Wednesday 6/16/26 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 2026-06-17T08:14:02-05:00

Scott Shapiro: Churchill Downs Twilight Thursday Spot Plays

June 17, 2026 | By Scott Shapiro

Thursday evening marks the second-to-last Twilight Thursday card of the Churchill Downs spring meet with racing in Kentucky moving to Ellis Park at the beginning of July. The penultimate 8-race slate kicks off at the normal 5PM eastern time and is headlined by a first-level allowance event over the sod. Here are the horses I like most.

Race 4:
This $30k maiden claimer at one-mile over the main track kicks off the early Pick 5 where #5 Susan’s Boy was made the heavy 6-5-ML favorite by oddsmaker Nick Tammaro. The $850k Keeneland September ’23 purchase has certainly not panned out as planned, but drops in for a tag for the first time. He is capable with the decrease in competition, but his lack of early speed is concerning. I will try to get the jump on him with #2 Kuch. The son of Silver State debuted in a two-turn grass race at Horseshoe Indianapolis 16 days ago for Brendan Walsh. Kuch sped to the early lead that day, but set honest fractions in a race that absolutely fell apart late. Now, Walsh cuts him back in distance, drops him in class, and legs up his main man Tyler Gaffalione. He should finish a lot stronger against these.

Play: #2 Kuch (7-2 ML)
Picks: 2-5-4

Race 7:
The pace should be contentious in this $50k starter at 7-furlongs over the main track with the three potential speed horses lined up next to each other along the inside. #2 Sharons Beach, #3 Attersee, and #4 Social Hour are all three likely to be prominent early given clean breaks, which should set things up perfectly for #6 Palacios. The son of Enticed makes his first start in the Blue Grass State and since entering the Will Walden barn. When we saw Palacios last, he was coming from off-the-pace to finish second to a runner at Laurel Park that would likely be a significant favorite in this spot. The fact he moves into the white-hot Walden barn and should get a great setup for his late kick make him the clear one to beat. Hopefully, the presence of Irad Ortiz Jr. does not deflate his price too much.

Play: #6 Palacios (5-2 ML)
Picks: 6-8-9

Race 8:
My final play comes in the finale, which will be conducted at 1 1/8-miles over the lawn where #5 Supercharger is expected to take a lot of public support based on Nick Tammaro’s morning line odds. The 8-5-choice comes in off a win going away over this surface and distance for Cherie DeVaux, but got a huge setup and a ground saving voyage throughout from jockey Jose Ortiz. This could happen again considering Ortiz is riding as well as he ever has, but the price will be too short for me.
I will try to best him with #7 Rothschild. The son of Uncle Mo makes his first start since entering the Norm Casse barn and while he has not won since the summer of ’23, he has turf races to go back to that put him squarely in the mix. This is a horse that was 2-1 in a Grade 2 at Santa Anita in the fall of 2024 and just has not raced a lot since. His last in the money run over the grass came at Gulfstream Park last March when Luis Saez was aboard. Saez will be back in the saddle for the first time in this one and should have the 5YO in a good spot early. His upside is too high for me to pass him up at his likely off-odds.

Play: #7 Rothschild (6-1 ML)
Picks: 7-8-5

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 2026-06-17T08:14:33-05:00

Jeremy Plonk: Bet $100, Get $10 Mountaineer Key Plays | Tuesday

June 17, 2026

Throughout June, Tuesdays and Thursdays heat up at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet with our Summertime Scores promotion. Bet $100, Get $10 on select tracks this month. Next up Tuesday will be Mountaineer. Here’s how I’ll approach the night card in West Virginia with an assist from the Betmix Angler database.

Mountaineer Race 1 | 7:00 pm ET
#2 Frozen Four (5-1 morning line odds) makes his first start for trainer Wilson Langley, whose 3 turf starts at the meeting have produced 2 wins and a runner-up. This gelding hasn’t been on the grass since breaking his maiden at Mnr in his only local turf try last September. Win bet #2. Exacta key-box 2 with 1,6. Daily Double 2-1. Picks 2-1-6

Mountaineer Race 2 | 7:25 pm ET
#1 My Lucky Deia (3-1 morning line odds) has a sharp 5: 2-2-1 turf mark and fires second off the layoff and first off the claim for a red-hot barn. Trainer Juan Pablo Silva has gone 31: 10-6-3 over the past 4 weeks locally, landing 32% winners and 52% in the exacta over that span – including 11: 4-2-1 when paired with jockey Norberto Arroyo Jr. Win bet #1. Picks 1-5-10

Eligible tracks and days:
• Tuesday, June 16 // Mountaineer
• Thursday, June 18 // Canterbury
• Tuesday, June 23 // Thistledown
• Thursday, June 25 // Colonial Downs
• Tuesday, June 30 // Fort Erie

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 2026-06-17T08:14:52-05:00

Royal Ascot Betting Primer & Wager Guide: Wed.

