Mike Smith

Joined: Jun 11, 2025

An avid horse racing fan and bettor, Michael Smith has developed a career in horse racing media as an editor and writer. A regular at Saratoga Race Course, Michael mainly covers New York racing but follows various other racing across the country and world.

Forever Young held off Sierra Leone to win Saturday's $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.

Analysis

The filly Minnie Hauk will take on males in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar. Minnie Hauk is coming off a narrow second-place finish in the Arc de Triomphe in France.

Rhetorical, trained by William Walden, exercises in preparation for the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California on October 28, 2025.

Analysis

New York-bred Rhetorical takes on a tough field in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar. Last out, Rhetorical won the Grade 1 Turf Mile at Keeneland for trainer Will Walden.

American Stage, trained by Yoshito Yahagi, exercises in preparation for the Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California on October 28, 2025.

Analysis

The Breeders' Cup Sprint drew an eclectic field that features plenty of Grade 1 firepower but Japanese runner American Stage could pull off a shocker Saturday at Del Mar.

Ted Noffey, trained by Todd A. Pletcher, exercises in preparation for the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California on October 27, 2025.

Analysis

Ted Noffey, the 4-5 favorite, will square off with Brant in Friday's headliner, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Both horses are undefeated and get their toughest test Friday.

Gstaad, trained by Aidan P. O'Brien, exercises in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California on October 28, 2025.

Analysis

Looking for a record-extending eighth win in Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, trainer Aidan O'Brien sends out favored Gstaad from post 13.

True Love, trained by Aidan P. O'Brien, exercises in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California on October 28, 2025.

Analysis

Friday's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint kicks off the two-day action. The five-furlong Sprint drew a jammed-pack field of 12 2-year-olds.

Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy walks towards the pagoda before the start of Carb Day practice, Friday, May 28, 2021, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Analysis

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy took to X on Sunday to present somewhat of a call to action against the rampant computer-assistant wagering manipulation in pari-mutuel pools.

Trainer Brad Cox working at his stable on April 17, 2024. The Louisville native has two contenders for the Kentucky Derby in Louisiana Derby winner Catching Freedom and Blue Grass Stakes runner-up Just a Touch. Encino, winner of April 13, 2024 Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, could be a third contender.

Analysis

Trainer Brad Cox sends out the pair of Fionn and Destino d'Oro in Saturday's Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II at Keeneland.

Nov 2, 2024; Del Mar, CA, USA; Thorpedo Anna ridden by Brian Hernandez wins the Distaff ridden by Rossa Ryan during the 2024 Breeders' Cup Championship at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

Analysis

Thorpedo Anna, the reigning Horse of the Year, meets Nitrogen in Sunday's Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland.

Ted Noffey (middle) was a dominant winner of the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga.

Analysis

Ted Noffey, winner of the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga, will try to stretch out in Saturday's Grade 1, $650,000 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland.

It's Our Time was an impressive maiden winner for trainer Tom Amoss during the summer meet at Saratoga.

Analysis

Off a 17 3/4-length maiden victory at Saratoga, It's Our Time is favored in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct.

Jun 2, 2025; Saratoga, NY, USA; Baeza trains on the Oklahoma Track in Saratoga Race Course.

Analysis

Baeza is set as the 2-1 morning-line favorite to score a breakthrough victory in Saturday's Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx.

Mike Smith

Joined: Jun 11, 2025

Forever Young holds off Sierra Leone for historic Breeders' Cup Classic victory

Expert picks for each of Saturday's Breeders' Cup races

Expert picks for each of Friday's Breeders' Cup races

Even without Sovereignty, the Breeders' Cup Classic stacked with star power

Analysis

Minnie Hauk battles the boys in Breeders' Cup Turf

Analysis

Rhetorical faces toughest test yet in Breeders' Cup Mile

Analysis

Watch out for longshot Japanese runner American Stage in Breeders' Cup Sprint

Analysis

Breeders' Cup Juvenile a battle of East vs. West with Ted Noffey and Brant

Analysis

Gstaad gets tough draw as O'Brien eyes another win in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Analysis

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint kicks off the action with packed starting gate

Analysis

Is Portnoy the Spartacus that horseplayers need in the war against CAWs?

Analysis

Cox counters favored Laurelin with Fionn and Destino d'Oro in Queen Elizabeth II

Thorpedo Anna squares off with Nitrogen in Spinster

Ted Noffey the clear one to beat in Breeders' Futurity

It's Our Time brings the hype into Champagne Stakes

Baeza favored for breakthrough victory in Pennsylvania Derby