Can Texas Red Be Beaten in the San Vicente?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II). read blog
Handicapping
Tips and picks for how to bet on Thorougbred horse racing
That Handicapping Show: The Martha Washington
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra preview the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs. Watch Video
NTRA Meets With Treasury on Withholding Taxes
National Thoroughbred Racing Association officials met with a representative of the United States Department of Treasury Jan. 28 to discuss the racing industry's efforts to alter the pari-mutuel withholding tax structure.
Talented Field Assembles for the Sam F. Davis
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III). read blog
Xpressbet Offers 'X-Country Pick 4' Feb. 7
Online wagering provider Xpressbet, in conjunction with Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park, and The Stronach Group, unveils a new Pick 4 wager Feb. 7 featuring four important stakes races at the two tracks.
74-Year-Old Horseplayer Wins 2015 NHC Title
John O'Neil of Huntington Station, N.Y., topped a field of 606 entrants to win the $800,000 first-place prize and an Eclipse Award as at the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship Jan. 23-25
Bob Neumeier Wins Celebrity Challenge at NHC
Bob Neumeier, the longtime NBC Sports handicapper and Boston sportscaster, won the inaugural NTRA NHC Charity Challenge Jan. 24, less than three months after suffering serious stroke.
Record $2.36M Purse at Stake at NHC Tourney
A record field of 606 entrants will compete for more than $2.36 million, the largest purse in handicapping tournament history, and an Eclipse Award at the 16th National Handicapping Championship Jan. 23-25.
That Handicapping Show: Holy Bull Stakes
Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on January 24, 2015. watch video
Will Bluegrass Singer Upset the Holy Bull?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II). read blog
Mayo, Rippey in NHC Hall of Fame
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association has announced that Mike Mayo and Ron Rippey have been selected to the inaugural class of the National Handicapping Championship Hall of Fame.
Can Far Right Upset the Smarty Jones?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park. read blog
Will Eagle Take Flight in the Lecomte?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Lecomte Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds. read blog
California 3yos Look Best in 2015
Will the California-based 3yos of 2015 dominate the Triple Crown? J. Keeler Johnson shares his thoughts. read blog
EquiLottery Takes Step Forward in Kentucky
EquiLottery, which aims to link state lotteries with pari-mutuel pools, moved forward in Kentucky Jan. 8 when state Sen. Julie Raque Adams (R-Louisville) filed a bill that would permit such a collaboration.
Calculator Adds Up in Sham Stakes
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Sham Stakes (gr. III) and Hal's Hope Stakes (gr. III). read blog
Simulcast Conference Set for Clearwater Beach
The Thoroughbred Racing Associations has announced Clearwater Beach, Fla., as the host city for the 23rd annual International Simulcast Conference. The 2015 conference will be held at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, Oct. 5-7.
Do January Derby Preps Matter?
How big an impact do the early Kentucky Derby prep races have on the Derby itself? read blog
Few Positives in 2014 Economic Indicators
Pari-mutuel handle on U.S. races declined 2.84% in 2014, marking the seventh time in eight years that fewer dollars have been wagered.
The Road to the Derby Begins
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Jerome Stakes (gr. III), the first Kentucky Derby prep race of 2015. read blog
Can Shared Belief Be Beaten in the Malibu?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Malibu Stakes (gr. I) and La Brea Stakes (gr. I). read blog
Dortmund Stands Out in Los Alamitos Futurity
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Los Alamitos Futurity (gr. I). read blog
That Handicapping Show: Los Alamitos Futurity
Claire Novak and special guest Ellis Starr of Equibase preview the Los Alamitos Futurity (gr. I) featuring Dortmund, Mr. Z, and Firing Line. Watch Video
The Showdown in the Springboard Mile
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Remington Springboard Mile. read blog
Looking for a Longshot in the Starlet Stakes
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Starlet Stakes (gr. I) at Los Alamitos. read blog
That Handicapping Show: The Starlet
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra preview the Starlet Stakes (gr. I) at Los Alamitos featuring Take Charge Brandi. Watch Video
NHC Tour Gets Prize Money Boost for 2015
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association said Dec. 11 the 2015 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship Tour will offer record prize money of $250,000, up 25% from 2014.
