Monday, March 9, 2026

Six tracks. One massive card. Here are the standout races and plays worth watching today across Fair Grounds, Mahoning Valley, Parx Racing, Sunland Park, Turf Paradise, and Will Rogers Downs.

Fair Grounds — New Orleans, LA

Race 3 — 5.5 Furlongs, Dirt | Claiming $5,000 | Fillies & Mares, Statebred | Post: 1:45 PM CT

The morning line favorite and the standout of this field is Wickedly Royal (PP 1), who profiles head and shoulders above the competition. With the strongest projected performance in the field and the best supporting factors score by a wide margin, this filly looks like a wire-to-wire type under J. Loveberry. The second choice Kinsley Grace (PP 7) is a distant runner-up in the ratings and deserves consideration underneath.

Betting Suggestion: Wickedly Royal to win and place. Use Kinsley Grace underneath in exactas.

Race 6 — 8.5 Furlongs, Turf | Claiming $15,000 | 4-Year-Olds & Up | Post: 3:15 PM CT

A full field on the turf makes this one of the more intriguing races of the day at the Fairgrounds. Bizzee Channel (PP 1) sits atop the projected order and carries the best supporting factors in the field — a strong combination. Funnyflame (PP 6) and Gorilla Trek (PP 4) are close behind in the ratings but have a gap to make up. The morning line favorite is Gorilla Trek at 2/1, making Bizzee Channel a value play at 4/1.

Betting Suggestion: Bizzee Channel to win. Exacta: Bizzee Channel over Funnyflame and Gorilla Trek. Trifecta key: Bizzee Channel on top.

Race 9 — 6 Furlongs, Dirt | Claiming $5,000 | 4-Year-Olds & Up | Post: 4:45 PM CT

The closer of the day at Fair Grounds is a wide-open claiming affair, but Badgeball (PP 4) has the edge both in projected speed and supporting factors. Trained by G. D. Foley and piloted by M. Murrill, this horse is the class of the field on paper. Behind him, Flipping Fish (PP 9) and the pair of Strange Arrange (PP 6) and My Liam (PP 8) are bunched together and could fight for the minor awards.

Betting Suggestion: Badgeball to win. Exacta: Badgeball over Flipping Fish and My Liam.

Mahoning Valley Race Course — Youngstown, OH

Race 2 — 8 Furlongs, Dirt | Allowance | 3-Year-Olds & Up | Post: 12:43 PM ET

Chris’s Revenge (PP 3) is the morning line favorite at 4/5 for good reason — the projected numbers back up the odds. With a solid factors advantage over the field and the top projected time in the race, this one looks like a short-priced standout. Handsome Pants (PP 1) is the most logical threat at 5/2.

Betting Suggestion: Chris’s Revenge to win. In multi-race wagers, use as a single. Exacta: Chris’s Revenge over Handsome Pants and Judge Rules.

Race 6 — 6 Furlongs, Dirt | Claiming $15,000 | 3-Year-Olds & Up | Post: 2:35 PM ET

A competitive six-pack here, with Big Prankster (PP 1) leading the projected order at 2/1 on the morning line. The factors support his case as well, giving him a dual advantage over the field. Blistering (PP 4) and Guardian Prince (PP 5) give him a real test — the gap between first and third is modest, suggesting a pace scenario that could get interesting.

Betting Suggestion: Big Prankster to win. Exacta: Big Prankster / Blistering and Guardian Prince. Worth a small trifecta box with those three.

Race 8 — 6 Furlongs, Dirt | Allowance, Statebred | Fillies & Mares | Post: 3:31 PM ET

Bella Flora (PP 4) enters as the 9/5 morning line favorite and has the top projected number plus the best factors score in the field by a comfortable margin. This looks like one of the stronger single-horse plays on the Mahoning card. No Napping (PP 1) is the main contender but gives up significant ground in both categories.

Betting Suggestion: Bella Flora to win and place. Use in all multi-race sequences. Exacta: Bella Flora over No Napping and Perfect Date.

Parx Racing — Bensalem, PA

Race 4 — 6 Furlongs, Dirt | Claiming $7,500 | 4-Year-Olds & Up | Post: 2:01 PM ET

A sharp claiming battle tops the Parx afternoon. Jake Rocks (PP 4) and Diamond Heist (PP 2) are separated by just one point in projected speed, setting up a potential duel. The morning line has Diamond Heist as the 2/1 favorite, but Jake Rocks at 5/2 holds a slight edge in the ratings — this is a genuine toss-up between two. Little Lance (PP 6) and Curious Soul (PP 1) are further back but not out of it.

Betting Suggestion: Bet both Jake Rocks and Diamond Heist in exactas both ways. Trifecta: Use both on top, with Little Lance and Curious Soul underneath.

Race 9 — 8.32 Furlongs, Dirt | Claiming $16,000 | 4-Year-Olds & Up | Post: 4:16 PM ET

This is arguably the standout race of the entire Parx card. Silent Mode (PP 1) posts the highest projected speed figure of any horse at Parx today — well clear of the field and set to go at a very fair 9/2 morning line. Behind him, Preach It Warrior (PP 6), Melt With You (PP 3), and Kaladin (PP 2) are tightly grouped and could battle for the place and show spots. This looks like a prime spot to key Silent Mode on top.

Betting Suggestion: Silent Mode to win. Exacta: Silent Mode over Preach It Warrior, Melt With You, and Kaladin. Strong multi-race single candidate.

