Kentucky Derby News
February 11, 2019
O’Brien seven among 11 European-based Triple Crown nominees
The list of 2019 Triple Crown nominees includes 11 sophomores in Europe, seven of them hailing from trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle. Unlike last year when Mendelssohn loomed as a major contender over the winter, this time around, Team Coolmore...
Horse Profile February 10, 2019
Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Gray Attempt
Dwight Pruett’s Gray Attempt took command at the start and never looked back en route to a victory in the Smarty Jones Stakes on January 25. The sophomore finished off one mile at Oaklawn Park in 1:36.94 to earn 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky...
Wagering February 10, 2019
‘All Others' 5-2 Favorite, Juvenile Champ Game Winner 5-1 at Conclusion of Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2
With the Kentucky Derby still 12 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of “All Other 3-Year-Olds” closed as the 5-2 favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) and the unbeaten champion 2-year-old Game Winner was...
February 9, 2019
Mucho Gusto provides boost to historically precarious sire line
The rise of Mucho Gusto on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail has a broader significance for the Thoroughbred pedigree world. As a budding star from the first crop of Mucho Macho Man, he’s a sign of renewed hope for the survival of the male line of...
February 9, 2019
Point of Honor rolls in Suncoast stakes debut
Classically bred as a daughter of Curlin from a Bernardini mare, undefeated Point of Honor stamped herself as a KentuckyOaks (G1) contender with a powerful closing rush in Saturday’s $100,000 Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs.
The George Weaver trainee...
February 9, 2019
Bellafina hangs tough in Las Virgenes
Far from a dominating effort, Bellafina nonetheless improved her record on the year to two-for-two in Saturday's $200,000 Las Virgenes (G2) at Santa Anita, a Road to the Kentucky Oaks series race over one mile.
Taking the lead entering the first...
February 9, 2019
Well Defined springs gate-to-wire upset in Sam F. Davis
Well Defined was left alone to dictate the pace of the $250,000 Sam F. Davis (G3) on Saturday and refused to stop. Wearing blinkers for the first time, the With Distinction gelding maintained a clear advantage throughout to spring a 7-1 upset in the ...
Derby News February 8, 2019
Las Virgenes can catapult Bellafina to top of Oaks Leaderboard
Leading West Coast-based Kentucky Oaks contender Bellafina tops a field of five in Saturday’s $200,000 Las Virgenes (G2) at Santa Anita. The classy three-year-old filly has been installed as the 2-5 favorite on the morning line and Flavien Prat...
Expert picks February 7, 2019
The 2019 Sam F. Davis Stakes is the Best Bet of the weekend
The Best Bet of the weekend will come from Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday. The $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) attracted a nice field 10 for the Road to the Kentucky Derby event, with the winner receiving 10 points. I am banking that the test will become...
February 7, 2019
2019 Sam F. Davis Study Guide
A field of 10 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3). The event is one of two Road to the Kentucky Derby races to be held at Tampa Bay this spring, with the top four finishers earning...