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  • Pocahontas Stakes Preview: Manuka Honey Takes Unbeaten Record to Churchill Downs

    Pocahontas Stakes Preview: Manuka Honey Takes Unbeaten Record to Churchill Downs

    The Road to the 2027 Kentucky Oaks begins Saturday, September 12, at Churchill Downs, where Manuka Honey brings an unbeaten record into the $300,000 Pocahontas Stakes.

    The Grade 3 race is contested over one mile and goes as Race 8 on the 11 race program. Post time is scheduled for 4:26 p.m. Eastern.

    Manuka Honey enters after two dominant wins

    Manuka Honey has won both of her starts for trainer Brian Lynch, and both victories came by wide margins.

    She opened her career with a 7 1/4 length victory in a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs on June 20. She then won the Ellis Park Debutante by seven lengths on August 9.

    Luis Saez, aboard for both victories, retains the mount from post 2. Her combination of proven speed and experience at Churchill Downs makes her a central figure in the first Oaks points race of the season.

    Several accomplished fillies line up

    Pierette brings stakes form into the Pocahontas after winning the Churchill Downs Debutante. Jose Ortiz rides for trainer Mark Casse from post 1.

    Scarlett Begonia also owns graded stakes experience after finishing third in the Adirondack. Flavien Prat rides from post 6 for trainer Brad Cox.

    Miss Anna is another filly to watch after a six length maiden special weight victory. Tyler Gaffalione rides from post 7 for trainer Brendan Walsh.

    Full Pocahontas field

    The field from the rail is Pierette, Manuka Honey, Stripe Show, Sweet Kathleen, Betty Sue, Scarlett Begonia, Miss Anna, For the Win and Tahaluf.

    The race brings together fillies with different levels of experience, from established stakes performers to recent maiden winners who could take a major step forward.

    The first points toward the Kentucky Oaks

    The Pocahontas opens the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The top five finishers earn qualifying points on a 10, 5, 3, 2 and 1 scale toward the April 30, 2027 Kentucky Oaks.

    The race also connects to the Breeders’ Cup through the Dirt Dozen Bonus Series. The top three eligible finishers can receive partial entry credit toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Keeneland.

    The Pocahontas winner also receives an automatic berth to the Golden Rod at Churchill Downs on November 28, adding another clear progression point for an emerging juvenile filly.

    Part of a deeper September stakes card

    The Pocahontas is one of five stakes on Saturday at Churchill Downs. The Iroquois begins the Road to the Kentucky Derby later on the card, while the Locust Grove, Louisville Thoroughbred Society and Open Mind add older horse stakes depth.

    OTB Bet has already published the broader Churchill Downs September Meet overview. This confirmed Pocahontas field now gives readers the first concrete group of fillies to follow on the Oaks trail.

    For ongoing coverage of the season’s biggest events, visit the OTB Bet Major Races hub.

  • Iroquois Stakes Preview: Unbeaten Salahudin Leads Nine at Churchill Downs

    Iroquois Stakes Preview: Unbeaten Salahudin Leads Nine at Churchill Downs

    The road toward the 2027 Kentucky Derby begins at Churchill Downs on Saturday, September 12, and the first important name to watch is Salahudin.

    The unbeaten colt heads a field of nine in the $300,000 Iroquois Stakes, a Grade 3 race over one mile. The Iroquois is Race 10 on an 11 race program, with post time scheduled for 5:29 p.m. Eastern.

    Salahudin brings an unbeaten record

    Salahudin has won both of his starts for trainer Bob Baffert. He opened his career with a two length victory, then followed with a dominant 4 1/2 length win in the Ellis Park Juvenile.

    Florent Geroux will ride the son of Uncle Mo from post 7. That combination gives the favorite a useful blend of early experience and proven stakes form before his first start at Churchill Downs.

