When it comes to betting on horse racing, understanding the factors that affect the odds is key to making informed wagers.

Horse racing odds are influenced by a variety of elements that can change quickly, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with the Horse Racing News and insights.

Some of the primary factors include:

1. Horse Form and Performance:
   A horse’s recent performance, race history, and consistency will heavily impact its odds.
   Horses that have been winning or performing well in recent races typically have lower odds, indicating they are more likely to win.

2. Jockey and Trainer Influence:
   The reputation and skill of the jockey and trainer also play a major role in the odds.
   A highly skilled jockey or trainer often leads to shorter odds, as bettors trust their expertise.

3. Track Conditions:
   Weather, track surface, and other environmental conditions can change the dynamics of a race.
   Wet or muddy tracks may benefit certain horses while disadvantaging others, which in turn alters the odds.

4. Betting Volume:
   The amount of money wagered on each horse can also influence the odds.
   As more money pours in on a particular horse, the odds will shorten, reflecting a larger number of bettors’ confidence in that selection.

5. Post Position and Race Strategy:
   The starting position of a horse, or post position, can impact its chances of winning. Horses starting closer to the inside rail often have better chances, and odds may adjust based on where they are placed.

To get the best betting lines and up-to-the-minute horse racing odds, make sure to follow the latest sports news and track changes that could affect the race outcome. With free horse racing lines and expert analysis, you can make smarter bets on every race this weekend.

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Previous Betting News

If you’re looking for exciting horse racing in January, you’re in for a treat this weekend, as some of the top tracks like Santa Anita, Gulfstream, and Aqueduct are back in action with a lineup of thrilling Grade stakes events. Although there aren’t many graded stakes on the calendar, the thoroughbred racing scene is heating up as we head into 2025. From the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct to Gulfstream’s Mucho Macho Man Stakes and Oaklawn’s Smarty Jones Stakes, there’s no shortage of action to bet on, especially with enticing purses and the early buzz for three-year-old contenders.

Weekend Horse Racing for Top January Grade Stakes to Start the Year
Saddle Up for Success: The Best Horse Racing Bets to Start 2025 Strong

January’s Top Stakes Races: First Weekend Action| Saturday, January 4th, 2025
Aqueduct Race Track, Oaklawn Park, Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park

Betting Horse Racing in January: Top Stakes Races for the Weekend

Santa Anita is back. So is Gulfstream and so is Aqueduct, which means although there aren’t many graded stakes, the thoroughbred racing action is fantastic heading into 2025.

The Jerome Stakes takes place at Aqueduct followed by the Mucho Macho Man at Gulfstream.

Oaklawn Park hosts their first three-year-old event of the season, the Smarty Jones Stakes for a massive $250,000 purse.

Check out more info on this weekend’s top stakes races so that when horse racing odds land, you’re ready.

Writer’s Picks on the Top Stakes Happenning this Weekend

Jerome Stakes

1 mile dirt – 3 year olds
Saturday, January 4th, 2024
Aqueduct Race Track

Eight are likely to go in the Jerome.

Richard Dutrow trained Ican will lead the betting charge.

Dutrow never sends a horse to the track unless it’s ready to win.

RD also has another entrant in McAfee.

Enduring Spirit and Mansetti could upset the Dutro runners.

Pay attention to the action on Georgia Magic, Studleydoright, and Omaha Omaha.

Action will tell us if they’ve got a shot.

Bet Jerome Stakes: Aqueduct Park

Mucho Macho Man Stakes

1 mile dirt – 3 year olds
Saturday, January 4th, 2024
Gulfstream Park

The top trainers at Gulfstream will enter runners for this weekend’s Mucho Macho Man Stakes.

No doubt, Todd Pletcher trained Candytown is going to attract action.

Mark Casse has a couple in Classy War and Souper Times.

Chad Brown puts the saddle on Aussie Brown and Bill Mott will run Buzz Rocket.

If you can make a case for any of the others, Brian Lynch trained Gates Pond has the look of a possible upsetter, do so because the odds should be nice.

Bet Mucho Macho Man Stakes: Gulfstream Park

Smarty Jones Stakes

1 1/16 miles dirt – 3 year olds
Saturday, January 4th, 2024
Oaklawn Park

The Smarty Jones should be a graded race considering the half a million dollar purse.

