Watch Michelle's report from Saudi Arabia and pick up her picks for the key stakes on the Saudi Cup Day card, free at the Xpressbet YouTube channel. For those playing the Saudi Cup Day card, which gets underway Saturday at 7 am ET, take note of 2 promotions: -- Bet $100, Get $10 on the card. -- Up to $10 Money-Back Special on the Saudi Derby if your win bet finishes second or third.

In addition to the Late Pick 4 Hit & Split promotion at Fair Grounds on Saturday, there are a trio of Triple Crown Prep Race Money Back Special opportunities over the course of the mid-February weekend. The Saudi Derby and Risen Star on Saturday and Sunland Derby on Sunday all reward points on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard to the top five finishers with the Risen Star being the first of the 50-point to the winner races in 2026. Here are my thoughts.Saudi Cup (G3):Four North American-based runners made the trip overseas for this one-turn mile event over the main track, including 5-2-ML favorite #6 My World. The son of Essential Quality beat a suspect group in the Jerome to kick off his 3YO season for trainer Brad Cox running his winning streak to three races, but has done little to wow. I will use my first Money Back opportunity to take a swing against My World with #1 Acknowledgemeplz. The son of Bucchero has just one win in four starts for trainer Doug O’Neill, but ran better than looks in the San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita Park last out when racing against the flow going 7-furlongs. This barn has been going well to start 2026 and attracts Flavien Prat for their ridgling’s first international test. The price should be right to take a shot.Play: #1 Acknowledgemeplz (10-1 ML)Risen Star (G2):Before last year this 1 1/8-mile test at Fair Grounds had arguably been the best Triple Crown prep despite being run in mid-February. Epicenter in 2022, Angel of Empire in 2023, and Sierra Leone two years ago all made their presence felt in a big way on the first Saturday in May. Perhaps, the race will produce a top contender again this year, but the depth of the field pales in comparison to years’ past.#3 Golden Tempo returns to the scene of his off-the-pace win in the Lecomte (G3) and will take his share of public support, but it is no doubt #4 Paladin’s race to lose. The $1.9M FTS August 2024 purchase has done little wrong through two starts and was flattered by Renegade’s win in the Sam F. Davis last weekend. He is by far the likeliest winner, but with the insurance from the Money Back offer I will opt to instead wager on #5 Chip Honcho. The son of Connect showed grit to win the Gun Runner in December before being caught wide throughout after a less-than-ideal break in the Lecomte. Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen takes the blinkers off and legs up Luis Saez for the first time. I am not sure whether Chip Honcho is good enough to beat the chalk, but he has the recency and will be a much bigger price on Saturday evening.Play: #5 Chip Honcho (6-1 ML)Sunland Derby:The final Triple Crown prep of the weekend goes as the ninth of ten on Sunday afternoon in New Mexico where Springboard Mile winner #1 Express Kid was made the 3-1-ML favorite. The son of Bodemeister was sold after the win for $800,000 in a one-horse flash sale on Fasig-Tipton Digital and now appears in the Justin Evans barn. The Cal-bred was impressive in his first dirt route try, but is likely to have things tough on the front end given the speed to drawn to his outside. Therefore, I will try another O’Neill runner at a price in #3 Pavlovian. The Pavel colt is just 1 for 8, but came with a strong late run after another poor start in the Cal Cup Derby month. If he can avoid spotting the field too many lengths early, he has a shot to make the last move at a price under veteran Edwin Maldonado.Play: #3 Pavlovian (8-1 ML)

SPECIAL 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 4-5-6TOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Feeder | details$40 Santa Anita Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $459,324 | Gulfstream | begins Race 5 | 2:20 pm ETPick 6 | $8,426 | Oaklawn | begins Race 5 | 3:34 pm ETSunset Pick 6 | $33,199 | Gulfstream/Santa Anita | begins GP Race 8 | 3:50 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $520,763 | Turfway | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ET--Gulfstream has mandatory Rainbow 6 payout SundayKEY RACESOaklawn | Race 8 | 5:07 pm ET | American Beauty StakesTurfway | Race 9 | 9:55 pm ET | Forego StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay | Race 4 | 2:07 pm ETOaklawn | Race 7 | 4:35 pm ETTurfway | Race 10 | 10:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHLinda Rice | Aqueduct | 7 of 8 entrants 7-2 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Aqueduct | jockey Manny Franco | 6 wins from 9 mounts (9 wins past 2 days)PUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli: Sunset Pick 6 $33K Carryover Analysis for FridayScott Shapiro: Santa Anita Friday Spot PlaysFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Racing returns to Santa Anita Park later this afternoon for the start of a 4-day racing week with a holiday card on Monday afternoon. Today’s card at the Great Race Place includes a $33k carryover in the Sunset