After a slow week when it comes to Triple Crown preps, things pick up big time this weekend on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. A pair of qualifiers take place on Saturday afternoon with Oaklawn Park taking center stage on Sunday. As many of you know, 1/ST BET and Xpressbet launched a $10 Money Back offer earlier this year on all Triple Crown prep races. It continues this weekend with a trio of opportunities for horseplayers. Here is how I plan to take advantage of my Money Back plays. If it is your first time jumping in on this promotion, remember to register.Gotham (G3), Aqueduct Saturday Race 10The first of the three Derby qualifiers is the lone one-turn points race on the weekend. This one-mile event over the Aqueduct main track drew a field of 9 led by 6-5-ML favorite #6 Iron Honor. The Chad Brown trainee broke his maiden in impressive fashion going 6-furlongs in mid-December and has been given time since. Brown opts to ship him back north for this spot despite the fact he has been training in Payson Park in Florida over the last month plus. He is the likeliest winner, but given the Money Back Offer insurance and his likely price it makes sense to look elsewhere. #2 Hammond is a colt that should get a great trip in his first start outside of the Sunshine State for Saffie Joseph. He did not get out of the cleanly when we saw him run third in the Swale in late January, but still ran decent to finish third to his undefeated stablemate. If he can relax along the inside early, he should have a big chance when they turn for home.Play: #2 Hammond (5-1 ML)Fountain of Youth (G2), Gulfstream Race 14I am not sure all three of the morning line favorites in this year’s Fountain of Youth will run their races, but expect at least one of them to exit arguably the strongest prep to date with a spot all but assured in the Derby starting gate. #4 Commandment is listed as the considerable public choice after his win in the Mucho Macho Man. He is likely to run his race and get a favorable setup, but I think there is a good chance there is at least one better. #7 Napoleon Solo is probably the likeliest to be that horse by getting the jump, but the value will most likely be better with #7 Chief Wallabee. The Constitution colt won under wraps and did so extremely professionally in his debut on January 10. He has to answer the two-turn question and prove he belongs at this class level, but projects to get a great trip. I will use my Money Back play on him, assuming he is a bigger price than Napoleon Solo.Play: #6 Chief Wallabee (9-2 ML)Rebel (G2), Oaklawn Sunday Race 11I struggled coming up with a strong opinion in this $1M event at 1 1/16 miles. #4 Blackout Time can definitely win, but is an underlay at his ML price. #2 Litmus Test is likely to get bet down from his ML offering and might have things his way on the front end, but has yet to prove to me is a supremely talented runner. Mark Casse holds a strong hand much like he did in the Southwest (G3) with winner #7 Silent Tactic and Smarty Jones winner #6 Strategic Risk. Silent Tactic has been very good through two starts on dirt, but his running style requires him to get the right trip and setup. On the other hand, Strategic Risk usually puts himself into the race making things a little easier on himself. That was not the case in the Southwest though when he got caught in chase mode immediately and was not competitive from there. Without D’Code and Buetane, I expect this pace to be far more moderate though, which should allow jockey Javier Castellano to stalk just off the pace like he did well to kick off his 3YO campaign. At his likely price, I will take a chance he bounces back big on Sunday evening.Play: #6 Strategic Risk (12-1 ML)

SPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10; Santa Anita Races 3-5-7TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $102,685 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:20 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $90,048 | Fair Grounds | begins Race 3 | 2:45 pm ETPick 6 | $27,855 | Oaklawn | begins Race 4 | 3:04 pm ETSunset 6 | $69,685 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 8 | 3:53 pm ETPick 6 | $198,741 | Santa Anita | begins Race 4 | 5:04 pm ETKEY RACESOaklawn | Race 8 | 5:15 pm ET | Trivista StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream Park | Race 1 | 12:20 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 7 | 3:41 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 8 | 9:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHAnthony Farrior | Laurel, Charles Town | all 7 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Aqueduct, Oaklawn | trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci | 3 wins, 1 second from 6 startersYesterday | Turfway Park | 20-cent jackpot pick 6 hit for $138,752.13 on single ticketPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli: Sunset 6 Carryover Analysis for FridayScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Carryover Pick 6 Analysis for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Hoosier Park begins the weekend with a 14-race card. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11, it has a low 12% takeout, and will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (9:20 PM EST)5-Lous Avalon (4-1)-Won last from post 9, was able to race at the top of the stack and should get the same trip here. Comes back in sequence for the hot Steve Searle barn and should fit well with this group.6-Asifbycue (4-1)-Comes off a nice try after shipping in from the Meadows. Was hung the mile in last and John DeLong should provide a smoother steer this time. Has hit the board in 8 of 13 at HoP with 2 wins.7-Lanzador (6-1)-Didn't race in 6 weeks after coming off a sick scratch at MVR and raced evenly. Will look for better on a drop in class and has 4 wins in 11 races at HoP.Race 12 (9:43 PM EST)1-Fox Valley Julian (8-1)-Qualified well on 2-18 and had been on the bench since 11-28. Drops to a soft spot and regular driver Jordan Ross is at the controls. Could handle this crew if dialed on high.8-Franco Tyson A (5-1)-Driver trainer Larry Stalbaum has arrived in Anderson. Finished an even 5th in the 2nd race since 11-15 and this will be the 2nd start on Lasix. Will use the 11-time winner in 2025 and in a race without a standout.9-Henry The Horse (5/2)-Henry at 5/2 from the 9-hole wouldn't be my first choice in most cases but takes a good drop in class. Should be a player versus these but will need a good steer from Kyle Wilfong.Race 13 (10:06 PM EST)6-Tickertape Hanover (4-1)-Came off the bench with a win from post 9. Came back again versus this kind and got the top, set a lively pace, and faded to finish 2nd. Could offer a square price and gets a little post relief.7-Im Skinnydipin N (9/5)-Finished 3rd after shipping in from MVR against the Open 1-2. Could relish the company and the race should go through the Tyler George veteran.Race 14 (10:29 PM EST)2-Tellmeaboutit (5/2)-Drops again in its 3rd local start in search of an overdue win. Doesn't have an excuse for not being a main player and might be over bet but needs to be used.8-Play Action Pass (6-1)-This is the 3rd race since 11-28 and came a good 3rd against tougher foes on 2-13. Will toss the next start from post 8 on a sloppy track. Will look for a more aggressive steer off the gate, could be sitting on a big try, and hopefully the morning line price holds up.0.50 Late Pick 45,6,7/1,8,9/6,7/2,8Total Bet=$18Check me out on X!

The action returns in a big way on Friday at Santa Anita Park for the start of another 3-day racing week. Not only is there a $69,685 carryover in the Sunset Pick 6, but there is a massive $198,741 carryover in the traditional $2 Pick 6. The sequence kicks off with a tricky maiden claimer in Race 4 and concludes with a full field event over the grass. Let’s get to it!Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.Race 4:Grade: CMain Ticket: 2 Bossing Mo; 5 Oswald, 1 BandoleroBackups: NoneForecast: I wish I had a stronger opinion in this state-bred maiden claimer at two-turns over the main track, but this group is simply tough to trust. I suppose I am taking the easy way out by using the three logicals. #2 Bossing Mo is likely to set the pace on the stretch out, but ML favorite #1 Bandolero is also going to search for prominent early position. If they go at it early, it should set things up for #5 Oswald. The Turf Paradise shipper ran second with a favorable flow in Arizona in late January. His trainer Don Schnell is 3 for his last 9 when shipping into Santa Anita for a $2.31 ROI making him difficult to toss against these.Race 5:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 1 Quantum Innergy; 7 She’s a JokerBackups: NoneForecast: I will fade the ML choice in this state-bred first-level allowance event for the ladies at one mile over the sod. #2 Mayacama has been consistent finishing first or second in 6 of her last 7 starts, but returns to the races after losing without an excuse at even-money versus similar on January 31. The speeds drawn to her outside are likely to make things more difficult on Friday afternoon for this Klimt mare. I will use two in hopes of running by the 5-2-favorite in the lane. #7 She’s a Joker was beaten on the square by Mayacama last out, but has 3 wins over this course and is capable of a move forward in her second try off the freshening. I slightly prefer #1 Quantum Innergy. The daughter of Clubhouse Ride is winless dating back to the start of 2024, but consistently comes with a strong rally from the back. If the pace is as hot as it looks on paper, she could be the one making the final move.Race 6:Grade: XMain Ticket: 3 Tiger FireBackups: ManiaeForecast: I am formful in this non-winners of three at 5.5-furlongs over the main track where 8-5-ML favorite #3 Tiger Fire looks like the horse to beat. The Smiling Tiger filly heads back to the Great Race Place after trying allowance foes at night at Los Alamitos. She raced against the flow battling 3-wide before tiring late two-back in her most recent start at Santa Anita, but should control the tempo from start-to-finish here for a barn that has had a strong meet with limited starters thus far. Armando Aguilar will jump aboard for the first time.Race 7:Grade: BMain Ticket: 10 Son of a BirchBackups: 1 Nesso’s Lastharrah; 9 Charlie’s to BlameForecast: #10 Son of a Birch should be tough in this second-level allowance at 6-furlongs over the grass. The son of Temple City made his Southern California debut last month in a compact group going half a furlong longer. The 6YO gelding put forth a solid third that day with a less- than-ideal trip and moves to a favorable outside draw in his second start off the bench. Jockey Florent Geroux should have him in a perfect spot throughout. #1 Nesso’s Lastharrah and #9 Charlie’s to Blame both cutback to one-turn and could be rolling late for the Peter Eurton barn. They will be my backups, but I will be leaning mostly on the Robert Falcone trainee.Race 8:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 3 Cherokee NationBackups: NoneForecast: I will take a stand in this MSW at one mile over the main track where for the most part I lack trust in this entire field. Of those with a chance on paper, I landed on #3 Cherokee Nation. #1 Latitude has had his chances against lesser and 9-5-ML favorite #2 Winston Ave was too poor last out to support, so I will give one more shot to this Keeneland September ’24 purchase. Cherokee Nation underwhelmed in his last start, but it came against Grade 3 competition. The $1.15M colt ran well enough to beat this group two-back and is capable of improvement if he can fix the gate issues that have plagued him thus far. Hopefully, Emisael Jaramillo has the keys to this pricey son of Not This Time.Race 9:Grade: B-Main Ticket: 7 Prime Artist; 10 KeagmanBackups: 8 Mendel’s Tune; 2 NezhaForecast: I will fade 3-1-ML favorite #4 Biggiebiggiebiggie in this $50k maiden claimer at one mile over the turf to close the sequence and card. The son of Maclean’s Music has had 8 chances and quite frankly was outperformed by #10 Keagman last time out despite getting past him at the wire. Keagman was forced to chase lone speed winner Classico, while Biggiebiggiebiggie sat back and made a non-threatening run to pass horses who tried to actually win the race. Keagman also has had plenty of chances, but only one thus far with blinkers against maiden claimers. He is a must use, as is #7 Prime Artist. The Leonard Powell trainee drops in class after racing against the flow against protected maidens on January 25. The European import should find this group more to his liking.

