Arkansas Derby: Solid, consistent play

Oaklawn Park Race 11

4 - Suddenbreakingnews

This 3-year-old gelding has been the face of consistency, finishing in the exacta 6 out of his 7 career starts. Last time out he finished fifth in the Rebel Stakes, but ran into trouble from an outside slot. Today he returns to a nice inside post and should get a solid pace to help set up his late closing kick. Suddenbreakingnews has the pedigree, not like others in the field, to get the 1 1/8 mile distance with A.P. Indy and Afleet Alex in the family tree. We should get a nice price on a very consistent face. Look for breakingnews down the stretch in the Arkansas Derby.

Aqueduct: Outwork best in Wood Memorial

Aqueduct Race 10

8 - Outwork

This 3-year-old colt showed his talent when stretched out to a route of ground for the first time in the Tampa Bay Derby. He may have lost to his stablemate by a length, but that education will carry him to a victory in the Wood Memorial. Outwork's number from the Tampa Derby jumps off the page and shows he still has another gear entering the Wood. With Uncle Mo in the colt's bloodlines he should love the added distance today and put it all together to grab his first stakes victory of the his career. Look for Outlook to take the Wood Memorial and also be on the contender list for the Kentucky Derby. 

Gulfstream: Nyquist tops in Florida Derby

Gulfstream Park Race 14

4 - Nyquist

Look for the 2-year-old champion to remain undefeated after taking the Florida Derby. Nyquist is all heart and doesn't win in style, he wins on determination. The heart in an undefeated horse cannot be measured just in numbers, it is something that can be seen on the track. Regular rider Mario Gutierrez knows how to place the BC Juvenile winner in his spot, and in a race that doesn't look like much up front, he should get a great trip on or near the lead. Nyquist is the top play in the 2016 Florida Derby.

Santa Anita: Tinderette best bet 4/1

Santa Anita Race 4

#3 Tinderette

Jockey Tyler Baze and trainer Jeff Mullins are a strong sprinting duo and they will prove it again in this short starter allowance field. The three-year-old filly has already shown enough ability to handle this class and love the fact that Baze can sit right off a projected hot pace scenario. Look for the winning move down the stretch and be in the clear for an easy victory Friday afternoon. 

Gulfstream: Stonetastic best inside information

Gulfstream Race 12

8 - Stonetastic

The five-year-old daughter of Mizzen Mast enters the Inside Information Stakes in solid form and with the highest speed figures. This Grade II Stakes is a solid field, including longshot Tiger Ride who should love the 7F distance, but Stonetastic figures are far and above the other runners peak performances. She should work out a nice trip on or near the lead under jockey Paco Lopez and put away the competition down the stretch. 

Santa Anita: Dressed in Hermes best bet 3/13

Santa Anita Race 3

1 - Dressed in Hermes

This Kentucky bred stallion is just simply too classy for this field. Dressed in Hermes ran a solid fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland last fall and there is certainly no one close to that competition in this race today. Trainer Janet Armstrong already has the gelding at Santa Anita from the San Luis Rey Downs trainer facility and should prove tough to handle in this stakes race under champion jockey Mike Smith.  

Aqueduct: Shagaf top play in Gotham Stakes

Aqueduct Race 9

2 - Shagaf

The road to the Kentucky Derby continues with the Gotham Stakes in New York on Saturday. Shagaf enters undefeated with two very clear victories. His debut maiden score speed figure jumps off the page when compared to his main foes in this race. Love the fact that he won geared down in his last race as connections continue to educate the young colt. There is still plenty of upside with him making just his third start of his career, and with Bernardini in his bloodlines the route of ground should be no problem. Look for regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. to sit a solid trip close to the lead and make the winning move down the stretch. Shagaf enters in better form with more upside than others in this field and he is the top play in the Gotham.

Santa Anita: Uptown Rythem best bet on 3/4

Arcadia, CA

Santa Anita Race 2

4 - Uptown Rythem

The Connections have finally found the right level of competition for this son of Speighstown. Uptown Rythem broke out of the maiden ranks in his last start when dropped to the $20K level and now meets another weak field of claimers when taking on winners for the first time. This five-year-old had high hopes when running against some tough competition in a few Maiden Special Weight races last year, but thanks to a dip in class he should start this year with back-to-back victories. Uptown Rythem shows a nice 4F breeze workout last week for trainer Carla Gaines and she keeps her top jockey in Rafael Bejarano aboard. The favorite should use his tactical speed to get a great trip today in a race that doesn't come up very fast, improve second time off a layoff, and finish a clear winner.    

Santa Anita: Makena is best Bet on 3/3

Santa Anita Race 6

8 - Makena

This four-year-old filly is rounding into form and towers over this field with her speed figure ratings. Makena is fresh off a solid second place run at this same class level (at a tricky 7F distance) and that race should have the filly ready to go today. Regular rider Drayden Van Dyke knows her well as he has been aboard for each start. Her last race is much the best to win this maiden event and with the expected improvement for trainer Scott Hansen along with a pedigree fit to route Makena is Thursday's best bet.   

Santa Anita: Guns loaded best bet on 2/28

Santa Anita Race 4

6 - Guns Loaded

Trust in trainer Doug O'Neill with this selection. As the star trainer said he was impressed with the gelding's performance back in December on turf and looking forward to another turf start. Guns Loaded enters hot off an allowance win on the dirt just eight days ago, and O'Neill seems to always have a solid feel with this type of move. Add jockey Santiago Gonzalez, a very good price in a small field, and what projects to be a solid off-the-pace run makes Guns Loaded Sunday's best bet.