Monday’s Memorial Day holiday card at Santa Anita wraps up 4 consecutive days featuring $2,000 Late Pick 4 Hit & Split promotions when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. The extended weekend’s most important card boasts the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile, Grade 1 Gamely and Grade 2 Hollywood Gold Cup on the Monday marquee. The Shoemaker is part of the late pick 4 sequence, and I’ll include some insights on the other pair of stakes before tackling the final 4 races.Race 5: Grade 2 Hollywood Gold CupThe early pick 5 concludes with a 5-horse edition of the $200,000 Hollywood Cup Cup at 1-1/4 miles. The distance remains key anytime you talk 10F on dirt as only #5 British Isles (pictured) has negotiated the trip successfully. This arguably is a similar-quality field as was the Santa Anita Handicap he won in March, but that it took 2:05.17 to do so doesn’t demand complete trust. He carries 7 more pounds than that race and spots this field 4 pounds across the lineup. #3 Subsanador will be the play as he narrowly missed in the Big ‘Cap over this trip in 2024 to a tougher rival (Newgate) in a faster time (2:03.49). He’s had some gate issues in 2 starts this year, but a small field and massive run to the first turn helps over 10 furlongs. Coming into the holiday weekend, trainer Richard Mandella’s barn is 3-for-6 to start May at Santa Anita and this one’s working bullets.Race 6: Grade 1 Gamely StakesWith obvious key contenders #5 Thought Process and #7 Rashmi expected near the front, this 1-1/8 miles turf test for the fillies and mares could see those outstanding milers stretched beyond their best. I’m all in on the late-running California transplant #8 May Day Ready. She could put Richard Mandella right back into the winner’s circle after the Gold Cup. She didn’t get any pace help in the Royal Heroine at a mile and now makes the second start off the layoff while firing bullets in the morning. Expect a big more forward, especially if #3 A Thousand Miles can mix is up a bit on the front with the others from an inner draw.Race 7: claimingIt’s a major gear shift to start the late pick 4 with $12,500 claimers dashing 5-1/2 furlongs. #9 Dirty Words looks trustworthy off a narrow runner-up in a similar spot May 3, and this race is laden with cheap speed to set it up enough to deliver his rally. #4 Blue Grass Go Go is the early speed runner I’m most interested in after spending most of his last start in make-up mode after a troubled break. But he doesn’t win often and needs a lot to go right, so demand a price. I’ll reluctantly avoid adding #3 One Smokin Dude but would include in the event of a scratch of the top pair.Race 8: Grade 1 Shoemaker MileThe 9-runner $300,000 Shoemaker Mile splits about in half for me in terms of win contenders. Several in here are nursing 7-race losing streaks that will remove them from pick 4 consideration while exotics contenders. It should run through #2 Formidable Man, defending champ #3 King of Gosford, #1 El Potente and #5 Almendares in order of preference. That Flavien Prat lands on Formidable Man is significant, but this 5-year-old has no history of coming off a layoff like this back to the Breeders’ Cup Mile so I’m inclined to spread a bit with quality options for coverage.Race 9: allowance/optional claimingFive-time winner #11 Supernal is offered for the $20,000 optional claiming price and lands against a field of less-accomplished runners. He won here last March in a turf-to-dirt surface change and comes off a solid return bid in a similar spot when fourth. Expect him from midpack, while #8 The G M should be in the hunt throughout. His return try April 24 from a July layoff was very promising and he’s got a quick work for this for a Mike Puype barn that won with all 3 starters at Santa Anita last week. Let’s make two do.Race 10: maidenA capacity field of 12 Cal-bred maiden special weights sprints 6-1/2 furlongs on the main turf course (not down the hill). Three of them were defeated at 2-1 or less last out while 3 more will make their career debuts. #2 Throwin Heat benefits from a better draw this time than last when losing ground. Rookies #6 Moment of Valor and #12 Owl go for barns doing good things right now. Peter Eurton trains the former and he’s 10-15 in the exacta (4 wins) at Santa Anita since the start of May as this racing week begins; Neil Drysdale trains the latter and he’s 4-7 in the exacta locally under the same timeframe. Add in logical player #9 Royal Rumor and I’ll settle on this quartet in a race that could go deeper if your opinions differ.Late Pick 4 Ticket9,4 with 2,3,1,5 with 11,8 with 2,6,12,9 = $32 for 50 cents

