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4.20.2026:

Al Cimaglia: Yonkers Raceway Late Pick 4 Analysis | Monday, April 20, 2026

By Al CImaglia

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 rolls in Race 5, and it has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 6, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (8:25 PM EDT)4-Howlenthehills (9/2)-Needs a trip to win and didn’t get the needed journey last time. Got away 3rd against Coaches Corner and had to go 1st over into a 27.1 3rd quarter. That plan didn’t work and was out of juice down the lane. Could use a win and Matt Kakaley will try to be no worse than 2nd after the first turn. That’s possible, and so is a picture at a square price.5-Huntinthelastdolar (1/1)-The Engblom trainee ran into Mossdale Ben last time and finished a good 2nd but wasn’t going to win that night. This time is different, Bartlett should be on top or right behind the leader and either could work for a win.Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)1-Captain Albano (5/2)-This is the most competitive race in the sequence. The Captain has an edge with the rail, and he could use another win in the Series. Will look for an aggressive steer tonight.2-Sweet Beach Life (8-1)-Going to use Kakaley on this 5-year-old, willing to fade Redwood Hanover and Soho Firestone as they already have 2 wins in the Series. Just missed by a nose last time after a strong rally. When right, the Alexander trainee can leave as fast as the gate car. The pedal will be down, should be a juicy price, and needs a win.Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)1-Panettone Hanover (4-1)-Closed in 55.2 in the first start for the Joe B barn and came 3rd versus similar. That effort came from post 6 and this time shouldn’t be 5-lengths from the lead at the half. Could be sitting on a big try and can make the most of drawing the rail.3-Coalford Topguy GB (8/5)-Won at 3/5 last time, was on top most of the mile and took advantage of Bartlett working kind fractions. That was the 2nd race on Lasix. Tonight, Bartlett could be content getting a 2 hole trip behind Panettone Hanover and then take his chances down the lane for another picture.Race 9 (9:25 PM EDT)1-Casino Action N (8/5)-Will need to use both chalks in this leg but this is basically a field that doesn’t like to win. Bartlett can make a winning difference leaving from the rail. This isn’t a lock but the drop in class should help.2-Collective Works A (12-1)-This is 2nd time Lasix, plus drops and will use that angle. Had the 7-hole in last and raced from the back. Did pace the 2nd half in 56.2 but could not catch up because the half went in a slow 58.1. Fits with this kind, and Jordan Stratton knows how to tackle the leader down the lane.4-Hammering Hank (9/5)-Hank has been facing better but is only 1 for 9 this year. This is another short price that is hard to leave out but doesn’t have the gate speed to make the mission easier. Draws well and drops, and against this group Brent Holland could get an up-close seat when the wings fold.$1 Late Pick 44,5/1,2/1,3/1,2,4Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!

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4.20.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Monday, April 20, 2026

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4.19.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Sunday, April 19, 2026

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4.19.2026:

Scott Shapiro: Keeneland Late Pick 4 Hit & Split Picks / Analysis | Sunday, April 19, 2026

