Less than one month into the Santa Anita Fall Meet and there’s already a Pick 6 carryover pool of $54,223 heading into the card this Friday, Oct. 16. The $2 wager won’t be easy to hit but it could be a lucrative payout for anyone who picks the winners of races 4 through 9.Santa Anita, Race 4 (5:30 p.m. EST) KOOL MARIAH was ‘in range’ of fleet-footed favorite Christel Clean (11/3-4-1, $204k) until the eighth pole but settled for second best in the same spot at 37-1 odds two starts back. MISS PRACTICAL, plagued by slow starts, flashed a :47-2/5 bullet workout September 5 to prep for her first main-track route. She ran her best races at Santa Anita at the turn of the new year, finishing in the money in three consecutive 6F sprints.Santa Anita Race 5 (6:00 p.m. EST) GEOMETRY tailed off after a maiden-breaking win at this distance on the Santa Anita lawn in March. She got eligible for this race when claimed for $16,000 last out and is a wake-up candidate after facing the likes of Grade 3-placed Lord Bullingdon (4-17, $355k) and recent three-peat winner El Rey Rey ($343k on turf). DALRAGO makes the cross-country journey back into the barn of trainer Bob Hess Jr. after a photo-finish setback in a 1-1/8-mile grass race at Colonial Downs. She ‘bid late’ but couldn’t reach drifting leader McCullough, who came back with two more wins and an average 84 Beyer.Santa Anita Race 6 (6:30 p.m. EST) FINE IRISH MORNING, off poorly and wide through the turn, faded badly in a fast-paced MSW sprint two back. But he set the pace and factored for this far last out on the class drop to this level. That improved one-mile run at Los Alamitos should set him up well in this spot off a :59-4/5 bullet workout at Santa Anita. MYSTIC MOSES showed good speed in the MSW ranks and is the 8-to-5 morning-line favorite on the class plunge. He changes equipment and changes riders for a 22-percent barn with maiden claimers.Santa Anita Race 7 (7:00 p.m. EST) ROSELEE MAY ranged up 3-wide on the final turn of a longer turf marathon than today but flattened out in the stretch. She rallied in tandem with Vronti, who exploded in the stretch to win going away and validated that effort with a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Rodeo Drive Stakes next out. ROSELEE MAY, a six-figure turf earner, returns to the $50,000 level, where she is 3-for-3 going a route of ground. Late-running WINK AND A GRIN won two turf routes at Santa Anita as a 3-year-old last year. She appears rounding to a good race after rallying into a slow pace and finishing third at 1-1/16 miles last out.Santa Anita, Race 8 (7:30 p.m. EST) JADE’S MOST WANTED was no factor in a $50,000 maiden claimer to start her career, but she is today’s solo play on the class drop. She shows three good gate works since her debut, presumably with blinkers that she will wear today. Her recent :47-1/5 bullet was a full second or more faster than 6 of 7 others who worked 4F from the gate last Friday. Kimura, who rode contender HARKETTE in her debut, switches mounts in here.Santa Anita, Race 9 (8:00 p.m. EST) Going 3-deep in a wide-open finale, a one-mile Maiden Special Weight test on the grass. ROYAL RUMOR owns the top turf speed figure in the field and starts fresh off a string of solid workouts. CHAOTIC NEUTRAL showed marked improvement on the stretch-out in distance in his second turf start, finishing a half-length behind next-out winner Heroic Dose (73 Beyer). ZAKIEL finished second on the dirt at 6F and one mile in his last two starts, but he finished ahead of next-out winners in both. He changes surfaces off a fastest-of-35 move on the main track. His dam, Zendreya, was 0-4 on the lawn but one of her siblings, King of Dragons, was a $133k turf earner, mostly at Santa Anita.Suggested Pick 6SA 4th race: 3, 6SA 5th race: 1, 6SA 6th Race: 2, 5SA 7th race: 3, 4SA 8th Race: 11SA 9th Race: 2, 4, 9Cost for a $2 Ticket: $96

Much like last week’s West Virginia Breeders Classics at Charles Town, I can proudly say I’ve also been a part of this Friday’s Oklahoma Classics at Remington Park since the very beginning. The 34th renewal of the state-bred championship day fills out a 10-race lineup that gets underway at 7:30 pm ET. The divisional matchups include some proven veterans looking to continue their dominance and a cast of upstarts looking for lucrative paydays.Horseplayers at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET take advantage of the Breeders' Cup Bankroll Builder promotion in Friday night's Oklahoma Classics Cup (Race 9). Bet $25, Get $5 deposited into your account on Breeders' Cup Friday to play the big day.Remington Park: Race 1 | Oklahoma Classics | Picks 3-8-10#3 Caleb’s Finest (6-1 morning line) gets back to preferred dirt surface and fits strongly at this starter allowance level after battling