Del Mar’s Late Pick 4 last Friday paid $477, with the winners dismissed at 9-5, 5-2, 4-1 and 6-1 odds. A return visit to the 50-cent wager is worth taking on this week’s Friday The 13th card.Del Mar, Race 5 (5:30 EST) LEGAL HEIR led for a half mile in 6 of her last 9 turf sprints but only has a maiden win at Santa Anita to show for it. She was out-dueled by the 9-1 winner three starts back at today’s distance and by the 7-1 runner-up two back on the Del Mar lawn in a $50,000 optional claimer that produced two next out winners and three runners-up with an average 85 Beyer. She should take some catching as today’s solo play in the leadoff leg of the Pick 4.Del Mar, Race6 (6:00 p.m. EST) HE’S GOT FIRE was well-bet but settled for minor awards in his last three starts. He lures Rosario to ride and shows a fastest-of-36 work to try and upgrade to a victory. HALNINETHOUSAND removed the blinkers and earned the top two speed figures of his career with in-the-money finishes in September at this distance. He puts the blinkers back on today, perhaps a reflection of his :59-3/5 gate workout here November 5. LUCKY SNIPER finished a distant second twice as the favorite in the same spot. He can win but offers little value, considering his morning-line price and 8/0-0-1 dirt record from the rivals that returned out of those two races.Del Mar, Race7 (6:30 p.m. EST) PIPER’S CAUSEWAY has the speed, MAJESTIC PALISADES has the best Beyer speed figure from his last start, SOGNO DIVINO has good late kick and two wins in a row for a high-percentage turf-to-dirt barn. Well, you get the picture. It’s an “ALL” punch in leg 3.Del Mar, Race8 (7:00 p.m. EST) CHAIR’S COIN broke sharp but was quickly taken off the pace, advanced between rivals on the backstretch but tired from a good inside striking spot in the stretch. The drop from Maiden Special Weight company in her third start since February could make a winning difference. Her stablemate, PRECLUDE, also gets class relief after she angled widest for the stretch drive but couldn’t threaten the favorites, who finished 1-2. CUBAN FLAME followed the move of the winner and finished second by a neck at 1-1/8 miles. SILKIE SEVIE rallied for minor awards at three distances in her last six turf starts, but she was the beaten favorite four times since arriving from Ireland as the start of the year.Suggested Pick 4DMR 5th race: 7DMR 6th race: 1, 4DMR 7th race: ALLDRM 8th race: 3, 4, 5, 6Cost for 50-Cent Ticket: $24

Saturday in Louisville marks a huge day on the calendar for the “little guy” where it is the Claiming Crown at historic Churchill Downs. The 12-race card kicks off with a trio of non-Claiming Crown contests, including the Dream Supreme (G3) before nine featured events get started. The $200k Claiming Crown Jewel and the $175k Claiming Crown Emerald headline the day, but there is great action to be had from start-to-finish.To help you enjoy the day that much more, 1/ST BET and Xpressbet have a one-day promo to be sure to register for and it is as easy as it gets. Just head on over to the promotional landing page to register to get a 20% boost on your Win bets on the entire card, up to $20. Here are a few horses I plan to bet to Win on Saturday under the twin spires.Race 3: Dream SupremeTrainer Saffie Joseph Jr. holds an extremely strong hand in this six-furlong dash for fillies and mares over the main track. In fact, Joseph has half of the field with #1 Mystic Lake, #2 Haulin Ice, and #5 Indy Bay. Their task is to best 9-5-ML favorite #4 Echo Sound. The Rusty Arnold trainee comes off a disappointing run in the TCA (G2) where she stalked early and tired late as the 7-5-public choice. Her best handles this bunch, but I am not certain we get that on Saturday.I will try beat the Joseph trio and the chalk with #6 Justinqueso. The Ghostzapper filly heads into the toughest spot she has encountered through 17 starts in the best form of her career for trainer Ian Wilkes. She comes in off a runner-up effort against allowance foes at Keeneland and should be primed for a career best performance third off the layoff. Brian Hernandez Jr. returns to ride and should be in a good spot to spring the upset when they turn for home. Hopefully, she handles the class hike.Play: #6 Justinqueso (5-1 ML)Picks: 6-4-1Race 11: Claiming Crown JewelThe featured event on Claiming Crown Day is for horses that have started for a claiming price of $35k or less dating back to the start of 2025 at 1 1/8-miles over the main track where I like #3 Papa Yo. The son of Protonico moved into the Linda