Latest from Rowan Ward
Fountain of Youth: Commandment can make Kentucky Derby trail impact
2026/02/25
The Gulfstream Park spur of the Kentucky Derby trail reaches fever pitch Saturday, February 28 with the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes. The 1 1/16-mile race offers 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to its top five finishers, meaning the winner is virtually assured a spot in the Run for the Roses. A deep […]
John Battaglia Memorial: Two Out Hero can stand tall on return
2026/02/19
Turfway’s spur of the Road to the Kentucky Derby gets underway Saturday, February 21 with the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes! The race offers a $175,000 purse as well as 20-10-6-4-2 points toward Kentucky Derby qualification – enough to put the winner well on their way to a berth in the Run for the Roses, and […]
Pegasus World Cup: All roads lead through Tappan Street
2026/01/22
The first top-level showcase of the year in the older-horse dirt division happens Saturday, January 24 in the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park! The 1 ⅛-mile dirt race offers a colossal $3 million purse, one of the biggest of the year, and its winner is in the driver’s seat heading into the year. With […]
Lecomte Stakes: It's all systems go for Stop the Car
2026/01/15
The Fair Grounds spur of the Kentucky Derby trail heats up Saturday, January 17 in the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes! The $250,000 race drew a field of 11 exciting three-year-olds to battle for not only that purse, but 20-10-6-4-2 points on the Kentucky Derby trail. The big field makes it one of the most exciting […]
Arima Kinen: Museum Mile is ready for a masterpiece
2025/12/29
The most eagerly awaited race of the year in Japan, the Group 1 Arima Kinen, happens Sunday, December 28 at Nakayama. The 2,500-meter turf race offers a purse of ¥955 million (US$6.1 million), one of the biggest of any race in the world, and the race drew a full field of 16 top-class horses between […]
Breeders' Cup Classic: Local prep is key for Fierceness
2025/10/31
Anyone who bets on horse racing makes sure to play the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday, November 1 at Del Mar. The richest race of the two-day Breeders’ Cup meeting, the race drew the best Classic-distance dirt route horses for an epic clash. At stake is not only a huge purse, but a […]
Arc de Triomphe: Minnie Hauk looms large but longshots can go close
2025/10/03
Sunday, October 5 at ParisLongchamp is the most prestigious turf race in the world: the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe! The race draws the best 1 ½-mile turf horses from around the world to battle for the glory of winning one of the world’s great races. The spoils are rich, too: a €5 […]
Pennsylvania Derby: Gosger can work the right trip
2025/09/18
The last big opportunity for the three-year-old classic crop to chase a seven-figure purse against their own age group happens Saturday, September 20 in the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx. The 1 ⅛-mile dirt race drew a field of 10 headlined by Baeza and Gosger, two Triple-Crown placegetters who finally get to […]
Natalma Stakes: Dixie Law is price play in competitive turf race
2025/09/11
Top juvenile grass fillies take the spotlight Saturday, September 13 as part of Turf Champions Day at Woodbine in the Grade 1, $500,000 Natalma Stakes! The race covers one mile on the inner turf, and at stake is not only a lucrative purse but also an automatic bid to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. […]
Travers Stakes: Sovereignty can stay atop the division
2025/08/21
The richest and most exciting race of the summer at Saratoga Race Course happens Saturday, August 23: the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes! Since 1864, many of the best horses have shown up to Saratoga to try the Travers…and, with so many notorious upsets in the race, it is always one of the most […]
Arlington Million: Fort Washington can step into spotlight
2025/08/07
Older turf routers take the stage Saturday, August 9 in the Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs. The world’s first million-dollar Thoroughbred horse race when it began in 1981 at Arlington Park, this jewel of the American turf racing season has outlasted its original home track, which hosted its last live racing season in […]
Haskell Stakes: Preakness winner Journalism is ready for triumphant return
2025/07/17
The Haskell Stakes (G1) happens Saturday, July 19 at Monmouth Park! The $1 million race covers 1 ⅛ miles on the dirt, and it is the first major summer race for three-year-old main-track horses in the summer. Some of the sport’s greats have won this race: American Pharoah, Holy Bull, Rachel Alexandra, Serena’s Song, and […]
Diana Stakes: Division leader She Feels Pretty can shine once more
2025/07/11
The best older turf fillies and mares in the country clash Saturday, July 12 in the $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. The 1 ⅛-mile grass race, open to female horses aged four and older, is a perennial showcase of the best middle-distance turf mares in the country, and sometimes even from abroad. Horses who […]
Belmont Stakes 2025: Baeza can step into spotlight
2025/06/04
The Triple Crown draws to a close with the 2025 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 7. With Belmont Park under construction until 2026, the race is at Saratoga one more time, at 1 ¼ miles on the dirt. Next year, it will return to its traditional course and distance, 1 ½ miles on the Belmont […]
Kentucky Derby 2025: Burnham Square can work the right trip
2025/04/29
Whether you’ve been betting horses for years or you’re curious to do it for the first time, betting the Kentucky Derby is an opportunity you cannot miss! The race happens Saturday, May 3 at Churchill Downs, and it’s the best betting race of the year. 20 of the best three-year-olds line up to go a […]
Pegasus World Cup 2025: Stronghold can score signature win
2025/01/21
The dirt racing season for older horses gets real Saturday, January 27 with the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park. The race goes 1 ⅛ miles on the dirt course, and it drew a full field of exciting runners ready to jump to the lead in the division. It is also one of […]
Breeders' Cup Classic 2024: Forever Young is good enough to beat older
2024/10/31
If you bet on horse racing, you cannot miss the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday, November 2. The race is the richest of all the world championship races. It covers 1 ¼ miles on the dirt at Del Mar, and always draws a mix of sophomores from the Triple Crown trail, later-blooming […]
Travers Stakes 2024: Thorpedo Anna has the tools to succeed
2024/08/22
The Saratoga Race Course summer meet is the racing highlight of the year, and the high point of summer at the Spa is the Grade 1 Travers Stakes on Saturday, August 24! Eight of the best three-year-old dirt horses in the country will line up to go the classic 1 ¼ miles on the dirt. […]
Belmont Derby: Up-and-coming Trikari can win again
2024/07/04
Racing at Belmont Park may be on hiatus through construction, but the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby is still alive and well as one of the best three-year-old turf races of the year. The race happens at Aqueduct this year, and will be conducted at 1 3/16 miles over their turf course. With an exciting […]
Belmont Stakes: Mystik Dan can back up Kentucky Derby win
2024/06/06
The third and final jewel of the Triple Crown, the 2024 Belmont Stakes, happens on Saturday, June 8. Due to construction at Belmont Park it is taking a two-year hiatus away from its traditional home. However, it will still be in New York: the race will cover 1 ¼ miles on the dirt at Saratoga […]
Kentucky Derby 2024: Honor Marie can step up at the right price
2024/05/03
Betting the Kentucky Derby is one of the highlights of the year for anyone who likes to wager on horse racing or sports, and the race is coming up Saturday, May 4 at Churchill Downs. 20 of the best three-year-olds in the country will go 1 ¼ miles for some of the best prizes in […]
Kentucky Oaks 2024: Leslie's Rose is blooming at two turns
2024/05/03
The biggest race of the year for three-year-old fillies is coming up Friday, May 3 at Churchill Downs: the Kentucky Oaks! The purse has been raised to $1.5 million, and some of the best sophomore fillies in the country will go 1 ⅛ miles at Churchill Downs for those spoils and the iconic blanket of […]
Santa Anita Derby: Tapalo is the betting value
2024/04/04
If you are serious about horse racing betting, you cannot miss the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on Saturday, April 8! The race features a field of eight to vie for $750,000 purse as well as 100-50-25-15-10 Road to the Kentucky Derby points to eligible horses among the top five finishers. If an eligible horse wins […]
Cheltenham Gold Cup 2024: Galopin Des Champs has the class and stamina
2024/03/14
The most eagerly-awaited race of the Cheltenham Festival is almost here: the £625,000 Cheltenham Gold Cup (G1) on Friday, March 15! Spanning 22 fences at a distance of three miles, two and a half furlongs, it drew a field of 12 top chasers all hoping to win the most prestigious prize of the jumps racing […]
Saudi Cup: Hot early pace will help Ushba Tesoro finish best
2024/02/22
The richest race in the world happens Saturday, February 24 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh: the $20 million Saudi Cup. The 1,800-meter (about 1 ⅛-mile) race drew an overflow field of older horses from all over the world. The middle distance means the race is always an intriguing mix of milers, classic-distance horses, and […]
Holy Bull: Pletcher should have Fierceness ready to defend crown
2024/01/31
The Gulfstream Park spur of the Kentucky Derby trail is one of the most exciting horse racing betting events of the year, and it gets underway Saturday, February 3 with the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3)! In addition to the rich purse, the 1 1/16-mile race offers 20-10-6-4-2 Road to the Kentucky Derby points to […]
Pegasus World Cup 2024: First Mission is ready for takeoff
2024/01/24
The first older-horse dirt feature of the year happens this weekend: the Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park, on Saturday, January 27! The 1 ⅛-mile dirt race offers a colossal $3 million purse and it drew an overflow field: 12 horses in the main field, plus one also-eligible entrant. This race is not only […]
Melbourne Cup 2023: Soulcombe can handle stretch to two miles
2023/11/03
One of the world’s best horse racing betting opportunities of the year happens Tuesday, November 7 at Flemington: the AUS$8.41 million Melbourne Cup! It is known as the race that stops a nation, and no wonder: it is virtually a state holiday, and all for a horse race. And, not only is it one of […]
2023 Breeders' Cup Classic: Bright Future can get the trip
2023/11/01
The Breeders’ Cup is the most important horse racing betting event of the season, and the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday, November 4 is the richest race at the festival! Covering 1 ¼ miles on the dirt at Santa Anita Park, the race always draws an exciting mix of stars from the […]
Breeders' Stakes 2023: Wonder Where winner Tito's Calling can prevail again
2023/09/29
If you are serious about horse racing betting, you cannot miss the Breeders’ Stakes on Sunday, October 1 at Woodbine Racetrack! The race offers a $400,000 purse, and it is the third and final jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown. A field of top Canadian-bred horses will cover 1 ½ miles over Woodbine’s lush E. […]
Woodbine Mile 2023: War Bomber can get the jump on short-priced foes
2023/09/14
If you are serious about betting horse racing, you cannot miss the Woodbine Mile (G1) at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday, September 16! The race offers a $1,000,000 purse as well as an automatic bid to the Breeders’ Cup Mile for its winner. The race originated as a dirt mile for three-year-olds, but was moved to […]
Belmont Derby 2023: Wizard of Westwood is ready to upset
2023/07/04
On Saturday, July 8, the $1 million Belmont Derby will showcase the finest three-year-old turf horses from around the world at Belmont Park. This prestigious event serves as the opening race of the New York Turf Triple, a series of million-dollar races on the lawn. The highly anticipated race has attracted a remarkable field of […]
Belmont Stakes 2023: Lack of pace helps National Treasure
2023/06/06
The third and final jewel of the Triple Crown, the 2023 Belmont Stakes, is coming up at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York on Saturday, June 10. The 1 ½-mile race draws the best three-year-old colts in the country for their toughest challenge yet. However, the spoils are rich: $1.5 million, and the knowledge that […]
Improving Mage can get the right pace setup at the 2023 Kentucky Derby
2023/05/05
There is nothing like betting the Kentucky Derby: with 20 of the best three-year-olds in the country trying 1 ¼ miles at Churchill Downs for the very first time, the race is exciting and the payouts are huge! The 2023 Kentucky Derby is coming up on Saturday, May 6. The winner gets the lion’s share […]
Kentucky Oaks 2023 Picks: Future looks bright for Wet Paint
2023/05/05
Few races have the history and pageantry of the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 5 at Churchill Downs! The $1.25 million race for the best three-year-old fillies in the country is also one of the best wagering opportunities in the country. With a big field testing their stamina over 1 ⅛ miles, betting the Kentucky […]
Santa Anita Derby 2023: Time for Geaux Rocket Ride to blast off
2023/04/06
The most important horse race to bet this weekend is the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, April 9! The race offers a $750,000 purse as well as 100-40-30-20-10 Road to the Kentucky Derby points. This means not only big money, but big Kentucky Derby stakes: the winner assures his trip to the Run for the […]
Bravemansgame has the right betting value for the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2023
2023/03/16
The 2023 Cheltenham Festival reaches its crescendo in the £625,000 Cheltenham Gold Cup (G1) on Friday, March 17! The three-mile, two-and-a-half-furlong steeplechase drew a field of 13 top jumpers, all hoping to earn one of the most iconic titles in horse racing. And, with such a big field, it is one of the best horse […]
Country Grammer Can Finish Best Down the Stretch in the 2023 Saudi Cup
2023/02/24
There is no richer betting race in the world than the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) on Saturday, February 25 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh! The race covers 1,800 meters (about 1 ⅛ miles), so it is a perfect distance for both milers and classic-distance horses to test their versatility for the richest purse […]
Picks for the 2023 El Camino Real Derby: Passarando Can Stretch Out Over Synthetic
2023/02/08
The Triple Crown trail makes its only visit to Northern California Saturday, February 11 for the El Camino Real Derby! Covering 1 ⅛ miles over the Tapeta course at Golden Gate Fields, the race offers a $100,000 purse. It also offers several rich Triple Crown rewards: it is a 10-4-3-2-1 points race on the road […]
Pegasus World Cup 2023: Cyberknife can go out on top
2023/01/25
The upper echelon of the older-horse dirt division gets underway this week with the Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park, on Saturday, January 28! The 1 ⅛-mile dirt race drew a full field of 12 older horses plus two also-eligible entrants to vie for a $3 million purse and the fast track to the […]
Breeders' Cup Classic: Flightline is ready to soar
2022/11/03
The Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) is the most important dirt race of the autumn season! The $6 million race always draws the best horses in the handicap division, with top older horses taking on the best three-year-olds, in many cases for the first time. The race covers a mile and a quarter over the Keeneland […]
Fourstardave Handicap: Get Smokin Has Big Speed at a Big Price
2022/08/12
Turf milers take the spotlight in the Fourstardave Handicap (G1) on Saturday, August 13! It is the 10th race of Saturday’s card at Saratoga Race Course, and it covers one mile on the grass course. In addition to a rich $500,000 purse, the race awards its winner an expenses-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Mile […]
Diana Stakes: Bleecker Street has the class to stay undefeated
2022/07/14
Top older turf horses clash in the $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1), an opening-weekend feature at the legendary horse race betting meet at Saratoga, on Saturday, July 16. Covering a mile and an eighth on the grass, the race drew a field of six top-class turf mares aged four and up. Horses who win the […]
Belmont Derby: Bet Tiz the Bomb back on grass
2022/07/06
The world’s top turf sophomores take the spotlight Saturday, July 9 at Belmont Park for the $1 million Belmont Derby! The first race in the New York Turf Triple, a series of million-dollar grass races, it drew a field of 13 horses from both sides of the Atlantic. With such a big and classy field, […]
Royal Ascot: Kyprios in top form for Gold Cup
2022/06/15
If you enjoy betting horse races, there are few more exciting races to bet on than the Gold Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot! Scheduled for Thursday, June 16, the race covers two and a half miles over the grass course. It is one of the most prestigious races for stayers in the world, and the […]
Bay Bridge can make the grade in Prince of Wales's
2022/06/14
The Prince of Wales's (G1) on Wednesday, June 15 is one of the most important betting races in the world! Offering a £1 million purse and a guaranteed berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, the race always draws some of the top horses in the world to go about ten furlongs over the Ascot grass. […]
Mo Donegal can improve with Belmont distance
2022/06/09
The 2022 Belmont Stakes, coming up on Saturday, June 11, is the third jewel of the Triple Crown. Run at a mile and a half and drawing the best three-year-old colts in the country, the race offers a $1.5 million purse as well as a place in horse racing history for the winner. Known as […]
Improving Cyberknife Ready for Kentucky Derby
2022/05/06
Betting the Kentucky Derby is a ritual for a reason: it is the biggest field in any American horse race all year, and there are always great odds and payouts! The 2022 Kentucky Derby will be run on Saturday, May 7 at 1 1/4 miles on the Churchill Downs dirt. The winner receives the lion’s […]
Nest Brings Best Form to Kentucky Oaks 2022
2022/05/06
The Kentucky Oaks (G1) is one of the most historic and important races of the year! The $1.25 million race, covering a mile and an eighth on the Churchill Downs dirt, drew an overflow field of the best three-year-old fillies in the country: 14 in the main field, plus an also-eligible entrant. The winner earns […]