Six. Remember, the Sunset Six consists of the last three races at both Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park, has a $1 minimum, 15% takeout rate, and is for retail players only. My colleague Frank Carulli has analysis of the sequence already up on the blog, but I included a potential contrarian single within my spot plays in Arcadia for the 8-race card that kicks off at 3:30 PM eastern/12:30 PM local time.Race 4:My first play of the day happens to kick off the first All-Turf Pick 3 of the week at Santa Anita Park and comes in this $50k maiden claimer over the grass where I like #1 Lorenzo Bernini. The son of Authentic makes his second start of the meet after battling early and tiring late in a similar spot on January 8. The George Papaprodromou trainee finds a spot this afternoon where he not only draws favorably along the inside on the stretch out to 9-furlongs, but also a group that lacks early zip. This should bode well for the 4YO gelding who attracts Florent Geroux with regular rider Umberto Rispoli sidelined due to injury. With a clean break, Lorenzo Bernini should have no issue taking them all the way on the engine.Play: #1 Lorenzo Bernini (5-2 ML)Race 5:This open $10k claimer at 5.5-furlongs over the main track is one of the more attractive wagering events on the Friday slate. I landed on #11 Outrageous. The daughter of Mor Spirit makes her third start of the form cycle after chasing a gate-to-wire winner while 3-wide early in a starter allowance at this same distance in late January. The 6-time winner competed over this surface for the initial time in the third-place effort last month and should be primed for her best third off the bench. The far outside post could lead to a wide trip early, but I like the fact jockey Cristobal Herrera has options out of the gate. With a clean break, he shouldn’t be too far off the early pace in search of his seventh lifetime score.Play: #11 Outrageous (6-1 ML)Race 6:I will search for the natural hat trick in what is the fourth leg of the aforementioned Sunset Six. Based on the morning line, #1 Latitude is expected to take the most money in this MSW at one mile over the Santa Anita sod, but I prefer stablemate #5 Midway Lane. Trainer John Sadler has not had a strong start to the Classic Meet, but one of his best runs came from this son of Quality Road back on January 8. The Hronis Racing gelding did not get to the wire first, but relaxed nicely in the early going before being barely out finished at odds of nearly 4-1. Sadler moves Midway Lane up out of the high-level maiden claimer, which often is a pass for me, but this is just not the strongest group from top-to-bottom. Hopefully, he proves worthy of the move back into the MSW ranks with an off-the-pace victory under veteran jockey Kyle Frey.Play: #5 Midway Lane (9-2 ML)

Hoosier Park begins the weekend with a 9-race card. The 0.50 Pick 4 starts in Race 6, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 6 (7:25 PM EST)1-A New Endeavor (3-1)-Fits at this level and drawing the rail should help the cause. Comes off 2 sharp qualifiers, the first at MVR and the 2nd at HoP, and looks ready to fire hot off the bench. Has won 13 of 33 at HoP and should be on top or in the pocket when the wings fold.2-Lotsa Knock Us (9/5)-Finished 2nd against Open Handicap company at the Meadows in the 1st race since 1-11. Not liking the short morning line as there have been gaps in starts. But the veteran likes the oval and the post draw should help with getting an efficient trip.Race 7 (7:48 PM EST)3-Handsome Character (7/2)-Appears to be a better horse than when last seen in Andersen in the fall. MVR shipper battles and should be in striking range to seal the deal. Has been in the hunt at HoP, does have gate speed, and Trace Tetrick could look to go gate to wire.6-Six Sticks Of Gum (6-1)-This isn't an easy race to read with a hodgepodge field and will look for a price with a 4-year-old who posted a nice win coming off cover. Meadows shipper gives John DeLong options. Could be put in play early on or look to roll by down the lane.Race 8 (8:11 PM EST)3-Sanday A (4-1)-Cashed checks versus Open company and should be more than capable versus this field. The veteran put in a nice qualifier at HoP on 2-7. Lands at a level where a win can happen if brings a top try. Kyle Wilfong knows well and should be racing near the top turning for the wire.6-General Dolan (2-1)-Tuned up at MVR and then won by 10 1/2 lengths in a 2-7 qualifier at HoP. Got on the engine in both qualifiers and should be tough to beat if gets the top without burning much gas. The race should go through the Tyler George trainee.Race 9 (8:34 PM EST)3-Tellmebaoutit (12-1)-This 10-year-old banked over $960k and almost all of it came at HoP. Lightly raced veteran did go a couple of times at DTN and would have posted 2 wins except for a DQ. Then drew outside at MVR in 2 starts in January. Can hit the board at a big price and with a a suck-around trip could surprise if Panda Executive comes up short.8-Ponda Executive (5/2)-Went gate to wire in a MVR qualifier and then worked the same plan in a 2-7 tune-up at HoP. Drew off by 8 lengths and might be sitting on a big try. This is another Tyler George trainee who could be posing.$1 Pick 41,2/3,6/3,6/3,8Total Bet=$16Check me out on X!