In any case, the field will be short on entrants but not short on talent.

Peter Miller trained Kale’s Angel is the 2/1 morning line second choice.

The favorite is 8/5 Hot Property trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Flavien Prat.

Coal Battle is the 9/2 third choice followed by fourth choice on the morning line Mo Quality.

Beating Kale’s Angel and Hot Property will be the key to scoring a nice payout on the Smarty Jones.

Bet Smarty Jones Stakes: Oaklawn Park

Grade 3 Las Flores Stakes

6 furlongs dirt – 4 year old fillies and up
Saturday, January 4th, 2024
Santa Anita Park

Both graded races happen at Santa Anita Park.

Let’s start with the Grade 2 Las Flores.

As you might expect Bob Baffert will be well represented in this.

Baffert starts two, Pleasant, which might go off the chalk, and Richi.

Richard Mandell trained Wine On Tap will have her fans even though she was terrible in the Autumn Miss in the last.

Anywho, Pushiness, and Don’t Bring Crazy have legit chances.

Bet Las Flores Stakes: Santa Anita Park

Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes

7 furlongs dirt – 3 year olds
Saturday, January 4th, 2024
Santa Anita Park

The Grade 2 San Vicente is the first true Triple Crown prep on the West Coast, which is why Bob Baffert considered entering one of his top three year olds.

Baffert did decide to go with Barnes.

Tim Yakteen should have the favorite in McKinzie Street.

Barnes will go off second because of Baffert followed by Romanesque, another Bob entrant.

Bullard and Smoothcruisen will also run.

Bet San Vicente Stakes: Santa Anita Park

Horse Races this Weekend | Bet the Horses MyBookie Betting Lines for the Races

Win Big with MyBookie’s Horse Racing in January

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Sign up today, and make sure you’re ready to bet on the action as the odds come in.

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Previous Betting News

The Fair Grounds officially kicks off the Road to the Kentucky Derby in the United States on Saturday when the New Orleans based track runs the Grade 3 Lecomte. On the same card, the Fair Grounds runs the Grade 3 Louisiana Derby. Then over at Santa Anita, it’s the Grade 3 La Canada.

Keep reading for more info on those three races as well as two other fantastic thoroughbred events happening on Saturday, January 20, plus MyBookie offers the online racebook lines for each top race.

Betting Top Horse Races in Aqueduct, Fair Grounds & Santa Anita this Weekend | MyBookie Horse Racing Preview

January’s Top Stakes Races: Saturday, January 20th, 2024

Interborough Stakes

7 furlongs dirt – 4 year old fillies and mares
Saturday, January 20th, 2024
Aqueduct Racetrack, Queens, New York

After four straight runnings of the Interborough, the Big A skipped the race in 2022. But in 2023, Aqueduct was back at it. The Interborough is often a key early season event for trainers to get an idea of how their older fillies and mares handle the 7 furlong Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint distance.

Horseplayers should expect at least one runner from the Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown barns. Richard Dutrow is also likely to enter a horse. Entries draw in Thursday. So keep the eyes open.

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Silverbulletday Stakes

1 mile and 70 yards dirt – 3 year old fillies
Saturday, January 20th, 2024
Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana

Bob Baffert trained Silverbulletday was one of the top fillies to race in the late 1990’s. The now 28-year-old was so good that Baffert entered her in the Belmont Stakes.

Horseplayers should expect at least eight to head to the gate on Saturday. Of the eight, West Omaha, trained by Brad Cox, projects as the chalk. The West Coast sired runner finished second to Alpine in the Untapable in the last.

Miss Code West, Ma Rae’s Girl, Sistine Chapel, and Steve Asmussen Perfect Shot should also attract action. Look for Rob Atras runner Play Good Pay Good as a possible overlay.  

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Louisiana Stakes | Grade 3

1 1/16 miles dirt – 4 year olds & up
Saturday, January 20th, 2024
Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana

Red Route One, Saudi Crown, and Smile Happy should have their competition over a barrel. Of the three, no doubt, the money is going to go to Saudi Crown.

The Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby winner had no shot in the Breeders Cup Classic. The Classic is at 1 ¼ miles, though, and this is at 1 1/16 miles. Crown should excel at this distance and Brad Cox doesn’t run them unless they can win.

