Weekend Winners Club

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The May 2022 Thoroughbred stakes racing schedule for the USA, Canada, and Japan is updated and ready. The epicenter of racing in the United Stakes of America will be Churchill Downs to begin the first full weekend of racing in May with the Kentucky Oaks and Derby.

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Get the full 2022 Kentucky Derby Grid Here with over 80 different factors including pedigree, performance, and historical criteria! 

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May 2022 Thoroughbred Stakes Racing Schedule for North America and JRA

Race	Track	Date	Pur$e	Age/Sex	Dist	Surf	Fee/Close
License Fee S	Bel	May01	$100K	4&up f/m	6f	Turf	Clsd Apr16
Campanile S	GG	May01	$75K	3yo f S	8f	Turf	Clsd Apr22
Silky Sullivan	GG	May01	$75K	3yo S	8f	Turf	Clsd Apr22
Tenno Sho Spring (G1T)	JRA	May01	$4,115K	4&up	16f	Turf	Clsd Mar8
Wilshire S (G3T)	SA	May01	$100K	3&up f/m	8f	Turf	Clsd Apr21
Woodstock S	WO	May01	$125K	3yo	6f	AW	Clsd Apr13
Wilma Mankiller S	WRD	May02	$50K	3&up f/m	6f	Dirt	Clsd Apr20
Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight S	CD	May03	$160K	4&up	12f	Dirt	Clsd Apr16
Highland Ice S	WRD	May03	$50K	3&up	6f	Dirt	Clsd Apr21
William Walker	CD	May04	$200K	3yo	5.5f	Turf	Clsd Apr16
St. Matthews	CD	May04	$160K	4&up R	6f	Dirt	Clsd Apr16
Kentucky Juvenile S	CD	May05	$200K	2yo	5f	Dirt	Clsd Apr16
Unbridled Sydney S	CD	May05	$200K	3&up f/m	5.5f	Turf	Clsd Apr16
Opening Verse Overnight S	CD	May05	$160K	4&up	8f	Turf	Clsd Apr16
Flat Out	Bel	May06	$100K	4&up	11f	Dirt	Clsd Apr23
Daryl E. Parker Memorial/Tall Stack S	BTP	May06	$75K	3yo S	6.5f	Dirt	Clsd Apr26
Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1)	CD	May06	$1,250K	3yo f	9f	Dirt	Clsd Apr16
La Troienne S (G1)	CD	May06	$750K	4&up f/m	8.5f	Dirt	Clsd Apr16
Alysheba S Presented by Sentient Jet (G2)	CD	May06	$500K	4&up	8.5f	Dirt	Clsd Apr16
Edgewood S Presented by Forcht Bank (G2T)	CD	May06	$500K	3yo f	8.5f	Turf	Clsd Apr16
Eight Belles S (G2)	CD	May06	$500K	3yo f	7f	Dirt	Clsd Apr16
Twin Spires Turf Sprint Presented by Sysco (G2T)	CD	May06	$500K	3&up	5.5f	Turf	Clsd Apr16
Modesty S (G3T)	CD	May06	$250K	4&up f/m	9f	Turf	Clsd Apr16
Evangeline Downs Distaff	EvD	May06	$60K	4&up f/m S	8f	Dirt	Clsd Apr22
Natural State Breeders' S	OP	May06	$150K	3&up f/m S	8f	Dirt	Clsd Apr22
Fort Marcy S (G2T)	Bel	May07	$200K	4&up	9f	Turf	Clsd Apr23
Sheepshead Bay S (G2T)	Bel	May07	$200K	4&up f/m	11f	Turf	Clsd Apr23
Westchester S (G3)	Bel	May07	$200K	4&up	8f	Dirt	Clsd Apr23
Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1)	CD	May07	$3,000K	3yo	10f	Dirt	$200,000/May4
Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1T)	CD	May07	$1,000K	4&up	9f	Turf	Clsd Apr16
Churchill Downs Presented by Ford (G1)	CD	May07	$750K	4&up	7f	Dirt	Clsd Apr16
Derby City Distaff Presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery (G1)	CD	May07	$750K	4&up f/m	7f	Dirt	Clsd Apr16
American Turf (G2T)	CD	May07	$500K	3yo	8.5f	Turf	Clsd Apr16
Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2T)	CD	May07	$500K	4&up f/m	8f	Turf	Clsd Apr16
