Eight Tracks, Endless Opportunities

Sunday, January 18, 2026

From coast to coast, Sunday’s action brings together the best of American racing with eight venues offering stakes races, competitive allowances, and explosive claiming events. Here’s your comprehensive guide to the day’s most intriguing contests.

Gulfstream Park

Race 8: Fillies & Mares Allowance Optional Claiming (3:50 PM ET)

8 Furlongs on Turf | Purse: $87,000

This high-quality turf event features Vixen (5/1) from the powerhouse Mark Casse barn with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. She faces stiff competition from Malleymoo (2/1), trained by Christophe Clement, and the lightly-raced Spinning Colors (15/1) who could surprise at big odds.

Race 9: Allowance Optional Claiming (4:20 PM ET)

7 Furlongs on Dirt | Fillies & Mares | Purse: $86,000

American Pearl (7/5) looks like a standout with John Velazquez taking the mount for trainer Willie Walden. The Chad Brown-trained duo of Cooey (3/1) with Mario Husbands and Her Town (8/1) with Tyler Gaffalione provide formidable opposition.

Santa Anita Park

Race 6: Maiden Special Weight (3:06 PM PT)

6.5 Furlongs on Dirt | 4 & 5 Year Olds | Purse: $70,000 (Plus $21,000 CBOIF)

The John Sadler-trained Latitude (1/1) is the heavy favorite with Juan Hernandez in the irons. Bob Baffert counters with Taif (3/2), ridden by Hall of Famer Humberto Berrios, in what should be a compelling speed duel.

Race 7: Allowance Optional Claiming (3:37 PM PT)

9 Furlongs on Turf | Purse: $70,000 (Plus $21,000 CBOIF)

An ultra-competitive turf marathon featuring City Exile (GB) (3/1) for Phil D’Amato with Umberto Rispoli, Moonlit Sonata (6/1) for Tim Yakteen, and the improving Centrodelantero (4/1) from the John Mullins stable.

Sunland Park

Race 6: Ft. Bliss Stakes (2:37 PM MT)

6 Furlongs on Dirt | Purse: $75,000

Steve Asmussen’s Ryvit (2/1) with Keith Asmussen aboard heads a talented field that includes Dean’s List (7/2), who ships in for Don Cappellucci and figures to be flying late. Neiman (3/1) adds depth to this contentious sprint stakes.

Race 7: Riley Allison Derby (3:04 PM MT)

8 Furlongs on Dirt | 3 Year Olds | Purse: $100,000

The feature event for three-year-olds showcases Way Beyond (5/2) from the Asmussen barn facing Truly Unbelievable (9/2), who brings tactical speed for trainer Roberto Diodoro. Walter the Mason (3/1) represents dangerous value in this wide-open Derby prep.

Race 8: Bold Ego Stakes (3:32 PM MT)

5.5 Furlongs on Dirt | Fillies & Mares | Purse: $65,000

A sprint stakes loaded with speed sees Lookinforbargains (4/1) try to hold off closers Practical Dream (6/1) and Pepper Mill (9/2). This stakes could set up perfectly for a deep closer if the pace gets hot early.

Aqueduct

Race 6: Claiming $20,000 (3:08 PM ET)

7 Furlongs on Dirt | Purse: $46,000

Linda Rice sends out the co-favorite Lotsa Trouble (5/2) with Flavien Prat, while Looms Boldly (5/2) and Remi’s Moon (2/1) make this a competitive betting race. Lost in Rome (10/1) could be the value play at double-digit odds.

Fair Grounds

Race 6: Allowance (3:15 PM CT)

6 Furlongs on Dirt | 3 Year Old State-Breds | Purse: $55,000

Creole Chrome (4/5) is a heavy favorite for trainer Joe Sharp with jockey Pedro Lopez, but Awesome Hawaiian (5/1) from the same barn could provide a saver at much bigger odds. Dynamite Tonight (9/2) rounds out the top contenders.

Tampa Bay Downs

Race 5: Allowance Optional Claiming (2:30 PM ET)

8 Furlongs on Turf | 3 Year Old Fillies | Purse: $55,500

Thankfulness (IRE) (8/5) brings impressive European form for Mike Clement with Pablo Morales riding. Fitz Right (2/1) from the Chad Brown stable and I’ve Got the Honey (6/1) for Mark Casse make this a quality turf contest.

Race 9: Claiming $16,000 (4:38 PM ET)

8 Furlongs on Turf | Purse: $29,000

A wide-open turf claimer with Bring Me a Check (3/1), Power Attack (7/2), and Chilean import Royal Luck (7/2) all holding legitimate claims. Deep closers could thrive in this competitive field.

Sam Houston Race Park

Race 2: Allowance Optional Claiming (1:27 PM CT)

8.32 Furlongs on Dirt | Purse: $36,500

Steve Asmussen sends out a potent 1-2 punch with Presidential (9/5) and Dimatic (1/1), who figures to dominate this contest. Without a Trace (5/2) provides the main outside threat.

Los Alamitos

Race 3: Claiming $5,000 (6:11 PM PT)

2.5 Furlongs on Dirt | Purse: $12,000

Quarter horse racing at its finest with Winhappy (5/2) holding a slight edge over Indian Arrow (3/1). These blazing sprints are decided in the blink of an eye, making every stride crucial.

Multi-Track Betting Strategies

Power Parlay Plays

Consider linking Gulfstream’s American Pearl with Santa Anita’s Latitude and Fair Grounds’ Creole Chrome for a chalk parlay that could deliver solid returns on favorites that look nearly unbeatable on paper.

Value Hunter Special

Take a shot with longshots Spinning Colors at Gulfstream (15/1), Lost in Rome at Aqueduct (10/1), and Dean’s List in the Ft. Bliss Stakes (7/2) for a high-risk, high-reward combination.

Cross-Country Doubles

The Riley Allison Derby at Sunland Park sets up as a double builder’s dream with multiple live horses. Couple Way Beyond and Truly Unbelievable with Walter the Mason, Mischief Maker, and Forty Seven.

Final Thoughts

With four stakes races at Sunland Park, major allowance events at Gulfstream and Santa Anita, and competitive fields across the remaining venues, Sunday offers handicappers endless angles to attack. Whether you’re playing single-track sequences or building cross-country exotics, the key is identifying where the value lies and having the discipline to bet accordingly.

Focus on the trainers having big days—Asmussen ships in force to Sam Houston and Sunland Park, while the East Coast powers of Brown, Clement, Casse, and Mott dominate at Gulfstream and Tampa. The West Coast battle between Sadler, Baffert, D’Amato, and Yakteen at Santa Anita should provide fireworks all afternoon.

Good luck, and may all your picks hit the wire first!

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