Happy American, Five Star General, Confidence Game, and Kapuna should also break from the gate.  

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Lecomte Stakes | Grade 3

1 1/16 miles dirt – 3 year olds
Saturday, January 20th, 2024
Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana

Brad Cox puts the saddle on Godolphin owned Nash, a Medaglia D’Oro sired runner. Nash finished third in the Gun Runner in the last. Cox’s other runner, Ethan Energy, also has a chance. The Uncle Mo sired equine improved big time in the second lifetime start.

Can Group, Tizzy Indy, and Next Level will attract money. Steve Asmussen trained Track Phantom could challenge Nash for favoritism while Cox’s third runner, Awesome Road, will hit the board with improvement.

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La Canada Stakes | Grade 3

1 1/16 miles dirt – 4 year old fillies
Saturday, January 20th, 2024
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California

Bob Baffert trained, and Grade 3 Bayakoa winner Midnight Memories will go off the favorite. The Mike Pegram owned runner won the Grade 3 Torrey Pines and the Grade 2 Zenyatta Stakes last year.

Coffee In Bed, a Richard Mandella trainee, and Desert Dawn, from the Phil D’Amato barn, should go off second and third choices. Doinitthehardway, another Baffert filly, and D’Amato trained Cliquish will also attract action. Big Pond, second in the Grade 1 La Brea in the last, could get lost in the betting and might go off an attractive long shot.    

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Previous Betting News

Betting Top Horse Races in Aqueduct & Santa Anita this Weekend | MyBookie Horse Racing Preview

January’s Top Stakes Races: Saturday, January 13th – Sunday, January 14th, 2024

No graded stakes races this weekend, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any thoroughbred stakes action this weekend.

On Saturday, it’s California Cup Day at Santa Anita. Check out more info for the Cal Cup Derby and Cal Cup Oaks.

Also see more info for the Busanda Stakes for 3 year old fillies at Aqueduct. Then on Sunday, it’s the Grade 3 La Cienega at Santa Anita.

Check out more info for the Aqueduct and Santa Anita races happening on Saturday and Sunday, plus MyBookie offers the online racebook lines for each top race.

Busanda Stakes

9 furlongs dirt – 3 year old fillies
Saturday, January 13th, 2024
Aqueduct Racetrack, Queens, New York

No doubt, Todd Pletcher will send out the chalk in Class Act. The Street Sense sired miss broke the maiden at this distance in the last.

Brad Cox trained Gin Gin and Shimmering Allure, from the Kenny McPeek barn, will also attract action. Mike Maker has a contender in My Mane Squeeze and Bill Mott puts the saddle on Most of All

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Don Valpredo California Cup Sprint

6 furlongs dirt – 4 year olds and up
Saturday, January 13th, 2024
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California

Don’t be surprised if veteran Brickyard Ride enters. Brickyard Ride, a Clubhouse Ride sired 7 year old, won the Cal Cup Sprint in 2022 and 2021.

The Chosen Vron broke Brickyard Ride’s California Cup Sprint winning streak. The Chosen Vron remains active. So the defending champ is also likely to enter. Big City Light and Resilient, the second and third place finishers in this, may also give it another go.

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California Cup Oaks

8 furlongs turf – 3 year old fillies
Saturday, January 13th, 2024
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California

Expected a full field for this year’s running of the Cal Cup Oaks. Mike McCarthy trained Sushi Sticks is on the improve after finishing third in the Gold Rush in December.

Doug O’Neil trained Recalcitrant should bounce back form a ninth place finish in the Golden State Juvenile Fillies. Recalcitrant has some talent evidenced by the second and first place finishers in her first two races.

Peter Miller has a contender in Madison Rae. Craig Lewis will saddle three: Quick Kate, Warren’s Wild Ride, and Asada Fries.

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California Cup Derby

8.5 furlongs dirt – 3 year olds
Saturday, January 13th, 2024
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California

So far, connections for 6 runners have committed to the Cal Cup Derby. Last Call London, from the Peter Miller barn, won the King Glorious in the last. Expect London to go off the chalk.

Steve Knapp will saddle two in Mici’s Express and Mr. Suds. Stolen Treasure, Wild Jewels, and Gentleman’s Club are the other three.

