Expert Picks | Ellis Park

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’s Expert Picks

Geoff’s Expert Picks

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.

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Thanks for a fantastic season — see you at Churchill Downs on Thursday, Sept. 10!

Check out Joe’s picks!

Final 2026 Stats: 192-54-23-40* Win 28.1% * WPS 60.9% * $2 ROI $1.91 * $6 ROI $5.55

Race 1 — 50-cent Early Pick Five (15% takeout)

#3 Executor — Drops off near miss in Indy 1x; slam dunk or red flag?
#4 Tiz Freedom
#1 Culture War

Race 1 selections: 3-4/1-8-6
Race 2

#6 Prince of Light — Cuts back & drops turf to dirt
#10 Problem Solved
#7 Pelican Hill

Race 2 selections: 6-10-7/3/2
Race 3

#7 Al Amjaad — Closed well into a slow pace two back on turf
#8 T V Channel
#3 Can’t Stop Willis

Race 3 selections: 7-8-3-2/6-9
Race 4 — 20-cent Dade Park Pick 6 carryover = $57,317 (15% takeout) — MANDATORY PAYOUT

#6 Lexico — Bad stumble at the start off the bench last out
#3 Crystal Frost
#9 Watershed Moment

Race 4 selections: 6-3-9-5-10
Race 5 — 50-cent Late Pick Five (15% takeout)

#2 Dixieland — Training like a good thing for Walden
#1 Ever Forward
#10 Violent Gal

Race 5 selections: 2-1-10/12-8-7
Race 6 — $3 All Turf Pick Three (races 6, 8 & 9) (15% takeout)

#4 Zap d’Etat — Put it all together last out; similar performance could win this too
#2 Twilight Delight
#9 Double Talker

Race 6 selections: 4-2/9-6-8
Race 7

#9 Henriques — Homebred with strong pedigree & sharp works
#7 Major Awe
#2 Fonzarelli

Race 7 selections: 9-7-2-1/6-5
Race 8

#6 Lush Lips — Grade 1 picks a soft return spot
#10 Icona (Ire)
#8 Daisy Flyer

Race 8 selections: 6/10/8-7-3
Race 9 – Jackpot Eight carryover = $334,751 (if not hit today, will carry over to opening day Sept. 10 at Churchill Downs)

#4 Tiny Tapper — Looks a little sneaky; dice roll in crapshoot
#5 Sip It
#10 Mega Blue

Race 9 selections: 4-5-10-12-3

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.

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Sunday, August 23

Check out Geoff’s picks!

Race 1

#3 Executor — Ran well off bench, drops, Block 40% 2nd off long layoffs
#4 Tiz Freedom
#8 Ramblin

Race 1 selections: 3/4/8-1-6
Race 2

#10 Problem Solved — Dirt effort 2 back looks tough here
#7 Pelican Hill
#3 McKinsense

Race 2 selections: 10-7/3-4/6
Race 3

#8 T V Channel — Got a lot out of debut at 1 1/2 miles
#2 Positive Equity
#7 Al Amjaad

Race 3 selections: 8-2/7/9-3
Race 4

#6 Lexico — Lost all chance at the break last out, fits well
#3 Crystal Frost
#9 Watershed Moment

Race 4 selections: 6-3/9-2/10
Race 5

#1 Ever Forward — Solid debut, tough if she takes to the dirt
#2 Dixieland
#10 Violent Gal

Race 5 selections: 1-2-10/8/7
Race 6

#8 Magic Brew — Good maiden win 2 back, still has upside
#6 Frontier Justice
#4 Zap d’Etat

Race 6 selections: 8-6-4/9/2
Race 7

#1 Ali’s Glory — Debut better than looks with a big gallop out
#5 Mahogany Dream
#6 Hickory

Race 7 selections: 1-5/6-9/7
Race 8

#6 Lush Lips (GB) – G1 winner should handle this group even if not fully cranked
#11 Devassa (Brz)
#10 Icona (Ire)

Race 8 selections: 6/11-10-4/1
Race 9

#13 Smart N Centsible — Working well, best sib crushed on debut
#12 No Mo Sun
#8 Quigley

Race 9 selections: 13-12-8/3/4

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