EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | Gulfstream Park | today’s racesSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10; Santa Anita Races 6-7-8Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10; Santa Anita Races 3-4-5Kentucky Derby Future Wager | Pool 3 | noon ET through Sunday 6 pm ET TOURNAMENT TIMEGulfstream Park $100 Feeder | detailsSanta Anita $40 Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $117,079 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:20 pm ETPick 5 | $83,238 | Tampa Bay Downs | begins Race 5 | 2:28 pm ETPick 6 | $20,693 | Santa Anita | begins Race 3 | 4:35 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $254,105 | Turfway | begins Race 4 | 7:25 pm ETPick 5 | $104,573 | Turfway | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay Downs | Race 9 | 4:28 pm ETFair Grounds | Race 7 | 4:45 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 1 | 5:55 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBill Mott | Gulfstream, Aqueduct | 4 of 5 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Santa Anita | trainer Doug O’Neill | 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 6 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli: Gulfstream Park Late Pick 4 Analysis for FridayScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for FridayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The 5-day racing week at the Great Race Place continues on Friday after some challenging results on Thursday afternoon led to a carryover of over $20k in the $2 Pick 6. The sequence gets started in Race 3 at 4:35 PM eastern/1:35 PM local time and concludes as always with the finale. Here are a few horses I like most within the sequence.Race 4: There is a noticeable lack of early speed signed on in this $10k claimer for non-winners of two lifetime at one mile over the main track. This should benefit #1 Typhoon Tommy. The Sir Prancealot gelding moves from turf-to-dirt in his second start off the claim for low profile conditioner Edwin Alvarez. Alvarez tried two turns on the grass against slightly better in the first start for his new barn just a week ago, but the 4YO did not make the lead at odds of 13-1. He returns quickly, drops to the bottom, and should control the pace in this one under regular rider Armando Ayuso. Gate-to-wire in the second leg of the Pick 6 and to kick off the late Pick 5. Play: #1 Typhoon Tommy (3-1 ML) Race 5: A starter allowance for older fillies and mares at one-mile over the grass is up next where #1 Miss Meagher is the runner I like most. The daughter of Galileo Gold comes in off a tough beat at Del Mar in late November when she was run down in the final strides by 2-1-favorite Willa T. The 5YO mare stays at the same level and draws inside once again, which should give jockey Hector Berrrios options. He could get aggressive and try to get Miss Meagher to the lead, but it is more likely the savvy turf rider allows her to settle just off the early pace once again. Either way, she should be tough to beat with a similar trip to the one she had last out in San Diego County. Play: #1 Miss Meagher (7-2 ML) Race 8: The card concludes with this open $25k claimer at 6-furlongs over the Santa Anita sod where I am hopeful the pace is not overly contentious. #2 Code Duello has the speed from the inside to make the lead, but has not raced on the grass in over a year, so we shall see if his early zip still translates to the lawn. Either way, #5 Please Focus should find a favorable prominent spot early in his first start off the claim for trainer Steve Knapp. Knapp claimed the son of Mrazek from low percentage trainer George Lopez in mid-December for $16k and moves him back to the turf after a pair of underneath finishes during the Los Alamitos day program to end his 2025 campaign. His last two efforts on the green are better than they appear because Please Focus was up against it from a race shape perspective both times. He gets back to a course he has earned 3 of his 4 career victories over and draws outside the other potential speed. I like his chances to put forth a big one in his first start of 2026. Play: #5 Please Focus (8-1 ML)

