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By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman From 2003 through 2019, pacesetters struggled in the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. Even though gate-to-wire winners have historically been commonplace in the Run for the Roses, the first two decades of the 21st century saw only one Derby winner (War Emblem in 2002) prevail ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The Road to the Kentucky Derby is nearly complete. The first Saturday in May is barely more than three weeks away. Who will win the Run for the Roses? Favorites have enjoyed plenty of Derby success over the last 10 years. In fact, the top betting choice claimed victory every year ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Saturday is shaping up to be an epic day of racing across the country. No fewer than 15 graded stakes are slated to take place at Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Santa Anita, including a trio of important Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers. Let's examine the three Derby preps and plan ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Five weeks out from the Kentucky Derby (G1), the prep race action is heating up in a big way. A trio of pivotal qualifiers worth 100-40-20-10 to the top four finishers will take place on Saturday at Oaklawn Park, Gulfstream Park, and Turfway Park. Let's explore the entries and plan ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Following a two-week break, the Road to the Kentucky Derby resumes in a big way this weekend. A trio of important qualifiers will take place around the globe, including the two races—the UAE Derby (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2)—worth 100-40-20-10 points to the top four ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The third weekend in March is shaping up to be a relatively quiet one on the horse racing front. Not a single Road to the Kentucky Derby or Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifier is on the agenda. However, Gulfstream Park has assembled a competitive Saturday card highlighted by three ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Saturday is arguably the biggest racing day of the year at Tampa Bay Downs. Five stakes (four of them graded) worth a combined $1 million are on the agenda, led by the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Let's check out two of the graded stakes and see ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman In case you missed the memo, a staggering 29 stakes (16 of them graded) will take place across the U.S. this Saturday. The action-packed schedule includes a quartet of Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races, three of them graded. Let's take a quick look at the biggest Derby preps ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Ready for a trip around the globe and back? The final Saturday in February is a busy one, with the Saudi Cup (G1) highlighting a rich international slate in Saudi Arabia and the Rebel S. (G2) ranking as the biggest prize on the home front. Let's plan our picks for a trio of the ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Let's say you're a handicapper, and you're unaware that Saturday's $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) at Fair Grounds is the most lucrative Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race so far this year, awarding five times as many qualification points (50-20-10-5 to the top four finishers) as ...