If you played the Sunset 6 wager this month, don’t be flustered that you didn’t win. No one else picked the last three winners at Gulfstream and Santa Anita either, so this week’s $1 wager begins with a $69,000 carryover pool.GP 8th race (3:50 p.m. EST) -- WIN WITH FAITH rallied for minor awards in his last three starts on turf, earning 81 to 84 Beyers each time. He was the beaten favorite in two of them and is overdue for his first victory in a year at a distance which he stands 9/2-3-1. JAVA BUZZ completely blew the first turn while racing against WIN WITH FAITH, but he settled into ground saving position on the backstretch and finished willingly between rivals too late. He hails from a hot barn and should be on the ticket. JACK KEROUAC is 0-for-8 on the Gulfstream lawn, but he was gelded since his last start in October and ran well enough at the onset of 2025 to perhaps factor here at a big price for his new barn.GP 9th race (4:20 p.m. EST) -- SALVATTORE PRINCE tracked a slow pace and made an eye-catching, last-to-first move on the final turn to surpass $100,000 in synthetic track earnings. He faces better rivals today but could pay off immediately on an $8,000 claim with a duplicate move. UNCLE JOHN had five wire-to-wire victories in seven starts before he chased the pace last out and was out-dueled in the final sixteenth by hard-hitting starter allowance rival LONGBRANCH LOU in a longer route race.GP 10th race (4:50 p.m. EST) -- Speed types have fared well on the Gulfstream lawn and that should help the Pletcher-trained XCEL, who stalked the pace 4-wide at 7-1/2F and gave way in the stretch in a debut race loaded with upper-70 Beyer types. URGENCY was turned back by the winning 3-to-2 favorite in his first one-mile turf test, then finished behind three next-out winners (average 73 Beyer) while earning his top speed figure last out at the same distance.SA 7th race (6:35 p.m. EST) -- DHITJARI, a consistent allowance runner in Germany while often carrying 128 pounds or more in crowded fields, won off a similar layoff last year at age 3. New trainer John Sadler won with 35 of his last 204 turf sprinters over two years with an average $7.80 payout. The late-running CUBAN CONFUSION is a model of consistency and shows a fastest-of-58 workout to begin preparation for his first start since October.SA 8th race (7:05 p.m. EST) -- WINSTON AVE, 6-wide on the backstretch and 4-wide on the turn from post 10, couldn’t reach the 38-1 winner in a promising 6-1/2F debut. The winner, So Happy, came back to win the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes and the favorite, Blacksmith, ran second in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity next out. WINSTON AVE failed as the 1-to-5 favorite in a follow-up try, but the son of multiple Grade 1-winning router Quality Road, appears back on track with a series of strong workouts for his seasonal debut.SA 9th race (7: 35 p.m. EST) -- BIGGIEBIGGIEBIGGIE got a needed break from Maiden Special Weight company and ran second to his pace-setting stablemate under today’s conditions. The race timed faster than a same-day, $16,000 starter allowance won by Please Focus (28/5-6-1, $243k on turf). LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE broke slowly in two dirt sprints at Oaklawn Park, but he had no such problems while posting three sizzling workouts at San Luis Rey since arriving in California. His dam, Lunar Rille, was 11/3-3-0 with $97k in turf earnings and broke her maiden the first time she ran on the surface. He’s worth using at 10-1 on the morning line. Suggested $1 TicketGP 8th Race: 2, 3, 6GP 9th Race: 1, 3, 5GP 10th Race: 2, 10SA 7th Race: 5, 6SA 8th Race: 2SA 9th Race: 4, 6Cost: $72

One of the best cards in North America this year takes place at Gulfstream Park on Saturday afternoon headlined by the Fountain of Youth (G2). The Derby prep is the finale on a stacked 14-race extravaganza that gets started at 11:30 AM eastern. Amongst the plethora of horizontal wagering opportunities is an all-stakes Pick 4 that covers the final four races on the slate. The marketing team at 1/ST Bet and Xpressbet has opted to make that the final $2M rewards points Hit & Split of the month. For those that have not taken part during the previous cards, remember to register on the promotional landing page.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 11: Davona Dale (G2)Grade: B+Main Ticket: 8 She Be Smooth; 7 Swing VoteBackups: 9 On Time GirlForecast: There is no doubt that #9 On Time Girl is the one to beat in this one-turn mile event for 3YO fillies, but the tote board is all but certain to show that. The Albaugh Family Stables homebred overcame adversity in the Forward Gal (G3), is 4 for 5 in her career, and draws favorably to the outside, but the value will not be there. I give a pair of young females a legitimate shot to beat her, including top choice #8 She Be Smooth. The Calumet Farm filly was very impressive on debut winning over this same surface and distance last month. She not only relaxed professionally on the inside before finishing full of run late, but ran by a filly that won by 8 in her next start. It is not easy to win over these one-turn mile configurations on debut and I love the move to an outside