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By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman If you're eager to watch newly-turned 3-year-olds vie for victory in Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races, you won't have to wait long. New Year's Day brings the $150,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct, while Saturday is highlighted by the $100,000 Sham (G3) at Santa Anita. My goal for ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Horse racing in the U.S. will take its annual day off on Friday, Christmas Day. But the sport will return with a bang on Saturday when Santa Anita Park opens for its prestigious winter meet. Three Grade 1 races are on the schedule, including the $300,000 Malibu (G1) and the ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman In reviewing the entries for the upcoming Saturday card at Gulfstream Park, I must admit to experiencing a feeling of déjà vu. The eighth race of the day is a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race in which #1 Greyes Creek (3-1) looms as a key contender. The 4-year-old ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman At first glance, Saturday's $100,000 Harlan's Holiday (G3) at Gulfstream Park isn't the most appealing betting race. Just seven horses have been entered in the 1 1/16-mile event, including four graded stakes winners. In situations like these, the best betting approach is usually to ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The Road to the Kentucky Derby and the Road to the Kentucky Oaks will make stops at Aqueduct this week for a pair of important graded stakes—the $150,000 Remsen (G2) for colts and geldings and the $150,000 Demoiselle (G2) for fillies. Held over the testing distance of 1 1/8 miles, ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! A fantastic week of racing awaits at tracks across the country. No fewer than 15 graded stakes races are on the agenda, including a trio of Grade 1 prizes. Let's dive in with picks for three races—one on Thursday, one on Friday, and one on ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Five-horse fields aren't typically considered by handicappers to make great betting races. It's hard to find a price in small fields, so the surest bet of the week is that many bettors will pass on playing Saturday's $100,000 Native Diver (G3) at Del Mar. But in my opinion, ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The 2020 Breeders' Cup is in the history books, which means it's time to turn our attention toward the 2021 Kentucky Derby. We've already seen some promising Kentucky Derby contenders in action, including the undefeated Godolphin homebred Essential Quality, winner of the Breeders' ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman It's an exciting time for racing fans! In a year turned upside down due to COVID-19, it's reassuring to see the Breeders' Cup World Championships taking place as scheduled on Nov. 6-7 at Keeneland, with talented horses from around the globe vying for victory in 14 rich races. In my ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Pre-entries for the Nov. 6-7 Breeders' Cup were released on Wednesday, with final fields due to be drawn on Monday. After taking a day to review the prospective fields for the 14 championship events, here are a few of the first handicapping thoughts to cross my mind: Brad Cox ...