Pat Day Mile Presented by LG&E and KU (G2)	CD	May07	$500K	3yo	8f	Dirt	Clsd Apr16
Knicks Go Overnight S	CD	May07	$160K	4&up R	8f	Dirt	Clsd Apr16
Evangeline Downs Classic	EvD	May07	$60K	4&up S	8f	Dirt	Clsd Apr22
Al Swihart Memorial S	Fon	May07	$20K	3&up f/m	6.5f	Dirt	$0/Apr30
Coors Starter	Fon	May07	$10K	4&up R	9f	Dirt	$0/Apr30
English Channel S	GP	May07	$75K	3yo	8f	Turf	Clsd Apr24
Honey Ryder S	GP	May07	$75K	3yo f	8f	Turf	Clsd Apr24
Virginia Gold Cup Timber	GrM	May07	$100K	5&up	32f	Turf	Clsd Apr25
David Semmes Memorial Hurdle (G2T)	GrM	May07	$75K	4&up	17f	Turf	Clsd Apr25
Four-Old Hurdle S	GrM	May07	$50K	4&up	17f	Turf	Clsd Apr25
Steeplethon S	GrM	May07	$30K	5&up	24f	Turf	Clsd Apr25
Third Chance S	Haw	May07	$75K	3&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	Clsd Apr23
Kyoto Shimbun Hai (G2T)	JRA	May07	$1,120K	3yo	11f	Turf	Clsd Mar22
Long Branch S	Mth	May07	$100K	3yo	8.32f	Dirt	Clsd Apr22
Arkansas Breeders' Championship	OP	May07	$200K	3&up S	8.5f	Dirt	Clsd Apr22
Senorita S (G3T)	SA	May07	$100K	3yo f	8f	Turf	$100/Apr28
Secretariat S	SON	May07	$20K	3&up	6f	Dirt	Not Available
Jack Cole S	SRP	May07	$100K	3&up S	6.5f	Dirt	$200/Apr29
Michael F. Rowland Memorial H	Tdn	May07	$75K	3&up S	6f	Dirt	Clsd Apr27
Hasta La Vista S	TuP	May07	$60K	3&up	15f	Turf	Not Available
Turf Paradise Open Spring Futurity	TuP	May07	$60K	2yo	5f	Dirt	Not Available
Ruffian (G2)	Bel	May08	$200K	4&up f/m	8f	Dirt	Clsd Apr23
Monroe S	GP	May08	$75K	3&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	Clsd Apr24
NHK Mile Cup (G1T)	JRA	May08	$2,684K	3yo	8f	Turf	Clsd Mar22
Niigata Daishoten (G3T)	JRA	May08	$886K	4&up	10f	Turf	Clsd Mar22
Serena's Song S	Mth	May08	$100K	3&up f/m	8.32f	Dirt	Clsd Apr22
Lazaro Barrera S	SA	May08	$100K	3yo	6.5f	Dirt	$100/Apr28
Angels Flight S	SA	May08	$75K	3yo f	7f	Dirt	$0/Apr28
Merry-Go-Round Special S	SON	May08	$10K	3&up	7f	Dirt	Not Available
C.O. "Ken" Kendrick Memorial S	SRP	May08	$100K	2yo S	4.5f	Dirt	$200/Apr29
Whimsical S (G3)	WO	May08	$150K	4&up f/m	6f	AW	Clsd Apr20
J. William Petro Memorial H	Tdn	May12	$75K	3&up f/m S	8.5f	Dirt	$50/May2
Goldfinch S	PrM	May13	$50K	3yo f	6f	Dirt	$0/May3
Man o' War (G1T)	Bel	May14	$700K	4&up	11f	Turf	$700/Apr30
Peter Pan S (G3)	Bel	May14	$200K	3yo	9f	Dirt	$200/Apr30
Beaugay S (G3T)	Bel	May14	$150K	4&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	$150/Apr30
Runhappy S (G3)	Bel	May14	$150K	4&up	6f	Dirt	$150/Apr30
Vagrancy (G3)	Bel	May14	$150K	4&up f/m	6.5f	Dirt	$150/Apr30
Mamzelle Overnight S	CD	May14	$160K	3yo f	5f	Turf	$0/Apr30
Coin Collector S	CT	May14	$75K	3yo S	4.5f	Dirt	$50/May4
Roar S	GP	May14	$75K	3yo	5f	Turf	$0/May1
Robert S. Molaro S	Haw	May14	$75K	3&up S	6f	Dirt	$0/Apr30
Keio Hai Spring Cup (G2T)	JRA	May14	$1,221K	4&up	7f	Turf	Clsd Mar22
Spruce Fir H	Mth	May14	$85K	3&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	$0/Apr29
Calvin Houghland Iroquois (G1T)	PW	May14	$150K	4&up	24f	Turf	$500/May2
Green Pastures Hurdle	PW	May14	$75K	4&up R	18f	Turf	$250/May2
Margaret Currey Henley Hurdle S	PW	May14	$50K	4&up f/m	18f	Turf	$100/May2
