Kentucky Derby 2024 End of Year Report

 

By Jarrod Horak

The is my final Kentucky Derby 2024 report for 2023. I recapped the first eight points races in my initial Kentucky Derby report earlier this month, and I will look back at the Springboard Mile, Los Alamitos Futurity, and Gun Runner Stakes in this article. 

Kentucky Derby 2024 Points Race Results 

Springboard Mile – Dec. 15 (Remington Park) 

Fractions: 23.48, 46.35, 1:11.40, 1:25.26, 1:39.91

Top 5 Finishers: Otto the Conqueror, Glengarry, Magic Grant, Third Street, My Buddy Mel

Glengarry and Tyler Gaffalione tried to sneak away early but Luis Saez and Otto the Conqueror were having none of that. Glengarry was inside and Otto the Conqueror was on the outside, and those two matched strides throughout. Otto the Conqueror had a bit more to offer in the lane and he scored by a bit less than a length. Glengarry dueled inside and held the place over late runner Magic Grant. The latter was making up ground in the lane but ran out of real estate, and he ended up 6 1/2 lengths clear of the rest. California shipper Raging Torrent was bet down to favoritism and was pinched back early, moved into contention, and faded to last. This was not a fast race and final fraction was slow (14.65). Glengarry lost for the first time and is expected to return to sprinting. 

Los Alamitos Futurity – Dec. 16 (Los Alamitos Race Course)

Fractions: 23.53, 47.90, 1:12.05, 1:37.01, 1:43.53

Top 5 Finishers: Wynstock, Stronghold, Coach Prime, Wine Me Up, Ace of Clubs

Bob Baffert saddled 60% of the entrants and his least fancied runner Wynstock wired the field under Kyle Frey. My top choice Stronghold worked out a nice inside tactical trip under Antonio Fresu. He made his move in the lane and poked his head in front and exchanged bumps with Wystock. The latter dug in, regained the advantage late, and got the job done by a half-length. Stronghold held the place over beaten favorite Coach Prime. The latter was last of 5 for the opening half-mile, and he raced wide throughout and was slowly getting to the top two under Flavien Prat. Wine Me Up was well-backed at 1.90-1, and he stalked wide and finished a flat 4th. Ace of Clubs chased the pace early and retreated to last. The one horse I probably want out of this race is Coach Prime. He was making his first start since Nov. 10 and only had two published works for this engagement, and he raced wide throughout and was only beaten a length. As mentioned in my recent Kentucky Oaks report, Bob Baffert trainees are ineligible to earn points or compete in the 2024 Oaks and Derby. Look for some of the Baffert runners to switch barns next year.

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Kentucky Oaks 2024 End of Year Report

 

By Jarrod Horak

This is my final road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 report for 2023. I recapped the first seven points races in my initial Kentucky Oaks report at the end of November, and I will look back at the Demoiselle, Starlet, and Untapable Stakes in this article. 

Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race Results

Grade 2 Demoiselle (12-2-23) 

Fractions – 24.10, 48.65, 1:13.10, 1:38.12, 1:51.10

Top 5 Finishers: Life Talk, Shimmering Allure, Dolomite, Most of All, Caldwell Luvs Gold

Life Talk ran her race as the even money favorite. The muddy oval was speed favoring and Irad Ortiz Jr. put the chalk on the lead, and that was all she wrote. She was in command throughout and kicked away in the stretch to score by an easy 3 3/4 lengths. Shimmering Allure stalked wide and secured the place by a length over my 8-1 value to choice Dolomite. The latter is a promising NY-bred filly trained by Chad Brown, and she was 8+ lengths clear of the rest. 

Grade 2 Starlet (12-9-23) 

Fractions – 23.24, 47.40, 1:12.20, 1:37.46, 1:44.78

Top 5 Finishers: Nothing Like You, Flynn’s Chance, Chatalas, Great Forty Eight, Pacific Rose

I picked the wrong Bob Baffert runner in this race. I went with his sharp debut sprint winner Grazia, and she stalked wide and finished a distant last at 1.80-1 under Flavien Prat. Her stablemate Nothing Like You just went on with it from the inside post and scooted clear to win by 5 1/4 lengths under Juan Hernandez. Baffert trainees are ineligible to run in the 2024 Oaks and Derby, so Nothing Like You will have to move to another barn if they want her to compete on the first Friday in May. Great Forty Eight was clearly second best but was disqualified and placed 4th for causing interference in the stretch. 