Race 10 — 8.5 Furlongs, Dirt | Claiming $5,000 | 4-Year-Olds & Up | Post: 4:43 PM ET

The Parx closer features a big field and a clear top selection. Marty’s Magic (PP 8) has the best projected number in the race and the best factors score by a clear margin — a dual qualifier that is hard to ignore despite going off at 3/1. Alilnalot (PP 5) is the main competition with solid numbers behind the leader.

Betting Suggestion: Marty’s Magic to win. Exacta: Marty’s Magic over Alilnalot and English Painter.

Sunland Park — Sunland Park, NM

Race 3 — 6.5 Furlongs, Dirt | Claiming $5,000 | 3-Year-Olds & Up | Post: 1:17 PM MT

Fifth Street (PP 5) stands out as the top selection on the Sunland card early on. Carrying both the top projected time and an excellent factors advantage, this horse looks like a standout play at 2/1. Crossrighthands (PP 1) is a credible second choice at 7/2 with strong factors support of his own.

Betting Suggestion: Fifth Street to win and place. Exacta: Fifth Street over Crossrighthands and Tiger by the Tail.

Race 9 — 4.5 Furlongs, Dirt | Starter Optional Claiming $6,250 | Post: 3:58 PM MT

A wide-open sprint with several contenders grouped tightly below the top selection. Red Leader (PP 4) heads the projected order with the best factors score as well, making him a dual qualifier at a reasonable 5/2 morning line. Mister Mafioso (PP 3) and Blazing to Gold (PP 8) are right behind and give the exacta plenty of intrigue.

Betting Suggestion: Red Leader to win. Trifecta: Red Leader on top, with Mister Mafioso, Blazing to Gold, and Teddy’s Triumph filling out the slots. This is a wide race underneath — spread accordingly.

Turf Paradise — Phoenix, AZ

Race 3 — 8 Furlongs, Dirt | Allowance Optional Claiming $25,000 | 4-Year-Olds & Up | Post: 2:11 PM MT

The feature of the Turf Paradise card is a quality allowance event with a horse that stands well above his rivals. Cornishman (PP 4) carries the top projected number — a full twelve points clear of the next horse — along with the best factors score in the field. Trained by D. L. McFarlane and going at 2/1, the favorite is well-deserved. Mr. Who (PP 6) and Lonesome Boy (PP 2) share second in projected speed and are the logical threats.

Betting Suggestion: Cornishman to win. Use as a single in multi-race plays. Exacta: Cornishman over Mr. Who, Lonesome Boy, and Riverside.

Race 6 — 6 Furlongs, Dirt | Allowance Optional Claiming $25,000 | Fillies & Mares | Post: 3:39 PM MT

A solid filly and mare allowance with a clear top selection. Blessed Angel (PP 6) leads the field in projected speed and carries the best factors score in the race. At 3/1 morning line, she’s a fair price for a horse with a dual advantage. Rocky Bay Rae (PP 5) is the nearest rival and worth using underneath.

Betting Suggestion: Blessed Angel to win and place. Exacta: Blessed Angel over Rocky Bay Rae, Curlin’s Lil Gal, and Ima Margarita Girl.

Will Rogers Downs — Claremore, OK

Race 3 — 8 Furlongs, Dirt | Allowance, Statebred | Post: 2:09 PM CT

The standout play at Will Rogers is Winters Lion (PP 4) — a near-lock on paper at 3/5 on the morning line. The projected numbers back up the odds decisively, placing this horse well clear of the field. Mr Oklahoma (PP 1) is the most logical second choice and could easily fill the exacta slot.

Betting Suggestion: Winters Lion to win. Use as a single in all multi-race wagers. Exacta: Winters Lion over Mr Oklahoma and Code Jorgie.

Race 5 — 8 Furlongs, Dirt | Handicap NG | Post: 3:03 PM CT

A sharp handicap field with C W Prize (PP 5) on top of the projected order — and with the strongest factors score in the race to match. The 8/5 morning line favorite looks solid, though No Trouble (PP 3) at 3/1 is a legitimate threat with a respectable projection. Soul Sacrifice (PP 6) completes the top three and fills out trifecta tickets nicely.

Betting Suggestion: C W Prize to win. Exacta: C W Prize over No Trouble and Soul Sacrifice. Trifecta: C W Prize on top, No Trouble / Soul Sacrifice / Okie Smoke for the placings.

Race 7 — 6 Furlongs, Dirt | Blue Ribbon Stakes | 3-Year-Old Fillies, Statebred | Post: 4:02 PM CT

A stakes race to close out the highlights at Will Rogers. Outtaherway (PP 6) tops the projected order and carries the best factors score in the field at 3/1 morning line. The field behind her is tightly bunched — Momacya (PP 1), From the Top Rope (PP 7), and Bailey Sioux (PP 4) are all within a point of each other in the ratings, making the exacta and trifecta interesting.

Betting Suggestion: Outtaherway to win. Exacta: Outtaherway over Momacya, From the Top Rope, and Bailey Sioux. Trifecta: Outtaherway on top, spread the bottom two.

Top Plays of the Day — Quick Reference

Best Win Bets: Wickedly Royal — Fair Grounds Race 3 Bella Flora — Mahoning Valley Race 8 Silent Mode — Parx Race 9 Cornishman — Turf Paradise Race 3 Winters Lion — Will Rogers Race 3

Best Value Play: Bizzee Channel — Fair Grounds Race 6 (4/1 with the top projection and factors)

Best Multi-Race Single: Silent Mode — Parx Race 9 (top projection on the card, fair price at 9/2)

Good luck at the windows. Play responsibly.