Opening Day @ Keeneland/Wood Memorial(G1)/Santa Anita Derby(G1)

This past weekend in New Orleans, I had the pleasure of experiencing history and watching the University of Kentucky Wildcats bring their 8th National Championship back to Lexington. In between games, on Sunday I hopped on I-10 and made the short trip over to the Fair Grounds Race Course to witness a different type of history. Hero of Order at 99/1 + odds decided to play spoiler on April Fools of all days, to take down the $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby. It was a surreal weekend to say the least and was well worth the trip. 

Back in Lexington, still riding high from the Cats first title in 14 years, what better to keep that high going than opening day of Keeneland. That's right it's Easter Weekend and the most prestigious track in the country opens tomorrow for racing. If you have never been to Keeneland, then you have no idea the aura this track has. It is one of those things in life that you just have to experience for yourself. Keeneland has many graded stakes races lined up, but the most anticipated race this Spring meet has to be the Blue Grass Stakes(G1). Hansen is making his next race on the synthetic surface and this will mark the first time since 1997 and Street Sense that the two-year-old champ ran in this race.

We are now less than one month away from that first Saturday in May and the three-year-olds are preparing for their final prep race before the Kentucky Derby. This weekend is locked and loaded with prep races all over the country. 

Out on the West Coast at Santa Anita Park is the 1 1/8 mile, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby. Creative Cause looks to continue his West Coast dominance in his last prep before making the trip to Louisville. This is a big race for I'll have Another, who is coming off a win in the Robert B. Lewis(G2). Currently sitting on the outside looking in on the 2012 Graded Earnings List, he needs to hit the board to guarantee a spot in the Derby. 

The East Coast's big prep race is the 1 1/8 mile, $1,000,000 Wood Memorial(G1) held at Aqueduct. Surprisingly, not one of the horses in this field of eight is currently in the top 20 in graded earnings. Although, Alpha, My Adonis and Gemologist are just outside, a finish in the money certainly would help their chances.

Also running is the 1 1/8 mile, $500,000 Illinois Derby(G3). This race is wide open as another horse looks to make the needed earnings. 

Santa Anita Derby(G1)

4/7 Santa Anita Park @  2:30 PST

Creative Cause 6-5

Considered the best out on the West Coast and could be one of the top three-year-olds in 2012. Just has to go out and prove it at 1 1/8 mile. 

Liaison 8-1

Cashball Futurity winner looks to regain last years form. Although he has yet to hit the board as a three-year-old, the distance may be what he needs. 

Midnight Transfer 10-1

Finished a competitive third to Creative Cause here at Santa Anita in the San Felipe(G2) last month. Looks like he might have more in the tank to go the distance.

I'll Have Another 5-2

Won the Robert B. Lewis(G2) on this track back in February.

EX/TRI BX: 1,2,8,4

Wood Memorial(G1)

4/7 Aqueduct @ 5:15 EST

Gemologist 8-5 

Undefeated in 4 life time starts. 

Alpha 5-2

2 for 2 as a three-year-old, not to mention both races were at Aqueduct. 

Street Life 4-1

Coming off back to back allowance wins over this track. 

My Adonis 8-1

Finished second to Hansen over this track in the Gotham(G3) last month. 

EX/TRI BX: 6,1,5,3

*Secret Circle padded his graded earnings by taking the Rebel Stakes(G2). Najjaar and Sabercat did not finish in the money. 

Rebel(G2)

The Derby Trail stops in Arkansas for the 1 1/16 mile, $500,000, Rebel Stakes(G2) this Saturday at Oaklawn Park. The prep for the Arkansas Derby next month, took a hit when Gemologist and Currency Swap decided to opt out of the Rebel. They instead ran 1-2 in an allowance race earlier this afternoon at Gulfstream Park. A full field of 13 was still drawn for the next stop on the Derby Trail. With a $500,000 purse, the winner will most likely lock up one of the 20 gates at the Kentucky Derby.

Rebel Stakes(G2)

3/17 Oaklawn Park @ 5:48 CST

Najjaar 6-1

Won allowance race last time out at 1 1/16 mile. Should be closing down the stretch. Only question is that he has not produced great speed ratings in any of his races. 