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La Brea Stakes 2023 Video

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes on 12-26-23. 

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Grade 1 La Brea Stakes Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The La Brea Stakes is one of three Grade 1 events on the 11-race opening day program at Santa Anita Park on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. The La Brea is for 3-year-old fillies traveling seven panels on the main track, and the purse is $300,000. It goes as 10th race on Dec. 26 and the ten entrants will break from the gate at approximately 3:30 PM PT.

La Brea Stakes 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Daddysruby returned to dirt and easily wired the field in a local six panel optional-claiming affair on Oct. 27. She is 2-for-2 at Santa Anita and should be all over the pace under Juan Hernandez. She does not need the early lead to succeed. 

Howl pressed and romped as the favorite from post 12 in her dirt sprint bow at Keeneland on Oct. 28, and the runner-up was a next-out winner. She was the overwhelming favorite in the Safely Kept Stakes at Laurel on Nov. 25, and she stalked, opened up by 2 1/2 lengths, and lugged in and scored by a length. 

Big Pond won her first two dirt sprints vs. California-breds including the Fleet Treat at this distance on July 27. She chased fast fractions before retreating in the Del Mar Oaks (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on turf on Aug. 19, and turned back, returned to dirt, and was clearly second best as the even money favorite on Nov. 25. She owned competitive numbers and figures to stalk the pace under Frankie Dettori. 

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Gun Runner Stakes 2023 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 continues at Fair Grounds on Saturday, December 23, and I have included Gun Runner Stakes 2023 picks below. The non-graded event for 2-year-olds has a $100,000 purse and the eight entrants will be traveling 1 1/16 miles on the main track. It is the 12th race on Dec. 23 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Derby points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Gun Runner Stakes 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Catching Freedom rallied to win his flat mile debut as the favorite under the Twin Spires on Oct. 1. He was the favorite again in an optional-claiming route at that same venue on Nov. 9, and he rallied mildly to finish 4th of 10. Brad Cox’s $575k Constitution colt will try to get involved from off the pace. 

Risk it wired the field as the favorite in his six panel debut at Saratoga. I made him my top choice in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes on Sept. 16, and he stalked the pace and landed the place. He split an 8-horse field in a flat effort in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) last time. Joel Rosario hops aboard the $500k son of Gun Runner, and he is the first of two entrants for trainer Steve Asmussen. 

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Untapable Stakes 2023 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Untapable Stakes on 12-23-23. 

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Untapable Stakes 2023 Analysis

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Fair Grounds on Saturday, December 23, and I have included Untapable Stakes 2023 picks below. The non-graded event for 2-year-old fillies has a $100,000 purse and the six entrants will be traveling a mile and seventy yards on the main track. It is the 9th race on Dec. 23 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Oaks points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Untapable Stakes 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings 

Alpine Princess is the first of two entrants for trainer Brad Cox. The daughter of Classic Empire exits a nice allowance victory as the favorite in a race originally scheduled for turf and run on a fast main track at Churchill Downs on Nov. 26. 

Band of Gold and Sistina Chapel are both trained by Ken McPeek. The former graduated by a nose in her flat mile debut under the Twin Spires on Nov. 25. The latter fired trifecta shots in all four starts and was clearly second best behind Alpine Princess on Nov. 26. 

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Los Alamitos Futurity 2023 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Los Alamitos Futurity on 12-16-23. 

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Los Alamitos Futurity 2023 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 continues at Los Alamitos Race Course on Saturday, December 16, and I have included Los Alamitos Futurity 2023 picks below. The Grade 2 event for 2-year-olds has a $200,000 purse and the six entrants will be traveling 1 1/16 miles on the main track. It is the 9th race on Dec. 16 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Derby points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Los Alamitos Futurity 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings 

Moonlit Sonata broke slow from an outer post and came rolling home from off the pace to capture his 6 1/2 furlong debut at Del Mar on Nov. 25. He was 33-1 in his bow and Tim Yakteen’s $75k son of Malibu Moon is bred to handle two turns. 

