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Del Mar Saturday Picks — November 9, 2024 | Best Bets & Full Card Handicapping

on November 9, 2024April 24, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe

A racehorse with a jockey in orange silks galloping at Del Mar racetrack during sunset, showcasing speed and elegance.

Alright, we’re back after the Breeders’ Cup and the Conductor is refreshed and ready to fire. Del Mar has been kind to him so far and he’s enjoyed his switch to the west coast. Solid betting races today. Let’s Ride.

Race 3: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.Clm 25000

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Platinum Diva (12/1) – This filly shipped to Del Mar this summer and ran well vs tougher. She traveled wide behind a slow pace and finished well enough. After a start on dirt you can ignore last time, she switches back to her best surface today. With a nice rail draw and a weight break against a weak field, the Conductor sees her firing a peak effort.

Race 7: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.OC 40000b

#5 Baltic Fire (15/1) – This filly is improving and outran her odds last time vs tougher. She was 2-wide on the 1st turn and pressed 3-wide while uncovered on the 2nd turn. Now she drops in class, gets a rider upgrade, an improved post, and a weight break on the field. The Conductor is hoping Serafin Carmona has a monster day.

Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf) S.OC 20000b

#5 Enjoy It Straight (5/1) – This gelding got caught up in a 3-way pace duel last time in a race dominated by closers. He drops in class to face Cal-breds today and trainer Peter Miller takes the blinkers off. When he wins the finale the Conductor will enjoy some quality brown stew straight.

2024 Breeders’ Cup Betting Preview — Full Card Picks, Best Bets & Stakes Analysis (Del Mar)

on November 1, 2024April 24, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe 1 Comment

A vintage race official with a white beard and cap, standing at a horse racing event, showcasing a classic style and authority.

The Conductor’s eyes are bleeding after preparing for this year’s Breeders’ Cup. There are very competitive races without many short priced standouts on both days. Just the way Mr. Ductor likes it. Hopefully the Del Mar dirt plays more fairly to closers than it did this summer. If its not a highway, there could be bombs galore. Grab a shovel, he can’t haul all this coal himself. Let’s Ride.

Friday Race 4: 1 Mile. (Turf) Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes

#2 Smash It (10/1) – This gelding really impressed the Conductor in his turf debut last time. He missed break, rushed up and made a nice move on the turn. That was a very game 2nd and he’ll be all alone on the lead today stretching out to a mile for the 1st time. Trainer Todd Fincher is 26% this year with a +ROI this year with first time routers. Smash It has talent and can wire the field at a nice price.

Friday Race 8: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.G1 John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

#1 Lake Victoria (8/5) – This filly looks she’s the goods from across the pond. With a nice rail draw and Ryan Moore aboard, the Conductor will be very surprised if she loses. She’s the lone chalk he won’t be trying to beat this weekend.

Friday 1 1/16 Mile.G1 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

#7 Gaming (8/1) – The Conductor thinks all three Baffert horses are live in this race and they won’t be the favorites. This colt beat the other two handily in the Del Mar Futurity and has been training up to this race. He looks to get a perfect stalking trip behind a quick pace and he’ll get first run before the talented deep closers. 8/1 would be a treat.

Saturday Race 6: 1 1/16 G1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff

#5 Sugar Fish (20/1) – The Conductor thinks #2 Thorpeda Anna (4/5) is vulnerable here after regressing in the Cotillion Stakes at Parx last time. She’s been tremendous, but has endured a long campaign and may be a bit over the top. Sugar Fish is a bomb the Conductor likes best at a big price. She’s improving with each start and ran a huge late pace figure last time closing into a slow pace. She looks to get the same rail trip again today, and there will be a hot pace to run at. The Japanese filly, #4 Alice Verite (30/1) will be out in front winging it on the front end. She’s another looney tune bomb the Conductor thinks could surprise everyone if she takes to the dirt.

Saturday Race 8: 1 1/16 Mile. G1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic

*Gullet Shot of the Day #13 Newgate (20/1) – A Baffert horse at 20/1 in the Classic, that ran better than it looks last time? The Conductor thinks he’ll be in the 10/1 range, but that’s still good enough for him. Newgate showed talent last year and ran huge off the bench last time. He closed wide behind a slow pace and just missed in the California Crown Stakes. He’s working bullets entering today and looks primed to run his best 2nd off a layoff. Newgate should get a perfect outside stalking trip and pounce when they enter the stretch. The Conductor thinks Bobby B is going to have another massive weekend.

