This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.
Check out more horse racing news at The Runaway Horse.
Saturday, February 24, 2024
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
Road to Kentucky Derby 2024 Report (2-20-24)
By Jarrod Horak
The Risen Star Stakes and Sunland Park Derby were the latest road to Kentucky Derby 2024 points races. In this article, I will look back at those events and update my “Exceptional 11” Kentucky Derby contenders. The next points race is the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn on Saturday, Feb. 24.
Risen Star – Feb. 17 (Fair Grounds)
Fractions: 24.32, 49.67, 1:14.74, 1:39.40, 1:52.13
Top 5 Finishers: Sierra Leone, Track Phantom, Catching Freedom, Resilience, Honor Marie
The pace was slow to develop and Track Phantom was in complete control for the opening six panels. Resilience stalked the pace and cut into the lead, but Track Phantom was just cantering up front and let it out a notch. The lead was a length and a half in the lane and Catching Freedom and Sierra Leone were on the move. The latter was moving best of all and found his best stride late to secure the victory by a half-length. Track Phantom was the clear runner-up and Catching Freedom raced wide, stayed on his left lead, and was put in a tight spot between horses late. He was 1 3/4 lengths clear of weakening stalker Resilience. Honor Marie was near the back of the pack for the opening six furlongs or so, and he improved his position in the stretch to finish a clear 5th. Sierra Leone and Track Phantom have accumulated 55 points and both are virtually assured a starting spot in the 2024 Kentucky Derby. I will talk more about the top two Risen Star finishers in my “Exceptional 11” writeup below.
Monday, February 19, 2024
Road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 Report (2-19-24)
By Jarrod Horak
The Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes and Sunland Park Oaks were the latest road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 points races. In this article, I will look back at those races and update my “Fabulous 5” Oaks contenders. The UAE Oaks (Feb. 23) and Honeybee (Feb. 24) are the next Kentucky Oaks points races.
Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race Recaps
Rachel Alexandra (2-17-14)
Fractions – 24.37, 48.55, 1:13.05, 1:38.70, 1:45.28
Top 5 Finishers: Tarifa, Intricate, Perfect Shot, Alpine Princess, V V’s Dream
Tarifa got the right trip in this 1 1/16 miles affair in the slop. She stalked from the inside post behind Perfect Shot and Alpine Princess. She moved out in the stretch under Flavien Prat, and got the jump on closing favorite Intricate and scored by 2 3/4 lengths. My top choice Intricate was making her first start since winning the Golden Rod last fall, and she sat back in last and closed nicely in the lane to finish a clear second under Tyler Gaffalione. Perfect Shot was best of the rest in third. Tarifa picked up 50 points for winning this race and is all but assured a place in the Kentucky Oaks starting gate. The top finishers in this race will probably meet again in the FG Oaks on March 23.
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Sunland Park Derby 2024 Video Picks
This horse racing video features analysis of the Sunland Derby at Sunland Park on 2-18-24.
Check out more horse racing news at The Runaway Horse.
Kentucky Derby 2024 Contenders Video (2-14-24)
This horse racing video features Kentucky Derby 2024 contenders.
Check out free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.
Risen Star Stakes 2024 Video Picks
This horse racing video features analysis of the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on 2-17-24.
Check out more horse racing news at The Runaway Horse.
Friday, February 16, 2024
Risen Star Stakes 2024 Analysis
By Jarrod Horak
The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 continues at Fair Grounds on Saturday, February 17, and I have included Risen Star Stakes 2024 picks below. The Grade 2 event for 3-year-olds has a $400,000 purse and the twelve entrants will be journeying 1 1/18 miles on the main track. The Risen Star is the 14th race on Feb. 17 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Derby points (50-25-15-10-5).
Risen Star Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings
Sierra Leone stalked slow fractions and finished nicely to win his flat mile bow at Aqueduct. He caught a wet, speed favoring surface in the Grade 2 Remsen, and he rallied from last to take a short lead, but front runner Dornoch came back and prevailed by a nose. Chad Brown’s $2.3 million Gun Runner colt adds blinkers and shows eight works at Payson Park for this. Tyler Gaffalione is his new rider and he will try to get involved from off the pace.
Rachel Alexandra Stakes 2024 Analysis
By Jarrod Horak
The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Fair Grounds Race Course on Saturday, February 17, and I have included Rachel Alexandra Stakes 2024 picks below. The Grade 2 event for 3-year-old fillies has a $300,000 purse and the seven entrants will be journeying 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The Rachel Alexandra is the 13th race on Feb. 17 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Oaks points (50-25-15-10-5).
