Tag: Derby preps

By Ed McNamara Classic Causeway bolted to the lead out of the gate, and before the 8-5 favorite reached the turn, he had company on his outside. Little Vic, a 13-1 shot, applied pressure immediately, …

By Ed McNamara These are disturbing times for the world and for America, and our national race reflects the chaos. Two of the past three winners of the Kentucky Derby were disqualified, an unprecedented burst …

By Richard Rosenblatt The day started with a 99-1 shocker in the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) and wrapped up with a 75-1 upset when Un Ojo won the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at …

By Mike Farrell Todd Pletcher is hotter than a firecracker as he blazes through the graded stakes at Gulfstream Park’s championship meet. Pletcher leads all trainers at the meet with over $4 million in earnings, …

By Mike Farrell Trainer Todd Pletcher was humming a happy tune after watching Life Is Good turn in another sharp workout in preparation for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) on Saturday at …

By Richard Rosenblatt and Ed McNamara Essential Quality, Medina Spirit and 26 other 3-year-olds will be off and running Saturday in a trifecta of Kentucky Derby prep races with ‘win-or-run-second-and-you’re-in’ implications. The star of the …

Florida Derby 2021 Odds The $750,000 Florida Derby, a key prep race for the Kentucky Derby on May 1, is Saturday at Gulfstream Park. A field of 11 was entered, and here are the updated …

By Mike Farrell Jambalaya anyone? The 3-year-old action shifts Saturday to the Fair Grounds for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2). This is the first Kentucky Derby (G1) prep offering 100 qualifying points to the …

By Richard Rosenblatt Inhale. Exhale.   Either way, there’s no denying, at least for now, that Helium belongs in this week’s edition of the usracing.com Kentucky Derby Top 10. From nowhere to No. 7, who …

San Felipe Stakes: As the road to the 147th Kentucky Derby rolls along, US Racing looks back at some history of many of the prep races that now offer qualifying points to Run for the …

By Richard Rosenblatt After a three-month absence to recover from right leg surgery, Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano returned to the races. On Wednesday , Castellano finished fourth aboard Sexy Dream in the ninth …

By Richard Rosenblatt Sometimes, the plan works perfectly. At the Fair Grounds on Saturday, in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) with a full field of 14 3-year-olds and an empty grandstand, all went well …

By Richard Rosenblatt And now comes the big test for Silver Prospector, at least the biggest test for now on the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), with a few out-of-towners visiting Oaklawn Park to …

By Margaret Ransom After a one-year absence, the San Felipe Stakes (G2) is back and loaded with talent, featuring a pair of unbeaten colts trained by Bob Baffert, 2-year-old champion Storm the Court and the …

By Ed McNamara The Kentucky Derby elimination tournament continues Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, Aqueduct and Santa Anita. Just as in last week’s Fountain of Youth Stakes, many horses appear to be in too deep. …