The Meadowlands begins the weekend with a 14-race card. The 0.50 Early Pick 4 starts in Race 6. The sequence has a $50,000 guaranteed pool with a 15% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (8:25 PM EST)3-Cover The Crown (5-1)-This mare took care of business in last in a big way. This is a hodgepodge classification, includes older but not going to dismiss and could be overlooked. Got on the engine from post 9, went the 3rd panel in 27.4 and finished with a .28 last panel. May need better here but will use at what should be nice price.6-Odds On Sara Sara (9/2)-Came a good 3rd versus a salty group and should appreciate the company. Lost the lead to a couple of foes who were better but did finish with a 27.1 last quarter. Will look for a square price and it could be picture time if Jacob Cutting works a smooth trip.7-The Rizzo (2-1)-Has been a bridesmaid in the last 2 starts versus this kind and left from the inside in those races. Maybe the post draw will help the price, logical contender who is versatile.Race 7 (8:50 PM EST)2-Seize Control (8-1)-Has started from post 9, and post 8 last week after being claimed 3 back for $10,000 to take part in MADC races. In the past 2 starts was driven from the back and rallied to cash minor checks. Gets post relief and should be put in play earlier in the mile.3-Frazier Hanover (9/2)-The 5-year-old needs a trip but has been sharp in a TM condition in the last 2 starts. Came a close 2nd from post 10 and won its last race off a wide trip. Should fit and simply put Mark Silva is the best driver in this contest and needs to be included at the program price.5-Lincoln Boulevard (4-1)-Took advantage of a hot pace and rolled by down the lane at 51-1. The veteran showed better early speed in the last 2 races. Last time was less than 4-lengths off the lead even though the half went in .54. Won't be anywhere near 51-1 but will look for a better price than the morning line.Race 8 (9:15 PM EST)4-Full Of Muscles (7/2)-Put in a start at M1 on 1-2 and was hung the mile but came within a neck of winning. This is normally a Yonkers horse and maybe the thinking was to tune him up for when they open. Will respect chances of coming with another big try. Its M1 record is very good with a limited sample (3-2-1-0).6-Super Duper Cooper (5/2)-Twice beaten chalk was used a couple of times into hot fractions. Should be in play early on and this race could set up more favorably.Race 9 (9:40 PM EST)5-Parklane Terror (6-1)-Raced against this kind 3 and 4 back and did hit the board both times. In the race on 12-12 came a close 2nd and left from post 10. Now lands in spot where a win could happen, leaves from a good post, and could offer a square price.9-Illusion Seelster (3-1)-Has raced only 4 times since 10-31, and did show some life in its last race on 1-2. Came with good early speed for the first time since Halloween and this is a soft spot. Expecting better and Tony Beltrami can put in play off the gate.0.50 Early Pick 43,6,7/2,3,5/4,6/5,9Total Bet=$18Check me out on Twitter!

The Road to the Louisiana Derby and Kentucky Derby heat up on Saturday when Fair Grounds hosts a strong 13-race card led by the Lecomte (G3). The 1 1/16-mile test for 3YOs kicks off the next stage on the Derby leaderboard with 20 points going to the winner. The early Derby prep closes out an All-Stakes Pick 4 that kicks off with a Kentucky Oaks points race and also includes a Grade 3 for the older handicap horses. Therefore, as you might expect 1/ST BET and Xpressbet are celebrating with a Hit & Split offer. In fact, it is the last of three early January 1M Points Hit & Splits. Some of you might have already registered, but for those that who have yet to do so, be sure to head to the promotional landing page and click on that register button.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 10: SilverbulletdayGrade: XMain Ticket: 1 AtropaBackups: NoneForecast: The Road to the Fair Grounds Oaks picks up as well on Saturday with the first of 3 Kentucky Oaks points races conducted in New Orleans over the next few months. The two-turn test drew a compact of group 6 where 2-1-ML favorite #1 Atropa looks like a bit of a stand out. The Into Mischief filly chased a wire-to-wire winner over the slop at Saratoga on debut, but since then has put forth two strong performances at a route of ground. The first one came when she dominated a field of MSW foes going 8.5-furlongs at Keeneland in October, but what was most encouraging is that she did not regress in her first start versus winners in the Golden Rod (G2) over Thanksgiving weekend. She was unable to get to the wire first at Churchill Downs that day, but missed by just half a length. The $450k Keeneland September ’24 purchase arrived down at in the Bayou in late December and has worked well since arriving. She should handle this bunch.Race 11: Colonel E. R. BradleyGrade: C+Main Ticket: 4 Lagynos; 9 Reagan’s Wit; 1 KupunaBackups: 3 Idratherbeblessed; 5 Cameo PerformanceForecast: I lack a strong opinion in the lone turf race in the sequence where the top three from last month’s Dilberto Memorial return to take on a number of new runners that have serious chances. #1 Kupuna and #4 Lagynos are deserving favorites that do not have to win, but are the likeliest to do so, while #9 Reagan’s Wit has some upside in his first start as a 4YO for Cherie DeVaux. I am tired of getting beat by Fair Grounds specialist #3 Idratherbeblessed, so I included him as a backup along with Brendan Walsh’s #5 Cameo Performance. A tough race with some solid veteran turf