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
This is the time of year when the Daily Racing Blog as well as every thoroughbred publication writes about the Road To The Kentucky Derby. While we (and others) just assume horse-players know what we’re referring to, there may be some newcomers to the game who would like a little more information. The Road to the Kentucky Derby point system was created in 2012 to establish a … Continue reading How Do You Get To The Derby ?
The feature race at Gulfstream Park this Saturday is the $300,000 dollar, Grade 2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes. The FOY is the second official Kentucky Derby qualifier at Gulfstream Park and offers 50-20-10-5 points to the top four finishers. It is run at the distance of 1 1/16 mile, and drew a field of ten 3-year-olds. The Fountain of Youth is named after the mythical spring … Continue reading Youthful
The Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star on Saturday has drawn a full field of 13 horses who will go nine furlongs in the first Kentucky Derby prep race of the year that offers the increased points level (50-20-10-5). The top four finishers from the Lecomte Stakes (G3), which was the first of the Derby preps this year at Fair Grounds, are in the field. Here is … Continue reading The Risen Star
Saturday is the $400,000 dollar, Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. It is this years first prep race on the road to the Kentucky Derby to ratchet up the awards and offer a total of 85 qualifying points to the top four finishers. Those points are distributed on a scale of 50-20-10-5. Which means that the Winner will very likely secure … Continue reading The Stakes Are Rising
The 147th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for May 1st, 2021. The health and safety of the entire racing community at Churchill Downs is the primary concern this year. Churchill Downs Inc. (which operates the facility) remains focused on following sound and proven health and safety protocols as they work toward the best experience possible for horse racing fans. They are working under … Continue reading The Derby & Covid Part 2
Two years ago trainer Shug McGaughey followed Florida’s Road to the Kentucky Derby to a 2nd-place finish with CODE OF HONOR in the Run For The Roses. The Hall of Fame trainer found himself back on that illustrious path this past Saturday with a new Triple Crown candidate. GREATEST HONOUR powered his way to a 5 3/4-length Victory in the $200,000 dollar Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream … Continue reading It Was An Honour
Gulfstream Park has always been a key racetrack on the road to the Kentucky Derby, and in recent years three of the last eight Kentucky Derby Winners prepped with at least one start at the Hallandale Beach track while on the Derby trail. Saturday’s $200,000, Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes (named in honor of the 1994 Horse Of The Year) is the first of three Kentucky Derby … Continue reading Holy Bull !
