EXTRA INCENTIVESBC Bankroll Builder | Bet $25, Get 5 | American Pharoah Stakes (Santa Anita)10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Woodbine | today’s races$10 Money-Back Special | Woodbine | today’s stakes (4) | up to $10 back if win bet finishes 2nd, 3rd500,000 1/ST Rewards Points Hit & Split | Red Shores (harness) | late pick 4SPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10, Santa Anita Races 3-4-6Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10, Santa Anita Races 8-9-10TOURNAMENT TIME$1000 Santa Anita BCBC Low Ratio Qualifier | details$100 Keeneland Feeder | details$100 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $21,511 | Belmont | begins Race 6 | 2:50 pm ETPick 6 | $37,398 | Keeneland | begins Race 5 | 3:08 pm ETSunset 6 | $34,082 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 8 | 4:20 pm ETPick 6 | $28,771 | Santa Anita | begins Race 5 | 6:02 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $54,785 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 11 | 6:32 pm ETKEY RACESLaurel | Race 4 | 1:26 pm ET | Smart Halo StakesLaurel | Race 6 | 2:27 pm ET | Lewis StakesBelmont | Race 6 | 2:50 pm ET | Matron StakesBelmont | Race 7 | 3:22 pm ET | Miss Grillo StakesDelaware | Race 6 | 3:25 pm ET | Battery Park StakesLaurel | Race 8 | 3:33 pm ET | Twixt StakesKeeneland | Race 6 | 3:40 pm ET | Woodford StakesWoodbine | Race 6 | 3:48 pm ET | Dance Smartly StakesBelmont | Race 8 | 3:53 pm ET | Champagne StakesDelaware | Race 7 | 3:58 pm ET | Rocky Run StakesLaurel | Race 9 | 4:06 pm ET | Polynesian StakesKeeneland | Race 7 | 4:12 pm ET | TCA StakesWoodbine | Race 7 | 4:20 pm ET | Algonquin StakesSanta Anita | Race 2 | 4:29 pm ET | Chillingworth StakesBelmont | Race 9 | 4:31 pm ET | Frizette StakesDelaware | Race 8 | 4:31 pm ET | White Clay Creek StakesKeeneland | Race 8 | 4:44 pm ET | First Lady StakesWoodbine | Race 8 | 4:55 pm ET | Nearctic StakesBelmont | Race 10 | 5:01 pm ET | Futurity StakesSanta Anita | Race 3 | 5:01 pm ET | Oak Leaf StakesKeeneland | Race 9 | 5:16 pm ET | Breeders’ FuturityWoodbine | Race 9 | 5:30 pm ET | Canadian International StakesDelaware | Race 10 | 5:37 pm ET | Delaware HandicapBelmont | Race 11 | 5:39 pm ET | Pilgrim StakesKeeneland | Race 10 | 5:48 pm ET | Turf Mile StakesSanta Anita | Race 6 | 6:34 pm ET | Speakeasy StakesSanta Anita | Race 7 | 7:04 pm ET | American Pharoah StakesSanta Anita | Race 10 | 8:36 pm ET | Rodeo Drive StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXBelmont Park | Race 3 | 1:11 pm ETKeeneland | Race 8 | 4:44 pm ETDelaware Park | Race 9 | 5:04 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMike Trombetta | Laurel | 3 of 4 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Keeneland | trainers Brendan Walsh, Chad Brown | 2 opening day winsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for SaturdayJeremy Plonk: Race of the Week – Rodeo Drive at Santa AnitaMatt Bernier: First Lady at Keeneland Stakes AnalysisJeremy Plonk: Keeneland Daily Longshots to WatchScott Shapiro: Woodbine Spot Plays for SaturdayScott Shapiro Belmont Spot Plays for Saturday

Today is a monster day of meaningful thoroughbred action with stakes-laden cards across the country, as well as north of the border in Canada. Yes, that is right, in addition to the big cards at Belmont, Keeneland, and Santa Anita, there are four graded stakes races in succession up at Woodbine Race Track led by the Canadian International (G1). To celebrate the big day for one of our partners, 1/ST BET and Xpressbet are running a Money-Back Special offer on all four stakes. Just register for the new promotion and receive a refund of your first Win bet up to $10 if the horse you bet to Win finishes second or third. Here is how I am approaching the four stakes events.Race 6: Dance Smartly (G2)There is a noticeable lack of early speed signed on in this year’s Dance Smartly, so being prominently placed appears to be a tactical advantage. #2 Power of Destiny was never going to attempt to make the lead last out in the Canadian (G2) due to the presence of Lupa drawn to the inside, but should have no issue making the front in this spot under jockey Ryan Munger. The 5YO mare was also competing off just