A pair of carryovers on Friday afternoon start the racing week in Southern California, as well as bring added excitement to the start of Pegasus Weekend at Gulfstream Park. A $19,498 carryover in the Sunset Six and $95,704 in the Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 have me champing at the bit with the massive day to follow on Saturday. Here are my thoughts on the Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 sequence, which for those who forget, has a $1 minimum, 15% takeout, and is for retail players only.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.Gulfstream Race 9:Grade: BMain Ticket: 5 Su WinBackups: 1 Clay SoldierForecast: The Coast-to-Coast gets started with this first-level allowance at 5-furlongs over the Gulfstream sod where I like the chances of #5 Su Win. The Santa Cruz Ranch homebred wired out a field over the all-weather on debut at odds of 22-1 before showing the pace and tiring in her first start against winners less than a month later. Trainer Juan Rizo opted to cut the Win Win Win filly back to a sprint on October 24 and it led to another upset victory, this time at 26-1. Despite the public’s lack of excitement about this gal through three starts, I think she can run and very well could be at her best going one-turn. I will lean heavily on her and include the far more experienced #1 Clay Solider as a backup.Santa Anita Race 3:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 3 Miss DonnaBackups: NoneForecast: I will take a stand in the first of three races at the Great Race Place included within the Friday Coast-to-Coast sequence with #3 Miss Donna. The Rushie filly competed in turf sprints against maiden special weight company during her three starts as a 2YO and for the most part ran evenly in all three efforts suggesting added ground is likely to benefit her. The Jim Daniell homebred is likely be involved early with a favorable inside draw under jockey Kazushi Kamura and should have plenty left late to beat this modest group of $50k maiden claimers going 8-furlongs.Gulfstream Race 10:Grade: CMain Ticket: 4 Triumphant Road; 1 Maktub; 6 Realtor; 2 Wineman Trax; 3 Secret Bagent ManBackups: NoneForecast: I lack a strong opinion in this $8k claimer for non-winners of three at 1 1/16-miles over the Gulfstream all-weather. Unfortunately, I am also unwilling to take a stand against 5-2-ML favorite #1 Maktub or 7-2-second choice #6 Realtor making this my least favorite race within the sequence. If you can go thin here, especially against the public choices, I would advise, but I will make my hay elsewhere on Friday afternoon. That said, I am okay with getting lucky and catching lukewarm top choice #4 Triumphant Return or 30-1-long shot #2 Wineman Trax. They both have legitimate chances if the pace is contentious.Santa Anita Race 5:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 1 Vlahos; 2 Nesso’s LastharrahBackups: 4 Son of a BirchForecast: I will take a stand against ML favorite #5 Speed Boat Beach though in this high-level allowance event over Santa Anita Park’s beautiful Hillside Turf Course. The son of Bayern has a Grade 1 victory under his belt, but was not the same horse in 2025. Plus, while I know he won 2 of 3 on the lawn as a 2YO, it is hard to make the case it is a positive seeing Hall of Famer Bob Baffert send this guy back to the grass. Instead, it feels more hopeful after three off the board finishes over the main track a year ago. #1 Vlahos has also probably seen better days, but tossing Doug O’Neill horses has been a dangerous game of late. The veteran conditioner is 8 for 36 with a $3.82 ROI over the last 20 days at Santa Anita Park. I will use the Kantharos ridgling, as well as the lone true turf sprinter in the field #2 Nesso’s Lastharrah. #4 Son of a Birch makes sense as well, but I will include just as a backup.Santa Anita Race 7:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 4 Libel Proof; 5 MemeticBackups: 2 Passalubong; 7 My Love CarolineForecast: The sequence concludes with a state-bred first-level allowance at 6-furlongs over the main track where once again I will try to separate from the public by besting the probable favorite. #6 My Kat is listed at 5-2 on the move back to the main track for George Papaprodromou, which is understandable since he crossed the wire first in back-to-back dirt races before his turf start on January 9. The issue I have is he has not been the same horse at Santa Anita Park as he has at Del Mar thus far. Plus, I am not sure he has proven to be significantly faster than his rivals that are almost certain to offer more value in the final leg of the sequence. I like #4 Libel Proof moving back to the dirt and #5 Memetic returning quickly off of maiden claiming victory most, but will include a pair of others in hopes of closing this out without the top choice. Free 1/ST Pegasus World Cup Wager Guide | Access Here

