March 3, 2026 | Four-Track Spectacular

Mahoning Valley · Parx Racing · Turf Paradise · Will Rogers Downs

Welcome back to Aces and Races, where we’ve combed through Tuesday’s full card across four tracks to bring you the plays, the angles, and the stories worth watching. From the frozen flatlands of northeast Ohio to the desert of Phoenix, there’s plenty of racing action to sink your teeth into. Let’s get into it.

Mahoning Valley Race Course

Youngstown, Ohio | All Dirt

Race 1 — Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs (12:15 PM ET)

Opening the card at MVR is a statebred maiden event for older horses, and two of them stand well above the rest. Lordbetwentothorns (PP 5) is projected as the top performer on the morning line at 8/5, with Scared Cause (PP 2) right behind at 9/5. These two look like a cut above the rest of the field, which includes a pair of first-time starters in Cantcatchlilfletch (PP 4) and Sun of War (PP 1) — wildcards that could shake things up if the experience edge doesn’t hold.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta box 5-2. If you want to take a shot, include PP 1 (Sun of War) as a first-time starter on a ticket underneath.

Race 2 — Claiming $5,000, 8 Furlongs (12:43 PM ET)

A wide-open claiming mile features Smash (PP 6) sitting atop the projections at 6/5 morning line odds. Washington’s Union (PP 4) is a strong second choice at 5/2 and connects with the same trainer barn as the top pick — J. Radosevich. Sailor’s Chance (PP 5) offers some value at 10/1 if the pace shapes up to her liking.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta 6 over 4. Trifecta key: 6 on top, 4-5 underneath.

Race 3 — Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs — Fillies & Mares (1:11 PM ET)

The fillies take center stage in Race 3. Betty Who (PP 6) leads the projections at 7/2, and trainer R. Salcedo sends her out with jockey B. Tapara — a pair that’s been busy on the MVR circuit. Nachthexen (PP 2) is the morning line favorite at 5/2 and won’t be far off the pace. This One’s for Us (PP 4) at 3/1 rounds out a competitive top three. First-time starter Chidera (PP 5) at 12/1 is the unknown quantity.

Betting Suggestion: Trifecta 6-2-4 as a straight ticket, and consider a small saver with 2 on top.

Race 4 — Claiming $4,000, 6 Furlongs (1:39 PM ET)

Florida Gator (PP 7) is the standout here, projected to set the pace and clear the field in a bottom-level claiming sprint. Jockey B. Tapara — who also rides in Races 1 and 3 — looks to have a big afternoon lined up. Beyond the Bend (PP 3) at 4/1 is the most logical threat. The rest of the field drops off considerably in the projections, making this a prime spot to back the top choice with confidence.

Betting Suggestion: Win and place Florida Gator. Exacta 7-3.

Race 5 — Claiming $10,000, 6 Furlongs — Statebred (2:07 PM ET)

A full nine-horse field makes this statebred sprint the most competitive race of the MVR afternoon. My Valentino (PP 6) at 2/1 is the projected top performer and comes in with strong supporting angles. Drill Em (PP 4) and Sgt York (PP 3) are close behind and offer legitimate upside at 5/2 and 7/2 respectively. With nine runners going short, pace scenarios could mix things up.

Betting Suggestion: Trifecta key: 6 on top, using 4-3-9 underneath. Pick 3 (Races 5-6-7): Key My Valentino in Race 5.

Race 6 — Allowance Optional Claiming $40,000, 8 Furlongs (2:35 PM ET)

The best race on the MVR card. Baxley (PP 1) draws in at 2/1 and is clearly the horse to beat in this allowance feature, sitting well ahead of a talented field that includes Eddie M (PP 5) and Extradition (PP 4). R. Bowen rides Baxley for trainer L. Rivelli — a top barn at the meet. Saint Goar (PP 2) at 9/2 is next in the projections but shows a meaningful gap back to the top choice.

Betting Suggestion: Win Baxley. Exacta 1 over 5-4. Rolling Pick 3 (Races 6-7-8).

Race 7 — Allowance, 8 Furlongs — Fillies & Mares (3:03 PM ET)

Red Royalty (PP 1) heads this filly and mare allowance, and jockey A. Chavez brings her in at 2/1. The projections show a nice gap between her and Supersonic Agenda (PP 5) at 8/1, who is an interesting longshot with upside. Fall in Love (PP 3) and Save the Date (PP 2) project closely to each other and could fill out exotic tickets.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta 1-5 and 1-3. Trifecta 1 on top, 5-3-6 underneath.

