It’s that time of year…the Derby preps have begun, the first Derby future pool has closed…and the Road to the Roses fantasy league has kicked off its 2012 season. I’ve chosen my fantasy stable (feel free to look at it so that you’ll know which horses to avoid), and the Brooklyn Backstretch Charity League is…
Gulfstream Park: The GII, $150,000 Hutcheson at 7 Furlongs #1 Tarpy’s Goal: Improving runner exits a sharp track and distance win over much lesser and steps up for the acid test today from a tough draw. Versatile enough to run from on or off the pace and with the speed to his outside he’ll likely…
Tampa Bay Downs: The Grade II, $250,000 Sam F. David at 1 1/16 miles #1 State Of Play (4-1 ML): Accomplished turf runner makes his 3yo debut and tries the main for the first time in an effort to see where he stands with the best of his generation. Sire War Front made quite a…
The Grade III, $200,000 Withers Stakes at 1 1/16 miles #1 Hakama: Impressed with a front-running score at Laurel to make it 2-for-2 withblinkers and at two turns, and he enters this much tougher spot as the “now horse” from a cozy rail draw. There’s other speed signed on, but with this advantageous draw, he…
Brian’s got his hands full this weekend with three major Derby preps. His analysis of the Grade III Withers at Aqueduct and Grade III Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs will be up later today and tomorrow. For more of Brian’s insights on New York racing, check him out at Horseplayer Now. Santa Anita:…
He’s back! Brian Nadeau rejoins Brooklyn Backstretch for the Derby trail, offering insights and race analysis for selected preps on the way to Churchill Downs. This is Brian’s fourth year contributing to BB, and I’m grateful every year when he says that he’s willing to do it again. You can find more of Brian’s handicapping…
January 7 at Aqueduct felt more like April. It wasn’t just the weather, though I have never been warmer at the Big A, not on any Wood Memorial day, not ever, than I was there on Saturday; “balmy” would be an understatement. But it wasn’t just the weather. It was the faces. It was the…
Brooklyn Backstretch 