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By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman A pair of graded stakes at Saratoga this weekend—Saturday's $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2) and Sunday's $250,000 Bowling Green (G2)—could be strongly influenced by pace dynamics. Let's check out the fields and see what the prospective pace scenarios mean for handicapping: Jim Dandy ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman I had initially planned to handicap the $1 million Haskell (G1) at Monmouth Park for this week's edition of Unlocking Winners. But with the field still in flux (key contenders Fierceness and Dornoch are possible to scratch), it's difficult to make a selection this far in ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The summer racing season is heating up on the East Coast. Saratoga and Colonial Downs are opening for business this Thursday, and both have stakes races on their Saturday agendas. The $500,000 Diana (G1) is the feature event at Saratoga, while the $125,000 Million Preview S. leads ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman They're not as rich and prestigious as the Kentucky Derby (G1), but the $300,000 Indiana Derby (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis and the $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows have drawn Kentucky Derby alumni and could have an impact on the second half of the 2024 racing season. Let's ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman A strong field has turned out for Saturday's $1 million Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs. Nine horses have entered the 1 1/8-mile contest, including eight graded stakes winners and another who has placed at the Grade 1 level. Don't be surprised if one or more of these runners ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Ever since the purse for the Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown increased to its current $500,000 in 2015, the 1 1/8-mile race has been won on a regular basis by Triple Crown alumni. Last year, it was Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Two Phil's who dominated the Ohio Derby by 5 3/4 ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman A deep field has turned out for Saturday's $150,000 Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park. The 1 1/16-mile contest for three-year-olds isn't a graded stakes, but it might as well be. The 2024 field is packed with Road to the Kentucky Derby alumni (including three graded stakes winners), and ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The 2024 Triple Crown reaches its pinnacle this Saturday with the 156th running of the $2 million Belmont Stakes (G1). Due to renovations taking place at Belmont Park, this year's Belmont has been moved to Saratoga and shortened from 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/4 miles. The result is a ...