Saturday is a big day for state-breds at Fair Grounds Race Course. With $900,000 worth of stakes events for Louisiana-breds, Louisiana Champions Day is sure to be a day worth attacking in New Orleans and 1/ST BET and Xpressbet are back once again with a promotion to make the card that much more attractive. This time it is a Hit & Split with a total of $5,000 up for grabs. Just register for the promotion and split an additional $2,500 if you hit the late Pick 5 (starts in Race 8) or $2,500 for the late Pick 4 (starts in Race 9). Here is how I plan to attack the late horizontals.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: Louisiana Champions Day JuvenileGrade: B-Main Ticket: 3 Creole ChromeBackups: 5 Our MoneymanForecast: The late Pick 5 kicks off with this 6-furlong dash over the main track for 2YOs where a number of runners exit the Joseph R. Peluso Memorial on November 20. #6 Mr Mo Money sprung the upset that day crossing the wire first at odds of 21-1, but I prefer #5 Our Moneyman out of that group. The Allied Racing Stable runner has taken on open company competition in Kentucky and should move forward in his second local start for trainer Bret Calhoun. I will use him as a backup, but like the chances most of #3 Creole Chrome. The Volatile colt debuted on the same day as the Peluso Memorial where he broke his maiden on debut earning the same time as Our Moneyman did a few races earlier. The Joe Sharp trainee was much the best that day and retains the services of Paco Lopez. He is the one to beat in this year’s Juvenile.Race 9: Louisiana Champions Day TurfGrade: C+Main Ticket: 11 Allnight Moonlight; 9 Woods N WaterBackups: 1 LetmikefigureitoutForecast: This 1 1/16-miles race over the lawn is one of the mor challenging races on the entire card. The lack of speed signed on gives a runner like #1 Letmikefigureitout a chance to use his tactical zip and inside draw to his advantage, but his lack of turf form makes him difficult to get too excited about at his 7-2-ML offering. I am hoping that one of two runners that are likely to provide better value can get enough pace to chase to get to the wire first. #9 Woods N Water won this race a year ago, but has done little since. The Palace gelding failed to hit the board in back-to-back races following his victory last December and has been given time since. If he is ready to fire fresh, he is capable of springing the upset in consecutive years. #11 Allnight Moonlight is my top choice. The son of Ransom the Moon lacks speed, but has run some big races from off the pace over the grass. Hopefully, Jose Ortiz can work out a trip from his outside post.Race 10: Louisiana Champions Day SprintGrade: BMain Ticket: 5 Not On HerbBackups: NoneForecast: #5 Not On Herb is one of four in this compact group of six that exits last month’s Andrew Ney Memorial. The son of First Samurai stalked early and grinded hard late to earn his fifth victory over the Fair Grounds main track. The David Terre runner is unlikely to offer the same value he did in his victory off the bench, but the fact he draws outside #1 Geaux Sugar again should give jockey Paco Lopez a tactical advantage. I like his chances to earn his tenth career victory and first in the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint.Race 11:Grade: C+Main Ticket: 2 Jet RuckusBackups: 6 Running FaithForecast: I lack creativity in this state-bred MSW event at one-mile where 3-1-ML second choice #2 Jet Ruckus is my top choice. The daughter of Combatant debuted going eight-furlongs at Delta Downs last month where she finished a solid second at nearly 10-1. A move forward should be expected from the 2YO filly, who returns to the races for a barn that is 9 for their last 38 with second-time starters for a juicy ROI of $4.03. I give her a big chance to beat 5-2-ML favorite #6 Running Faith, who makes plenty of sense going two sprints to a route after a runner-up effort going 5-furlongs at Delta Downs.Race 12:Grade: XMain Ticket: 1 Sweet DarlinBackups: NoneForecast: I have no interest in tackling 7-5-ML favorite #1 Sweet Darlin in the finale. The Can the Man mare has been given time after three poor efforts going two-turns to end her 4YO season. Trainer Bret Calhoun and drops his trainee down massively into this beaten $5k claimer at six-furlongs over the main track where Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. should be able to tuck in right behind the speeds and best this group as a heavy public choice. She is likely to be too short of a price to gamble on individually, but makes for a popular single in the late horizontals.