tougher; same goes for #8 Caltae Winemixer (12-1) as another price shot.Remington Park: Race 2 | Oklahoma Classics Stater Fillies | Picks 3-6-12Dirt sprinter #3 Big Muckity (8-1) was overextended going long on turf last time but fits the allowance conditions beautifully at a nice price. Late-running Red Mountain (5-2 favorite) breathes fire on everyone in the final yards.Remington Park: Race 3 | Oklahoma Classics Lassie | Picks 1-5-9Open-company effort in the Scissortail Stakes was promising to a point for #1 Angelforblueskies (3-1), who will appreciate return to state-breds and slightly shorter journey as the one to beat. Optimize (8-1) flattered top pick’s form when returning Sept. 26 with a vastly improved winning effort.Remington Park: Race 4 | Oklahoma Classics Juvenile | Picks 8-6-5Like the outside draw sprinting for #8 Mister Okie (5-1), who rolled in his debut and has worked sharp since. Always like to see how a first-timer comes back on the workout tab and these are positive vibes. Be My Boss (2-1) couldn’t have been more impressive late in his debut totally spread-eagling a field of 10 nearly 17 lengths just first to fourth. Showdown between the duo.Remington Park: Race 5 | Oklahoma Classics Distaff Turf | Picks 7-5-9Defending champ Miss Code West switches divisions and allows last year’s 2-3 finishers a chance to shine. #7 Maybe Dolcie (15-1) was third here a year ago and must bounce back off disappointing efforts – but the Kari Craddock barn often peaks in this series and expect she’ll be ready after a troubled trip. #5 Talkin Cadee (5-2) remains in strong form and the one to beat, but will be much shorter price. Respect veteran Doudoudouwannadance (9-2), who won this race in 2024, but it’s a terrible post while trying to snap a long losing skid.Remington Park: Race 6 | Oklahoma Classics Distaff Sprint | Picks 8-7-5Yes, #5 So Jordan (4-1) outgamed #8 Letta’s Legacy (6-5) in the local prep Sept. 26 at 5-1/2 furlongs, but fully expect the defending Distaff Sprint winner Letta’s Legacy to be on her best Friday. Veteran trainer CR Trout’s entire breeding program is focused on the Oklahoma Classics and his star filly (14-15 in the exacta locally on dirt) sharpened with a fast half-mile here Oct. 9 for the primary goal. Note that So Jordan bounced off a big return victory last year and regressed to fourth on Classics night.Remington Park: Race 7 | Oklahoma Classics Distaff | Picks 6-1-5The 3-time reigning Remington Park Horse of the #6 Miss Code West (2-5) stands out as she meets just 5 challengers. She won this race 2 years ago, then won the Distaff Turf a season ago, and comes in off victories in her last 8 stakes bids – dating back to a second in the open company Remington Park Oaks in 2024. What a $12K purchase now with earnings over $720K while 15-for-21 lifetime.Remington Park: Race 9 | Oklahoma Classics Sprint | Picks 10-7-3#10 Breakable Code (7-2) won this race last year and was second in 2024 with a fabulous mark against state-breds, winning 6 and finishing twice in his last 8 matchups. He’s positively the one to beat, while trainer Joe Offolter has an interesting chance at the exacta here with #7 Mi Saturday (20-1). This price player makes a turf-to-dirt and second-off-the-layoff form cycle move in the same swoop and that could produce a big effort for the Will Rogers Downs stakes winner with good local RP dirt form.Remington Park: Race 9 | Oklahoma Classics Cup | Picks 2-6-1#6 Mister Omaha (1-2) couldn’t have been an easier winner last year at age 3 when the Oklahoma Derby third-place finisher cruised by nearly 10 lengths when back in against state-breds. He’s won both dirt races this year at Lone Star, but hasn’t started since June. Would have preferred to have seen a prep if having to accept odds-on price, so I’ll fish in a race with plenty of early pace to go with him. #2 Winters Lion (15-1) is the lone closer in the group and last year’s distant runner-up in this race comes in with soiled form on turf, particularly behind a terribly slow pace last time. Might be a stretch, but price is right. #1 Nucleus (4-1) is the new X-factor in the division as a 3-year-old and has won twice at the meet on multiple surfaces around 1 turn and 2 for Steve Asmussen. Consider all 3 in multi-race bets.Remington Park: Race 10 | Oklahoma Classics Turf | Picks 3-4-6Past Turf victors #6 Eakly and #4 Country Caper rematch in the deepest division of the Classics program. The familiar cast has matched up in races like the Red Earth and a local allowance prep Sept. 26 so it’s a matter of who’s Mr. Right Now. #3 Excaping the Blues rallied to win the Red Earth and then last time vs. these found himself inherting a slow lead and was lost late. Hoping Fernando Jara takes him back and makes an inside run that’s so effective on this turf course.

