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.

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.

The Meadowlands has a 14-race card, and the 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 10. 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 10 (10:05 PM EDT)2-Outside The Fire (6-1)-The veteran took about a month off and qualified on 1-17 with a decent effort. Should fit well with this crew and has done good work at M1 (35-11-7-6). Can be a threat if dialed on high and could offer a solid price.4-Finite (9/2)-This is the 3rd start off the bench, broke in the 1st race and bounced back with a sharp effort leaving from post 7 to take a picture. Put in a new mark of 152.4 in last, has won 4 of 12 at M1, and it's best to not overlook the Burke trainee.5-Take All Comers (5/2)-Classy 8-year-old won its qualifier at M1 on 1-17. It will be the 1st start since 12-19 and this isn't a field to fear. But at this point the smaller ovals are probably a better fit for this millionaire. Will respect the Jim Campbell trainee but will be a short price and is 0-14 at M1.Race 11 (10:30 PM EDT)1-Mo Mo (5-1)-This is a rag-tag group, and the team Miller entry could be in the mix at the wire. This is the 2nd start after a sick scratch and is in a spot to get sucked around at a square price.9-EA Mushu (3-1)-The mare has won at this TM level and finished a close 2nd up one level. Those starts came in November, it then tailed off and was put away after a race on 12-5. This will be 2nd start off the bench and Brett Beckwith comes back to steer after a one race absence. The post helps the price, will look for a big try, and has the ability to be the best facing this bunch.Race 12 (10:55 PM EDT)3-Ithaca Hanover (10-1)-Came a good 2nd to #7 last time and has won 3 of 14 at Yonkers. That record stands out in this field and gets some post relief that could help the cause.7-Leave And Roll (4-1)-Rolled home in impressive fashion after being 10 lengths back at the 1st call. Colin Kelly has won the last 2 races and now looks for a three-peat. Usually at this class horses don't win 3 straight. But has looked really good after the barn change to Paul Fusco and will respect chances.8-Rock Jagger (6-1)-Put in a needed start on 1-11, raced from the back and came the last half in .57. Beckwith lands here in the 2nd start off the bench and will add points with the driver change. This is a soft spot, and a top try could lead to a picture.Race 13 (11:20 PM EDT)2-Defamation (3-1)-Came up a little short in the 2nd race in the Spicer barn. A tardy start might have been the difference in coming a head short. Beckwith sticks and the beaten chalk could make amends.3-Job Crunch (7/2)-Stayed inside and came a good 2nd in the 1st race in town after shipping in from the Meadows. That was a good effort coming from a smaller oval and could be better tonight in the 2nd start on Lasix.$1 Late Pick 42,4,5/1,9/3,7,8/2,3Total Bet=$36Check me out on Twitter!

PEGASUS WORLD CUPFree 1/ST Pegasus World Cup Wager Guide | Access Here Advance Wagering Begins TodayEXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | Gulfstream Park | today’s racesSCHEDULE NOTESTurfway | cancelled today and Saturday due to weatherSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10; Santa Anita Races 6-7-8Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10; Santa Anita Races 3-5-7TOURNAMENT TIME$1,000 Gulfstream PWCBC Qualifier | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $267,238 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:20 pm ETSunset 6 | $19,498 | begins Gulfstream Race 8 | 3:50 pm ETCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | $95,704 | begins Gulfstream Race 9 | 4:20 pm ET--Gulfstream will have mandatory payout this SaturdayLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXLaurel Park | Race 6 | 2:26 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 5 | 2:33 pm ETGulfstream Park | Race 9 | 4:20 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJamie Ness | Laurel Park | all 7 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Gulfstream Park | jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. | 4 wins from 9 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 $95K Carryover AnalysisFrank Carulli: Sunset Six $19K Carryover AnalysisFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

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.