Sports

Let ’em Run: Friday and Saturday track picks

Published

2 months ago

November 28, 2025

Austin Reed

Let ’em Run is moving north

Friday 11/28/25 – Happy Hour Show (3 PM)

Let ’em Run is ready to jump in the deep end on Friday and Saturday, as we will be making picks from several tracks with strong fields and good value to lock in. There is also a Kentucky Derby Prep race at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Catch our Podcast on Friday at 3 PM for our Happy Hour show and Saturday at 12:30 for our Let ’em Run Roundup segment, live on multiple streaming apps and social channels.

Churchill Downs – Race 10 (5:25 PM EST)

The Mrs. Revere Stakes – 1 1/16 Turf for Fillies – Gr2 – 300K

No doubt the 1 Lush Lips (7-5) will take plenty of action, and rightfully so as a strong closer needing a lively pace. We are going with the 4 Classic Q (3-1) to go to the lead and try to wire the field under jockey Jose Ortiz. She showed a different dimension last time when steadied, then made a furious rally to finish second. We expect her to return to front-running tactics and hold on late.
Bet = $20 Double Races 10 & 11 → 4 / 4 → Total $20

Churchill Downs – Race 11 (5:54 PM EST)

The Clark Stakes – 1 1/8 Dirt – Gr2 – 600K

A true Brisnet special. This loaded field of nine has several contenders: 3 Hit Show (3-1), 5 Chunk of Gold (10-1), 6 Rattle N Roll (7-2), and 9 Magnitude (9-2). Our pick is the 4 Gosger (4-1) with jockey Luis Saez. Blinkers go on for the first time, the workouts look sharp, and his E/P4 Brisnet running style fits a profile that has won five of seven races at this distance at Del Mar. His effort behind Journalism in the Grade 1 Haskell would win here.
Bet = $20 Win / $5 Exacta 4 over 3,5,6,9 → Total $40

Saturday 11/29/25 – Let ’em Run Roundup (12:30 PM)

Del Mar – Race 5 (4:30 PM EST)

The Seabiscuit Handicap – 1 1/16 Turf – Gr2 – 200K

This race begins out of the chute at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Experience at Del Mar matters, which has us on the 3 Almendares (5-1) with John Velazquez taking over. Rispoli lands on the likely pacesetter 8 Cabo Spirit (5-1). The 3 should get an ideal setup and appreciate the added distance.
Bet = $10 Exacta Box 3,8,9 → Total $60

Del Mar – Race 7 (5:30 PM EST)

The Jimmy Durante Stakes – Fillies – 1 Mile Turf – Gr3 – 100K

A great field and a mile on turf. Brisnet has the 5 La Ville Lumiere (8-1) as the clear Prime Power #1. She has run in two solid stakes races and many in this field are facing winners for the first time. Experience from the jockey/trainer combo of Kimura and McCarthy adds confidence.
Bet = $20 W/P on 5 (at 8-1 or better) → Total $40

Del Mar – Race 9 (6:30 PM EST)

The Hollywood Derby Stakes – 1 1/8 Turf – Gr1 – 300K

Another chute-start turf route. Only one horse has won twice at this distance: the 3 Test Score (5-2). His only poor effort came at tricky Kentucky Downs. JJ Hernandez teams with Graham Motion for a 71% win rate in seven tries. Also consider the 8 Tempus Volat (5-1), improving each race and likely to appreciate the added distance.
Bet = $5 Exacta 3 over 1,8,9 → Total $15

Churchill Downs – Race 10 (5:25 PM EST)

The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes – 1 1/16 Dirt – Gr2 – 400K
Kentucky Derby Prep

Ten Derby points go to the winner. The 6 Further Ado (7-5) crushed a field of 12 by 20 lengths last out and will get plenty of attention. Our pick is the 2 Cherokee Nation (3-1), trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by a red-hot Flavien Prat. The added distance suits this son of Not This Time, and the workouts suggest he is sitting on a big effort.
Bet = $50 Win on 2 → Total $50

The road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby will continue to heat up as more prep races arrive. Stay with us as the Let ’em Run team delivers strong info to go along with your opinions. Good luck, and let’s cash in!

