EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Parx | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $72,861 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETPick 5 | $4,315 | Mahoning Valley | begins Race 1 | 12:15 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $3,892 | Mountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXZia Park | Race 2 | 2:32 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 7 | 4:30 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHTodd Fincher | Zia Park | 7 of 8 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Zia Park | jockey Luis Valenzuela | 4 wins from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Parx Bet $100, Get $10 promo picksFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

All throughout November 1/ST BET and Xpressbet extend thanks to players with the twice-weekly Cornucopia of Cash promotion. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, bet select tracks to receive a $10 balance when you wager at least $100 on the card. First up Tuesday will be Parx Racing. Here’s how I’ll approach the card from Pennsylvania.Parx: Race 5 | 1:53 pm ET#4 Weekend Honor (4-1 morning line odds) exits a maiden-breaking win for the $25,000 level and that’s the best win on paper by any of these non-winners of 2 lifetime claimers. Vast improvement in both starts this year from the 0-6 campaign in 2025 that otherwise soils her form. Win bet #4. Picks 4-3-5Parx: Race 8 | 3:14 pm ET#5 Dreambuilder (7-2 morning line odds) was a strong second in stakes company last out without Lasix and gets back on the medication today under top pilot Paco Lopez in the return to allowance company. Should be pressing right in the mix. Win bet #5. Picks 5-6-3

The race that stops a nation assumes the international stage tonight as the $7.2 million Melbourne Cup is renewed for the 166th time. The 2-mile fixture at Flemington will be Race 7 on a card that gets underway at 6:45 pm ET US. The main event takes flight at 11:00 pm ET with a field of 24 international stayers. Showery forecast expected to produce soft going.Wagering offered to US customers, including at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET includes: Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta and Pick 4 (Races 7-10). The favorite hasn’t won the Melbourne Cup since 2013 and last year’s winner, Half Yours, was third choice in the market.Let’s meet the leading contenders for the Melbourne Cup:20-POINT OF LAW (4-1): One of 7 stablemates in the lineup representing trainer Ciaran Maher, who won this race in 2022 with Gold Trip. Lightly raced son of Frankel has won 3 of 5, but yet to race above the Group 3 level and will be tested for stamina and class while the ‘now’ horse. Sold by owner/breeder King Charles of England just prior to winning the Oct. 21 Geelong Cup and was previously campaigned in the UK by John and Thady Gosden, winning the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket.2-TRUSTYOURINSTINCT (4-1): Group 2 Curragh Cup winner exits a fourth in the classic Group 1 Irish St. Leger in September. The 6-year-old has won 9 of 25 starts. Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien twice has found success in the Melbourne Cup (Rekindling 2017 and Twilight Pavement 2020). Jockey James McDonald won this race in 2021 aboard Very Eleegant.12-HOPEWELL ROCK (5-1): Star British trainer George Boughey has had a remarkable year with Bow Echo his stable star and last week won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with Libertango. This UK raider was runner-up in the Ebor at York in August when last seen and has won 3 of 10, including a 1-3/4 miles handicap this summer at Goodwood. South African-born and Aussie-raised jockey Zac Lloyd has had a breakout year in 2026, winning the Golden Slipper in the Spring and getting to team with Boughey at Royal Ascot on the international stage.1-SONS AND LOVERS (10-1): Carries top weight at 127 pounds for Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien, who seeks a third Melbourne Cup success (2017, 2020). Dylan McMonagle, who rode a pair of runners-up among 4 mounts in the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland over the weekend, will be aboard. Group 2 winner at Longchamp in July and exits a second-place effort in the Group 3 Kilternan at Leopardstown back home in Ireland in September. Sons And Lovers was fourth over the 2-mile journey at Meydan in the Dubai Gold Cup on the World Cup Day undercard.11-JUJA KIBO (14-1): Ciaran Maher’s second-best of 7 options according to the morning line prices, this one rides a 2-race win streak in the main event. Exits wins at Randwick in the Metropolitan and over this Flemington course in the Moonee Valley, both Group 2 stakes. Known to possess a strong turn of foot late in the going. Everest Stakes-winning jockey Sam Clipperton bids for his first Melbourne Cup after a return from retirement.4-MIDDLE EARTH (15-1): Leaves from the inside gate in the field of 24. Part of the 7-fold Ciaran Maher brigade looking to bring the barn its second Melbourne Cup glory. Mark Zahra knows Melbourne Cup riding success, guiding Gold Trip and Without A Fight to back-to-back wins in 2022-’23. Overmatched at the highest levels of late in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup and Group 1 Cox Plate in a 1-for-6 season that includes a Group 3 win at Doomben in May.24-SHOCKLETZ (15-1): Yet another for the Ciaran Maher outfit, whose 7 runners here include 4 of the top-7 morning line choices in the betting. Jockey Harry Coffey rides just days after a surgically repaired broken collarbone. Jockey Michael Dee would be Plan B. Mare gets in extremely light at 112 pounds. Runner-up Oct. 24 in the Group 3 Tesio is a daughter of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking.