For one of the biggest days of the year at Gulfstream Park, you knew 1/ST BET and Xpressbet would roll out something special. Not to disappoint, the marketing team has not only offered horseplayers a Money Back Offer on the Pegasus World Cup's trio of features, but also a $10,000 Exacta-Thon. Based on the popularity of past Exacta-Thon promotions, most of you know how these work, but for those who do not the goal is to connect on as many $2 exactas as possible during the 13-race card. Those who hit them on 6 different races will split $7500. The customer(s) who hit the most, split the other $2500. As always, just remember to register on the promotional landing page. ‍Free 1/ST Pegasus World Cup Wager Guide | Access Here Here are a few of my favorite exacta plays on the monster card in Hallandale Beach on Saturday afternoon.Race 8: Fred Hooper (G3)This year’s Fred Hooper field is led by a pair of talented lightly-raced 5YOs for Hall of Fame conditioners, but both could have their chances compromised in the early stages. #1 Life and Times enters his first start in Florida off a pair of dominant wins at Aqueduct for Todd Pletcher. The son of Justify got off to a very late start to his career, but has done nothing wrong thus far. The rail draw presents a challenge, as does all of the early speed to his outside. If he can sit just off, he will be tough, but that is a big if. #7 Knightsbridge has raced three times as much as Life and Times for Bill Mott, but also had a bumpy early start to his career. That said, he has rattled off two consecutive easy wins and has already shown an affinity for this surface. Both have talent, but I expect one of them to give way late due a brisk first half-mile. I am hopeful #5 Tour Player takes advantage of the probable race shape. The son of American Pharoah took a while to figure things out, but rattled off three straight off the pace victories in elongated sprints in 2025. Then, he sold for $350k and winds up in the Whit Beckman barn. Tour Player should get a great trip at a big price, so I will use him as a key horse with the two favorites in this one-turn mile event over the Gulfstream main track.Play: Exacta Key Box 5 with 1+6Race 9: William L McKnight (G3)Trainer Mike Maker has won the McKnight a record 5 times and has a big shot to do so once again on Saturday with #1 Zverev. Maker claimed the Oscar Performance gelding from Cherie DeVaux at Saratoga for $40k this summer. The newly turned 5YO has rattled off three consecutive victories since then over three different surfaces. He has never competed over the Gulfstream grass, but has the right pilot jumping aboard for the big day. Irad Ortiz was aboard three-back at Saratoga and will reunite with the Kentucky bred on Saturday. The inside draw is a huge edge for a horse that would be up against in this same spot if drawn to the far outside. I like his chances at 6-1 and will key him on top of a pair of logicals #3 Ohana Honor and #11 Divin Propos. Both have elite turf riders aboard and have shown an affinity for these types of long- distance turf races. Not creative, but both likely to run their races.Play: Exacta 1 with 3+11Race 12: Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1)This 9-furlong affair for a cool $1M purse goes through 5-2-ML favorite Program Trading. The 6YO was not going to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), but was also completely stopped in the lane making the race an easy toss. Prior to that, he rattled off a pair of runner-up efforts, including a three-quarter length defeat in the Turf Mile (G1) at Keeneland. He is going to be tough to beat with a move forward off the freshening and his likely trip along the inside under regular rider Flavien Prat. I will key Program Trading on top over a pair of horses that are double-digits on the morning line. The first is #4 One Stripe. The Graham Motion trainee is a bit tough to figure out because his last was against lesser with the addition of Lasix, but he kept outstanding company prior to his Gulfstream Park debut on December 26. If he runs similar on Saturday without the anti-bleeding medication, he has a big chance to be a factor late. I will use him underneath, as well as late running #12 Fort Washington. The son of War Front was not done any favors at the draw, but should be able to angle over early to save ground and come with one big run late. If the pace is contentious, it should be good enough for a minor share.Play: Exacta 2 with 4+12 ‍Free 1/ST Pegasus World Cup Wager Guide | Access Here