Race 12: 6 Furlongs. G1 Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint

#2 Gun Pilot (20/1) – This race is going to have a scorching early pace and the Conductor is looking for a closer. He thinks #4 Nakatomi (6/1) and #9 Remake (8/1) will also get good trips, but prefers Gun Pilot at a bigger price. Gun Pilot has been up against slow paces and troubled trips in his last few starts. He finally looks to get the setup he needs today and he’ll be flying late in the stretch. If the Conductor is right this weekend, he may be retired by Monday. Skip

Keeneland Closing Day Picks — Saturday, October 26, 2024 | Best Bets & Full Card Analysis

on October 26, 2024April 24, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe

A thoroughbred horse with a saddle and bridle at a racecourse, with spectators in the background.

It’s closing day at Keeneland. Nothing left to do but shovel as much coal as we can heading into the Breeders’ Cup. Let’s Ride.

Race 3: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.Mdn 100k

#1 Unmerited Favor (15/1) – This filly ran better than it looks in her debut after a terrible start. She was well back after veering in and made a nice move on the turn. McPeek runners are never fully cranked on debut and usually take a big step forward in their next start. Unmerited Favor showed the Conductor she has talent and he’ll bet he’s right double digit odds.

Race 7: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.Alw 120000n2x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Beach Walkn (10/1) – This filly looks primed to run her best in her 3rd start off a layoff. She impressed the Conductor last time too. She was keen early wasting lots of energy and still managed to hold onto 3rd going longer. Now she cuts back in distance and gets a nice rail draw. Last October at Keeneland, she pulled off a 20/1 upset. Beach Walkn won’t sneak by the Conductor today.

Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf) G3 Bryan Station Stakes

#9 Neat (8/1) – The Conductor will be hoping to see red saddle cloths in the winners circle today. This colt ran well with a wide trip last time and now draws to the inside. He should save ground and be exploding late. When he’s in a fight to the wire, he likes to have his nose in front. He’s never settled for 2nd in his career. Uno! Uno! Uno! Skip!

Keeneland Friday Picks — October 25, 2024 | Best Bets & Full Card Handicapping

on October 25, 2024April 24, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe

A racehorse galloping with a jockey in green attire at a horse racing event, showcasing speed and agility on the track.

Two for three with a 6/1 gullet shot winner Thursday is just what the Ductor ordered. Time to build momentum. Skip.

Race 5: 1 3/16 Mile. (Turf) F.Alw 110000n1x

#4 The Ginger Wizard (6/1) – This weak field of American fillies looks ripe for a foreign invader. This mare has been steadily progressing across the pond and is a true turf marathoner. She has the upside to beat this group handily.

Race 7: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) Alw 140000n4x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Judge Davis (10/1) – This gelding looks almost identical to yesterday’s gullet shot winner. The Conductor is hoping the rail draw produces the same result. He just missed last time at Kentucky Downs closing into a slow pace and looks to get a better setup today. He has a win over this Keeneland turf course and two of his three wins have come at this distance. Let’s make it back to back gullet whacks.

Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.G2 Valley View Stakes

#1 Opera Mundi (8/1) – Call the Conductor Benedict Arnold, but he’s turning to another European shipper here. #12 Simply in Front (8/1) really impressed him last time, but looks to get a poor trip today drawn to the far outside. Opera Mundi is exiting sprint races in France and has the early speed to put herself in a good position early. The Conductor thinks this is an evenly matched group and sees her sitting a dream pocket trip. In turf racing, that makes all the difference. Skip.

Keeneland Thursday Picks — October 24, 2024 | Best Bets & Handicapping Analysis

on October 24, 2024April 24, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe 1 Comment

Horses racing on a track in front of a grandstand at Keeneland during sunset.

Only a 3rd with the bombs Thursday at Keeneland. There’s a little more meat on the bone today. Time to eat. Skip.

Race 3: 1 1/16 Mile. F.Mdn 100k

#4 Viable (6/1) – This filly took a nice step forward last time, closing strongly behind a slow pace. She’s been trying different distances and surfaces and finally put it all together. If she improves at all this start, the Conductor thinks she’ll be tough to beat. He’s betting against the heavy favorite, #6 Save Time (6/5), who has proven she doesn’t like to win.

Race 7: 1 1/8 Mile. OC 125000n2x

#3 Star of Wonder (7/5) – While the Conductor respects #2 Society Man (3/1), his deep closing running style doesn’t suit this race. Star of Wonder will be up close to a moderate pace and the Conductor doesn’t see anyone passing her down the stretch. Brad Cox will continue making a mockery of this Keeneland meet.

