The 13th running of the $3 million 1/ST Bet Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes at Kentucky Downs, one of the richest races in North America, drew a full field of a dozen 3-year-old males.
Welcome to Noel Michaels’ Weekend Winners, the place to go for weekend best bets and spot plays from veteran handicapper and tournament-play pioneer Noel Michaels. Check back every week for a couple of highlighted selections designed to help you cash a few bets and make some money.
Eight talented 2-year-old Thoroughbreds will face off in Sunday’s $300,000 Spendthrift Farm Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, a historic Grade 1 race with an impressive roster of recent winners.
Kentucky Downs is the place for American turf racing on a European style course. It’s also the home of huge purses. Saturday’s loaded card offers large fields of good turf horses looking to cash in.
The brief Kentucky Downs all-turf meet is underway, and the fourth card of seven total for 2026 stands as the high point with five graded stakes scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5. Two of the stakes are “Win and You’re In” qualifying races for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland, including the focus of this column.