Rachel Alexandra Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings
Tarifa stalked and romped in her extended sprint bow, and the runner-up was a next-out winner. She came up empty as the beaten favorite at one mile second time out. Brad Cox gave her some time off and she returned to win comfortably as the favorite from the outside post in a local optional-claiming route on Jan. 20. Flavien Prat is her new pilot and she figures to save ground stalking the pace.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
Road to Kentucky Derby 2024 Report (2-13-24)
By Jarrod Horak
The Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs was the most recent road to Kentucky Derby 2024 points race. In this article, I will look back at that race and update my “Exceptional 11” Kentucky Derby contenders. The next points race is the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds on Saturday, Feb. 17, followed by the Grade 3 Sunland Derby on Feb 18.
Kentucky Derby 2024 Points Race Recaps
Sam F. Davis – Feb. 10 (Tampa Bay)
Fractions: 23.52, 46.61, 1:10.81, 1:36.59, 1:43.26
Top 5 Finishers: No More Time, Agate Road, West Saratoga, Elysian Meadows, Fulmineo
This did not seem like a strong Derby prep but time will tell. No More Time was able to get out there and control the pace. West Saratoga stalked the pace and made a bid for the lead, but No More Time turned him away and was clear at the wire by a length and a quarter. Surface switcher Agate Road was at the back of the pack for the opening half-mile, and he steadily advanced and rallied wide in the stretch in a clear runner-up finish. West Saratoga just held the show over late mover Elysian Meadows. Fulmineo finished an even 5th and picked up two Derby points.
Road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 Report (2-12-24)
By Jarrod Horak
The Suncoast and Las Virgenes Stakes were the latest road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 points races. In this article, I will look back at those races and update my “Fabulous 5” Oaks contenders. The UAE Oaks (Feb. 16), Rachel Alexandra (Feb. 17), and Sunland Oaks (Feb, 18) are the next Kentucky Oaks points races.
In my last Kentucky Oaks update, I dropped Thorpedo Anna drops off my list due to no published works since her runner-up finish in the Golden Rod (G2) last November. She had her first workout of the year on Feb. 10 (3f in 37.80 at Fair Grounds). If she keeps up her regular morning activity, I can see her being ready for the FG Oaks on March 23.
I also mentioned Ways and Means in my last Oaks report. Chad Brown’s filly has recovered from an ankle chip. She returned to the worktab on Feb. 4 (easy 3f in 38.80), and went 3f again in 37.60 on Feb. 11.
Friday, February 9, 2024
Sam F. Davis Stakes 2024 Video Picks
This horse racing video features analysis of the Robert Lewis Stakes on 2-10-24.
Check out more horse racing news at The Runaway Horse.
Sam F. Davis Stakes 2024 Picks: Kentucky Derby Points Race
By Jarrod Horak
The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 continues at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday, February 10, and I have included Sam F. Davis Stakes 2024 picks below. The Grade 3 event for 3-year-olds has a $250,000 purse and the twelve entrants will be journeying 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The Sam F. Davis is the 10th race on Feb. 10 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Derby points (20-10-6-4-2).
Sam F. Davis Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings
Patriot Spirit removed blinkers and defeated Saturday’s rival Crazy Mason in the Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay last time. He stretches out in distance and should impact the pace under Samy Camacho.
Crazy Mason rallied for the place in the Inaugural Stakes at six panels on Dec. 2, and stretched out and scored as the favorite in a slow early/fast late optional-claiming race on Jan. 14. He should be finishing in his third start after a layoff.
Las Virgenes Stakes 2024 Analysis: Kentucky Oaks Points Race
By Jarrod Horak
The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, February 10, and I have included Las Virgenes Stakes 2024 picks below. The Grade 3 event for 3-year-old fillies has a $100,000 purse and the five entrants will be journeying one mile on the main track. The Las Virgenes is the 5th race on Feb. 10 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Oaks points (20-10-6-4-2). Horses trained by Bob Baffert are ineligible to earn Oaks points.
Las Virgenes Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings
Nothing Like You won her last three starts for Bob Baffert. She stretched out and wired the field by 6 1/2 lengths as the favorite in her maiden win, and turned back and just got up in the Desi Arnaz on Nov. 18. She stretched back out and controlled the pace from the inside post in a sharp 5 1/4 length tally in the Grade 2 Starlet last time. She should be in the hunt from the outset under her new rider Frankie Dettori.
Suncoast Stakes 2024 Analysis: Kentucky Oaks 2024 Points Race
By Jarrod Horak
The road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 continues at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday, February 10, and I have included Suncoast Stakes 2024 picks below. The non-graded event for 3-year-old fillies has a $150,000 purse and the six entrants will be journeying a mile and forty yards on the main track. The Suncoast Stakes is the 5th race on Feb. 10 and the top five finishers will earn Kentucky Oaks points (20-10-6-4-2).