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Laurel Park | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Keeneland Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $22,988 | Belmont | begins Race 3 | 2:16 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXKeeneland | Race 2 | 1:32 pm ETWoodbine | Race 4 | 4:52 pm ETDelta Downs | Race 5 | 7:32 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJamie Ness | Laurel, Delaware Park | 6 of 8 entrants 9-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Keeneland | jockey Flavien Prat | 5 wins from 5 mounts (rides Belmont today)Yesterday | Belmont | jockey Manny Franco | 4 wins, 2 seconds from 7 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Laurel Bet $100, Get $10 Promo Spot PlaysJeremy Plonk: Keeneland Daily Longshots to WatchFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

Another Thursday in October means another chance to take advantage of 1/ST BET and Xpressbet’s “Bonus Boonanza” promotion. I am sure most of you have registered and taken part already, but for those that have not I recommend doing so because this is as easy as it gets. Just bet $100+ at a select track on Tuesdays and Thursdays this month and earn a $10 bonus. Later today Laurel Park takes center stage for the first time. Here are a few horses I will build my day around this afternoon in Maryland.Race 3:My first play of the day comes in this MSW for 2YO fillies at 1 1/16-miles over the grass where I expect a big effort from #1 Jespah. The Godolphin homebred makes her second career start after debuting in a two-turn turf race at Delaware Park last month for veteran conditioner Michael Stidham. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro was floated ridiculously wide into the first turn and from there was never able to save an inch of ground despite fighting to the wire to earn third beaten less than two lengths. Now, Jespah travels the short distance to Laurel Park where she draws the far more favorable rail with jockey Jevian Toledo taking over riding duties. I expect Toledo to use the inside draw to his advantage and give this young filly a far shorter journey from start-to-finish than she had at first asking. This very well could lead to her first career victory at a playable ML offering.Plays: #1 Jespah (5-1)Picks: 1-3-4Race 5:This optional claimer for fillies and mares at 5.5-furlongs over the grass kicks off the early Pick 5 where I like the chances of #2 Sin Boldly. The Maryland-bred makes her second start of the form cycle for trainer Suzanne Stettinius after failing to fire in a race taken off the grass on September 25. This was not too much of a surprise though since the daughter of Holy Boss competed over the main track last Halloween for the first time and posted a career low number regardless of the speed figure/performance rating used. Sin Boldly should certainly appreciate getting back to her preferred surface where she draws favorably along the inside and gets some class relief over a turf course she has had already had success over. Look for jockey Jerion Barbosa to work out a perfect pocket trip aboard this Gerar Stable filly that should be sitting on her best in her eighth lifetime start.Plays: #2 Sin Boldly (7-2 ML)Picks: 2-7-11Race 6:My final spot play on the Thursday Laurel slate comes in a wide-open MSW event at one-mile over the main track where I will try first-time starter #6 Dr. Evans. The daughter of Kantharos debuts for trainer Brittany Russell. Russell sports strong numbers in most categories, but her record with 2YOs debuting over this one-turn mile configuration is incredibly strong. Not only has she won with 4 of the last 7 runners she started, but over a five-year sample has clicked with 5 of 14 juveniles for a $2.99 ROI. The Kentucky-bred meets a field of mostly fillies that have yet to show a ton in the afternoons and lack upside, so I am hopeful she is ready to fire big at first asking with Brittany’s husband Sheldon jumping aboard.Play: #6 Dr. Evans (5-1 ML)Picks: 6-9-4

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.They are OFF THE TURF today at Keeneland, so Races 4,7,9 move to the main track. The Keeneland Turf Pick 3 wager still will be offered. It’s been difficult to deliver longshots in recent days with very formful results, but we’ll take our chances on this card with several runners who could bust that pattern.Race 1:#3 Suited and Booted (12-1 ML) – 2 turns may be a question, but pedigree for it sure is not. Good draw for the first time stretching out and fits the conditions of a starter allowance $30,000 to a T.Race 3:#9 Damascus Steel (20-1 ML) – In a race where I don’t trust the early speed to sustain while battling, this outside-drawn sprinter appears to have some finishing ability. I like that the blinkers come off while returning from a July freshening at Ellis, a prep locale that’s outperformed expectations this meet. Good workout tab for a very good layoff barn in Andrew McKeever.Race 5:#12 Beach Vibe (30-1 ML) – The success of Omaha Beach offspring on this Kee main track make me take extra time with every one of his offspring before saying no. The sprint-route-sprint pattern intrigues from an outside draw going 7 furlongs and note this one has been in open maiden special weights, not the auction price-restricted ones like this and the ones most of the competition has faced.Race 8:#3 Excellent (20-1 ML) – Everything Rudy Brisset sends out has ran credibly and this Colonial debut winner comes out of a circuit that’s proven to deliver excellent value the past 2 Fall Meets at Keeneland. Yes, Caribbean Life merits 4-5 favoritism and is the most likely winner, but a 20-1 on the back end of the exacta wouldn’t be a worst-case scenario.

