1/ST BREEDERS’ CUP WAGER GUIDENow available | daily updates | free accessEXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | BC Bankroll Builder | Keeneland’s Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes$2,500 Late Pick 5 Hit & Split | Mahoning Valley20X 1/ST Rewards Points | Woodbine | today’s races10X 1/ST Rewards Points | Sunset 6 | Gulfstream/Santa AnitaSCHEDULE NOTESKeeneland | closing day of Fall Meet | mandatory payoutsBreeders Crown (Harness) | Scioto Downs | first post 6:08 pm ETSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10, Santa Anita Races 3-4-5Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10, Santa Anita Races 7-8-9TOURNAMENT TIME$1,000 Keeneland BCBC Qualifier | details$1,000 Santa Anita BCBC Low Ratio Qualifer | details$800 Laurel Park Maryland Million Challenge | details$100 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERS Pick 5 | $53,059 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | begins Race 3 | 1:04 pm ETSunset 6 | $7,055 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 8 | 4:04 pm ETPlace Pick All | $18,088 | Santa Anita | begins Race 2 | 4:33 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $187,427 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 9 | 5:26 pm ETPick 6 | $26,165 | Santa Anita | begins Race 4 | 5:39 pm ET KEY RACESBelmont | New York Showcase DayLaurel | Maryland Million Day | Race of the WeekMahoning Valley | Best of Ohio DayHorseshoe Indianapolis | Indiana Champions DayScioto Downs | Breeders Crown Night IIKeeneland | closing day (Fayette, Bryan Station, Bowman Mill)LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream | Race 4 | 1:53 pm ETKeeneland | Race 7 | 4:12 pm ETDelta Downs | Race 6 | 8:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMark Casse | Woodbine | 7 of 9 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Keeneland| jockey Luis Saez| 3 wins, including 2 stakesPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder Bets for Friday-Saturday-SundayJeremy Plonk: Keeneland Daily Longshots to Watch for SaturdayScott Shapiro: Keeneland Spot Plays for SaturdayJeremy Plonk: Best in State-bred Showcases in NY, IN, MD, OHAl Cimaglia: Breeders Crown at Scioto Downs Spot Plays for SaturdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

Tonight, there are 8 Breeders Crown Finals at Scioto Downs with total purses of $4.4 million. Three-year-olds and older are the headliners. The Spot Plays are in Race 8, Race 9, and Race 10. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 8 (9:29 PM EDT)2-Big Ranger (8/5)-Won't offer much value but for my money Ranger is the best on this track until proven otherwise. Went gate to wire last week and made it look easy, but this is a deeper group. Two back, got a rough trip from the start in the American Futurity leaving from post 9. This time will count on Tim Tetrick to work a smoother journey. This race could set up nicely when the wings fold and this colt doesn't need to be on the point around the opening turn but shouldn't be far behind. Will use on top and will look for a solid price underneath, like #4 Inexpressable (6-1) who does good work on smaller ovals. When the dust settles Ranger could be a perfect 11-11 at Scioto.2-4-3Race 9 (9:56 PM EDT)6-Sweet Luvin Lou (7-1)-My thinking last week was the Dan Lagace pupil could leave, get a close-up seat and win. The last part almost happened but finished 2nd after rallying from the backfield. Dropped in 6th and was 7-lengths back at the half. The fractions were hot and went the back half in .53 to finish 2nd by less than a length. If Scott Zeron puts this colt into the race off the gate chances for success go up. Will take a swing that the son of Sweet Lou breaks a string of three 2nd place finishes and takes top honors at a nice price.6-4-1Race 10 (10:23 PM EDT)3-Dandy Ideal (4-1)-Using a horse on top that already won on Lasix for the 1st time is not my favorite angle. But will make an exception off of last week's impressive performance. Made its 1st start for the Brett Pelling barn a winning one rolling home with a 53.3 back half and a .27 last quarter. What else caught my eye is the usual plan of attack is to race at the top of the stack. Last time, came off cover and raced wide much of the mile. Tim Tetrick could get away closer to the leaders this week and will string along.3-5-2Check me out on X!

