Friday 5/1/26 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-01-2026, 07:22 AM

Al Cimaglia: Yonkers Raceway Late Pick 4 Analysis

May 1, 2026 | By Al Cimaglia

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Yonkers Raceway has a 9-race card. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 6, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 6 (8:25 PM EDT)

4-Strutsville (3-1)-Has been in the deep end of the pool in the last 4 starts and now drops to a comfortable level. Its last win was back on 2-20 and that was a step up from this condition. Hasn't shown any gate speed in the last 2 races but George Brennan should provide an aggressive steer against this kind.
6-Staywiththewind (2-1)-Exits the UM Series and in those races didn't do better than a 4th place finish. Jason Bartlett drives for Doug Dilloian and those 2 combine for 39% winners. This is 1st time Bartlett as well and this looks like the time the 1st win of 2026 could happen.

Race 7 (8:45 PM EDT)

1-Tachyon (3-1)-Tried 4 times to qualify and finally put in a flat mile on 4-24. Bartlett steered in the last 2 races and now he sticks here despite breaking issues. This will be the 1st race since 2-27 and hopefully won't be over bet. Will use against this crew and when Bartlett and the Bucci barn combine they win 24% of their races.
2-Energy King (7/2)-Camera shy 6-year-old drops to a spot where a win could happen. Jordon Stratton is at the controls, at this level he could look to get on the engine and not look back.
5-Cactustotheclouds (5-1)-Dropped to this level in last and showed improvement. Did finish 3rd, the 2 that were ahead aren't in this field, and will use in a race without a standout.

Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)

4-Sunday Shoes (9/5)-Comes off an easy win as an odds-on choice and now bumps up. Mohawk shipper has won 2 of 3 at YR and took 8 pictures last year. This is a competitive 4-year-old and will string along despite facing tougher.
6-Scudo Hanover (6-1)-Dropped to face this kind in last and wasn't handled aggressively when the wings folded. Fits, but will look for a more alert start and to be in play down the lane.

Race 9 (9:25 PM EDT)

4-Over The Horizon (4-1)-Won 2 and 3 back versus this kind, then moved up and was a sick scratch on 4-2. Last raced on 4-22 at this level, faded to finish 2nd and was off a month between starts. Scott Zeron gets the call and will look for a bounce back effort.
5-Full Support (6-1)-Has gotten the job done, is 0-11 this year but has showed some life in the last 3 starts. Doesn't like to take pictures but should be no worse than 2nd around the 1st turn and could be overlooked.
6-Smooth Lou (5/2)-Beaten 8/5 chalk got the services of Bartlett and did improve to come 2nd. Will look for an even better effort and is another who should be forwardly placed.

$1 Late Pick 4

4,6/1,2,5/4,6/4,5,6
Total Bet=$36

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-01-2026, 07:24 AM

Frank Carulli: Churchill Downs Pick 3

April 30, 2026 | By Frank Carulli

CHURCHILL DOWNS ALL-STAKES PICK 3
Friday, May 1, 2026

The Kentucky Derby is hailed as “the most exciting 2 minutes in sports.” But horse racing fans who pour into Churchill Downs this weekend will be treated to 2 days of action before the Run for the Roses. The $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G-1) will highlight the Friday, May 1 card and cap an all-graded stakes Pick 3 that shapes up this way:

CD 11th Race (6:56 p.m. EST) -- FULLY SUBSCRIBED won back-to-back graded stakes at 1-1/8 miles to cap her 3-year-old season. She beat Grade 1-winning millionaire Quietside and last year’s Kentucky Oaks runner-up Drexel Hill (#11 in here) by 4-plus lengths and is working forwardly for today’s Grade 2 La Troienne at 1-1/16 miles, her first Grade 1 test. DRY POWDER appeared to be forced wide on the backstretch after stumbling at the start of a one-mile allowance, but she inhaled rivals on the turn and won in a manner that stamps her a live longshot on the big step up in class. She makes her third start this year and has a near miss in the Grade 1 Cotillion – another $1 million race at this distance – to summon. MISS JUSTIFY won a minor stakes race at Churchill Downs at this distance during a $291k sophomore season in 2024. She raced only twice in 2025 for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, now starts anew for trainer Brendan Walsh, who is 37-for-173 (21 percent) with long-distance runners since February 14. At 15-1, include her on the Pick 3 ticket.

