Discover Noel Michaels’ top weekend wagers and featured picks in this column. As an experienced handicapper and early participant in racing tournaments, Noel offers weekly highlighted choices to assist with successful betting. His horse racing predictions have appeared across various platforms, such as printed publications like Daily Racing Form, The HorsePlayer Magazine, and American Turf Monthly; digital sites including DRF.com, Twinspires.com, and USRacing.com; live at Arlington International Racecourse; and on television channels like HRTV, TVG, NYC OTB Extra, NYRA’s Talking Horses, WAVE-3 Louisville, ABC KOLO-8 in Reno, Nevada, and Long Island Cablevision channel 72.
Six Introductory Betting Resources
- Begin with simplicity using a straightforward handbook on how to place bets on horse races.
- Uncertain about a term? Horse racing lingo can be complex. We can help clarify it.
- Curious about speed figures? This introductory guide provides all essential information on speed ratings.
- Wagering on horse racing might seem daunting. The ABR team has compiled a list of recommendations and advice for newcomers to racing bets.
- Everyone makes errors in horse race betting; here are eight insights gained from practical experience.
- Calculate your potential wager costs beforehand with our Betting Calculator, brought to you by NYRA Bets.
As 2025 draws to a close, we trust your year has been rewarding. With one final Saturday of competition and betting remaining, our goal is to increase earnings for a strong finish. Following last week’s positive results at Fair Grounds, we’ll return to New Orleans for this weekend’s selections. The Saturday program at Fair Grounds features two turf stakes events, which will be our primary focus. Best wishes for this Saturday, and for a prosperous 2026!
Saturday, December 27th
Fair Grounds, Race 5, $100,000 Woodchopper Stakes, post time 3:45 p.m. ET
The Woodchopper Stakes, valued at $100,000, features three-year-olds competing over 1 1/16 miles on the turf, with seven entrants. Considering attractive 8-1 morning-line odds, I’m prepared to back #5 Flying Mohawk for one more attempt in this suitable event, despite his previous poor showing in the Grade 3 Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs. It’s plausible that race served as a comeback effort after a six-month hiatus, having last appeared in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. Previously this year, Flying Mohawk demonstrated considerable talent, including a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Jeff Ruby Steaks and a victory on this very turf course and distance in a valuable allowance optional claiming race back in January, suggesting potential for improvement. Analysis indicates a notable absence of early speed in this contest, which could create strategic advantages for trainer Michael Stidham, who has entered both #3 Juris Doctor and #6 Montador. Although neither is a genuine pace-setter, both possess sufficient tactical speed to potentially dictate the early pace if required, allowing others to settle behind them. Notably, Montador secured a win using similar tactics two races prior in a Churchill Downs allowance race, and Juris Doctor claimed his maiden victory two starts back in a slow-paced turf event at Laurel Park.
The Wager: Support #5 Flying Mohawk (8-1) for the win, and include him in exacta and trifecta box bets with #3 Juris Doctor (3-1) and #6 Montador (2-1).
Fair Grounds, Race 9, $100,000 Pago Hop Stakes, post time 5:45 p.m. ET
Nine talented three-year-old fillies will contest the $100,000 Pago Hop Stakes, covering 1 1/16 miles on the turf, serving as Saturday’s main event at Fair Grounds. The contender showing the greatest potential is #9 Bracelet, under the guidance of trainer Brad Cox, having performed admirably in her two most recent starts since transitioning to grass racing. Bracelet claimed victory in her turf debut over this distance at Keeneland after a seven-month break two races back. Subsequently, Cox tested her in the Grade 2 Mrs. Revere Stakes at Churchill Downs, where she delivered a respectable fourth-place finish, just 1 ¼ lengths behind a prominent three-year-old filly in the division, Lush Lips. She enters this competition in excellent condition, boasts impressive speed ratings, and employs an effective close-to-the-pace stalking style. She appears formidable. In contrast to the Woodchopper Stakes earlier on the program, this race features a considerable amount of early speed. This scenario could open the door for a longshot deep closer such as #3 Cheetah Lady to challenge for a placing at attractive odds. Furthermore, Cheetah Lady presents several appealing factors for this race; she secured an allowance victory this summer at Kentucky Downs and is coming off a strong win over this specific course and distance in her most recent outing. Lastly, keep an eye on #6 Unmerited Favor, ridden by Jose Ortiz. Her previous start saw her finish fifth in an exceptionally competitive race against Fionn and Laurelin in Aqueduct’s Grade 3 Jockey Club Oaks, but prior to that, she had captured two turf races from off the pace at Kentucky Downs and Keeneland.
The Wager: Support #9 Bracelet (3-1) for the victory, and include her in exacta and trifecta box bets alongside #3 Cheetah Lady (8-1), and #6 Unmerited Favor (6-1).
