Your one-stop guide to the best action across the country today

Morning Lock: Gulfstream Park, Race 7 — Gulfstream Park Mile (Grade 3)

Post time 2:34 PM ET | 8 Furlongs, Dirt | Purse $225,000

The headline race of the afternoon may well be the most lopsided on the entire card. Knightsbridge (PP 6, 1/5) enters this Grade 3 mile as a dominant morning-line favorite, and the numbers back up the short price emphatically. The William Mott trainee, piloted by Jose Alvarado, profiles as one of the most imposing horses running anywhere in the country today.

The question isn’t whether Knightsbridge wins — it’s whether there’s any value in using him underneath. Mika (PP 5, 3/1) is the clear second choice under Flavien Prat for Mark Maker, while Flying Liam (PP 2, 12/1) offers a sneaky price with Jose Castellano up.

Bet: Single Knightsbridge on top of exactas, pairing with Mika and Flying Liam underneath. The win pool is chalk, but the exacta could pay a fair price.

The Feature Event: Gulfstream Park, Race 14 — Coolmore Fountain of Youth (Grade 2)

Post time 6:11 PM ET | 8.5 Furlongs, Dirt | Purse $425,000

The day’s richest race is the Fountain of Youth, a key Kentucky Derby prep at Gulfstream. Napoleon Solo (PP 7, 7/2) breaks from the outside draw under Kent Carmouche for trainer Chris Summers, and the numbers suggest he’s the one to beat. This horse comes in with the strongest projection in the field and a Factors edge to match.

Solitude Dude (PP 10, 5/1) rates as a solid second choice under Flavien Prat for trainer Steve Joseph Jr., while the well-bet Commandment (PP 4, 2/1) under Irad Ortiz Jr. for Brad Cox is the public’s pick and should be respected. Chief Wallabee (PP 6, 9/2) rounds out the main contenders under Joel Rosario for Todd Pletcher.

Worth noting: Bravaro (PP 5, 8/1) and Jackson Hole (PP 1, 8/1) both offer some each-way interest in this wide-open prep.

Bet: Trifecta box — Napoleon Solo, Solitude Dude, Commandment, Chief Wallabee. For the win single, Napoleon Solo at 7/2 is the play.

Stakes Spotlight: Oaklawn Park, Race 10 — Razorback Handicap (Grade 3)

Post time 5:00 PM CT | 8.5 Furlongs, Dirt | Purse $500,000

The richest race in Hot Springs today draws a short but quality field. Magnitude (PP 5, 9/5) under John Velazquez for Steve Asmussen is the morning-line favorite and looks the part — this horse carries the highest projection in the field by a healthy margin. The sophomore season has been built for moments like this.

Nu What’s New (PP 4, 2/1) under Ricardo Bejarano for J.P. DiVito is a legitimate threat, having run a massive number in his last effort. Tap Into This (PP 1, 4/1), trained by Asmussen and ridden by Erik Asmussen, gives the barn a second bullet. Sandman (PP 7, 5/1) trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Carlos Torres offers the best price on a potential upset.

Bet: Exacta — Magnitude over Nu What’s New. Also worth a small exacta reversal. Trifecta key — Magnitude on top of Nu What’s New, Tap Into This, Sandman.

Turf Feature: Gulfstream Park, Race 12 — Honey Fox Stakes (Grade 3)

Post time 5:05 PM ET | 8 Furlongs, Turf | Purse $175,000

Fillies and mares go routing on the Gulfstream turf in one of the day’s most compelling wagering races. Lush Lips (GB) (PP 9, 2/1) under Tyler Gaffalione for Brendan Walsh is the favorite, and her profile supports the confidence. Movin’ On Up (PP 6, 3/1) under Luis Saez for Steve Joseph Jr. has strong numbers and could easily go wire-to-wire on the front end.

Crevalle d’Oro (PP 10, 5/2) under Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer J.F. D’Angelo is the horse that makes this race interesting — she’s very live at a price and has won at this level before. Classic Q (PP 3, 8/1) under John Velazquez for Mark Casse is the best-priced contender in the field.

Bet: Superfecta — use Lush Lips, Movin’ On Up, Crevalle d’Oro on top and spread the bottom two spots. This race has the look of a potential multi-digit payout.

Classic Feature: Aqueduct, Race 10 — Gotham Stakes (Grade 3)

Post time 5:18 PM ET | 8 Furlongs, Dirt | Purse $300,000

The Gotham at Big A is another prized Kentucky Derby prep, and Iron Honor (PP 6, 6/5) under Mike Franco for Chad Brown enters as a dominant favorite. The margin between Iron Honor and the rest of the field is significant, and Franco is the perfect pilot for a horse who should relax and kick.

Balboa (PP 1, 6/1) under Sean Russell for trainer B.T. Russell is the most intriguing price in the race — a horse who profiles as a runner-up type with a legitimate shot at upsetting if Iron Honor has an off day. Crown the Buckeye (PP 3, 4/1) under Ricardo Santana Jr. for Mark Maker is the second choice.

Hammond (PP 2, 5/1) under Jose Rodriguez for trainer Steve Joseph Jr. is fading in the market but shouldn’t be dismissed entirely.

Bet: Exacta — Iron Honor over Balboa and Crown the Buckeye. Use Iron Honor in the win pool as well if you need a strong single to anchor a multi-race bet.