June 16, 2026 | By 1/ST BET

Today’s Skinny:
Day 2 of 5 from the prestigious Royal Ascot stand is headlined by reigning Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz aiming for a fourth straight win when contesting the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes vs. defending race winner Ombudsman. Breeders’ Cup Turf beaten favorite Minnie Hauk, second to Daryz at Longchamp last fall, adds to the spectacular field.

Meanwhile, a trio of Americans will contest the card-opening Group 2 Queen Mary for 2-year-olds: Gulfstream’s Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies winner Celtic Dispute (Patrick Biancone), Keeneland debut winner More Champagne (Tom Morley) and Churchill debut winner Ruiva (Wesley Ward).

Big fields abound with 4 of 7 races carded boasting at least 25 entries in each, an absurdity of potential combinations awaiting horseplayers.

Free Wagering Guide:
Download the free Sky Sports Racing Royal Ascot Wager Guide for today’s full card. ACCESS THE GUIDE (COMING SOON)

Extra Incentives:
Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet can enjoy a 15% boost on successful win bets – up to $25 total per day per player – during each race of the Royal Ascot meeting. VIEW OFFER https://www.xpressbet.com/5083-royal...winnings-boost

Today’s Lineup:
9:30 AM ET | Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes | 5 furlongs
10:05 AM ET | Group 2 Queen’s Vase | 1-3/4 miles
10:40 AM ET | Duke of Cambridge Stakes | 1 mile
11:20 AM ET | Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes | 1-1/4 miles
12:00 PM ET | Royal Hunt Cup | 1 mile
12:35 PM ET | Kensington Palace Stakes | 1 mile
1:10 PM ET | Windsor Castle Stakes | 6 furlongs

Featured Races | This Week
Wednesday | Group 1 Prince of Wales’s
Thursday | Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup
Friday | Group 1 Commonwealth Cup, Group 1 Coronation Stakes
Saturday | Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes

Wagering Particulars | Commingled World Pool
17.5% takeout Win & Place
17.5% takeout Quinella
17.5% takeout Omni (2 of 3 must finish top 3)
19.5% takeout Exacta
25% takeout Trifecta
25% takeout Pick 3
26% takeout Place Pick 4
27% takeout Place Pick 6
30% takeout Superfecta

**HandyAndy** · 2026-06-17T10:11:08-05:00

PRESQUE ISLE TIPS - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2026
Historically our BEST BETS have finished in the money 72% of the time at this track.

RACE #1 PRESQUE ISLE $14,000 Maiden Claiming 1 Mile 70 Yards ON THE All Weather Track - POST TIME: 3:30 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	2-1	2	Red Drapes	I O Rodriguez
PLACE	4-1	6	Fillyrules	W Alencar
SHOW	7-2	4	Lost Kitty	A A Gallardo
WILD CARD	9-2	1	Channel Me In	C Barbosa

ALTERNATE 1	8-1	5	Thy Name Is Woman	A J Ayala
ALTERNATE 2	8-1	3	Houdinis Bride	A S Worrie

* EXACTA: 2-6 BOX, 6-4 BOX, 4-1 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/4/6 BOX, 1/4/6 BOX

RACE #2 PRESQUE ISLE $16,000 Claiming 6 1/2 Furlongs ON THE All Weather Track - POST TIME: 3:57 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	3-1	5	Stargazzers Dream	H R Diaz Jr.
PLACE	5-2	6	Tiz Big Money	G A Martinez
SHOW	9-2	2	Camilo	A A Gallardo
WILD CARD	4-1	4	Partner Tours	M Allen

ALTERNATE 1	8-1	1	Bet On Bret	V Severino
ALTERNATE 2	8-1	3	Ransom Money	H Villa-Gomez

* EXACTA: 5-6 BOX, 6-2 BOX, 2-4 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/5/6 BOX, 2/4/6 BOX