ten days rest in her last start, but comes in fresh today having not raced since mid-August. Given the insurance of the Money-Back Special and the likely race shape, Power of Destiny appears to be a solid consideration to kick off the Saturday stakes action.Play: #2 Power of Destiny (10-1 ML)Picks: 2-5-1Race 7: Algonquin (G3)#2 Lou’s Room is not the likeliest winner of this five-furlong event over the Inner Turf, but the promotion makes him worth serious consideration at his 10-1-ML offering. This son of Epicenter debuted against rival #6 Excessif at Colonial Downs with the latter having the advantage of a race at Saratoga under his belt. In that first start, Lou’s Room was shuffled back during the middle stages losing position and a few lengths before showing some grit to re-rally and lose by three lengths in the end. The George Weaver trainee was unable to seal the deal in his next start two weeks later at Saratoga, but finished second beaten a neck under jockey Manny Franco. Weaver is 4 for 14 when shipping horses to Canada dating back to 2023 and this colt should sit a perfect pocket trip under Sahin Civaci.Play: #2 Lou’s Room (10-1 ML)Picks: 2-4-5Race 8: Nearctic (G2)#5 Gas Me Up enters this six-furlong affair for 3YOs+ over the grass having competed in two-turn turf races in his last four starts. He won the King Edward (G2) by a nose, so it is difficult for me to fault trainer Kevin Attard for the decision, but I always thought this gelding was best served as a late running turf sprinter. Perhaps that is because his effort in the Joe Hernandez (G2) was eye-popping last December, but regardless I am looking forward to seeing him come with a huge late run again over this turf course. Attard finds a strong spot for the six-time winner who should get an honest pace to chase.Play: #5 Gas Me Up (2-1 ML)Picks: 5-2-4Race 9: Canadian International (G1)This year’s Canadian International is expected to be bet as somewhat of a three-horse race between #1 Arabian Crown, #3 Purrview, and #5 Ancient Egypt. I lack a strong opinion other than that one will very likely cross the wire first, but I give the slight nod to Ancient Egypt. Of the three European invaders, this son of Frankel has a race in North America already under his belt. The Charlie Johnston conditioned colt broke a bit flat-footed from his inside draw at Saratoga in the Christophe Clement (G1), settled off a slow pace, and then moved wide into the lane before flattening out. He had put in two strong runs in Europe prior that run in New York and should rebound in a big way after gaining the invaluable experience in mid-August. Regular rider David Egan is set to get the leg up once again.Play: #5 Ancient Egypt (2-1 ML)Picks: 5-1-3

Woodbine Mohawk Park has a loaded 15-race card with Grass Roots Finals featuring 2-and 3-year olds as the headliners. The Spot Plays are in Race 4, Race 7, and Race 10. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 4 (7:52 PM EDT)3-Bulldog Belle (4-1)-There are a bunch of Bulldog Hanover 2-year-olds in this affair, and this one isn't at the top of the class yet but has been getting better. Will stake a swing at a square price and does have enough gate speed so Tyler Borth will be able to work a smooth trip. The inside draw suits its style and has the ability to take a picture versus this field.3-6-4Race 7 (9:01 PM EDT)6-Another Great Mass (5-1)-Posted a sharp win 2 back and didn't get a friendly trip. Paid off at every ounce of 12-1 that night and now draws a choice post. The 9-hole trip took its toll in last, and should offer another nice price. Trevor Henry can get a good early seat, as there isn't much gate speed to the inside. Will look for a big try, has won 5 of 20 starts at Mohawk and it appears to have found another gear lately.6-4-5Race 10 (10:10 PM EDT)8-Sugar Man (5/2)-The post draw will help the price. Comes off a 2nd place finish to Erwin Hanover in last and that is nothing to be embarrassed about. Since shipping in 3 back and returning to the Dave Menary barn, the Papi Rob 4-year-old hasn't missed hitting the board and has 1 win. Can leave as fast as the gate car and James MacDonald should have in a position to win at the top of the lane.8-2-3Check me out on X!