February is full of promotions at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet, including $2M rewards points Hit & Split opportunities on Saturday afternoons. This week we head to New Orleans for one of the biggest days on the racing calendar at Fair Grounds. The Risen Star (G2) headlines a 12-race card that includes an all-stakes Late Pick 4 sequence that kicks off at 5PM eastern/4PM local time and concludes with the Kentucky Derby qualifier. Finding ways to separate from the public appears a challenge, but here is how I will approach things.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 9: Mineshaft (G3)Grade: BMain Ticket: 4 Moonlight; 3 Cadet Corps; 7 StowawayBackups: NoneForecast: It could get chalky late, so I will take a swing against the two runners likely to be used most to kick things off. #6 Hit Show is the class of the field and will take some beating, but lacks early speed and might prefer going a touch longer at this point in his career. He is almost certain to be used far more frequently than any other runner. I also am willing to fade Louisiana (G3) winner #2 Accelerize. The son of Omaha Beach took advantage of a favorable voyage over the inside part of the track last month and will be a much shorter price on Saturday. #4 Moonlight is the one I like most, but will use three horses equally. Moonlight did not have things his way in the Louisiana and has had an “in and out” pattern of late. He could be set for his best with Jose Ortiz staying onboard. Gaining separation in this $250,000 event over the main track seems like a must.Race 10: Fair Grounds (G3)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 7 Kupuna; 2 Brilliant BertiBackups: 6 MontadorForecast: I had a more difficult time getting creative in the lone turf race in the sequence. #7 Kupuna has been finishing his races strong since arriving in New Orleans. A repeat of his last will make him tough, but #2 Brilliant Berti is impossible for me to not include. He may not be cranked off the bench, but draws inside and has kept the best company. A strong 5YO campaign seems well within the range of outcomes for this Cherie DeVaux trainee. A win off the four-month break at 9-furlongs would only add to my confidence.Race 11: Rachel Alexandra (G2)Grade: B-Main Ticket: 3 Bella BallerinaBackups: NoneForecast: I have no interest in trying to beat 2-1-ML favorite #3 Bella Ballerina in her first start as a 3YO. The younger sister to champion filly Pretty Mischievous won going away on debut and then held on late when being forced to make first run at a runaway speed in the Golden Rod (G2) to end her 2YO season. The Brendan Walsh trainee has prepared forwardly over this surface and meets a field she should handle to kick off her 2026 season.Race 12: Risen Star (G2)Grade: XMain Ticket: 4 PaladinBackups: 5 Chip HonchoForecast: #4 Paladin enters his first start as a 3YO as one of the favorites to win the Kentucky Derby based on his two races as a juvenile. The Chad Brown trainee’s performances were both flattered by Renegade’s impressive win in the Sam F. Davis last month and he meets a lackluster group all things considered. Paladin is unlikely to be a good bet at his likely off-odds despite being by far the likeliest winner, so if you are committed to trying to beat him on Saturday, #5 Chip Honcho makes the most sense to me. He showed grit to win a subpar edition of the Gun Runner before being caught wide after a slow break in the Lecomte (G3). Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen takes the blinkers off this Connect colt and turns to Luis Saez. An improved effort is expected, but one that is unlikely to be beat Paladin’s “B+” game.