Wynstock is the first of three Bob Baffert trainees and the veteran conditioner has saddled the winner of this race a record 13 times. It was previously run as the Hollywood Futurity and CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park. After that venue closed, it was moved to Los Alamitos in 2014, and Baffert trainees captured seven consecutive runnings (2014-2020). This $700k Solomini colt stretched out and cruised to a big victory at 13-1 odds under Kyle Frey on Oct. 13. He might be the one to catch. 

Stronghold showed ability right off the bat in a clear runner-up finish behind Awesome Road in his six panel bow at Ellis Park on Aug. 27. He stretched out to a mile and graduated in professional fashion at Churchill Downs second time out. He shipped to Del Mar and ran into buzzsaw Nysos in the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes at seven panels on Nov. 19, and he was clearly second best that day. He drilled a local bullet for this on Dec. 10 and Antonio Fresu got acquainted with Phil D’Amato’s Ghostzapper colt last time. 

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2023 Remington Springboard Mile Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Remington Springboard Mile on 12-15-23. 

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Remington Springboard Mile 2023 Analysis

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 continues at Remington Park on Friday, December 15, and I have included Remington Springboard Mile 2023 picks below. The listed stakes event for 2-year-olds has a $300,000 purse and the nine entrants will be traveling a flat mile on the main track. It is the 10th race on Dec. 15 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Derby points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Remington Springboard Mile 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings 

Fidget is one of two entrants for trainer Brad Cox. The improving More Than Ready colt added blinkers and won his last two flat mile starts at Horseshoe Indy. 

Gettysburg Address stalked and scored in his Ellis Park sprint debut. He caught the slop in the Grade 3 Street Sense Stakes second time out, and he set the pace before weakening in that 1 1/6 miles race on the Derby trail. Flavien Prat knows him now and Brad Cox’s second entrant should be forwardly placed. 

Magic Grant was no threat in his local sprint bow. He was 23-1 in the Clever Trevor at seven panels second time out, and the Good Magic colt rallied from par back to win by 4 1/2 lengths. The pace should be honest and he will try to get involved in the lane. 

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Kentucky Derby 2024 Top Ranked Contenders

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 is in full swing. Eight points races have been run so far and it is time to unveil my first “Exceptional 11” Kentucky Derby contenders list. First, I will recap the points race action from the Iroquois on Sept. 16 through the Remsen on Dec. 2. 

Kentucky Derby 2024 Points Race Results

Grade 3 Iroquois – Sept. 16 (Churchill Downs)

The first Derby points race is rarely an indicator of Derby trail success. West Saratoga sat the right stalking trip and outkicked my top choice Risk It to score by 1 3/4 lengths. Liberal Arts rallied for the show and was followed by Seize the Grey, Edified, Patriot Spirit, Union Roll, and Market Street. Gettysburg Address scratched. The final time was 1:37.28 and Rafael Bejarano rode the winner for Larry Demeritte. 

Grade 1 Champagne – Oct. 7 (Aqueduct)

The track was sloppy (sealed), and I went with impressive maiden winner Fierceness, but he blew the break, moved early, and weakened in a disappointing try. Timberlake was clearly best in this race. I picked him on top in the Grade 1 Hopeful and he finished an uncomfortable 2nd that day. He got a clean outside stalking trip in this spot and dominated by 4 1/4 lengths. General Partner controlled the pace and was clearly second best, and Dancing Groom rallied from last to pick up the show. Gold Sweep, Air Cav, El Grande O, Fierceness, and Sweet Soddy J also ran. The final time was 1:35.90 and Florent Geroux guided home the winner for Brad Cox. 

Grade 1 American Pharoah – Oct. 7 (Santa Anita)

A Baffert trainee figured to set the pace, but almost everyone thought Muth was that runner. No so fast. Wine Me Up set sail for the lead under Ramon Vazquez. Heavy favorite Muth was showing 21 and change speed in sprints, and it was nice to see him relax early while stalking the pace under Juan Hernandez. Wine Me Up carved out splits of 23.30, 46.49, and 1:10.22. Raging Torrent chased from second and El Magnifico was forwardly placed from the outside post, but he was getting out on the backside under Hector Berrios, and he readily backed up. Muth saved ground stalking the pace and Todd Pletcher’s maiden shipper Be You was in a good spot in midpack. Next Level lost all chance after stumbling badly at the start. Wine Me Up was up by a half-length for the opening half mile and got clear by a length and a half after six panels. Muth was always traveling smoothly and as soon as he found some running room, he moved out, came after his stablemate, and kicked away to win by 3 3/4 lengths in a strong performance. Wine Me Up was 5 1/4 lengths in front of clear show finisher Be You. Raging Torrent was another 6 1/4 lengths in front of Rothschild. Indespensable, Next Level, and El Magnifico completed the order of finish. The final time was 1:42.45 and Muth qualified for the BC Juvenile with this victory.