PEGASUS WORLD CUPFree 1/ST Pegasus World Cup Wager Guide | Access Here Advance Wagering Begins FridayEXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | Gulfstream Park | today’s racesBet $100, Get $10 | Charles Town | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$1,000 Gulfstream PWCBC Qualifier | details$100 Gulfstream Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $245,292 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:20 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $61,629 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:12 pm ETPick 5 | $39,488 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 4 | 4:39 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $388,720 | Turfway Park | begins Race 4 | 7:25 pm ET--Gulfstream will have mandatory payout this SaturdayLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFair Grounds | Race 8 | 5:15 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 6 | 5:33 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 8 | 9:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMike Maker | Gulfstream, Turfway, Fair Grounds, Mahoning Valley | 5 of 6 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mahoning Valley | favorites won 5 of 8 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMRon Nicoletti: Gulfstream Bet $25, Get $5 Full-Card PicksJeremy Plonk: Charles Town Bet $100, Get $10 Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The Frosty Funds promotion continues Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout January. Take advantage of the Bet $100, Get $10 promotion this week on Thursday’s card from Charles Town when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Here are a couple of key plays on utilizing stats from the Betmix database.Charles Town: Race 3#5 Chelsea’s Dream (5-2 morning line odds) takes a significant drop in class while catching a field with several 1-1/16 miles types cutting all the way back to 4-1/2 furlongs and likely to be outfooted. Perennial strong trainer Ronney Brown matches up with several very low-percentage barns in this one. Win #5.Charles Town: Race 6#1 Don’t Call Me Babe (5-1 morning line odds) chased the 4-5 ML favorite #2 Innocent Nyght here Dec. 4, but this pair of Kentucky transplants may be headed opposite directions based on the new barns. Top pick’s trainer Anthony Farrior is 6-17 in 4-1/2 furlong dashes to start 2026 (11-17 in the exacta, including 6-7 with jockey Arnaldo Bocachica during that span). Win #1. Starting back in Race 5, Daily Double 5-1 and Pick Three 5-1-4 beginning with Race 5 strong favorite #5 Gurney Halleck and extending to likely Race 7 chalk #4 Skie’s Music.

The Pegasus World Cup Bankroll Builder continues Thursday for 1/ST BET and Xpressbet players. Bet $25 on the Gulfstream Park card and receive a $5 wagering credit to be deposited prior to the Jan. 24 huge day of racing in South Florida. The PWC Bankroll Builder will be offered each racing day through Jan. 23, giving 10 opportunities for players to earn up to $50 in credits. To help you along the way, Gulfstream Park track handicapper Ron Nicoletti has his Thursday full-card picks.RACE 1: 2 FORZA AZZURRI is dropping to the $25,000 level on the turf with Lasix added after the useful special weight debut going long on the Tapeta. Trainer Brian Lynch, 29% with maidens making their second start, has Mario Gutierrez named to ride. 7 SCIENCE ROCKETS will be treated with Lasix after coming off the bench to stalk the pace and weaken when fourth at this level and distance. The voided claim last out shows a pair of solid workouts in preparation for this assignment. 8 GANADOR is stretching out after failing to take a positive step forward when Lasix and blinkers were added for his recent outing at 7 1/2 furlongs. I have the colt penciled in for another minor award.SELECTIONS: 2-7-8RACE 2: 1 GOLDIE GLORY returns to her best surface thus far and cuts back to a sprint after showing speed and fading vs $17,500 maidens going long on the Tapeta. Amador Sanchez has Hector Berrios named to ride. 7 TOASTOFTHESTONES drops and gets Lasix hoping both adjustments helps spark a rebound performance. The daughter of Bustin Stones couldn’t find an easier spot to return to the races. 