By Scott Shapiro

It is hard to believe, but there are not many days left in the Keeneland Spring Meeting. With racing set to head to Louisville on Saturday, there are only two chances left at our month-long 2 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Late Pick 4 Hit & Split promotion on select days at Keeneland. Just register for the promo if you have yet to, connect on today and/or Wednesday’s Late Pick 4 sequence, and split $2M rewards points with our other customers able to do so. Here is how I will try to connect the dots to end the week in the Blue Grass.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 6:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 5 Kravitz; 7 Patrol Squad Six; 1 McCready; 4 East VillageBackups: NoneForecast: The last Pick 4 of the week kicks off with a wide-open allowance event for non-winners of two travelling 1 3/16-miles over the Keeneland lawn. A lot of the top contenders in this spot happen to be closers, so it will be interesting to see how the race plays out. #4 East Village is one of those that could have a pace advantage, so I will use him at a big price. He gets back to his preferred surface in his second try off the bench. #5 Kravitz is my lukewarm top pick given his 15-1-ML price. The Justify gelding overcame a 3-wide trip into the first turn winning at 21-1 at Gulfstream Park last out. He gets John Velazquez and is clearly moving in the right direction for trainer Graham Motion.Race 7:Grade: XMain Ticket: 6 ElnajdBackups: NoneForecast: Trainer Brad Cox continued his white-hot run at Keeneland this spring on Saturday with two more winners. Cox legs up hot riding Irad Ortiz Jr. on this son of Speightstown that has done very little wrong thus far after getting off to a late start to his career. He won going away at Fair Grounds on debut before losing little in defeat when finishing second to the veteran Mish on February 22. Mish has 12 wins in 40 starts, so his early speed and experience were able to best this lightly-raced colt, but he does not meet anyone of that caliber later today. The Shadwell homebred should be tough to deny at a short price.Race 8: PalisadesGrade: C+Main Ticket: 5 Archimedes; 6 Sandal’s Song; 10 ThrockmortonBackups: NoneForecast: The Sunday feature drew a full field of 3YO turf sprinters led by Wesley Ward conditioned #4 Schwarzenegger. The $850k son of Not This Time makes his first start since a speed and fade effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on Halloween. He is very fast and was highly regarded as a 2YO, but has questions to answers given his price off the bench. With speed to both sides, he should at least not have things easy on the front end, so I will try to beat him with a trio of runners. #5 Archimedes intrigues at what should be a big price. The son of Caravaggio was purchased by Mike Maker and some of his regular clients after his runner-up effort in early February in an allowance at Fair Grounds. I love that Maker clearly pointed for this spot and attracts Flavien Prat. He should outrun his odds. #6 Sandal’s Song is more of a wild card, but lured Irad for his first start in the States. George Weaver is obviously highly capable of having his runners ready to fire big in turf sprints and this horse ran a solid third in the Norfolk (G2) at Ascot when we saw him last.Race 9:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 2 Non Conforming; 11 AshevilleBackups: NoneForecast: An auction restricted MSW for 3YOs at 7-furlongs closes the week of racing in Lexington where I will use two horses in hopes of closing things out. First-time starter #11 Asheville debuts for the red-hot Brad Cox barn and lures Irad. He draws favorably towards the far outside on debut and does not meet the strongest group. That said, I like #2 Non Conforming more as a bet. It could go either way for this Brian Lynch trainee, but I am willing to give him a pass on his stalk and fade effort from the inside at Gulfstream back on February 7. That was a day where the outside was the clear place to be, so perhaps pulling up like he did can be overlooked. With an inside draw over this racetrack and Luis Saez aboard, I hope he shows big speed from the gate and has a whole lot more energy late than he did two and a half months ago.

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4.19.2026:

Al Cimaglia: Northfield Park Late Pick 4 Analysis | Sunday, April 19, 2026

By Al CImaglia

Northfield Park has a 15-race card, and 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 EDT)5-Ammo (7/2)-Mike Wilder takes the lines on the Ron Burke trainee who tried to go gate to wire against straight Open company in last, and faded to finish 2nd. Should have clear sailing to the top and could cash the top check if gets a soft quarter.6-Miki Shan N (4-1)-Will look for some value and fade #8 Helium the 2-1 choice. Aaron Merriman is at the controls tonight and has hit the board twice at Nfld but is winless. Doesn't have big early speed but should be in the hunt off the gate and this race could set up for a closer.Race 12 (10:02 PM EDT)1-Don't Take My Keys (7/2)-Not looking for Chris Lems to go gate to wire but he can work a smooth trip from the 1-hole. Recent form versus this kind has been sharp, and won from post 9 last time. Should be a fair price and will respect chances of doubling up.3-Disgruntled Carl (8-1)-Beaten chalk went off at even money and dropped anchor around the 5/8's pole. Comes back in 12-days, and will assume all systems are "go." Could get the top and not look back at a much better price.6-Sforza (5/2)-Went off a 2/5, left to get on the point and faded down the lane to finish 4th. Merriman steers again and comes right back in sequence this time instead of missing a start. This will be the 2nd race in town after shipping in from Mea and will look for improvement.Race 13 (10:24 PM EDT)1-Lather Up Athens (9/5)-Not loving the short price but likes to get on the engine and that trip shouldn't be a problem. Bumps up after going gate to wire and is in a position to do the same.2-Ain't No Fire (7-1)-Won here last year off a cozy trip, and now Dan Noble gets the call. Will look for a smooth journey and it will be the 2nd time for Lasix. This looks like an opportunity to get the 2-hole and trip out.Race 14 (10:46 PM EDT)2-Louminator (7/2)-Raced from the backfield and was handled cautiously to finish 3rd. Has a breaking issue but if stays flat can dance with this kind. Lems will work an efficient trip and will look for another improved effort.5-New Plan Stan (6-1)-Raced well in its season debut but was used a couple of times and the trip took its toll. Lost by less than a length and will look for a better journey here. Should improve and could be overlooked.7-Super James (5-1)-Noble drives for a new barn and steps up. Has been in sharp form for quite a while and shouldn't be out of place with these. Not sure what Noble's plan will be but can be a player without a bumpy trip.$1 Late Pick 45,6/1,3,6/1,2/2,5,7Total Bet=$36Check me out on X!