Rice barn this summer and rattled off two wins and a third in New York. The ten-time winner has proven success over this racetrack having won 4 of 6, has won 3 of 5 at the nine-furlong distance, and should sit a great trip just off an honest pace with Tyler Gaffalione aboard. Lots to like about the Roddy Valente owned gelding.Play: #3 Papa Yo (4-1 ML)Picks: 3-7-2Race 12: Claiming Crown EmeraldThe 2026 Claiming Crown concludes with this 1 1/16-mile event over the grass for horses that have started for a claiming price of 25k or less since 2025. #2 Unit Economics is the 6-5-ML favorite after rattling off a pair of wins in New York dating back to the end of August at Saratoga for trainer Chad Brown. He draws favorably along the inside and should get a great trip. That said, there are others that have chances in here as well that will offer much stronger value. One of those is #1 War Officer. The 6YO gelding has been freshened up for his first start off the claim for trainer Mike Maker. Maker claimed this son of War Front for $50k here at Churchill Downs in mid-September and apparently has been pointed to this spot ever since. He comes in off six maintenance drills over the main track and should be primed for a big run late. I will be diving in at anything close to his 15-1 ML price.Play: #1 War Officer (15-1 ML)Picks: 1-2-7

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Horseshoe Indianapolis | today’s racesWoodbine Final Stretch Sweepstakes | 1 entry per each $10 betNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $123,538 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $100,674 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:27 pm ETJackpot Super Hi 5 | $56,137 | Woodbine | Race 8 | 6:33 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $93,910 | Charles Town | begins Race 3 | 7:57 | pm ETKEY RACESMahoning Valley | Race 2 | 12:43 pm ET | Glacial Princess StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 3 | 2:32 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 9 | 4:55 pm ETDelta Downs | Race 1 | 5:40 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHErnesto Preciado-Padilla | Parx | 4 of 5 entrants 5-1 or lessDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Remington Park | favorites went 0-8 on the card after 22-35 last weekPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Horseshoe Indy Bet $100, Get $10 Promo Picks for ThursdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

After a stop in West Virginia on Tuesday night for an evening at Mountaineer Park, our “Cornucopia of Cash” promotion heads north for a Thursday afternoon at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Remember, this month-long promo is simple. Just register on the landing page if you have yet to do so, bet $100+ on that Tuesday or Thursday select card., and earn a $10 bonus. Here are a few horses I like on the Thursday slate in Shelbyville, Indiana.Race 3:My first play of the day comes in this optional claimer at 1 1/16-miles over the grass where I landed on #8 Debt Paid. The son of Collected moves up in class for veteran conditioner Michelle Lovell after rattling off a pair of victories, including one over this course on October 15. The 5YO gelding will need to avoid getting caught up in an early battle since there does appear to be a solid amount of early speed signed on, but it is encouraging that jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. opts to ride Debt Paid instead of rival #1 Shure. Hopefully, Pedroza can find a way to break well, angle over like this gelding did last out, and find a favorable stalking position a length or two off the early pace. If so, I like his chances to out finish this bunch and get to the wire first for the sixth time in his career.Play: #8 Debt Paid (4-1 ML)Picks: 8-1-9Race 4:My next play comes in this state-bred MSW event at six-furlongs over the main track where 3-1-ML favorite #1 San Valentina looks vulnerable. The daughter of Santiva debuted a little over a week ago in a race where she showed solid tactical speed and ran a decent second, but was easily turned away by a runner that came into the race 0 for 14. The move to an inside draw against the boys could work out for the Silva Racing runner if she breaks well, but it adds an additional variable into the mix that I am not in love with.I will try to beat the chalk with #3 Z Set the Mark. The Tim Eggleston trainee debuted in a common race last month at 5.5-furlongs and things did not go well in the early stages for the son of Elite Squadron, but