RACE #3 PRESQUE ISLE $16,000 Maiden Claiming 1 Mile ON THE All Weather Track - POST TIME: 4:24 PM ET
#6 STAR SAVER

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	4-1	6	Star Saver	A A Gallardo
PLACE	7-2	5	Bucks Howl	E Gonzalez
SHOW	3-1	3	T Ray	I O Rodriguez
WILD CARD	5-2	4	Gun Policy	C Barbosa

ALTERNATE 1	8-1	2	Mr Baldy	J A Davis
ALTERNATE 2	8-1	1	Wetlands Willy	G A Martinez

* EXACTA: 6-5 BOX, 5-3 BOX, 3-4 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 3/5/6 BOX, 3/4/5 BOX

RACE #4 PRESQUE ISLE $14,000 Claiming 1 Mile 70 Yards ON THE All Weather Track - POST TIME: 4:51 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	3-1	5	Good Enough for Me	V Severino
PLACE	7-2	4	Tango Zulu	R Montanez
SHOW	6-1	6	Berbice Honey	J A Davis
WILD CARD	6-1	1	Khozanall	A Centeno

ALTERNATE 1	9-2	3	Silent Diva	G A Martinez
ALTERNATE 2	4-1	2	Mima Princess	M L Martinez

* EXACTA: 5-4 BOX, 4-6 BOX, 6-1 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 4/5/6 BOX, 1/4/6 BOX

RACE #5 PRESQUE ISLE $31,000 Maiden Special Weight 4 1/2 Furlongs ON THE All Weather Track - POST TIME: 5:18 PM ET
#4 GANGAM GREY

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	7-2	4	Gangam Grey	E Gonzalez
PLACE	9-2	1	Kingdom Chaser	A J Ayala
SHOW	6-1	7	Cash Cashel	A Centeno
WILD CARD	5-2	5	Ritzy Rags	I O Rodriguez

ALTERNATE 1	7-1	2	Eternal City	M Rojas
ALTERNATE 2	10-1	3	Colucci	Y Yaranga

* EXACTA: 4-1 BOX, 1-7 BOX, 7-5 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 1/4/7 BOX, 1/5/7 BOX

RACE #6 PRESQUE ISLE $36,000 Allowance Optional Claiming 6 Furlongs ON THE All Weather Track - POST TIME: 5:45 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	9-5	3	Hector	H Villa-Gomez
PLACE	8-1	1	Thorn of Hearts	I O Rodriguez
SHOW	2-1	5	Reeled In	G A Martinez
WILD CARD	3-1	4	Shakin It Up Larry	A Centeno

ALTERNATE 1	7-2	6	Valentine Bug	A Gonzalez
ALTERNATE 2	8-1	2	Lets Get It On	C Barbosa

* EXACTA: 3-1 BOX, 1-5 BOX, 5-4 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 1/3/5 BOX, 1/4/5 BOX

RACE #7 PRESQUE ISLE $33,000 Allowance 6 Furlongs ON THE All Weather Track - POST TIME: 6:12 PM ET
#1 VALIANT VICTORIA

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	4-1	1	Valiant Victoria	S Spieth
PLACE	5-2	2	Wherever We Are	A J Ayala
SHOW	3-1	5	Fleur Delacour	I O Rodriguez
WILD CARD	6-1	6	Valiant Enya	W Alencar

ALTERNATE 1	9-2	7	Little Martha	M Rojas
ALTERNATE 2	10-1	3	Moonscape	R Montanez

* EXACTA: 1-2 BOX, 2-5 BOX, 5-6 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 1/2/5 BOX, 2/5/6 BOX

RACE #8 PRESQUE ISLE $20,000 Maiden Claiming 5 1/2 Furlongs ON THE All Weather Track - POST TIME: 6:39 PM ET

PICK ORDER	M/L	P#	HORSE NAME	JOCKEY

WIN	5-2	2	Moonpie Delight	G A Martinez
PLACE	5-1	8	Starlit Sky	I O Rodriguez
SHOW	7-2	5	Endless Glory	C Barbosa
WILD CARD	10-1	1	Call Me Babe	S Spieth

ALTERNATE 1	3-1	3	Intimate	W Alencar
ALTERNATE 2	10-1	7	Free Spin Kim	J A Davis

* EXACTA: 2-8 BOX, 8-5 BOX, 5-1 BOX
* TRIFECTA: 2/5/8 BOX, 1/5/8 BOX

Wednesday 6/16/26 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Wednesday 6/16/26 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment