The 2026 Kentucky Derby is two weeks away and while most handicappers are focusing in on the first Saturday in May there is a race this Saturday that is worthy of their attention. The $1,250,000-dollar Oaklawn Handicap at Oaklawn Park feels like a throwback race in a bygone era when true horse racing heavyweights of the handicap/older male division would meet regularly in feature Stakes across … Continue reading Who Wins The Oaklawn Handicap?
The $400,000-dollar, Lexington Stakes is Saturday at Keeneland. The race usually provides a 3-year-old with a way to catapult into the Kentucky Derby in the 24th hour of qualifying – but not this year. The Lexington offers 20 qualifying points to the winning horse, but none of the horses entered have accrued enough points to crack the 50 or more needed to run in the Derby even if they … Continue reading Who Wins The Lexington Stakes?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is less than four weeks away. The annual event is not only the most anticipated, most watched Thoroughbred race in the world but an essential part of American sports culture. Memories are made with each Run for the Roses, but some over the passage of time become legend, not only to day-to-day followers of horse racing but to the general public. The first Saturday … Continue reading And Here Comes GIACOMO !
The final three major prep races for the Kentucky Derby are scheduled for Saturday. Each of the three races offers 100 qualifying points to the winner. The last one scheduled is the $500,000, Grade 1, Santa Anita Derby. Here is a brief look at the field for that contest: 1. CHEROKEE NATION [ML 5-2] Jockey: Florent Geroux. Trainer: Bob Baffert. The light bulb finally went on for him … Continue reading Who Wins The Santa Anita Derby?
The Bluegrass Stakes is Saturday at Keeneland Race Course. The Bluegrass is the marquee event at the Spring meet in Keeneland. The $1.25 million-dollar, 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old Kentucky Derby hopefuls drew a competitive field of nine for the 102nd edition of the race. The Blue Grass distributes the Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale. Here is a … Continue reading Who Wins The Bluegrass Stakes?
Saturday is the million-dollar Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. No prep race has produced more Kentucky Derby winners than the Florida Derby, including four of the last 10. The Florida Derby will award qualifying points toward the Run for the Roses on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale to the top five finishers. Here is a brief look at the field of nine: 1. ALBUS [ML 20-1] Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione. … Continue reading Who Wins The Florida Derby?
The $1.5 million Arkansas Derby is Saturday at Oaklawn Park. It is the track’s fourth and final qualifying points prep race for the Kentucky Derby. The 1 1/8-mile race offers a total of 200 points to the top five finishers toward reserving a spot in the Run for the Roses, distributed on a 100-50-25-15-10 basis. Here is a brief look at the field for the 90th edition … Continue reading Who Wins The Arkansas Derby?
There’s only one Derby qualifying race this weekend, and that is the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs. A spot in the Run for the Roses is on the line Saturday at the New Kent County track. Points will be distributed to the top 5 finishers on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis, more than likely assuring the winner a spot in the Derby gate. Here is a brief … Continue reading Who Wins The Virginia 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?
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?