overall showed more promise than the final running line looks. He was off awkwardly, moved up on the backstretch, made a solid middle move against the flow of the race, and tired badly late. It was encouraging that Z Set the Mark took some public support in his first start and showed some ability in the middle stages. He should take a big step forward after gaining the invaluable experience in October. At his 12-1-ML price, he appears well worth the gamble.Play: #3 Z Set the Mark (12-1 ML)Picks: 3-2-1Race 7:My final play on the “Cornucopia of Cash” Thursday card comes in this state-bred second-level allowance event where I like #5 Smokinghot Justice. The 3YO filly takes on older runners for just the second time in her career after a pair of disappointing runs against stakes foes over the main track this fall. The Aaron West trainee only competed over the grass once so far and it led to a career best run in the Ellen’s Lucky Star in late August where she finished second beaten just a head at odds of 7-1. The pace should be honest at the very least in this 8.5-furlong affair over the grass, which should make the daughter of Harry’s Holiday tough to hold off in the final sixteenth of a mile.Play: #5 Smokinghot Justice (7-2 ML)Picks: 5-2-8

The Lead:While much of the national stakes scene winds down after the Breeders’ Cup, the 2-year-olds remain fruitful in multiple divisions late in the year. The juvenile turf sprinters are co-featured Saturday at Belmont in the $175,000 Awad Stakes. The 6-furlong event attracted a field of 9, including filly influence as well.​​​Field Depth:MORE CHAMPAGNE is Grade 3-placed amongst a field that includes listed stakes winners ARCTIC WOLF, MONETA AGENDA and RIYADH WAY. TITAN READY is stakes-placed. No doubt MORE CHAMPAGNE has kept the top strength of schedule amongst this lightly raced group.​Pace:There’s not nearly the early pace expected here you’d anticipate in a 2-year-old turf dash. TITAN READY and ARTIC WOLF project to be the speed with McMOON in closest pursuit. Additional pace can also pop up, perhaps RIYADH WAY, but this hardly looks overwhelming up front.Our Eyes:Here are my horse-by-horse notes.1-JUST JOE: Plagued by ground loss in all 3 starts, so the rail will help that cause, but his lack of a top-end gear has been the culprit. Most recent work was sharpest yet on clock and could indicate a move forward, which he’ll need under Flavien Prat.2-MORE CHAMPAGNE: Horse to beat exiting a third-place finish in the Matron in which both Brickyard Belle and Harpers Corner came back to acquit themselves very positively in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. Trainer Tom Morley’s turf sprinters are 7-15 in the exacta at the new Belmont and a bullet workout for this shows stability at the end of a long campaign since April.3-METALLICAN: Unbeaten Parx-based colt for Jamie Ness has been just good enough in all 3 starts in Maryland racing away from home. Not afraid of travel but this will be by far the late-runner’s toughest test.4-RIYADH WAY: Versatile pace player won both turf sprints at Gulfstream in front-running and rallying styles. Hollywood Beach Stakes he won last out has been a productive race over the years so don’t be surprised if it translates well at this level in New York.5-TITAN READY: Speedster capable of wiring this cast with a win already over the course as an edge and note Brad Cox barn is 5-for-10 in turf sprints at the new Belmont. Manny Franco leads local jocks with 13 turf sprint wins and a sharp 23% win rate in these grass dashes. Colt hasn’t misfired in 4 starts over various surfaces and appears reliable to be a tough out on the front end.6-REZA: Surprisingly flat in Churchill allowance after big-splash debut Tapeta win at Gulfstream. This is aggressive placement but not a lot of allowance options exist. Landing Javier Castellano a plus – he’s winning 20% in local turf sprints and his 9 such wins trail only Manny Franco. Mixed vibes but will make him prove it.7-McMOON: Fresh off the $40,000 claim while breaking his maiden in start 4. New York-bred takes a big bite of the apple here and will be among biggest prices on the tote.8-MONETA AGENDA: Restricted stakes winner at Colonial couldn’t see out the trip nor the open company in the Laurel Futurity. Six starts in, appears to have found his ceiling more so than most of the others and hard to project a winning effort.9-ARCTIC WOLF: Outside speed should be in the mix throughout at the end of a well-traveled campaign. From NY to KY to CA and back to NY after a training stop-off in KY. Two bullet works in Lexington since then indicate that he may not have topped out yet from all the travel.Most Likely Exotics Contender:TITAN READY is proven over the course and distance and should have a pace edge.Best Longshot Contender:RIYADH WAY hasn't been favored in either Florida win and could be overlooked on the ship.​​Sending it in ($100 bankroll):$90 win TITAN READY. $10 Exacta TITAN READY over MORE CHAMPAGNE.​