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Sports

Saudi Darts Masters: Littler triumphs as atmosphere fails to ignite

Published

53 minutes ago

January 20, 2026

Austin Reed

Luke-Littler (PA)

Luke Littler 8 – 5 Michael van Gerwen (best of 15 legs)

Reigning double world champion and world number one Luke Littler bounced back from his Bahrain setback to win the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters on the eve of his 19th birthday, rounding off a sensational day by defeating Michael van Gerwen 8–5 in a high-quality final.

Littler had to come from behind in a hard-fought quarter-final against Gian van Veen, before exacting revenge on Gerwyn Price in the semi-final, having lost to the Welshman at last week’s event in Bahrain.

‘The Nuke’ then started off like a bullet train against van Gerwen, racing into a 4–0 lead in a matter of minutes while averaging a remarkable 114. ‘Mighty Mike’, to his credit, raised his level to haul it back to 4–3, only to miss three darts at double 10 to draw level.

From there, Littler regained his edge, and despite pressure from the Dutchman, got over the line with a superb 11-darter to seal the victory.

Explosive darts action in a restrained atmosphere in Riyadh

If the sport is judged purely on the competition itself, then the crowd were treated to a spectacular showcase of darts at its very best. van Gerwen illustrated that range perfectly, averaging just 87 in a laboured quarter-final win over Stephen Bunting before lifting his level dramatically to post 100-plus averages in both his semi-final and final.

Then there was Littler, who had to produce his best to overcome three opponents in high-quality encounters, while surprise quarter-finalist Man Lok Leung impressed by pushing Nathan Aspinall all the way. From a purely sporting perspective, it was the kind of day any darts fan would happily lap up.

But Riyadh had never hosted a PDC event before, and it showed. Without the usual fancy dress, constant noise and crowd-led momentum that darts thrives on, the atmosphere was noticeably muted from start to finish.

Culturally, that is understandable and works well enough for many sports, but darts is different. The gap in understanding was evident when the crowd greeted an early sub-50 checkout with the same muted enthusiasm as a ton-plus finish later on, flattening moments that would normally lift the room.

The players would have felt it too. Darts players feed off the crowd in different ways, and there was little coming back at them to draw energy from. Most are media-trained to not criticise openly, although Nathan Aspinall did suggest that the crowd were still finding their way with the finer details of the sport, and some may even have been ringers.

As a first staging of the event, lessons will inevitably be learned and things may improve when darts returns to the Kingdom. One thing is certain – Saudi Arabia rarely loosens its grip once it has a sport in its grasp, and it is unlikely to be content in the long term with hosting a solitary, minor tournament while the game itself is still shaking off the afterglow of the World Championship.

But if the sport is to truly thrive here long term, a balance will need to be found between local traditions and the atmosphere that has long been part of what makes darts what it is.

Results round-up

Quarter-finals (best of 11 legs)

Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Stephen Bunting
Nathan Aspinall 6-4 Man Lok Lueng
Luke Littler 6-4 Gian van Veen
Gerwyn Price 6-5 Luke Humphies

Semi-finals (best of 13 legs)

Michael van Gerwen 7-5 Nathan Aspinall
Luke Littler 7-5 Gerwyn Price

Final (best of 15 legs)

Luke Littler 8-5 Michael van Gerwen

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Sports

Tampa Bay Downs special: Let ’em Run live from Florida

Published

5 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Austin Reed

Tune în Wednesday for a special show from Tampa Bay Downs

Let ‘em Run Special Wednesday Podcast LIVE from Tampa Bay Downs

Midweek racing brings fresh opportunity, sharper opinions, and real-time insight from the track. This Wednesday, Let ‘em Run takes the show on the road with live analysis straight from Tampa Bay Downs. With strong angles, value-driven plays, and boots on the ground, this special edition delivers the kind of edge horseplayers look for during the week.

Be sure to tune in on Wednesday at 12:30 PM EST for our special “Boots on the Ground” segment. John Kostin will be live from Tampa Bay Downs and joined by guest handicapper Wadie Khalaf. Together, they will break down the card with a sharp focus on the Late P5 and key spot plays, including the always-popular Bro’s BRISnet Play of the Day. You can catch the show live on Sports Talk Media Network, along with multiple streaming apps and social channels. Let’s take a closer look at a few races that stand out.