A 4-day holiday racing week kicks off Friday at Santa Anita with a $60,494 pick 6 carryover at The Great Race Place. The Memorial Day weekend opening card also features a $12,381 Sunset 6 carryover in conjunction with sister track Gulfstream Park. And horseplayers at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET can take part in a $2,000 Late Pick 4 Hit & Split Promotion on the final 4 races each day through Memorial Day Monday.Let’s get to work on Friday’s Santa Anita pick 6 races.Race 4: maidenWe’re poised with a single-or-spread situation right off the bat as 6 maidens match up over a mile on dirt. #5 Decisive Win debuted fourth in a highly productive race in which winner Crude Velocity has gone on to be a Grade 2 Pat Day Mile winner and runner-up / Doug O’Neill stablemate Civil Liberty (who was last year’s Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity third-place finisher) came back to easily win next out at Keeneland. If Decisive Win handles 2 turns as he’s bred to do, he should graduate. None of the other 5, despite hailing from power barns like Baffert, Glatt, McCarthy and Yakteen offer much appeal to date nor much separation from one another. Single is the right play.Race 5: starter allowanceEight turf sprinters (plus 1 also-eligible) go 6 furlongs as morning line favorite #1 Money Makes Money hits a second-off-the-layoff spot in his form cycle that’s been good to him in the past. He doesn’t need a move forward off his April 30 return try for Mark Glatt, just to avoid a bounce. You could arguably single but I’m giving #5 News At Ten a big chance in his first start in 11 months. He should be highly sharpened for the return sprint and a threat from the opening bell under Emisael Jaramillo. Trainer Peter Eurton’s barn has been on point in May at SA with 4 wins and 6 seconds from 15 starters this month. I’ll focus on this pair, but in the event of scratches #9 Liam Smith would be a major consideration from the also-eligible list.Race 6: claimingThe $12,500-level dash at 5-1/2 furlongs on dirt is laced with early speed. #5 Outrageous, who has won back-to-back starts, can sit a patient and perfect trip here if she’s as good as she was when she left. She appears to have missed 2 workouts in late April, resulting in her absence since mid-March. I get the feeling of not wanting to single Marcia Stortz in a pick 6, a trainer with 3 wins all year, but 2 of them came with this mare. #2 Miz Clubcall would be the other option to punch home late and she’s better on dirt like this than the turf races that have soiled her form. Difficult for me to see 1 of the (at least) 4 early pace burners turning them all away. Don’t forget the $2,000 Late Pick 4 Hit & Split promo with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet begins here.Race 7: allowance / optional claiming#6 Mythical Reel and #7 Crazy Cavalier are the pair I ended up with after considering #4 Catch the Breeze and #5 Poor Connection as well. Some fashion of current form and projection for the 1-1/4 miles turf trip whittled in down for me in the end. #6 Mythical Reel exits a promising third-place return bid over a tough 9F trip for the layoff and note this one showed significant improvement off a similar form cycle to start 2025. His runner-up last out, City Exile, came back here May 16 to win a similar allowance as the 3-2 chalk. #7 Crazy Cavalier has been effective from 6 furlongs to 1-1/4 miles like this and was simply overmatched when placed above his head last out. He won a similar turf mile 2 starts back in terms of class and is eligible here because Doug O’Neill put him in for the $50,000 optional claiming tag.Race 8: claimingA trio of logical contenders are difficult to separate: #6 Makenarita, #8 Bear’s Board and #9 A Fleet Ride. This cast of non-winners of 2 lifetime claimers at the $10,000 level will be tested over a mile on dirt. #9 A Fleet Ride won a Cal-bred maiden special weight that stacks up very favorably to the other winners in this race. She should be in the mix from the opening bell and has proven in recent starts to fit at this class and level. #8 Bear’s Board is most interesting among the quartet of 3-year-olds taking on elders in this cast of 10 and her $32,000 maiden claiming score is among the best wins on paper in the lineup. She gets a 6-pound weight break taking on elders. #6 Makenarita goes for a George Papaprodromou barn that last week posted a sharp 9: 3-2-0 mark in local starts. Filly has made positive strides in recent starts after a long string of uninspired initial efforts.Race 9: maidenAnother 8-runner max turf sprint wraps the action and includes a trio of also-eligibles. Trainer Mike Puype’s barn went 3-for-3 last week and that’s got me honed-in on rookie #7 Helping Hand as a live longshot (12-1 ML). Puype also has rookie #10 Miss Hellfire on the AE list to consider if she were to draw into the mix. Experienced runners #3 Sacred Sound and #6 Zip Me Up both return from August layoffs but showed some ability at Del Mar last summer for Peter Miller and Carla Gaines, respectively. They are 4-year-olds lined up against a bevy of shorter-priced sophomores on the morning line that have failed several times at short prices. I’ll try to avoid those types and find something juicier.The Ticket5 with 1,5 with 5,2 with 6,7 with 9,8,6 with 7,6,3 = $144 for $2 play

