Thanks to everyone who signed up and pledged a donation in this weird, abbreviated, slimmed-down version of the Road to the Roses this year. We’ve got 13 players and about $500 in pledges, so a lucky racing charity is going to get a nice donation next month. Below are the standings, offered with condolences to…
When the undefeated three-year-old colt Verrazano won the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York, on Saturday, he also earned the chance to make history in next month’s Kentucky Derby. Verrazano made his first career start on New Year’s Day, winning at Florida’s Gulfstream Park by nearly eight lengths, and in…
Santa Anita: The GI, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles #1 Flashback: Highly touted Baffert runner won the battle but lost the war when he dueled through suicidal fractions with fellow rival Goldencents and succumbed late in the local prep, the GII San Felipe in March. and will need to settle a bit…
Aqueduct: The GI, $1 million Wood Memorial at 1 1/8 miles #1 Chrisandthecapper: Late addition to the field is clearly overmatched and is an easy toss, but oddly, he might hold the key to the race, as he could project as the speed of the race and the one to keep heavy favorite Verrazano honest…
Gulfstream Park: The GI, $1 million Florida Derby at 1 1/8 miles #1 Shanghai Bobby: The reigning 2yo champ enters off a two-month break after suffering his first career defeat when second to fellow rival Itsmyluckyday in the local GIII Holy Bull and will try to prove he’s got the stamina to be a top…
Fair Grounds: The GII, $1 million Louisiana Derby at 1 1/8 miles #1 Hip Four Sixtynine: Recent MSW winner going six furlongs over the track looked like a new horse with blinkers removed, but steps way up and seems completely overmatched in this deep GII. Stretch runner was a well-beaten fifth in his lone route…
Sunland Park: The Grade III, $800,000 Sunland Derby at 1 1/8 miles Major Kentucky Derby points are on the line as the pricey Sunland Derby drew a field of nine 3yo’s that are all trying to prove they belong with the big boys on the Triple Crown trail. With a wide open race full of…
Turfway Park: The Grade III, $550,000 Spiral at 1 1/8 miles A wide-open renewal of the Spiral will certainly give handicappers trouble as several promising, albeit unproven, runners meet the starter. On paper there’s enough pace to think it sets up well for a stalker/closer, so let’s see if #8 GENERAL ELECTION can build on…
It’s back! Though it dwelt at the gate, the Road to the Roses (Presented by TwinSpires.com, officially–so thanks to TS for helping to make it happen) kicks off this weekend, and with it, the sixth Brooklyn Backstretch charity league. Registration opened today at noon and continues through 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 28. The game…
Oaklawn Park: The Grade II, $600,000 Rebel at 1 1/16 miles #2 Carve: Lightly raced gelding looked like a new horse last time off the Asmussen claim, when he exploded in deep stretch with the addition of Lasix in an optional claimer to run his career mark to 2-for-2, with both wins coming over the…
Brooklyn Backstretch 