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Two horses will earn their way into the Kentucky Derby (G1) this weekend, as the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Risen Star (G2) stakes both offer 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the winner.As convoluted as the new points system is, it appears safe to say that 50 points will make the field.Unfortunately, I think the public will choose ...

Capo Bastone will be the latest horse to run back from the 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) when he goes in race 9, a non-winners allowance, at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. So far the Juvenile runners have a 9:1-2-1 record on the comeback. Dynamic Sky, who finished a troubled 6th in the Juvenile, won the Pasco and finished 2nd in the Sam Davis ...

1. Itsmyluckyday: He's run two very fast races in a row, and I love the way he gradually doles out his energy. Just enough quality in the family tree for me to believe. He's my market leader for now. 2. Verrazano: Pure brilliance. On some level he reminds me of Quality Road or Curlin, both of whom delivered huge performances ...

We analyzed the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) on That Handicapping Show this week, and despite the presence of several big name three-year-olds, including 2yo champ Shanghai Bobby, I picked Calder-based Itsmyluckyday. If you didn't see his performance in the Gulfstream Park Derby on New Year's Day, it is worth reviewing. This Lawyer Ron ...

With everyone talking about undefeated Eblouissante's second career victory, I thought it would be interesting to analyze her from the standpoint of herd dynamics and emotional conformation with help from my friend and cohort Kerry Thomas. For those not familiar with Kerry, he is the founder of The Thomas Herding Technique ...

This weekend's spotlight race in the 3yo division is the $100,000 Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The 7f dirt race drew a field of 10, including the coupling from owner John Oxley and trainer Mark Casse of Dynamic Sky and Sky Commander. Dynamic Sky looks a lot like last year's Pasco winner Prospective, who also was an Oxley/Casse ...

Newly turned four-year-olds facing older horses for the first time can be in for a rude awakening. With that in mind, I still like Leading Astray in the Marshua's River (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Carded as the 10th race, going 1 1/16 miles on turf, the Marshua's River drew a field of 10 fillies and mares. Chokurei (Ire) and ...

This will be the first of six (monthly) editions of my top 20 contenders for the 2013 Kentucky Derby. Future lists will be ordered/numbered. It's too early to split hairs. These horses need to do a lot of developing between now and May 4, 2013. Bold Dance (c by Pulpit--Quiet Dance, by Quiet American) This half-brother to Horse of the Year ...

Lady Banks, a two-year-old filly who ran an excellent second in her debut at Aqueduct on Novembr 23, is back in Friday in the 3rd race at Aqueduct. She is listed as the 9-5 second choice on the morning line. While we won't bet getting 10-1 on her again (nor $10 to place), we also have more information now. The debut play was based entirely ...

I think Executiveprivilege is the best two-year-old flly in America, but when we taped this week's edition of That Handicapping Show, I picked against her in the Hollywood Starlet (G1) for two reasons: her odds will be low (less than even money probably) and I don't know where this filly's head is at. Executiveprivilege sustained her first ...