#Brisnet Speed

In this biweekly series, racing analyst J. 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 Gun Pilot You know Saturday's fourth race at Oaklawn, an $80000 allowance optional claimer (post…

Friday's headliner at Keeneland is the $300000 Sycamore S. (G3), which will be run at 1 1/2 miles on the turf as Race 9. An overflow field of 16 has been entered for the ultra-competitive event, which will be the centerpiece of my Daily Double wagers as I will look to capitalize on an especially generous offer from Twin Spires. The " Keeneland…

Three stakes winners plus a debut runner caught my eye last week. Each of them bred in Louisiana, and each of them with the talent to potentially face open company going forward. Let's start with the debut runner from Ron Faucheux's barn who ran on Thursday, Kyle Beauty. It didn't take an expert eye to be awed by this first-time-starter. After…

Country House won the 145th Kentucky Derby after Maximum Security - who crossed the finish line first - was disqualified for a race infraction, an unprecedented result in race history. Read full coverage of the race here. Bob Baffert, the Hall of Fame trainer of Triple Crown winners American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018, has three horses in…

Fair Grounds News: Bron and Brow Highlights 1st Gary P. Palmisano Stakes From the Fair Grounds Media Team: Gary Barber's Bron and Brow enters the 1st running of the $75000 Gary P. Palmisano Memorial Stakes after showcasing his best effort to date in a second-level allowance on Dec 15. A field of nine Louisiana-breds will take to the court in…

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series opened in late September, but the prep season doesn't get into full swing until the New Year. And the first qualifier of 2023 took place at Oaklawn Park on New Year's Day, the Smarty Jones. Twenty-six additional point races will be offered for the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1) over the next 3 1/2 months. Let's…

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Jan. 5 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, along with horses to play in Aqueduct's $189198 Pick 5 carryover and Turfway's $4843 Super High 5 carryover. Fair Grounds $1000 Late Pick 5 Hit It and Split It: Hit the Late Pick 5 at Fair Grounds on any day of live racing from Jan. 5-31…

This week's TwinSpires Jury - James Scully and Kellie Reilly - convenes to discuss opinions for the New Year's Eve stakes action at Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, and Oaklawn Park. James Scully: #5 Anacapa (4-1) in the Las Flores (G3) at Santa Anita. The progressing three-year-old filly won't face an imposing group in her stakes debut, and she…

The first day of 2023 kicks off with a bang on the horse racing front. The $250000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park serves as a Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifier, awarding points for entry to the 2023 Derby on a 10-4-3-2-1 basis to the top five finishers. Held over one mile on dirt, the Smarty Jones has yet to…

Get the best Kentucky Derby plays from the horse racing experts at TwinSpires, including exacta, trifecta and superfecta picks. The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby will feature a fierce field of 20 horses set to race 1 1/4 miles on Churchill Downs' historic race track on Saturday, May 7. One undefeated runner, a Japanese-bred starter, and a…

Determinedly makes his first try against dirt stakes horses in the $100000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds on Monday after an impressive maiden win at Churchill Downs. He does offer a few questions, but he might present a fair enough price for bettors. Here is a more detailed explanation of why Determinedly is the selection plus an idea for a…

On Dec. 26, 2021, Fair Grounds hosted the inaugural running of the $100000 Gun Runner Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile qualifier on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. The winner was Epicenter, and the fifth-place finisher was Rich Strike; the following spring, Rich Strike and Epicenter ran 1-2 in the Kentucky Derby. The second…

With most tracks dark next weekend for the Christmas holiday, bettors looking for a little extra spending money had better take advantage of the action available over the next few days. The TwinSpires Jury of James Scully, Vance Hanson, and Ashley Anderson are back this week with thoughts on the action at Oaklawn, Remington Park, and Los…

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares horses to play in a bevy of carryovers at Aqueduct, Golden Gate Fields, and Woodbine, including a trio of mandatory-payout wagers. One of the biggest carryovers up for grabs on Sunday can be found at Aqueduct, where the $1 Pick 6 has tossed up a lucrative $38428 non-jackpot prize pool. Looking for a single to…

Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: Proxy Gets Big Speed Figure After G1 Clark Win (Proxy / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs' Media Team: Godolphin's talented 4-year-old colt Proxy earned his first career stakes victory Friday with his determined three-quarters of a length win in the $750000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade…

Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: Curly Jack May Set Them Straight In G2 KY Jockey Club (Curly Jack / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Michael McLaughlin's $300000 Iroquois Stakes (Grade III) winner Curly Jack headlines a field of nine 2-year-old colts that were entered in Saturday's 96 running of the $400000 Kentucky…

Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: KY Derby Winner Returns in G1 Clark'Cap (Rich Strike / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: RED-TR Racing's Kentucky Derby (Grade I) hero Rich Strike will return to Churchill Downs and face a compact field of seven entered in Friday's 148 running of the $750000 Clark presented by Norton…

In his regular gambling blog, John Piassek presents his top picks for the upcoming weekend in horse racing, offering betting options at different budget levels. Piassek's Plays is brought to you by Horseplayers.com, the official online qualifying site of the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) and National Horseplayers Championship (NHC).…

Like the national open stakes schedule on this first post-Breeders' Cup weekend, the TwinSpires Jury has a slimmed-down look this week. James Scully and Vance Hanson opine with their best opinions on a weekend that includes the 2022 Claiming Crown at Churchill Downs. James Scully: #2 Divine Leader in Saturday's ninth race at Churchill Downs, the…

Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: Sconsin Returns in Sunday's Dream Supreme Stakes (Sconsin / Photos by Coady Photography) From the Churhcill Downs Media Team: Lloyd Madison Farm's growing broodmare band will add another member to their roster with their homebred Sconsin, who has a date with 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner in a few months. The…

With Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike bypassing the Preakness Stakes to focus on the Belmont, Derby second-place finisher Epicenter is the horse to beat in Saturday's second leg of the Triple Crown. The Steve Asmussen trainee will re-oppose Derby fourth-place finisher Simplification and also-ran Happy Jack in the 1 3/16-mile race, which features a…

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 I loved the performance Epicenter put forth in the Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds last month. After carving…

The Breeders' Cup prep season begins to draw to a close beginning this weekend, with major domestic stakes at Aqueduct, Churchill Downs, and Santa Anita on Saturday. There's also significant racing on both Saturday and Sunday at Longchamp in Paris, site of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1). The TwinSpires Jury of James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and…

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Nov. 7 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including horses to single in the $2225 Pick 5 carryover at Zia Park. #6 Maize Loved Laffy (8-1) showed pace-tracking speed when finishing second against males in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Mountaineer less than two weeks ago.…

Nest rates as my best bet on Saturday's Breeders' Cup program at Keeneland, and I will key her in Pick 3 wagers surrounding the Distaff (G1). I won't take on prohibitive favorites Flightline and Jackie's Warrior in their respective races - those events aren't appealing from a straight or vertical wager perspective - but both will be singled with…

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 Love Reigns. Trainer Wesley Ward has won the last three editions of the Turf Sprint and might nab another…

There's more than just the Preakness Stakes horses to bet on for Saturday's races. The Late Pick 5 at Pimlico on Preakness Day includes a quintet of stakes races, beginning with the Chick Lang S. (G3) in Race 9 and concluding with the $1.65 million Preakness S. (G1) in Race 13. Below we examine the top contenders in races 9-13 and build a few Pick…

Wondering which jockeys were hot at the Keeneland fall meet? You should be. The turf and dirt courses were idiosyncratic, and the riders who figured it out in October will have an advantage this weekend in the Breeders' Cup The Keeneland jockey title went to Luis Saez with 21 wins. Tyler Gaffalione was close behind with 20. They both won with 18%…

With the help of some early past performances, many bettors over the last few days have hopefully scouted out some probable favorites at next week's Breeders' Cup that they intend to stand against for the win. It's an annual exercise that should be on everyone's to-do list, because if you're right, the account balance has a much better opportunity…

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…

With Breeders' Cup weekend around the corner, racing analyst Kevin Kilroy continues to examine track trends as well as individual performances at Keeneland. If you liked a rail horse on the dirt track last week, or most of the Keeneland meet, then you know - they are just not winning. Outside posts are breaking with alacrity and hustling over,…

Have you heard the news? Sunday is closing day of the Los Alamitos Thoroughbred meet, and there's a $56126 Pick 6 carryover slated for mandatory payout. The sequence kicks off in Race 6 at 6:05 p.m. ET, and assembling a winning play won't be easy. The minimum bet amount is $2, and there are 44 entries (averaging 7.3 per race) equating to 126720…

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series continues on Saturday, July 20 with the $1 million, Grade 1 TVG.com Haskell Invitational Stakes at Monmouth Park. Seven three-year-olds, including three veterans of the Triple Crown, have been entered to contest this prestigious 1 1/8-mile race, which serves as a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the November 2…

In the second of two special Racing Roundtables, James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson look back on the final weekend of major Breeders' Cup preps and offer thoughts on whose stock is on the rise and on decline. James Scully: Slammed in the Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). A five-time restricted stakes winner over New Mexico-bred rivals, the…