Race 8 — Allowance, 8 Furlongs — Statebred (3:31 PM ET)

Closing out the MVR card is a ten-horse statebred allowance. Music Jewel (PP 5) draws in at 2/1 as the projected leader, with B. Tapara completing what could be a monster day in the irons. Dr Spirito (PP 4) and Sheltowees Rocket (PP 7) are the main logical threats. An interesting note: Lucky Juulz (PP 2) and Lucky’s Prize (PP 6) project identically — one of them may offer value depending on how the betting pools shake out.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta 5-4 and 5-7. Trifecta 5 on top, 4-7-6 underneath.

Parx Racing

Bensalem, Pennsylvania | All Dirt

Race 1 — Claiming $10,000, 8.32 Furlongs (12:05 PM ET)

Parx kicks off with a route race for older horses, and B B Bad (PP 1) is the projected top runner at 7/2. Jockey A. Hernandez gets the call, and the horse figures to be forwardly placed in what looks like a manageable pace scenario. Waldrip (PP 8) and Elusive Target (PP 2) — both from the Ness barn — represent solid second and third choices.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta 1-8. Trifecta 1-8-2.

Race 3 — Starter Optional Claiming $20,000, 7 Furlongs (12:59 PM ET)

One of the strongest races on the Parx card. Sunday Spirit (PP 2) leads all comers in the projections and is trained by J. Solis — who also saddles I Feelucky Tonite (PP 3) and Bet N Win (PP 6). That’s a trainer having a big say in the outcome of this race. I Feelucky Tonite at 4/1 could be the play if you expect Solis to split his attention.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta 2-3. Saver: 3-2. Pick 3 (Races 3-4-5).

Race 8 — Allowance, 6.5 Furlongs (3:14 PM ET)

The marquee race of the Parx afternoon. A full nine-horse field of allowance horses going short, and the projections are tightly bunched at the top. Friday Surprise (PP 4) leads at 10/1 — excellent value if the projections hold. Lasso (PP 1) at 6/1 and Trust Issues (PP 8) at 7/2 are the other contenders. Lucky Dude (PP 7) at 3/1 is the morning line favorite but projects slightly off the top.

Betting Suggestion: This is a prime exotic race. Trifecta box: 4-1-8-7. The 10/1 price on Friday Surprise to win is worth a look.

Race 9 — Main Line Stakes, 8.5 Furlongs — 3-Year-Old Fillies (3:41 PM ET)

Stakes action on the Parx card! Law School (PP 1) and Our Golden Gator (PP 3) head this field of 3-year-old fillies, separated by only two projection points. Y. Hazlewood rides Law School for trainer J. Ness — a powerful combination at Parx. Our Golden Gator is trained by M. M. Moore and ridden by A. R. Rodriguez. Below those two, the field drops off sharply.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta box 1-3. Trifecta 1-3 on top, with Spoonbill (PP 6) underneath as the logical third choice.

Race 10 — City of Brotherly Love Stakes, 8.5 Furlongs — 3-Year-Olds (4:08 PM ET)

Back-to-back stakes races to close the Parx afternoon! Red Zone Runner (PP 8) is the projected leader and morning line favorite at 2/1, with jockey M. J. Sanchez — who has multiple mounts in the book today — getting the assignment for trainer H. O. Padilla. Star Sweeper (PP 6) at 5/1 is the main challenger. The rest of the field is well behind the top two in the projections, suggesting a potential match race.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta 8-6. Win Red Zone Runner. Late Pick 4 (Races 8-9-10-11): key Friday Surprise, Law School, Red Zone Runner.

Race 11 — Claiming $5,000, 7 Furlongs (4:35 PM ET)

A wide ten-horse field closes the Parx card, and Mission First (PP 9) stands alone at the top of the projections despite being the 6/5 morning line favorite. Liberty Star (PP 3) at 10/1 projects second and represents the best value play on the Parx card if you’re looking for a longshot. Sal N Louie (PP 5) at 4/1 rounds out the top three.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta 9-3. Trifecta 9 over 3-5.

Turf Paradise

Phoenix, Arizona | Dirt & Turf

Race 2 — Allowance Optional Claiming $20,000, 8 Furlongs (1:45 PM MT)

The best race early at TUP sends five horses going a mile. Coastal Kid (PP 5) is projected to lead and drawn to the outside at 2/1. Arma d’Oro (PP 4) at 7/2 and Lansdowne (GB) (PP 1) at 5/2 — the morning line chalk — are the main threats. The international angle on Lansdowne is interesting; the Great Britain-bred runner has shown ability on dirt and could upset at a short price.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta 5-4 and 5-1. Trifecta 5-4-1.

Race 3 — Claiming $8,500, 6 Furlongs (2:15 PM MT)

Chasing Rain (PP 4) is a standout in this claiming sprint, projected well clear of the rest with jockey O. Mojica in the irons for trainer R. Diodoro — one of the more respected barns at TUP. The morning line has Chasing Rain at just 2/1 despite the edge in the projections. Caution Cardinal (PP 3) at 4/1 is the most logical threat.

