Gulfstream Park: The Grade II, $400,000 Fountain of Youth at 1 1/8 miles #1 Soldat (2-1 ML): Absolutely freaked in local and 3yo debut when catching a sloppy track and running off to a 10 ¾-length win in a N1X in very fast time at this distance. Takes the next logical step to see if…
Oaklawn Park: The Grade III, $250,000 Southwest at 1-mile #1 Caleb’s Posse (9-2 ML): Looked good winning the Smarty Jones, the local prep over the course and distance, so you know right off he can handle both the trip and the strip. Drew well here, too (he also broke from the rail in the Smarty…
A quick look at this afternoon’s San Vincente: Santa Anita: The Grade II, $150,000 San Vicente at 7 furlongs INDIAN WINTER (#5) impressed in taking a minor stakes in his main track debut over the track and should benefit from a pace that looks suicidal on paper; call to make the last run the winning…
Brian’s back with a look at tomorrow’s Derby prep, and over the weekend he’ll provide insights on Sunday’s and Monday’s races as well. We’ll launch the Brooklyn Backstretch charity league next week, after this weekend’s preps. The first scoring race is February 26th, and I’m waiting until the last possible moment to put my (inevitably…
Santa Anita – The Grade II, $250,000 Robert B. Lewis at 1 1/8 miles #1 Wegner (ML unavailable): Recent MSW graduate goes out for Baffert, so you know he’s probably got some talent, but at this juncture it appears he’s biting off a bit more than he can chew; pace factor is worth remembering down…
Tampa Bay Downs – The Grade III, $225,000 Sam F. Davis at 1 1/16 miles #1 Reprized Halo (20-1): Calder-based runner drew well and has a plethora of two-turn experience, including a shocker in the pricey In Reality for Florida-breds, but this is asking a lot for his 3yo debut; longshot. #2 Adulare (12-1): Improved…
He’s back! Brian Nadeau has returned to the Backstretch to offer his handicapping skills on key Derby preps. Other responsibilities will mean that he’s writing on fewer races this year, but you can get more of his insights at Horseplayer Now, where he handicaps and appears in live chats regularly. So a hearty welcome back…
Saratoga earned its “Graveyard of Favorites” nickname on Sunday, with winners coming in at $61 (Moon Raven, 2nd), $44.80 (Who’s Willie Fitz, 3rd), $19.20 (Fancy Fiona, 5th), $69 (Marvel Gaye, 7th), and $45.80 (Wishingonadream, 10th). I started out at this meet doing reasonably well in my $2 bet, $1 exacta box kind of way; I…
We’ve arrived at the end of the end of the road: the Belmont Stakes. Belmont’s spring showcase and the final leg of the Triple Crown gives us a deep field of 12 looking to add their name to the history books. Let’s take a look at the contenders for the Test of Champions. Belmont Park:…
One down, two to go. Super Saver relished the slop and the rail-and Calvin Borel-and dominated what was thought to be a wide-open Kentucky Derby. Can he do it again two weeks later in Baltimore, under what figure to be vastly different circumstances? In his path are four also-rans in the Derby and seven new…
Brooklyn Backstretch 