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…