SCHEDULE NOTESCharles Town | racing canceled due to local water main breakNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $62,362 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $121,789 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 3 | 5:58 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 4 | 3:43 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 8 | 8:23 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrandon Kulp | Penn National | all 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | jockey Yedsit Hazlewood | 5 wins from 9 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Gulfstream Park’s 20-cent Jackpot Pick 6 features a $40,000 carryover pool this Friday, May 22, spanning the last six races on the card. Those looking to hedge, bail out or seek an alternative option can earmark some money for $1 Bet 3 on races 7 through 9. Here’s a closer look:GP 7th Race (4:04 p.m. EST) -- THREEDOTS ANDADASH tracked a soft pace and pulled away from the two favorites in the stretch to win in a longer route race. She earned the top speed figure of her career, now sheds 5 pounds today in her third start of a cycle. She was dismissed at 5-1 odds or less in the first four starts of her career on a synthetic track, so maybe there’s some upside to win again. She will carry the hopes of our Bet 3 ticket as a solo play.GP 8th Race (4:34 p.m. EST) -- Four of the six entrants in this entry-level allowance sprint arrive off maiden-breaking wins. ONE HUNDRED KINGS was most impressive, living up to odds-on favoritism in his 6F debut. He was squeezed in a traffic jam soon after the start, appeared to take an awkward step midway on the backstretch, but continued to press the second favorite through fast fractions until he changed leads and found another gear in mid-stretch. He increased the winning margin on a strong gallop out. SONIC SURGE was all-out to prevail in a $35,000 maiden claimer as the odds-on favorite. He enters a high-percentage claim barn and will have to improve to repeat. But take note that the field he faced as a 2-year-old in December at Aqueduct included Gotham Stakes (G-3) winner and Preakness runner-up Iron Honor, 9-1/2-length allowance victor Crossing Channel and Wood Memorial (G-2) runner-up Right to Party.GP 9th race (5:06 p.m. EST) -- With three first-time starters, two others making their first start on the synthetic track and room to spare on the Bet 3 ticket, hit the “ALL” button in the final leg of the sequence. REDHOTNBOTHERED blazed to a commanding lead at this distance on the main track, only to get caught in the shadow of the wire by the slow-starting second favorite. HIGH LATEEN debuts for trainer Victor Barboza Jr., who is 15-for-96 with first-time starters at Gulfstream Park the last three years with an average $15.60 win mutuel. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse sends out STRATEGIC WARRIOR, a $200,000 sales buy who breezed in :59-3/5 in his most recent workout. VIKING SUN exits MSW company and adds blinkers as he tries to recapture the form that led to a runner-up finish and an 83 Beyer speed figure the first time he ran on this surface.Suggested $1 Bet 3 TicketGP 7th Race: 3GP 8th Race: 1, 4GP 9th Race: ALLCost: $18

The Lead:Sophomore filly sprinters take center stage Saturday at Gulfstream Park for the $100,000 Game Face Stakes. The 6-furlong sprint goes as Race 10 of 11 and will be included in both the Sunset 6 and Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 wagers paired with sister track Santa Anita.​​Field Depth:LENNILU (pictured) is a stakes winner and Group 2-placed. WILLOW CASE also is a stakes winner, while DAKOTA'S LIL AUROR, LOVE LIKE LUCKY and LATE NIGHT TEXT are stakes-placed. LENNILU clearly has kept the strongest schedule in the field.​Pace:There's a heavy dose of dash speed, including MAXITAS, CANTON and LOVE LIKE LUCY. LENNILU and LATE NIGHT TEXT won't be far back in what should be a strong pace.​Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-MAXITAS: First of 4 Saffie Joseph Jr. trainees in the lineup, this Tampa debut dash winner has plenty of upside. By hot young sire Maxfield, his 5-1/2 furlong debut score was probably a bonus for his pedigree. But the task here from the rail vs. proven other speed is a tougher ask than her debut when even-money from a cush, post 6 of 6 at a shorter trip. Rare pairing for Joseph with Miguel Vazquez.2-LENNILU: Strictly the filly to beat with a 4-for-4 local record and stakes experience on the biggest stages worldwide from Royal Ascot to the Breeders' Cup. Arguably a touch better on turf than dirt, even if 2-for-2 on the main track, and perhaps 6 furlongs stretches her brilliance beyond her exceptional dash form (but she's won at the trip in her only attempt). Not easy taking a short price on a 3% jockey, but Patrick Biancone gives the call back to Jonathan Ocasio (who was 2-for-2 aboard her last year).3-WILLOW CASE: October layoff returnee won the Sharp Susan Stakes last summer on a sloppy track. Tough comeback spot for route-bred runner who was built up to distance last year, looking more like a launching pad to her season than the destination. Jockey Diego Herrrera has made a strong transition to Gulfstream.4-DAKOTA'S LIL AUROR: Most experienced field member has made 13 starts, all local, but has lost 11 straight while completing exotics in 5 in a row. Herbert Miller trainee's consistency is admirable but also indicating there's not a move forward in her to topple the best runners here.5-CANTON: Fast...but can she last? Daughter of Liam's Map looks to continue a big Saturday run for the sire of Preakness winner Napoleon Solo. She's made the lead in each of her last 3 starts on dirt, but held to score only in the maiden heat - tiring late to