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.
Gordon Elliott on rebuilding his reputation after 12-month ban in 2021 as he opens up his stables ahead of the Cheltenham Festival… and his three horses to watch
DOMINIC KING: Gordon Elliott is holding court in an office that could easily be mistaken for a museum, but something is missing. Trophies
Byron King’s Derby Dozen for Feb. 12
BloodHorse news editor Byron King presents his weekly Derby Dozen for 2026, with a look at his leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 2.
Risen Star: The Pride of Louisiana
The Cajun Country of Louisiana has produced its fair share of great racehorses. Yet Risen Star was different than any other. He did more than just race in New Orleans. He raced for New Orleans, becoming the pride and joy of anyone who called the bayous home and making Louisiana the capital of the horse racing industry for a brief, yet unforgettable period of time. It happened in 1988, when Risen Star emerged from Louisiana to become the hero of a Triple Crown season filled with more color and controversy than most years in the historic series.
