Gulfstream Park Stakes Picks Video (12-13-25)

In this horse racing handicapping video, I analyze two stakes races at Gulfstream Park (12-13-25).  

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Today's Racing Digest Video Series: Race Header

My latest how to use Today's Racing Digest video focuses on the Race Header and how to best use it in your daily handicapping.

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Horse Racing Video News Update: Magnitude, Sovereingty, Baeza

In this horse racing video, I recap Magnitude's Iowa Derby romp and look at what is next for Sovereignty and Baeza.    

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Kentucky Oaks 2025 Update (3-9-25)

The Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes was the latest Kentucky Oaks 2025 prep race and Maysam nipped Supa Speed in a thriller. In this report, I will recap that event along with four other recent points races, update the Oaks points standings, and share my latest top five Oaks contenders. 

The next Kentucky Oaks points race is the Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs on Saturday, March 15. 

Virginia Oaks field: 1 – Icona Mama, 2 – Low Key, 3 – Gowells Delight, 4 – Anonima, 5 – Early On, 6 – You’ll Be Back, 7 – Girl Math, 8 – Fondly

I am covering all of the road to Kentucky Oaks prep races this year, and through the first 24 points races, my top choices have 10 wins, 4 runner-up finishes, and 3 show finishes. Two of my top choices scratched, so I am officially 10-for-22 on the road to the Oaks.

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Kentucky Derby 2025 Update (3-5-25)

We saw two big performances on the road to Kentucky Derby 2025 last weekend. My top ranked Derby contender Sovereignty returned from a layoff and went last-to-first in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, and Journalism smartly ran down race favorite Barnes in a fast renewal of the San Felipe. In this report, I will recap the Gotham, Fountain of Youth, and San Felipe, update the Derby points standings, and share my latest exceptional 11 Derby contenders.

The next Kentucky Derby points race is the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday, March 8. 

Tampa Bay Derby field: 1 – Owen Almighty, 2 – Chancer McPatrick, 3 – Hill Road, 4 – Brodeur, 5 – Filoso, 6 – Naughty Rascal, 7 – Patch Adams.

In other Derby news, BC Juvenile runner-up Gaming is targeting the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs on Saturday, March 15. He disappointed in his last two stakes starts and will try to get back on track for trainer Bob Baffert in Virginia.

East Avenue is still on the Derby trail after burning a ton of money in the BC Juvenile and Risen Star Stakes. Brendan Walsh mentioned the LA Derby or Blue Grass as possible targets.

Read more at The Runaway Horse

How to Make Money Betting Pick 4 Wagers

This horse racing video features Pick 4 wagering strategies.  

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Kentucky Derby 2025 Historical Trends Video

This horse racing video features Kentucky Derby 2025 historical trends.   

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Grade 1 Cotillion Video: Thorpedo Anna

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing. 

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Kentucky Derby 2025 Points Race Recap: Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes

This horse racing video features a recap of the 2024 Iroquois Stakes (Kentucky Derby 2025 points race). 

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Woodbine Mile 2024 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 1, $1 million Woodbine Mile.     

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Del Mar Futurity 2024 Video Picks

This horse racing video features analysis of the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Futurity.     

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Kentucky Derby 2024 Contenders Video (3-20-24)

This horse racing video features Kentucky Derby 2024 contenders.   

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Kentucky Derby 2024 Contenders Video (3-7-24)

This horse racing video features Kentucky Derby 2024 contenders and points race recaps of the Fountain of Youth, Gotham, John Battaglia Memorial, and San Felipe Stakes.  

Check out free picks and more at The Runaway Horse. 

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.  

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

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.  

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

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.  

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Road to Kentucky Derby 2024 January Report (1-30-24)

By Jarrod Horak

This is my final Kentucky Derby 2024 report for January. In this post, I will look back at the Grade 3 Lecomte and update my “Exceptional 11” Derby contenders. The Derby trail really heats up this week with four points races on Feb. 3 (Holy Bull, Robert Lewis, Southwest, Withers). 

In a major Derby development, none of Bob Baffert’s runners will be competing in the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs extended Baffert’s Derby ban through this year, and it was widely expected that he would transfer his top Derby hopefuls to other barns prior to Churchill’s Jan. 29 deadline. That date came and went, and none of Baffert’s runners moved to other barns. In 2022 and 2023, Baffert’s top Derby contenders moved to the Tim Yakteen shedrow. This time, owners opted to stick with Baffert in a major snub to Churchill. His runners are eligible to compete in the Preakness and Belmont.  

My list gets a major shakeup due to the Baffert situation. Three of his runners were part of my “Exceptional 11” Derby list (Nysos, Muth, Pilot Commander), and three others (Coach Prime, Imagination, Prince of Monaco) were part of my “Next Nine.” 

Bill Mott recently stated that he has fallen behind with Knightsbridge. I said last time that this colt needed to return to the worktab to remain on my list. He shows two published works this month. He went an easy half-mile in 50.20 at Payson Park on Jan. 12, and breezed 51.40 on Jan. 26. Mott wanted to have him ready for the Swale Stakes on Feb. 3 but ran out of time and was unable to make that race. They are trying to get him back in action in March. Based on all of that information, I have decided to drop him off my list.  

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Kentucky Derby 2024 Contenders Video Featuring Muth & Dornoch

This horse racing video features Kentucky Derby 2024 contenders Muth & Dornoch. 

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

Kentucky Derby 2024 Report 1-10-24

 

By Jarrod Horak

The is my first Kentucky Derby 2024 report of the new year. In this article, I will look back at the Smarty Jones and Jerome, and update my “Exceptional 11” Derby contenders. The Lecomte at Fair Grounds on Jan. 20 is the next Kentucky Derby prep, and the winner will receive 20 points.  

Kentucky Derby 2024 Points Race Results

Smarty Jones – Jan. 1 (Oaklawn)

Fractions: 23.02, 47.01, 1:12.20, 1:38.34, 1:44.59

Top 5 Finishers: Catching Freedom, Just Steel, Informed Patriot, Gettysburg Address, Mystik Dan

Just Steel was the morning line favorite but bettors flocked to Catching Freedom in this 1 1/16 miles Derby prep. The pace was honest with Lagynos showing the way and Mystic Dan and Just Steel chasing. Catching Freedom was patiently handled under Cristian Torres, and Brad Cox’s Constitution colt moved up while racing wide, straightened out in the stretch, and pulled clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Just Steel stalked, gained a short advantage in the lane, and dug in to hold the place over Informed Patriot and Gettysburg Address. The latter was my top choice under Flavien Prat, and he was last early after a troubled beginning. He was grinding away from off the pace and found his best stride late, and probably would have finished 2nd with a better start and trip. Catching Freedom acts like he will handle more ground, and Gettysburg Address probably deserves another chance.  

Jerome – Jan. 6 (Aqueduct)

Fractions: 24.50, 49.06, 1:14.92, 1:28.40, 1:41.91

Top 5 Finishers: Drum Roll Please, El Grande O, Khanate, Regalo, Sweet Soddy J

Drum Roll Please made this one look easy. The track was fast and El Grande O dueled with Regalo through the opening quarter, and Khanate took up the chase after that. El Grande O was able to grab a short lead in the stretch but Drum Roll Please represented a fresh challenge, and Brad Cox’s Hard Spun colt rallied wide and scored by 3 3/4 lengths under Javier Castellano. El Grande O was clearly second best, and Khanate was best of the rest in third. This was not a fast race. 

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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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