    Blessed Flyer adds another unbeaten profile

    Salahudin is not the only unbeaten stakes winner in the field. Blessed Flyer has won both of his starts for trainer Mike Tomlinson. He captured his debut at Keeneland, then rallied from off the pace to win the Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs.

    Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Blessed Flyer from post 2. His previous success over this surface makes him one of the most relevant alternatives to Salahudin.

    Full Iroquois field

    The field from the rail is Caribbean Life, Blessed Flyer, Bearamour, Admiral’s Order, Real Goodbar, Antivenom, Salahudin, He Is No Lie and Real Gone.

    The race brings together several lightly raced juveniles who are still developing, which is one reason early Derby points races can change quickly as the season progresses.

    Why the Iroquois matters

    The Iroquois opens the Prep Season on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The top five finishers earn qualifying points on a 10, 5, 3, 2 and 1 scale toward the 2027 Kentucky Derby.

    The race also connects to the Breeders’ Cup through the Dirt Dozen Bonus Series. The top three eligible finishers can receive partial entry credit toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland.

    The winner also earns an automatic berth to the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs on November 28, giving the Iroquois added value beyond the first Derby points of the season.

    A major Saturday at Churchill Downs

    The Iroquois is part of a five stakes card that also includes the Pocahontas, Locust Grove, Louisville Thoroughbred Society and Open Mind. The Pocahontas begins the Road to the Kentucky Oaks for 2 year old fillies.

    OTB Bet has already covered the broader Churchill Downs September Meet kickoff. The Iroquois now provides the first confirmed field on the Derby trail and a clearer look at the juveniles who could become important later in the fall.

    For more permanent race coverage, visit the OTB Bet Major Races hub.

  • Kentucky Downs Closing Day Preview: Kentucky Belle Leads Dueling Grounds Oaks

    Kentucky Downs Closing Day Preview: Kentucky Belle Leads Dueling Grounds Oaks

    Kentucky Downs closes its 2026 meet on Wednesday, September 9 with a deep turf card led by the Grade 3 Dueling Grounds Oaks, one of three major stakes packed into the final portion of the program.

    The closing day card has 14 races with first post at 11:30 a.m. Central. The feature sequence includes the $750,000 Bowling Green Gold Cup, the $750,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile and the $2 million Dueling Grounds Oaks.

    Dueling Grounds Oaks

    The Dueling Grounds Oaks is scheduled as Race 12 at 5:49 p.m. Central. Eleven three year old fillies are entered for 1 5/16 miles on turf.

    Kentucky Belle is the 3 to 1 morning line favorite for trainer Brad Cox with Flavien Prat aboard. She enters after winning the Saratoga Oaks. Time to Dream is listed at 9 to 2 for Todd Pletcher and Ricardo Santana Jr., while La Fogata is 4 to 1 for Donnacha O’Brien and Umberto Rispoli.

    The combination of distance, purse and field depth makes this the most important race on the closing day program. Kentucky Belle brings the strongest recent graded form, but the longer trip gives several rivals a chance to change the shape of the race.

    Bowling Green Gold Cup

    The Bowling Green Gold Cup is Race 10 at 4:45 p.m. Central and sends eight older runners over 2 1/16 miles on turf for $750,000.

    Tawny Port is the 6 to 5 morning line favorite with Flavien Prat riding for Miguel Clement. Limited Liability is 3 to 1 for Shug McGaughey and Luis Saez. Navy Seal is 9 to 2 for Wesley Ward and Jose Ortiz.

    The extended distance gives the race a different tactical profile from the rest of the card and creates an important test for established turf stayers.

    Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile

    Race 11 is the $750,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile for two year olds. How’s Al Today is the 7 to 2 morning line favorite, followed by Culpable at 9 to 2 and Jas at 6 to 1.

    The race gives emerging juveniles an early chance to show whether they can handle a full mile on turf before the fall championship season develops.

    Why closing day matters

    Kentucky Downs has become one of the richest turf meetings in North America, and the final card again puts major purse money behind three different divisions. For readers following the broader season, the results can also help shape later turf plans into the fall.