Symposium: Racing Apps Need to Connect
As wagering outlets, racetracks, and other industry entities enter the mobile market, it is important they listen to customers' needs and take care to make sure new apps address those wishes.
Symposium: Customer Has to Figure in Equation
As U.S. racing faces the challenge of shaping race days and meets and maintaining field sizes at a time when foal crops are shrinking, experts said tracks and horsemen need to remember to keep the customer in the equation.
Symposium: Purse Distribution Changes Eyed
Panel discusses field-size challenges and possible solutions on the first morning of the 2014 University of Arizona Global Symposium on Racing & Gaming Dec. 9 in Tucson, Ariz.
Simulcast Group Questions Characterization
A war of words in a dispute between two cooperatives that negotiate simulcast fees continued Dec. 8 when the MidAtlantic Cooperative, which represents 23 racetracks, said Monarch Content Management misstated facts.
An Early Look at the Kentucky Derby
We have already seen a number of promising two-year-olds stamp themselves as promising contenders for next year's Triple Crown. read blog
Impasse Unresolved for Mid-Atlantic Players
- By Jack Shinar
- Thoroughbred Racing, Handicapping, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, Mid-Atlantic Region
It appears doubtful that an impasse between the company that controls the simulcast rights for Gulfstream Park and a cooperative representing 23 tracks in the Mid-Atlantic region will be resolved in time for the Dec. 6 start.
Will Tiz Midnight Rebound in the Bayakoa?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Bayakoa Stakes (gr. II) at Los Alamitos. read blog
THS: Claiming Crown 2014
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra handicap the Jewel Stakes and Canterbury Stakes from the Dec. 6 Claiming Crown event at Gulfstream Park. watch video
Betfair Reports 15% Handle Increase for TVG
Citing its mobile channel as a key driver, Betfair reports that its U.S.-based advance deposit wagering company TVG enjoyed a 15% spike in handle for the six months ended Oct. 31.
Mid-Atlantic Players May Lose Key Signals
Simulcast players in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond looking forward to betting important meetings in California and Florida this week may have to wait.
Churchill Downs 2YO Stakes Preview
Louisville Courier-Journal turf writer Jennie Rees previews the 2-year-old stakes races at Churchill Downs on November 29. Watch Video
The Turf Debut of California Chrome
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Hollywood Derby and Cigar Mile. read blog
An Opportunity for Hoppertunity in the Clark
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Clark Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs. read blog
Maryland Jockey Club Focus on Daily Product
As the Maryland Jockey Club moves forward under new leadership, it will place an emphasis on improving the day-to-day racing product by lowering takeout to attract new bettors and improving regional cooperation.
Churchill Proposes Derby Bet on Winning Sire
Churchill officials will outline their ideas for the wager at the Dec. 2 Kentucky Horse Racing Commission meeting in Lexington. If approved in time, the wager could be offered in advance of the 2015 Derby.
That Handicapping Show: Clark Handicap
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra look at the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs Friday. Watch Video
American Pharoah Touted in Derby Future Wager
In the first 2015 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, set to open a three-day run of betting Nov. 28, two-time grade I winner American Pharoah is the top individual morning-line choice at odds of 12-1.
Will Holiday Star Shine on Thanksgiving Day?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. IIT) and Fall Highweight Handicap (gr. III). read blog
THS: Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra handicap the Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes at Delta Downs this weekend. This is a 2-year-old race that kicks off the Kentucky Derby trail. watch video
A Jackpot Awaits at Delta Downs
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III) and Delta Downs Princess Stakes (gr. III). read blog
Big Blue Kitten Stands Out in Red Smith
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Red Smith Handicap (gr. III) and Frank De Francis Memorial Dash. read blog
Can Silver Max Be Beaten in the River City?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the River City Handicap (gr. III) and the Long Island Handicap (gr. III). read blog
That Handicapping Show: River City Handicap
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra handicap the $100,000 River City Handicap, which will be run on Saturday, November 8 at Churchill Downs. watch video
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