MELBOURNE CUPFlemington | Race 7 | 11:00 pm ET (card begins 6:45 pm ET)NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $61,745 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETPick 5 | $17,612 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 4 | 3:00 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $1,303 | Mountaineer | Race 8 | 9:55 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXMahoning Valley | Race 6 | 2:35 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 8 | 5:00 pm ETMountaineer | Race 5 | 7:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrandon Kulp | Parx | all 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mountaineer | Race 2 | 125-1 winner Sway Me Over debuted a $252.20 mutuel and keyed a dime super worth a national-best $9.515.60.PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

Yonkers Raceway has a 10-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool starts in Race 5. The Spot Plays are in Race 2, Race 6, and Race 10. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 2 (7:05 PM EST)6-Vicious (5-1)-This is the 3rd start back after a lame scratch on 8-31. Came off the bench on 10-19, drew the 8-hole, and put in a no-move mile. Then came back in sequence, left from post 4, landed in the pocket and finished that way. Now bumps up and should be a solid price. Can leave and land right behind Jason Bartlett on the rail horse who is even money in the program. The 7-year-old has a tactical edge in a race without much early speed inside. Could challenge the chalk if the opening turn goes well.2-1-5Race 6 (8:25 PM EST)8-Theflyingrock (4-1)-If the 8/5 morning line choice #3 Missed The Truth A loses my guess it will be to someone close to the leader turning for the wire that proves best in the late going. The Rock draws outside but could fly off the gate and might get a pocket ride. Steps up, but is sharp, has won 3 straight and should be a fair price with this post draw. The 8-year-old still enjoys taking pictures, has posted 11 wins in 23 starts this year. Plus, it's Yonkers record is impressive as well (74-20-9-13).8-3-5Race 10 (9:45 PM EST)6-No Trespassing (4-1)-Took about 6-weeks off after being a sick scratch on 9-15. Comes off a dull try versus better at PcD on 10-24, ships in, and lands in a soft spot. Cashed checks versus better before the sick scratch and should enjoy the company. Bartlett gets the nod and when he steers for the Daguet barn they have combined for 41% winners. The 4-year-old should be in the mix and has a pilot who can push the button at the right time.6-2-5Check me out on X!

EXTRA INCENTIVES10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Sunset 6 | Gulfstream/Santa AnitaSCHEDULE NOTESSanta Anita | closing day | mandatory payoutsBelmont | early first post 11:30 am ETSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 10-11, Santa Anita Races 5-6-8Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 9-10-11, Santa Anita Races 8-9-10--mandatory payouts on both wagers todayTOURNAMENT TIME$1,000 Santa Anita Closing Day Challenge | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $89,654 | Gulfstream | begins Race 6 | 2:45 pm ETMandatory Payout Place Pick 8 | $22,814 | Santa Anita | begins Race 3 | 4:01 pm ETMandatory Payout Pick 6 | $30,023 | Santa Anita | begins Race 5 | 5:03 pm ETPick 6 | $32,613 | Los Alamitos | begins Race 3 | 9:06 pm ETKEY RACESBelmont | Race 2 | 11:59 pm ET | Bold Ruler StakesBelmont | Race 4 | 12:57 pm ET | Notebook StakesWoodbine | Race 3 | 2:12 pm ET | Mazarine StakesBelmont | Race 8 | 2:53 pm ET | Turnback the Alarm StakesBelmont | Race 9 | 3:22 pm ET | Forty Niner StakesBelmont | Race 10 | 3:51 pm ET | Casa Creed StakesSanta Anita | Race 4 | 4:32 pm ET | Twilight DerbyWoodbine | Race 8 | 4:42 pm ET | Grey StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXChurchill | Race 6 | 3:26 pm ETBelmont | Race 10 | 3:51 pm ETSanta Anita | Race 10 | 7:33 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrendan Walsh | Belmont | 3 of 4 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Woodbine | favorites won 7 of 11 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Santa Anita’s Twilight DerbyBrian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