CD 12th Race (7:40 p.m. EST) -- STORM’S WAKE, IMAGINATIONTHELADY, JUST ALOOF, LION LAKE and DANDONA not only bring graded stakes-winning turf routes to the table in the $600,000 Edgewood (G-2) at 1-1/16 miles, but all have shown steady improvement. DANDONA got first run on LION LAKE on the final turn of the Grade 3 Florida Oaks, but both finished well on a ‘good’ Tampa Bay Downs surface that favored closers. JUST ALOOF slipped through a rail opening and led between calls in the stretch of a solid one-mile comeback, but she leveled off late. Add TIME TO DREAM, LORELEI and TAM TAM to the list in a deep second leg of the sequence.

CD 13th race (8:40 p.m. EST) -- You can go dizzy handicapping the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. To put the $1.5 million race for 3-year-old fillies in perspective, consider this: the 14 entrants in the main body of the 1-1/8-mile test have started 22 times in Grade 1 or Grade 2 races, combining for 10 wins and nine seconds and spanning nine tracks nationwide. PROM QUEEN was most impressive in winning the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks, stalking a soft pace while 4-wide to the far turn, ranging up on the pace setter under confident handling and taking command in the final sixteenth. Trainer Brad Cox is 141-for-467 (30 percent) the last two years with a positive return on investment with repeat winners. ALWAYS A RUNNER, one of two entrants to race at this distance, did so in winning the Grade 3 Gazelle at Aqueduct. She made an eye-catching inside burst on the final turn, appeared as if she wouldn’t reach pace controller PASHMINA (#13) in mid-stretch, but had to find another gear late to prevail as the top pair separated from the field. Her sire, 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner, produced four multiple Grade 1-winning routers and seven multimillionaires.

Suggested $ 1Pick 3 Ticket
CD 11th Race: 4, 8, 9
CD 12th Race: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11
CD 13th Race: 9, 10
Cost: $48

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-01-2026, 07:25 AM

Brian W. Spencer's Daily Picks

Santa Anita Park - Race #2

#5 No Cap	She's pretty reliable, and I think she'll get a good run of things here -- hoping the presence of the next one will keep the price mildly playable in a small field, which would help me deal with my concerns about the way she often comes up a touch flat in the final yards.
#3 A. Z. Wildcat	Solid runs from her outside of the stakes try, and she's quick enough to mix things up early -- should be right up top into the turn with the top choice. Guessing one of them will get the job done.
#2 Little Hidden Port	She turns back in a big way off the 12-furlong stakes run last time out, and she gets on the dirt for her first time in North America. The back dirt form is OK, so maybe she wakes up enough for a slice in a small group?
Race Summary	No Cap and A. Z. Wildcat should be tough here -- nothing clever -- but I think No Cap might be able to hassle 'Wildcat into the turn and get the edge for home that way.

Santa Anita Park - Race #3

#3 Maximon	Think he's in line for a really good run of things while tracking a few potentially quicker players early, and he's going to be a handful if he moves forward at all for the new team.
#8 Gandalf	No surprises if he lands this while dipping in for a tag at second asking, and the even kind of debut run probably plays well with this softer crew. Dangerous, but also maybe overbet.
#5 Texas Wildcat	He has been honest enough with cheaper on the main track, and I wonder if his forward, one-paced kind of style might allow him to grind out a piece at a price.
Race Summary	#2 Running Spartan makes some sense here, too, but I worry that he's going to have to try to hustle early. Maximon should get a great spy with this crew and would be plenty playable at something like the 3/1 ML offering.

Santa Anita Park - Race #6

#6 Watsonville	Dropper beat some of these in his last try in allowance company before the mild Grade III runs, and I like that he has a little bit of versatility in running style to give his rider a couple options. Threat on the drop.
#8 Namaron	He woke up when taking a similar drop to the top choice last time out -- notable because he finished behind him in the February Grade III run. He's got some quality to him and makes sense with these.
#4 Centrodelantero	The recent form is pretty compelling, but I think this is a pretty well-matched race among some talented horses, many who have done solid work in stakes spots. Wouldn't argue that hard with you.
Race Summary	Watsonville looks interesting while dropping out of a couple Grade III spots, and he has a few recent running lines that would make him a big player with these. Expecting a good run.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-01-2026, 07:25 AM