The final day of the 2026 Fall Meet at Keeneland is upon us with racing in the Blue Grass State moving to Churchill Downs tomorrow. Of course, thoroughbred racing returns to Lexington for the Breeders’ Cup next weekend, but other than the two-day event for the world’s best, this is horseplayers final chance this year to wager on the popular Kentucky-based venue. The card is headlined by a pair of Grade 3 events and all pools must go. Here are my thoughts on the two stakes, as well as a first-time starter that kicks off the final Pick 4 of the meet. There's a $12K carryover in the Race 10 Super Hi 5 wager that must go today.Race 7:I am not in love with the ML favorites in this 5.5-furlong event for 2YO fillies over the main track. 7-2-top choice #4 Light Halo holds the experience edge over many of her rivals, but tired with little excuse in Louisville in her September debut. Her trainer Brad Cox is having an extremely slow meet by his standards and this daughter of City of Light took virtually no public support in her first start. She is likely to be an underlay, as is #10 Joyful Flight. The Flightline firster debuts for a barn that is just 1 for 14 with 2YOs debuting in sprints in Kentucky over the last three years. I will try to beat them both with #6 French Sand. The Omaha Beach filly is out of a Broken Vow mare that has already produced a pair of winners at first asking and attracts Jose Ortiz. The Eddie Kenneally trainee should be a decent price and hopefully is live out of the box in a race where those that have competed thus far have for the most part underwhelmed.Play: #6 French Sand (6-1 ML)Picks: 6-8-3Race 8: Fayette (G3)This 1 1/8-mile event over the main track drew an oversubscribed field led by last year’s winner #1 Hit Show. The son of Candy Ride is a perfect 3 for 3 over this track and is closing in on $10M in earnings, but is winless over his last four starts and might not get the setup he needs to be at his best. I am hopeful the pace is moderate since that is likely to benefit my top choice #11 Willy D’s. #7 Gearing Up projects to set the early tempo in this year’s Fayette, but Willy D’s should be right where he wants to be in the early stages. The son of Lookin At Lucky comes in off a two-month freshening by trainer Mike Maker after his gate-to-wire score in the Charlestown Classic. He will need to avoid a wide voyage throughout under Hall of Famer John Velazquez, but enters his first local try having won 3 of 4. He should fire big once again assuming the pace is not too quick early. Play: #11 Willy D’s (8-1 ML)Picks: 11-8-2Race 9: Bryan StationThis one-mile event for 3YOs over the Keeneland grass is the final stakes race of the meeting and is led by a trio of colts that competed at Saratoga this summer. #7 Remember Mamba was made the slight ML favorite with #4 Bottas and #11 Touch of Fire expected to take their fair share of public support as well. I thought Remember Mamba had a chance to be a special 3YO turf horse after his first four starts, but the Kitten’s Joy colt has failed to move forward since then. Cherie DeVaux tries to wake him with the addition of blinkers. The equipment change could certainly do the trick, but I will watch one at his expected price. Bottas and Touch of Fire both also raced for the big bucks at Kentucky Downs in early September with Bottas getting the bulk of the 1.75M Gun Runner purse. Both are solid animals, but perhaps we saw their best already in 2026.I am hopeful #13 Banksy’s draws in off the also eligible list for David Fawkes. The son of Paynter has done little wrong throughout his nine-race career but has taken a step forward since moving to the grass three starts back. He comes in on a three-race win streak after running down lone speed #8 Aces Honor at Churchill on September 25 and is hopefully set for one more big one to close out his 3YO campaign. If jockey Joel Rosario can angle over early to avoid a wide trip into the first turn, he should have a ton of horse late.Play: #13 Banksy’s (8-1 ML)Picks: 13-4-7

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.Race 4:#3 My Stubborn Lassie (12-1 ML): projects to get an inside-speed trip and that’s been dynamite this week with the turf rail out. Blinkers go on the Peter Eurton trainee who has never run a bad race.Race 5:#7 Order Restored (10-1 ML): Yes, that’s a 1-1/2 year layoff that we’re staring down, but trainer Whit Beckman’s success on MSW to MCL class drops is fantastic and that he gets leading jockey Tyler Gaffalione is an interesting statement.Race 8:#8 This Is Uscar (10-1 ML): The Lukas Classic has been the preferred prep path to Fayette Stakes success for the past several years and this veteran fits in a race like this while some others are here because they didn’t get to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup level late this year.Race 9:#1 Blackout Time (12-1 ML): Dirt stakes performer is bred to the hilt for grass and trainer Kenny McPeek is finishing this Fall Meet strong. With turf rail out, inside is a big aide and if he breaks running, watch out. Has Remember Mamba to fear late like the rest of them.

