tyler Gaffalione atop the son of Space Blues. 1 HEADING is making his North American debut for trainer Graham Motion after sprinting on synthetic surfaces in a pair in Great Britian. The barn, 17% with Euro Shippers, has the colt working consistently on the Palm Meadows turf. 8 XCEL is a gelded son of Summer Front (War Front) debuting for Todd Pletcher with Lasix and Irad named to ride. The tote action should tell us more about this wide-open race.SELECTIONS: 2-1-8RACE 6: 8 COMPASS RISES moves to the Amador Sanchez barn via the claim after posting her second consecutive victory at the level. The barn, 30% with new claims, tabs Irad to ride. 1 GEAUX AMY is stepping up to face open competition after consecutive victories vs $8,000 conditioned claimers. Note the daughter of Improbable is perfect on Tapeta and at the distance. 5 WORLDLY BEAUTY is hoping to save more for the stretch drive after surrendering a late lead when finishing second behind Compass Rises last out, and third her two starts back.SELECTIONS: 8-1-5RACE 7: 9 CANALETTO is a million-dollar son of Into Mischief debuting for Chad Brown with Lasix and Tyler Gaffalione named to ride. Tab the tote action for more clues about this pricey sophomore. 2 HICKMAN CREEK, a half-brother to Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River, debuts for Brad Cox with Lasix and Irad Ortiz Jr in the irons. The 11 morning workouts indicate the son of Constitution is primed and ready. 1 SPARTACUS is a beautifully bred son of Curlin and a half-brother to $2 million-dollar earner Nest, debuting for Todd Pletcher with John Velazquez named to handle the always interesting inside post.SELECTIONS: 9-2-1RACE 8: 2 THE BRIGADE, who faced some of the better 2 year-olds in the country before going to the sidelines in October 2024, drops into this $25,000 two lifetime claimer with a string of useful workouts showing on both turf and dirt at Palm Meadows. The gelded son of War of Will gets Lasix and a chance to spring an upset. 7 IRISH GENT (IRE) is dropping to the $25,000 level after returning from the layoff to finish a closing third vs $50,000 conditioned claimers going a mile on the turf. Todd Pletcher has Irad atop the logical choice. 10 NAME IT is another dropping to this level after showing speed and fading late when finishing a close fifth behind Irish Gent. Trainer Jimmy Toner has Horacio Karamanos atop the gelded son of Candy Ride.SELECTIONS: 2-7-10RACE 9: THE KNICKS GO 3 UNCLE JOHN, who has used his speed to win consecutive races vs $20,000 starter optional claimers going around two turns on the Tapeta looks strong to notch another. Mike Maker has Tyler going for three in a row. 2 NATE THE GREAT was freshened after the trio of frustrating losses going around two turns on Tapeta. Bobby Dibona hopes the R & R gets the five-time winner in 2025 back in the winner’s circle. 5 LONGBRANCH LOU is stretching out to a mile and a sixteenth again after following the third-place finish at this distance behind the top choice two starts back with a fourth-place finish going a mile and 70 yards last out. Irad rides for Nolan Ramsey.SELECTIONS: 3-2-5RACE 10: 5 PURSUITNEVERSLEEPS, now in the Todd Pletcher barn, the colt stretches out after driving clear to defeat a pair of next-out winners in an entry level allowance going six furlongs at Churchill and getting a hefty 98 Beyer figure for the effort. 7 BILLAL was game in defeat when finishing second in a $100,000 optional claimer going seven furlongs at Churchill. Bill Mott has Junior Alvarado atop the $725,000 son of Street Sense. 6 PRACTICALLY DARK is debuting at the distance in the first start since finishing second going six furlongs at this level during November. Saffie is 20% with the layoff.SELECTIONS: 5-7-6RACE 11: 2 SNIPSNIPPITYSNIP is turning back to a mile and a sixteenth in the first start since breaking from the outside, disputing the pace, and finishing third vs special weight competition going 9 furlongs at Churchill during June. The morning workouts and aggressive rider Luis Saez looks like a winning combo. 6 VIA VENETO is stretching out after rallying to finish third in her local turf debut going a mile. Phil Antonacci has Edgard Zayas atop the one to fear in the nightcap. 1 JUST SO PRETTY is making her first start since running a couple of solid turf outings in New York before going to the sidelines. However, the zero for 10 record with 7 underneath finishes makes her look better on the tri and super.SELECTIONS: 2-6-1BEST BET: RACE 10 – 5 PURSUITNEVERSLEEPSLONGSHOT: RACE 11 – 2 SNIPSNIPPITYSNIP

