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?
OWEN ALMIGHTY Won the $350,000 dollar Tampa Bay Derby this past Saturday by 3 ½-lengths. In addition to the Winner’s share of the purse the bay colt also earned 50 points toward qualifying for the 2025 Kentucky Derby and ranks second on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 65 points in total. But does the Brian Lynch trained colt have what it takes to shine on … Continue reading Can Owen Be Almighty In The Derby?
Tampa Bays Downs has its marquee Kentucky Derby prep race Saturday. Seven 3-year-old colts are entered to compete for a total of 105 Derby points in the 45th running of the $400,000 dollar Tampa Bay Derby. The 1 1/16-mile race distributes points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis to its top five finishers. Here is a brief look at the field: 1. OWEN ALMIGHTY [ML 5-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz … Continue reading Who Wins The Tampa Bay Derby?
The Tampa Bay Derby is this Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. The 1 1⁄16-mile Tampa Bay Derby (G2) has long been overshadowed by the richer Derby prep races at nearby Gulfstream Park. Despite the fierce competition to attract the best three-year-old’s in Florida, the Tampa Bay Derby has more than held its own as a productive prep for the Run For The Roses. First held in 1981, the Tampa Bay … Continue reading It’s Tampa Bay Derby Time
The road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby goes autobahn come March 1st. Saturday Gulfstream Park will be one focal point on a nation-wide day of prep races as it hosts the 79th edition of the Fountain Of Youth Stakes. The $415,000 dollar, Grade 2 Stakes run at 1 1/16 miles on dirt is the third of four preps at Gulfstream that offer qualifying points to the … Continue reading Who Wins The Fountain Of Youth?
Saturday is the $415,000, Grade 2, Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Some of the top 3-year-olds in the country will do battle in this 1 1/16-mile contest. The Fountain of Youth is named after the mythical spring that attracted explorers to Florida in the 16th Century. The race was first held in 1945, and has been run every year since 1953. In 1973, it … Continue reading Youth Is Served
The Rebel Stakes was originally scheduled to be run Saturday, but Oaklawn Park officials moved the entire Saturday card to Sunday due to inclement weather conditions forecast for the region. That said, a large field of fourteen 3-year-olds are scheduled to compete in the 65th edition of the Rebel Stakes. The 1 1/16-mile contest distributes Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis to the top five finishers … Continue reading Who Wins The Rebel Stakes ?
The Risen Star Stakes is the feature race at Fairgrounds on Saturday. But the undercard has the Rachel Alexandra Stakes in which the Winner is awarded 50 qualifying points toward a spot in the Kentucky Oaks. Here is a brief look at the field for the Grade 2, $300,000 dollar, mile & 1/16 contest: 1. ANONIMA [ML 6-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Ken McPeek. Has … Continue reading Rachel Alexandra Stakes
Tampa Bay Downs hosts its first Kentucky Derby points race Saturday with the1 1/16-mile Sam F. Davis Stakes. A springboard to the March 8th Tampa Bay Derby, the Sam F. Davis is also a solid first step toward a starting spot in the May 3rd Run For The Roses as it awards 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top 5 finishers. Here’s a brief look at … Continue reading Who Wins The Sam F. Davis Stakes?