A $22,570 pick 5 carryover puts some extra pop in Penn National for this Wednesday evening card. The sequence spans Races 3-7 on a program that gets underway at 5:45 pm ET. Post time for the carryover sequence is 6:43 pm ET.Penn National: Race 3#1 Thirteen G’s is a former Linda Rice trainee who has run well in 3 starts since moving to Murray Rojas and should translate fine back to the dirt after a summer-fall campaign at Presque Isle. Back class should shine around 2 turns at this level. Morning line favorites #4 Fratellone and #5 Fairfield Bay outshine the rest of the cast, but I’ll hang my hat on a single from the rail. If we’re right, the sequence opens up.Penn National: Race 4#4 Blast of Mischief beat similar in a fast time last out while making a typically big move forward for local sprint ace trainer Tim Kreiser’s first attempt with her. A repeat of that runs away from these. Morning line favorite #3 Gwen to Win has faced stronger competition in some starts, but hasn’t been automatic on previous class drops. Certainly a factor but may be overbet if the line holds.Penn National: Race 5Field of 5 maidens looks laced with pitfalls. The one trustworthy runner looks to be #4 Don’t Even Think in a second-off-the-layoff situation in which she ran a good second at this class/distance upon her return. Blinkers go on for a high-percentage outfit. It’s a single-or-spread situation and I’m going to opt for the latter given the narrowness of the rest of the ticket.Penn National: Race 6Another 5-horse cast where former Kentuckian #4 Don’s Last Ride appears to have found a new home off his Penn National maiden breaker Oct. 22. Veteran trainer Bruce Kravets brings this one back on the natural rise in class vs. winners. The others are 4-59 lifetime combined, so this one’s 1-6 ledger with 4 losses in Kentucky looks highly competitive.Penn National: Race 7Nine are entered in the anchor leg, and trainer #8 Nit Witness earns top billing off solid Delaware-Maryland form for a high-percentage barn. Should fit well here and be the one to catch. George Albright has #1 Normandy Life well-placed for this claiming condition on a massive class drop. The local mark is very solid on dirt and particularly on a fast track, which is expected. #2 Serious Nonsense has had trouble pairing up big efforts, but high-percentage connections have one here that’s more than capable on her best.The Ticket1 with 4,3 with ALL with 4 with 8,1,2 = $15 for each 50 cents

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $116,166 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETSuper Hi 5 | $6,938 | Churchill Downs | Race 1 | 1:00 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $92,406 | Churchill Downs | begins Race 4 | 2:27 pm ETPick 5 | $22,570 | Penn National | begins Race 3 | 6:43 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $87,910 | Charles Town | begins Race 3 | 7:57 | pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 3 | 2:36 pm ETChurchill Downs | Race 8 | 4:25 pm ETMountaineer | Race 1 | 7:00 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHSteve Asmussen | Remington Park | all 10 entrants 5-1 or lessDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Mountaineer | favorites won 5 of 8 races on the cardPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Mountaineer | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $104,879 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:05 pm ETKEY RACESParx | Race 8 | 3:14 pm ET | Disco Chick StakesLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXMahoning Valley | Race 5 | 2:07 pm ETHorseshoe Indianapolis | Race 4 | 3:00 pm ETMountaineer | Race 2 | 7:25 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHDick Cappellucci | Sunland | all 10 entrants 5-1 or lessDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Kathleen Crook-Demasi | Parx | 2 wins, 1 second from 6 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMScott Shapiro: Horseshoe Indy Bet $100, Get $10 Promo Picks for TuesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer: best bets today in the Xpressbet member’s section