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1.24.2026:

Al Cimaglia: Northfield Park Late Pick 4 Analysis | Saturday, January 24, 2026

By Al CImaglia

Northfield Park wraps up the weekend with a 14-race card as racing is canceled for Sunday. 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)2-Tr'sshining Star (5/2)-This winner of 3 straight, and none were close, now steps up to meet Open company. This looks like a good time to step up as this isn't a deep field of true Open caliber horses. Justine Irving shouldn't have an issue landing on the point and could make every call a winning one again.6-Uptown Hanover (7/2)-Moved up to this class in last and raced from the back with Braiden Rhoades at the controls. Came a good 2nd and now Dan Noble gets the nod. That pilot was between the pipes for a picture 2 back. Will look for a more aggressive drive and could get a 2-hole trip.Race 12 (10:02 PM EST)1-Saulsbrook Mabel (7/2)-The veteran mare knows how to beat better than this, but recent form has been dull. Drops to a spot to shine and draws well to get on the engine. Justine Irvine returns, he knows well and will look for a bounce back effort.4-Dry Creek Princess (2-1)-This mare comes off an efficient win at MVR and has won 4 of 14 at Nlfd. This is 1st time Noble, likes a top of the stack trip and that should be a workable plan here.Race 13 (10:24 PM EST)3-Better Days Ahead (12-1)-Dropped to this level in last, left from post 7 and was hung the mile. The last win for this veteran mare came at this level on 11-16. John Ciocca has the gate speed to get an up-close seat and that puts this gal in play to pop at a price.6-Iron Mistress (7/2)-Aaron Merriman drove in last and sticks. The last start was from the 9-hole and got away a good 3rd. But the eventual winner (8) came out of the pocket to roll by. Now, Mistress gets post relief and that could lead to revenge.8-She Comes And Goes (2-1)-Noble sticks after winning against this same kind in the last start. The post helps the price and could win without getting the top after the wings fold.Race 14 (10:46 PM EST)5-Good Pride (5/2)-Dropped to this level in last, Noble took the lines, and went off at 9/5. Dropped and popped drawing off by 8-lengths in a gate to wire score. Faces the same kind, the post helps the price and has beaten better at Nfld on 12-20.9-Julies Grace (8-1)-Willing to take a swing here that Tyler Angus finds a way to stay close to the leaders into the opening turn. If so, could use one move down the lane to roll by at a big number. Went off as an odds-on choice leaving from the rail, came a distant 3rd and could be overlooked tonight.$1 Late Pick 42,6/1,4/3,6,8/5,9Total Bet=$24Check me out on Twitter!

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1.24.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Pegasus World Cup Saturday, January 24, 2026

By Xpressbet

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1.24.2026:

