After a couple days of cancellations due to consistent weather issues in Southern California, racing is back on Friday afternoon for the first card of 2026 at Santa Anita Park. The 8-race slate kicks off at 3:30 pm ET / 12:30 pm PT and is headlined by a first-level allowance event at 6 furlongs over the main track. Here are a few horses I will build my January 2 around at the Great Race Place.Race 1:The opener is for newly turned 3YO fillies traveling one-mile over the main track. The two-turn event certainly goes through Go Go Greys Stable, #2 Miss Watermelon. The daughter of Cairo Prince debuted at Keeneland for trainer Jonathan Thomas in a turf route back in early October and failed to fire after a slow start despite taking noticeable public money. She then flew out to Southern California where she once again did not get out of the gates great, but found a good stalking spot before finishing a strong second to a Baffert favorite. If she can get out of the gate in better order this afternoon, she could be a tough customer, but I will try to get the jump on her with #4 Wolf Hill. The Estate of Brereton Jones homebred goes two sprints to a route for a barn that rarely has their runners cranked early on in their career. Last out the Upstart filly, was caught in a tricky spot between horses before being able to grind away another underneath finish. Hopefully, she can break on top, find a prominent spot early, and have enough left late to hold off her main rivals from behind.Play: #4 Wolf Hill (5-1 ML)Race 6:Trainer George Papaprodromou can win races in bunches. The veteran conditioner got off to a great start to the meet with a win in the San Gabriel (G3) on Opening Day and followed up with two victories on day 2. I am hoping he stays hot in this first-level allowance with #7 Comedy Town. The 8YO gelding had been in the Saffie Joseph Jr barn, but the Florida-bred moved out west before his last start and ran a solid second to last-to-first winner Speedy Wilson in a similar spot. The effort was flattered when Speedy Wilson came back and put forth a strong third-place effort in the Malibu (G1) to Goal Oriented. Comedy Town should be set for a good one first off the claim since he cuts back a furlong and should find a perfect stalking spot just off the early pace. From there he is likely to finish the deal under jockey Hector Berrios. A potential single for those playing the late horizontals.Play: #7 Comedy Town (5-2 ML)Race 8:The Friday finale is a rock-bottom state-bred maiden claimer at 5.5-furlongs over the main track where I like the chances of #6 One Happy Dude. The Terry Lovinger homebred has had his chances at the level, but seems to be moving forward steadily for trainer Steve Knapp. Last out, the son of Governor Charlie got out of the gate pretty well, settled early, and put in a strong late run to earn second to a dominant gate-to-wire winner from the George Papaprodromou barn. The 3YO colt should be set for a career best with jockey Tiago Pereira back in the saddle.Play: #6 One Happy Dude (4-1 ML)

EXTRA INCENTIVESPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 4TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream feeder | details$40 Santa Anita feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $164,143 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 4 | 1:49 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $5,932 | Turfway | Race 9 | 9:55 pm ETKEY RACESOaklawn Park | Race 8 | 4:52 pm ET | The Coach StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay Downs | Race 5 | 2:34 pm ETOaklawn Park | Race 9 | 5:24 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 9 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJoe Sharp | Fair Grounds | all 3 entrants 3-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | trainer Mark Casse | 4 wins, 1 third from 6 starters at Gulfstream, OaklawnPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Best Bets for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

There is a 15-race card at the Meadowlands to begin 2026. 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 EST)2-More Gooda N (3/1)-Finished ahead of 3 from this field in its 1st US start. Went off as the 9/5 chalk and finished 2nd on an off-track. Will look for a little more "go" down the lane with a start on the oval and this will be 2nd time Lasix.4-Simply Perfect (8-1)-Took a picture versus this kind on 11-7 and then didn't race until 12-19 in Philly. Put in 2 starts there against NW10k and faded down the lane both times. Now the Burke entry comes back quickly and lands at M1 where it had some success. (7-1-2-1). Using and looking for a price.8-Pefidious Crown (7/2)-Won here on 12-5 with a sharp effort then shipped to Philly and came 2nd to a similar group. The post helps the price and has enough gate speed to get a close-up seat.Race 11 (10:30 PM EST)1-Intothemysticmoon (6-1)-Yonkers shipper should appreciate the company. The Burke entry has only posted 1 win in 10 starts at M1. But from the rail it should be a player at a square price.7-Laurie Lee (10-1)-This will be the 4th start off the bench and came 2nd and 3rd against this kind at M1 back on 11-28 and 12-5. Then shipped to Stga, beat Open company, and now lands back at the same level it was before leaving. Need a good steer from Tyler Miller and will use at what appears to be a generous morning line price.10-Aardie B Miki N (5/2)-Yonkers shipper is the best horse in the field, and this is a soft spot for it 1st M1 win. Has the gate speed to secure a close-up seat and should be tough to stop if dialed on high.Race 12- (10:55 PM EST)3-Get Some Cash (8-1)-Looked dull in both recent races but this is a spot to wake up. Does win its share and that puts the veteran steps ahead of others. Drops to the level of last win on 12-5 with Scott Keppler, and he has taken pictures at PcD with his trainee.7-Ourmomentntime (3-1)-Bumps up a TM level after coming off a win, and now gets a positive driver change with Brett Beckwith. The Engblom trainee could double up if it lands near the top of the stack off the gate.Race 13 (11:20 PM EST)1-Going Away (7/2)-This is basically a 1-move type that got rolling but went 3-wide around a longshot who was hung the mile. When they straightened out, got up to 2nd and then its tank started to run dry. The move from 5th to 2nd was too much and ended up behind the horse that was wide the mile. Gets a new driver in Mark Herschberger who it has taken a picture with before, and may have met a beatable field this time.3-Miss Dottie Mae (9/2)-Left from post 9 on 12-19, never got involved and now drops to a level where a win is more likely. Jonathan Ale takes the lines. This is an on and off sort who recently beat better at YR. Could top this group with the right trip.0.50 Late Pick 42,4,8/1,7,10/3,7/1,3Total Bet=$18Check me out on Twitter!

