The Kentucky Derby trail and the Kentucky Oaks trail get one step more serious this weekend, with the beginning of the fifty-point preps.  For Picks and Ponderings, I took a figurative road trip down to the Big Easy to look at the two key three-year-old prep races at the Fair Grounds: the Risen Star Stakes (GII) and the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (GIII).

For those more focused on Florida, Picks and Ponderings also has you covered.  Paul Mazur took a dive into the two three-year-old preps there, the Fountain of Youth Stakes (GII) for open company and the Davona Dale Stakes (GII) for the fillies.

Head on over to Picks and Ponderings, and let us know what you think in the comments!