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Penn National | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Park Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $15,941 | Aqueduct | begins Race 3 | 1:38 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $106,370 | Gulfstream | begins Race 4 | 1:53 pm ETPick 6 | $53,984 | Fair Grounds | begins Race 4 | 3:15 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $96,010 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:10 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $66,422 | Charles Town | begins Race 4 | 8:32 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $7,432 | Turfway | Race 9 | 9:55 pm ET--Woodbine has frozen $194K (US) Super Hi 5 carryover until Saturday’s mandatory payoutLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFair Grounds | Race 4 | 3:15 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 1 | 5:55 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrandon Kulp | Penn National | all 6 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Charles Town | jockey Arnaldo Bocachica | 5 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 8 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Penn National Bet $100, Get $10 Plays for ThursdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The Lead:It's last call on the Derby calendar for 3-year-old turfers this Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The $125,000 Tropical Park Derby caps an 11-race card that includes the Tropical Park Oaks. The Derby once was a New Year's Day kickoff race to the sophomore season, boasting winners like Kitten's Joy, Mecke and Barbaro. Now it's a just dessert to a campaign.​​Field Depth:Grade 3 winner TIZ DASHING is the lone graded stakes-winner in this listed field. Stakes winners include THUNDERING, CHURCH AND STATE, LAYABOUT, TANK and SOUPER FORCES. Meanwhile, SIMULATE is Grade 2-placed and CHAPMAN'S PEAK is Grade 3-placed. These are fairly well-matched, but TIZ DASHING, SIMULATE and TANK may have the strongest company lines over time.​Pace:ROAR OF THE BEAST is most likely to set the tone if he takes to turf. Expect TANK to be sent along from a wide draw, while DAY AND AGE and CHAPMAN'S PEAK should be in the early hunt. The pace looks average for the class and trip over 1-1/16 miles.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-THUNDERING: Trainer Derek Ryan takes over the controls of the Toronto Cup and Kent Stakes runner-up. Blinkers off last time failed to deliver positive results, so the hood goes back on this Canadian export. Last year’s Display winner at Woodbine looks to snap an 8-race losing streak.2-DISCREET DANCER: No threat at long odds in back-to-back stakes at Gulfstream. Veteran trainer Antonio Sano gets a jockey upgrade to John Velazquez and a ground-saving trip is likely. But his 5: 0-0-0 stakes mark tells the tale.3-TIZ DASHING: Hard-fought winner of the Grade 3 Hill Prince at Aqueduct last out despite drawing farthest outside in a field of 9. Inconsistency has been a part of the Barclay Tagg trainee’s ledger all season, but his best under Javier Castellano puts him squarely in the discussion.4-CHURCH AND STATE: Canadian export fired a bullet workout Dec. 4 at Gulfstream for his first local appearance. He was a solid third behind Tiz Dashing in the Grade 3 Hill Prince at 28-1 odds most recently and rallied past Thundering to win the Toronto Cup in August. Should make some late noise.5-DAY AND AGE: Potential early pace has a chance to get to the rail with little speed to his inside. Well-traveled son of Omaha Beach is with his third different trainer and wasn’t able to sustain a strong pace in his local unveiling in the Showing Up Stakes. A bit slower tempo would help the cause for trainer Mark Casse.6-LAYABOUT: Since moving from Brian Lynch to Patrick Biancone this sprint, this gelding has shown a massive improvement. He’s won 3 of 5 with a narrow runner-up last out in the Showing Up Stakes over this course and distance. May have moved a bit too soon in that one and a rider change to Junior Alvarado should be seen as a positive.7-CHAPMAN’S PEAK: After all 6 starts at Kentucky tracks, this Brad Cox trainee hits the road fro his Turfway Park base for the first time. He posted Kentucky Downs and Keeneland