The Lead:Saturday’s Woodbine card puts 3-year-olds in the spotlight with the Ontario Fashion for the fillies and the Grade 3 $175,000 Ontario Derby for the colts and geldings. They’ll go in back-to-back races, the Derby in Race 9 and the Fashion following suit. Horseplayers at Xpressbet and 1/ST BET be sure to register for an take part in a $4,000 Exacta-Thon for Saturday’s Woodbine card. Earn your share of $4,000 in bonus cash when you hit winning $2 minimum exactas in at least 4 races on the program.​​Field Depth:FINAL SCORE is a Grade 2 winner in the US, while BULL BY THE HORNS is Grade 3-placed stateside as well. It’s a pretty evenly matched group in terms of class, but BULL BY THE HORNS certainly has the strength of schedule ranking ahead of the rest.​Pace:There’s no run-off speed in this race, but expect FIRE AND WINE, TELEPORT, and FINAL SCORE to be interested early. Over 1-1/8 miles on synthetic, the pace should be fair to all styles.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-FINAL SCORE: Keeneland’s Grade 2 Bourbon Stakes winner was a top turf runner in the US last year among the freshman class. But since missing the Breeders’ Cup and nearly all the spring, he’s been well-beaten in both the American Turf at Churchill, a wild Grade 1 comeback spot considering, as well as Woodbine’s grassy Toronto Cup in August. Blinkers go off, Lasix goes in and he remains shrouded in mystery if he’ll ever regain that early spark. Would need a big price to take that leap and gamble.2-TREVALLY: Stakes debut for rank outsider who has won maiden claiming and $25,000-level claiming races in his last 2 starts. Hard to recommend usage but his impact on the race depends on if he’s fast enough to track the leaders and help push the pace.3-FIRE AND WINE: Wire-to-wire upset winner of the Breeders Stakes to wrap the Triple Crown on turf. His 2 prior wins both were on synthetic so the surface switch here isn’t as big of a deal as is the likelihood this pace goes much faster than the sundial slow trip last out. Need-the-lead type will be hard-pressed to scoot clear this time and likely seals his fate.4-WESTERN WARRIOR: Manitoba Derby winner ran off 3 wins this spring at Oaklawn when with Mark Casse. Didn’t do much running last out from a wide draw when hung out in the Canadian Derby at Century Mile and has yet to try a synthetic surface. All-or-nothing record at 11: 4-0-0 and this feels more latter (nothing) than former (all).5-TELEPORT: Second of 2 Kevin Attard entrants with Pietro Moran named on a double call. This one has yet to go this far. Despite a long-distance European turf pedigree, he’s been flat late at middle distances. Blinkers are added which should sharpen him early, a style too similar to others here for me to embrace.6-BULL BY THE HORNS: Well-traveled Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee hit the regional Derby circuit in the US after a midpack attempt at the Preakness. He lacks early speed and needs things to go his way. His turn of foot on Tapeta at Turfway in the Rushaway looked better than his grinding dirt style, so I like the spot they picked. Consistency issues make him a tough trust.7-BRACHETTO: Marine winner didn’t fire at all when wide in the King’s Plate but acquitted himself with a rallying second in the Price of Wales. May be a touch better going shorter than the 9 furlongs here but isn’t without a chance and should offer value. He was an overlooked 13-1 when winning the Marine.8-CHAOS AGENT: Highly thought of Independence Hall colt was thrown into the Jeff Ruby after his debut win and a light, 3-for-4 campaign since February leaves him with ceiling still at this later stage of the year. Late-runner gets pace to close into and could catch some of these on the south side of their season objectives with a chance to score.9-MILITARY TIME: Prince of Wales winner on dirt has won 2 of 6 on the Woodbine Tapeta, so it’s a comfortable surface in which he’s had some success. The blinkers-on when second in the King’s Plate seem to have advanced his game and this Gun Runner colt is more than equipped for the distance. Major contender.Most Likely Exotics Contender:MILITARY TIME can handle the track and distance and doesn't have any noticeable downtick approaching.Best Longshot Contender:BULL BY THE HORNS was a double-digit price when third in the WV Derby and could impact the exotics off the pace.​​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$80 win CHAOS AGENT. $10 exacta box CHAOS AGENT and MILITARY TIME.

