Making A Mint Julep

The Kentucky Derby is a sporting event immersed in tradition and spirit(s). And when spirits and Derby traditions are in the same sentence, the Mint Julep isn’t far behind. What better way to watch the Run For The Roses than with a chilled adult beverage in hand? The Mint Julep has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1939, although its origins trace back to the first Derby Day in 1875. … Continue reading Making A Mint Julep

The History Of The Lexington Stakes

The Road to the Kentucky Derby takes the checkered flag on Saturday with the running of the $400,000 dollar, Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.   Held over 1 1/16 miles, the race awards Kentucky Derby qualification points on a 20-10-6-4-2 basis to the top five finishers. It’s certainly a diminished prize compared to the past few weeks of 100-50-25-15-10 preps, but it does offer horses on the … Continue reading The History Of The Lexington Stakes

The Winner Of The Wood Is..?

Saturday, Aqueduct Park hosts its signature spring race and the terminus on the New York road to the Kentucky Derby. A field of thirteen 3-year-olds will do battle in the $750,000 dollar, Grade 2 Wood Memorial at 1 1/8 miles on the main track A total of 200 Kentucky Derby qualifying points are on the line, with the Winner receiving 100 points, and 50-25-15-10 going to the 2nd-place through … Continue reading The Winner Of The Wood Is..?

The Wood Memorial

The 99th edition of the Grade 2, $750,000 dollar Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Park is this Saturday, April 6th. The race remains a prominent stop on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points to the top five finishers. The Winner will automatically earn enough points to be eligible to enter into the Kentucky Derby. Inaugurated in 1925, the Wood Memorial (G2) has long been an important … Continue reading The Wood Memorial

Keeneland Spring Meet

Spring is in the air, which means race fans are in the thick of one of the most active and important seasons in Thoroughbred racing. The winter meets are coming to an end and racing enjoys a rejuvenation with certain tracks opening for their spring meets. When the calendar enters April in Kentucky it marks the opening of Keeneland Race Course for its annual spring … Continue reading Keeneland Spring Meet

A Fierce Florida Derby ?

Saturday’s Florida Derby is a vital prep race that will earn 100 points for the Winner, thus guaranteeing a spot in the Kentucky Derby (normally, between 45 and 50 points is enough to get into the field). The Florida Derby features FIERCENESS, the Eclipse Award-Winning 2-year-old of 2023. Since last August, when he Won his first career start at Saratoga by over 11 lengths, it has … Continue reading A Fierce Florida Derby ?

The Florida Derby

A total of 200 Road To The Kentucky Derby qualification points are on the line Saturday in 73rd edition of the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. The Winner will get 100 points, while the runner-up will receive 50, the 3rd-place finisher 25, with 15 going to the 4th-place finisher and 10 for the 5th-place horse. The 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby is one of the most influential prep … Continue reading The Florida Derby

The Arkansas Derby

The Road to the Kentucky Derby at Oaklawn Park reaches the end on Saturday, when the track hosts the $1.5 million dollar, Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. A deep and talented field of ten will travel 1 ⅛ miles on the main Oaklawn track in search of the prestigious Win that also includes maximum Derby qualifying points. The Winner will get 100 points, while the runner-up will receive 50, … Continue reading The Arkansas Derby

Saratoga 2024 Big Money Stakes

It’s never too early to talk Saratoga Racing and today the New York Racing Association released the racing schedule for the 2024 season. This year’s meet is highlighted by the 155th edition of the Grade 1 Travers Stakes (August 24th) and the Grade 1 Whitney (August 3rd). The 40-day Saratoga meet features 19 Grade 1 races as part of 71 Stakes worth $20.75 million dollars … Continue reading Saratoga 2024 Big Money Stakes

Louisiana Derby Field

Only five horses that have participated in the Louisiana Derby have gone on to Win the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. They are: BLACK GOLD (1924), GRINDSTONE (1996), FUNNY CIDE (2003), COUNTRY HOUSE (2019) and MANDALOUN (2021), albeit the last two by disqualification. BLACK GOLD and GRINDSTONE both Won the Louisiana Derby prior to their Victories in the Run For The Roses. This year’s competitive … Continue reading Louisiana Derby Field