Santa Anita: Gold Cup Selection

Santa Anita Race 9

7 - Melatonin  

Trainer David Hofmans has his gelding firing on all cylinders entering this Grade I feature event. The five-year-old enters in top form, with three straight exacta finishes, including a huge victory in the Big Cap on March 12. Any of those speed figures are strong enough to take the Gold Cup and Melatonin has shown he is staying hot with posted workouts, like a bullet 7F move on June 6. Jockey Joe Talamo has been aboard for all of those top finishes and should be able to work another solid trip today. Look for Melatonin to roll home to victory in the $500K Gold Cup. 

Santa Anita: Best Best 6/23

Santa Anita Race 3

2 - Chalon

Look for a great price on this youngster. The two-year-old filly has been working up to this debut run in full strength with back-to-back solid 5F moves. Love the workout pattern moving up in distance, something others in the field do not have. The Dialed In filly also has top connections with trainer Peter Miller and jockey Tyler Baze. She should get first run out of the gate, and prove to be a speedy filly in this short 5F maiden event. All eyes will be on favorite Unique Bella, which will improve our value on Chalon. Bella has talent, but can be defeated today at short odds. Chalon will make a winning debut run as the best bet of the day on Thursday. 

Santa Anita: Memorial Day Best Bet

Santa Anita Race 3

4 - Drefong

The youngest in the field will prove the best of the field. The 3-year-old colt has been very impressive in his workouts leading up to this race. Drefong is meant for bigger and better, being a $450K purchase. Trainer Bob Baffert is known for working his horses fast, and a 6f 1:11 bullet at SA May 23 is a standout drill. Drefong is making his first start of 2016, but has more upside than any of his opponents today and has shown proven ability in a clear victory last time out at Del Mar. The speed figure posted from that event alone can easiely take this race. Add the presence of jockey Mike Smith and Drefong is the best bet on the Memorial Day card at Santa Anita.

Pimlico: Preakness Stakes Best Bet

Pimlico Race 13

5 - Exaggerator 

The script is flipped. The Nyquist, Exaggerator duel will finally go to the latter. The Preakness field is FULL of speed, and the best closer is Exaggerator. He brings the highest speed figures, behind Nquist, to the table and has proven he loves the mud at Santa Anita. The Desormeaux brothers are a family favorite and will truly get the best trip in Baltimore today. This three-year-old colt may not be better overall than the race favorite, but today he will prove best. The Preakness Stakes will be won by an off-the-pace runner and Exaggerator is the strongest of the trio (Cherry Wine, Fellowship). He should get a fast pace to chase, has the pedigree to take the route of ground on a wet track, and is our best bet to win the Preakness Stakes.

Pimlico: Black-Eyed Susan best bet

Pimlico Race 11

5 - Go Maggie Go

This 3-year-old versatile filly is simply too much for this group of fillies. She has some of highest figures in the field and making just her fourth career start she even has room to improve. Go Maggie Go has shown she can win on or off the pace, which is key in a full field, and should relish this 1 1/8 mile distance with Ghostzapper in the family. Trainer Dale Romans has given his filly a few weeks off after running into trouble in her last race at Churchill, where she still scored one of the highest numbers in the field. Look for jockey Luis Saez to put Go Maggie Go in the clear today and gallop home to victory in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.    

Santa Anita: Best Bet 5/14

Santa Anita Race 8

1 - The Lieutenant

This improving three-year-old colt has the pedigree to be something special and will also be a solid price in this talented maiden event. The Lieutenant marked significant improvement second time out, running a solid fourth in sloppy conditions, and should be more than ready in his third career start. He should love the route of ground in today's race, sired by Street Sense, and after two sprints under his belt The Lieutenant looks to be ready. Trainer Michael McCarthy put in a solid 4F :46 just last week and Flavien Prat got to know the colt last time out. Look for The Lieutenant as the best bet on Saturday's card.   

Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby top plays

Churchill Downs Race 12

13 - Nyquist

The champ has arrived. The Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion has proven he is the deserving favorite of the 2016 Kentucky Derby field. Many challengers have tried to take the crown, but all have failed, including the latest attempt by Mohaymen (lost by 8+ lengths) in the Florida Derby. Nyquist doesn't have the flashiest of figures, but he gets in done with heart. A horse doesn't go 7-for-7 unless they have the heart of a champion, this is something not measured by numbers. With so many deep closers in the 2016 Derby field it will pay off to be near the lead, and Nyquist has the solid tactical speed to sit the perfect trip. Love the 1-mile workout on April 29 by trainer Doug O'Neill. He knows how to win this race along with jockey Mario Gutierrez, as the same connections were victorious in 2012 with I'll Have Another. Nyquist has already handled today's contenders and should prove it again with a winning move around the turn to take the 2016 Run for the Roses.

11 - Exaggerator

Exaggerator has shown a powerful kick and has some of the highest figures in the field. Making him a must use for the exacta. He has already played second fiddle to Nyquist at Santa Anita, and that looks to be the same role here in the Kentucky Derby. 

2 - Suddenbreakingnews

This gelding is ranked a notch below the top two, but should be making up a lot of ground in the lane.  Suddenbreakingnews has only been out of the money once in his career, and should be included n the exotics at a very nice price.

Churchill Downs: Kentucky Oaks 2016 best bet

Churchill Downs Race 11

12 - Cathryn Sophia

The 2016 Kentucky Oaks is a competitive field of 14 and Cathryn Sophia has separated herself from the pack. This 3-year-old filly has not run a bad race in her career and has proven herself as one of the top fillies this year. Cathryn Sophia holds the highest speed figure in the field, with a dominating performance at Gulfstream in February, and love the fact she has the tactical speed to stay close to the lead before making her move. The 1 1/8 mile distance should be perfect, with sire Street Cry in the family. Trainer John Servis has her toes after a beautiful 5F :59 workout at Keeneland on April 23. Look for Cathryn Sophia to get a great trip, prove her figures, and roll home in the 2016 Kentucky Oaks.

Santa Anita opening day: best bet 5/5

Santa Anita Race 1

4 - Lemonaideen

Start the meet on a winning note with Lemonaideen. This 2-year-old filly sired by Square Eddie should relish this abbreviated 4 1/2 furlong sprint race. She has been working sharp for her debut this afternoon, including a 5F 1:00 work (longer than this race) last time on the track April 23. Trainer Edward Freeman clicks at a solid 20% debut winning percentage and should improve on that number after today. The entire field is first-time starters, so works and pedigree are the key, and this filly has the best in the field. Lemonaideen is the best bet on Santa Anita opening day.  

Los Alamitos Race Course: Top Play 4/22

Los Al Thoroughbred Race 5

5 - Prince of Arabia

This 3-year-old colt has finally met his field to get out of the maiden ranks. Prince of Arabia enters off a solid third place finish in a tougher event at Santa Anita, and has previously run races clearly good enough to win this today. The Los Alamitos thoroughbred course has the longest stretch in the county and this colt has the grinding gear needed to run down the competition. Jockey Joe Talamo only needs to watch favorite Magical Mystery and should be able to get to him over the 1 mile distance. Prince of Arabia is the top play of the day Friday.