EXTRA INCENTIVESPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 4SCHEDULE NOTESanta Anita | cancelled due to weatherTOURNAMENT TIME$40 Gulfstream feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $130,527 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:18 pm ETPick 6 | $20,776 | Oaklawn Park | begins Race 5 | 3:24 pm ETKEY RACESGulfstream Park | Race 8 | 3:48 pm ET | Cash Run StakesGulfstream Park | Race 10 | 4:48 pm ET | Dania Beach StakesOaklawn Park | Race 8 | 4:52 pm ET | Oaklawn Sports StakesTurfway Park | Race 8 | 9:25 pm ET | Gowell StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream Park | Race 1 | 12:20 pm ETOaklawn Park | Race 6 | 3:53 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 9 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHRick Dutrow | Gulfstream, Aqueduct | all 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Aqueduct | jockey Flavien Prat | 3 wins from 6 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli: Gulfstream Park Pick 3 Analysis for ThursdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Saturday’s late pick 4 at Oaklawn Park includes the featured Smarty Jones Stakes and our 1 Million 1/ST Reward Points Hit & Split promotion. The sequence starts in Race 8 at 4:25 pm ET. Let’s get to work.Oaklawn: Race 8 | allowanceWhile there are several viable options in this race, a solid amount of pace gives the late-runners the preferred running style in my projection. #6 Super Cruise makes a second start of his form cycle, the one that created his maiden-breaking win in April over this track. His last was against First Division, who comes back in stakes company Friday at OP with a big shot (tab the result for more/less confidence). #5 Myra’s Boy gets a new pilot after a mist-timed move, one of my favorite jockey angles, and could surprise at a big number – at a minimum a good exotics use. I’ll limit with these 2, otherwise could make cases for too many others (#3, #8, #7, #11 of most additional interest).Oaklawn: Race 9 | $135,000 Commodore Stakes#2 Second ID comes out of a super-tough edition of the Ring the Bell Stakes that could double up as the meet’s top sprint, the Count Fleet, in the spring. He was solid that day and this easier task puts him at the head of my list. #6 Bourbon Bash offers double-digit odds and a bullet workout Dec. 11 from the gate is highly impressive for a Steve Asmussen barn whose horses rarely work fast. Long layoff concerns, but price will be right to find out. Favorite #5 Concrete Glory loves to win races, 17 of them, and while never at Oaklawn, this Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee is by 2012 Arkansas Derby dominator Bodemeister.Oaklawn: Race 10 | $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes#3 Boca Beach Club really caught my eye in his professional Hawthorne debut win and I was all in for his Advent Stakes sprint appearance Dec. 12 over this track. He missed the break, spent the race in make-up mode and ran on well and galloped out well enough. He’s by Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach, out of a Mineshaft mare, and should only get better routing. Our late, great handicapping brother Jeff Siegel used to preach the virtues of the sprint-sprint-route form cycle, and that’s where Boca Beach Club reside. Go time with a jockey change to money rider Luis Saez. #1 Universe is a classy sort who has chased with interest 3 straight stakes winners that are high only many Derby prospect lists (Napoleon Solo, Incredibolt and Further Ado). He should come running with a rail-saving trip. #5 Rancho Santa Fe deserves respect for his 2 wins in Kentucky, the last coming at Keeneland against a couple of next-out allowance winners who ran 2-3 for Brendan Walsh and Will Walden. I’ll settle on this favored trio with some confidence, but the play may be the best ML price in Boca Beach Club.Oaklawn: Race 11 | allowance#6 Vital Mind is a regally bred Into Mischief-She’s A Julie colt who hasn’t done much wrong in 2 career starts, though he’s obviously had plenty of physical issues given the light duty. Should be in the hunt throughout with legitimate upside. #1 Five O’Clock Somewhere is rail speed in sharp form and capable of the class rise. #4 Run Jalen Run also projects near the front and one of these 3 pace players likely holds off the modest closers.The Ticket6,5 with 2,5,6 with 3,1,5 with 6,1,4 = $27 for each $.50