Your home for Friday and Saturday’s Saudi Cup racing action – featuring Breeders’ Cup winners Forever Young and Nysos – will be 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Our racing analyst Michelle Yu is part of the international telecast crew and has been in Riyadh this week checking out the contenders. We’ll get her picks for the big event later in the week.Friday’s 8-race card features the International Jockeys’ Challenge with Flavien Prat and Joel Rosario among those competing. Wager on the Friday full card beginning at 8:00AM ET.Saturday’s $20 million Saudi Cup anchors a 9-race card with 7 group / graded stakes. The action kicks off at 7:00AM ET. Horseplayers at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can take advantage of a Bet $100, Get $10 promotion on Saturday’s action at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. There’s also up to a $10 Money-Back Special on wagers on the Saudi Derby (if your win bet finishes second or third) as part of our Triple Crown prep promotion.Saudi Cup Saturday LineupRace 1 (7:00AM ET) - Jockey Club Local HandicapRace 2 (7:40AM ET) – G1 Obalya Arabian ClassicRace 3 (8:20AM ET) - Tuwaiq CupRace 4 (9:00AM ET) – G3 Saudi DerbyRace 5 (9:40AM ET) – G2 Riyadh Dirt SprintRace 6 (10:25AM ET) – G2 1351 Turf SprintRace 7 (11:10AM ET) – G1 Neom Turf CupRace 8 (11:50AM ET) – G2 Red Sea Turf HandicapRace 9 (12:40PM ET) – G1 Saudi CupForever Young is defending champion in the Saudi Cup after a stirring score a year ago vs. Hong Kong legend Romantic Warrior. There will be a strong American contingent in opposition of his title defense, led by the Bob Baffert duo of Nysos and G1 Goodwood winner Nevada Beach. Brad Cox has G2 Cigar Mile winner Bishops Bay in the gate along with David Jacobson’s Banishing, Kenny McPeek’s Rattle N Roll and the former US miler Tumbarumba.American interest in the undercard includes Kentucky Derby qualifying points on the line in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby, where Nashua / Jerome winner My World goes for Brad Cox, Saratoga & Oaklawn stakes winner Obliteration represents Steve Asmussen and San Vicente third Acknowledgemeplz bids for Doug O’Neill. Domestic intrigue also focuses on Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up Imagination and Bing Crosby winner Lovesick Blues in the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint. Eddie D and Janus Stakes winner Reef Runner is among the Americans in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint.Here is the Saudi Cup Saturday wager menu:Race 1 - Win, Place, Exacta, Trifecta, SuperfectaRace 2 - Win, Place, Exacta, Trifecta, SuperfectaRace 3 - Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, SuperfectaRace 4 - Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3, Pick 6Race 5 - Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, DoubleRace 6 - Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, SuperfectaRace 7 - Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3Race 8 - Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta, DoubleRace 9 - Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta$20 Million Saudi Cup Field | 1-1/8 miles | Saturday1-Banishing | David Jacobson | Adel Alfouraidi2-Bishops Bay | Brad Cox | Junior Alvarado3-Forever Young | Yoshito Yahagi | Ryusei Sakai4-Haqeet | Saad Ajenade | Mickael Barzalona5-Luxor Cafe | Noriyuki Hori | Joao Moreira6-Mhally | Abdullah Alsidrandi | Ricardo Ferreira7-Nevada Beach | Bob Baffert | Irad Ortiz Jr.8-Nysos | Bob Baffert | Flavien Prat9-Rattle N Roll | Kenny McPeek | Joel Rosario10-Star of Wonder | Saad Aljenade | Camilio Ospina11-Sunrise Zipangu | Kyoko Maekawa | Oisin Murphy12-Thundersquall | Muteb Almulawah | Daniel Tudhope13-Tumbarumba | Hamad Al Jehani | James Doyle14-Ameerat Alzamaan | Sami Alharabi | Ryan Moore

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Fair Grounds | today’s racesTOURNAMENT TIME$100 Gulfstream Feeder | detailsNOTABLE CARRYOVERSPick 6 | $91,498 | Aqueduct | begins Race 4 | 2:11 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $428,812 | Gulfstream | begins Race 5 | 2:20 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $444,586 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 4:12 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $7,506 | Gulfstream Park | Race 10 | 4:51 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $509,238 | Turfway | begins Race 5 | 7:55 pm ET--Gulfstream has mandatory Rainbow 6 payout SundayKEY RACESTurf Paradise | Race 7 | 6:10 pm ET | Molly P StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXTampa Bay | Race 4 | 2:06 pm ETFair Grounds | Race 8 | 5:15 pm ETTurfway | Race 4 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHBrad Cox | Gulfstream, Turfway, Aqueduct, Fair Grounds | all 8 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Aqueduct | jockey Manny Franco | 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 9 mountsPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Fair Grounds Bet $100, Get $10 Picks for ThursdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section