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Oct. 6 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Thistledown, along with a horse to single in the $71284 Pick 6 carryover at Belmont at the Big A. $1000 Hoosier Park Pick 4 Hit It and Split It: Hit the early Pick 4 at Hoosier Park on any Thursday from July 14 through Oct. 13 to win your share…

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Presque Isle Downs and Horseshoe Indianapolis, including exactas for the Miss Indiana S. and Indiana Futurity. Rest of the World Bet Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in eligible races at Happy Valley (Hong Kong). #10 Zip Code…

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Oct. 3 at Presque Isle Downs and Parx Racing, along with horses to single in the $16219 Pick 5 carryover at Mountaineer. #7 Mom's Town (7-2) ran second in her lone dirt run to date, which was a $25000 maiden claimer racing one mile at Colonial Downs. As a daughter of champion sprinter…

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Sept. 29 at Delaware Park and Churchill Downs, including a midrange longshot in the First Dash S. Churchill Downs Bet Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in select races at Churchill Downs. $1000 Hoosier Park Pick 4 Hit It and Split It: Hit…

Two weeks removed from the Breeders' Cup, you're probably ready to tackle a fresh handicapping challenge. In this case, we'll steer you toward Saturday's $100000 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar, which has drawn a competitive and intriguing field. Eight horses were entered for the 1 1/8-mile, Grade 3 race, including one - #6 Eight Rings -who competed…

In this week's Racing Roundtable, Kellie Reilly, Vance Hanson, and Alastair Bull talk about the championship aspirations of the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and Cotillion (G1) winners, as well as Echo Zulu and other topics. Kellie Reilly: Taiba has one possible path to supplant division leader Epicenter, but it would require an incredible performance in…

G2 Lukas Classic Preview: Rich Strike Could Hit It Big Again This Saturday (Rich Strike / Photo by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Saturday's G2, $500000 Lukas Classic is shaping up to be one of the more competitive races in North America this year. Grade I winners Happy Saver and Hot Rod Charlie are among the nominated…

No Decision Yet on Whether Team Asmussen Will Run Both Echo Zulu & Wicked Halo in G3 Dogwood Stakes (Wicked Halo / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Winchell Thoroughbreds' racing manager David Fiske reported Friday morning that "no decision has been made at this time" if stablemates Echo Zulu and Wicked Halo will both…

In his regular gambling blog, John Piassek presents his top picks for the upcoming weekend in horse racing, offering betting options at different budget levels. Piassek's Plays is brought to you by Horseplayers.com, the official online qualifying site of the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) and National Horseplayers Championship (NHC).…

The TwinSpires Jury - Kellie Reilly, Vance Hanson, and Ashley Anderson - this week takes a look at Saturday's Pennsylvania Derby Day card and the "Downs After Dark" program at Churchill Downs for the weekend's best plays. Kellie Reilly: In an open-looking Gallant Bob (G2) at Parx on Saturday, #8 Witty (12-1) makes sense, especially at the price.…

On Saturday at Parx Racing, 11 talented 3-year-old Thoroughbreds will square off going 1 1/8 miles in the $1 million, Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby. The Pennsylvania Derby isn't technically part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, but there's no denying the Pennsylvania Derby ranks as a key steppingstone toward the Grade 1 Longines Breeders' Cup…

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 Epicenter It is possible the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard will have a new name at the top…

Fans of non-jackpot carryovers will be happy to hear the Sunday card at Monmouth Park boasts a hefty $31446 Pick 5 prize pool. The 50-cent wager gets underway right off the bat in Race 1 (post time 12:15 p.m. ET). The sequence contains only 36 entries and 18816 possible outcomes, so constructing a solid ticket on a reasonable budget should be…

The Kentucky Derby is the second leg of the Triple Crown this year - the Belmont Stakes was held in June - as horse racing's biggest events were shuffled by the novel coronavirus pandemic. That schedule change, among others, allowed the morning-line favorite, Tiz the Law, to earn 372 points on the Derby trail, eclipsing the previous high of 170 set…

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Friday, Sept. 16 at Churchill Downs and Belmont at the Big A, including tickets for Churchill's $2986 Super High 5 carryover. Churchill Downs Bet Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in select races at Churchill Downs. $3000 Los Alamitos…

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Feb. 24 at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, including a ticket for Turfway's $8983 Super High 5 carryover. Midweek Bet Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in select races at Fair Grounds. Turfway Park $2500 Jackpot Thursdays: Place $10+ win bets…