The Lead:The weekend's graded stakes don't end with the Breeders' Cup. Sunday's Santa Anita feature, the $200K Grade 2 Twilight Derby, sends us out with another hit. This race has been a fixture of Breeders' Cup weekends on the west coast and his year flies solo as a Sunday main event. It's closing day of the Santa Anita meeting with a $30K pick 6 carryover and mandatory payout.​​Field Depth:PROLETARIAT has the field's signature win in the Graded 2 Del Mar Derby (pictured). UNRIVALVED TIME was a Grade 3 winner last fall. Those 2 have kept the toughest stretngth of schedule.​Pace:Over 1-1/8 miles on turf, expect front-running PROLETARIAT to dictate from the rail and looks to be heavily advantaged as lone speed.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-PROLETARIAT: Good 2YO last year has totally blossomed in 3 starts this year, winning all in front-running fashion. Has won at both Santa Anita and Del Mar and at that distance. Tough to poke holes in for this assignment for a Jeff Mullions barn that's red-hot.2-MELISMATIC: Back-to-back turf mile wins set this one up for the class rise in the Del Mar Derby but he never really closed with any oomph. Phil D'Amato trainee bred to be a miler and may be best over that trip 220 yards shorter than this.3-TRIBALISM: Outkicked in allowance mile at Del Mar late by MELISMATIC and, like that one, offered little fanfare in the Del Mar Derby on the rise and stretch-out. Switches riders to Jamie Spencer but will have to turn the tables on MELISMATIC before even considering bigger prizes.4-ESSOS: Mark Glatt trainee got his first turf win stretching out to 1-1/4 miles at Santa Anita on Oct. 18 and now tries turf stakes company for the first time. Has twice beaten older horses and that's a feather in the cap this time of year back against only sophomores. Distance will be no issue, but gives a ton of pace to PROLETARIAT and would need some help to soften that one up to beat him.5-UNRIVALED TIME: Late-running Del Mar Derby fourth was much closer that day to PROLETARIAT than in the Oceanside over a mile. He's a 9-furlong winner on turf in the Cal-bred Snow Chief Stakes and definitely suited for the distance. Joel Rosario takes over the mount for the first time.6-PATH TO POWER: Formidable Phil D'Amato-Juan Hernandez team puts this distance-pedigreed gelding into stakes for the first time. He has been battling older horses over 9 and 11 furlongs and should match up well with these despite the class rise.Most Likely Exotics Contender:PROLETARIAT is the obvious horse to beat and difficult to imagine running off the ticket.Best Longshot Contender:ESSOS is equipped for the trip and the Glatt-Rispoli team has been a successful pairing.​​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$50 Exacta part-wheel PROLETARIAT over PATH TO POWER and ESSOS.​

Northfield Park has a 15-race card. The Spot Plays are in Race 2, Race 6, and Race 10. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11, and the sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 2 (6:22 PM EST)4-Heart Song (7-1)-Shipped in from Aces and put in a decent effort, stayed inside but did gain ground in the late going. Went the back-half in 56.4 and it was a month since the last start. Landed in the same condition but meets an entirely different group. The 4-year-old had a good year hitting the board in 15 of 27 with 5 pictures. Will look for better in the 2nd race in town and does have the speed to beat this field.4-1-5Race 6 (7:50 PM EST)3-Maddog Jessee (7-1)-Except for the 8/5 program chalk #2 Seeyousomewhere, this is a soft bunch. This 3-year-old learned its lessons on the Fair Circuit this season and made its Nfld debut on 10-25. Aaron Merriman was at the controls, was bet down to 1/9 and had issues. Broke stride at the start, then rallied to get within reach of the leader but went off stride again down the lane and finished 2nd. This will be the 2nd start in the Gerald Maladay barn, comes back in sequence this time, and Merriman sticks. Should be a nice price and will rely on the breaking issue to be solved.3-2-6Race 10 (8:56 PM EST)4-French Shaker (9/2)-This mare can tease you with the best of them, coming close but not sealing the deal. But now arrives at a level of past success against a beatable field. Drops, draws the 2nd best post, and should be in play early on. Pilot John Ciocca needs to provide a sharp steer, and if so, could pop at a square price with a top of the stack trip.4-1-3Check me out on X!