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.
Month: July 2025
World Record Looks Like the One to Beat in Bing Crosby Stakes
The Grade 1, $400,000 Bing Crosby Stakes, which provides the winner with an all-expenses -aid, automatic entry into the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 1, drew a strong field of nine Saturday at Del Mar.
NBC Sports to Present the 2026 Kentucky Oaks in Primetime
NBC Sports will showcase the Longines Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever in 2026. The 152nd Kentucky Oaks, featuring Thoroughbred racing’s best 3-year-old fillies, will be presented on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET from Churchill Downs on NBC and Peacock. In addition to premier racing, Kentucky Oaks traditions centered around fashion and women’s health advocacy will remain central pillars of the event pageantry — now culminating in a spectacular twilight finish.
2025 Bing Crosby Stakes at a Glance
Saturday’s Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar has a superfecta of meaning for its starters: a $400,000 purse, a free Win and You’re In spot in the Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint to the victor, a Grade 1 win and an important race over the track in advance of the World Championships at Del Mar. A field of nine accomplished sprinters are entered in this year’s test.
