Keeneland Spring Meet

Spring is in the air, which means race fans are in the thick of one of the most active and important seasons in Thoroughbred racing. The winter meets are coming to an end and racing enjoys a rejuvenation with certain tracks opening for their spring meets. When the calendar enters April in Kentucky it marks the opening of Keeneland Race Course for its annual spring … Continue reading Keeneland Spring Meet

A Fierce Florida Derby ?

Saturday’s Florida Derby is a vital prep race that will earn 100 points for the Winner, thus guaranteeing a spot in the Kentucky Derby (normally, between 45 and 50 points is enough to get into the field). The Florida Derby features FIERCENESS, the Eclipse Award-Winning 2-year-old of 2023. Since last August, when he Won his first career start at Saratoga by over 11 lengths, it has … Continue reading A Fierce Florida Derby ?

The Florida Derby

A total of 200 Road To The Kentucky Derby qualification points are on the line Saturday in 73rd edition of the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. The Winner will get 100 points, while the runner-up will receive 50, the 3rd-place finisher 25, with 15 going to the 4th-place finisher and 10 for the 5th-place horse. The 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby is one of the most influential prep … Continue reading The Florida Derby

The Arkansas Derby

The Road to the Kentucky Derby at Oaklawn Park reaches the end on Saturday, when the track hosts the $1.5 million dollar, Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. A deep and talented field of ten will travel 1 ⅛ miles on the main Oaklawn track in search of the prestigious Win that also includes maximum Derby qualifying points. The Winner will get 100 points, while the runner-up will receive 50, … Continue reading The Arkansas Derby

Louisiana Derby Field

Only five horses that have participated in the Louisiana Derby have gone on to Win the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. They are: BLACK GOLD (1924), GRINDSTONE (1996), FUNNY CIDE (2003), COUNTRY HOUSE (2019) and MANDALOUN (2021), albeit the last two by disqualification. BLACK GOLD and GRINDSTONE both Won the Louisiana Derby prior to their Victories in the Run For The Roses. This year’s competitive … Continue reading Louisiana Derby Field

Track Conditions

As most of you reading this are aware; Thoroughbred horse racing is an outdoor sport and races typically take place rain or shine. That means track conditions can vary widely with the weather. Racing literature in every iteration often refers to track conditions and the amount of moisture held by dirt and turf (grass) racing surfaces. But even for those of us in-the-know, track condition … Continue reading Track Conditions

Tampa Bay Derby OG

The Road to the Kentucky Derby runs through Tampa Bay Downs Saturday with the 43rd edition of the Tampa Bay Derby.  In addition to the $400,000 dollar purse, the Grade 2 contest offers a total of 105 Derby qualifying points, with 50 going to the Winner, 25 to 2nd, 15 to 3rd, 10 to 4th, and five points to 5th. Here’s a look back at a couple of … Continue reading Tampa Bay Derby OG

The Tampa Bay Derby

The 1 1⁄16-mile Tampa Bay Derby (G3) is Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. The race has long existed in the shadow of richer Derby preps at nearby Gulfstream Park. But even in the face of fierce competition to attract the best three-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 held in 1981, the Tampa … Continue reading The Tampa Bay Derby

Fountain Of Youth Stakes

SPECTACULAR BID, BET TWICE , THUNDER GULCH and ORB are just a few of the well known, modern-era Winners of the Fountain Of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. First run in 1945 and currently contested over 1 1⁄16 miles, the Fountain of Youth has been producing Derby contenders for generations. TIM TAM put the race on the map by completing the Fountain of Youth/Kentucky Derby double in … Continue reading Fountain Of Youth Stakes

Who Wins The Rebel Stakes ?

As March draws near the anticipation for the 2024 Kentucky Derby is ramping up. That said, Saturday the focus will be on Oaklawn Park for the 64th running of the Rebel Stakes. The 1 1/16-mile Rebel is the third of four prep races for the Kentucky Derby held at Oaklawn and offers, along with a hefty $1.25 million dollar purse, a total of 105 qualifying points for the … Continue reading Who Wins The Rebel Stakes ?