Upcoming Races
Classic Empire Returns in Arkansas Derby With Much to Prove
April 15, 2017 | Margaret RansomBy Margaret Ransom Just three weeks remain between now and the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby (GI) at Churchill Downs and a field of 12, many of which have their connections scrambling to earn enough points to make the starting gate for the Run for the Roses, has been entered for the $1 million […]
Thirteen Take Stab at Wide Open Santa Anita Derby
April 7, 2017 | Margaret RansomBy Margaret Ransom A nearly full field of 13 sophomores will head postward in the 81st running of the Santa Anita Derby (GI), which has been carded as Saturday’s eighth race at the Great Race Place and will go off at 3:30 PT. The rather large field is filled with runners who otherwise we’d logically […]
Talented Field Assembles For Blue Grass
April 6, 2017 | Jordan SigmonBy Jordan Sigmon It’s been nearly 20 years since the Blue Grass Stakes (GII) was run at the grade 2 level, but in its first edition since being downgraded from grade 1 status, possibly the deepest field in a decade will line up. While it’s just a field of seven, four of the entrants are […]
Farrell Makes Final Kentucky Oaks Prep in Fair Grounds Oaks
April 1, 2017 | Jordan SigmonBy Jordan Sigmon In four of the last 10 years, the winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) has gone on to Kentucky Oaks (GI) glory and with the big Tapit filly Unique Bella off the trail, Farrell will look to continue her winning ways in this year’s edition of the race and take over […]
California Shippers Hold Favoritism in Oaklawn’s Rebel
March 17, 2017 | Jordan SigmonBy Jordan Sigmon Trainers Bob Baffert and John Sherriffs have tasted plenty of success when shipping horses into Oaklawn Park. Baffert, in particular, has won six of the past seven editions of the Rebel Stakes (GII) and has this year’s favorite in American Anthem. Winning will be no easy task, though, as John Sherriffs has […]
Shaman Ghost, Midnight Storm Top Big ‘Cap Field
March 11, 2017 | Margaret RansomBy Margaret Ransom A talent-filled 11-race card featuring four graded stakes is on tap at Santa Anita Park Saturday, led by the featured 80th running of the Santa Anita Handicap (GI). The 1 ¼-mile feature is worth $750,000 this year and has drawn a strong field of nine older runners. Since its inception in 1935 […]
Special Full Card Analysis for Saturday’s Big ‘Cap Program at Santa Anita
March 10, 2017 | track-adminBy John DaSilva FIRST RACE 6 – St. Reno – has raced well in all three starts since breaking maiden in debut, despite being disqualified and placed fifth this distance and level three starts back. Breaks from an outside post position and should be the main pacesetter of the race 5 – Hook ‘Em Kurt […]
Daddys Lil Darling Starts Year Off On Turf in Florida Oaks
March 10, 2017 | Jordan SigmonBy Jordan Sigmon Normandy Farm’s primary goal may be the Kentucky Oaks (GI) with Daddys Lil Darling, but the Kenny McPeek-trained daughter of Scat Daddy is starting her year off on the turf in the Florida Oaks (GIIIT), where she will face the well-regarded Mark Casse pair of Tamit and La Coronel. When she broke […]
Gun Runner Returns in Razorback at Oaklawn
February 19, 2017 | Margaret RansomBy Margaret Ransom Eight older runners will head postward in Monday’s 58th running of the Razorback Handicap (GIII), led to the gate by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Three Chimneys Farm and Besilu Stables’ Grade I winner Gun Runner, who is making his 2017 debut and first start since winning the Nov. 25 Clark Handicap (GI) at Churchill […]
Recent Maiden Winners Square Off in San Vicente
February 12, 2017 | Margaret RansomBy Margaret Ransom Used to be that the San Vicente Stakes (GII) at Santa Anita was an important stop on the road to the Kentucky Derby (GI). Even though last year’s winner, Nyquist, went on to win in Louisville on the first Saturday in May and the runner-up, Exaggerator, won the Preakness Stakes (GI), the […]