Secret Circle 9-5

Coming off a win in the Southwest(G3). Impressed in every race run so far with triple digit speed ratings. Only question is can he get the distance as he has never run past a mile. 

Sabercat 5-1

Three-year-old debut, coming off a win in the Delta Jackpot(G3) back in November. Speed ratings are questionable, but should find a way to finish in the money. 

EX/TRI BX: 11, 8, 7

*Hit the exacta with Creative Cause and Bodemeister in the San Felipe. Liaison finished fourth while Empire Way looks like he will not be making the Derby unless he comes up with something soon. 

*Came up empty in the Tampa Bay Derby. Spring Hill Farm was injured and is off the Derby Trail. 

San Felipe(G2)/Tampa Bay Derby(G2)/Swale(G3)

                                             

As we near closer to the Derby, many of these talented three-year-olds are still looking for enough graded stakes earnings to claim a spot in the Derby. This weekend will give many of these horses an opportunity as there are three graded stakes races on the Derby Trail Schedule.

The 7 Furlongs, $150,000 Swale Stakes(G3) is held at Gulfstream this Saturday. While this is considered a race on the Derby Trail, not too many Derby horses will come from a 7 furlong race this late in the season. Look for Ever So Lucky, Motor City and Quick Wit to battle it out in the Swale. 

The 1 1/16 mile, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby(G2) is held at Tampa Bay Downs this Saturday. Battle Hardened returns to the track he won the Sam F. Davis Stakes(G3) just last month. Prospective is the only horse in the field currently in the top 20 in graded stakes earnings. 

The 1 1/16 mile, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes(G2) at Santa Anita is loaded with talent. Creative Cause heads this talented field of 10 and looks to show everyone that he is the top horse out on the West Coast. Empire Way is a strong contender who is coming off a second place finish on this track last month in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes(G2). They will have to take on the promising colts out of Baffert's stable, Liaison and Bodemeister.

Tampa Bay Derby(G2)

3/10 Tampa Bay Downs @ 5:28 EST

Spring Hill Farm 5-2

Pletcher horse stepping up in class after going undefeated in two allowance races. Posted good speed ratings in both races.

Battle Hardened 9-2

Won Sam F. Davis Stakes at Santa Anita last month. 

Take Charge Indy 3-1 SCRATCHED

Finished second to El Paudrino in three-year-old debut back in January.

EX/TRI BX: 7,9

San Felipe Stakes(G2)
3/10 Santa Anita @ 4:38 PST

Creative Cause 5-2
Looks to build on his 7 furlong prep race, finishing third. Still posted strong speed rating and his race is at a distance.

Empire Way 6-1
Has continued to improve off each start. Pedigree says he can go the distance. Collected some graded cash in last months Robert B. Lewis, but is still on the outside looking in.

Liaison 6-1
Looks to redeem himself after throwing his rider in last race. Already has the earnings, but looks to show he belongs.

Bodemeister 3-1

Tons of talent as shown in his previous maiden win. Step up in class is making his first graded stakes start. Needs to collect some graded stakes earnings in this one.

EX/TRI BX 2,6,7,10


*Hansen took down the Gotham and is back on track. 

Gotham(G3)

The 1 1/16 mile, $400,000 Gotham Stakes goes off later today at Aqueduct. Hansen is back to redeem himself after a disappointing  second place finish in the Holy Bull back in January. With a field of 13, Hansen is the overwhelming favorite and must bounce back with a strong performance. While the two-year-old champ leads all other three-year-olds with graded stakes earnings, he needs to get back on track today with only one more prep race looming before the Derby.

Gotham(G3)
3/3 Aqueduct @ 5:02 EST

Hansen 6-5
Heavy favorite looks to bounce back after disappointing three-year-old debut. Only graded stakes winner in race, in a class above the competition.

Rest of the field is wide open as any of these horses could hit the board.

*El Padrino won the Risen Star with Z Dager coming in third. Both should look towards the Louisiana Derby next month. 


*Union Rags had an impressive three-year-old debut in the Fountain of Youth. Discreet Dancer fell off to finish third. Sadly, Algorithms had a popped splint, was scratched from the race and is off the Derby Trail.