It’s been a bit of a dry spell since the Wood Memorial Stakes last produced a Kentucky Derby Winner. Some might even call it a drought. It was 2003 when FUNNY CIDE ran 2nd in the Wood, (to EMPIRE MAKER) and then went on to Win the Run for the Roses. That said, does Saturday’s Wood Memorial Winner- RODRIGUEZ have what it takes to make … Continue reading Can RODRIGUEZ Win The Derby?
The $750,000-dollar, Wood Memorial Stakes is Saturday at Aqueduct Park. The weather forecast calls for an 84% chance of rain with the precipitation expected to begin at about 10 a.m. The Wood is a 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Derby qualifying race that offers points to the top five finishers on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale. So, the results (on what might very well be a sloppy track) will dictate … Continue reading Is There A Mudder In The Wood?
The 100th running of the Grade 2, $750,000 dollar Wood Memorial is this Saturday at Aqueduct Park. Having begun in 1925, the Wood Memorial has long been an important proving ground for Kentucky Derby contenders. Originally contested at a mile and 70 yards (and later 1 1/16 miles) at Jamaica Race Course, the Wood Memorial is named in memory of the late Eugene D. Wood, … Continue reading Don’t Knock The Wood
Saturday is the last of Gulfstream Park’s Kentucky Derby prep races. The million dollar Florida Derby will award KD qualifying points to the first five finishers on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale. Here is a brief look at the field of ten for this year’s event: 1. NEOEQUOS [ML 10-1] Jockey: Edgar Zayas. Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. This colt has flown under the radar on the 2025 Kentucky … Continue reading Who Wins The Florida Derby?
One of the two premier prep races for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday is the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. The 1 1/8-mile contest has been very influential on the Triple Crown trail this century. Several horses have exited this race and gone on to star in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes. Most notably is 2015 Triple Crown Winner AMERICAN PHAROAH as well as last … Continue reading Who Wins The Arkansas Derby?
The Road to the Kentucky Derby is getting shorter, so the qualifying races are hitting fast and furious for the next few weeks, beginning on Saturday with two 100 point contests. The Winners of these races are pretty much assured a spot in the gate, should their connections decide to run. THE ARKANSAS DERBY The third and final leg of Oaklawn Park’s 3-year-old Kentucky Derby … Continue reading Two Big Races On Saturday
On Saturday Fair Grounds hosts its fourth and final qualifying points race for the Kentucky Derby. Ten 3-year-olds have been entered for the $1 million dollar, Grade 2 Louisiana Derby. The top five finishers in the contest will earn Derby points, distributed on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis. At a distance of 1 3/16 miles the Louisiana Derby is the longest North American qualifying race for the 1 … Continue reading Who Wins The Louisiana Derby?
The Louisiana Derby at Fairgrounds is Saturday and there are some undeniable historic tendencies in the race- which could help bettors decide a Winner. Reviewing the past 15 years of Louisiana Derby might simplify the handicapping process. Here then are some trends from the recent history of the LD which may help to narrow the field: Look For Tactical Speed: 11 of the last 15 … Continue reading Louisiana Derby Betting Trends
As far as Kentucky Derby prep races are concerned, there aren’t many older than the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds. The historic race dates back to 1894, which makes the Louisiana Derby almost as old as the Kentucky Derby 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 The Louisiana Derby
The Virginia Derby was formerly a late-summer, headliner turf race at Colonial Downs. This year the Virginia Derby has morphed into a qualifying race for the May 3rd Kentucky Derby. The race is a one-turn, 1 1/8-mile contest with a purse of $500,000 dollars, and awards qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale to the top five finishers. Here is a brief look at the runners: 1. CALLING CARD … Continue reading Who Wins The Virginia Derby?