Santa Barbara S (G3T)	SA	May14	$125K	3&up f/m	12f	Turf	$100/May5
SunRay Park S	SRP	May14	$75K	3&up	4.5f	Dirt	$200/May6
Gold Fever S	Bel	May15	$100K	3yo	6f	Dirt	$100/Apr30
Victoria Mile (G1T)	JRA	May15	$2,684K	4&up f/m	8f	Turf	Clsd Mar22
John J. Reilly H	Mth	May15	$85K	3&up S	6f	Dirt	$0/Apr29
Jacques Cartier S (G3)	WO	May15	$150K	4&up	6f	AW	Clsd Apr27
10,000 Lakes S	Cby	May18	$50K	3&up S	6f	Dirt	$0/May4
Lady Slipper S	Cby	May18	$50K	3&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	$0/May4
Caesars S	Ind	May18	$150K	3yo	8f	Turf	$0/May4
Horseshoe Indianapolis S	Ind	May18	$150K	3yo f	8f	Turf	$0/May4
Sagamore Sired S	Ind	May18	$100K	3yo S	5.5f	Dirt	$0/May4
Swifty Sired Fillies S	Ind	May18	$100K	3yo f S	5.5f	Dirt	$0/May4
Pimlico Special (G3)	Pim	May20	$300K	3&up	9.5f	Dirt	$0/May10
George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan S (G2)	Pim	May20	$250K	3yo f	9f	Dirt	$0/May10
Allaire duPont Distaff S (G3)	Pim	May20	$150K	3&up f/m	9f	Dirt	$0/May10
Miss Preakness S (G3)	Pim	May20	$150K	3yo f	6f	Dirt	$0/May10
Hilltop S	Pim	May20	$100K	3yo f	8f	Turf	$0/May10
The Very One S	Pim	May20	$100K	3&up f/m	5f	Turf	$0/May10
Seek Again S	Bel	May21	$100K	4&up	8f	Turf	$100/May7
Louisville (G3T)	CD	May21	$200K	4&up	12f	Turf	$100/May11
It's Binn Too Long S	CT	May21	$75K	3yo f S	4.5f	Dirt	$50/May11
PS Services Sprint	ED	May21	$10K	3&up	5f	Dirt	Not Available
Mr. Steele S	GP	May21	$75K	3&up	8.5f	Turf	$0/May8
Musical Romance S	GP	May21	$65K	3&up f/m S	6.5f	Dirt	$0/May8
Heian S (G3)	JRA	May21	$780K	4&up	9.5f	Dirt	Clsd Apr5
Politely S	Mth	May21	$100K	3&up f/m	5f	Turf	$100/May6
Preakness S (G1)	Pim	May21	$1,500K	3yo	9.5f	Dirt	$150,000/May18
Dinner Party S (G2T)	Pim	May21	$250K	3&up	8.5f	Turf	$0/May10
Chick Lang S (G3)	Pim	May21	$200K	3yo	6f	Dirt	$0/May10
Gallorette S (G3T)	Pim	May21	$150K	3&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	$0/May10
Maryland Sprint S (G3)	Pim	May21	$150K	3&up	6f	Dirt	$0/May10
James W. Murphy S	Pim	May21	$100K	3yo	8f	Turf	$0/May10
Jim McKay Turf Sprint	Pim	May21	$100K	3&up	5f	Turf	$0/May10
Sir Barton S Sponsored by Brandon and Diannah Perry to Benefit TAA	Pim	May21	$100K	3yo	8.5f	Dirt	$0/May10
Skipat S	Pim	May21	$100K	3&up f/m	6f	Dirt	$0/May10
Golden Circle S	PrM	May21	$50K	3yo	6f	Dirt	$0/May9
National Hunt Cup Hurdle	Rad	May21	$30K	4&up	19f	Turf	Not Available
Radnor Hunt Cup Timber	Rad	May21	$25K	5&up	26f	Turf	$100/May9
Mizdirection S	SA	May21	$75K	4&up f/m	abt 6.5f	Turf	$0/May12
Ruling Angel S	WO	May21	$100K	3yo f	7f	AW	$0/May11
Jack Diamond Maturity	HsT	May22	$50K	3yo c/g S	6.5f	Dirt	$100/May14
Sadie Diamond Maturity	HsT	May22	$50K	3yo f S	6.5f	Dirt	$100/May14
Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (G1T)	JRA	May22	$2,880K	3yo f	12f	Turf	Clsd Apr5
Get Serious S	Mth	May22	$100K	3&up	5f	Turf	$100/May6
King Corrie S	WO	May22	$100K	3yo	7f	AW	$0/May11
Tom Ridge S	PID	May23	$100K	3yo	6f	AW	$0/May10
Cinema S	WRD	May23	$55K	3yo f S	8f	Dirt	$0/May11
Electric Fever S	AsD	May24	$20K	3yo f	5f	Dirt	$0/May12
Will Rogers S	WRD	May24	$55K	3yo S	8f	Dirt	$0/May12
