American Racing Tips: Thursday 29 September

Every summer, Saratoga Race Course serves as an epicenter of high-class juvenile racing. Day after day, week after week, promising 2-year-olds take center stage in competitive stakes and maiden races. It's commonplace for juveniles who compete at Saratoga to go on and win major races down the road. Whether they're shining at the Breeders' Cup World…

The long and winding road to the 2024 edition of the Kentucky Derby officially begins on Saturday at Churchill Downs when the stylish debut winner Risk It headlines a field of nine 2-year-olds entered in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes. Risk It, a well-backed son of Gun Runner ran to expectations in his first career start by dominating a 6-furlong…

The final Saturday of the Saratoga meet includes a number of stakes races. The feature on the Saturday card is the Jockey Club Gold Cup. The race looks like a bit of a heavyweight showdown between Proxy and Rattle N' Roll. Rain was had on Wednesday and it was pretty clear throughout the day that speed was dominant. As the track dried out Thursday…

In this biweekly series, racing analyst Keeler Johnson shares promising horses from his handicapping watch list, reviewing runners who have recently caught his eye and previewing horses scheduled to run back in the near future. New to the Watch List A 2-year-old son of 2017 horse of the year and hot sire Gun Runner, Risk It fired a big shot in his…

Carl Spackler showed promise in his first two starts against maiden special weight competition at Gulfstream Park, finishing second by a head against future Belmont Derby (G1) winner Far Bridge before breaking his own maiden by 8 3/4 lengths. Carl Spackler subsequently faltered in a remarkably tough edition of the American Turf (G2), finishing…

This weekend promises to be an exciting one for horse racing fans as several prestigious races take center stage at various tracks across the US including Saratoga and Del Mar. From turf to dirt, from graded stakes to prestigious invitational races, these events will showcase top-tier thoroughbreds battling it out for fame, and fortune. In two of…

Sunday's feature at Saratoga is the Bowling Green. Rebel's Romance looks a solid favorite, but on the turf there is plenty of competition for an upset. The Bowling Green Stakes is an esteemed Grade 2 horse race held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Named after the Bowling Green area in Manhattan, it serves as a…

Del Mar has to be considered a massive success. Unlike Saratoga, the fields are busting at the seams. The ship and win program is clearly enticing the horses west. While the inclusion of more horses in a race may make it seem harder to win at the races, larger fields offer increased excitement and betting opportunities. The Del Mar ship and win…

The card ahead of the Fountain of Youth Kentucky Derby prep features a slew of claimers and maidens. The stars will be on full display at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. The Fountain of Youth Stakes on Saturday seems to go largely through Forte who enters the race as the defending 2 year old champion and is undefeated in 4 career starts. The record…

The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues on Saturday with the Risen Star from the Fair Grounds. Hoosier Philly runs in the Rachel, but has suggested a run at the boys is possible this spring. Post: 12:00 PM CT; $70k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8 #3 SHES A LUCKY REBEL (3-1) gets the top selection. She has been really…

According to numberFire Racing's projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today. Popthechampagne Ro won on the synthetic surface at Woodbine in October for Kevin Attard and -- after a further run -- has changed barns and looks sure to give a good account on dirt debut. Vegas Wild Cat is less up against it on this occasion and…

According to numberFire Racing's projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today. Winter Pool won on debut for Linda Rice last time and is of interest again with class relief. He's been claimed numerous times lately, but he can make it two from two for this barn. Forever Wicked was behind the selection last time but can't be…

According to numberFire Racing's projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today. Lets Run Two gets class relief and looks to have good prospects at the weights. Load Abroad has an absence to overcome but has been working well recently and can't be discounted for her barn. Carla's Honor also commands scrutiny. Bet Now at…

Still with the maidens, but an open affair sneaking up a further furlong in distance. Improving provincial filly 13. Leipzig progressed nicely into her third-up run, missing by a nose chasing home a talented winner on a bog track at Scone. Again drawn to get to the outside, and looks well treated here under the set weights scale, coming through…

Track likely heavy 8 and rail true. We start over the mile trip on a surface that will settle in heavy range with constant rain about. Consistent provincial four-year-old 3. Satness is very fit deep into his prep, and right at home on wet tracks. Won his maiden here four starts back, and has been in the money in three runs since, when settling a…

Following the first of two co-highlights from the Belmont, Fall meet at Aqueduct comes the Breeders Cup Miss Grillo Stakes on the Turf for Fillies Two-Year-Old. Unfortunately, now looking at the weather forecast for the New York Area, we may see a postponement of this race as the weather seems to be wet, which could cause the cancellation of Turf…

According to numberFire Racing's projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today. Alessia looks to have the best claims in this maiden. She's hit the board on both of her starts at Keeneland and Saratoga and can get off the mark here. Funny How appeals as best of the remainder after finishing third on both starts, though her…

According to numberFire Racing's projections, these are the best bets to make at FanDuel Racing today. Bet Now at FanDuel HIDDEN CACHE has an excellent chance at the weights and looks the one to beat. She's raced in tougher races than this and can finally get off the mark after making the places on each of her four starts. Rain Lilly took a step…

Track Soft 6 and rail out 1.5m from 800m to 40mm and true the remainder The restricted stayers get us rolling on an improving track, and in a tricky race 7. Grand Shanghai emerges as the one to beat back on rain-affected ground and from a better draw. Hit the line strongly here two runs back before doing it tough from the wide barrier eight days…

Track Soft 6 and rail out 1.5m from 800m to 40mm and true the remainder The restricted stayers get us rolling on an improving track, and in a tricky race 7. Grand Shanghai emerges as the one to beat back on rain-affected ground and from a better draw. Hit the line strongly here two runs back before doing it tough from the wide barrier eight days…

Welcome to Noel Michaels' Weekend Winners, the place to go for weekend best bets and spot plays from veteran handicapper and tournament-play pioneer Noel Michaels. Check back every week for a couple of highlighted selections designed to help you cash a few bets and make some money. Noel's selections have been featured just about everywhere horse…

The beginning of the Belmont Park fall meet will look very different this year. The races will be run at Aqueduct in what is being called Belmont at the Big A. The change of venue is the result of renovations being made to Belmont which include installing tunnels under the track for infield access. Post: 1:00 PM ET; $75k William Entenmann Novice S.…

Plenty of chances in the middle-distance opener, starting with lightly raced five-year-old 4. Mullamaart who can peak at his third start from a better draw. On a 12-day back-up from doing his best work late at Muswellbrook, and can settle a little closer in the run. Dangers: Tough mare 7. Croatian Madame is still striving for that breakthrough win…

In this biweekly series, racing analyst Keeler Johnson shares promising horses from his handicapping watch list, reviewing runners who have recently caught his eye and previewing horses scheduled to run back in the near future. Upcoming Entries Victorious in the Raven Run (G2) at Keeneland last fall, Caramel Swirl kicked off 2022 with a flashy 3…

The jumpers return to Saratoga. The first race of the card is a steeplechase stakes ahead of 9 thoroughbred races to kick off the 4th week of racing from "The Spa". Post: 1:05 PM ET; $75k Jonathan Kiser Novice S. going 2 1/16 miles on hurdle; Entries: 7 #1 PERFECT TAPATINO (6-1) gets the top selection. He could be a dangerous threat to take them…