This week, the Big Race Showdown panel of Candice Hare, Emily Gullikson, Brian Zipse, Dan Tordjman, Mike McCormick, Megan Devine, Dan Cronin, and I tackles the last two Kentucky Derby points races: the Arkansas Derby (G1) and the Lexington Stakes (G3). See who we like right here!
#8: the fifth annual Twelve Days of Curlin Babies
Welcome back to the Twelve Days of Curlin Babies, where we celebrate the twelve most memorable races from Curlin’s progeny throughout 2018. Through all the hundreds of races in which they ran this year, these are the ones to which my mind keeps wandering back. #12: Timeless Curls Marks Herself a Rising Star#11: Secret Passage Comes... Continue Reading →
America’s Best Racing: Big Race Showdown, Arkansas Derby and Lexington Stakes
This is week eleven of Big Race Showdown at America’s Best Racing: where I clash heads with six awesome handicappers (Emily Gullikson, Candice Hare, Dan Tordjman, Brian Zipse, Eric Bialek, and Mark DiLorenzo) to see who can stay the hottest through Derby prep season. After a solid week last week, I'm leading in terms of bankroll! Let's see if I can keep it... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2018 Lexington Stakes Preview
Keeneland already had its 100-point prep last week, the Blue Grass (G2), but it also offers one final 20-8-4-2 point prep this Saturday for horses on the bubble who want to make one final bid to get in the field. That race, the Lexington Stakes (G3), forms the focus of this piece. Though no Illinois-breds... Continue Reading →
Thoroughbred Insider: Good Magic Lasts
Good Magic made history last year, but yesterday, he asserted that he's not just a one-trick pony. In my latest at Thoroughbred Insider, I visit one of the many wonderful moments that Curlin's babies brought us this weekend.
America’s Best Racing: Big Race Showdown, Wood Memorial, Blue Grass Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby
This is week ten of Big Race Showdown at America’s Best Racing: where I clash heads with six awesome handicappers (Emily Gullikson, Candice Hare, Dan Tordjman, Brian Zipse, Eric Bialek, and Mark DiLorenzo) to see who can stay the hottest through Derby prep season. We tackle all three Kentucky Derby preps on Saturday: the Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland, the Wood (G1) at... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2018 Beaumont Stakes Preview
Though the three-year-old trails visit Aqueduct, Keeneland, and Santa Anitaon Saturday, make sure to save some energy for Sunday's action, as well. The Grade 3 Beaumont Stakes is the second of two Oaks preps to be run opening weekend at Keeneland. Unlike Saturday's Ashland, and other recent preps, it does not offer enough points to get its winner... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2017 Raven Run Stakes Preview
This Saturday's featured race at Keeneland is the Grade 2 Raven Run Stakes. The race has been run since 1999, and has always been a seven-furlong sprint for three-year-old fillies over the Keeneland main track. It earned Grade 3 status in 2002, and gained its current Grade 2 designation in 2006. The race takes its... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2017 Woodford Stakes Preview and Weekend Keeneland Stakes Selections
Opening weekend at Keeneland, with its stakes-laden Fall Stars cards, takes place this weekend. We will have picks for all nine graded races at Keeneland Friday through Sunday, and detailed analysis of the Woodford Stakes (G2). The Woodford is as classy a turf sprint as you'll see in the United States outside the Breeders' Cup. Particularly since... Continue Reading →
finally, a three-year-old standout!
In an event atypical of this spring's racing season, a three-year-old finally brought some clarity. I have complete confidence in putting a three-year-old at the top of my list -- for the first time since Classic Empire bombed in the Holy Bull (G2). Still, the top slot does not return to last year's champion two-year-old male. His... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2017 Blue Grass Stakes and Ashland Stakes Preview
The three-year-old prep season heats up even more this weekend, with the Blue Grass (G2) and the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland! The Blue Grass drew a field of just seven, but four of those seven are top names on many Kentucky Derby lists: undefeated McCraken, classy Practical Joke, pricey Tapwrit, and New York invader J Boys... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2016 Fayette Stakes Preview
This weekend, Blinkers Off will be breaking its Keeneland maiden. So, it was not hard to decide what race to preview over at Picks and Ponderings: Saturday's feature, the Grade II Fayette! The nine-furlong Fayette Stakes drew an intriguing field of eight: a few older horses trying to find their mojo again, some more lightly-raced... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: 2016 Raven Run Stakes Preview
Three-year-old filly sprinters anchor Saturday's Keeneland card, with the Grade II Raven Run Stakes. The race drew a competitive field of twelve: all of whom have stakes-level experience, and many of whom have solid records over extended sprint trips. Head over to Picks and Ponderings, read my preview of Saturday's Raven Run Stakes at Keeneland,... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: Fall Stars Sunday
Keeneland's opening weekend concludes Sunday with a card that features the Spinster Stakes (GI) and the Bourbon Stakes (GIII). I have analysis of both over at Picks and Ponderings. Both races are Breeders' Cup Win and You're In events. The Spinster drew a small but solid field to contend for a Distaff spot. The Bourbon... Continue Reading →
Picks and Ponderings: Woodford Stakes Preview
A loaded opening weekend at Keeneland continues Saturday with five graded stakes. Over at Picks and Ponderings, I have a full preview of the Woodford Stakes (GIII): a contentious turf sprint with an overflow field. That field features four Chicago-connected horses, including defending Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (GI) champion Mongolian Saturday. I will also have... Continue Reading →