Race 8: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) F.Alw 140000b

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 All I Want Is You (10/1) – This filly won at 5/1 last time she ran this distance at Keeneland. She’s rounding back into form and her last race was better than it looks on paper. She closed strongly behind a slow pace and ran a big late pace figure. All I Want is You gets a nice rail draw today and she should have the pace to run at. She’ll be flying down the stretch and the Conductor will be screaming for her to get up in time. Let’s have a Thursday, passengers.

Keeneland Wednesday Picks — October 23, 2024 | Best Bets & Final Week Analysis

on October 23, 2024April 24, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe 1 Comment

A steam locomotive surrounded by a herd of horses, showcasing a dynamic scene of transportation and nature.

We left off Friday with a nice 8/1 gullet shot winner. The Conductor got a well deserved break this weekend and has come back refreshed and ready to fire. It’s the final week of the Keeneland meet, leave no stone unturned. Skip.

Race 4: 1 1/16 Mile. Clm 32000

#7 Huge Bigly (12/1) – This gelding showed signs of rounding back into form last time. He ran a strong late pace figure while wide behind a slow pace. There will be plenty of early speed for him to run at today and he looks to get an ideal trip. Huge Bigly is 1/1 at Keeneland and his speed figures fit with this group. At double digit odds, he’ll be the Conductor’s key in the 4th race.

Race 5: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.Mdn 100k

*Gullet Shot of the Day #6 One Front War (6/1) – This filly took money in her turf debut last time at Kentucky Downs. She had no shot from the 11 post that day, hung wide behind a slow pace. She ran better than it looks on paper and finished well down the stretch. Now drawn well and stretching out to a route for the first time, One Front War looks primed to explode. She’s bred to mow.

Race 7: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) Alw 140000b

#6 Mischievous Rogue (8/1) – This gelding won a stakes race convincingly at Hawthorne two back and failed as the favorite last time at Kentucky Downs. He didn’t have a fair chance last race, hung wide while Arrest Me Red set a slow pace and went gate to wire. This race will have a wicked early pace and Mischievous Rogue should get an ideal stalking trip. Over 4/1 would be fair for the Conductor.

Keeneland Saturday Picks — October 19, 2024 | Best Bets & Full Card Handicapping

on October 18, 2024April 24, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe

A thoroughbred horse galloping with a jockey during a race, showcasing speed and athleticism in a vibrant setting.

The Conductor is back at Keeneland after a travel day and is ready for battle. We had one bomb run 2nd Wednesday. Let’s not settle for silver today. Skip.

Race 4: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.Alw 140000b

#4 Stir Crazy (9/2) – Last time this filly faced allowance company, she won by open lengths at Churchill Downs. Her race last time vs stakes company was better than it looks too. She was way too far back early behind a slow pace. Now she drops in class and is drawn inside of the two favorites. The Conductor sees Stir Crazy getting a perfect trip and running her best in her second start off a break.

Race 8: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) F.Alw 120000n2x

#1 Golden Hostess (6/1) – This mare has been a solid stakes horse in South Africa and now makes her first start in the US for Graham Motion. Lucky for her, this is a very mediocre American bunch for this level. The US invaders have been running well on the Keeneland turf and Golden Hostess looks to get a great ground saving trip drawing the rail with Gaffalione aboard. She has the potential to beat them like a drum.

Race 10: 1 Mile. (Turf) Alw 110000n1x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Devil’s Harvest (15/1) – The Conductor thinks today’s finale at Keeneland is wide open and multiple bombs have a shot. His favorite is this gelding with a major early pace edge. He’ll be all alone on the lead early and there aren’t any monsters in here trying to run him down late. The Conductor will take a swing that he gets brave on the front end and steals this race on the front end. Hopefully this devil harvests coal.

Keeneland Wednesday Picks — October 16, 2024 | Best Bets & Full Card Handicapping

on October 16, 2024April 24, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe 1 Comment

Exciting horse race featuring multiple thoroughbreds competing on a grassy track with jockeys in vibrant uniforms.

Week three of the Keeneland meet kicks off and the Conductor is ready to fire. Make sure you listen and subscribe to the daily podcast passengers. The Conductor discusses more horses than his best bets and there are some extra pieces of coal in there. Monday’s listeners who played the Santa Anita turf pick 3 were a happy bunch. Let’s Ride.