Scott Shapiro: $41K Sunset 6 Carryover Analysis | Saturday, January 24, 2026

By Scott Shapiro

The Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 was solved Friday, but a pair of pools were not, creating an even bigger day for horseplayers on Saturday at the two 1/ST Racing tracks.The mandatory payout in Gulfstream Park’s All-Stakes Rainbow 6 with a carryover of over $311K will understandably steal the spotlight later today, but do not snooze on the Sunset 6. The 15% takeout, $1 minimum, retail only wager went unsolved for the second day leading to a carryover into Pegasus Day of over $41K. For those not familiar, the Sunset 6 consists of the last three races at both Gulfstream and Santa Anita. Therefore, today’s sequence kicks off with the Inside Information (G2), Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), and Pegasus World Cup (G1), then concludes with the last three from the Great Race Place. You can find my thoughts on the Gulfstream races on my “Pegasus Day All-Stakes Rainbow Pick 6 Analysis” blog from Friday. Below are my takes on the final three from Santa Anita, which also comprise the 15% takeout, $3 Late Pick 3.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. Santa Anita Race 7:Grade: BMain Ticket: 10 Resolve; 5 Willa TBackups: NoneForecast: This 1 1/8-miles event over the grass for first-level allowance foes looks like a two-horse race where I give the slight nod to #10 Resolve. The daughter of Midnight Lute was done no favors at the draw, but gets a massive rider upgrade to jockey Hector Berrios. Two-back she was likely best against similar competition at Del Mar, but moved way too early and was beaten in the lane. Last out, she struggled to relax early in the American Oaks (G1), yet still had some run late. She is just 1 for 14 and drawn to the far outside, but I still like her chances. #5 Willa T also exits graded stakes company where she was never involved early and raced against the flow. Expect her to be more prominent on the quick turnaround for Tim Yakteen.Santa Anita Race 8: La Canada (G3)Grade: XMain Ticket: 4 BrilliantlyBackups: NoneForecast: The featured event in Arcadia also looks like a two-filly race. The Doug O’Neill barn has been hot, so I respect the chances of #3 So There She Was, but I expect her to be in chase mode throughout. She is likely to be chasing #4 Brilliantly. The daughter of Uncle Mo stretches out to two-turns after a pair of tries sprinting since returning off the layoff for Bob Baffert. She has a lot of early speed, but was beaten out of the gate by her stablemate in the La Brea (G1). The addition of blinkers and the added ground should ensure this $500k Keeneland September 2023 purchase gets to the front. I expect her to seal the deal as well.Santa Anita Race 9:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 6 Fancy FactsBackups: NoneForecast: The pace should be honest at the very least in this 6-furlong dash over the sod, but I am going to hope #6 Fancy Facts can still find her way to the wire first. The Factor filly drops back into the state-bred ranks after being ridden aggressively by jockey Kazushi Kimura at Del Mar in late November. She understandably ended up tiring late, but lost by just a length in the end. Her speed and the decrease in competition should make her tough to catch late in the Saturday finale.Best of luck!

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1.23.2026:

Pegasus World Cup Day Full-Card Picks From Gulfstream Handicappers

By Gulfstream Park

Get the full-card insights of Gulfstream Park's on-track handicappers for the 13-race Pegasus World Cup Day Saturday program. Ron Nicoletti: Download Brian Nadeau: Download Samantha Perry: Download For more extensive coverage of the big day, access our free 1/ST Pegasus World Cup Wager Guide.

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1.23.2026:

Scott Shapiro: Pegasus Saturday All-Stakes Mandatory Payout Rainbow Pick 6 Analysis