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Starlet Stakes 2023 Video Picks at Los Alamitos Race Course

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 2 Starlet at LRC on 12-9-23. 

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Grade 2 Starlet Stakes 2023 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Los Alamitos Race Course on Saturday, December 9, and I have included Starlet 2023 picks below. The Grade 2 event for 2-year-old fillies has a $200,000 purse and the six entrants will be traveling 1 1/16 miles on the main track. It is the 9th race on Dec. 9 and the top five finishers will earn Oaks points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Starlet 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings 

Nothing Like You is trained by Bob Baffert and he saddled the winner of this race the last six years. This $190k Malibu Moon filly captured her last two starts and earned an improved speed rating in a nose victory in the Desi Arnaz Stakes on Nov. 18. The 9-5 morning line favorite stretches back out and should be forwardly placed from the inside post under her winning pilot Juan Hernandez. 

Pacific Rose is still a maiden after four starts. Doug O’Neill’s filly completed the superfecta in her last three starts and was only beaten 2 1/2 lengths in the Grade 2 Chandelier on Oct. 7. She was the beaten favorite in a maiden dirt route on Nov. 12. 

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Del Mar Bing Crosby Season 2023 Stakes Recaps

 

By Jarrod Horak

The final week of Del Mar’s 2023 Bing Crosby Season featured four graded events on turf. I wrapped up my 13-day Del Mar Fall Meet Horse of the Day video series with five top choice winners and four runner-up finishes. Check out my Del Mar closing week stakes recaps below. 

Del Mar Closing Week Stakes Recaps (Dec. 2-3)

Stormy Liberal – Dec. 2 – 5 furlongs turf 

I had a feeling that Lane Way was going to get overbet. I have always liked him but five panels was just too short for him, and this race did not set up for him. He ended up completing the trifecta at 1.90-1. Unconquerable Keen ((IRE) was bet down to 1.70-1 and he made the lead from the inside post and kept on going in a 1 3/4 length victory for Flavien Prat and Phil D’Amato. My top choice Turn On the Jets (IRE) stalked the pace and landed the place, and Lane Way raced evenly. The latter should go better at 6 1/2 furlongs on the turf course at Santa Anita. Daniel’s Magic, Honey Pants, Johnny Podres, and See Through It also ran. The wire-to-wire winner stopped the clock in 55.87 and paid $5.40. 

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Matriarch Stakes 2023 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar on 12-3-23. 

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Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes 2023 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Season concludes on Sunday, December 3, and I have included Matriarch Stakes 2023 picks below. The Grade 1 event for fillies and mares has a $300,000 purse and the twelve entrants will be traveling a flat mile on the turf course. It is the 7th race on closing Sunday. 

Matriarch Stakes 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Chad Brown has saddled the winner of the Grade 1 Matriarch in five of the last six years. He captured this event in 2020, 2021, and 2022, and he has entered four runners this year. 

Surge Capacity is Brown’s first entrant and she is 3-for-4 with a runner-up finish. The two-time graded winner steps up to face older rivals and figures to stalk the pace under Joel Rosario. 

Whitebeam (GB) won the Grade 3 Gallorette and Grade 1 Diana this year for Chad Brown, but she dropped both starts in this country at one mile. Flavien Prat stays put and she figures to save ground stalking the pace. 

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Remsen Stakes 2023 Analysis

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 continues at Aqueduct on Saturday, December 2, and I have included Remsen Stakes 2023 picks below. The Grade 2 event for 2-year-olds has a $250,000 purse and the ten entrants will be traveling 1 1/18 miles on the main track. It is the 9th race on Dec. 2 and the top five finishers will earn Derby points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Remsen Stakes 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings 

Domestic Product split a 10-horse field in his six panel debut at Saratoga on Aug. 5, and he never got seriously involved at 5-1 that day. He added blinkers and stretched out to 1 1/8 miles on Oct. 27, and he attended to pace and pushed clear to graduate by 4 1/2 lengths. Manny Franco seemingly chose this one over Sierra Leone, and he is the only entrant with experience and a win at nine panels.

