2013 Preakness 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, [...]
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 [...]
It appears that spots in the Kentucky Derby starting gate have opened up for both Rousing Sermon and Mark Valeski, who had been sitting at number 21 and 22 on the graded stakes earnings list. The announcement that two possible contenders, Trinniberg and Wrote (IRE), are not going to contest the Run For The Roses [...]
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 [...]
It was Bodemeister (Empire Maker x Untouched Talent by Storm Cat) in the $1 million Grade 1 Arkansas Derby for winning connections Zayat Stables, Bob Baffert and Mike Smith. The bay colt delivered a tour de force effort, drawing away by 9 ½ lengths when all was said and done. It was just his fourth career [...]
Early this morning, Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) favorite Hansen got acquainted with the starting gate and stretched his legs with a jog. He should feel right at home on Keeneland’s Polytrack, since he began his career winning two races on Turfway Park’s Polytrack surface. The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Champ will be in action tomorrow [...]
The Grade 1 Arkansas Derby from Oaklawn Park has been a nearly perfect Kentucky Derby prep race in the last 10 years. In that time it has produced Kentucky Derby winners Smarty Jones and Super Saver as well Triple Crown race winners Afleet Alex and Curlin. Also notable is Lawyer Ron, who would go on [...]
The fields are set for the final pair of major Derby preps! The Arkansas Derby, a $1 million test at Oaklawn Park, and Keeneland’s $750,000 Bluegrass Stakes, both on April 14, will feature large fields overflowing with colts who’s connections are dreaming of roses. Starting at Oaklawn, we have the 1 1/8 miles Grade 1 [...]
With only a few more preps remaining before the Kentucky Derby, the majority of contenders know if they are in or out for the big dance. However, a few “bubble” horses will be affected by two more preps this weekend; the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby and the Grade 1 Bluegrass Stakes. (The Coolmore Lexington Stakes [...]
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