Tampa Bay Downs | Wednesday 1/21/26

Race 2 | 12:20 PM EST

This race offers a strong opinion with limited value, but there is still a way to make it pay. The #5 Uncashed sits at 2-1 on the morning line and owns a +10 BRISnet Prime Power advantage over the rest of the field. That edge pushes the projected win percentage to around 55%. He also profiles as the lone “E” type in the race, which strengthens the pace advantage. Trainer numbers support the play as well, with a 31% win rate when sending out runners who won last time out.

Since the price will likely drop, the value shifts to a double play. The suggested approach is a $50 double using 5 with 9 and 10 in Race 3. The outside posts win often in that race, and the odds should offer a better return.

Race 8 | 3:55 PM EST

This race sets up nicely for another BRISnet-based angle and should provide a fairer price at post time. The #1 Paynter’s Prodigy sits at 3-1 and checks several important boxes. He is an “E” type, owns the highest last-race speed figure, and also tops the field in early TimeformUS Pace.

The only other true speed appears to be #12 Chico Charlie at 6-1, but that runner draws a tough, ground-losing outside post. The price on the #1 may drift up, as jockey Wesley Ho remains capable but does not draw heavy public support. That scenario could create solid betting value.

All three of us will share insights and opinions on the full Late P5 during the live podcast. Be sure to tune in. Bet smart, cheer hard, fast horses equal serious fun, and as always, Let ‘em Run.

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Sports

Dalton Smith: Britain has a new world champion

Published

8 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Austin Reed

Dalton Smith became world champion

A Statement Night in Brooklyn for Dalton Smith

On January 10, 2026, Dalton Smith announced himself on the world stage with a stunning knockout victory over Subriel Matias to claim the WBC Junior Welterweight World Championship. Fighting in Brooklyn, New York, Smith delivered a fearless performance in his United States debut and dismantled one of the division’s most feared punchers.

Smith stopped the Puerto Rican powerhouse in the fifth round with a brutal sequence of chopping right hands. The finish capped a fight that evolved from a sharp, technical opening into an all-out war, with both men trading heavy shots. When the moment arrived, Smith imposed his will and closed the show against the 33-year-old champion.

Built for the Big Stage

Smith entered the fight with a growing reputation for knockout power, fast hands, and a proven chin. Against Matias, he matched intensity and confidence from the opening bell. As the rounds wore on, Smith controlled the exchanges and turned pressure into opportunity, becoming the first fighter to knock Matias out.

Matias arrived with a reputation as a destroyer, but Smith refused to retreat. He stood his ground, answered fire with fire, and changed the trajectory of the junior welterweight division.

Roots in Sheffield

Born February 8, 1997, in Sheffield, England, Smith grew up in a sports-driven household. Football came first, but boxing quickly took hold. His father, Grant Smith, and grandfather, Brian Smith, introduced him to the Steel City Gym around 2003, setting the foundation for his career.

Smith thrived as an amateur. He collected national titles, earned a medal at the 2014 European Youth Championships, and captured the ABA title in 2018. Those accomplishments marked him as one of Britain’s elite prospects.

The Professional Rise

Smith turned professional in 2019 after signing with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing. He debuted in Nottingham against Luka Leskovic and earned a points win. Momentum followed fast. Seven straight victories, many by knockout, pushed him into the national spotlight.

In 2021, Smith captured the English title with a sixth-round stoppage of Lee Appleyard. He followed that by winning the WBC International Silver super lightweight title in 2022, forcing Ray Moylette’s corner to halt the fight in round ten. Eight months later, Smith claimed the British title with a devastating sixth-round finish against Sam O’Maison.

From Contender to Champion

Victories over Sam Maxwell and former WBC Silver champion Jose Zepeda elevated Smith into elite company. In 2025, wins over Walid Ouizza and Mathieu Germain sealed his world title opportunity.

Smith entered the Matias fight undefeated at 19-0 with 14 knockouts. Matias stood at 23-2 with 22 knockouts. The collision delivered fireworks, and Smith emerged as the last man standing.

With the win, Dalton Smith became the fifth active British world champion, joining a growing list of elite names and signaling the arrival of a new force at 140 pounds.

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