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, July 12
Check out Joe’s picks!
2026 Stats through 7-12-26: 63-22-10-13 * Win 34.7% * WPS 71.4% * $2 ROI $2.04 * $6 ROI $6.24
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Race 1 — 50-cent Early Pick Five (15% takeout)
#5 De’ Medici — Win + claim would equal tidy profit
#2 Military Road
#4 Shadow CoastRace 1 selections: 5-2/4-7-6
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Race 2
#11 Wolfcamp — Has always trained well; finds his friends
#5 WhateverRace 2 selections: 11-5/7-8
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Race 3
#2 Il Cavalino – Improved with blinks off; edge in crapshoot
#8 Uncle Evco
#4 Susan’s BoyRace 3 selections: 2-8-4-5-7
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Race 4 — 20-cent Dade Park Jackpot Pick 6 (carryover = $31,414, 15% takeout)
#8 E Tee Aye — Flightline homebred out of a classy dam with sharp works
#9 Amuse Bouche
#10 Miss McCloudRace 4 selections: 8-9/10-1-5-3-2
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Race 5 — Late Pick Five & $3 Off the Turf Pick 3 (races 5, 7 & 9) — both 15% takeout
OFF THE TURF
#8 Happy Prince — Forward with bug break in weights
#3 Boss’ DeedRace 5 selections: 8-3-13-1
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Race 6
#5 Tap to Open — Game maiden score; has the most upside
#6 Moon Over Choctaw
Race 6 selections: 5/6-3-4 -
Race 7
OFF THE TURF
#1 Amber Cascade
#6 Sanctify
#5 For Love and HonorRace 7 selections: 1-6/5
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Race 8
#5 Air of Defiance — Upset the odds on favorite last out; tough to poke holes
#6 Show Time
Race 8 selections: 5-6/9/2 -
Race 9 — $1 Jackpot Eight (carryover = $273,391)
OFF THE TURF
#10 Judicous — Strong works off the bench but may want turf
#7 Altadena
Race 9 selections: 10-7/9/11
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, July 12
Check out Geoff’s picks!
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Race 1
#5 De’ Medici — Aggressive placing off the claim, has a big win at 7f
#7 Mister Banderas
#2 Military RoadRace 1 selections: 5/7-2/4-6
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Race 2
#3 Can’t Stop Willis — Many races on the page would win this, found his friends?
#7 Nyttime Story
#8 Turn and RunRace 2 selections: 3/7-8-5/4
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Race 3
#5 Stolen Power — Off slow last time, galloped out best
#8 Uncle Evco
#2 Il CavallinoRace 3 selections: 5-8-2/7/4
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Race 4
#8 E Tee Aye — Working very well at CD for debut
#5 Subliminal
#10 Miss McCloudRace 4 selections: 8/5-10/1-4
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Race 5 — OFF THE TURF
#3 Boss’ Deed — Ran very well on dirt with some moisture in the track last out
#8 Happy Prince
#1 FeralRace 5 selections: 3-8/1-5/2
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Race 6
#5 Tap to Open — Good spot off maiden win, should be forward
#6 Moon Over Choctaw
#3 RandoRace 6 selections: 5/6-3/4-2
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Race 7 — OFF THE TURF
#5 For Love and Honor — Both dirt races rock solid, under the radar off turf?
#1 Amber Cascade
#6 SanctifyRace 7 selections: 5-1-6/4/2
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Race 8
#5 Air of Defiance — Sparkling form with 2 straight wins, game
#9 Star’s Image
#8 CounterspyRace 8 selections: 5/9-8-1/6
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Race 9 — OFF THE TURF
#5 Redhawk Riddler — Liked better on turf, should still be tough on dirt
#7 Altadena
#3 Wado WaveRace 9 selections: 5-7-3/9/2
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.