routers. I wish I had more conviction.Race 12: Louisiana (G3)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 1 Moonlight; 7 Willy D’sBackups: NoneForecast: This 1 1/16-mile event for 4YOs and up definitely goes through 8-5-ML favorite #8 Just a Touch. Not only is the Brad Cox barn white-hot to kick off the meet, but the son of Justify is 2 for 2 over this surface and has run the fastest races. He is the likeliest winner, but not the best gamble in this year’s Louisiana. He comes in off a 6-month break and may have to work on the front end a bit. #7 Willy D’s has struggled to win races at Oaklawn Park, but ships into New Orleans off a strong runner-up effort in Hot Springs to favorite Rattle N Roll to end his 2025 campaign. The change in venue, slight cutback in distance, and recency edge could make the difference. I will use him, as well as late running #1 Moonlight in hopes of beating the likely heavy favorite. Moonlight lacks speed, but can certainly finish. If they go at it early, he should be absolutely rolling late under leading rider Jose Ortiz.Race 13: Lecomte (G3)Grade: BMain Ticket: 8 White Tiger; 5 Golden TempoBackups: 10 Stop the Car; 11 Chip Honcho; 7 MesquiteForecast: This year’s Lecomte drew a competitive field to kick off the Road to the Louisiana Derby, but there are not a ton of runners I expect to make an impression in this year’s Kentucky Derby. That said, if there is one it is #5 Golden Tempo. The Curlin colt broke slowly yet still won stylishly in a 6-furlong event over this racetrack last month. I am not in love with the idea of backing young horses that break slowly on debut in sprints and make big runs late in their follow up start because the first try does not remotely simulate the experience they will encounter when they break with the field. Admittedly though, talented horses break that model from time to time making Golden Tempo hard to leave off, but I like #8 White Tiger most. The Twin Creeks Farm colt is unlikely to get better as the distances get longer, but he has already showed grit and determination through two starts. The way he has finished races not only suggests he has more to give, but also that he has a will to win. At his 8-1-ML price he is my top choice in the first of 3 Derby preps at Fair Grounds this year.

Gulfstream Park will offer a 50-cent Late Pick 4 to close its 10-race card this Friday, Jan. 16. Our suggested $48 play listed below is a bargain if you take advantage of Xpressbet and 1/ST BET’s “Bet $25, get $5” promotion for races at Gulfstream.GP 7th race (3:20 p.m. EST) -- DRINK DEEPLY was hard-ridden on the turn on a sloppy track, but she caught the drifting leader in early stretch and burst clear in the final eighth to win at this distance. The improving 4-year-old gets in light-weighted again and draws the rail. MY LADY JAMES earned nearly two-thirds of her $250k bankroll on synthetic tracks, but she handled the switch to conventional dirt well enough recently to snap out of an 18-month winless streak. She was second at the top of the stretch two starts back at 5-1/2F but proved no match for winner Pop Rox, who came back to repeat under these conditions with a 76 Beyer. Then she stalked the pace at 6F last out, drew clear in the mid-stretch but couldn’t stop the onrushing favorite from winning three in a row. If she handles the 7F distance for the first time in her career, she can upgrade to a win.GP 8th race (3:50 p.m. EST) -- If the Chad Brown-trained FAVORABLE SCENARIO draws into this 7-1/2F optional claiming race on the turf, he is the clear favorite and the one to beat after he rallied to finish second to Grade 3-placed Capitol Hill (2-7, $165k on turf). If he doesn’t get in off the also-eligible list, it looks like a low-80 Beyer that several entrants produced recently will win it. The speedy QUEREME PASS, stakes-placed grass sprinter FLAT TO DA MAT, consistent $236k turf earner RUSE, and sharp Maiden Special Weight winners CRUISE THE NILE and BITE AND STRIKE all make the ticket.GP 9th race (4:20 p.m. EST) -- BATTEN DOWN and STARS AND STRIPES worked forwardly and in tandem in December for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, but both are looking to recapture their best form. BATTEN DOWN won the Grade 3 Ohio Derby and ran second in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga during a $697k 3-year-old season, but he only raced twice last year and was well-beaten in $150,000 Excelsior at Aqueduct when last seen in April. STARS AND STRIPES was a smashing second-out winner at Aqueduct and follow-up six-figure allowance victor at Saratoga in July, but he returned four months later and trailed in the Dwyer Stakes. SOLO VENTURI was ‘in range’ of Grade 1 winner and 1-to-9 favorite Tappan Street, but the well-traveled 4-year-old was out-kicked in the stretch in a one-mile optional claimer at Gulfstream. He posted