Dornoch is a highly regarded $325k son of Good Magic. He landed the place in his dirt sprint bow in the slop on July 29, and was clearly second best as the beaten favorite while still a maiden in the Sapling on Aug. 26. He made the lead, turned away a mid race challenge, and kicked clear as the chalk in a nice special weight victory at 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland on Oct. 14. He should be in the hunt throughout under his winning rider Luis Saez.

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Remsen Stakes 2023 Video

This horse racing video features analysis of the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct on 12-2-23. 

Check out my Kentucky Derby 2024 articles at Today's Racing Digest.

Demoiselle Stakes 2023 Analysis

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Aqueduct on Saturday, December 2, and I have included Demoiselle 2023 picks below. The Grade 2 event for 2-year-old fillies has a $250,000 purse and the nine entrants will be traveling 1 1/18 miles on the main track. It is the 7th race on Dec. 2 and the top five finishers will earn Oaks points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Demoiselle 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings 

Dolomite rallied from the inside post to finish a clear second as the beaten favorite in her six panel bow at Saratoga on Sept. 1. She got another furlong to work with second time out and she stalked and romped over next-out winner Munny Grab on Oct. 22. Those two races were New York-bred special weight events and Chad Brown’s filly stretches out and faces tougher stakes company. She earned an improved number second time out and could easily be this good.  

Life Talk made up nice ground to miss by a head in her 6 1/2 furlong bow at Saratoga on July 30. She stretched out to a flat mile and easily graduated as the favorite at that same venue on Aug. 31. She caught the slop and finished an okay 3rd in the Frizette (G1), and was a wide, even 4th from post 11 in the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) last time. Todd Pletcher’s filly is a logical contender but she won’t offer much value. 

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Demoiselle Stakes 2023 Video at Aqueduct

 This horse racing video features analysis of the Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct on 12-2-23. 

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Kentucky Oaks 2024 Blog: Top 5 Contenders

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 is in full swing. Seven points races have been run and it is time to unveil my first Kentucky Oaks 2024 contenders list. First, I will recap the stakes action from the Pocahontas on Sept. 16 through the Golden Rod on Nov. 25. 

Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race Results

Grade 3 Pocahontas (9-16-23) 

Fractions – 22.83, 45.55, 1:10.24, 1:23.13, 1:36.45

Top 5 Finishers: V V’s Dream, Youalmosthadme, Hot Beach, Courbe, Riperton

The first Oaks points race featured a compact field of six and my top choice V V’s Dream was the favorite. Hot Beach dueled with Youalmosthadme through the opening quarter. The former had a small edge through a half-mile and six panels. V V’s Dream stalked from third under Brian Hernandez Jr., and she smartly moved up, took over, and pulled away by 8 3/4 lengths while under a hand ride. Youalmosthadme outfinished Hot Beach for the place and it was another 5 1/2 lengths back to Courbe. Riperton was next and Regal Rumor trailed. Ken McPeek saddled the sharp winner. 

Grade 1 Alcibiades (10-6-23)

Fractions – 23.83, 48.25, 1:12.67, 1:37.67, 1:44.17

Top 5 Finishers: Candied, V V’s Dream, Alys Beach, Shimmering Allure, Brightwork 

The track was fast and eight horses broke from the gate in this 1 1/6 miles event at Keeneland. Alys Beach set the pace from the inside post at 16-1 odds under Flavien Prat. Brightwork chased from second and longshot Crazy Cami chased inside. My top choice V V’s Dream was bet down to 1.48-1 and she stalked outside. Brian Hernandez Jr. rode the latter and it looked like she was in the right spot turning for home. She surged to a short lead but second timer Candied was rallying outside, and Todd Pletcher’s Candy Ride (ARG) filly had the late momentum and scored by a length under Luis Saez. V V’s Dream was clearly second best and Alys Beach held the show by a head over late running 25-1 longshot Shimmering Allure. Brightwork was a disappointing 5th and the early developer seems best around one turn. Crazy Cami, Alpine Princess, and Wine On Tap also ran.