2 BISQUETTA makes her career debut vs a field that conjures up more questions than answers. Ron Coy has Jose Morelos up.SELECTIONS; 1-7-2RACE 3: 1 ZOLENE plummets to the $17,500 level with Lasix added after the stalk and fade performance vs $75,000 optional claimers going 5 1/2 furlongs on the Tapeta during November. Jose D’Angelo has Irad Ortiz Jr named to ride this shaky proposition. 4 SILICIUM (FR) is another taking a major dropdown in class after debuting locally and showing some early interest before fading vs $75,000 optional claimers going a mile and a sixteenth on the turf. Trainer William Walden, 20% with the surface switch, adds blinkers for the turnback. 2 SOBIECH is debuting locally with Lasix and blinkers after setting the pace and fading vs $25,000 maidens going seven furlongs on the Woodbine Tapeta. Trainer Kevin Attard has Tyler Gaffalione atop this pace threat at five furlongs.SELECTIONS: 1-4-2RACE 4: 3 EVIL EMPIRE is dropping back to the $25,000 level after rallying to finish second again when jumped up to the $35,000 level last out. Trainer Mike Lerman has Micha Husbands trying to cure the current case of seconditis. 4 DEUXIEME CHANCE will be outfitted with blinkers after setting the pace and weakening late when fourth behind the top choice last out. Trainer Dave Braddy is 1 for 4 with first-time shades. 8 REDHOTNOTBOTHERED, another from Mike Lerman, is debuting locally after facing open maiden special weight competition with consistency at Finger Lakes. The barn is 14% with new additions to the shedrow.SELECTIONS: 3-4-8RACE 5: 4 AMELIA is facing winners at the $8,000 level after drawing clear to defeat $17,500 maidens going a mile on the turf. Trainer Jorge Delgado, 22% with the surface switch, has David Egan going for two in a row. 1 NO TIME TO WAIT is stretching out slightly after surrendering a late lead when finishing second – in front of a pair of next-out winners – vs this level of competition going a mile and seventy yards on Tapeta. Jose D’Angelo has Edgard Zayas managing the tough inside post. 5 POCKET PAIR is hoping to find a little more for the stretch drive after rallying to finish a well meant second at this level and distance. Beau Chapman and Miguel Vazquez are 23% together.SELECTIONS: 4-1-5RACE 6: 8 RUNNING ON TIME is dropping to the $35,000 level after showing a fondness for the turf when he set the pace and was nailed at the wire when beaten a neck vs $50,000 maiden optional claimers. Jose D’Angelo adds second time Lasix and Irad. 2 OFF THE DECK is turning back to 7 1/2 furlongs with Lasix after debuting locally for trainer Jimmy Toner and coming within a neck of breaking his maiden at a mile. Jorge Ruiz rides. 6 AU NATUREL moves to the Dave Fawkes barn via the claim after showing some late interest when rallying to finish third vs $25,000 maidens at the distance. The barn, 36% with new claims, has Tyler Gaffalione named to reel in the speed.SELECTIONS: 8-2-6RACE 7: 6 OMO TEN GIRL moves to the Kent Sweezey barn via the claim and cuts back to five furlongs after dueling for the lead and weakening to finish third behind hard knocking Misprint going 5 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta. The new connections tab Jose Morelos to ride the mare, who is 13 for 15 in the money on the all-weather surface. 8 CHLOE’S TOY makes the second start since the claim by Sam Wilensky and wears blinkers, after stalking the pace and finishing third vs this familiar competition going 5 1/2 furlongs last out. Irad Ortiz Jr is in the saddle. 2 CHAINA, a five-time winner on the local Tapeta, moves to the Pedro Garcia Jr barn and returns to the all-weather surface after hitting the board in 1 of 2 races on the dirt. Junior Alvarado rides.SELECTIONS: 6-8-2RACE 8: 7 MISH, a 10-time winner, with eight local victories, returns looking to reignite the horse for course status after the poor showing at Tampa. Facing $35,000 conditioned claimers with Irad in the saddle certainly adds to the appeal. 8 SPEAK EASY drops to the $35,000 level and turns back to 6 1/2 furlongs after failing to handle Pegasus bound Tappen Street in a $62,500 optional claimer going a mile. Junior Alvarado rides for Gustavo Delgado. 3 TO THE EASTSIDE is stepping up to face winners in the first start since drawing clear to defeat $25,000 maidens and get a hefty 80 Beyer for his effort. Trainer Andrea Puckett has John Velazquez atop this intriguing possibility.SELECTIONS: 7-8-3RACE 9: 3 NIC’S STYLE makes the third start of her current form cycle after returning locally and finishing second to classy Ms. Bucchero in the Sugar Swirl. The daughter of Uncaptured, trained by Bill Mott, looks like a ‘single’ in the Rainbow 6. 