Brian’s Derby Preps: The Vinery Spiral

Turfway Park: The Grade III, $500,000 Spiral at 1 1/18 miles #1 Russian Greek: Hollendorfer charge disappointed in a highly rated renewal of the GIII El Camino Real at Golden Gate in his last start and now adds blinkers as he ships out of town looking for some graded money. The hood should put some…

Brian’s Derby Preps: The Rebel

Oaklawn Park: The Grade II, $500,000 Southwest at 1 1/16 miles #2 Unbridled’s Note: Looked good winning his debut at Churchill Downs last October and entered the first division of the local GIII Southwest as a hot horse in his seasonal debut, but had a rough trip and finished a well-beaten 9th. Asmussen forges on,…

Brian’s Derby Preps: The Tampa Bay Derby

Tampa Bay Downs: The Grade II, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby at 1 1/16 miles #1 Prospective: Runner-up in the track and distance GIII Sam Davis to fellow entrant Battle Hardened adds blinkers today to gain a little more speed early on, as he’s been dropping a bit too far out of it during the first…

Brian’s Derby Preps: The San Felipe

Santa Anita: The Grade II, $300,000 San Felipe at 1 1/16 miles #1 Blingo: Stretch runner closed from the clouds to finish a non-threatening sixth to fellow entrant Liaison in his last start, the GI CashCall at Hollywood Park, to end his 2yo campaign and now tries conventional dirt for the first time. With just two…

Brian’s Derby Preps: The Gotham

Aqueduct: The Grade III, $400,000 Gotham at 1 1/16 miles #1 My Adonis: Woke up in the slop in his seasonal debut in the GIII Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park when finishing behind fellow rival and 2yo champion Hansen going a one-turn mile, so it appears he’s returned in fine form as a 3yo. Still,…

Brian’s Derby Preps: The Risen Star

Fair Grounds: The Grade II, $300,000 Risen Star at 1 1/16 miles #3 Afford: Homebred stretched out and scored off the layoff last time in his 3yo debut, and that’s hardly a surprise as he’s bred top and bottom to get a distance of ground. Drew well here and will save all the ground as…

Brian’s Derby Preps: The San Vicente

Santa Anita: The Grade II, $150,000 San Vicente at 7 furlongs #1 Let’s Get Crackin: Blinks come off after a solid run in the local San Pedro, so look for a little less speed from this gelding, who makes his first start for Dollase today. That last run was a huge improvement, figure-wise, so you…