Stakes Showdown: Santa Anita Park, Race 7 — Buena Vista Stakes (Grade 2)

Post time 3:39 PM PT | 8 Furlongs, Turf | Purse $200,000

One of the best races in Southern California today features a stellar group of fillies and mares on the Santa Anita turf. Thought Process (PP 1, 9/5) under Hector Berrios for Phil D’Amato is the morning-line choice, carrying the top projection in the field and coming off a strong performance.

Grand Slam Smile (PP 2, 3/1) under Kazushi Kimura for Satish McCarthy figures to be involved throughout under a jockey having a strong meet. Vibez (PP 7, 7/2) under Juan Hernandez for Peter Eurton has pace to spare and could prove difficult to run down. Princesa Moche (PER) (PP 4, 5/1) under Mirco Demuro for Doug O’Neill brings an intriguing international pedigree.

Bet: Trifecta — Thought Process, Grand Slam Smile, Vibez in any order. The exacta using Thought Process on top of Grand Slam Smile is the straightforward play.

Graded Action: Gulfstream Park, Race 4 — Canadian Turf Stakes (Grade 3)

Post time 1:03 PM ET | 8.5 Furlongs, Turf | Purse $175,000

This is a one-horse race on paper. Wolfie’s Dynaghost (PP 7, 1/1) under Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Brian Lynch enters with a commanding edge over the field. The projection gap between this horse and the second-best entrant is striking.

Fort Washington (PP 8, 4/1) under Joel Alvarado for Shug McGaughey is the most logical second-best, while Win for the Money (PP 6, 10/1) under Tyler Gaffalione for Mark Casse offers some value in the exacta. Beach Gold (PP 3, 5/1) for trainer Patrick Biancone rounds out the main contenders.

Bet: Use Wolfie’s Dynaghost to win, and key him on top in exactas with Fort Washington, Win for the Money, and Beach Gold underneath.

Big Field Play: Gulfstream Park, Race 10 — The Very One Stakes (Grade 3)

Post time 4:04 PM ET | 11 Furlongs, Turf | Purse $175,000

Routing mares going long on the turf is always a tricky puzzle, and today’s Very One is no exception with nine entrants. Candy Quest (PP 4, 5/2) under Irad Ortiz Jr. for Mark Casse leads all comers on projected times and enters in excellent form. No Show Sammy Jo (GB) (PP 9, 9/5) under Julian Ruiz for Hustle Motion is the public choice and will attract a lot of money given her recent form.

Venencia (FR) (PP 3, 6/1) under Tyler Gaffalione for trainer Steve Joseph Jr. is the sneaky price play in a field where the top two will take most of the money. Love Song (PP 8, 8/1) under John Velazquez for Mike Stidham is the other one to watch at a workable price.

Bet: Trifecta box — Candy Quest, No Show Sammy Jo, Venencia. A small part on Love Song adding depth.

Fair Grounds Headliner: Fair Grounds, Race 7 — Louisiana Stallion of the Year Star Guitar Stakes

Post time 4:10 PM CT | 8.32 Furlongs, Dirt | Purse $100,000

A Louisiana-bred 3-year-old stakes brings one of the most interesting local rivalries of the day. Creole Chrome (PP 4, 5/2) under Jose Ortiz for trainer Joe Sharp enters this race having also drawn into the Gotham at Aqueduct — check late scratches carefully. If he runs, the numbers say he’s the one to beat.

Scar Ship (PP 2, 3/1) under Kody Roman for trainer R. Courville is a legitimate threat, matched in projection by the lightly-raced Bubby (PP 5, 5/1) under Samuel Vives for trainer Sid David Jr. Mor Force (PP 6, 4/1) under Inoel Castillo for trainer J.J. Gelner adds depth.

Bet: Exacta box — Creole Chrome, Scar Ship, Bubby. At the prices, a trifecta box of all four main contenders is worth the modest investment.

Turfway Nightcap Special: Turfway Park, Race 8 — Wintergreen Stakes

Post time 9:25 PM ET | 8 Furlongs, Synthetic | Purse $125,000

As the night winds down, Turfway’s featured stakes delivers a compelling battle for fillies and mares on the Tapeta. Literate (PP 4, 7/5) under Luan Machado for Brad Cox has been dominant in her recent works and enters carrying the top projection in the field by a meaningful margin. The Brad Cox barn is among the hottest in the country right now.

Devassa (BRZ) (PP 1, 7/2) under William Rodriguez for trainer Paulo Lobo makes this a genuine two-horse race on numbers, while Wrigleyville (PP 2, 5/1) under S. Marin for T.F. Proctor is the each-way price play. Stylish Sue (PP 5, 4/1) under Ricardo Hernandez for Joe Sharp rounds out the main contenders.

Bet: Exacta — Literate over Devassa and Wrigleyville. Win single Literate if you need a strong late-card anchor.

Best Bets Summary

The Best Bet of the Day: Knightsbridge, Gulfstream Park Race 7 — Simply one of the most dominant projections on the card. Take the short price.

Best Value Single: Napoleon Solo (7/2), Gulfstream Park Race 14 (Fountain of Youth) — The top horse in a wide-open Derby prep at a fair price.

Best Exotic: Superfecta in Gulfstream Race 12 (Honey Fox) — Lush Lips, Movin’ On Up, and Crevalle d’Oro on top, spread underneath for a potential monster payout.

*Best Longshot: * Scar Ship (3/1), Fair Grounds Race 7 — A projection that matches the favorite in a local stakes, yet goes off at a fair overlay in a field where the public will be chasing the name.

Post times and odds are subject to change. Scratches may affect selections. Always gamble responsibly.