Litfin At Large: Estrechada for the Upset
Older fillies and mares in the spotlight at both Oaklawn Park and Santa Anita Park.
Handicapping
Tips and picks for how to bet on Thorougbred horse racing
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10th NHC Tour Features New Brand, Sponsors, Record Pool
A revamped and rebranded NHC Tour will be the richest in its 10-year history with a record prize pool totaling $400,000 up for grabs in 2017.
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Handicapping a Deep Field in the Rebel Stakes
The Rebel Stakes (G2) is the penultimate leg of Oaklawn's Kentucky Derby prep race series, and with such a large purse, the Rebel has drawn a field of eleven horses that look very competitive on paper.
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Xpressbet to Offer Preakness Big Bet Sweepstakes
Xpressbet customer gets chance to make $25,000 bet on the Preakness.
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National HBPA Panel Discusses ADW Wagering
Racing's economic model was discussed as advance-deposit wagering continues to account for a larger share of pari-mutuel handle.
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Litfin at Large: Shaman Ghost Gets Nod in Big 'Cap
On the West Coast at The Great Race Place, the 80th running of the Santa Anita Handicap Presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino (G1) anchors a five-stakes program
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NTRA Keeping Busy on Tax Withholding, Reporting Changes
The NTRA is continuing efforts to what it hopes will be a successful finish on new tax reporting and withholding rules while working with the industry to make sure it will quickly transition to the new rules.
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Wild Shot Has a Strong Shot in the Tampa Bay Derby
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) at Tampa Bay Downs.
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TVG Plans Increased Coverage of Australian Racing
TVG is expanding its agreement with Sky Racing World to offer increased television coverage of Australian horse racing on TVG and TVG2 as well as launch additional wagering promotions for TVG account holders on Australian racing.
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Turfway Park to Send Out Signal in High Definition
The upgrade of the racetrack’s signal to HD, which debuts March 9, will include new, customized graphics for an enhanced racing simulcast experience.
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Betfair Sees Positive Trends in Exchange's First Year
The company that launched the first betting exchange in the United States, Betfair US, believes its first year performance offers some encouraging trends for the industry.
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Language in Florida Bill Would Prohibit ADW Wagering
It's early in the process but because the wording in a current Florida Senate bill would potentially outlaw ADW, industry leaders have quickly weighed in to make sure legislators understand how devastating that outcome would be for horse racing.
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Litfin: Gulfstream to Serve Up Deep Card March 4
The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues to heat up with two more 85-point qualifying races March 4 when the Gotham (G3) is run at Aqueduct Racetrack, and the Xpressbet Fountain of Youth (G2) caps a sensational card at Gulfstream Park.
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Remembering Runyonesque Author Jay Cronley
"It's amazing how few horse racing movies have been produced," Jay Cronley lamented in recounting the story behind the making of "Let it Ride," the film version of his novel "Good Vibes." Cronley was right. It truly is amazing.
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Is Irish War Cry the Real Deal?
The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues on Saturday with two major Derby prep races at Aqueduct and Gulfstream Park, including the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).
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Canadian Racing Channel HPItv to Remain on the Air
Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) announced Feb. 27 that HPItv, Woodbine Entertainment Group's CRTC licensed digital television channel, will remain on the air.
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McCraken Top Individual in Kentucky Derby Future Wager
The always-popular "All Others" wagering interest was the narrow 5-1 favorite in the third of four pools of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager, edging a tightly bunched group of individual contenders headed by unbeaten McCraken ( 5-1).
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Local Hero, Guest Suite Top Risen Star Selections
Dave Litfin handicaps the weekend's top graded stakes races including three stakes for 3-year-olds or 3-year-old fillies this weekend.
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Risen Star Hero Could Be a Local One
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Risen Star Stakes (GII) at Fair Grounds.
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Turfway, Horsemen Team to Offer Handicapping Seminar
Turfway Park and the Kentucky HBPA are teaming up March 3 for Happy Hour Handicapping, an interactive event where people who love racing and horses can learn the basics of playing the races and take a first look at Kentucky Derby contenders.
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STATS Race Lens Added to Xpressbet Wagering Platform
Leading North American online wagering provider Xpressbet and the industry's official database, Equibase, have collaborated to offer STATS Race LensTM on Xpressbet's wagering platform.
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Voluntario Dangerous in General George Handicap
It's a relatively quiet Saturday in terms of stakes action, and oddly enough, Mother Nature will be much less of an obstacle on the East Coast than it will be in Southern California.
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Will Colonel Samsen Upset the El Camino Real Derby?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields.
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Wild Shot Deserves Long Look in Sam F. Davis Stakes
Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs each card three graded stakes and Santa Anita Park puts on a pair of Grade 2 events.
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Divisidero Goes for Grade 1 Glory at Gulfstream
The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues Saturday and Sunday with the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) and Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3).
