Whether it’s the run up to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands or the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, there’s great racing action nearly every weekend of the year. Starting this year, 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 Derby and the Breeders’ Cup.

On Saturday, the United Arab Emirates Derby Sponsored by the S&M Al Naboodah Group is the first Kentucky Derby prep race to offer 100 points to the winner. Held in Dubai at Meydan Racecourse, the 1,900-meter (about 1 3/16-mile) race is scheduled for 9:25 a.m. ET. Later Saturday, the JACK Cincinnati Casino Spiral Stakes, a Grade 3 Road to the Kentucky Derby points race at Turfway Park that awards 50 points to the victor, is scheduled for 5:55 p.m. ET. TVG will televise  both races.

The player’s 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. Your players are Eric Bialek, Acacia Courtney, C.J. Johnsen, Bryan Simpkins, Dan Tordjman.

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Eric Bialek (VIEW BIO)

National Handicapping Championship Qualifier

$2 million United Arab Emirates Derby Sponsored by the S&M Al Naboodah Group

1. Epicharis

2. He Runs Away

3. Thunder Snow

$500,000 JACK Cincinnati Casino Spiral Stakes

1. Convict Pike

2. Giant Payday

3. Parlor

Top Selection Winners: 5/13

Exacta Winnings: $182.80

Trifecta Winnings: $269.50

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Acacia Courtney (VIEW BIO)

TV Analyst/Host for Gulfstream Park

$2 million United Arab Emirates Derby Sponsored by the S&M Al Naboodah Group

1. Epicharis

2. Thunder Snow

3. Fly At Dawn

$500,000 JACK Cincinnati Casino Spiral Stakes

1. Kitten’s Cat

2. Parlor

3. En Hanse

Top Selection Winners: 3/13

Exacta Winnings: $168.80

Trifecta Winnings: $65

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C.J. Johnsen (VIEW BIO)

Director of Wagering for Kentucky Downs

$2 million United Arab Emirates Derby Sponsored by the S&M Al Naboodah Group

1. Cosmo Charlie

2. Thunder Snow

3. Master Plan

$500,000 JACK Cincinnati Casino Spiral Stakes

1. Colonel Samsen

2. Kitten’s Cat

3. King and His Court

Top Selection Winners: 2/13

Exacta Winnings: $93.60

Trifecta Winnings: $41.00

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Bryan Simpkins (VIEW BIO)

Handicapper and Writer for Danonymous Racing

$2 million United Arab Emirates Derby Sponsored by the S&M Al Naboodah Group

1. Thunder Snow

2. Epicharis

3. Fawree

$500,000 JACK Cincinnati Casino Spiral Stakes

1. Parlor

2. Kitten’s Cat

3. Blueridge Traveler

Top Selection Winners: 4/13

Exacta Winnings: $166.30

Trifecta Winnings: $218

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Dan Tordjman (VIEW BIO)

Video Correspondent, Handicapper and Writer for  America's Best Racing

Note: Weekly selections made using STATS Race Lens

$2 million United Arab Emirates Derby Sponsored by the S&M Al Naboodah Group

1. Fawree

2. Epicharis

3. Lancaster Bomber

$500,000 JACK Cincinnati Casino Spiral Stakes

1. Giant Payday

2. Kitten’s Cat

3. Convict Pike

Top Selection Winners: 4/13

Exacta Winnings: $180.70

Trifecta Winnings: $259