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4.18.2026:

1/ST POST: Why Play Today? Saturday, April 18, 2026

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4.18.2026:

Scott Shapiro: Santa Anita $44K Pick Six Carryover Analysis | Saturday, April 18, 2026

By Scott Shapiro

Opening Day of the Hollywood Spring Meeting at Santa Anita Park yesterday proved challenging for horseplayers evidenced by the number of carryovers set for Saturday afternoon. Not only were the $1 Sunset Pick 6 and $1 Super High 5 unsolved, but the first $2 Pick 6 of the meet as well. This leaves $44,734 for Southern California racing fans later this afternoon. The traditional Pick 6 sequence gets started in Race 5, includes the featured American (G3), and concludes with a MSW over the grass. Best of luck starting the meet with a bang!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 5:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 6 Marla HoochBackups: 1 Jaclyn LucasForecast: The Pick 6 gets rolling with this state-bred MSW over the grass where #6 Marla Hooch looks like the clear one to beat. The Om filly gave up the lead in her second start on February 14 after what I thought was a promising finish to her debut in mid-January. She has been freshened up and should be set for her best against a field of a lot of first-time starters that do little for me. The closest I could come to an upset chance was with fellow Nick Alexander homebred #1 Jaclyn Lucas. The Grazen filly moves to the grass after three runs over the dirt to kick off her career. There is reason to believe based on pedigree that she could improve on the surface switch, but the rail draw is no bargain.Race 6:Grade: CMain Ticket: 12 Bitter Truth; 1 Twisted HumorBackups: NoneForecast: It is really difficult to make a serious case for anyone, but the two favorites in this rock-bottom state-bred maiden claimer over the main track. #1 Twisted Humor is likely to be the heavy favorite based on the morning line, but certainly has had her chances at short prices already. Her speed from the inside could make her tough to catch, but she is tough to push all-in on. I slightly prefer the chances of #12 Bitter Truth. The daughter of Clubhouse Ride makes her third start at this level after a pair of runs during the Classic Meet. She ran evenly in her first two tries, but will not have to move forward much to beat these.Race 7: American (G3)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 7 Genius Jimmy; 2 Sumter; 4 Captain ChoochiesBackups: NoneForecast: The Saturday feature is this one-mile Grade 3 event over the sod where I am going to lean on the runners that should be prominently placed in the early going. #2 Sumter is the logical one of those stretching back out to two-turns, but I give big looks to #4 Captain Choochies and #7 Genius Jimmy as well. Like Sumter, Genius Jimmy exits the 6.5-furlong San Simeon (G3) where he ran out of room late and finished third. The stretch back out to a route of ground should have him in a great spot early under jockey Juan Hernandez. Captain Choochies looks over his head a bit on numbers and class, but he has shown a nose for the wire of late to say the least. I am not leaving the Classic Empire gelding off my tickets in a race that feels more wide-open than it may end up appearing on the tote.Race 8:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 2 Irish Element; 1 Typhoon TommyBackups: 8 Macho ManForecast: My only real opinion in this beaten claimer at one-mile over the main track is that I am willing to let 2-1-ML favorite #9 White Mountain beat me. The Tapit gelding draws outside and has had his chances at the level. He is consistently finishing in the top four, but that does us little good in horizontals. #2 Irish Element is the likeliest to get the job done, but I will use a few others in hopes of besting the chalk.Race 9:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 7 Marian Cross; 9 TequillaandtherapyBackups: NoneForecast: There appears a major lack of early speed signed on in this first-level allowance down the hill, so I will side with the two gals that should be involved early. #7 Marian Cross showed good speed from the gate regularly before shipping west. Her first two starts for Dan Blacker did not go great, in large part because she has not gotten into races earlier. I am hopeful Emisael Jaramillo can figure that out this time around and take this field gate-to-wire. If not, it is #9 Tequillaandtherapy that should have a pace advantage. The Mrazek filly stalked off a far more contentious pace on March 15 than I expect in this one and tired late. Her best chance of making a bigger impression later today is to be a part of a modest early tempo. Edwin Maldonado should help ensure that she is involved early on.Race 10:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 9 Bright Eye Bungle; 10 Fan BaseBackups: NoneForecast: The sequence concludes with a wide-open MSW at 6-furlongs over the lawn where I like the two runners drawn to the outside. #9 Bright Eye Bungle broke slow and did not have the cleanest trip in his Stateside debut, but moves outside and should improve here. A move forward should result in his first lifetime score. If not, it is even more wide-open. I will also include first-time starter #10 Fan Base. The 3YO gelding is bred to love the turf and draws favorably for his debut. Trainer Tim Yakteen legs up the underrated Armando Ayuso.