Brooks Fields S	Cby	May25	$50K	3&up	8f	Turf	$0/May11
HBPA Turf Distaff	Cby	May25	$50K	3&up f/m	8f	Turf	$0/May11
Honor the Hero S	Cby	May25	$50K	3&up	5f	Turf	$0/May11
Cherokee Nation Classic Cup	WRD	May25	$55K	3&up S	8.5f	Dirt	$0/May13
More Than Even S	WRD	May25	$55K	3&up f/m S	8.5f	Dirt	$0/May13
Alberta Sire Stakes Debutante	CTM	May27	$50K	3yo f R	6.5f	Dirt	$100/May19
Soaring Softly S (G3T)	Bel	May28	$100K	3yo f	7f	Turf	$100/May14
Keertana Overnight S	CD	May28	$160K	4&up f/m	12f	Turf	$0/May14
Albertas Sire Stakes Derby	CTM	May28	$50K	3yo R	6.5f	Dirt	$100/May19
Big Drama S	GP	May28	$65K	3&up S	7f	Dirt	$0/May15
Oakbrook S	Haw	May28	$75K	3&up f/m S	8f	Turf	$0/May14
Aoi S	JRA	May28	$823K	3yo	6f	Turf	Clsd Apr5
Cliff Hanger S	Mth	May28	$100K	3&up	8.5f	Turf	$100/May13
Melair S	SA	May28	$150K	3yo f S	8.5f	Dirt	$100/May19
Snow Chief S	SA	May28	$150K	3yo S	9f	Turf	$100/May19
Crystal Water S	SA	May28	$100K	3&up S	8f	Turf	$100/May19
Fran's Valentine S	SA	May28	$100K	3&up f/m S	8f	Turf	$100/May19
Thor's Echo S	SA	May28	$100K	3&up S	6f	Dirt	$100/May19
Paradise Creek S	Bel	May29	$100K	3yo	7f	Turf	$100/May14
Alcatraz S	GG	May29	$75K	3yo	8f	Turf	$50/May19
Black Tie Affair S	Haw	May29	$75K	3&up S	8f	Turf	$0/May15
Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1T)	JRA	May29	$4,115K	3yo	12f	Turf	Clsd Apr5
Meguro Kinen (G2T)	JRA	May29	$1,173K	4&up	12.5f	Turf	Clsd Apr5
Jersey Derby S	Mth	May29	$100K	3yo	8f	Turf	$100/May13
Triple Bend S (G2)	SA	May29	$200K	4&up	7f	Dirt	$100/May19
Daytona S (G3T)	SA	May29	$100K	4&up	abt 6.5f	Turf	$100/May19
Honeymoon S (G3T)	SA	May29	$100K	3yo f	9f	Turf	$100/May19
Dine S	SRP	May29	$100K	3yo S	6.5f	Dirt	$200/May20
San Juan County Commissioners S	SRP	May29	$75K	3&up	9f	Dirt	$200/May20
Stella Artois Eclipse S (G2)	WO	May29	$175K	4&up	8.5f	AW	$175/May11
Lord Balcony S	AsD	May30	$20K	3yo	5f	Dirt	$0/May19
Commentator H	Bel	May30	$200K	3&up S	8f	Dirt	$200/May14
Critical Eye H	Bel	May30	$200K	3&up f/m S	8f	Dirt	$200/May14
Bouwerie S	Bel	May30	$125K	3yo f S	7f	Dirt	$125/May14
Kingston S	Bel	May30	$125K	4&up S	8.5f	Turf	$125/May14
Mike Lee S	Bel	May30	$125K	3yo S	7f	Dirt	$125/May14
Mount Vernon S	Bel	May30	$125K	4&up f/m S	8f	Turf	$125/May14
Winning Colors S (G3)	CD	May30	$200K	4&up f/m	6f	Dirt	$100/May14
Memorial S	ED	May30	$10K	3&up	7f	Dirt	Not Available
George W. Barker S	FL	May30	$50K	3&up S	6f	Dirt	$0/May18
All American S	GG	May30	$100K	3&up	8f	AW	$50/May20
Steve Sexton Mile S (G3)	LS	May30	$400K	3&up	8f	Dirt	$0/May19
Texas Derby	LS	May30	$300K	3yo	8.5f	Dirt	$0/May19
Ouija Board Distaff	LS	May30	$200K	3&up f/m	8f	Turf	$0/May19
Chamberlain Bridge S	LS	May30	$100K	3&up	5f	Turf	$0/May19
Memorial Day Sprint S	LS	May30	$100K	3&up f/m	6f	Dirt	$0/May19
Speightstown Sprint	LS	May30	$100K	3&up	6f	Dirt	$0/May19
Miss Liberty S	Mth	May30	$100K	3&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	$100/May13
Shoemaker Mile (G1T)	SA	May30	$500K	3&up	8f	Turf	$100/May19
Gamely S (G1T)	SA	May30	$400K	3&up f/m	9f	Turf	$100/May19
Hollywood Gold Cup (G1)	SA	May30	$400K	3&up	10f	Dirt	$100/May19
Nifty S	AsD	May31	$20K	3&up	5f	Dirt	$0/May19