    OTB Bet will update confirmed results after the races are official. For broader championship coverage, visit the Major Races hub and the Breeders’ Cup guide.

    Official entries and morning line information are available through Equibase. Kentucky Downs schedule changes and closing day details were also confirmed through the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

  • Saratoga 2026 Closes With More Than $905 Million in Wagering

    Saratoga 2026 Closes With More Than $905 Million in Wagering

    Saratoga Race Course closed its 2026 summer meet with more than $905 million in wagering and paid attendance above 1 million, finishing an unusual three year stretch in which Saratoga also hosted the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival while Belmont Park was being rebuilt.

    The final numbers

    NYRA reported paid attendance of 1,045,373 for the 45 day summer meet and total wagering handle of $905,425,541. Travers Day generated $60,863,320 in wagering, while Whitney Day produced $46,866,128. NYRA said each figure was the second highest in the history of the respective day.

    When the five day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is added, Saratoga hosted 50 days of racing in 2026. Total wagering across those dates reached $1,105,339,004, with paid attendance of 1,149,677.

    Brown and Franco finish on top

    Chad Brown finished the summer with 42 wins, earning his sixth consecutive Saratoga training title and ninth overall. Linda Rice was second with 40 wins, followed by Brad Cox with 23.

    Manny Franco earned his first Saratoga riding title with 73 victories. Flavien Prat finished second with 67 and Jose Ortiz was third with 66. Franco also rode Leading Change to victory in the Travers Stakes and The Good Life in the Hopeful Stakes.

    What comes next in New York

    The focus now moves to Belmont Park, where live racing is scheduled to return on September 18. The Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup will headline opening day and will offer an important late season route toward the Breeders’ Cup.

    For complete official figures and meet honors, see the NYRA final meet report and the NYRA title report.

  • Belmont Park Returns to Racing September 18 With Jockey Club Gold Cup

    Belmont Park Returns to Racing September 18 With Jockey Club Gold Cup

    Belmont Park is set to return to live racing on September 18, 2026, opening a new chapter for New York racing after a multiyear redevelopment of the historic Elmont venue.

    The opening program will be anchored by the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup, a $1 million race over 1 1/4 miles on dirt. NYRA lists first post at 1:30 p.m. Eastern.

    Forever Young and Sovereignty target the opening day feature

    NYRA says Forever Young and Sovereignty are targeting the Jockey Club Gold Cup. The race is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series and offers an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic for an eligible winner.

    Forever Young is preparing for a defense of his Breeders’ Cup Classic title, while Sovereignty enters the fall as one of the leading older dirt horses in the United States. Their expected meeting gives Belmont Park a major sporting centerpiece for its return.

    A rebuilt Belmont Park

    The new Belmont Park includes four newly constructed racing surfaces. NYRA lists a traditional 1 1/2 mile dirt track, two turf courses and a one mile Tapeta oval. The Tapeta surface is also expected to support winter racing and races moved from turf because of weather.

    The fall meet begins September 18 and runs through December 6. Racing is scheduled from Thursday through Sunday after opening weekend.

    Opening weekend stakes

    The Jockey Club Gold Cup is the only stakes race listed for Friday. The $175,000 Floral Park is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, and the $175,000 Forever Together is scheduled for Sunday, September 20.

    The reopening also reconnects several major events with Belmont Park. NYRA has confirmed that the Belmont Stakes returns to its Long Island home in 2027, and Belmont Park will also host the 2027 Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

    For continuing coverage, visit the Major Races center, the Breeders’ Cup guide and the Belmont Stakes guide.

    Image credit: Antony 22 via Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 4.0.

  • Churchill Downs September Meet Opens Thursday, Derby and Oaks Roads Begin Saturday

    Churchill Downs September Meet Opens Thursday, Derby and Oaks Roads Begin Saturday

    Churchill Downs returns to live racing on Thursday, September 10, with the start of its 2026 September Meet. The 14 date stand runs through September 27 and quickly turns toward the next generation of classic hopefuls.