wins this fall before a strong second battling on the lead in the Grade 3 Commonwealth Turf at Churchill. Seems to take his course with him. Tyler Gaffalione gets the call for the first time. Contender near the front from the start.8-SIMULATE: Son of Tropical Park Derby winner Kitten’s Joy looks to follow in his sire’s footsteps. Back-to-back poor efforts in the Grade 3 Nashville Derby and Grade 3 Bryan Station are causes for concern after a strong summer saw him run second in the Grade 2 Secretariat at Colonial Downs. Regular rider Junior Alvarado hops off a Bill Mott charge in favor of Layabout in this race.9-ROAR OF THE BEAST: 1-turn dirt speed will stretch out on turf and see what he can muster on grass for the first time. Even if he handles the footing, the distance is questionable on pedigree and his 2 prior attempts around 2 turns. Rajiv Maragh rides for the often-dangerous Saffie Joseph Jr.10-CANDYTOWN: Todd Pletcher’s Showing Up Stakes beaten favorite looks to make amends after a fourth-place finish with traffic woes. Stalking style could be caught wide from post 10 for a horse who hasn’t always finished with flair. Best is capable, but demand some price.11-TANK: Potential pace player didn’t get away well at all in the Saranac when last seen in September, but fresh horses often get cooking early upon their return. His 3-race winning streak in Florida earlier this year was promising and he’s run well over this course. Could bounce back after a pair of Saratoga misfires, but will have to be hard-used early from this draw.12-SOUPER FORCES: Rallying winner of the Showing Up Stakes at 18-1 odds will likely employ a deep-closing style in hopes of avoiding ground loss in the early going Saturday. He’s 3-for-3 and yet to be favored, rewarding his backers at Presque Isle, Colonial and Gulfstream. Trainer Mike Trombetta won this Tropical Park Derby in 2024 with Souper Blessing after prepping in the Showing Up and looks to repeat that path.AE 13-McRAVIN: Jimmy Toner trainee has a win and second in 2 Laurel efforts and would be making his first stakes bid if able to draw in from the also-eligible list. Midpack style likely to be caught wide from this draw, but the Uncle Mo colt has shown promise with more ceiling to achieve.Most Likely Exotics Contender:LAYABOUT is 3-3 in the exacta over the course and hasn't missed the superfecta in 5 starts since a barn change. His versatile pace style gives him options.Best Longshot Contender:TANK's last 2 poor efforts should inflate his price and the 11-hole draw will scare some away as well. We know he can handle the course and distance, and can eliminate some variables if he breaks fast and clean.Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$40 win LAYABOUT. $10 exacta part-wheel LAYABOUT, TANK with LAYABOUT, TANK, CHAPMAN'S PEAK, SOUPER FORCES ($60).

The twice-weekly Winter Winner-Land promotion heads to Penn National this Thursday. Take advantage of the Bet $100, Get $10 with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet when playing the card from Grantville, Pa. The 9-race program begins at 5:45 pm ET.Penn National: Race 4 | 7:12 pm ET#1 Cool Million (5-2 morning line odds) should be difficult to catch with rail speed in a wire-to-wire gameplan. Parx shippers win nearly 30% with a positive ROI in Penn National December allowance races in recent years. Strong recent form since changing barns. Win bet #1 and single in multi-race bets. Daily Double 1-2 to next play. Pick Three 1-2-2 to next 2 plays.Penn National: Race 5 | 7:41 pm ET#2 Sorani (5-1 morning line odds) ran like a short horse last time out off a 7-month layoff and should be more fit for the challenge. That layoff is responsible for her being eligible for this claiming condition moreso than her rivals who have run out long losing streaks in the interim. Well-placed and has won over this track in the past from her Parx homebase. Win bet #2. Daily Double 2-2 to next play.Penn National: Race 6 | 8:10 pm ET#2 Forward Move (7-2 morning line odds) is absolute perfect fit for this starter allowance condition, dropping to the max level once in September and romping by nearly 6 lengths. Reps the high-percentage tandem of Martin Chuan-Jamie Ness off a troubled trip in Maryland. Can cruise with a clean trip. Win bet #2.

