San Felipe Stakes Best Bet

Santa Anita Race 5

4 - Mastery

This three-year-old has done nothing wrong so far in his career. Going undefeated in all three starts and winning by more than 12 lengths total. Mastery got a chance to stretch his legs last time out in the Cash Call Futurity and turned that 1 1/16 mile race into a run for fun. This colt is built for the route game, something important in today's race and for the Kentucky Derby, proving that at Los Alamitos. The undefeated runner has the best pedigree in the field by Candy Ride (my favorite) in the bloodlines and top connections of trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith. Mastery is the best best in the San Felipe as he simply has too much class, pedigree and speed for this stakes field to handle.

Fountain of Youth Best Bet

Gulfstream Park Race 13

2 - Gunnevera

As the Road to the Kentucky Derby continues we take a look at Gunnevera. This 3-year-old colt has shown a solid closing kick that will play a major role in this race, with race favorite Irish War Cry signed on. Gunnevera's speed figures are ranked in the top of the field and his kick is unmatched after making a last to first run in the Delta Jackpot back in November. The son of Dialed In already holds a victory at this distance with jockey Javier Castellano and should be rounding into form after a nice second place finish last time out in the Holy Bull. Gunnevera is our best bet to have a solid trip, defeat the race favorite and win the 2017 Fountain of Youth Stakes.

Risen Star Stakes Best Bet

Fair Grounds Race 11

1 - Girvin

This 3-year-old colt has heart as there's something to be said when it comes to back-to-back gutty exacta performances to start a career. Girvin has been Mr. Consistent, same cannot be said about some of the other runners today, and this should continue with a chance for a solid inside trip from the rail under jockey Hernandez Jr. Girvin doesn't have the highest speed figures in the field, but has the most progressive numbers showing and love the fact trainer Joe Sharp keeps moving his guy up in class. Girvin is the best bet in the Risen Star as he has already proven himself a consistent runner with heart and a horse to watch on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. 

Southwest Stakes Top Play

Oaklawn Park Race 9

11 - One Liner

Trainer Todd Pletcher likes to keep his horses fresh when on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and his One Liner has been begging to get back on the track. One Liner has the connections, pedigree with Into Mischief and the works that prove he is ready to go. The 3-year-old galloped out to an easy victory last time in an Allowance race and has since posted his fastest career workout with a 5F 1:00. Today's race flow favors One Liner, who should continue to improve for the star connections of Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez en route to victory in the Southwest. 

Tampa: Sam F. Davis Best Bet

Tampa Bay Downs Race 10

8 - McCraken

The Road to the Kentucky Derby goes through Tampa Bay this Saturday and that's where we meet McCraken. This three-year-old is the race favorite and for good reason. He is undefeated in his first three career starts and has shown a strong turn of foot, running down all of his competition to date. Today's Sam F. Davis Stakes has a lot of speed signed on that should set the race up perfectly for the favorite. McCarken already has the highest speed figures in the field, along with a powerful routing pedigree (Ghostzapper and Seeking the Gold), that make him easily the best bet in Tampa on Saturday.

Gulfstream: Holy Bull Stakes Top Play

Gulfstream Park Race 12

5 - Irish War Cry

With the Kentucky Derby coming up in May, the derby talk is heating up entering Saturday's Grade II Holy Bull Stakes. All eyes will be on Breeders' Cup champion Classic Empire, which will open the door for a mild upset with Irish War Cry. The three-year-old is certainly stepping up today in class from Laurel Park, but enters this race unbeaten while showing great versatility in both victories. The colt rallied from far behind to break his maiden and then last time out took the field gate-to-wire in the Marylander Stakes. Irish War Cry should love the route game with Curlin in his family tree, as he is making his first start around two turns, and what makes him a top play is the projected flow of the race. The main contenders signed on in this stakes race are not ones to be on the lead, which should make for an easy trip for the youngster to stretch his legs and get brave while out front turning for home under jockey Joel Rosario. Look for Irish War Cry to get the trip and a surprise first run on the field in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park Saturday afternoon.  

Santa Anita: best Bet 1/27

Santa Anita Race 2

1 - Very Hot

This Maiden race for fillies is a weak field, but Very Hot is much the best on paper when it comes to class. The 3-year-old is the only runner dropping down to this $30K level today, while still holding some of the highest speed figures in the field. She should also get a cozy trip from the rail for her first time around two turns, as there isn't a lot of pace signed on with race favorite Let Me Flatter You running a slow :48 in her last start. Regular rider Stewart Elliott stays for trainer Philip D'Amato and always positive to have three sprints before the initial route try. Look for Very Hot to race gate to wire Friday afternoon.      

Santa Anita: Best Bet 1/26

Santa Anita Race 2

3 - Delitefull Lady

This 3-year-old filly is primed to break her maiden today after a nice freshening for top connections in trainer Richard Baltas and jockey Rafael Bejarano. Delitefull Lady has the top pedigree in the field to get the 6F distance with Mineshaft in the bloodlines and show huge improvement in her second career start. The key that she is feeling well is the solid 5F 1:00 work (fastest she has shown) back on Jan. 16 and Bejarano taking the ride for Baltas. Delitefull Lady should get a solid stalking trip and cruise to an easy victory down the stretch at a very nice price Thursday. 

Santa Anita: Best Bet 1/16

Santa Anita Race 7

2 - Prize Exhibit

Making her first start in a Grade III event since 2015, Prize Exhibit should enjoy a little bit of a class break today in the Megahertz Stakes. This classy mare hasn't been in the winner's circle since this time last year, but has faced some pretty tough customers from Belmont Park to last time out at Del Mar in the Grade I Matriarch Stakes. Prize Exhibit posted one of the fastest drills in preparations for this race, a 5F :59 from the gate on Dec. 29, showing she is ready for a big run. The presence of jockey Mike Smith for trainer James Cassidy adds to the intrigue. Look for the multiple graded stakes winning mare finally add another victory today based on her class and connections on this special day of Monday racing. 

Santa Anita: Best Bet 1/14

Santa Anita Race 7

4 - Valiant Minister

 A 4-year-old colt making his debut is normally not a very good sign. However, the race conditions are age restricted and Valiant Minister has my favorite sire Candy Ride in his corner along with top trainer Bob Baffert. This Maiden Special Weight event is not very strong and Valiant Minister has the pedigree and the speed to make quick work of the field. The colt posted back-to-back 5F :58 workouts in Dec. at Los Alamitos that are unmatched by today's competition and Candy Ride debut runners excel at this 6F distance. Expect Valiant Minister to cruise to the winner's circle in his debut run as Saturday's best bet.