    The key early date is Saturday, September 12. Churchill Downs has designated that card as the kickoff for both the Road to the Kentucky Derby and the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The Iroquois Stakes gives emerging 2 year olds their first opportunity of the season to earn qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby, while the Pocahontas Stakes begins the corresponding points path toward the Kentucky Oaks.

    Why the September meet matters

    The September meet arrives just after the major summer meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar have closed. That timing shifts part of the national focus toward Churchill Downs and the first formal steps toward the 2027 Triple Crown season.

    Saturday’s Iroquois and Pocahontas are especially useful because they offer an early look at horses that may develop into major spring contenders. Churchill Downs lists gates opening at 11:30 a.m. and the first race at 12:45 p.m. for the September 12 program.

    What OTB Bet will be watching

    OTB Bet will focus on confirmed entries, official morning line information, race results, and how the first qualifying points reshape the early Derby and Oaks pictures. Readers can also use the Major Races hub for broader event coverage and the Betting Guides section for wagering basics.

    Image credit: Rosiemeow, Wikimedia Commons. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 4.0.

  • Medoro Wins John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar

    Medoro Wins John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar

    Medoro captured the Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes on Monday, September 7, closing the 2026 Del Mar summer stakes schedule with a victory over Thought Process.

    The $250,000 race was contested at 1 1/8 miles on firm turf. Medoro finished first in 1:47.61, while Thought Process took second and Bojaca Blessing finished third. Baltic Fire completed the first four.

    Medoro returned $8.60 for a $2 win wager. Thought Process entered as the morning line favorite after winning the Grade 1 Gamely at Santa Anita in May, but Medoro denied her on closing day.

    Medoro turns a rematch into a win

    The result carries extra context because Medoro had finished second in the 2025 John C. Mabee. One year later, she returned to the same race and moved into the winner’s position.

    The victory also closes the loop on the OTB Bet John C. Mabee Stakes preview, which identified Thought Process as the leading pre race contender.

    Del Mar’s summer season included several major performances with implications for the fall. Readers can review the Pacific Classic hub for Knightsbridge’s signature summer win, along with OTB Bet’s Breeders’ Cup hub as attention turns toward Keeneland in October.

    Primary reporting source: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club official results. Editorial image: Mathias Reding via Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.

  • Early Encore Wins I’m Smokin Stakes on Del Mar Closing Day

    Early Encore Wins I’m Smokin Stakes on Del Mar Closing Day

    Early Encore won the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes on Monday, September 7, giving Del Mar a confirmed juvenile stakes result on the final day of the 2026 summer meet.

    The 2 year old colt finished first over Net Par in the six furlong dirt sprint, stopping the clock in 1:11.32 on a fast track. Cupid Cowboy finished third, followed by Empire of Ash.

    Early Encore returned $3.80 for a $2 win wager. Net Par, who entered the race seeking a third victory at the meet, settled for second after winning both a maiden race and the Graduation Stakes earlier in the summer.

    A useful closing day result

    The I’m Smokin was the final juvenile stakes race of the Del Mar summer season. That gives the result added relevance as trainers begin mapping fall plans for California based 2 year olds.

    For readers who followed the race before post time, the result completes the story from the OTB Bet I’m Smokin Stakes preview. The race also adds another piece to a closing weekend that included Hughes in the Del Mar Futurity and Miss Monica in the Del Mar Debutante.

    Del Mar racing resumes with the Bing Crosby season in November. Until then, the West Coast focus shifts toward Santa Anita and the major fall championship path.

    Primary reporting source: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club official results. Editorial image: Cauã Cardoso via Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.