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Gulfstream Lowers Pick 3 Minimum
Gulfstream Park announced Feb. 5 it will lower the minimum wager on its Pick 3 to 50 cents beginning Feb. 8.
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ABR Wired: Chris Fallica at the NHC
What's it like to be a handicapper at the National Handicapping Championship? Follow along with America's Best Racing and ESPN College GameDay's Chris Fallica in Las Vegas as Fallica competes among the best handicappers in the country.
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Litfin at Large: Focus on Weekend's 3-Year-Old Stakes
If you're thinking a pick three on the three Derby prep races—all scheduled within a 95-minute window—would surely stimulate some nationwide interest in the proceedings, you're right. And you're also out of luck, because that makes too much sense.
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Irish War Cry Offers Longshot Potential in Holy Bull
The Road to the Kentucky Derby will continue Saturday with the Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (G3), Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) and Kitten's Joy Stakes.
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Arsenault Wins National Handicapping Championship
Ray Arsenault of Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, near Toronto, earned the $800,000 first-place prize and an Eclipse Award as Horseplayer of the Year at this weekend's 18th annual National Handicapping Championship (NHC).
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Handicapping the Pegasus World Cup Showdown
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the showdown between Arrogate and California Chrome in the Pegasus World Cup.
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With California Chrome's Wide Post, Arrogate the Pick
At the bottom line, Arrogate was able to run down California Chrome despite the latter having everything his own way at Santa Anita last fall, and he still has license to improve.
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Slimmed Down Racing May Be Finding Its Footing
While wagering on U.S. races in 2016 was flat--up less than 1% compared with 2015--bettors continue to support a reduced Thoroughbred racing product.
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Guest Suite’s Class Can Prevail in LeComte Stakes (G3)
The Road to the Kentucky Derby will continue this Saturday with a competitive renewal of the LeComte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds.
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Litfin At Large: Eyeing Gulfstream Turf Tests
As was the case last Saturday, the graded-stakes action is on either side of the Divided States of America, at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park.
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Divisidero Could Start Big Season in Ft. Lauderdale
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park
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McIntyre Wins 2016 NHC Tour
Cheryl McIntyre of Massillon, Ohio, won three National Handicapping Championship (NHC) qualifying contests this year and earned 19,898 points overall to win the 2016 Daily Racing Form NHC Tour, which ended Jan. 1.
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Litfin at Large: Rain Could Factor in Saturday Stakes
Mother Nature may exert an influence in the marquee races on both coasts Saturday, as there is a good chance for rain at Santa Anita and at Gulfstream Park.
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Oaklawn Park to Offer Bonus on Show Bets
On-track payouts for winning show wagers will carry a bonus.
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American Anthem Steps Up in Sham Stakes
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Sham Stakes (gr. III) and recaps Irish War Cry's win in the Marylander Stakes.
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Charles Town Concludes Successful Season
"To set another record for wagering volume per race in the face of some obstacles speaks volumes about the quality and dedication of our entire team here at Charles Town," said vice president of racing operations Erich Zimny.
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Reporting, Withholding Revisions Would be Game-Changing
The Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service have all but enacted new rules on withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel winnings that experts believe will pump tens of millions of dollars back into pari-mutuel pools.
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Sassy Little Lila Should Jump Up, Arrogate Looks Tough
This week's Litfin at Large looks at Saturday's American Oaks (gr. IT) and Sunday's San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II), both at Santa Anita Park.
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Keeler Johnson’s Kentucky Derby Top 10
To celebrate the arrival of another year and another Kentucky Derby season, let's take a look at J. Keeler Johnson's Kentucky Derby Top 10 list for 2017.
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Tax Changes That Would Benefit Racing Near Adoption
The Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service took a big step toward changing rules on withholding and reporting in respect to pari-mutuel winnings Dec. 29.
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Mahoning Valley Reports Record Single-Card Handle
Buoyed by near ideal weather conditions, full competitive fields, and the holiday season, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course recorded an all-time record handle for a day's program Dec. 27.
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Litfin At Large Looks at Santa Anita Park Opener
For horse players, the best holiday gift comes the day after Christmas, which is the traditional opening day of the winter meet at Santa Anita Park.
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Handicapping Opening Day at Santa Anita
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the La Brea Stakes, Malibu Stakes, and Mathis Brothers Mile
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Crist, Beyer to be Honored With Eclipse Awards of Merit
Andrew Beyer and Steven Crist will each receive the Eclipse Award of Merit for a lifetime of outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing. This marks the fifth time that multiple Eclipse Awards of Merit have been presented in the same year.
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Evaluating Turf Runners on Dirt
While a turf horse might have turned in some seemingly good efforts on dirt in the past, those races might deserve an asterisk if they were off-the-turf events.
