Brian’s Derby preps: The Big Weekend in Review

Reviewing last weekend’s Derby preps, by Brian Nadeau We’ve all crammed for a test in our day, right? But I mean really crammed–just studied the paint off the wall, hoping to unearth that one little portion of our brain that’s going to store some information vital to a good grade. And then you take the…

Brian’s Derby preps: The Rebel

The Rebel – Grade II – $300,000 – Oaklawn Park – 1 1/16 Miles, by Brian Nadeau Old Fashioned looks to continue his march to Churchill Downs and there doesn’t appear to be too much standing in his way. He’s imposing indeed, but maybe there’s someone out there that could pull the shocker? Let’s take…

Brian’s Derby preps: The Tampa Bay Derby

The Tampa Bay Derby – Grade III – $300,000 – Tampa Bay Downs – 1 1/16 Miles, by Brian Nadeau While the local prep, the Grade III Sam Davis, went to the locals, the invaders look poised to take home the trophy this time. Let’s see if we can’t find a little value to spice…

Brian’s Derby preps: The San Felipe

The San Felipe – Grade II – $200,000 – Santa Anita – 1 1/16 Miles, by Brian Nadeau Pioneerof The Nile looks to keep pace with The Pamplemousse in the battle for favoritism for the upcoming Santa Anita Derby. He meets six relatively unproven sorts trying to latch on to the Derby Trail. Let’s take…

Brian’s Derby preps: The Louisiana Derby

The Louisiana Derby – Grade II – $600,000 – Fair Grounds – 1 1/16 Miles, by Brian Nadeau In honor of next month’s Masters at August National, let’s deem this Saturday Moving Day at the racetrack. There are no fewer than four major prep races that should further clarify the Kentucky Derby picture. Let’s check…

Brian’s Derby preps: The New Top 10

This week’s Top 10, by Brian Nadeau A lot has changed since my first Derby Top 10 list, and that’s hardly a surprise. The past two weeks delivered several noteworthy performances and with the Louisiana Derby, Rebel, Tampa Bay Derby and San Felipe on tap for this weekend, we should get that much more information…

Brian’s Derby preps: The week(s) in review

Reviewing the Sham, the Fountain of Youth, the Gotham, and the Santa Anita Oaks, by Brian Nadeau Lots to do and recap since we last left you, so let’s get right to it. The Fountain of Youth, Sham and Gotham all gave us definitive winners who took a major leap forward on everyone’s Derby radar.…

Brian’s Derby preps: The Gotham

The Gotham Stakes – Grade III, $250,000 – Aqueduct – 1 1/16 Miles, by Brian Nadeau Another weekend along the Derby Trail and another deep and talented stakes race to decipher. Saturday New York reminds us that spring is indeed on the horizon when the Gotham Stakes is run at Aqueduct. The local prep for…

Brian’s Derby preps: The Sham

The Sham Stakes – Grade III, $200,000 – Santa Anita Park – 1 1/8 Miles,by Brian Nadeau As opposed to the Fountain of Youth, the Sham brings together one known quantity in The Pamplemousse, and several others who have yet to make their mark on the big stage. The former rates a deserving favorite and…

Brian’s Derby prep: The Fountain of Youth

The Fountain of Youth Stakes – Grade II, $250,000 – Gulfstream Park – 1 Mileby Brian Nadeau When I first heard this race was being shortened to 1-mile, and therefore being run at one-turn, I was really disappointed. It’s doesn’t quite have the appeal it once did and it loses a little of its luster…