By Scott Shapiro

The Rainbow 6 was left unsolved by a single ticket holder on Thursday afternoon at Gulfstream Park meaning there is a chance for a huge pool tomorrow if similar occurs later today in Hallandale Beach. Heading into Friday’s 10-race slate, the carryover amount sits at over $267k and regardless of result it must go on Pegasus Day during the extremely challenging All-Stakes sequence. Full fields, high-quality racing, and big pools are just what horseplayers covet. Let’s take advantage!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 8: Fred W. Hooper (G3)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 1 Life and TimesBackups: 6 Knightsbridge; 5 Tour PlayerForecast: Lots of players will probably take the “easy” way out to kick things off by using the two favorites #1 Life and Times and #6 Knightsbridge. If you are creative elsewhere that is a fine approach if you believe they are stand outs, but overall taking a stand is the right play long term. I will take mine with lightly-raced #1 Life and Times. The Justify gelding has been awesome through 2 starts, but does have to overcome an inside draw with plenty of early zip to his outside. I am hopeful he breaks well and Jose Lezcano is able to relax him in the pocket. If so, he should be tough to beat in the lane. Knightsbridge’s resume speaks for itself, but the price horse that intrigues is #5 Tour Player. It took a while for the son of American Pharoah to figure things out, but he has found his home in these elongated dirt sprints. He could get the perfect off the pace trip under Javier Castellano.Race 9: William L. McKnight (G3)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 1 ZverevBackups: 11 Divin Propos 3 Ohana Honor;2 Act a FoolForecast: Trainer Mike Maker has won the McKnight a record five times and has a big chance once again this year with #1 Zverev. The Oscar Performance gelding underperformed for the Cherie DeVaux barn, but has taken a step forward since Maker claimed him for $40k at Saratoga this summer. That should be no surprise since the former Lukas assistant is known for these types of improvements with horses he purchases well into their career and gets the most out of in these “marathon” type turf races. The 5YO has rattled off three consecutive wins, draws the rail, and gets Irad Ortiz Jr. I like his chances.Race 10: Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2)Grade: C+Main Ticket: 10 And One More Time; 2 Heredia; 4 Breath Away; 5 Classic Q; 11 In Our Time; 8 Proctor Street; 12 Movin’ On UpBackups: NoneForecast: I found this year’s Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf to be as challenging as it gets where I am expecting the pace to a bit more moderate than it may appear on paper. The Ortiz brothers riding the two fastest runners means it is unlikely to be a cutthroat battle in the early stages. This could make things difficult for off the pace runners, including lukewarm 9-2-ML favorite #7 Whiskey Decision. I will leave her off and use a couple of speeds that otherwise I would toss. I landed on #10 And One More Time in the end. The daughter of Omaha Beach is lightly-raced and draws to the outside, but should be able to tuck in just off the two speeds if it plays to how it appears on paper. If she can avoid early ground loss, she has upset potential in just her sixth career start.Race 11: Inside Information (G2)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 1 Indy Bay; 11 Grand JobBackups: 8 Sterling Silver; 3 Jody’s Pride; 6 Beyond BeliefForecast: I am not overly creative in this 7-furlong dash for fillies and mares over the main track where once again I think being forward could prove advantageous. #11 Grand Job is the likely pacesetter, but is hard to trust. The Justify mare battled early along the inside and tired late at Churchill Downs in a high-level allowance event when we saw her last, but has run some big races since arriving in the States. She is definitely capable of taking them gate-to-wire with her best. If not, #1 Indy Bay should be in the best position to take advantage. The Take Charge Indy filly has been given time since being eased in the Cotillion (G1) in late September. The cutback and inside post should lead to a coveted pocket trip under Irad Ortiz.Race 12: Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1)Grade: BMain Ticket: 2 Program TradingBackups: 12 Fort Washington; 4 One Stripe; 3 Beach Gold; 9 Chasing the CrownForecast: Trainer Chad Brown won this race a year ago with Spirit of St Louis and has a big chance once again with 5-2-ML favorite #2 Program Trading. The 6YO has been given time since running into a ton of trouble in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). The son of Lope De Vega was not going to win that afternoon, but certainly was ready to perform a lot better than the running line suggests. Prior to that he put in a pair of strong runner-up efforts and should get a dream run along the inside under regular rider Flavien Prat. Brown had Spirit of St Louis ready for his best in this race in 2025 and appears to have this Klaravich Stables ridgling prepared for similar at 4:54 PM local time on Saturday.Race 13: Pegasus World Cup (G1)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 7 Tappan Street; 1 Disco TimeBackups: 4 BanishingForecast: Trainer Brad Cox won this race in 2021 with Knicks Go and holds a strong hand five years later with #1 Disco Time and #7 Tappan Street. Disco Time comes into the race off a pair of dominant efforts against lesser and is likely to take a lot of public support given his 5 for 5-record, but do not underestimate 2025 Florida Derby (G1) winner #7 Tappan Street just because his return race was on the slow side. There is no way he was close to cranked and the fact it was at one-turn also likely played into the workmanlike performance. If they go quick early, Luis Saez should be in the perfect spot to take advantage on the far turn. I will use most of my budget leaning on the Cox duo, but have come around to #4 Banishing as the week has gone along. He has kept great company, gets a highly capable rider, and is likely to get overlooked on the tote board.

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