Saturday’s First Lady at Keeneland may end up being the most competitive stakes event of the meeting outside the Breeders’ Cup, with eleven fillies and mares set to battle over the mile distance in Lexington, Kentucky. This year’s First Lady is as difficult a handicapping puzzle as you’ll find, with legitimate cases to be made for at least 75% of the field to come out on top. Annoyingly, my only advice is this: unless you absolutely love a horse, don’t “settle” on a short price. This race is far too salty to settle on a 2-1 or 3-1 shot; don’t be afraid to go out on a limb with a price in a spot like this.Below you will find my fair win odds for each of the runners scheduled to compete in the G1 First Lady as well as my thoughts on some of the key contenders.1 – Pin Up Betty / 2% / 49-12 – Lush Lips / 11% / 8-13 – Mandanaba / 11% / 8-14 – Expensive Queen / 14% / 6-15 – And One More Time / 8% / 12-16 – Deep Satin / 6% / 16-17 – Love You Anyway / 3% / 32-18 – Segesta / 14% / 6-19 – Classic Q / 11% / 8-110 – Bless the Broken / 14% / 6-111 – Vina Arana / 6% / 16-1There are a million ways this analysis could begin; let’s start, though, with the runners who dead-heated for the win in the G1 Jenny Wiley here in the spring – SEGESTA (8) and EXPENSIVE QUEEN (4). Segesta is a track specialist, owning a record of 3-2-1-0 in three starts over Keeneland’s turf. The knock on the five-year-old mare, however, is her recent form. While still competitive against good company in New York over the summer, it’s fair to wonder if Segesta has regressed some over the course of 2026. If that’s the case, she’s probably settling for a minor award on Saturday.Expensive Queen, on the other hand, is a bit of an unknown commodity in the First Lady. After the dead heat here in April, the daughter of Lope de Vega went to the sidelines and hasn’t been seen in a race since. Now, off a six-month layoff, the Brendan Walsh trainee will need to put her best foot forward in order to have her picture taken in the Keeneland winner’s circle for the third time in three races locally. She’s a major threat, but another where price must be your guide.LUSH LIPS (2) and MANDANABA (3) are drawn just to the inside of Expensive Queen, and they both represent reasonable win candidates, too. Lush Lips has run just once since a victory at Gulfstream Park in February, but she’s already a grade one winner at Keeneland, having taken the Queen Elizabeth II Cup here last fall as a three-year-old. Her best races make her a serious threat to win this event.The same can be said for Mandanaba, who finished a solid second in a group two event in Germany as a precursor to a start on Saturday. Trained by Francis Graffard, the four-year-old filly will be making her second stateside start of 2026 following a decent second in the G1 Just a Game at Saratoga during Belmont Stakes weekend. All in all, I didn’t think the trip was too bad for Mandanaba that day; pocketed up throughout, perhaps hemmed in a bit at the top of the lane…but then Classic Q floated more than a path off the rail and Mandanaba simply couldn’t fire through. She’s a threat on her best, but her best is probably necessary.Speaking of CLASSIC Q (9) – she could be the speed-of-the-speed in the First Lady, a designation that is always dangerous. Her win in the Just a Game is clearly the best she’s ever run, and she’ll need a repeat performance if she’s going to take top honors in the First Lady on Saturday. She can win, but I chose to go with the horse who defeated her on the square when the two tangled at Kentucky Downs last month.BLESS THE BROKEN (10) has run on turf only once in her fifteen-race career, but that turf try resulted in a victory over Classic Q and others in the G2 Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf on September 5. Sent off at 8-1 odds that day, the daughter of Laoban didn’t look especially strong around the bend but eventually found her best stride over the final quarter mile, kicking away from her contemporaries with relative ease. The flat mile at Keeneland is far from an apples-to-apples comparison, but I’m inclined to believe that her finish over the rise at Kentucky Downs will translate nicely to the turf in Lexington. I’m hopeful that Brian Hernandez, Jr. can have Bless the Broken in a tracking position down the backside before taking his shot at the pacemakers around the far turn.THE PICKS: 10-4-8-2THE PLAY: 10) BLESS THE BROKEN TO WIN AT ODDS OF 6-1 OR GREATER