Frank Carulli's Daily Picks

Churchill Downs - Race #6

#1 WHERE LUCK LIVES (6-1)	Wired field from post 10 off layoff, draws rail for top ‘repeat’ barn.
#6 CARMEL COAST (3-1)	Beat three follow-up winners in Saratoga debut, set fast pace but tired in G-1 Frizette.
#12 FRENCH BLUE (9-2)	Set pace in pair of graded route races at Santa Anita for Baffert.
Race Summary	WHERE LUCK LIVES made the lead from post 10 and inched clear of two well-meant debut runners in the final furlong to win at 6-1/2F off a nine-month layoff. She earned the same figure as the winner of the Grade 2 Beaumont Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the same card. Trainer Brian Lynch is 31-for-97 the last two years with ‘repeat winners,’ good for a 3-1 average win mutuel. Bet to win and place.

Churchill Downs - Race #2

#9 FIVE A SIDE (3-1)	In top form, should sit dream trip in speed-laden field at suitable distance.
#2 DECADENT (8-1)	Maintained steady form at various venues and distances, adds value to gimmicks.
#3 CHOPSTICKS (9-2)	Stakes-winning 2yo gets Lasix for 3yo debut, works indicate readiness.
Race Summary	FIVE A SIDE validated a visually impressive, one-mile romp in a suspect field two starts back with a runner-up finish to Stylish Sue (5-14, $447k) in the Latonia Stakes on Turfway Park’s synthetic track. She finished third to Omaha Beach – and entrant in today’s Grade 1 La Troienne – the last time she ran on conventional dirt at 1-1/8 miles. She gets plenty of pace to rally into and gets the call for a win and place bet. Also play a 2-3-9 exacta box.

Churchill Downs - Race #4

#13 TRAMUNTANA (8-1)	Longshot stab from the far outside, has speed, gets Lasix with Saez aboard.
#1 HEDGE BOOK (7-2)	‘Improved position’ off 3-wide run on the turn but was out-kicked by 9-5 winner.
#4 COUPLET (6-1)	Solid foundation on workouts, barn is 21/4-3-3 with first-time starters since mid-November.
Race Summary	TRAMUNTANA should have enough speed to get position from post 13 in her seasonal debut with Lasix and could stick around at a big price. She dueled with Baracca, a next-out $100k allowance winner, in her debut and stalked a solid pace while 4-wide before drifting wider in a 7F follow-up won by next-out Grade 2 entrant Essential Coffee. Bet to win and place.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-01-2026, 07:27 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Equibase Special
PURCHASE

Equibase Special - Race 1	Leg 1 of the Oaks/Derby Pick 3
Stakes • 1 1/8 Miles • Dirt • Age 3 • CR: 96 • Purse: $1,500,000 • Post: 8:40P
LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS CD - R13 - GRADE 1 FOR FILLIES, THREE YEARS OLD.

Contenders				Race Analysis
P#	Horse	Morn Line	Accept Odds	Race Type: Lone Front-runner. DAZZLING DAME is the Lone Front-runner of the race, but has been deemed a non-contender due to a low Platinum Figure or other overall low ratings. * KEY ANGLES * EXPLORA: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(spr int or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. MEANING: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. PERCY'S BAR: Horse has run a Good Race within the last 30 days. BOTTLE OF ROUGE: Horse 's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50. COUNTING STARS: Horse's win percentage at today's distance(sprint or route)/surface (dirt or turf) is at least 50.
1	EXPLORA	6/1	5/1
5	MEANING	5/1	6/1
11	PERCY'S BAR	6/1	7/1
8	BOTTLE OF ROUGE	15/1	9/1
4	COUNTING STARS	8/1	9/1