2 SHE’S MY LADY LUCK is cutting back to six furlongs after following a victory at a mile with a distant second place finish going seven-eighths of a mile vs $62,500 optional claimers last out.. She’ll be playing catching me if you can. 6 LYNN’S MILKY WAY, a winner of 3 of 4 sprints locally, will try to notch another after defeating $25,000 optional claimers at the distance by a measured neck last out. Irad gets the return call for trainer Luis Ramirez.SELECTIONS: 3-2-6RACE 10: 7 TELLNOTALES is turning back to a mile with blinkers added after debuting locally for George Weaver and failing to show speed on course that had been favoring front running types. Expect more early interest with both the shades added and a course that’s kinder to stalk/closers lately. 5 DI CAPRI, a half-sister to Grade 1 stakes-placed Filo Di Arianna, who won going long on the grass, stretches out after stalking the pace and weakening when going five furlongs on the Tapeta last out. Trainer Mark Casse names John Velazquez, who will ration her speed from on or with the pace. 3 BIG MAGIC (IRE) should be primed and ready to offer more after breaking slowly and finishing a closing fourth in her local debut for trainer Tony Dutrow. Javier Castellano gets the call when Johnny V moves to Di Capri.SELECTIONS: 7-5-3BEST BET: RACE 9 – 3 NIC’S STYLELONGSHOT: RACE 10 – 7 TELLNOTALES

It will be a frenetic 3 1/2-hour race to the finish for the Sunset 6 wager this Friday. With a $19,498 carryover pool dangling in the balance, you can hit it rich by picking the winners of the last three races on the Gulfstream and Santa Anita cards, respectively. It's also the last day for the Bet $25, Get $5 Pegasus World Cup Bankroll Builder - so consider some Gulfstream Park action in addition to get that bonus money.Here’s a closer look:GP 8th race (3:50 p.m. EST) -- Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher sends out a double threat in this one-mile Maiden Special Weight test. SHE BE SMOOTH starts from post 2 with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. Her dam, Seattle Smooth, was a millionairess with four graded stakes wins spanning 7F to 1-1/16 miles. EIGHEED, a $1.2 million purchase, starts from post 9 with John Velazquez Jr. aboard. Her dam, Immediate Impact, won first out at Del Mar by 6-3/4 lengths at odds-on. Of those that have run, SISTER SLEW is worth using in the Sunset 6 after she stalked the pace-controlling, 4-to-5 winner in the 4-path and got up for third in the same spot at 44-1 odds.GP 9th race (4:20 p.m. EST) -- THE DOVE RULES rallied for second behind the 2-to-5 favorite in the same spot and should get every bit of the same fast pace to run at as she seeks her first win in eight tries on the lawn. TREE C’S KAI shook a duel and a torrid pace to draw clear at the furlong pole and hold on to win in a main-track sprint. She’s 0-for-11 on the Gulfstream turf but draws a favorable post with speed to her inside and is 12-1 on the morning line. SPARLING STAR removed the blinkers, delivered her top speed figure since arriving from Peru off an eight-month layoff and gets ample pace flow to use on the ticket at a big price with Egan summoned to ride.GP 10th race (4:50 p.m. EST) -- TRIUMPHANT ROAD saved ground, lost momentum while awaiting room on the final turn, then checked sharply when he tried to split rivals in the stretch. He recovered with a willing finish, now returns to a distance that produced 1-2-3 synthetic track finishes since August. INTERNAL CAPITAL is a lightly-raced 7-year-old, but he, too, has shown a liking to this surface at the $25,000 claiming level and should benefit from a useful, class-dropping try off a one-year layoff.SA 6th race (6:09 p.m. EST) -- TAMMY BABY’S first start for a claiming price was her best yet. She ‘followed within range’ of the winning favorite until deep stretch and finished fourth, but she finished 3-1/4 lengths ahead of Gracie’s Gem, who won by 5 lengths as the odds-on favorite next out. Similarly, SHADY STRIPES ‘rallied mildly’ for third off a 3-1/2-month layoff, but was 4-3/4 lengths clear of Dakota’s Shadow, who won by 7-1/4 lengths with a 68 Beyer next out. She showed speed in her 4-1/2F debut at Santa Anita last year and gets Lasix for the first time.SA 7th race (6:41 p.m. EST) -- MEMETRIC awakened in her first start on the main track and at Santa Anita with a 16-1 upset victory at 6F. She reeled in the 2-to-1 pace setter in mid-stretch and won going away with a similar-type trip that she can work out in this $50,000 optional claiming race for 3-year-old California-bred