First Look: Troubleshooting, Mansetti clash at Churchill

Championship season's in the rearview mirror, but the racing calendar keeps churning with horses looking to close out strong campaigns or restart stalled ones. This week brings five stakes races, the kind of schedule that lets you zero in on the best betting opportunities without drowning in options.

Troubleshooting brings a two-race graded-stakes winning streak into Saturday's Grade 3 Commonwealth Turf at Churchill Downs after capturing the Franklin-Simpson (G1) and the Bryan Station (G3). Mansetti crosses the border looking to continue his strong year, having won the King's Plate before coming up just short in the Prince of Wales and Ontario Derby (G3). The wild card? Flying Mohawk returns from a six-month layoff after that forgettable 18th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby 2025, adding blinkers for his first start since getting beat by more than 40 lengths in his only start on dirt.

The Commonwealth Turf (G3) serves as the week's featured event, but Del Mar's Saturday and Sunday cards plus Aqueduct's New York-bred spots give handicappers plenty of chances to cash tickets this week.

Saturday

Commonwealth Turf (G3), Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 miles, turf, 3-year-olds

Troubleshooting took the Franklin-Simpson (G1) by a neck on Sept. 6 at Kentucky Downs then edged Tenacious Leader by a nose in the Bryan Station (G3) on Oct. 25 at Keeneland for back-to-back graded wins. Mansetti took the King's Plate by 2 1/2 lengths on Aug. 16 at Woodbine before finishing second by a neck to Runaway Again in the Prince of Wales on Sept. 9. He'll make his turf debut here after running second by two lengths in the Ontario Derby (G3) on Oct. 18. Flying Mohawk returns from a six-month layoff after ending up 18th in the Kentucky Derby 2025 on May 3, finishing 42 1/4 lengths behind the winner, and adds adding blinkers for his first start since.

New York Stallion Thunder Rumble, Aqueduct, 7 furlongs, 3-year-olds and up

Bank Frenzy won the Empire Classic on Oct. 25 at Aqueduct by a neck over Doc Sullivan. The 5-year-old New York-bred gelding by Central Banker has won four of six starts in 2025, including the Commentator at Saratoga on June 4 by 1 1/4 lengths. He also scored in the Haynesfield and Stymie at Aqueduct for trainer Rudy Rodriguez.

New York Stallion Staten Island, Aqueduct, 7 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Sunday Girl has maintained her stakes profile through the fall, placing fourth in the Iroquois (G3) on Oct. 25 at Aqueduct and third in the Endine at Delaware Park on Sept. 27. The daughter of Central Banker captured the John Hettinger by 2 1/4 lengths on June 29 at Aqueduct and assembled a three-race winning streak earlier this year, including the Correction by a nose on March 2 at Aqueduct.

Native Diver, Del Mar, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds and up

Privman secured the Tokyo City at Santa Anita on Oct. 25, winning by 1 3/4 lengths after pressing the pace. The 3-year-old son of Justify finished third in the Goodwood (G1) in late September and previously won an allowance race at Del Mar in August after breaking his maiden at the same track in July.

Sunday

Red Carpet (G3), Del Mar, 1 3/8 miles, turf, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Mrs. Astor came home third in her most recent start Aug. 15 in Del Mar's CTT and TOC Stakes after the 5-year-old mare had won consecutive stakes. She dominated the Santa Barbara by five lengths May 4 before narrowly capturing the Possibly Perfect by a nose at Santa Anita on June 14.