P#	Horse (In Running Style Order)	Post	Morn Line	Running Style	Good Class	Good Speed	Early Figure	Finish Figure	Platinum Figure
7	DAZZLING DAME	7	30/1	Front-runner	87	85	76.4	78.2	50.7
5	MEANING	5	5/1	Stalker	97	93	100.6	90.9	84.9
1	EXPLORA	1	6/1	Stalker	98	94	96.7	94.6	91.1
14	BROOKLYN BLONDE	14	30/1	Stalker	92	91	90.3	87.0	67.0
8	BOTTLE OF ROUGE	8	15/1	Stalker	91	92	87.4	89.3	79.8
12	BELLA BALLERINA	12	12/1	Stalker	90	90	83.8	87.0	77.5
3	SEARCH PARTY	3	30/1	Stalker	92	94	75.4	90.0	72.5
6	MY MISS MO	6	20/1	Stalker	86	85	74.5	81.2	55.2
4	COUNTING STARS	4	8/1	Stalker	96	97	74.3	70.1	52.1
13	PASHMINA	13	30/1	Stalker	89	91	61.2	80.2	54.2
10	PROM QUEEN	10	8/1	Stalker	84	89	59.7	82.8	60.8
2	ZANY	2	4/1	Stalker	90	89	54.8	87.0	72.5
17	RESIST	17	30/1	Stalker	90	85	46.8	84.1	66.1
11	PERCY'S BAR	11	6/1	Trailer	97	96	77.6	92.2	85.7
16	NYCON	16	50/1	Trailer	85	84	67.4	75.5	46.5
9	ALWAYS A RUNNER	9	10/1	Trailer	86	91	63.9	87.5	74.5
15	LOVELY GREY	15	30/1	Trailer	90	91	43.8	87.4	57.9

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-01-2026, 07:28 AM

F.A.S.T. Sheets Free Race for Evangeline Downs
PURCHASE

Evangeline Downs - Race 2	Daily Double / Exacta / Trifecta / Superfecta / Pick 3 (Races 2-3-4) Pick 4 (Races 2-3-4-5)
Claiming $20,000 • 5 Furlongs • Turf • Ages 3 and up • CR: 74 • Purse: $19,000 • Post: 5:57P
(RAIL AT 20 FEET). FOR FILLIES AND MARES THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON THREE RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 121 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE SINCE APRIL 1, 2026 ALLOWED 2 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $20,000, FOR EACH $2,500 TO $15,000 2 LBS.

Contenders				Race Analysis
P#	Horse	Morn Line	Accept Odds	Race Type: Lone Trailer. CLEARLY CREDO is the Lone Trailer of the race. * KEY ANGLES * CLEARLY CREDO: Today is a horse's first or second race on turf, and turf starters from this sire have a win percentage of at least 15 (minimum of 50 starts). H orse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation. MILLIE'S STARDUST: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. Horse ranks in the top three in average Equibase Speed Figure at the distance/surface. WANNAW HOLELOTTALUV: Today is a sprint, horse is a Front-runner with an inside post position. Horse has a TrackMaster "+" designation or an "L" designation.
7	CLEARLY CREDO	9/2	3/1
3	MILLIE'S STARDUST	3/1	7/1
4	WANNAWHOLELOTTALUV	7/2	9/1

P#	Horse (In Running Style Order)	Post	Morn Line	Running Style	Good Class	Good Speed	Early Figure	Finish Figure	Platinum Figure
3	MILLIE'S STARDUST	3	3/1	Front-runner	79	79	91.3	67.2	56.2
4	WANNAWHOLELOTTALUV	4	7/2	Front-runner	65	70	76.9	65.9	58.9
2	EXPLODING CIRCLE	2	10/1	Front-runner	69	71	54.0	45.5	36.0
8	MAGNOLIA'S MISSION	8	6/1	Stalker	67	68	47.2	53.3	42.8
5	AYE BAY BAY	5	8/1	Stalker	66	65	44.6	47.4	35.9
6	ABOUT TO SET SAIL	6	2/1	Alternator/Stalker	75	70	68.4	68.6	62.6
7	CLEARLY CREDO	7	9/2	Trailer	80	83	65.4	82.5	76.5
1	CHEYENNE MOON	1	15/1	Alternator/Non-contender	67	64	50.1	59.5	50.0

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-01-2026, 07:28 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Equibase Special

PURCHASE
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 3 - Allowance - 5.0f on the Turf. Purse: $65000 Class Rating: 84

GP - R8 - FOR STATE BRED THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE NEVER WON A RACE OTHER THAN MAIDEN, CLAIMING OR STARTER OR WHICH HAVE NEVER WON TWO RACES. THREE YEAR OLDS, 120 LBS.; OLDER, 126 LBS. (IF DEEMED INADVISABLE TO RUN THIS RACE OVER THE TURF COURSE, IT WILL BE RUN ON THE TAPETA COURSE AT

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
	# 7 MILA'S WISH 20/1
# 2 CAJUN GOLD 3/1
# 3 GRAY ASTRAY 20/1

