Santa Anita: The GIII, $150,000 Robert B. Lewis at 1 1/16 miles (Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 10-4-2-1) #1 Let’s Meet in Rio (6-1): The first of two from Baffert may get ignored a bit with his more heralded stablemate Mor Spirit taking all the money, but he was a solid second in the local GIII…
Gulfstream Park: The GII, $350,000 Holy Bull at 1 1/16 miles (Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 10-4-2-1) #1 Perfect Saint (20-1): Romans charge was 5-1 in a local optional claimer 21 days ago but didn’t run an inch behind his impressive stablemate Cherry Wine, who passed on this to await the GII Fountain of Youth here…
Aqueduct: The GIII, $250,000 Withers at 1 1/16 miles (Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 10-4-2-1) #1 Donegal Moon (15-1): It’s rare you get a longshot from Pletcher in a 3yo graded stakes, but this son of Malibu Moon certainly fits the bill, as he was well-beaten by today’s favorite Flexibility in the GII Remsen to end…
With great pleasure I post the first of Brian Nadeau’s analyses of this year’s Kentucky Derby preps. We started this way back in 2009, and I am thrilled that Brian is back for another year. Brian handicaps at Horseplayer Now, is a regular on Capital OTB TV in upstate New York, and writes a weekly Breeders’ Cup…
Belmont Park: The Grade I, $1.5 million Belmont at 1 ½ miles #1 Mubtaahij (IRE) (10-1): De Kock runner gives some international flavor to the proceedings as he made a name for himself in Dubai this winter, culminating in a visually impressive score in Meydan’s GII UAE Derby. And while that form didn’t translate to…
Pimlico: The Grade I, $1.5 million Preakness at 1 3/16 miles #1 American Pharoah (4-5): Kentucky Derby hero parlayed a perfect post and dream trip to glory when he pulled away from Firing Line in deep stretch, but will be afforded no such luxuries Saturday from what is nothing short of a very treacherous draw.…
Our crack handicappers took aim at the Oaks in this post yesterday, and today they set their sights on the Derby. Do they think the much-hyped American Pharoah can pull it off? Will he have to fend off stablemate Dortmund? Can one of the three New York-breds become the first horse from the Empire State…
Churchill Downs: The Grade I, $2 million Kentucky Derby at 1 ¼ miles #1 Ocho Ocho Ocho (50-1): Decided longshot was up against it even before they drew post positions and then was essentially eliminated when he drew the dreaded rail, which would have compromised even the best’s chances. Son of Derby winner Street Sense…
On Friday at about 5:45 pm, 14 fillies will line up to run for the lilies in the Grade I, $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks. Horse racing is the only sport in the U.S. on which you can bet legally online, and even a $2 win bet makes watching the race more exciting, so our…
Oaklawn Park: The Grade I, $1 million Arkansas Derby at 1 1/8 miles (Kentucky Derby qualifying points 100-50-20-10) #1 The Truth Or Else (15-1): McPeek charge took a step back last time when fourth behind today’s imposing favorite American Pharoah in the local GII Rebel after a fine second in his seasonal debut in the…
Brooklyn Backstretch 