2026 Expert Picks
The 2026 racing season is almost here and we’re off to a fast start. Fan-favorite handicappers Joe Kristufek and Geoff Riggs are here with expert picks, bold predictions and insider insights to help you pick winners all season long. Whether you’re playing for fun or aiming for the win, their advice will have you one step closer to the finish line.
The season runs through July 2 through August 23 and we can’t wait to see you trackside!
Joe Kristufek’s Race Day Selections
Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds and Twin Spires’ senior producer & racing analyst Joe Kristufek began his career in his native Chicago, climbing the ladder at the local racing venues. The 1989 rivalry between Kentucky Derby winner Sunday Silence and his nemesis Easy Goer got Joe hooked on the game. A self-proclaimed “horse racing ambassador”, Joe’s industry experience spans from Dubai to Hong Kong to roughly 40 tracks across North America.
Sunday, August 2
Check out Joe’s picks!
2026 Stats through 7-26-26: 117-30-16-24* Win 24.6% * WPS 59.8% * $2 ROI $1.48 * $6 ROI $4.79
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Race 1 — 50-cent Early Pick Five (15% takeout)
#5 Bourbon Byte — Should take a big step foward
Race 1 selections: 5-7-8/2-4 -
Race 2
#6 Flat Out Time — Ran big off the bench at Indy
Race 2 selections: 6/5-7-4-2
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Race 3
#9 Fast Amy — Should take a big step forward
Race 3 selections: 9-10-5/1-11
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Race 4
#8 In Total Awe — Amazing debut win; face value
Race 4 selections: 8/6-3/5-7
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Race 5 — 20-cent Derby City Six Jackpot (15% takeout)
#12 Flip Flop Freak — Training like a good thing
Race 5 selections: 12-3-9/8-4-5
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Race 6 — 50-cent Late Pick Five (15% takeout)
#6 East Jabip (Ire) — Fits on class & still has upside
Race 6 selections: 6-7/2-8-5 -
Race 7 — $3 Turf Pick Three (races 7, 9 & 10) (15% takeout)
#1 Fancy Sailor — Loved his ALW win; plenty of upside
Race 7 selections: 1/2-7-6/9-8
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Race 8
#11 Troubleshooting — Model of class & consistency
Race 8 selections: 11/5-3-9-12 -
Race 9
#7 Medoro — Fresh, classy & should trip out
Race 9 selections: 7-12/8-5/9-10
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Race 10 — Jackpot Eight carryover = $296,567
#2 Brilliant Berti — Blinkers on + inside draw = back on track
Race 10 selections: 2-12-13/5-4-9
Geoff Riggs’ Race Day Selections
Born in Louisville the day after Unbridled’s 1990 Kentucky Derby win, Geoff Riggs has had a natural connection to racing from the start. He is an analyst and handicapper with on-air experience at Turfway Park, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds, and Churchill Downs. Known as “The Bearded Handicapper” from his presence on Twitter/X, Geoff is also a co-host of The Auxiliary Gate Podcast and a member of the Kentucky Derby Notes Team.
Sunday, August 2
Check out Geoff’s picks!
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Race 1
#5 Bourbon Byte — Off slow, finished decently well on debut. Experience
#4 Monnie
#6 BazookaRace 1 selections: 5-4/6-7/8
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Race 2
#6 Flat Out Time — Bumped early, ran well last time, tighter 2nd off the bench
#5 Cut to the Chase
#7 NooniRace 2 selections: 6-5/7-2/4
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Race 3
#9 Fast Amy — Experience edge, speed/fade on debut
#11 Another Flight
#10 Bubble BathRace 3 selections: 9-11/10-5/6
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Race 4
#8 In Total Awe — Lived up to name on debut, tough if she can repeat
#7 Balaclava
#5 Queen of CapriRace 4 selections: 8/7-5-6/4
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Race 5
#12 Flip Flop Freak — Strong family, WOW work on 6/21
#3 T V Time Out
#5 Never SleepRace 5 selections: 12/3-5/11-9
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Race 6
#6 East Jabip (Ire) — Swung wide but finished well last out, big gallop out
#7 Embrace Time
#8 Infinite SkyRace 6 selections: 6-7/8-2/5
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Race 7
#8 Black Hornet — Subtly tought turf trip in G1 company last time
#2 Clear the Beach
#6 Non ConformingRace 7 selections: 8-2/6/9-1
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Race 8
#11 Troubleshooting – Both starts this year were good, well drawn
#3 Joe Shiesty
#12 OkiroRace 8 selections: 11-3/12/10-9
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Race 9
#7 Medoro — Better than looks in G3 comapny last out
#12 In the Stars
#5 Vive VeuveRace 9 selections: 7-12/5-10/6
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Race 10
#2 Brilliant Berti — Wide trips recently vs graded company, game
#4 Quatrocento
#5 LambethRace 10 selections: 2-4-5/12/9
The Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund is a unique program to benefit owners and their Kentucky-sired, Kentucky-foaled runners. Its aim is to upgrade the overall quality of racing in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.