The Derby Trail is open for business this weekend with three Kentucky Derby prep races. The winner in each of their respective races will earn twenty qualifying points in hopes of drawing a spot in the gate the first Saturday in May. These three contests are the feature events for Saturday: The Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Park. Inaugurated in 1874, one year before the Kentucky Derby, … Continue reading Road To The Kentucky Derby Getting Busier
Prior to 2013 the traditional qualifying factor for horses wanting to participate in the Kentucky Derby was total Graded Stakes purse earnings. The more money an eligible horse won, the increased chance of entering the starting gate on the first Saturday in May. But beginning in 2013 Churchill Downs scratched the classic earnings method in favor of a points-based system which totally revamped the traditional Prep Races. These Prep … Continue reading When ‘The Road’ Began
The next phase of Derby prep races begins Saturday with the $250,000-dollar Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds. The top five finishers in the Grade 3 Stakes will receive 20-10-6-4-2 points in descending order. Here is a brief look at the field: 1. QUALITY MISCHIEF [ML 10-1] Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza. Trainer: Brad Cox. Made some progress in the Gun Runner Stakes over this track when he rallied for 4th … Continue reading Who Wins The Lecomte Stakes?
There is no horse race more iconic in the United States than the Kentucky Derby. A race that has been contested every year without a miss since 1875. The contest is traditionally held on the first Saturday in May, with the exceptions of 1901, 1945 and 2020. Taking place at Churchill Downs, the prestigious race is the first leg of the Triple Crown and is often considered to be the … Continue reading The Kentucky Bunbury ?
Nine days into 2026 and, as always, there is plenty of excitement being generated for what’s ahead this year in the wonderful world of horse racing. A plethora of exhilarating races, memorable moments, and great times at tracks all across the country await us. Everyone (even horseplayers) make New Year’s resolutions; and as most resolutions go, some are more successful than others. That said, the Daily Racing … Continue reading 2026 Wish List
The two-year-old racing season is over, so happy belated birthday to all the 2026 Derby Contenders. The Road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby is open for business and traffic will be getting heavier as the Prep Races begin in earnest. Here is a basic primer/review about how horses qualify for the Run for the Roses. WHO: THREE-YEAR-OLD THOROUGHBREDS: When you hear that Winning the Kentucky Derby is a once-in-a-lifetime event, that’s … Continue reading Derby Prep Races Are Underway
Saturday is the $250,000 dollar Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The mile & 1/16th contest is a Kentucky Derby points race that offers 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying points to the top five finishers. Here is a brief look at the field: 1. UNIVERSE [ML 3-1] Jockey: Joel Rosario. Trainer: Ken McPeek. Ran 2nd in a pair of Churchill Downs Graded Stakes races at this distance in his last two … Continue reading Who Wins The Smarty Jones Stakes?
Saturday is the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds. The 2-year-old Stakes contest is the first of four Kentucky Derby preps at Fair Grounds. The mile & 1/16th Gun Runner will offer a total of 21 Derby qualifying points on a scale of 10-5-3-2-1 to the top five finishers. Here is a brief look at Saturday’s field: 1. MESQUITE [ML 9-2] Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Trainer: Cherie … Continue reading Who Wins The Gun Runner Stakes?
A new addition to the Road to the Kentucky Derby series of races is the Gun Runner Stakes. The mile & 1/16th contest at Fair Grounds was inaugurated in 2021. The race is named in honor of GUN RUNNER, the 2017 American Horse of the Year and a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee. The 5th edition of the Gun Runner is Saturday and is the first in a series … Continue reading The Gun Runner Stakes
Some of the winter season’s best dirt racing returns to the Midwest with the start of 2025-26 campaign at Oaklawn Park. This Friday (12/12) the winter/spring meet at the Hot Springs, Arkansas facility gets underway. Oaklawn racing boasts big fields, which make for good betting races for handicappers. They feature an excellent Stakes program, along with very strong purses throughout its 64-raceday season that will continue … Continue reading Oaklawn Park Set To Open