third in the pair of allowance bids. Saffie Joseph Jr. wheels her back on 13 days' rest for the shortest interval of her career. Can soften the other speed, but prefer others late.6-LOVE LIKE LUCY: After 5 straight starts in blinkers, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. removes the hood trying to snap this filly's 6-race losing skid. Nik Juarez takes the mount for the first time, the fifth different jockey to ride her in succession. Her best effort of late came on an off track and with Lasix, which she won't be able to use in Saturday's stakes.7-LATE NIGHT TEXT: The cut-back in distance and outside post draw should really give the fourth and final Saffie Joseph Jr. entrant some tactical edges in a race with plenty of pace. Joseph's spring/summer go-to pilot Micah Husbands lands here and this Into Mischief filly was vastly improved last out on the barn change from Nolan Ramsey. She was able to run away from a pair of Brad Cox trainees in what's likely a tougher late April maiden special weight than most at Gulfstream.Most Likely Exotics Contender:LATE NIGHT TEXT should get a dynamite stalking trip and have every chance as my top choice to upend LENNILU.Best Longshot Contender:DAKOTA'S LIL AUROR hangs around the superfecta often at big prices and could bottom the ticket if enough speed backs up in this race.​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$100 win LATE NIGHT TEXT.

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $232,563 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $58,758 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 5 | $25,993 | Assiniboia Downs | begins Race 2 | 9:00 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXBelterra Park | Race 8 | 4:05 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETPenn National | Race 3 | 6:43 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJamie Ness | Parx, Delaware Park | all 7 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | favorites won 32 of 65 Thoroughbred races across North AmericaPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $204,610 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $50,791 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXFairmount Park | Race 6 | 4:35 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 5:16 pm ETMountaineer | Race 4 | 8:15 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHShane Wilson | Louisiana Downs | all 5 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx Racing | favorites won 8 of 10 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card and the $1.00 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool rolls in Race 5. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 6, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (8:25 PM EDT)2-Soho Dow Jones A (8-1)-This level will be a test, but the driver change to Joe B can make a winning difference. Could be in line for a suck around trip with this post draw. Likes Yonkers has won 8 of 38 on the Hilltop and has the speed to surprise with a smooth trip. Will fade Boston Bound the 2-1 choice leaving from the 1-hole.4-Jabbar (6-1)-Drops to face similar, as in the win 2 back and went gate to wire that night from the 7-hole. Should leave and could get on the point or a 2-hole trip. The fractions should be lively and can prove the best down the lane.6-Catalpa Rescue A (5/2)-Bumps up after winning by getting on the engine. Previously was overmatched in the Borgata series and at the morning line price is worth using with Jason Bartlett sticking. Has won 6 of 16 races at YR, but there is other speed inside, so wouldn’t want to see a small price.Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)5-Lou Hill (2-1)-Has been on the road winning and cashing 2nd place checks at MVR and PcD. Beat the Invites when last here in March. Could get the top without burning much gas and that makes Lou dangerous.6-Donegal Luther N (4-1)-Did good work in the Borgata Series and finished 2nd by a head to Lou Hill versus the Invites on 3-23. With a good early seat, the 8-yr-old could take a picture and provide some value.Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)4-Aladdin (4-1)-Comes off its best effort in a while. Was first over against Shine the Light, who wasn’t going to be denied, and kept pacing hard to the wire. Draws well, and will look for a kinder trip tonight.7-Why Tomorrow Ray (6-1)-Has cashed 3 small checks in 4 races since being claimed on 4-1 by the Cory Stratton barn. Drops, this isn’t a group of all stars, and faces a beatable group. This looks like a spot to wake up at a square price.Race 9 (9:25 Pm EDT)2-Vici (4-1)-The veteran is not a winning machine but has been racing well and comes off a sharp win. Bumps up but still fits and should be in striking range on the top of the last turn and can rally down the lane.7-Music Hall (5/2)-This isn’t the easiest race to read, and the 6-year-old drops from facing $50k claimers to battle softer. Bartlett got the call on the 16-time winner in 2025. Should have its way with this field but is hard to trust. One thing that seems like a certainty is Bartlett will be driving the Chris Height trainee like it is the best.$1 Late Pick 42,4,6/5,6/4,7/2,7Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!