The Daily Racing Blog understands that for the casual thoroughbred racing fan the weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby can seem a bit slow.  But beginning in March the KD prep-races are a good opportunity to preview some possible Derby contenders.  It is also a time to get reacquainted with the terminology, so as not to be confused when the time comes to “Talk Derby” with the thoroughbred faithful. Like … Continue reading Talk The Talk

The next KD Prep-Race is the Fountain Of Youth Stakes on March 2nd at Gulfstream Park in Florida.  After which the preps will come fast and furious, with some of the Saturdays leading up to The Derby having as many as three “Road To The Derby” races.  So it was suggested to the Daily Racing Blog by one of our many readers that we do a review, of sorts, using some of … Continue reading Back To Basics

One change to report for Saturday’s big race at The Fairgrounds and that is, trainer Bob Baffert has elected not to ship probable starter FROLIC MORE.  A Steve Asmussen trained horse, GUN IT will take his place. With a heavy field of fourteen runners the Daily Racing Blog will take a look at just our top six picks in order of Post Position: 3.  MR MONEY  12-1  He came down with a cough the morning before … Continue reading The Risen Star

Saturday is the $400,000 dollar, Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes taking place at The Fairgrounds in New Orleans.  This is the first 2019 KD Prep-Race offering points on a 50-20-10 scale.  Essentially the Winner here punches his ticket to a starting spot at Churchill Downs on May 4th.  An overflow field of fourteen is entered, so it will be a hard fought victory, and there should be plenty of Value.  … Continue reading Big Derby Points

It’s no secret that the Daily Racing Blog is always on the hunt for VALUE within any given race.  If there is none to be found we usually take a pass on that race or use the ‘sure thing’ Winner as part of a multiple race wager (pick 3 or pick 4) and look for a horse with a decent price in the other races. But how … Continue reading Finding Value

The Sam F. Davis Stakes is essentially a prep race for the March 9th Tampa Bay Derby.  But in the past three years this Grade 3 race has produced a surprising number of horses who have played important roles in major races later in the year. For instance TAPWRIT won the 2017 Belmont Stakes after running Second in the Sam F. Davis.  Other horses who have recently competed in the Sam … Continue reading Stakes Race @ Tampa

Tampa Bay Downs provides the only Kentucky Derby qualifying race this weekend, with the running of the Sam F. Davis Stakes. Ten have entered this Grade 3, $250,000 race.  It is run at a mile & 1/16th and offers qualifying points on a 10-4-2 scale for the Top 3 finishers.  This is the first of two 2019 KD preps hosted by Tampa Bay Downs, the next being the Tampa Bay Derby on March ninth.   … Continue reading The Sam F. Davis

Pony Profile In 2001, POINT GIVEN became the first thoroughbred to win four consecutive $1 million races when he won the Preakness, Belmont, Haskell and Travers in succession.  In a seemingly easy decision he was named Horse Of The Year for 2001. POINT GIVEN was a hulking chestnut son of Champion THUNDER GULCH.  Trained by Hall-Of-Famer Bob Baffert (an actual stable genius) and ridden primarily by fellow Hall-Of-Famer Gary … Continue reading Good Point

Let’s take a closer look at one of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby prep races, and see if we can find some Value in this field of seven runners.  TAX [ML 4-1]  Trainer: Dan Gargan  Jockey: Junior Alvarado.  He is one of two in the race that already has KD qualifying points.  TAX has been training at Belmont Park.  The trainer likes to be aggressive with his horses, and have them forwardly placed, but he’ll find plenty of … Continue reading The Withers @ Aqueduct

The 2019 trail to the Kentucky Derby heats up coast to coast this Saturday as three Prep Races are being contested. Aqueduct Park has the Grade 3 Withers Stakes.  It is the second stop on New York’s road to the 2019 Kentucky Derby.  Saturday’s race carries a $250,000 purse and KD qualifying points to the Top 4 finishers on a 10-4-2-1 scale. The mile and an eighth distance represents a challenge for most … Continue reading 13 Weeks Out