Friday 2/27/26 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-27-2026, 11:25 AM

Scott Shapiro: Triple Crown Prep Selections/Analysis

February 27, 2026 | By Scott Shapiro

After a slow week when it comes to Triple Crown preps, things pick up big time this weekend on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. A pair of qualifiers take place on Saturday afternoon with Oaklawn Park taking center stage on Sunday. As many of you know, 1/ST Bet and Xpressbet launched a $10 Money Back offer earlier this year on all Triple Crown prep races. It continues this weekend with a trio of opportunities for horseplayers. Here is how I plan to take advantage of my Money Back plays. If it is your first time jumping in on this promotion, remember to register.

Gotham (G3), Aqueduct Saturday Race 10
The first of the three Derby qualifiers is the lone one-turn points race on the weekend. This one-mile event over the Aqueduct main track drew a field of 9 led by 6-5-ML favorite #6 Iron Honor. The Chad Brown trainee broke his maiden in impressive fashion going 6-furlongs in mid-December and has been given time since. Brown opts to ship him back north for this spot despite the fact he has been training in Payson Park in Florida over the last month plus. He is the likeliest winner, but given the Money Back Offer insurance and his likely price it makes sense to look elsewhere. #2 Hammond is a colt that should get a great trip in his first start outside of the Sunshine State for Saffie Joseph. He did not get out of the cleanly when we saw him run third in the Swale in late January, but still ran decent to finish third to his undefeated stablemate. If he can relax along the inside early, he should have a big chance when they turn for home.

Play: #2 Hammond (5-1 ML)

Fountain of Youth (G2), Gulfstream Race 14
I am not sure all three of the morning line favorites in this year’s Fountain of Youth will run their races, but expect at least one of them to exit arguably the strongest prep to date with a spot all but assured in the Derby starting gate. #4 Commandment is listed as the considerable public choice after his win in the Mucho Macho Man. He is likely to run his race and get a favorable setup, but I think there is a good chance there is at least one better. #7 Napoleon Solo is probably the likeliest to be that horse by getting the jump, but the value will most likely be better with #7 Chief Wallabee. The Constitution colt won under wraps and did so extremely professionally in his debut on January 10. He has to answer the two-turn question and prove he belongs at this class level, but projects to get a great trip. I will use my Money Back play on him, assuming he is a bigger price than Napoleon Solo.

Play: #6 Chief Wallabee (9-2 ML)

Rebel (G2), Oaklawn Sunday Race 11
I struggled coming up with a strong opinion in this $1M event at 1 1/16 miles. #4 Blackout Time can definitely win, but is an underlay at his ML price. #2 Litmus Test is likely to get bet down from his ML offering and might have things his way on the front end, but has yet to prove to me is a supremely talented runner. Mark Casse holds a strong hand much like he did in the Southwest (G3) with winner #7 Silent Tactic and Smarty Jones winner #6 Strategic Risk. Silent Tactic has been very good through two starts on dirt, but his running style requires him to get the right trip and setup. On the other hand, Strategic Risk usually puts himself into the race making things a little easier on himself. That was not the case in the Southwest though when he got caught in chase mode immediately and was not competitive from there. Without D’Code and Buetane, I expect this pace to be far more moderate though, which should allow jockey Javier Castellano to stalk just off the pace like he did well to kick off his 3YO campaign. At his likely price, I will take a chance he bounces back big on Sunday evening.

Play: #6 Strategic Risk (12-1 ML)

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-27-2026, 11:25 AM

Al Cimaglia: Hoosier Park Late Pick 4 Analysis

February 27, 2026 | By Al Cimaglia

Hoosier Park begins the weekend with a 14-race card. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11, it has a low 12% takeout, and will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 11 (9:20 PM EST)

5-Lous Avalon (4-1)-Won last from post 9, was able to race at the top of the stack and should get the same trip here. Comes back in sequence for the hot Steve Searle barn and should fit well with this group.
6-Asifbycue (4-1)-Comes off a nice try after shipping in from the Meadows. Was hung the mile in last and John DeLong should provide a smoother steer this time. Has hit the board in 8 of 13 at HoP with 2 wins.
7-Lanzador (6-1)-Didn't race in 6 weeks after coming off a sick scratch at MVR and raced evenly. Will look for better on a drop in class and has 4 wins in 11 races at HoP.

Race 12 (9:43 PM EST)

1-Fox Valley Julian (8-1)-Qualified well on 2-18 and had been on the bench since 11-28. Drops to a soft spot and regular driver Jordan Ross is at the controls. Could handle this crew if dialed on high.
8-Franco Tyson A (5-1)-Driver trainer Larry Stalbaum has arrived in Anderson. Finished an even 5th in the 2nd race since 11-15 and this will be the 2nd start on Lasix. Will use the 11-time winner in 2025 and in a race without a standout.
9-Henry The Horse (5/2)-Henry at 5/2 from the 9-hole wouldn't be my first choice in most cases but takes a good drop in class. Should be a player versus these but will need a good steer from Kyle Wilfong.

