Archive for April 2019

2019 Kentucky Oaks Preview and Friday Churchill Downs Selections

We’ve been talking about prep races since last fall, but it’s finally here: the week of the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks. We talk about the Derby in a separate piece, of course, but here we take a look at Friday.  We’ll provide our detailed preview of the Oaks, and then below it, we’ll... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
April 29, 2019 at 9:09 pm
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2019 Hawthorne Spring Closing Day Preview

We caught our breath last week, after the end of the Derby trail, but now we’re back.  We’re not previewing the Derby yet — that comes next week, after the draw! — but we’re staying a little closer to home.  It feels like Hawthorne’s spring meet just started.  Saturday, it ends, but not before we... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
April 26, 2019 at 10:54 pm
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2019 Lexington Stakes Preview

Keeneland, who already hosted the 100-point Blue Grass Stakes last week, gets back in the Derby prep picture this weekend with the last chance saloon: the Lexington Stakes (G3).  The race offers a $200,000 purse as well as 20-8-4-3 points to the top four finishers.  It’s not enough to get a horse with no points into... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
April 12, 2019 at 8:52 pm
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2019 Arkansas Derby Preview

This weekend, Picks and Ponderings take s a look at the final pair of Kentucky Derby prep races.  This piece focuses on the Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn’s final station on its spur of the Derby trail, is as big a Derby prep as can be: $1,000,000 purse, Grade 1 status, and 100-40-20-10 points to the top four finishers. ... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
April 12, 2019 at 12:20 pm
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A Quick Look at the Wood, Blue Grass, and Santa Anita Derby

We’re a month out from the Kentucky Derby, and three tracks are having their final prep races on Saturday.  Aqueduct hosts the Wood Memorial (G2), Keeneland hosts the Blue Grass Stakes (G2), and Santa Anita hosts the Santa Anita Derby (G1).  All three races offer 100-40-20-10 Road to the Kentucky Derby points to their top... Read more »
By Nicolle Neulist,
April 5, 2019 at 1:40 pm
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