Saturday’s $1 million dollar Rebel Stakes (G2) is the third of four qualifying points preps at Oaklawn Park for the May 1st Kentucky Derby. The April 10th Arkansas Derby is the final KD prep race at Oaklawn. The 1 1/16-mile Rebel offers Derby points to the top four finishers on a 50-20-10-5 scale as well as a hefty purse distribution. This year’s Rebel drew a competitive eight-horse … Continue reading Who Wins The Rebel ?
Although the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park dates back to 1961, its significance as a Prep Race for the Kentucky Derby has increased by leaps and bounds since the turn of the century Held annually in the middle of March, the Rebel awards Kentucky Derby qualification points to the top four finishers in a 50-20-10-5 basis, which essentially guarantees the Winner a spot in the gate … Continue reading Rebel With A Cause
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
Here is a full field analysis for the Fountain of Youth, which is the final race on a card of 14. It has a scheduled Post Time of 6:10. 1. DRAIN THE CLOCK [ML 5-1] Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Edgard Zayas. He is one of the wild cards in the race with an interesting race record and this being his first start beyond seven furlongs. … Continue reading FOY Picks
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
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
Here is a full field analysis for the Holy Bull, which is slated as race 11 on a card of 12, with a scheduled Post Time of 4:50. 1) JIRAFALES [ML 20-1] Trainer: Gustavo Delgado. Jockey: John Velazquez. Broke his Maiden at first asking with a late run, to Win by almost five lengths at Gulfstream Park West against Florida-breds. He has been off since that … Continue reading Holy Bull Selections