The Lead:The road to the Florida Derby kicks off Saturday at Gulfstream Park with the 1-turn mile Mucho Macho Man Stakes. It's the leadoff to the series, which includes 2-turn races in the Holy Bull and Fountain of Youth in-between. The Race 10 of 11 co-feature on the card shares the spotlight with the Ginger Brew Stakes. The Mucho Macho Man will be part of the Sunset 6 wager, matching the final 3 races on the card from both Gulfstream and sister track Santa Anita.​​Field Depth:Three of the 9 entrants are stakes-placed: ROGER THAT DANA, MAX CAPACITY and THUNDER CHUCK. All seek their first stakes victories. This race could be won on the class rise without much argument.​Pace:Early speed can be expected from more than half of this lineup, including from inside-out CABOURG, EPIC SUMMER, ROGER THAT DANA, BLAME YASSELF, MAX CAPACITY and THUNDER CHUCK. A horse with a strong finishing ability could be set up nicely.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.#1-COMMANDMENT: Trainer Brad Cox wintered in Florida with a string last year for the first time and it netted Florida Derby winner Tappan Street. He'll begin that path with this second-out maiden breaker from Churchill Downs. The $500,000 Into Mischief colt popped a big 96 BRIS Late Pace Figure when fourth in his Keeneland debut, but 7F last out when winning from midpack and a faster pace. Grandson of Florida Derby winner Orb looks like the horse to beat under Irad Ortiz Jr.#2-CALBOURG: Jose D'Angelo trainee has made the lead in all 3 starts, winning his debut, but running out of steam a bit in last 2. This barn looks for back-to-back wins in the Mucho Macho Man after Guns Loaded scored a year ago. Held some decent company lines, chasing Oscar's Hope, who since won the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta for Tom Amoss. Junior Alvarado takes the mount for the first time.#3-EPIC SUMMER: Aqueduct debut sprint winner on Oct. 26 in nearly wire-to-wire fashion. This George Weaver trainee will pair of Tyler Gaffalione for the first time. Note his debut pursuer, Schoolyardsuperman, since returned to break his maiden for Chad Brown. Gap in workout tab between Nov. 21 and Dec. 19 means he could be a bit short on fitness.#4-MR. HOOLIGAN: 3-race maiden is devoid of early speed after unsuccessful ventures at Presque Isle, Keeneland and Tampa Bay Downs. Hard to think the venue change to Gulfstream makes a big difference, but a pace collapse could see him passing some tired ones for Kevin Rice.#5-ROGER THAT DANA: Debut sprint winner stretched out to 2 turns in the Florida Sire Stakes In Reality and gave way in the lane to finish third in that stakes unveiling. FSS rival Strategic Risk returns Saturday in Oaklawn's Smarty Jones Stakes. Trainer Luis Ramirez will have a third different rider in 3 starts on one expected to be part of the early pace.#6-TRIPP'S PROMISE: Dale Romans trainee should be the one to fear late off rallying placings in 1-turn mile allowances at Churchill Downs. His 92 BRIS Late Pace Figure over a mile should translate very well here under Corey Lanerie, who likes to save ground when possible. Romans trained the grandsire Shackleford and sire Promises Fulfilled to much success at Gulfstream and beyond.#7-BLAME YASSELF: Cross-entered in a Friday allowance at Gulfstream, but John Velazquez named to ride in the Mucho Macho Man gives you the sense he'll end up here. Victor Barboza Jr. trains the son of Blame, who outran his route genes to win sprinting Nov. 15 in his debut -- wire-to-wire no less. Projects to improve with distance and could be a factor throughout among the pace players.#8-MAX CAPACITY: Mid-Atlantic, well-seasoned Maxfield colt exits a runner-up finish in the Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, a race won easily by 1-9 favorite and 2-2 unbeaten Solitude Dude for Saffie Joseph Jr. This Ricard Silaman trainee has been inconsistent, but has probably faced the best competition in the field, including Balboa, who since ran third in the Remsen and goes in Saturday's Jerome at Aqueduct. Tough read, but not incapable.#9-THUNDER CHUCK: Monmouth maiden breaker for Jorge Delgado was no match for Ewing et al in the Saratoga Special before getting some time off. Return second in the Juvenile Sprint at Gulfstream in late November was a positive sign behind 4-5 favorite Hammond. Don't think he's fast enough to make the lead and not sure he really wants to pass horses.Most Likely Exotics Contender:TRIPP'S PROMISE gets the right pace set-up and is proven in 1-turn miles with a pedigree to like the track.Best Longshot Contender:No huge bombs projected, but BLAME YASSEL may get overlooked to a small degree.Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$60 win TRIPP'S PROMISE. $10 exacta key-box TRIPP'S PROMISE with COMMANDMENT and BLAME YASSELF ($40).

