If one of the horses with early speed entered in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 13 at Oaklawn Park is able to emerge with a victory in the 1 1/16-mile race, they figure to be a good fit for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). I'm basing that "good fit for the Derby" statement on the fact that on paper an easy lead doesn't seem likely Saturday as a number of runners with early...
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When Omaha Beach held off Improbable to win the Arkansas Derby (G1) April 13 at Oaklawn Park, it wrapped up an especially exciting Road to the Kentucky Derby prep season. Before turning our focus to the actual race, I thought we could take a final look back at this year's prep season in a "by the numbers" format. 150 Points earned by Road to the Kentucky Derby points leader Tacitus. 2 Years in which...
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When Churchill Downs changed its qualifying standards for the Kentucky Derby (G1) ahead of the 2013 edition of the race from graded stakes earnings to points earned in its designated Road to the Kentucky Derby series races, this is the type of season those racing executives surely imagined. While before the points system there were years where good horses would just get into the field or just get squeezed...
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Welcome to March, when the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) field begins to take shape thanks to increased prep race qualifying points that essentially ensure winners of races like the Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth (G2), San Felipe (G2), and Rebel (G2) stakes a spot in the Derby gate. This year, Turfway Park 's top Derby prep, the Spiral Stakes—in 2018 it's the Jeff Ruby Steaks ...
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Of the dozen horses entered in the $500,000 JACK Cincinnati Casino Spiral Stakes (G3) March 25 on the Polytrack at Turfway Park, nine had never won a race on dirt....
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Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Girvin has put together past performances that hint at the combination of careful planning and needed adjustments required in Thoroughbred training. The large son of Tale of Ekati was given time to develop by trainer Joe Sharp before he was sent out for his career debut in December. After going back and forth on starting Brad Grady's runner at one or two turns, Sharp settled...
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Frank Angst analyzes the Kentucky Derby picture following interesting prep races from the weekend, specifically weight assignments. ...
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Considering it's only February, Kaleem Shah's Dortmund has displayed about as many qualities as one could hope to see in a potential Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) horse....
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