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Hollywood Derby 2023 Analysis at Del Mar

 

By Jarrod Horak

Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Season continues on Saturday, December 2 and I have included Hollywood Derby 2023 picks below. The Grade 1 event for 3-year-olds has a $300,000 purse and the nine entrants will be traveling 1 1/8 miles on the turf course. It is the 7th race on Dec. 2. 

Hollywood Derby 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Six of the nine entrants in this race exit the Grade 2 Twilight Derby including winner Seal Team, runner-up Silver Knott, and show finisher Webslinger. The other three entrants are shippers including morning line favorite Program Trading, one of two runners from the powerful turf barn of Chad Brown. Check out my top three contenders below and watch my video at the bottom of this post for extensive analysis of the Hollywood Derby. 

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Hollywood Derby 2023 Video Picks at Del Mar

This horse racing video features analysis of the Hollywood Derby at Del Mar on 12-2-23. 

Check out my Del Mar Bing Crosby Season handicapping articles at Today's Racing Digest.

Kentucky Oaks 2024 Blog

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 is in full swing. Seven points races have been run and it is time to unveil my first Kentucky Oaks 2024 contenders list. First, I will recap the stakes action from the Pocahontas on Sept. 16 through the Golden Rod on Nov. 25. 

Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race Results

Grade 3 Pocahontas (9-16-23) 

Fractions – 22.83, 45.55, 1:10.24, 1:23.13, 1:36.45

Top 5 Finishers: V V’s Dream, Youalmosthadme, Hot Beach, Courbe, Riperton

The first Oaks points race featured a compact field of six and my top choice V V’s Dream was the favorite. Hot Beach dueled with Youalmosthadme through the opening quarter. The former had a small edge through a half-mile and six panels. V V’s Dream stalked from third under Brian Hernandez Jr., and she smartly moved up, took over, and pulled away by 8 3/4 lengths while under a hand ride. Youalmosthadme outfinished Hot Beach for the place and it was another 5 1/2 lengths back to Courbe. Riperton was next and Regal Rumor trailed. Ken McPeek saddled the sharp winner. 

Grade 1 Alcibiades (10-6-23)

Fractions – 23.83, 48.25, 1:12.67, 1:37.67, 1:44.17

Top 5 Finishers: Candied, V V’s Dream, Alys Beach, Shimmering Allure, Brightwork 

The track was fast and eight horses broke from the gate in this 1 1/6 miles event at Keeneland. Alys Beach set the pace from the inside post at 16-1 odds under Flavien Prat. Brightwork chased from second and longshot Crazy Cami chased inside. My top choice V V’s Dream was bet down to 1.48-1 and she stalked outside. Brian Hernandez Jr. rode the latter and it looked like she was in the right spot turning for home. She surged to a short lead but second timer Candied was rallying outside, and Todd Pletcher’s Candy Ride (ARG) filly had the late momentum and scored by a length under Luis Saez. V V’s Dream was clearly second best and Alys Beach held the show by a head over late running 25-1 longshot Shimmering Allure. Brightwork was a disappointing 5th and the early developer seems best around one turn. Crazy Cami, Alpine Princess, and Wine On Tap also ran.  

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Del Mar Best Bet for Friday (12-1-23)

 This horse racing video features analysis of the 1st race at Del Mar on 12-1-23. 

Check out my Del Mar Bing Crosby Season handicapping articles at Today's Racing Digest.

Del Mar Race 1 Analysis for Friday (12-1-23)

 

By Jarrod Horak

Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Season continues on Friday, December 1 and I have included opening race free picks at Del Mar 2023 below. The maiden special weight event for fillies and mares has a $61,000 purse and the seven entrants will be dashing six panels on the main track. 

Del Mar Race 1 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Dancing Mo breaks from the inside post and she needs to improve in her second start after a layoff. She missed by a head in a maiden optional-claiming heat at Santa Anita in June. 

Make It Snow hit the board in all five special weight tries and none of those races were on dirt. Profitable sprint rider Antonio Fresu climbs aboard the $185k Empire Maker filly and she turns back in her third start after a layoff.  