Sort the above table by any column or search with box at top

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Get the Grid for all your favorite tracks and races including the Kentucky Derby!

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Kentucky Derby Central

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Friday, April 15, 2022.  On Saturday, Keeneland will host the Grade 3 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes, the last Derby Prep race and last chance at a Kentucky Derby ticket for 5 of the runners that already have Derby Points and are vying for their chance to run for the roses. Weather will reach the low 60s with not much chance of rain at all.

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The Lexington not only offers a $400k purse, but also 20-8-4-2 points to the top 4 finishers.  If you look at the points chart, Tawny Port is currently dangling precariously at the final #20 position with 40 points and the least earnings of any in the 40 club. All he would have to do is finish top 4 and his slot is assured.

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But that scenario is far from guaranteed, even if he is the Lexington points leader going in and the ML favorite.  His 2 wins and 40-point 2^nd in the Ruby were all on poly track.  His only dirt race was a mediocre 5^th in the Risen Star.  Here, get the Keeneland Grid here free to follow along. Morning scratches already removed.

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Meanwhile, there are 5 others in the race vying to run for the roses, none of which have a better PF than Tawny’s Ruby Steaks run, but all of which have better dirt PF’s.  So that’s where it gets really interesting.  If Tawny Port doesn’t get into the top 4, it could be over for his Derby aspirations.

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Ethereal Road and In Due Time both have 20 points, and a Lexington win combined with their earnings, both thanks to prior 2^nd place G2 finishes, would easily overtake Tawny if he doesn’t hit the board, since they would be tied at 40 points.  Of course, if Tawny sucks on dirt again, their connections should just forget the Derby.

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Major General, Dash Attack, and Call Me Midnight only have 10 points.  Any of those could get 20 for the Lexington win, putting them at 30 total, which with their earnings would easily eclipse Happy Jack who is at #21 with 30 points.

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Since the Derby point system began, horses that are in the top 20, three weeks before the big race, never all make the Derby field.  Not seldom, but NEVER.  There are always withdrawals for injuries, unfitness, or whatever reason.  So it’s possible that 2 or 3 from this race will get into the Derby field, and 30 points may be enough.

