The Rebel Stakes

The Road to the Kentucky Derby is up and running, and the stakes only get bigger over the next few weeks. This Saturday, Oaklawn Park plays host to perhaps the most important prep race to date, when a field of eleven 3-year-olds will square off in the $1 million dollar, Grade 2  Rebel Stakes. The race is contested at a distance of 1 1/16 miles (8.5 furlongs) … Continue reading The Rebel Stakes

MANDALOUN Wins The Derby (2021)

What some folks believed was a foregone conclusion became a reality today; the late MEDINA SPIRIT was disqualified by the state’s stewards from his position as Winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby. The ruling was posted Monday after a stewards hearing via Zoom last week. Trainer Bob Baffert was suspended from racing in Kentucky for 90 days, to begin March 8th and end June 5th, … Continue reading MANDALOUN Wins The Derby (2021)

Who Wins The Risen Star Stakes?

The $400,000 dollar, Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fairgrounds Saturday kicks off the 85-point round of Kentucky Derby preps. With 50-20-10-5 awarded to the top four finishers, the Winner and runner-up should be nicely positioned in the quest for one the 20 spots in the starting gate on May 7th. The race is listed as the final contest on a card of thirteen with a … Continue reading Who Wins The Risen Star Stakes?

The Risen Star Stakes

This year’s running of the Grade 2, $400,000 dollar Risen Star Stakes will be Saturday at Fairgrounds. The Winner of last year’s Risen Star– MANDALOUN may yet wind up as the Winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby if the late MEDINA SPIRIT is disqualified for a failed drug test. That remains an apple of discord, involving regulators and lawyers – and a possibility that could … Continue reading The Risen Star Stakes

What Is A Graded Stakes race?

When we preview races here at the Daily Racing Blog we often refer to the horses’ past performances and as such we indicate some of the races in which they have participated. Which for many of the upper echelon of horses means Graded Stakes races. We indicate those races as such; Travers Stakes (G1). But for those unfamiliar with the sport, the G1 probably doesn’t … Continue reading What Is A Graded Stakes race?

Who Wins The Sam F. Davis?

A field of twelve 3-year-olds are scheduled to go in Saturday’s Grade 3 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs competing for their share of the $250,000 purse. The top four finishers get qualifying points (10-4-2-1) in this 1 & 1/16 mile Kentucky Derby prep race. The race is listed as race 10 on a card of 11 with a scheduled Post Time 4:45. Here then is … Continue reading Who Wins The Sam F. Davis?

The Sam F. Davis

The Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs is the Florida racetrack’s traditional prep for the Tampa Bay Derby and has become an increasingly important winter prep for the Kentucky Derby. The Sam F. Davis, contested at 1 1/16 miles over Tampa  Bay Downs’ main dirt track, earned Grade 3 status in 2009. The race was not initially included in Churchill Downs’ Road to … Continue reading The Sam F. Davis

Going To The Belmont Stakes?

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) today announced that tickets for the 2022 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will go on sale to the public Thursday, February 10th via Ticketmaster. Highlighted by the 154th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million dollar Belmont Stakes – the oldest and most challenging leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown – the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will begin on Thursday, … Continue reading Going To The Belmont Stakes?

Who Wins The Holy Bull?

Gulfstream Park kicks off their series of three official qualifying races for the 2022 Kentucky Derby with the Grade 3, $250,000 dollar Holy Bull Stakes.  The nine 3-year-olds that drew into the field will have to go around two turns at a distance of 1 1/16 miles. The top four finishers will earn qualifying points (10-4-2-1). The Holy Bull is listed as race 11 on a … Continue reading Who Wins The Holy Bull?

The Holy Bull Stakes

Gulfstream Park’s  Road to the Kentucky Derby begins this Saturday with the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes. The race offers ten qualifying points to the Winner as top 3-year-olds look to accumulate points and earn a place in the Derby starting gate. Inaugurated in 1990 as the Preview Stakes, the race was re-named in 1996 to honor the 1994 Horse of the Year HOLY BULL. It has … Continue reading The Holy Bull Stakes