Oaklawn Park’s 2025-26 racing season begins with a 10-race card this Friday. If history repeats itself, expect some big prices across the board. On opening day last year, only one favorite won and the average win mutuel was $21.40. The 50-cent Pick 3s on the card yielded an average payout of $500. Here’s a look at the mid-card Pick 3 encompassing the featured $150,000 Advent Stakes for 2-year-olds. Our suggested play is a $1 ticket that costs $36.OP 6th race (3:53 p.m. EST) -- THE THUNDERER, the only two-time winner at 1-1/8 miles in this crowded starter allowance, fits the longshot profile. He can save ground from the rail, summon his top race (86 Beyer) in a near miss at Oaklawn in February and enhance trainer Greg Compton’s resume that includes four consecutive winners off the claim in April with 30-60 days rest. The well-traveled MY NOBLE KNIGHT returns to the scene of back-to-back route victories that triggered an 8/3-3-1 record since April while racing once a month. He got first run on a wave of closers two starts back, but he drifted in the final furlong at Churchill Downs and finished second in a starter allowance. KEEN CAT finished behind MY NOBLE KNIGHT in a fast-paced 7F sprint at Churchill, but he advanced inside on the turn, checked out of contention and recovered to finish well. He posted a career-best 95 Beyer at Oaklawn in a long-distance romp with Francisco Arrieta, last year’s leading rider, aboard. MONEY RUN met nine next-out winners in four starts to close his 2024 season. He went wire-to-wire twice this year at one mile and can carry his speed far if he gets early position from post 12.OP 7th race (4:22 p.m. EST) -- YASMIN’S :47.1 workout over the track November 28 was a full second faster than 79 of 84 others at 4F. She is a must use in this 6F MSW sprint. Two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox unveils rail-sitting EAGLE DANCE off a series of strong works. Cox wins at 27-percent with 2-year-olds but he is 3-for-28 at Oaklawn with first-time starters the last 2 years, with 21 of those runners being dismissed at 5-1 odds or less. AMERICAN MISSY also has a solid foundation of 5F works at Oaklawn, albeit at a much better price. She is by multiple Grade 1-placed American Freedom (3-8, $705k). SPLENDID SONG will get a lot of play off a well-bet, runner-up finish at Keeneland; however, the race came back weak with 7/0-0-1 follow-up efforts and an average 38 Beyer from those who ran on conventional dirt.OP 8th race (4:52 p.m. EST) -- BOCA BEACH CLUB was hustled while wide on the backstretch, reeled in the free-running favorite and pulled away with authority in a debut win at Hawthorne. He is the top pick in the featured $150,000 Advent Stakes but one of many to consider in the final leg of the Pick 3. DIRTY RICH returns to the main track for the first time since July, when he shook a duel and repelled eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up Mr. A.P. He sheds the blinkers off a two-month freshening. WALTER THE MASON looked good in winning the Zia Park Juvenile, sprinting to a clear backstretch lead and finding gears as needed in a 16-1 upset. Morning-line favorite SPUN D M C ‘offered little resistance’ on the lead in a four-horse stakes race, but the cutback to 5-1/2F should help.Suggested $1 TicketOP 6th Race: 1, 2, 4, 12OP 7th Race: 1, 3, 8OP 8th Race: 1, 2, 4Cost: $36

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $83,771 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 5 | 4:30 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $61,719 | Charles Town | begins Race 4 | 8:25 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay Downs | Race 8 | 3:58 pm ETDelta Downs | Race 4 | 7:11 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSteve Asmussen | Remington Park | 8 of 9 entries 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Zia Park | trainer Dick Cappellucci | 3 wins from 6 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Tampa Bay Downs Wednesday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

A couple of very interesting Betmix Angler plays appeared when looking at Wednesday's racing from Tampa Bay Downs.Tampa Bay Downs | Race 7 | 3:24 pm ET#12 Princess Honor (15-1 morning line odds) gets a longshot look after cutting back from a Gulfstream 1-turn mile to this 7-furlong maiden claimer at Tampa. Such moves produced a remarkable 5 wins in the last 6 Tampa MCL attempts going back to April of 2022. Princess Harbor faced slightly better competition in 2 prior dirt losses at Tampa last winter, including an attempt vs. the boys. She showed some pace interest vs. fellow fillies. Win-place bet #12.Tampa Bay Downs | Race 9 | 4:28 pm ET#4 La Frost (9-2 morning line odds) won his debut race August 31 at Monmouth and has been sidelined since. Note that trainer Terri Pompay isn't known for winning first time out, so this debut score gets extra credit for that fact. Then consider that Pompay's 10 debut winners since 2015 have produced 4 next-out winners who made it 2-for-2 like La Frost attempts ($2.49 ROI for every $1 bet). Win bet #4.

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Parx | today’s races 10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Red Shores (Charlottetown) | all plays todayNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 5 | $6,242 | Mahoning Valley | begins Race 1 | 12:15 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $69,355 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:11 pm ETKEY RACESTurf Paradise | Race 6 | 5:38 pm ET | Arizona Breeders’ Futurity FilliesTurf Paradise | Race 8 | 6:36 pm ET | Arizona Breeders’ FuturityLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 7 | 2:47 pm ETZia Park | Race 9 | 5:41 pm ETMountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJamie Ness | Parx | all 7 entries 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | Race 1 | nation’s highest-paying exacta ($417) and superfecta ($68,838)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Parx Bet $100, Get $10 Picks for TuesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section