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So who might those be? On paper, there is virtually no early speed in the race at all, with only one horse with Speed Points over 5. However, 6 of them have been on the lead at first call, once and only one race, of their respective careers.  So the jockeys and trainers are aware of this, and expect at least one of them to try to steal it on the front end.

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In Due Time EP6 3-1. If someone else doesn’t make an early move, he’ll have his way up front, and with the possibility of getting to 40 points and a guaranteed run for the roses on the line, Paco won’t be messing around.  1^st in Speed, 2^nd Power

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Call Me Midnight S0 6-1 has been running from the back of the pack his last 5 races. He had a brilliant last to first run in the Lecomte G3 to open the year, but flattened out in the La Derby 3 weeks back. 3^rd Power, 1^st  LP and Stamina.

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Ethereal Road S3 10-1 is running one week back from a disappointing Blue Grass G1, but Lukas is desperate for a Derby horse and confident in his late running ability, with a solid 2^nd in the Rebel G2.  2^nd in LP and Stam, 4^th Power.  Guaranteed slot if he wins.

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Skate to Heaven P3 30-1 looked marginally mediocre in his first 3 races before breaking thru with his maiden win last out going 4w and posting the 2^nd best dirt PF in this field, also making him the 4 rules horse.  If he runs like that again he could win, but 20 points won’t be getting him into the Derby. Super long shot special though.

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Dash Attack P1 10-1 was looking strong winning both his first two races including the 10 point Smarty Jones, then ran into graded stakes company and looked quite marginal. He could get a piece but won’t likely win.

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So those are my top five in this race:  2 11 3 6 10. 

Now you’re asking what I did with 4-1 Major General and 5-2 Tawny Port? 

Well, I think there’s a reason why Tawny Port has raced 3 of 4 on poly and sucked in his only dirt race.

As for Major General, last year he was solid and won the first Derby prep of the season, but stumble or not in his only race this year, there’s some reason his first race wasn’t until March.  Either Todd was confident he’d win or a negative reason for the 6-month layoff.

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There you have it. Now you’re armed with the Grid and you can make picks your own picks for the rest of the Keeneland Saturday card, on which there are 10 more interesting races including a couple stakes.

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R10 5:48ET 8.5f T JenyWily-G1 4 UP FM

The other big G1 only has 6 contestants and the favorites are strong, but if you want to box a tri maybe included 4yo filly Scarabea who continues to improve at 20-1.

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R8 4:44ET 5.5f T Gnts CswayL200k 3 UP FM

You have to love 5.5f turf sprint stakes with 13 entries. Unfortunately they’re usually won by the favorite which in this case is the fastest horse Elle Z who has won 3 such stakes races in a row this year.  If you think a speed duel may tire out some favs, check out the top 4 late runners, one is 12-1 and the other three are all 30-1 on the ML.  You can see this info in the Grid.

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Other assorted long shot specials (not predicted order of finish):

R7:  1,3, 9

R6:  5

R5:  11, 12

R4:  1, 4

R3:  4

R2:  2, 3

R1:  no action

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Over at Laurel in the Tesio at 5PM, you can see why Shake Em Loose will be favored after beating ML fav Joe in the Private Terms. Smarten Up looks strong too but again low odds. My top long shot is Secret Alliance at 10-1 first time at 2 turns but only E8 in field.  Vine Jet 6-1 and South Street 8-1 are the top LP runners.

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To get the Grid for Keeneland, Churchill, Aqueduct, Santa Anita, and all your favorite tracks, check out the options right here.  It’s a great time to join the WWC.  The Triple Crown Special includes two months and gets you through the Belmont Stakes in June, or you can just go monthly.

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Remember to vote in the Kentucky Derby winner poll on the left if you’re looking through a normal browser. It doesn’t show up in mobile browsers.

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Saturday, April 9, 2022.  Keeneland continues it’s huge opening spring weekend with 5 graded stakes:  Commonwealth G3, Appalachian G2, Madison G1, Shakertown G2, and finally the Toyota Blue Grass G1 in which at least the top two finishers will stamp their Kentucky Derby ticket.

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Also today, the Santa Anita Derby G1 and Wood Memorial G2 and Aqueduct will be issuing at least two tickets each to the Kentucky Derby.  Forbidden Kingdom at SA is already in, but Messier and Taiba are looking to earn their first Derby Points in the SA Derby.  In the Wood, Morello is already in. These are the last 3 big Derby Prep races.