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La Cienega Stakes | Grade 3

6 ½ furlongs turf – 4 year old fillies and mares
Sunday, January 14th, 2024
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California

Bob Baffert trained Fast And Shiny will attract a lot of action. So will Steve Asmussen’s runner, Benedict Canyon.

Phil D’Amato has a couple of contenders in Elm Drive and Honey Pants. Wakanaka, Kissed by Fire, Nadette, Anthony’s Cleopatra, and Gracelund Gray are 5 other contenders.

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Previous Betting News

Betting Top Horse Races: Aqueduct, Gulfstream & Santa Anita Top Stakes | MyBookie Horse Racing Preview

January’s Top Stakes Races: Saturday, January 6th – Sunday, January 7th, 2024

Only a couple of graded races happen this weekend. Both graded races take place at Santa Anita Park. On Saturday, the Great Race Place runs the Grade 2 San Vicente.

Then on Sunday, Santa Anita runs the Grade 3 Santa Ynez. But even though there are just two graded races this weekend, it doesn’t mean there are no quality stakes events.

Check out more info for the San Vicente, Santa Ynez, and three other fantastic stakes races happening on Saturday and Sunday, plus MyBookie offers the online racebook lines for each top race.

Jerome Stakes

8 furlongs over dirt – 3 year olds
Saturday, January 6th, 2024
Aqueduct Racetrack, Queens, New York

The first prep for the Grade 1 Wood Memorial in early spring is a showcase of newly turned 3-year-olds. Todd Pletcher trained Khanata, no doubt, will go off the favorite.

Linda Rice, who had a fantastic Aqueduct meet last year, puts the saddle on likely second choice El Grande O. Because Brittany Russell trains Regalo, that one will also attract action. Sweet Shoddy J and Drum Roll Please are a couple of others that will break from the gate.

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Ladies Stakes

9 furlongs over dirt – 4 years up fillies & mares
Saturday, January 6th, 2024
Aqueduct Racetrack, Queens, New York

Christophe Clement, Todd Pletcher, Brittany Russell, and Brad Cox will saddle fillies and mares in the Ladies Stakes. Cox’s runner, Comparative, should get plenty of action.

Pletcher tends to get his fillies going later in the year, but that won’t stop horseplayers from backing She’s Mo Bubbly. Evidencias goes for Clement and Russell trains Saddle Up Jessie.

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Dania Beach Stakes

8 furlongs over turf – 3 year olds
Saturday, January 6th, 2024
Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida

Todd Pletcher trained Agate Road drew post position 10, which means the Pletcher runner isn’t likely to go off the favorite. That chalk moniker should fall on Claude McGaughey trained Frontline Warrior.

Shug doesn’t enter them unless he thinks he can win. So Frontline Warrior will be one to watch.

Graham Motion trained Edgartown and Reminder from the Jose D’Angelo barn are a couple of others that will garner betting dollars. Typhoon Fury, Depiction, and Palm Tree hail from capable barns.

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San Vicente Stakes | Grade 2

7 furlongs dirt – 3 year olds
Saturday, January 6th, 2024
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California

Santa Anita’s first Kentucky Derby prep of the year pits a couple of Bob Baffert runners against a Richard Mandella and a Tim Yakteen. Mandella’s horse is Boltage.

Yakteen puts the saddle on Moonlit Sonata, which broke the maiden at first asking at Del Mar in November. Baffert’s runners are Breeders’ Cup Juvenile second place finisher Muth and last out maiden winner Pilot Commander. For sure, Muth will break from the gate the chalk.

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Santa Ynez Stakes | Grade 3

7 furlongs dirt – 3 year old fillies
Sunday, January 7th, 2024
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, California

Mandella trained Kopion, an Omaha Beach sired miss, could go off the favorite in the Grade 3 Santa Ynez. Doug O’Neill saddles a couple that will challenge Kopion for favoritism, Bossy Bruin Gal, and Don’t Bring Crazy.

Bob Baffert runner Nothing Like You won the Grade 1 Starlet in the last. But the Starlet goes at Los Alamitos. Horses don’t always transfer their form from Los Al to Santa Anita. So the Baffert runner may offer a price.

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