  • Scramjet and Siyouincanada Close Saratoga With Stakes Wins

    Scramjet and Siyouincanada Close Saratoga With Stakes Wins

    Saratoga closed its 2026 summer meet on Monday, September 7 with two stakes races that produced clear winners and useful clues for the fall. Scramjet remained unbeaten in the Funny Cide, while Siyouincanada controlled the Gio Ponti from the start and finished the meet with his first stakes victory.

    Scramjet stays perfect in the Funny Cide

    Scramjet won the $200,000 Funny Cide by two lengths for trainer Linda Rice and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. The 2 year old colt stalked the early pace before taking control in the stretch and completing six furlongs in 1:10.15.

    Professor Plum finished second and Fullcup was third. The result moved Scramjet to two wins from two starts and gave him another positive step after his Saratoga maiden victory in August.

    Rice indicated after the race that Scramjet may appreciate more distance as he develops. That makes his next placement worth watching as juvenile racing shifts from summer sprints toward longer fall tests.

    Siyouincanada controls the Gio Ponti

    Siyouincanada finished Saratoga stakes action with a front running victory in the $200,000 Gio Ponti. Kendrick Carmouche sent him to the lead from the start, then allowed him to settle into a comfortable rhythm before the colt pulled clear in the stretch.

    The Joe Sharp trainee won by 2 1/4 lengths and completed one mile on firm inner turf in 1:34.71. Third Coast finished second, while Glavine closed for third.

    Siyouincanada entered the race after finishing third against older horses in an allowance at Saratoga on August 6. Back against 3 year olds, he converted a favorable pace setup into a decisive result and improved his record to two wins from four starts.

    What the closing day results mean

    The two winners leave Saratoga with different profiles. Scramjet is an unbeaten New York bred juvenile whose connections can now consider longer races. Siyouincanada is a developing turf colt who showed that he can be dangerous when allowed to control the pace.

    The results also complete the stakes picture from the OTB Bet Saratoga closing day preview. For broader coverage of the summer meet, readers can also review The Good Life in the Hopeful Stakes and Mashallah in the Prioress.

    New York racing now turns toward the return to Belmont Park, where the Jockey Club Gold Cup is scheduled for September 18 and carries a Breeders’ Cup Classic berth.

    Primary reporting source: New York Racing Association. Editorial image: Jin Woo Lee via Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.

  • I’m Smokin Stakes Preview: Net Par Chases Third Straight Del Mar Win

    I’m Smokin Stakes Preview: Net Par Chases Third Straight Del Mar Win

    Del Mar closes its 2026 summer meet Monday with one last juvenile stakes test, and the horse with the clearest local momentum is Net Par.

    The $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes is a six furlong sprint for California bred 2 year olds. Seven runners are entered, with Net Par listed at 8 to 5 on the morning line and Early Encore at 9 to 5.

    Why Net Par is the horse to catch

    Net Par has already won twice at Del Mar this summer. He broke his maiden by 7 3/4 lengths, then showed a different dimension when he came from off the pace to win the Graduation Stakes by a nose. That versatility is the main reason he enters the I’m Smokin as the morning line favorite.

    Trainer Antonio Garcia keeps Juan Hernandez aboard. The pair will break from post 6, directly inside Early Encore in post 7.

    The field and the pace question

    The field of seven is Little King, Prime Splash, Cupid Cowboy, Fumano’s Fire, Empire of Ash, Net Par and Early Encore. Fumano’s Fire is expected to bring speed, which could give the race a more honest early tempo and create opportunities for runners who can settle just behind the first flight.

    Cupid Cowboy is another recent Del Mar maiden winner, while Little King was only a neck behind him in that race. That gives the supporting cast enough recent form to make this more than a contest between two horses on paper.

    When the I’m Smokin runs

    The I’m Smokin is Race 6 on Del Mar’s closing day program, with an approximate post time of 4 p.m. local time. First post for the card of 11 races is 1:30 p.m.

    For the other major race on the card, see our John C. Mabee Stakes preview. You can also follow the broader championship picture in the OTB Bet Race Center.

    Featured photo: Taylor Sondgeroth via Unsplash.