EXTRA INCENTIVES20% Win Boost up to $20 | Keeneland | today’s win betsTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Keeneland Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $20,386 | Keeneland | begins Race 3 | 2:04 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $7,511 | Keeneland | Race 8 | 4:44 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXKeeneland | Race 8 | 4:44 pm ETHorseshoe Indy | Race 8 | 5:55 pm ETDelta Downs | Race 8 | 7:56 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHTim Kreiser | Penn National | 5 of 6 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Presque Isle | trainer Brandon Kulp | 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 4 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Keeneland 20% Win Boost Spot PlaysJeremy Plonk: Keeneland Daily Longshots to WatchFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

Racing returns later today for the final five-day week of the year at beautiful Keeneland Race Course. The eight-race card that kicks off at 1PM eastern not only includes a $20,386 carryover in the Pick 6, but also offers horseplayers another crack at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet’s Keeneland “Wins-Day” promotion. The no-brainer promo rewards our customers with a 20% bonus on Win bet payouts at Keeneland on Wednesday’s up to $20. Check out the promotional landing page for details and be sure to register if you have yet to do so. Here are a few horses I like most later today in the Lexington area.Race 3:The Pick 6 kicks off with this open $16k claimer at six-furlongs over the main track where there is a lot of early speed signed on. #4 Decatur Street, #5 Machine Gun Man, #6 West Coast Bull, #7 Eli’s Promise, and #9 Lucky Shot all like to find a favorable forward position. This should set things up perfectly for class dropping favorite #8 Show Time. The son of Into Mischief takes a huge drop-in class for trainer David Jacobson after failing badly as the 3-5-public choice in a starter allowance at Churchill Downs in late September. The effort was somewhat puzzling, but still would have been good enough to dispose of this modest bunch. The 7YO gelding has run well in both starts over this surface and has shown a nose for the wire evidenced by his 10 for 31-career record. He will be a short price, but should be very tough to deny assuming he does not regress even further off his last run. A single to kick off a very challenging Pick 6 sequence.Play: #8 Show Time (3-2 ML)Picks: 8-7-3Race 5:This MSW event for 2YO fillies at 6.5-furlongs over the main track is filled with mostly first-time starters and appears relatively wide-open. 7-2-ML favorite #8 Psalm Beauty makes some sense in her second career start after a late running runner-up effort at Saratoga to kick off her career, but there is a solid chance one of the debut runners is more talented and faster than this daughter of Jackie’s Warrior. I am hopeful it is #11 Maranello. The $2M Keeneland September ’25 purchase did not draw too favorably with the far outside in her first start since there is the chance she breaks outward towards the open space instead of sharply, but if not appears live at first asking. Trainer Brendan Walsh sports a 3-19-record with a $3.59 ROI with 2YO debut runners over the Keeneland dirt over the last five years. I am looking forward to seeing the pricey filly’s debut later this afternoon.Play: #11 Maranello (6-1 ML)Picks: 11-8-4Race 6:The pace should be contentious in this second-level allowance event at 1 1/16-miles over the Keeneland sod. This should bode well for #9 Ironsides. The son of Midshipman gets a class test after rattling off three wins in a row this summer for trainer Fausto Gutierrez. The class hike is always a question, but this guy is battle tested with 40-starts under his belt and victories at three different venues before heading west to the Blue Grass State for his third try over this surface. Gutierrez lures Jose Oritz on this 6YO gelding that lacks speed, but has been the most consistent off-the-pace runner in the field. Hopefully, the out-of-town form translates to Kentucky where there is no doubt that the competition gets tougher. The 8-1-ML offering seems fair though against a solid, but non-spectacular bunch.Play: #9 Ironsides (8-1 ML)Picks: 9-2-8