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By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Over the weekend, racing fans were treated to a trio of major Kentucky Derby prep races, all of which yielded intriguing results and major changes to the Kentucky Derby picture. Muddling the results were track conditions ranging from fast to slow and sloppy, as well as unpredictable pace scenarios and a ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Get ready, everyone—another fantastic day of racing is on schedule for this Saturday! A total of eleven graded stakes races are on the agenda, including seven at Gulfstream Park, led by the $400,000 Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II). At Fair Grounds, another four graded stakes races are to be ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') On Monday, Oaklawn Park will host the second of their four official Kentucky Derby prep races, that being the $300,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III). The 8.5-furlong race has drawn a very deep field of twelve, although one colt—LeComte Stakes (gr. III) runner-up War Story—is expected to scratch. With so many ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Following the incredible racing action of last Saturday, it’s only natural that things should slow down a bit this weekend, although looking at the stakes schedule, it still looks like we’re in for some excellent days of racing! Highlighting the Saturday action is the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') The showdown that racing fans have been anticipating for weeks came to fruition last Saturday, as 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome squared off against 2013 champion 2yo male Shared Belief in the San Antonio Stakes (gr. II) (VIDEO) at Santa Anita. Their lone previous meeting had come in the Breeders’ ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Get ready, everyone! February 7th promises to be the best day of racing thus far in the young year, with the schedule of nine graded stakes races being highlighted by a pair of major Kentucky Derby prep races and a pair of top-notch races for older males on the main track. The action will start at Gulfstream ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') During the last ten days, we have had the good fortune to witness two highly impressive performances from a pair of up-and-coming Kentucky Derby contenders, Khozan and Prospect Park. The first-mentioned colt broke his maiden in dominating fashion at Gulfstream Park (VIDEO), while the latter overcame a bit of ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') On February 1st, one of the most exciting races of the weekend will be held at Santa Anita Park, that being the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II). The seven-furlong sprint for three-year-olds typically draws an intriguing field of runners, but this year, the race will be particularly significant thanks to ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Although it is not an official Kentucky Derby prep race, and thus will not offer Kentucky Derby qualification points to the top four finishers, the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs has drawn a very promising field of twelve colts and geldings, several of which appear to be poised to ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') At this time of year, it is rare to feel very confident in the chances of any given three-year-old in a Kentucky Derby prep race. Because it can be so difficult to predict which colts will improve dramatically with maturity (or not!), a colt that looks like a standout on paper could romp to an impressive ...