Race 13 (10:06 PM EST)

6-Tickertape Hanover (4-1)-Came off the bench with a win from post 9. Came back again versus this kind and got the top, set a lively pace, and faded to finish 2nd. Could offer a square price and gets a little post relief.
7-Im Skinnydipin N (9/5)-Finished 3rd after shipping in from MVR against the Open 1-2. Could relish the company and the race should go through the Tyler George veteran.

Race 14 (10:29 PM EST)

2-Tellmeaboutit (5/2)-Drops again in its 3rd local start in search of an overdue win. Doesn't have an excuse for not being a main player and might be over bet but needs to be used.
8-Play Action Pass (6-1)-This is the 3rd race since 11-28 and came a good 3rd against tougher foes on 2-13. Will toss the next start from post 8 on a sloppy track. Will look for a more aggressive steer off the gate, could be sitting on a big try, and hopefully the morning line price holds up.

0.50 Late Pick 4

5,6,7/1,8,9/6,7/2,8
Total Bet=$18

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-27-2026, 11:26 AM

Frank Carulli: Sunset 6 $69K Carryover Analysis | Fri 2/20

February 27, 2026 | By Frank Carulli

GULFSTREAM/SANTA ANITA SUNSET 6
Friday, February 27, 2026

If you played the Sunset 6 wager this month, don’t be flustered that you didn’t win. No one else picked the last three winners at Gulfstream and Santa Anita either, so this week’s $1 wager begins with a $69,000 carryover pool.

GP 8th race (3:50 p.m. EST) -- WIN WITH FAITH rallied for minor awards in his last three starts on turf, earning 81 to 84 Beyers each time. He was the beaten favorite in two of them and is overdue for his first victory in a year at a distance which he stands 9/2-3-1. JAVA BUZZ completely blew the first turn while racing against WIN WITH FAITH, but he settled into ground saving position on the backstretch and finished willingly between rivals too late. He hails from a hot barn and should be on the ticket. JACK KEROUAC is 0-for-8 on the Gulfstream lawn, but he was gelded since his last start in October and ran well enough at the onset of 2025 to perhaps factor here at a big price for his new barn.

GP 9th race (4:20 p.m. EST) -- SALVATTORE PRINCE tracked a slow pace and made an eye-catching, last-to-first move on the final turn to surpass $100,000 in synthetic track earnings. He faces better rivals today but could pay off immediately on an $8,000 claim with a duplicate move. UNCLE JOHN had five wire-to-wire victories in seven starts before he chased the pace last out and was out-dueled in the final sixteenth by hard-hitting starter allowance rival LONGBRANCH LOU in a longer route race.

GP 10th race (4:50 p.m. EST) -- Speed types have fared well on the Gulfstream lawn and that should help the Pletcher-trained XCEL, who stalked the pace 4-wide at 7-1/2F and gave way in the stretch in a debut race loaded with upper-70 Beyer types. URGENCY was turned back by the winning 3-to-2 favorite in his first one-mile turf test, then finished behind three next-out winners (average 73 Beyer) while earning his top speed figure last out at the same distance.

SA 7th race (6:35 p.m. EST) -- DHITJARI, a consistent allowance runner in Germany while often carrying 128 pounds or more in crowded fields, won off a similar layoff last year at age 3. New trainer John Sadler won with 35 of his last 204 turf sprinters over two years with an average $7.80 payout. The late-running CUBAN CONFUSION is a model of consistency and shows a fastest-of-58 workout to begin preparation for his first start since October.

SA 8th race (7:05 p.m. EST) -- WINSTON AVE, 6-wide on the backstretch and 4-wide on the turn from post 10, couldn’t reach the 38-1 winner in a promising 6-1/2F debut. The winner, So Happy, came back to win the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes and the favorite, Blacksmith, ran second in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity next out. WINSTON AVE failed as the 1-to-5 favorite in a follow-up try, but the son of multiple Grade 1-winning router Quality Road, appears back on track with a series of strong workouts for his seasonal debut.

SA 9th race (7: 35 p.m. EST) -- BIGGIEBIGGIEBIGGIE got a needed break from Maiden Special Weight company and ran second to his pace-setting stablemate under today’s conditions. The race timed faster than a same-day, $16,000 starter allowance won by Please Focus (28/5-6-1, $243k on turf). LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE broke slowly in two dirt sprints at Oaklawn Park, but he had no such problems while posting three sizzling workouts at San Luis Rey since arriving in California. His dam, Lunar Rille, was 11/3-3-0 with $97k in turf earnings and broke her maiden the first time she ran on the surface. He’s worth using at 10-1 on the morning line.