Betting Suggestion: Win and place Chasing Rain. Exacta 4-3. Pick 3 (Races 3-4-5).

Race 7 — Allowance Optional Claiming $40,000, 8 Furlongs Turf (4:15 PM MT)

The best race on the TUP card is also the feature — a turf allowance with three horses projected tightly at the top. Kennebec (PP 6) edges out Silent Runner (PP 3) and Saline River (PP 7) by a small margin. Notably, Silent Runner and Saline Runner are both trained by J. Silva Jr. — same barn as Kennebec. That barn is sending three horses into this spot, which is worth noting when sizing up the projections. Stamp My Passport (PP 5) at 5/2 is the morning line favorite and not far off the top group.

Betting Suggestion: Trifecta box: 6-3-7. Include Stamp My Passport (PP 5) as an alternate. This is a race to key on multi-race wagers.

Race 8 — Starter Optional Claiming $6,250, 5.5 Furlongs (4:49 PM MT)

Classic Cinema (PP 4) closes out the TUP card as the projected top runner and morning line choice at 7/5. Always On Cay (PP 7) at 4/1 is the main challenger, with Blazing Peme (PP 6) at 8/1 offering longshot appeal. This looks like a solid spot to back the top projected horse late in the card.

Betting Suggestion: Win Classic Cinema. Exacta 4-7. Trifecta 4-7-6.

Will Rogers Downs

Claremore, Oklahoma | All Dirt

Race 1 — Claiming $25,000, 6 Furlongs — Statebred (1:15 PM CT)

WRD opens with a short-field claiming sprint, and Paynt Ball (PP 5) heads the projections at 8/5. Washita Valley (PP 1) at 2/1 is right behind and will likely press the pace. These two look head and shoulders above Mortify (PP 2) and the rest.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta 5-1. Win Paynt Ball.

Race 6 — Allowance, 5.5 Furlongs — Fillies & Mares (3:35 PM CT)

The standout race at Will Rogers Downs. Ship of Dreams (PP 2) is a dominant projection leader at 7/5, trained by J. S. Offolter and ridden by D. Cabrera — one of WRD’s leading jockeys. The gap between Ship of Dreams and the second-highest projected horse, Business as Usual (PP 3), is significant. This looks like a potential single for multi-race sequences.

Betting Suggestion: Win and place Ship of Dreams. Use as a single in Pick 3 and Pick 4 sequences.

Race 7 — Claiming $7,500, 6 Furlongs — Fillies & Mares, Statebred (4:07 PM CT)

Artistic Vision (PP 4) is the clear projection leader in a nine-horse field of statebred fillies and mares, sitting at 7/5 on the morning line. Rainbow Angel (PP 1) at 5/1 is a legitimate second choice. The rest of the field drops off considerably. A. Pusac rides Artistic Vision for trainer M. A. Silva.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta 4-1. Trifecta 4-1 on top, Because (PP 9) underneath.

Race 9 — Maiden Claiming $7,500, 5.5 Furlongs — Statebred (5:01 PM CT)

WRD closes with a wide twelve-horse maiden event, making exotics especially attractive. Magical Max (PP 4) leads the projections at 8/5 morning line. Cherokee Will (PP 1) at 5/1 projects third but carries a strong supporting profile. Riden the Legend (PP 11) at 6/1 projects second and offers fair value.

Betting Suggestion: Trifecta key: 4 on top, using 11-1-10 underneath. Small superfecta tickets recommended given the field size.

Best Bets of the Day

Across four tracks and 35+ races, here are the plays that stand out most:

Top Win Play — Ship of Dreams (WRD Race 6, PP 2) A dominant projection leader in an allowance sprint at a short price. This is the horse you build your WRD day around.

Best Value Win — Friday Surprise (Parx Race 8, PP 4) Projects as the top horse in a competitive allowance at 10/1 on the morning line. If the number holds at post time, this is the best overlay of the day.

Top Exacta — Florida Gator / Beyond the Bend (MVR Race 4) Short field, clear projection leader, and a logical second horse. Clean ticket.

Best Stakes Play — Law School (Parx Race 9, PP 1) Top filly in a stakes field, with jockey Y. Hazlewood and trainer J. Ness — the dominant combination at Parx. Hard to look elsewhere.

Multi-Race Anchor — Baxley (MVR Race 6, PP 1) Use this allowance standout as a single in the Rolling Pick 3 and Pick 4 at Mahoning Valley.

Aces and Races — Where the smart money plays. Good luck at the windows, and as always, bet responsibly.