Each day during the 17-day Keeneland Fall Meet, I’ll spotlight the double-digit morning line prices that you’ll want to consider for your exotics plays. These are based on my top-3 choices in each race and will only appear if they’re in my mix and of significant odds.Our first 3 longshot plays opening day all ran second, so we’re dialed in. There simply aren’t the volume of longshots that stood out to me on the Saturday card, which is to be expected somewhat given the number of elite stakes races and field sizes. Here is the troika will try to get home.Race 1:#6 Noble Anthem (12-1 ML) – Slight cut-backs in trip do well at this class level and distance and this colt has been firing morning bullets over the track at Keeneland. Since going long at Indy, he returned quickly to the workout tab just 9 days after that last start (typically 14 days), indicating sharpness.Race 5:#5 Groveland (20-1 ML) – Pressed a wicked pace at Colonial last time and did better-than-it-looks to hold third. Colonial runners offered a flat-bet profit on all starters at last year’s Fall Meet. Street Sense offspring relish the Keeneland main track, so could enjoy the footing in his first local start.Race 6:#4 Nobals (15-1 ML) – Veteran 7-year-old is a past Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner (pictured) and seemed to get a little of that spark back late in his return try at Saratoga. Spa-prepped horses have won this stakes 3 of the last 4 years and this one’s pace versatility could play important against speedy Joe Sheisty and Doncho as to when to make a pouncing move.   Race 10:#8 Kupuna (15-1 ML) - Second start since a freshening and loved the Bernard Baruch win with a different running style than usually employed. Showed he's tied on and this prep path has been very successful in this race in past years. Favorites have won this stakes just once in the last 11 years (average winner 9-1 during that span), so why not fish even if the favorites look to be of quality?

Saturday is a massive day of stakes action across the land, including at Belmont Park where the newly renovated venue will play host to four Breeders’ Cup win and you are in events for juveniles. The Champagne and Frizette are the two Grade 1 events on the agenda, but look pretty chalky. Jeremy Plonk and I cover those two and six other graded stakes from across the country in this week’s 1/ST Call Podcast, but here are a trio of horses I like most on the card, including my thoughts in the other two Breeders’ Cup qualifiers.Race 3:My first play of the day comes in this state-bred MSW event for 2YOs at six-furlongs over the Inner Turf that appears wide-open. 7-2-ML favorite #7 Forecheck comes in off a runner-up effort at double-digit odds-on debut at the Spa for Linda Rice, but that was a blanket finish where this filly really did not stand out much at all despite a clean trip. She appears vulnerable as do the other runners with experience, so I will hope #3 Dream Spell is ready to fire big at first asking. The Three Diamonds Farm filly ships in from Turfway Park for trainer Mike Maker and has some intriguing pedigree being by Dialed In and out of a Smart Strike mare I remember from this circuit Strike Accord. The Chester and Mary Broman mare was not a world beater, but consistently fired in turf races between seven-furlongs and 1 1/16-miles. The fact Maker lures Flavien Prat is also worth noting. Hopefully, Dream Spell sets a favorable trip along the inside and comes with a strong run late.Play: #3 Dream Spell (8-1 ML)Picks: 3-6-4Race 7: Miss Grillo (G2)The second of six consecutive stakes races to conclude the Saturday slate is this 1 1/16-mile event for 2YO fillies over the sod awards the winner with a trip to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and I like the chances of #4 Fiora. Trainer Phil Antonacci is not a household name, but generally means business when he enters his runners in races evidenced by his 25%-win rate in 2026 with 59 starters sent to the gate. Antonacci debuted Fiora in a 6.5-furlong affair at Belmont just a couple of weeks ago where she showed solid tactical speed early and plenty left after the wire in her half-length victory versus MSW foes. The fact he wheels this $625k FTS August ’25 purchase back tells me she came out of the race well and he is confident she will love the added ground. Hopefully, Ricardo Santana Jr. finds a