Four points to ponder: 2021 Rebel Stakes
The shorthand storyline for Saturday’s $1 million Rebel S. (G2) is Bob Baffert versus Brad Cox. Will Hall of Famer Baffert extend his record grip on the Oaklawn Park feature, or will Cox continue his […]
Features
Kentucky Derby Report – Life Is Good makes short work of San Felipe foes
With a front-running romp in Saturday’s San Felipe S. (G2) at Santa Anita, Life Is Good strengthened his hold upon Kentucky Derby favoritism. The Bob Baffert-trained colt will make his final prep race in the […]
Kentucky Derby Report – Essential Quality stylishly returns, Greatest Honour finds a way to win
Essential Quality appears right on schedule, opening his three-year-old season with a sharp win in the Southwest S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park. The unbeaten two-year-old champion is a polished product compared to Greatest Honour, who […]
Kentucky Derby Report: February to close with three preps
After a week hiatus, the Road to the Kentucky Derby resumes with three qualifiers this weekend. Here is an early look at the fields. Friday’s $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial S. at Turfway Park will award […]
Kentucky Derby Report: Mandaloun adds blinkers, raises game in Risen Star
Expert horse racing analyst James Scully reflects the KY Derby implications we learned from the efforts of Mandaloun and Rombauer. […]
Five points to ponder: 2021 Risen Star
Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds ushers in the Kentucky Derby Championship Series with more points up for grabs. A sign of the trail’s increasing momentum toward the first Saturday in May, the […]
Kentucky Derby Report: Concert Tour among new stakes winners
Last-out maiden winners grabbed the spotlight on Feb. 2. Candy Man Rocket and Risk Taking earned Kentucky Derby qualifying points for respective wins in the Sam F. Davis S. (G3) and Withers S. (G3), and […]
Five points to ponder: 2021 Withers, Sam F. Davis
Trainer Todd Pletcher is double-handed in both of Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1) scoring races, the $250,000 Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct and the $250,000 Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. A record six-time […]
Kentucky Derby Report: Greatest Honour, Medina Spirit make their mark
A pair of up-and-upcoming Kentucky Derby contenders, Greatest Honour and Medina Spirit, recorded their first stakes victory on Jan. 30. Greatest Honour stepped up with a decisive win in the Holy Bull S. (G3) at […]
Five points to ponder: 2021 Holy Bull, Robert B. Lewis
The Lewis shapes up as arguably the trickier race to handicap, with a well-matched field. But the Holy Bull might have a greater impact over the long haul, by producing a major Derby contender. […]