1/ST BREEDERS’ CUP WAGER GUIDENow available | daily updates | free accessEXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | BC Bankroll Builder | Keeneland’s Valley View StakesSCHEDULE NOTESBreeders Crown (Harness) | Scioto Downs | first post 6:08 pm ETSPECIAL WAGERSCoast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 8-9, Santa Anita Races 2-4-5Sunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 7-8-9, Santa Anita Races 7-8-9TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Keeneland Feeder | details$100 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $27,465 | Keeneland | begins Race 5 | 3:08 pm ETSunset 6 | $3,835 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 7 | 3:30 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $174,796 (CAN) | Woodbine | Race 9 | 4:53 pm ETKEY RACESBelmont | Race 5 | 3:23 pm ET | Perfect Sting Stakes (Div I)Keeneland | Race 8 | 4:44 pm ET | Myrtlewood StakesBelmont | Race 8 | 5:05 pm ET | Perfect Sting (Div II)Keeneland | Race 9 | 5:16 pm ET | Valley View StakesBelmont | Race 9 | 5:38 pm ET | Sands Point StakesScioto Downs (Harness) | Race 7 | 9:03 pm ET | Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies TrotScioto Downs (Harness) | Race 9 | 9:56 pm ET | Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies PaceScioto Downs (Harness) | Race 10 | 10:23 pm ET | Breeders Crown 2YO Colts TrotScioto Downs (Harness) | Race 11 | 10:50 pm ET | Breeders Crown 2YO Colts PaceLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXKeeneland | Race 3 | 2:04 pm ETLaurel | Race 9 | 4:17 pm ETRemington Park | Race 6 | 9:50 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSaffie Joseph Jr. | Gulfstream Park | 3 of 4 entrants 5-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Keeneland| jockey Jose Ortiz | 3 wins, 1 second from 8 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder Bets for Friday-Saturday-SundayJeremy Plonk: Keeneland Pick 6 Carryover & Daily Longshots to Watch for FridayFrank Carulli: Santa Anita Turf Pick 3 for FridayAl Cimaglia: Breeders Crown at Scioto Downs Spot Plays for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

Top 2-year-olds will be battling at Scioto Downs in Breeders Crown Finals. In Race 7, two-year-old filly trotters will mix it up and in Race 9 freshman pacing fillies are the headliners. In Race 10, male freshman totters are on center stage and in Race 11 the male pacers will be racing for a share of another $700,000 purse. All Finals will have a $700,000 purse. Spot Plays are in Race 9, Race 10, and Race 11. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 9 (9:56 PM EDT)1-Cleveland Darby (5-1)-Drawing the rail is cause for pause but the Ron Burke trainee is an interesting hometown play. Has won 5 of 6 at ScD but has never drawn the rail. Will rely on usual pilot Chris Page to work a winning trip. Came a close 4th in its last start at Lex and before that rattled off 4 straight wins in Ohio. This gal has banked over $354,000 this season and doesn't need to lead every step of the way to take a picture. The fractions could be sizzling, and Page should be able to stay close enough to the leaders to be in play down the lane. If he pushes the button at the right time Darby can make her State proud. Could offer a square price even with a hometown bias.1-8-7Race 10 (10:23 PM EDT)5-Lifetime Dreamer (5/2)-Lifetime Dreamer set a divisional record in the 2-year-old male Trot Elim of 152.4 and that also equaled a world record. The Ake Svanstedt pupil drew post 5, the choice post, will be steered by Yannick Gingras and is the 5/2 program chalk. Svanstedt seems to always have main players on Breeders Crown Finals weekend. By Svanstedt comments he seems particularly fond of this freshman, saying it keeps getting stronger. Judging by its back-to-back wins the conditioner has his pupil peaking at the right time.5-6-8Race 11 (10:50 PM EDT)4-Starstruck Dreamer (2-1)-The Noel Daley trainee was driven confidently last week by Todd McCarthy and rolled home in .54 flat with a 26.3 last panel. That was a sharp ScD debut and was off more than 5 weeks from its last race start on 9-7 at PcD. My take is TMac will be forwardly placed off the gate and then will be the best down the lane.4-5-1Check me out on X!