Suncoast Stakes 2024 Picks & Final Time Ratings
Whocouldaskformo was an even 3rd at 9-1 in her extended sprint bow at Aqueduct. She was less than even money in a special weight affair at this course and distance on Dec. 31, and she stalked and romped in that slow early/fast late event. Shug McGaughey is 7-for-14 at the current stand and this $450k Uncle Mo filly figures to save ground behind the speed.
Kentucky Derby 2024 Contenders Video (2-8-24)
This horse racing video features Kentucky Derby 2024 contenders.
Check out free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Road to Kentucky Derby 2024 Report (2-6-24)
By Jarrod Horak
The Withers, Robert Lewis, Southwest, and Holy Bull were the latest road to Kentucky Derby 2024 points races. In this article, I will look back at those events and update my “Exceptional 11” Kentucky Derby contenders. The next points race is the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes on Saturday, Feb. 10.
Kentucky Derby 2024 Points Race Recaps
Withers – Feb. 3 (Aqueduct)
Fractions: 24.14, 49.49, 1:14.44, 1:40.17, 1:53.79
Top 5 Finishers: Uncle Heavy, El Grande O, Lightline, Deposition, Khanate
The track was muddy and El Grande O had the slight early advantage, and was quickly joined by Seminole Chief and Khanate. Uncle Heavy was stalking wide and betting favorite Lightline was in the hunt in midpack. El Grande O put the other two speed horses away and was clear by 3 lengths in the stretch, and he looked home free. Uncle Heavy took up the chase and kept on grinding away, and he got up in the final jump to score by a nose. New York-bred El Grande O was a fine 2nd for Linda Rice, and Lightline moved up wide around the far turn and plugged away in the lane for the show. He has stamina but lacks quickness. 71-1 bomber Deposition missed the show by a half-length, and outside pace player Khanate weakened to 5th. The winner is a PA-bred son of Social Inclusion, and Mychel Sanchez rode the winner for Robert Reid. The was not the fastest Derby prep.
Monday, February 5, 2024
Road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 Report (2-5-24)
By Jarrod Horak
The Forward Gal and Martha Washington Stakes were the latest road to Kentucky Oaks 2024 points races. In this article, I will look back at those races and update my “Fabulous 5” Oaks contenders. The Las Virgenes at Santa Anita was originally scheduled for Feb. 4, but rainy weather pushed that race back to Feb. 10.
In other Kentucky Oaks news, Thorpedo Anna drops off my list due to inactivity. Ken McPeek’s filly won her first two starts last year, and stretched out and landed the place in the Golden Rod (G2) when last seen in November. She has no published workouts since that race.
Chad Brown’s highly regarded filly Ways and Means was sensational in her Saratoga bow last summer, and finished a troubled 2nd behind Brightwork when last seen in the Grade 1 Spinaway. She clipped heels in the latter race and chipped her right ankle. It looks like she has finally recovered after returning to the worktab on Feb. 4 (easy 3f in 38.80). I had every intention of putting her on my Oaks list last year but did not know when should would be returning. Her plans are unknown at this time. She probably needs up to five more works before targeting a race sometime in March at the earliest.
Saturday, February 3, 2024
Robert Lewis Stakes 2024 Video Picks
This horse racing video features analysis of the Robert Lewis Stakes on 2-3-24.
Check out more horse racing news at The Runaway Horse.
Southwest Stakes 2024 Video Picks
This horse racing video features analysis of the Southwest Stakes on 2-3-24.
Check out more horse racing news at The Runaway Horse.
Holy Bull Stakes 2024 Video Picks
This horse racing video features analysis of the Holy Bull Stakes on 2-3-24.
Check out more horse racing news at The Runaway Horse.
Withers Stakes 2024 Video Picks
This horse racing video features analysis of the Withers Stakes on 2-3-24.
Check out more horse racing news at The Runaway Horse.
Martha Washington Stakes 2024 Video Picks
This horse racing video features analysis of the Martha Washington Stakes on 2-3-24.
Check out more horse racing news at The Runaway Horse.
Forward Gal Stakes 2024 Video Picks
This horse racing video features analysis of the Forward Gal Stakes on 2-3-24.
Check out more horse racing news at The Runaway Horse.
Friday, February 2, 2024
Kentucky Derby 2024 Contenders Video Featuring Conquest Warrior
This horse racing video features Kentucky Derby 2024 contenders.
Check out my Kentucky Derby 2024 articles at Today's Racing Digest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)