MILA'S WISH has a very good shot to take this contest and is a very good value wager given the line. Will likely be one of the front-runners of the bunch going into the midpoint of the contest. Horses who have been prepared to race at this distance and surface by Yates have shown strong results lately. Has a sharp shot here if you like back class. CAJUN GOLD - Is tough not to look at based on Equibase Speed Figures which have been formidable - 82 avg - of late. With a nice class figure average of 87, has one of the most respectable class advantages in this field.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-01-2026, 07:28 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

PURCHASE

Penn National - Race #2 - Post: 6:14pm - Claiming - 8.0 furlongs on the Dirt. Purse: $16,000 Class Rating: 82

Rating:

#1 TACTICAL HUMOR (ML=8/1)
#4 STRAWBERRY TREAT (ML=3/1)
#6 TUBTIMSIAM (ML=5/1)

TACTICAL HUMOR - Don't look any further. This steed has my money. Way too much pace. STRAWBERRY TREAT - This gelding is in good physical condition, having run a strong race on April 9th, finishing second. A repeat of that last effort on April 9th where he earned a figure of 77 looks good enough to win in this contest. 68-70-77 are last 3 Equibase speed figures. Improving each time out is something he should do again in this race. TUBTIMSIAM - This horse should be rumbling in the lane.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 GUN RIGHT (ML=9/5), #7 PORCH SWING (ML=7/2),

GUN RIGHT - Difficult to put your dough on the win end of any thoroughbred that finishes second and third as frequently as this thoroughbred does. PORCH SWING - On a downward spiraling sequence. Speed ratings keep lessening. Didn't meet expectations as the public's choice twice in a row.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:	Put your money on #1 TACTICAL HUMOR on the nose if you can get odds of 5/2 or more
EXACTA WAGERS:	1 with [4,6]
TRIFECTA WAGERS:	Box [1,4,6] Total Cost: $6
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:	[1,4,6] with [1,4,6] with [1,3,4,5,6] with [1,3,4,5,6] Total Cost: $36

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-01-2026, 07:28 AM

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Tampa Bay Downs

PURCHASE
Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.

Race 8 - Claiming - 8.2f on the Dirt. Purse: $23000 Class Rating: 86

FOR FOUR YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. WEIGHT, 123 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF A RACE AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE APRIL 1 ALLOWED 2 LBS. SUCH A RACE SINCE MARCH 1 ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $6,250 RACES WHERE ENTERED FOR $5,000 OR LESS NOT CONSIDERED.

RECOMMENDED CHOICES
	# 8 QUISTMER 7/2
# 2 STYLE ME ROYAL 3/1
# 3 FORT CHARLES 6/1

QUISTMER looks very good to best this field. He has been running solidly and the Equibase Speed Figures are among the best in this group. STYLE ME ROYAL - Displays the look of a profitable play, averaging a solid 81 Equibase speed fig which is one of the most competitive in this group of horses in this race. Is a definite contender - given the 77 speed rating from his most recent race. FORT CHARLES - Has been constatntly racing well recently. Has to be given a chance versus this group displaying very good figs as of late and an average speed rating of 79 under similar conditions.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-01-2026, 07:28 AM

Handicapped by The Turf Club Analysts

PURCHASE

Laurel - Race #1 - Post: 12:00pm - Maiden Claiming - 5.5 furlongs on the Turf. Purse: $24,000 Class Rating: 55

Rating:

#5 REGAL FLAIR (ML=5/1)

REGAL FLAIR - This filly has been training well, and the recent bullet work says she's primed for a big performance today. This trainer (Robb) has a fabulous win percent with first time starters. The 'x-factor' at work here is that this filly has been working over this track getting ready for her first start. I always like to see a thoroughbred getting Lasix for the first time. Robb adds it on this one today.

Vulnerable Contenders: #2 BELLINI GOLD (ML=5/2), #1 PONEY ISLAND (ML=4/1), #7 BARBED WIRE BARBIE (ML=5/1),

BELLINI GOLD - Hasn't hit the board in any short distance events recently. Unlikely to see her doing it this time either. PONEY ISLAND - Pony ran a great speed figure last time around the track, but that was on a track listed as good. BARBED WIRE BARBIE - Doesn't look to have enough positive qualities to support the value.

STRAIGHT WAGERS:	#5 REGAL FLAIR is the play if we get odds of 1/1 or better
EXACTA WAGERS:	None
TRIFECTA WAGERS:	None
SUPERFECTA WAGERS:	Pass