Saturday’s $2 million Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets boasts a long and rich history. The third leg of the Triple Crown dates back to 1867, and analyzing the last 20-30 years of results can help us identify the most likely winner of the 2026 edition.
Every Sunday Noel Michaels will provide free full-card picks for a one racecard in North America. A veteran handicapper and tournament-play pioneer, Michaels also writes a weekly “Weekend Winners” blog for America’s Best Racing with a focus on key stakes races at marquee tracks. This feature will be straight-forward: full-card picks for one Sunday slate of races of his choosing.
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.
Saturday’s seventh edition of the $300,000 Shawnee Stakes is one of six graded stakes races on Stephen Foster Preview Day at Churchill Downs. The Grade 2 race drew a field of seven older fillies and mares.
