Saturday’s $750,000 dollar, Grade 1 Florida Derby is the marquee race during the winter-spring meet at Gulfstream Park, as well as a crucial prep race for the Kentucky Derby. The 1 1/8-mile race offers a total of 170 qualifying points for the 147th Run For The Roses on May 1st at Churchill Downs. The point distribution is a 100-40-20-10 scale, awarded to the the top four … Continue reading It’s Florida Derby Time
West-coast shipper HOT ROD CHARLIE Won the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Saturday by two lengths after setting a pressured pace and fighting off his lone challenger. He accomplished this Victory by posting a solid, perhaps under-whelming, 99 Beyer Speed Figure for the Winning trip. In regard to that trip, the main obstacle for HOT ROD CHARLIE was, seemingly, the fast pace. The son … Continue reading Hot Rod Wins The Louisiana Derby
A well-matched, competitive field is set for the $1 million dollar, Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on Saturday. It is listed as the final race on a marathon card of 14, with a scheduled Post Time of 7:45. Here is a look at the field: 1. STARRININMYDREAMS [ML 20-1] Trainer: Dallas Stewart. Jockey: Luis Saez. Stewart knows how to prep long-shots for the Kentucky Derby, … Continue reading Louisiana Derby Winner…
There aren’t many Kentucky Derby prep races older than the Louisiana Derby (G2), held at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans. The historic race dates back to 1894, which makes the Louisiana Derby almost as old the KD itself. The conditions of the Louisiana Derby have varied widely through the years. It’s been held over four different distances, most recently shifting to 1 3⁄16 miles in 2020. … Continue reading Louisiana Derby
Here is the current top ten point earners on The Road To The Kentucky Derby, along with their trainers. Don’t panic if you don’t see your Derby favorite listed here. Four weeks of prep races remain and the point-reward scale is increasing. We are seven weeks removed from the Kentucky Derby. That means there is still time to garner points in order to gain entry … Continue reading Derby Points Leaders
Saturday’s $1 million dollar Rebel Stakes (G2) is the third of four qualifying points preps at Oaklawn Park for the May 1st Kentucky Derby. The April 10th Arkansas Derby is the final KD prep race at Oaklawn. The 1 1/16-mile Rebel offers Derby points to the top four finishers on a 50-20-10-5 scale as well as a hefty purse distribution. This year’s Rebel drew a competitive eight-horse … Continue reading Who Wins The Rebel ?
Although the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park dates back to 1961, its significance as a Prep Race for the Kentucky Derby has increased by leaps and bounds since the turn of the century Held annually in the middle of March, the Rebel awards Kentucky Derby qualification points to the top four finishers in a 50-20-10-5 basis, which essentially guarantees the Winner a spot in the gate … Continue reading Rebel With A Cause
HELIUM had not started for 4½ months leading into Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby, and had never raced on any surface but the synthetic of Woodbine. But the Mark Casse-trained colt had better get used to running on dirt, as he effectively clinched a spot in the starting gate of this years Run For The Roses. HELIUM made a strong move in the far turn … Continue reading HELIUM Rises
Saturday’s $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) is Tampa Bay Downs signature prep race for this years Kentucky Derby. It brings together a competitive field of 3-year-olds vying for a total of 85 qualifying points for the May 1st Run For The Roses. With 50 of those points going to the Winner. The race has attracted a 12 horse field, and is the final contest on … Continue reading HIDDEN STASH In The Tampa Bay Derby
The Tampa Bay Derby (G2) is Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. The mile & 1/16th contest has long run in the shadow of richer Kentucky Derby prep races at nearby Gulfstream Park. But despite facing fierce competition to attract the best 3-year-olds in Florida, the Tampa Bay Derby has more than held its own as a productive prep for the first Saturday in May. First … Continue reading The Tampa Bay Derby