draw.Race 12: Honey Fox (G3)Grade: BMain Ticket: 1 Silver Moonlight; 3 Classic QBackups: 10 Crevalle d’OroForecast: This one-mile turf event for older fillies and mares marks the return of #9 Lush Lips. The Brendan Walsh trainee had an outstanding 3YO season earning nearly $900k, but I am not in love with her off the break. The 4YO drew poorly to the outside and takes on older runners for the first time. She has the upside to get to the wire first, but I prefer a pair that were done more favors at the draw. #1 Silver Moonlight has been freshened up by Saffie Joseph since rattling off 3 consecutive victories to end her 2025 campaign. She loves this course and should get a dream run along the inside under Flavien Prat. #3 Classic Q also is worth a look. Toss her last when she was beaten to the lead and fought the rider through the early stages. I expect the Mark Casse trainee to make the front under John Velazquez, which makes her dangerous over this course.Race 13: Mac Diarmida (G2)Grade: C+Main Ticket: 2 Without; 3 LayaboutBackups: 6 Anegada; 9 Tank; 7 ZverevForecast: I lack a strong opinion in this 1 3/8-mile test over the Gulfstream sod, but will roll with #2 Without on top. The son of Lope De Vega is eligible for a first-level allowance, but trainer Graham Motion opts to send him out in this spot after a solid runner-up effort last out instead. He draws favorably along the inside and very well could have been sent here from France with this spot always on the mind. #3 Layabout aims to make it 3 wins in a row, but will almost certainly not be on the front end like last time out. The presence of #9 Tank should have jockey David Egan happy to stalk a bit off the pace in this gelding’s eleventh career try. He has proven versatile though giving him a big shot to make it 4 straight.Race 14: Fountain of Youth (G2)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 6 Chief Wallabee; 7 Napoleon SoloBackups: 4 Commandment; 3 TalkinForecast: I am not overly confident in any particular horse, but it is very likely that one of the top three choices on oddsmaker Brian Nadeau’s morning line gets to the wire first in this year’s Fountain of Youth. #4 Commandment is as likely as anyone, but at 2-1, he is tough to get excited about trying two-turns for the first time. On the other hand, I do not know what to expect from #7 Napoleon Solo since it has been nearly five months since we have seen him compete in the afternoons, but clearly his “A” game is very good. #6 Chief Wallabee has major questions to answer as well, but was uber-professional in his debut over this course on January 10. He should handle the two-turns. #3 Talkin is my wild card. He ran in three live races as a 2YO and is likely to try to make a run from off the pace given the rider change from Kendrick Carmouche to Joel Rosario. His last in the Remsen (G2) is an obvious toss. He should be a big price.

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Oaklawn | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $77,323 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:20 pm ETPick 6 | $14,968 | Oaklawn | begins Race 4 | 3:03 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $86,435 | Fair Grounds | begins Race 4 | 3:15 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $79,397 | Turfway Park | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXOaklawn | Race 4 | 3:03 pm ETFair Grounds | Race 6 | 4:15 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 2 | 6:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHRonney Brown | Charles Town | 4 of 5 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Turfway | trainer Mike Maker | 3 wins from 4 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Oaklawn Bet $100, Get $10 Promo PicksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The “Love at First Bet” promotion this February at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet offers a $10 bonus when you bet $100 or more at select tracks each Tuesday and Thursday. Oaklawn will be the track spotlighted for this Thursday. Hope you caught both winners offered here earlier in the week at Turf Paradise. Here’s how I’ll approach Oaklawn with the help of the Betmix Angler database.Oaklawn: Race 8#1 Spitfire (8-1 morning line odds) never got uncorked in the Martha Washington and a slow pace did her no favors. Trainer Kenny McPeek’s barn has hit 25% winners and a $1.28 ROI for every $1 bet over the past month at Oaklawn. He reaches to get a rare pairing with Francisco Arrieta, battling at the top of the meet standings, which feels significant. The other McPeek, Authentic Cat, and favorite Sticker Shock, for a colder-than-usual Brad Cox barn, will take plenty of money to hold our price. Win-place #1. Daily Double 1-2 to next play.Oaklawn: Race 9#2 Ghost Money (8-1 morning line odds) forces you to forget the Dec. 12 debut in order to be interested, but a lot has changed since then. Trainer Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez put in a claim and has been off-the-charts successful with new acquisitions ... and over the past month at OP is on fire. Add in top pilot Ramon Vazquez, whose 6-furlong sprint prowess at this meet is unrivaled: 21% wins, $1.30 ROI for every $1 bet. Win-place #2.