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Del Mar Fall Meet 2023 Stakes Recaps (Nov. 23-26)

 

By Jarrod Horak

The third week of Del Mar’s 2023 Bing Crosby Season included four graded events. In this post I will cover stakes recaps at Del Mar for Nov. 23-26 and preview the upcoming closing week of the fall meet.

Stakes Recaps at Del Mar (Nov. 23-26)

Grade 3 Red Carpet – Nov. 23 – 1 3/8 miles turf

My original top choice Loved Reiko scratched so I switched my allegiance to controlling speed Linda’s Gift. The latter make all the running through crawling fractions (26 flat, 51.62, 1:17.30, 1:41.97, and 2:17.80). Musical Rhapsody (IRE) chased from second and came after the longtime leader, but Linda’s Gift refused to bend and scored by 3/4ths of a length under Tiago Pereira. Musical Rhapsody gamely held the place at 18-1 and beaten favorite Sister Otoole rallied from last to complete the trifecta. Neige Blanche (FR), Symphony Perfect (IRE), Oakhurst, and With Love (GB) also ran. The final time was 2:17.80 and Richard Mandella’s winner paid $7.80. 

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Native Diver Stakes 2023 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes on 11-26-23. 

Check out my Del Mar Bing Crosby Season handicapping articles at Today's Racing Digest.

Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes 2023 Analysis at Del Mar

 

By Jarrod Horak

Del Mar’s Bing Crosby Season continues on Sunday, November 26 and I have included Native Diver 2023 picks below. The Grade 3 event for 3-year-olds and up has a $100,000 purse and the seven entrants will be traveling 1 1/8 miles on the main track. It is the 8th race on Nov. 26. 

Native Diver 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings

Visitant will break from the rail under Flavien Prat. Peter Miller’s son of Ghostzapper is 11-for-15 on all-weather ground and 0-for-5 on conventional dirt. 

Arrowthegreat is probably the one to catch. He wired the field in his last two flat mile dirt starts vs. lesser company. The Arrogate gelding gets a class and distance test, and he will take them as far as he can. He is also entered in the Zia Park Derby on Nov. 28. 

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Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes 2023 Video

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 2 Ky Jockey Club Stakes on 11-25-23. 

Check out my Del Mar Bing Crosby Season handicapping articles at Today's Racing Digest.

Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes 2023 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 continues with the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday, November 25, and I have included picks below. The Grade 2 event for 2-year-olds has a $400,000 purse and the eight entrants will be traveling 1 1/16 miles on the main track. It is the 11th race on Nov. 25 and the top five finishers will earn Derby points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Kentucky Jockey Club Picks & Final Time Ratings 

Awesome Road pressed as the favorite and was best by 2 3/4 lengths in his sprint bow at Ellis Park on Aug. 27, and clear runner-up Stronghold was a next-out winner. I made this one my top choice in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity on Oct. 7, and he threw in a clunker at 3-1. Flavien Prat keeps the faith and Brad Cox’s $600k Quality Road colt fits with these if he can run back to his bow. He should be forwardly placed from the inside post. 

Honor Marie went last-to-first in his local sprint bow on Sept. 29, and rallied for the place in the slop second time out. He stretches out after two sprints and will try to get involved from off the pace. 

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Golden Rod Stakes 2023 Video Picks at Churchill Downs

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs on 11-25-23. 

Check out my Del Mar Bing Crosby Season handicapping articles at Today's Racing Digest.

Golden Rod Stakes 2023 Analysis

 

By Jarrod Horak

The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues with the Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday, November 25, and I have included picks below. The Grade 2 event for 2-year-old fillies has a $400,000 purse and the eight entrants will be traveling 1 1/16 miles on the main track. It is the 10th race on Nov. 25 and the top five finishers will earn Oaks points (10-5-3-2-1). 

Golden Rod 2023 Picks & Final Time Ratings 

Dozen Diamonds tries conventional dirt for the first time. She wired the field in her fourth lifetime start in a turf route at Keeneland on Oct. 25. The daughter of Mendelssohn needs to run faster. 

Intricate finished behind West Sunset in her six furlong bow and that race was too short for her. She stretched out to 1 1/6 miles at Keeneland on Oct. 13, and she sat behind slow fractions and blasted home to score by a sharp 3 1/2 lengths. This race also figures to be slow early and fast late, and she should be able to stay within hailing distance of the early leaders under her regular rider Tyler Gaffalione. 

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