1. What do the following words and phrase have in common?

TWINKLE
COMPLACENT
THIS IS HOW IT IS

2. What do the words below have in common?

BAY
ROOT
SALE
REEL
RAID
TRIAL
COMING
GARAGE

HINTS:
1. Three related words are hidden in the clues.
2. The same letter will change each word into a new one.

Answers:

1. The clues conceal the words WIN, PLACE, and SHOW - the first three finishers in a horse race:

tWINkle
comPLACEnt
this iS HOW it is

2. The letter B can be inserted into each word to make a new one:

BABY
ROBOT
SABLE
REBEL
RABID
TRIBAL
COMBING
GARBAGE