For the third year in a row, 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 every weekend leading up to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, beginning with the $9 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 26. The handicappers face off in what we like to call “Big-Race Showdown.”

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 $2 exacta and $2 trifecta box bets of each player’s top three selections. We will also be keeping track of which player correctly selects the most winners. Your 2019 players are Dan Cronin, Megan Devine, Emily Gullikson, Candice Hare, Mike McCormick, Nicolle Neulist, Dan Tordjman, and Brian Zipse.

Our featured races this week are the $1.25-million Longines Kentucky Oaks on May 3 at Churchill Downs and the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on May 4, also at Churchill Downs. Watch the Kentucky Oaks from 5 - 6:30 p.m. ET Friday on NBCSN and the Kentucky Derby Saturday on NBC from 2:30 - 7:30 p.m. ET.

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Dan Cronin

Horse Racing Handicapper, NHC Qualifier

$1.25-million Longines Kentucky Oaks

1. Lady Apple

2. Street Band

3. Positive Spirit

Alternate: Chocolate Kisses

$3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

1. Game Winner

2. Improbable

3. Roadster

Alternate: By My Standards

Winning Top Choice: 5/23

Exacta Earnings: $256.40

Trifecta Earnings: $434.88

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Megan Devine

TVG On-Air Host and Analyst

$1.25-million Longines Kentucky Oaks

1. Street Band

2. Bellafina 

3. Champagne Anyone

Alternate: Chocolate Kisses

$3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

1. Improbable

2. Game Winner

3. By My Standards

Alternate: War of Will

Winning Top Choice: 4/23

Exacta Earnings: $232.40

Trifecta Earnings: $587.08

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Emily Gullikson

OptixEQ, Tournament Handicapper

$1.25-million Longines Kentucky Oaks

1. Positive Spirit

2. Chocolate Kisses

3. Champagne Anyone

Alternate: Out for a Spin

$3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

1. Win Win Win

2. Code of Honor

3. Cutting Humor

Alternate: Country House

Winning Top Choice: 1/23

Exacta Earnings: $85.00

Trifecta Earnings: $0

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Mike McCormick

Horse Racing Writer, Handicapper

$1.25-million Longines Kentucky Oaks

1. Restless Rider

2. Bellafina 

3. Lady Apple

Alternate: Street Band

$3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

1. Tacitus

2. By My Standards

3. Improbable

Winning Top Choice: 5/23

Exacta Earnings: $118.80

Trifecta Earnings: $38.40

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Nicolle Neulist

Arlington Park Chart Caller and Freelance Writer

$1.25-million Longines Kentucky Oaks

1. Restless Rider

2. Street Band

3. Bellafina 

Alternate: Chocolate Kisses

$3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

1. Roadster

2. Maximum Security

3. Tacitus

Alternate: Tax

Winning Top Choice: 7/23

Exacta Earnings: $345.60

Trifecta Earnings: $752.68

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Dan Tordjman

Correspondent and Handicapper for America's Best Racing

$1.25-million Longines Kentucky Oaks

1. Serengeti Empress

2. Chocolate Kisses

3. Restless Rider

Alternate: Lady Apple

$3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

1. Game Winner

2. Improbable

3. Country House

Alternate: Win Win Win

Winning Top Choice: 2/23

Exacta Earnings: $80.20

Trifecta Earnings: $69.80

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Brian Zipse

Derby Day Racing Managing Partner 

$1.25-million Longines Kentucky Oaks

1. Champagne Anyone

2. Bellafina 

3. Chocolate Kisses

Alternate: Lady Apple

$3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

1. Tacitus

2. Game Winner

3. Code of Honor

Alternate: Improbable

Winning Top Choice: 2/23

Exacta Earnings: $96.00

Trifecta Earnings: $183.00