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.Keeneland has a pick 6 carryover of $27,465 on its next-to-last day of the Fall Meet. The pick 6 goes as Races 5-10 and includes a trio of our potential price players.Race 3:#5 Newhope (15-1 ML) – Even sprint debut at Churchill and gets to stretch legs around 2 turns in a flat-mile race that finishes at the sixteenth pole. Trainer Lindsay Schultz hasn’t been as effective in 2026 as 2025, not as busy here at Keeneland, but she did pop a $25 winner last Fall Meet in an eerily similar spot to this race for 2YO route maiden claimers.Race 5:#7 Sound Cause (10-1 ML) – While dirt looks like this one’s third-best surface, everything Steve Asmussen has been doing the past couple of weeks at Keeneland has come together with success. Overcame a brutal post on turf at Churchill last time and just might be in such good form that he’ll replicate it on dirt.Race 9#4 Call On Me (15-1 ML) – Local course winner in April is by elite Kee turf sire Twirling Candy and much better than her last looks on paper. That was a wicked matchup up front with Kentucky Belle, one of the very best 3YO fillies in America; nothing like that in this Valley View Stakes edition. Turf rails out, speed should carry. Rusty Arnold barn got a win here closing week to turn the corner of a disappointing meet. It’s a longshot profile race in the history of the Valley View, so why not another?Race 10#7 Flash of Freedom (20-1 ML) – Don’t let slopy track flounders fool you; both of his Keeneland fast dirt efforts would put him squarely in the mix here. Great price and will use with #5 Sesasi (9-2 ML) in intra-race exotics.

The final weekend of the Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder is nearly upon us with the World Championships rapidly approaching at Keeneland. This means three more chances to earn a $5 bonus for wagering $25+ in single-race wagers on a select race October 23, 24, and/or 25. The month-long promotion that gives customers a chance to earn a total of $60 to be deposited into your account before Future Stars Friday (October 30) concludes with a trio of stakes races beginning with the Valley View in Kentucky on Friday. Here are my thoughts on the final three chances to build your Breeders’ Cup Bankroll via this promo at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet.Keeneland, Friday, Race 9: Valley View (G2)6-5-ML favorite brings the strongest resume into this two-turn turf race for 3YO fillies and gets a rider change to Irad Ortiz Jr. after a passive ride from Junior Alvarado in the Winter Memories (G3) three weeks ago. It is easy to make a case the Munnings filly could have done better than second beaten three-quarters of a length at Belmont on October 1, but she is going to get over bet either way. I like #3 Define quite a bit as an alternative. The Irish-bred has two wins and a stalk and fade effort at 50-1 in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) on her record since arriving in the States this summer. I love the fact she has tactical speed from the gate. This should allow jockey Tyler Gaffalione to find a comfortable, ground saving position early and get the jump on the late runners when they turn for home. The Farfellow Farms filly looks like a pretty legitimate racehorse since arriving. Hopefully, that leads to a career best run and her first graded stakes win in what could be her final start of 2026.Play: #3 Define (9-2 ML)Picks: 3-5-7Santa Anita, Saturday, Race 7: Senator Ken MaddyThe Saturday feature at the Great Race Place is a 6.5-furlong event over the beautiful Hillside Turf Course where it appears Hall of Famer Richard Mandella found a great spot for #2 Amorita. The daughter of Liam’s Map set the pace against the boys last time out in the Eddie D (G2) before giving way late to finish third to hard hitting Sorrento Sky. Amorita has only 1 of 9 over this course, but most of those starts were good runs against quality competition. Her tactical speed from the gate is likely to allow Kazushi Kimura to fall into a perfect pocket spot off the likely pacesetters drawn to the outside. The $260k Keeneland September ’23 purchase should be set for her best.Play: #2 Amorita (7-5 ML)Picks: 2-4-8Santa Anita, Sunday, Race 9: Autumn Miss (G3)The Breeders’ Cup Bankroll Builder promotion concludes in style with this stakes group travelling two-turns over the Santa Anita sod. The one-mile Grade 3 for 3YO fillies drew a solid field of 11 where I like #8 Green Carrera. The British-bred won 3 of 7 in the United Kingdom before shipping into Southern California in time for the Del Mar Oaks (G1) in late August. The daughter of Lope De Vega took a good deal of public support off the plane going off at 7-2 and ran well despite a slow break from the gate. Umberto Rispoli was aboard in the first voyage in the States and opts to ride the Leonard Powell trainee back in on the class drop. She should be tough to hold off assuming she does not leave herself with too much to do this time.Play: #8 Green CarreraPicks: 8-2-1