prominent spot early and has plenty left late to make it a perfect 2 for 2 to start aboard the Into Mischief filly.Play: #4 Fiora (3-1 ML)Picks: 4-7-6Race 11: Pilgrim (G2)The finale not only awards a spot in the gate for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, but it also might be the best betting race on the afternoon in Elmont. The two-turn event for 3YOs is a fun one and will be that much more enjoyable if longshot #3 Kipros runs big in his third career start. The son of Oscar Performance is out of a solid female family and easily could get overlooked in this spot despite a pair of better than looks efforts to start his career. He shied in at the start on debut from his rail draw costing him several lengths and was clearly still learning out there, but showed a solid turn of foot late to finish fourth to the impressive High Official. In his subsequent start, Kipros shied in a bit again at the break, but it was nowhere close to as detrimental as it was on debut. From there, he relaxed well off the pace before putting in a big run late to catch a long shot speed horse that looked like he was going to get to the wire first. Trainer Ray Handal is 10 for 46 over the last 90 days with a $2.08 ROI and had a serious two-turn turf 2YO last year in Heeere’s Johnny and may have one again with Kipros.Play: #3 Kipros (15-1 ML)Picks: 3-2-10

EXTRA INCENTIVESBC Bankroll Builder | Bet $25, Get 5 | Alcibiades Stakes (Keeneland)10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Sunset 6 | Gulfstream/Santa AnitaSCHEDULE NOTESKeeneland | Fall Meet opening day | first post 1 pm ETSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-9, Santa Anita Races 2-3-5Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 7-8-9, Santa Anita Races 7-8-9TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Keeneland Feeder | details$100 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $538,694 | Thistledown | begins Race 3 | 1:50 pm ETSunset Pick 6 | $20,491 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 7 | 3:30 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $50,705 (CAN) | Woodbine | begins Race 7 | 4:21 pm ETKEY RACESBelmont | Race 2 | 1:43 pm ET | Bongard StakesBelmont | Race 3 | 2:16 pm ET | Gimma StakesKeeneland | Race 7 | 4:12 pm ET | Phoenix StakesKeeneland | Race 8 | 4:44 pm ET | Jessamine StakesBelmont | Race 8 | 5:05 pm ET | Artie Schiller StakesKeeneland | Race 9 | 5:16 pm ET | AlcibiadesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXDelaware Park | Race 5 | 2:52 pm ETKeeneland | Race 8 | 4:44 pm ETBelmont Park | Race 9 | 5:38 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrad Cox | Keeneland | all 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Belmont Park | jockey Jose Ortiz | 3 stakes winsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli: Sunset 6 Carryover Analysis for FridayJeremy Plonk: Keeneland Daily Longshots to WatchFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

Hoosier Park has a 14-race card featuring Indiana 3-year-olds battling in Sires Stakes action. The Spot Plays are in Race 9, Race 11, and Race 13. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 9 (8:34 PM EDT)5-Shooting In Place (5-1)-Camera shy 5-year-olds is often in the mix but slow starts make the task more difficult. Could be overlooked, but there are a few in this field that should be out and rolling when the wings fold. Looking for a hot pace and counting on Jordon Ross to have in striking range at the top of the lane.5-7-1Race 11 (9:20 PM EDT)4-Door Dash (3-1)-Comes off a big effort at the Red Mile, left from post 10 and sizzled the back half in 54.1 to finish a good 2nd at 9-1. Ships in, comes back in 10 days and is able to go back on Lasix. That's a lot of positives, and has won 3 of 8 at Hoosier plus the Trent Stohler barn has been hot over the last 30 days. Not going to over think this one, with a smooth trip should be there at the wire and hopefully won't be bet too hard.4-2-1Race 13 (10:06 PM EDT)1-Miss Alexis (7/2)-Raced 1st over for about 3/8's of a mile in last and burned money as the race winner got through along the rail. Didn't live up to top billing and should be a much better price in this spot. Trace Tetrick returns and he didn't leave aggressively, and landed 5th around the opening turn. Tonight, this race should set up differently and will look for a bounce back effort from the word "Go".1-3-7Check me out on X!