Overview: The Smarty Jones is the start of the Oaklawn Park road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby. This one-mile event leads to the Southwest, Rebel, and Arkansas Derby. Traditionally Oaklawn has delivered big fields in the prep races, but the overall quality has been overtaken by several California and Gulfstream Park horses that have shipped in. Analysis: Victory Formation Read the full article…
Overview: The Gun Runner Stakes is the final two-year-old prep race; this race was added to the Kentucky Derby Prep season by Churchill Downs, which also owns the Fairgrounds. Run at 1 mile and 1/16, horses that flash enough ability can move on to the Lecomte Stakes or the Risen Star stakes. Analysis: Mazing Mark Read the full article…
The runners have been released for the KDFW pool number four for 2022. New horses are available to bet, and three runners from the Tampa Bay Derby: Major General, Classic Causeway, and Shipsational are options in pool four. The Tampa Bay Derby will influence the final odds. My focus is based on the overall potential Read the full article…
The time has come for Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool three. The handicapping analysis will look at contenders based on their path to the Kentucky Derby, their ability to improve, and their current training schedule. Barber Road is most likely to try the Oaklawn Park route to the Kentucky Derby. Riding a 3 race losing Read the full article…
A grade one prep for the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile. Essential Quality won the Keeneland Breeder’s Futurity in 2020 on his way to the 2021 Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes. Top 2021 Keeneland Breeder’s Futurity Contenders: Rattle n Roll took three starts to put it all together, but a dominating score at Churchill Downs in September Read the full article…
A grade one prep Breeder’s Cup Classic. The Pennsylvania Derby at nine furlongs featured triple crown runners Midnight Bourbon, Bourbonic, and Hot Rod Charlie. Top 2021 Pennsylvania Derby Contenders: Fulsome has run in five stakes races at five different tracks. Winner of the Smarty Jones stakes the experience at Parx could prove beneficial. He has Read the full article…
The Official “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” begins with the Iroquois Stakes for 2-year-olds at 1 1/16th miles under the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. Top 2021 Iroquois Contenders: Stellar Tap is the morning line favorite. Steve Asmussen trains the son of Tapit who opened his career with a 5 length Read the full article…
The sweeping turns of Big Sandy await eight contenders for the 2021 Belmont Stakes. Essential Quality is favored in the “Test of Champions” at Belmont Park in New York. The Contenders: Essential Quality Kentucky Derby favorite passed on the Preakness to get ready for the Belmont. The sire is Tapit who has picked up a Read the full article…
Old Hilltop in Baltimore for the Iconic Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown. A field of 10 has lined up to test the demanding “Tight” turns of Pimlico and the Charm City of Baltimore, Maryland. The Contenders: Medina Spirit: Kentucky Derby winner fought off 26/1 shot Mandaloun the length of the Churchill Downs stretch. Will Read the full article…
This week on the Kentucky Derby 2021 trail. The future books look at the fastest two-year-olds of 2020.