Horse racing’s second season – the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series and the run-up to the world championships of horse racing at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2 and 3 – is underway! That means there’s great racing action nearly every weekend from here on out. America’s Best Racing is challenging some of the brightest minds in horse betting to come up with their top three picks for key races leading up to the Breeders’ Cup.

The players' picks will be posted here and a running bankroll will be kept to track their success all year long. Bankrolls will be tabulated on the basis of a $2 win bet on top selections and $2 exacta and $2 trifecta box bets of each player’s top three selections. Check next week's Big Race Showdown to find out how the players fared in this inaugural round. Your players are Eric Bialek, Emily Gullikson, Candice Hare, Nicolle Neulist, Dan Tordjman, and Brian Zipse.

Let’s take a look at the players’ picks for this week’s races:  the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In” race for the 2018 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf; and the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar, a Challenge Series “Win and You’re In” qualifying event for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

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Eric Bialek

National Handicapping Championship Qualifier

$250,000 Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association

1. Cashman

2. Kenjisstorm

3. Fashion Business

Alternate: Itsinthepost

$1 million TVG Pacific Classic

1. Accelerate

2. Roman Rosso

3. The Lieutenant

Alternate: Pavel

Top Selection: 7/11

Exacta Winnings: $143.10

Trifecta Winnings: $18.80

Total Winnings: $161.90

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Emily Gullikson

OptixEQ, Tournament Handicapper

$250,000 Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association

1. Itsinthepost

2. Whoop Whoop

3. Ashleyluvssugar

Alternate: Flamboyant

$1 million TVG Pacific Classic

1. Beach View

2. Accelerate

3. Roman Rosso

Alternate: The Lieutenant

Top Selection: 3/11

Exacta Winnings: $65.00

Trifecta Winnings: $0

Total Winnings: $65.00

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Candice Hare

TVG On-Air Host and Analyst

$250,000 Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association

1. Unapologetic

2. Multiplier

3. Itsinthepost

Alternate: Kenjisstorm

$1 million TVG Pacific Classic

1. Accelerate

2. Prime Attraction

3. Pavel

Alternate: Roman Rosso

Top Selection: 3/11

Exacta Winnings: $63.80

Trifecta Winnings: $0

Total Winnings: $63.80

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Nicolle Neulist

Chart Caller and Freelance Writer

$250,000 Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association

1. Multiplier

2. Unapologetic

3. Ashleyluvssugar

Alternate: Itsinthepost

$1 million TVG Pacific Classic

1. The Lieutenant

2. Accelerate

3. Dr. Dorr

Alternate: Prime Attraction

Top Selection: 3/11

Exacta Winnings: $128.60

Trifecta Winnings: $61.46

Total Winnings: $190.06

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Dan Tordjman

Video Correspondent and Handicapper for America's Best Racing

$250,000 Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association

1. Fashion Business

2. Ashleyluvssugar

3. Itsinthepost

Alternate: Kenjisstorm

$1 million TVG Pacific Classic

1. Accelerate

2. Dr. Dorr

3. Beach View

Alternate: Prime Attraction

Top Selection: 3/11

Exacta Winnings: $183.80

Trifecta Winnings: $0

Total Winnings: $183.80

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Brian Zipse

Derby Day Racing Managing Partner

$250,000 Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association

1. Fashion Business

2. Itsinthepost

3. Cashman

Alternate: Kenjisstorm

$1 million TVG Pacific Classic

1. Accelerate

2. The Lieutenant

3. Pavel

Alternate: Roman Rosso

Top Selection: 4/11

Exacta Winnings: $46.90

Trifecta Winnings: $36.20

Total Winnings: $83.10