  EXTRA INCENTIVESPegasus World Cup VIP Sweepstakes | now through Jan. 41 Million 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Parx late pick 4NOTABLE CARRYOVERSMandatory Payout Pick 5 | $48,720 | Parx | begins Race 6 | 2:20 pm ETPick 5 | $63,841 | Tampa Bay Downs | begins Race 5 | 2:20 pm ETKEY RACESParx | Race 7 | 2:47 pm ET | Kris Kringle StakesParx | Race 8 | 3:14 pm ET | Blitzen StakesParx | Race 9 | 3:41 pm ET | Mrs. Claus StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETAqueduct | Race 8 | 4:04 pm ETTampa Bay Downs | Race 9 | 4:20 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMichael Moore | Parx | 5 of 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | trainer Jamie Ness | 2 wins, 2 seconds from 7 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Parx Late Pick 4 Hit & Split AnalysisFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Gulfstream Park will ring in the New Year with a 10-race card this Thursday, Jan. 1. It starts early, with the first post at 12:20 p.m. EST, but if you wake up a bit late, don’t worry. You will have plenty of time to watch nd wager on the Pick 3 that encompasses a pair of stakes races for newly turned 3-year-olds. Here’s a look at the action with a suggested $2 Pick 3 ticket that costs $36:GP 8th race (3:48 p.m. EST) -- Seven sophomore fillies bring a combined 29/7-11-4 record with average earnings of $64,900 into the $175,000 Cash Run, but all are seeking their first stakes victory. Woodbine invader DUNBAR BEACH gets Hall of Famer John Velazquez to ride and gets the call in her first start on conventional dirt. She was disqualified from second in her debut race won by eventual two-time stakes winner Piper’s Gift, swung 5-wide and ran third after a troubled start as a follow-up favorite, then launched a strong run between rivals to win going away in her first long distance test. SECANE was most impressive in her 7F debut win at Gulfstream, sprinting to a clear lead, finding another gear when challenged on the turn and running away from the wandering favorite in the stretch. She returned in the one-mile Tempted Stakes at Aqueduct three months later, chased Shilling – who set the pace for 6F in a Grade 2 stakes next out – and ‘kept on’ to finish third. The daughter of 2018 Florida Derby winner Audible is a deserving favorite and the one to catch.GP 9th race (4:18 p.m. EST) -- CHARLIE’S WISH (pictured), nearing a half-million as the field’s top money earner, is a steady mid-80 Beyer type when she races with Lasix. She’s a stakes winner on Gulfstream’s synthetic surface and could hold a tactical advantage in a race that lacks quality speed. FOR FLYING placed in a pair of Grade 3 stakes at Woodbine in four starts on the synthetic track and she, too, can make good use of her speed. DANCING N DIXIE, pinched and in tight early, unwound at the quarter pole and had a ‘solid late charge’ to finish third in the Grade 3 Maple Leaf, ahead of FOR FLYING in the 1-1/4-mile marathon that favored closers.GP 10th race (4:48 p.m. EST) -- GLORIOUS BOY made an eye-catching stretch run and wouldn’t have needed a disqualification to emerge the winner from a dead heat with the rival that forced him inward and exchanged bumps in the closing yards. He broke his maiden sprinting on the Aqueduct lawn, ran second in a follow-up 6F stakes race and should have no trouble transitioning back to the grass after a :46 bullet workout at Gulfstream last Friday. He could be a solo play, but with maiden breakers from nine different tracks uniting in the $175,000 Dania Beach, use a couple longshots on the Bet 3 ticket. ZEPPELIN awaited room on the final turn and found it in time to catch the two favorites in a 25-1 debut upset on the Churchill Downs lawn. EASY WIND improved his speed figures at four turf venues to start his career, then changed tactics and set a fast pace in a turf-to-dirt mile won by his 1-to-2 stablemate. Morning-line favorite HONEY DUTCH will be a popular play with a high turn of early foot and Irad Ortiz Jr. summoned to ride. He widened a big lead on the turn and got caught two back, then controlled a soft pace and got caught again in his first stakes attempt at a longer distance. For value purposes, we won’t use him on the ticket.Suggested $2 Pick 3 TicketGP 8th Race: 4, 7GP 9th Race: 2, 3, 6GP 10th Race: 4, 6, 7Cost: $36