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 race for this week: the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.

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Dan Cronin

Horse Racing Handicapper, NHC Qualifier

$250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes

1. So Alive

2. Well Defined

3. Counter Offer

Winning Top Choice: 3/5

Exacta Earnings: $65.20

Trifecta Earnings: $0

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Megan Devine

TVG On-Air Host and Analyst

$250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes

1. So Alive

2. Five Star General

3. Kentucky Wildcat

Alternate: Counter Offer

Winning Top Choice: 1/5

Exacta Earnings: $87.00

Trifecta Earnings: $210.40

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Emily Gullikson

OptixEQ, Tournament Handicapper

$250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes

1. Cave Run

2. So Alive

3. Five Star General

Alternate: Kentucky Wildcat

Winning Top Choice: 0/5

Exacta Earnings: $4.80

Trifecta Earnings: $0

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Candice Hare

TVG On-Air Host and Analyst

$250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes

1. Kentucky Wildcat

2. Five Star General

3. Still Dreaming

Alternate: Cave Run

Winning Top Choice: 3/5

Exacta Earnings: $4.80

Trifecta Earnings: $0

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Mike McCormick

Horse Racing Writer, Handicapper

$250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes

1. Kentucky Wildcat

2. So Alive

3. Still Dreaming

Alternate: Knicks Go

Winning Top Choice: 2/5

Exacta Earnings: $4.80

Trifecta Earnings: $14.80

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Nicolle Neulist

Arlington Park Chart Caller and Freelance Writer

$250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes

1. So Alive

2. Cave Run

3. Knicks Go

Alternate: Kentucky Wildcat

Winning Top Choice: 3/5

Exacta Earnings: $4.80

Trifecta Earnings: $14.80

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Dan Tordjman

Correspondent and Handicapper for America's Best Racing

$250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes

1. Still Dreaming

2. So Alive

3. Kentucky Wildcat

Alternate: Knicks Go

Winning Top Choice: 1/5

Exacta Earnings: $65.20

Trifecta Earnings: $0

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Brian Zipse

Derby Day Racing Managing Partner 

$250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes

1. So Alive

2. Five Star General

3. Kentucky Wildcat

Alternate: Counter Offer

Winning Top Choice: 2/5

Exacta Earnings: $4.80

Trifecta Earnings: $14.80