a fastest-of-76 workout since that race and trainer William Walden is 44/8-6-5 with route runners since August 20. MAGNA TIME arrives from Woodbine in top form and fired a pair of bullet workouts for her first start on dirt. She lived up to favoritism in her first two starts with Lasix, then overcame an awkward start to lead until late in a 1-1/8-mile allowance. She’s worth using at a good price.GP 10th race (4:50 p.m. EST) -- CHEEKIEST followed the 3-wide move of the winner on the final turn and ‘improved position’ in the stretch, but she couldn’t reach the two favorites for the place and show spots in her first start off a four-month layoff. The top five finishers in the race equaled or bettered their top turf speed figure, so use the six-figure grass earner with Irad Ortiz Jr. summoned to ride. READY TO BATTLE tracked a soft pace and the dueling leaders while in-hand, but she responded with a winning run when asked on the final turn, edging away late in a longer grass route at Woodbine. She could sit a similar-type trip in here.Suggested 50-Cent TicketGP 7th Race: 1, 6GP 8th Race: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11GP 9th Race: 1, 2, 4, 5GP 10th Race: 1, 8Cost: $48

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $25, Get $5 | Gulfstream Park | today’s racesBet $100, Get $10 | Fair Grounds | today’s racesSPECIAL WAGERSSunset Pick 6 | Gulfstream Races 8-9-10; Santa Anita Races 7-8-9Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 | Gulfstream Races 9-10; Santa Anita Races 3-5-7TOURNAMENT TIMEGulfstream Park $100 Feeder | detailsSanta Anita $40 Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $119,741 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $93,627 | Gulfstream Park | begins Race 5 | 2:20 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $181,364 | Turfway | begins Race 4 | 7:25 pm ETSuper Hi 5| $6,503 | Turfway | Race 9 | 9:55 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXGulfstream Park | Race 8 | 3:51 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 7 | 6:10 pm ETTurfway Park | Race 2 | 6:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJoe Sharp | Fair Grounds | 3 of 4 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mahoning Valley | trainer Larry Rivelli | 2 wins, 1 second from 3 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMRon Nicoletti: Gulfstream Full-Card Picks for Bet $25, Get $5 PromoJeremy Plonk: Fair Grounds Spot Plays for Bet $100, Get $10 PromoScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Spot Plays for ThursdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The Lead:We head back to Gulfstream for the second straight Saturday and spotlight the Florida-breds in the Sunshine Turf. The 1-1/16 miles grass test goes as Race 9 and immediately precedes the co-featured Sunshine Sprint. Both stakes will be part of the Sunset Pick 6 wager with sister track Santa Anita. Also note both races will be part of the Xpressbet Beat the Host handicapping contest this week, which features racing analyst Michelle Yu as the public's target to beat.Horseplayers at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET be sure to opt in and take part in the Pegasus World Cup Bankroll Builder promotion. Bet $25 on Gulfstream Park's Saturday card and get a $5 wagering credit to be deposited prior to the huge PWC card later this month.​​Field Depth:Stakes winners in the cast include CLASSIC OF COURSE, SEMINOLE CHIEF, TANK and NEOEQUOS, the latter Grade 1-placed. That quartet also has faced the strongest company lines overall and hold the class edges.​Pace:OUR SUPER HERO and TANK have shown consistent speed on turf, while NEOEQUOS brings dirt sprint speed to the mix. SEMINOLE CHIEF can show early foot more often than not as well. The pace should be solid and give a strong finisher every chance if he fires.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.#1-SCARECROW : 2-for-2 on synthetic, this Jorge Delgado trainee seeks his first turf win in his fourth try. This will be his first try against elder stakes horses, but the newly turned 4YO has been battling in open company. Solid finisher gets a good pace set-up and should save ground under Edgard Zayas while returning from 11 months off.#2-CLASSIC OF COURSE: Only 3 of his 17 starts have come on grass, but 1 of those was a win against open company last spring in the local Cutler Bay Stakes. Exits a fourth-place finish against top-class locals in the Grade 3 Harlan's Holiday on dirt for trainer Patrick Biancone.#3-ECHO LANE: Pace presser/stalker may be chasing some heat and take pressure from those outside him given the post draw. Claiming Crown winner last out retains consistently good form and has run well over the course. A lot depends on the trip, but after being favored in 4 straight, the price should be more intriguing. Consistent sort over this course.