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By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman If you thought the track for the Kentucky Derby was wet, just wait until you see what's in store for Saturday's 143rd Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico! The second leg of the Triple Crown is expected to be contested over a very sloppy or muddy track. In fact, Pimlico has already ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The Kentucky Derby might be over, but handicappers with an eye on the remainder of the Triple Crown can't afford to take a week off. After all, we'll have a chance to take a look at some up-and-coming Belmont Stakes contenders in Saturday's $350,000 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) at ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman After months of preparation, the field for the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (gr. I) at Churchill Downs is set, and on paper, the twenty horses entered in the ten-furlong ''Run for the Roses'' comprise one of the strongest fields in ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Question: How fast will the early pace be in the 2018 Kentucky Derby? That is one of the key factors to consider when handicapping the ''Run for the Roses,'' since predicting the intensity of the early pace can determine whether speed horses or late runners will have the advantage, ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Every year, one of my favorite races to handicap is the $1.2 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) at Charles Town in West Virginia. The huge purse usually ensures that a competitive field lines up to contest the race, and what's better than a group of talented older horses running ...

Before I begin my analysis of Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park, let me say now that I'm going a bit outside the box with my selection and don't necessarily advise you to follow suit. Once in a while, a race comes along in which I can make a case against all of the favorites, at which point I feel as though I ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Bolt d'Oro or Justify? While it's rare to see two of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby square off four weeks out from the big race, racing fans will be treated to a special exception in Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park. The unbeaten, untested ...

We've seen some impressive performances so far on the road to the 2018 Kentucky Derby. The showdown between McKinzie and Bolt d'Oro in the San Felipe comes quickly to mind, along with Justify's romping victories at Santa Anita and the clear-cut victory by Good Magic in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. But arguably no single moment on the Derby ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman Excitement is building on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, and with just six weeks until the first Saturday in May, the final round of prep races will kick off on March 24th with the $1 million TwinSpires Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds. The nine-furlong race will offer 100 ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues this Saturday with two more major prep races, including the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park. Eleven horses have been entered in the 8.5-furlong race, which has been won in recent years by the champions and/or Breeders' Cup ...