fillies. TAPATIA MIA could also be heard from late as she gets Lasix for her seasonal debut. She broke slowly and never threatened in a six-figure stakes race at this distance, but the top trio are all stakes winners with a combined 15/7-2-4 record and $482k in earnings.SA 8th race (7:13 p.m. EST) -- CAPTAIN CHOOCHIES won 3 of his last 4 one-mile turf races at Santa Anita, two by a neck and one by a nose. He broke his maiden at the distance on the main track to launch a current three-race winning streak. He makes the ticket despite facing better rivals today. LAMMAS waited for running room before he ranged up into contention for the stretch drive, only to get out-kicked in a blanket finish at 1-1/8 miles. He’s 13-for-40, a two-time stakes winner going long on the dirt and a major threat yet again.Suggested $1 TicketGP 8th Race: 2, 6, 9GP 9th Race: 2, 7, 11GP 10th Race: 4, 7SA 6th Race: 3, 5SA 7th Race: 1, 5SA 8th Race: 2, 5Cost: $144

The Lead:Pegasus World Cup Day at Gulfstream Park is stacked to the rafters with important stakes action. Get full coverage of the Pegasus World Cup, Pegasus World Cup Turf and Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf inside the free 1/ST Pegasus World Cup Wager Guide. I'll look to a great betting race on the undercard in this space, as the Race 11 Inside Information is sandwiched between the big, featured trio. After a nice $451 return in last week's Race of the Week at GP, let's keep the waves building in South Florida.Horseplayers at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET be sure to opt in and take part in the $10,000 Pegasus World Cup Day Exacta-Thon for Gulfstream Park. Also, players on those platforms can take advantage of up to a $10 money-back special on win bets in the Pegasus World Cup, PWC Turf and PWC Filly & Mare Turf.​​Field Depth:Grade 2 winners here include INDY BAY, JODY'S PRIDE and VERITY. JODY'S PRIDE and DAZZLING MOVE arguably have kept the strongest company lines in the field.​Pace:Several want to be pressing the tempo, but the most committed front-runners could be GRFAND JOB and DAZZLING MOVE, the latter coming out of a route. The pace should be solid, but not certain to overheat.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.#1-INDY BAY: Charles Town Oaks winner is 1 of 3 entrants here for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. Consistent work pattern since being eased in September, but obviously a difficult read. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. aims for a 3-peat in the Inside Information, winning with Olivia Darling and Mystic Lake (the latter also for Saffie Joseph Jr.) the past 2 years. Seven furlongs taking pressure from rail is a difficult assignment having never run fresh prior.#2-NECESSITY: Rampart runner-up may be hard-pressed to get there going 7 furlongs, but fired a bullet workout of that race and seemingly holding form. Trainer Riley Mott makes rare pairing with Manny Franco.#3-JODY’S PRIDE: Classy mare ran at the Grade 1 level at ages 2, 3 and 4. She’s proven better on dirt than turf and should appreciate the return to favored surface. Narrowly missed in this race last year when third by a neck and gets stakes ace Flavien Prat in the saddle. Contends.#4-HER LAUGH: Second Riley Mott charge in the lineup, she returns off a dull fifth in the La Brea at Santa Anita. Lot of travel to and from, leaving spot for only 1 workout since and not much to glean from it. Jose Ortiz rides. Prefer others.#5-CLARET BERET: Inconsistent mare fits well at the 7-furlong distance but you just never know which version will show up. Second of 3 Saffie Joseph Jr. charges in the lineup would require double-digit win odds to get interested. Her best could contend.#6-BEYOND BELIEF: Back-to-back local 7-furlong allowance wins for Kelly Breen, who saddled 2016 Inside Information winner Stonetastic. Had been a cut below this level in prior stakes bids, but is in career form now and should be near the pace throughout.#7-DAZZLING MOVE: Jockey John Velazquez seeks a record-padding seventh win in the Inside Information. Mare disappointed in the Rampart and has won just 1 of her last 11. The 0-5 record at 7 furlongs takes this third Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee in the lineup off my radar.#8-STERLING SILVER: At age 7 would be the oldest winner of the Inside Information, which dates back to 1976 when run as the Shirley Jones. Rallied to win the Rampart over a mile here Dec. 26, but has won 4 times at the 7-furlong trip in her career. Jockey Javier Castellano is a 3-time winner of this stakes. Legit threat.