#4-SEMINOLE CHIEF: Appleton winner over this course last spring got the pace set-up last time in a return from the bench but didn't fire strong enough late. Typically, has improved in second-off-the-layoff situations like this and a step forward puts the Jack Sisterson charge right in the hunt under John Velazquez. Good draw, versatile style, but showing some patience would help in this set-up.#5-MISTER ABARRIO: Deep closer has found success when dropped in class a bit and this will be his toughest assignment in some time. The Husbands-Saffie team hits 28% together locally and the pace set-up works in his favor, but still prefer others.#6-ADIOS COLE: Sixth in this race last year when in arguably better form than currently, he looks to snap an 0-3 mark over this turf course. Rarely embarrassed, but figures to catch several in here that are a touch better.#7-OUR SUPER HERO: White-hot trainer Mark Casse looks to keep his roll going with War of Will colt who has won 2 straight and steps up in class. He's never run a bad race in 5 starts but will take on stakes competition and classier elder foes. Regular rider Edwin Gonzalez sticks aboard one of the race's key pace players.#8-NEOEQUOUS: Last year's Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth third-place finisher settled into a sprint pattern after last year's Kentucky Derby bid. Not only will the turf be a new twist, but his 3 wins to date are at 5, 6 and 6 furlongs. He's trained well enough on the synthetic surface, but turf is another hazy scenario. Sire Neolithic is a very solid 17% winner with his offspring on the Gulfstream turf, boasting a noteworthy $1.23 ROI for every $1 bet. Can't dismiss classy colt even with question marks for Saffie & Gaffalione.#9-IRON HAND: Third in last summer's Bears Den at Gulfstream over a turf mile before tiring on the lead in September's Grade 3 Old Dominion Derby at Colonial Downs. Makes return from 4-month break for a Jose D'Angelo barn that has been ice cold at Gulfstream in recent weeks. Wider draw and pace pressure have me looking elsewhere as all 4 wins have come on the Tapeta.#10-BRAWN: Winless in 9 turf starts (all at Gulfstream), he was no match late in the Appleton last March against return rival Seminole Chief. Low percentage trainer Ruben Sierra seems to have found a better home for this one on the synthetic.#11-TANK: Trainer Carlos David's runners have been cooking at Gulfstream recently and this Tropical Park Derby third-place finisher will have to overcome a tough post and pace scenario to keep that going. Won the English Channel and Not Surprising over this turf course last year, but appears to have some pace dependence. Good turf speed jockey Javier Castellano will have to be aggressive.#12-ANAMNESTIC: Longshot was claimed for $25,000 last out Dec. 11 and looks to snap a 9-race losing streak. He did finish third at 16-1 in this race last year when the race was taken off the turf and moved to the Tapeta. Fast synthetic work for this, but hasn't tipped in the afternoon that he's capable of this from the far outside draw.Most Likely Exotics Contender:SEMINOLE CHIEF is 4-for-4 in the trifecta over the Gulfstream turf and hits a key point in his form cycle while drawn well.Best Longshot Contender:TANK was 21-1 when third in the Tropical Park Derby and trainer Carlos David has been winning in droves of late.Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$40 win SEMINOLE CHIEF. $10 exacta key-box SEMINOLE CHIEF with NEOEQUOS, OUR SUPER HERO, ECHO LANE ($60).

The Pegasus World Cup Bankroll Builder continues Thursday for 1/ST BET and Xpressbet players. Bet $25 on the Gulfstream Park card and receive a $5 wagering credit to be deposited prior to the Jan. 24 huge day of racing in South Florida. The PWC Bankroll Builder will be offered each racing day through Jan. 23, giving 10 opportunities for players to earn up to $50 in credits. To help you along the way, Gulfstream Park track handicapper Ron Nicoletti has his Thursday full-card picks.Race 1:10 Fuoco Vivo5 Skedaddling Home1 Magic SolarRace 2:2 Herbstreit7 Buck’s Howl5 One BidRace 3:2 The Prince’s Spur1 Sneak Preview7 TickingRace 4:3 New York New York4 Western Shaft8 Bucchero’s DudeRace 5:2 Ticket to Ride1 Undercover Agent4 Mis BrunellasRace 6:2 Dogwood Crossing6 El Guty7 Sound of the BeastRace 7:2 Senza Parole4 Fede7 Here’s the KickerRace 8:1 Been Busy7 Baby Blocks4 Heir to the RoarRace 9:1 My Perfect Lady (BB)3 Vuela Paloma2 NeoderaRace 10:8 No Bills Campaign (LS)6 Astin Style1 Conn Smythe (GB)Best Bet: R9: 1 My Perfect Lady-- Monster debut victory on Tapeta last January-- Barn is 26% with the 180 days + layoff-- Steady works at Palm Meadows-- B Lynch is batting 35% at the meetingLongshot: R10: 8 No Bills Campaign-- Hot Barn-- Has tag sliced in half-- A Tapeta tightener at 5-1/2 furlongs-- Should be prominently placed when stretching out to a mile