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4.18.2026:

Al Cimaglia: Meadowlands Early Pick 4 Analysis | Saturday, April 18, 2026

By Al CImaglia

The Meadowlands has a 14-race card with the 0.50 Early Pick 4 starting in Race 6. The sequence has a $50,000 guaranteed pool with a 15% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (8:40 PM EDT)6-BB Lucky Boy (7/2)-Lost by a nostril in last and in the previous 3 starts was in the hunt but couldn't connect. The race on 4-11 was its best effort and did step up. Was used off the gate, raced close to the leader and now starts inside of the last winner (8).8-Gallie Gateway (3-1)-Rolled home with a 56.2 back half to just get up in time. Although aided by a 54.1 opening half was hung much of the mile after leaving from post 7. Deserves respect and will lean toward the 2 morning line chalks.Race 7 (9:05 PM EDT)2-Major Hothooves N (6-1)-Won its last against easier at Philly and came 2nd on 3-28 off a pocket ride. Tim Tetrick steered in last and another cozy trip could be coming at a square price.3-Build The Wall (8-1)-This 5-year-old seems to do just enough not to win. Raced at this level in the last 2 starts and finished 2nd and a close 3rd. Will probably be overlooked and could be in the hunt at the wire again.4-American Son (3-1)-Put in 2 qualifiers, came 2nd in 1.52, and then took the long way around and drew off by over 8 lengths. Dexter Dunn steers and looks ready for a top try in its 4-year-old debut.Race 8 (9:30 PM EDT)6-Typhoon Banner N (3-1)-Went off as the 8/5 chalk last time and faded down the lane to lose by a half-length. Gets a decent draw to get the top without burning much gas and this is a beatable field.Race 9 (9:55 PM EDT)2-Bookie J (3-1)-Chris Ryder pupil makes its 3-year-old debut against some older foes. As usually happens Dunn steers and does come off a nice qualifier on 4-11. Hit the board in 9 of 11 at M1, with 4 pictures. Could get an efficient trip and shouldn't blush at the competition.3-Rocknroll Gold (8-1)-Joe B steers the 7-year-old and has the gate speed to be racing at the top of the stack. Did win 3 back with the same pilot between the pipes. Got a pocket ride that night and will look for similar here at a solid price.$2 Early Pick 46,8/2,3,4/6/2,3Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!

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