Who Wins The Tampa Bay Derby?

The Tampa Bay Derby takes center stage on the east coast Saturday afternoon, as the road to the May 2nd Kentucky Derby continues. The $400,000-dollar, Grade 3 Stakes offers a total of 105 qualifying points toward a spot in the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs, distributed to the top five finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale. Here is a brief look at the field … Continue reading Who Wins The Tampa Bay Derby?

Who Wins The Rebel Stakes?

The Arkansas Road to the Kentucky Derby is paved with gold. Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs has four Derby points races with total purses equaling $3.75 million dollars. These rich pay-days along with Derby qualifying points leads to deep and talented fields with compelling 3-year-olds looking for a spot in the gate for the May 2nd Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs. Sunday the $1 … Continue reading Who Wins The Rebel Stakes?

Who Wins The Gotham Stakes?

This is the time on the calendar when Derby hopefuls should be concentrating on two-turn preps and qualifying points. The Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Park on Saturday is a bit counter intuitive to this thinking. The Gotham is contested as a one-turn mile; however, the winner does receive 50 Derby qualifying points, a total that should be good enough for a spot in The Run for … Continue reading Who Wins The Gotham Stakes?

Who Wins The John Battaglia Stakes?

Saturday is the John Battaglia Stakes at Turfway Park. Twenty Kentucky Derby qualifying points will be awarded to the winner of Saturday’s contest. The race also offers synthetic runners a useful prep ahead of the March 21st Jeff Ruby Steaks. The Battaglia, held on the Turfway Tapeta Footings track, attracted an overflow field of 13. Here is a brief look at that field: 1. STREET BEAST … Continue reading Who Wins The John Battaglia Stakes?

One Of The Good Guys

The man who trained ZENYATTA to a Hall of Fame career and saddled longshot 2005 Kentucky Dery winner GIACOMO has passed away. John Shirreffs died in his sleep February 12th at his home in Arcadia, California. He was 80 years of age. Known for his patience and individualized attention to his horses, Shirreffs left his mark in some of Thoroughbred racing’s greatest events. “The industry … Continue reading One Of The Good Guys

Who Wins The Risen Star Stakes?

Saturday’s $500,000-dollar Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds is the first race in Churchill Downs Championship Series. Horses entered in the Risen Star will compete for a total of 105 qualifying points for the May 2nd Kentucky Derby, distributed on a scale of 50-25-15-10-5 to the top five finishers. It stands to reason that whichever horse wins this race has a very good chance of securing … Continue reading Who Wins The Risen Star Stakes?

Who Wins The Sam F. Davis Stakes?

There’s been no race postponements in Tampa. So, Saturday brings us the $250,000 dollar Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The SFD is the first of two Kentucky Derby points races at the Gulf Coast track, with the second being the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7th. Saturday’s contest will award 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top five finishers in the 1 1/16-mile … Continue reading Who Wins The Sam F. Davis Stakes?

Who Wins The Southwest Stakes?

Having been postponed last Saturday due to the brutally cold conditions, the Grade 3, Southwest Stakes is Friday (2/6) at Oaklawn Park. Not only does the 1 1/16-mile contest feature a million-dollar purse, but it also offers a total of 42 Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis to the top five finishers. Here is a brief look at the field: 1. RECLAMATION [ML 30-1] … Continue reading Who Wins The Southwest Stakes?

Who Wins The Holy Bull ?

Saturday is the 37th running of the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The 1 1/16-mile stakes for 3-year-olds offers a purse of $275,000 dollars and a total of 42 qualifying points for the May 2nd Kentucky Derby, distributed on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale to the top five finishers. Here is a brief look at the field: 1. INCREDIBOLT [ML 9-2] Jockey: Jaime Torres. Trainer: Riley Mott. The only … Continue reading Who Wins The Holy Bull ?

Who Wins The Pegasus World Cup?

The 10th annual Pegasus World Cup Invitational is set to go on Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The Grade 1, $3 million-dollar, 1 1/8-mile contest is a Win and You’re In race for the $7 million-dollar Breeders’ Cup Classic on October 31st at Keeneland. Here then is a brief look at the field for this year’s Pegasus World Cup: 1. DISCO TIME [ML 8-5] Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Brad … Continue reading Who Wins The Pegasus World Cup?