2013 Belmont Stakes picks, odds & analysis.
In a year that has yielded some pretty unpredictable results in major prep races, it was only fitting that the final, “last-chance” Derby prep ended with a 70-1 long-shot crossing the finish line first. All Squared Away, who was the longest shot in the field for the Grade 3 Coolmore Lexington Stakes, took the lead [...]
Today was a busy yet sad day on our road to Churchill Downs. A very major contender is officially off the Derby Trail. Bob Baffert’s charge Secret Circle, who most recently finished 2nd to Bodemeister in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, will be out for up to four months with a sesamoid injury. Mike Pegram, [...]
The $200k Grade 3 Coolmore Lexington Stakes from Keeneland will have an impact on the Triple Crown races of 2012. The only question is this; will the 8 ½ furlong race influence the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness Stakes? Castaway (Street Sense x Priceless Storm by Storm Cat) appears to be the only horse with a [...]
Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is still pointing Optimizer to the Kentucky Derby, despite a ninth place finish in the Arkansas Derby. Before that, he finished like a freight train to be second in the Rebel Stakes. “I have no explanation for the way he ran (in the Arkansas Derby),” Lukas said. “I thought [...]
The final two significant Derby preps are officially in the books! The top finishers from both the G1 Blue Grass and the G1 Arkansas Derby all appeared to exit yesterday’s races well, and will proceed to Louisville to run in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby in less than 3 weeks. Bodemeister, who absolutely crushed the [...]
The anticipation can officially begin. The most action-packed weekend of prep races so far this year is only three days away, and the fields for the trio of major preps for Saturday has been set. The top east-coast and west-coast preps plus a crowded Midwest race are all on tap for April 7. Starting in [...]
Hello everyone and welcome to the first Daily Derby News Blitz, your daily news bite for all things Kentucky Derby! The main story of the day is trainer Bob Baffert‘s heart attack. The hall of fame trainer, who is currently in Dubai, underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. He has several [...]
by Chelsey Burris Trainer Bob Baffert usually has a highly regarded Kentucky Derby contender or two by this point in Derby season. This year his barn is even more talent-laden than usual. Baffert has bagged several Derby preps this season, including both divisions of the G2 Southwest Stakes, the G2 San Vicente, and the G2 [...]
By Chelsey Burris Lucky 13 is a ranking of 13 of the best current 3-year-old Thoroughbreds in racing who are pointing to the Kentucky Derby. Each horse appears with their graded stakes earnings, as well as their current rank in earnings. For example, top choice Union Rags is 2nd on the Derby earnings list with [...]