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. 

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. 

Post "Super Saturday"

                                                           

 Stay Thirsty                                                                                   Uncle Mo: Kelso


"Super Saturday" set everyone up for a very enticing Breeders Cup next month. Flat Out took the 1 1/4 mile Jockey Club Gold Cup by holding off Drosselmeyer. Game On Dude was able to hold off a late charging eight-year-old, Awesome Gem in the Goodwood. Uncle Mo proved he is back by beating the older horses easily in the Kelso. Havre De Grace, the promising and dangerous filly blew out the rest of the field in the Beldame. Creative Cause beat favored Drill in the Norfolk, most likely setting up a so-called rubber match  in the Breeders Cup Juvenile.

While the Breeders Cup Classic field will begin to form over the next few weeks, it certainly doesn't look promising for this years three-year-old class. Going up against their elders for the first time, Stay Thirsty and Coil both finished third in their races this weekend. They were able to finish in the money but were not a challenge for win or place. Now heading to the Breeders Cup, there will only be more talented horses to contend with. While Stay Thirsty still would have to be considered the favorite for three-year-old champion, he certainly does not have a lock on the award. With the resurgent Uncle Mo, if he chooses to run in the Classic were to somehow upset the expected loaded field, he would be back in the picture for top three-year-old. Don't forget about To Honor and Serve either, who came back from injury to take the Pennsylvania Derby a couple of weeks ago.

As these next few weeks begin to unfold, there certainly will be anticipation leading up to the many showdowns that are going to be watched at Churchill Downs the first weekend in November. In the meantime, check out Keeneland in Lexington, Ky as they open their fall meet this coming weekend.

*Hit the exacta and trifectas dead on in both the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Goodwood this past weekend.