Congratulations to Thistledown for enticing such a strong group of 11 in this Saturday’s Grade III Ohio Derby. Among the 11 entrants is a Grade II winner in Keepmeinmind and a pair of Grade III winners in King Fury and Promise Keeper. Promise Keeper is the lukewarm 7-2 morning-line favorite, according to horseracingnation.com. Keepmeinmind […]
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There is something of a lull going on right now during this year’s Triple Crown series before it concludes with the Grade I Belmont Stakes on June 5. I will have my Belmont selections and analysis for Xpressbet.com next week. I thought this would be a good time to go over my list of […]
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Trainer Michael McCarthy sent out Rombauer for an upset victory in last Saturday’s $1 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. While Rombauer’s triumph in the Grade I event took many bettors by surprise, it really was not an upset for his 50-year-old conditioner to win a Kentucky Derby, Preakness or Belmont. His background […]
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Before I get to my selections for this Saturday’s Grade I, $1 million Preakness Stakes, I can’t ignore the elephant — or more specifically, the horse — in the room. The horse, of course, is Medina Spirit. As of May 12, Medina Spirit is still the official winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby. But […]
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One-hundred years ago, Herbert J. Thompson won the Kentucky Derby with Behave Yourself. That 1921 triumph was just the beginning for Thompson, who went on to also win the Run for the Roses with Bubbling Over in 1926, Burgoo King in 1932 and Brokers Tip in 1933. Those four victories earned Thompson the […]
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Undefeated champion Essential Quality heads a field of 20 entered in Saturday’s 147th running of the Grade I, $3 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. This means barring any scratches, the track’s special 20-stall starting gate will be filled to capacity for the 1 1/4-mile classic. The first Kentucky Derby in which the 20-stall […]
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It’s understandable that much attention at this time of the year is focused on the upcoming Kentucky Derby on May 1. That being said, many racing enthusiasts are looking forward to the showdown between champions Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver in this Saturday’s Grade I, $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park. These […]
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This Saturday’s Grade I Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park is the final race offering 170 points toward a spot in the starting gate at this year’s 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby on May 1. Also Saturday, Keeneland’s Grade II Lexington Stakes has 34 Kentucky Derby points up for grabs to the […]
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Three biggies with Kentucky Derby ramifications will be run this weekend. They are the Grade I Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, Grade II Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland and Grade II Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. The first four finishers in these three 1 1/8-mile races will collect Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 basis. […]
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I grew up in Spokane, Wash. Known as the Lilac City, Spokane once was the home of Playfair Race Course, where Thoroughbreds raced for decades until it closed for good in 2000. On Monday, Spokane’s Gonzaga University basketball team reached the Sweet 16 in March Madness when defeating Oklahoma by 16 points (87-71). It […]
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With my selections for Xpressbet.com last week, I tried to beat the favorite in both the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby and Grade III Gotham Stakes. I was vindicated in my approach when the favorite did not win either race. But, darn it, my top pick also did not win. Candy Man Rocket was […]
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Beginning in late January, I’ve been making selections for Xpressbet.com in terms of this country’s races offering points toward a starting berth in the Grade I, $3 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1. Of the nine such races, I have picked the winner in six of them, as noted below: […]
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It was 40 years ago that John Henry, a gelding who rose to stardom from relative obscurity, won the world’s first $1 million Thoroughbred race, the Arlington Million, by a scant nose. John Henry won 39 times during his extraordinary career. Of those 39 victories, the 1981 Arlington Million quite possibly was his finest […]
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This Saturday’s Grade II Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans has enticed a wide-open field of 13. Heading the 1 1/8-mile contest is Keepmeinmind, who ranks No. 8 on my Kentucky Derby Top 10. Senor Buscador, No. 9 on my Top 10, also is entered in the […]
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I made selections last week for both the Holy Bull Stakes and Robert B. Lewis Stakes. My top pick won both. Can I do it again this week? To be perfectly frank, I seriously doubt it. But, hey, despite a lack of confidence, I shall give it a try. My top selection for last […]
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