Race 3: 6 Furlongs. F.Clm 20000n2L

#11 Valhalla Vixen (20/1) – This filly won impressively in her lone start sprinting on a fast dirt track. She ran a figure that is competitive with this group and her last two starts can be ignored. She’s run on the slop and turf and now finally returns to her best surface and distance. The Conductor will key Valhalla Vixen in the exacta at a nice juicy price.

Race 5: 5½ Furlongs. (Turf) F.Alw 110000n1x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #9 La Foret (15/1) – This filly didn’t run well on the dirt last time, but her two prior efforts sprinting on the turf were very solid. In her last turf race at Kentucky Downs, she was far back behind a slow pace and ran a huge late pace figure motoring down the stretch. She may not be able to get there in time to win today, but even if she picks up 2nd or 3rd the exacta and tri will pay nicely.

Race 8: 1 1/8 Mile. MC 20000

#10 Rocket Night (6/1) – Dropping to this class level for the first time last race, this gelding ran a very good 2nd behind the favorite. He was in tight behind horses on the first turn and was forced to check sharply. He was still able to finish strong despite the rough beginning and showed the Conductor he has grit. Rocket Night should graduate today.

Santa Anita Park Monday Picks — Columbus Day, October 14, 2024 | Bonus Racing Best Bets

on October 14, 2024April 24, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe 1 Comment

A thoroughbred racehorse galloping ahead in a horse race, showcasing speed and agility, with jockeys in colorful silks riding alongside.

In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue and now we have bonus racing on a Monday. No days off at this train station. Skip.

Race 5: 1 Mile. (Turf) OClm 50000

#8 Belmont Bill (15/1) – This horse loves to settle for the minor awards, but the Conductor thinks he will hit the board at a big price. Stretching out to a mile after a sprint last time, he’s the lone speed in the race. In his last race going this distance at Santa Anita, he set a quick pace and hung on for 2nd at 7/1. While the favorites may run him down late, Belmont Bill can still inject value into the exacta and trifecta here.

Race 7: 1 Mile. (Turf) F.Swingtime Stakes

*Gullet Shot of the Day #1 Royal Charter (6/1) – This filly ran admirably last time stretching out in distance vs a very salty stakes field. She set a quick pace that day and didn’t throw in the towel. Now she cuts back to her best distance and faces a much less accomplished group. She’s versatile and looks to get a favorable ground saving trip as well. Royal Charter is the Conductor’s best bet of the day if she is anywhere near this morning line.

Race 9: 1 Mile. (Turf) S.OC 20000n1x

#5 Brazenly (10/1) – This gelding is in great form on the dirt. He won by open lengths at this level two starts back at Del Mar. While he is 0/3 on the turf, his breeding says that he should be able to mow just fine. At double digit odds vs a average group, the Conductor thinks he is worth a bet.

Keeneland Saturday Picks — October 12, 2024 | Best Bets & Full Card Handicapping

on October 12, 2024April 24, 2026 By The Conductor's Scribe

A thrilling horse racing scene with jockeys in colorful silks riding fast horses on a grassy track, surrounded by a cheering crowd.

Another subpar Friday for the Conductor at Keeneland. Us passengers won’t have any money left for tickets if this doesn’t change soon. Step it up Conductor. Skip.

Race 2: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) Mdn 100k

#1 Paraclete (8/1) – This colt showed talent in his first start routing on the turf last time. He was a rocket out of the gate, then was checked hard after getting caught up in a pace duel. After he finally settled, he made another nice early move and was just rundown by a rival with a perfect trip behind him. With a rail draw and a rider upgrade today, he should get an ideal trip. Paraclete is the most likely winner for the Conductor in this race and odds close to 8/1 would be a treat.

Race 8: 1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) F.G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes

#5 Soprano (7/2) – This filly has been keeping solid company across the pond and will now make her US debut. She has early speed, so she’ll be able to sit close to a moderate pace and work out a good trip. The Conductor is not enthused by this American crop of fillies. Other than the favorite, #3 She Feels Pretty (5/2), he doesn’t think they are grade one caliber. The Conductor is also interested in #2 Caitlinhergrtness (12/1) to inject some value into this race underneath.

Race 9: 1 1/16 Mile. OC 80000n2x

*Gullet Shot of the Day #4 King Kumbalay (8/1) – This gelding ran better than it looks last time off a year layoff. He was wide from the 11-post, had to check multiple times and still finished strong behind a slow pace. He consistently ran speed figures vs stakes company last year that would win this race. Now 2nd off the layoff with a much better post, the Conductor sees the King beating this field like a drum. 8/1 may be a generous morning line, but the Conductor will take 4/1 or better.