Suggested $1 Ticket
GP 8th Race: 2, 3, 6
GP 9th Race: 1, 3, 5
GP 10th Race: 2, 10
SA 7th Race: 5, 6
SA 8th Race: 2
SA 9th Race: 4, 6
Cost: $72

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-27-2026, 11:26 AM

Brian W. Spencer's Daily Picks

Santa Anita Park - Race #5

#3 Mendelssohns Angel	Thought we might see something a little bit better from her last time out, but I'm willing to give her another look while getting back around two turns at what should be a nice price.
#9 Green Zone	Like the way she moved forward when sent long on the turf at second asking, and she should find herself in another good spot up on the pace today. Could win right back.
#11 Just a Kiss	She looked good when finishing up well to graduate at Del Mar last summer, and she's a big threat if she can bring something similar today off the bench.
Race Summary	Mendelssohns Angel might not be quite as much of a reach as the price could suggest -- there are a couple of excuses along the way, and I wonder if she's sitting on something better today after turning in a trio of drills since the run off the short layoff last out.

Santa Anita Park - Race #8

#4 Midway Lane	Think he's worth a look while moving over the main, as he found a bit of form on the turf in those last two, and his only previous dirt try came in the career debut. Could offer better today.
#1 Latitude	He makes a lot of sense while getting back over to the main track today, and he didn't have the easiest go in his most recent dirt run. Capable of landing this, but he's sure to take cash again.
#2 Winston Avenue	He was flat at 30 cents on the dollar last time out, making him a tough call right back. Think his already established baseline fits here, but the connections ensure he'll get bet this time around, too.
Race Summary	Midway Lane has some appeal at what might be an OK price while looking to transfer his solid turf form over to the main. Think he's in line for the right kind of trip.

Santa Anita Park - Race #9

#11 Sands of Time	Not sure where you're supposed to hang your hat with any confidence in this one, but this guy has a little bit of upside while getting in for a tag and moving around two turns today. Wouldn't feel that bad about using him as an aggressive single to close the day in a race where I'd other end up spreading to cover a lot of bases.
#7 Prime Artist	Only mild finishing efforts so far, but he has been in with better groups than he's going to find here, and I think he comes out of an OK race for the level.
#1 Saturday	He might be capable of better on the lawn than we saw from him in the debut run in August, and he at least showed some tactical pace on the main track last out that might leave him a good spot into the far turn. From there? Your guess.
Race Summary	Sands of Time should be quick enough to negate a high draw in here while moving around two turns, and I don't think the other form in here is anything you need to run away from. Will lean on him and hope for the best in a tough race to figure. #2 Nezha makes sense in here on the drop, too, if you're looking to cover more bases.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 02-27-2026, 11:27 AM

Frank Carulli's Daily Picks

Gulfstream Park - Race #1

#9 ROYAL RETINUE (5-2)	Plays catch-me-if-you-can on first try beyond 5F, runs for cheapest tag yet.
#5 SWING ROUTE (10-1)	‘Royal’ stablemate debuts; dam’s siblings were 4-16 and best at this distance.
#4 SOVEREIGN GRACE (6-1)	Marked improvement in second-out long sprint with Lasix, sheds blinkers.
Race Summary	ROYAL RETINUE out-dueled the second favorite before the closers passed by her at 5F last out. She could be long gone on the lead in this field. Her dam sped off with a 9-length maiden victory against the boys as a 2-year-old in England. Bet to win and place and play 9-4 and 9-5 exactas.

Gulfstream Park - Race #3

#5 DOGWOOD CROSSING (4-1)	Already won a nw/3 sprint, met sharpies in last pair, gets Irad.
#7 WASAMATTAFOYOU (15-1)	Two wire-to-wire wins on resume, returns to winning level.
#6 EL GUTY (5-2)	Finished behind ‘Crossing’ twice, hot barn is on cold 0-for-16 run with claims.
Race Summary	DOGWOOD CROSSING jumped conditions and won in the same spot when claimed for $8,000 two starts ago. He met two razor-sharp rivals since then and lures Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride today. Bet to win and place and play a 5/6, 7/ALL trifecta.

Gulfstream Park - Race #5

#1 WRATHCHILD (3-1)	Walsh firster had graded stakes bloodlines and draws the rail with Irad.
#3 EASY PICK (9-2)	Wide at 7-1/2F while pressing the pace in race dominated by closers.
#2 RULER OF THE SKIES (12-1)	Stalked 4-wide, swung 6-wide in lane in improved second start on lawn.
Race Summary	WRATHCHILD will try to give trainer Brendan Walsh his sixth maiden winner in the last five months going a route of ground on the turf. Walsh sent out MSW winners at Gulfstream, Churchill Downs (2) and Keeneland and a $40,000 maiden claiming victor at Horseshoe Indianapolis. WRATHCHILD’S dam, New Money Honey (5-12, $1.5 million on turf), won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf in 2016. Bet to win and place and play 1-2 and 1-3 exactas.