Thursday, January 22, 2026 | Post Time: 9:25 PM ET 6.5 Furlongs on Synthetic | Purse: $102,000

🔥 Top Three Contenders

1. Explosively (Post 9) – 8/1 Morning Line 💪 This gelding is firing on all cylinders! Fresh off a dominant wire-to-wire victory at this exact distance just 34 days ago, Explosively shows the kind of tactical speed that wins on the synthetic. With pace ratings of 121-123-64 in his last start earning a 91 speed figure, he’s clearly comfortable on the lead at Turfway. Jockey Joseph Ramos has excellent chemistry with this runner, and trainer Randy Matthews boasts a solid 13% win rate. The gelding has banked over $66K on synthetic surfaces with 2 wins from 7 starts – he knows his way around this track!

2. Sixtyseven Mustang (Post 2) – 8/1 Morning Line 🎯 Talk about momentum! This Kentucky-bred just crushed maiden company by 2¼ lengths in his last outing, recording blazing early fractions (138-130) before drawing away. Gabriel Saez stays aboard, and this trainer/jockey combo is clicking at 40% on the meet. The gelding has never missed the board on synthetic surfaces (1-1-0-0), and his running style (presser sustained) should have him in perfect striking position. Doug Anderson knows how to win with speed horses, leading at the first call 23% of the time.

3. Hedwig (Post 10) – 15/1 Morning Line 🌟 Don’t sleep on this one despite the longer odds! Hedwig brings serious turf class to the synthetic, having earned over $250K lifetime with a best speed figure of 96. Carlos Barbosa takes the mount, and while the gelding is trying synthetic for just the second time, he showed early tactical speed with a 125-101 pace line in his recent allowance optional claimer. The breeding suggests versatility – by Maclean’s Music out of a Bernardini mare – and trainer Jesus Cruz could have this one primed for the upset.

🎲 Longshot Special

Defending Albert (Post 5) – 20/1 Morning Line 🚀 Here’s your bomber! This gray gelding ships in from Hawthorne where he’s been absolutely crushing it with 3 wins from his last 4 dirt starts, including back-to-back romps. He earned an 88 speed figure when wiring the field by 6½ lengths two starts back, showing early pace ratings of 119-124. Julio Felix keeps the mount, and this duo connects at a profitable 29% clip. The only concern? He’s making his synthetic debut, but trainer James Watkins has a respectable 22% win rate overall. At 20/1, this is a square price for a horse with this much talent!

💰 Betting Strategy

Win/Place: Explosively (9) for the outright victory – he’s proven on this surface and loves the lead

Exacta Box: 9-2-10 ($6 for $1 box) Cover your bases with the top speed in Explosively, the improving Sixtyseven Mustang, and the classy Hedwig

Trifecta: 9,2 with 9,2,10 with 9,2,5,10,4 ($12 for 50-cent trifecta) Key your top two over third with your longshot mixed in

Superfecta Saver: 9,2/9,2,10/9,2,5,10,4/ALL ($4.80 for 10-cent super) Let’s hit the jackpot with that Defending Albert bomb in the mix!

Value Play: $5 Win on Defending Albert (5) at 20/1 When a horse is winning by daylight at his last stop, you take a shot!

🍀 Best of luck, racing fans! Let’s cash some tickets tonight at Turfway Park! 🍀

Remember: Bet responsibly and within your means. These selections are for entertainment purposes.