#9-PATRICIA ANN: Winless in 4 stakes while getting 3 minor checks, we’ll see if the barn change from Carlos Martin to Jose D’Angelo changes her fate. Has run well over 7 furlongs and should be part of the pressing brigade under Luis Saez.#10-ONE MAGIC PHILLY: Looked like a future star in the second half of 2024, but plateaued and has lost 7 straight stakes (a Keeneland allowance win in October breaking up the skid). Brendan Walsh has gotten similar results to previous conditioner Phil D’Amato. Beaten favorite in the Rampart isn’t overmatched, but likely finds a few better.#11-GRAND JOB: Speedster has made the front in all 5 starts since coming stateside from Ireland. She’s won 3 of those, narrowly missed in the 1-1/16 miles Royal Delta over this track and the caved late in November when last seen. That poor performance inflates her price (favored in 4 straight). She’s freshened, working fast, but sporadic. Trainer Bill Mott won this race in 2006 and 2007.#12-VERITY: Solid 3-year-old sprint stakes filly last spring for Eoin Harty but the Godolphin charge has raced only once since May. Decent return second in a November allowance sprint at Churchill should set her up in terms of form cycle, but she’s unproven against elder stakes foes and over the GP main.Most Likely Exotics Contender:JODY'S PRIDE is 6-6 in the superfecta in 1-turn dirt races in her career, including a photo-finish third in this race last year.Best Longshot Contender:GRAND JOB should be much bigger price than her previous tries, and his proven over the track and distance with a chance to get bold on the lead.Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$50 win GRAND JOB. $10 exacta key-box GRAND JOB with JODY'S PRIDE and STERLING SILVER ($40). $.50 trifecta part-wheel GRAND JOB with JODY'S PRIDE, STERLING SILVER with ALL ($10).

Salute Week 3 winner Phillip Perkins, who earned the weekly $1000 first prize in the 21st season of the Xpressbet Beat the Host handicapping contest. Now the attention turns to Saturday’s Pegasus World Cup card at Gulfstream Park and Week 4 host Scott Shapiro. Last Saturday, Santa Anita analyst and weekly contest host Michelle Yu posted a season-best $54 bankroll for the home team.On the individual front, Perkins’ $160.50 bankroll paced the contest in Week 3, just ahead of Ron Watson’s outstanding bid for back-to-back weekly wins. Watson’s $146.50 was good for second place and earned a $750 prize. Joseph Piazza finished third with $145.00 and earned a $250 prize. Overall, only 38 players managed to Beat the Host (Yu). That means 374 spots have been punched to the Beat the Host Championship Round on March 7.The $65,000 Beat the Host competition encompasses 10 races each contest Saturday, split between the final 5 Gulfstream Park races and first 5 from Santa Anita. This Saturday’s contest races will include the $3 million Pegasus World Cup, $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf and $500,000 Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf among its lineup. Contestants place $5 win bets on the Xpressbet platform for each of the 10 Beat the Host races, earning their parimutuel winnings as well as prize pools.All contestants who beat the cumulative bankroll total of the host each Saturday qualify for the Beat the Host Championship on March 7. Weekly prize pools of $2,000 are also in play for the top-3 finishers, while a $6,500 Sweep the Host bonus split is in store for those sharp enough to top the host totals all 9 weeks of the contest. Only 27 of 711 registrants remain eligible for the Sweep the Host bonus after 3 weeks this season.The BTH Championship pits all weekly winning players against one another in pursuit of seats in the lucrative Pegasus World Cup Betting Challenge, Xpressbet Santa Anita Derby Challenge and Xpressbet Florida Derby Challenge tournaments.Last season, 496 of 711 Beat the Host players were able to top the host total at least once during the season. Glenn Gulden paced all players in the cumulative season totals last year, while George Blanchard took down the top prize in the Beat the Host Championship round finale.Tournament & Host Schedule:Saturday, January 3, 2026 - Pete AielloSaturday, January 10, 2026 - Millie BallSaturday, January 17, 2026 - Michelle YuSaturday, January 24, 2026 - Scott ShapiroSaturday, January 31, 2026 - Brian NadeauSaturday, February 7, 2026 - Tom QuigleySaturday, February 14, 2026 - Samantha PerrySaturday, February 21, 2026 - Zoe CadmanSaturday, February 28, 2026 - Ron NicolettiSaturday, March 7, 2026 – Beat the Host Championship Round