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Racing at Keeneland begins at 12:30PM ET with two MSW 100K’s and an OCM80k, all for 3yo’s, so we can see how they measure up to the big boys in the Blue Grass.  There are 11 races on the exciting card with over 115 horses slated to run, after morning scratches processed.  Stakes racing begins 2:45PM.

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Weather in Lexington is rather cold in the low 40’s and some light rain and light snow in the area.  We’ll break down the Blue Grass Stakes and a couple of other interesting races here. Get today’s Grid here (scratches removed) so you can follow along and make your own picks.  

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R9 5:10ET 9f D BlueGras-G1 3 YO 

A talented field of 11 compete for a $1M purse and 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Derby Points.  5 of them are in Derby Futures Pool 5 which closes today at 4:30PM so get your bets in BEFORE the Derby Prep races today. 6 of them

Smile Happy 9-5:  There’s not much to dislike about this favorite coached by Kenny McPeek. He only has 3 races but won the first two including a G2, then finished a strong closing 2^nd to Epicenter, who is the Derby Points leader.  He’s in Futures Pool at 6-1 ML.  It will be interesting to see what the good closer does with a fast pace up front.

Zandon 5-2 has two ITM finishes in G2’s but with only 14 points needs another ITM finish here for Chad Brown.  I think starting in last in the Risen Star didn’t enable him for the win. 20-1 ML in Pool 5.

Rattle N Roll 8-1 is McPeek’s other entry, and hasn’t been great this year so desperately needs some points.  But he returns to the track of his best career race, a win in the Breeders Futurity G1.

Ethereal Road 20-1 comes in after a ½ length loss in the Rebel G2, 1 race after finally breaking maiden on his 4^th try.  Can old Wayne Lukas pull some magic again?  50-1 in Pool 5 if you think so.

Commandperformance 12-1 ran in two G1 races last year, finishing well including a 2^nd in the Champagne, but is still a maiden after 4 races.  Last out Pletcher tried again in a 40k maiden and lost to Fenweick 20-1 who went gate to wire in his best career effort. 

Volcanic 20-1 is another good long shot special who could hit the board for Mark Casse.  He does nothing particularly great, but can run on or off the lead and continues to improve.

Emmanuel 9-2 is the other Pletcher entry, and I don’t really think he can win this race, but if they let him loose on the lead he could hold on for a piece.  Surprisingly he’s only 20-1 in Pool 5 ML.

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The above is how I see the order of finishing in this race.  You’ll want to consult the latest Double Derby Dozen before making your futures bets today.  Here’s how the Blue Grass contenders stand:

7 Smile Happy

14 Rattle N Roll

15 Zandon

21 Ethereal Road

22 Emmanuel

25 Command Performance

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In the Wood Memorial today, here’s how I like it:

5 Morello 8-5 (Pletcher)

1 Mo Donegal 5-2 (Pletcher)

3 Early Voting 5-2 (Chad Brown)

8 Barese 8-1 (Maker)

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Santa Anita Derby picks are as follows:

4 Messier 1-1 (Yakteen/Baffert)

6 Taiba 4-1 (Yakteen/Baffert)

3 Forbidden Kingdom 6-5 (Mandella)

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You can get the Grid for all your favorite tracks and races, including the Kentucky Derby. Check it out.

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Good luck!

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Friday April 8, 2022.  Kentucky Derby Futures Pool 5 opened yesterday and will run through Saturday, rather than Fri-Sun as usual.  This constitutes a good time for the next Doug’s Double Derby Dozen +1 Top 25 to help you make your futures bets.  If you like any of tomorrow’s runners you may want to bet them today.  We are providing the Pool 5 Grid and the Top 25 on this page.

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Keeneland opened today with the Ashland and Transylvania stakes, and on Saturday  will host the Toyota Blue Grass G1, in which 4 from Pool 5 and 6 from today’s Top 25 list, with one in the top 10

Aqueduct on Saturday will run the Wood Memorial G2 with 3 of the racers both in Pool 5 and one in the top 10.

Santa Anita’s Saturday card includes the Santa Anita Derby which is still a Grade 1 despite only 6 runners.  But they include the top two in our DDD list and another in the top 10.

These are the last 3 big races in the Kentucky Derby Championship series, each of which is worth 100 points to the winner. The only remaining race will be the Lexington Stakes next weekend, but it’s only worth 20.

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For today’s list we’ll give you a snapshot so you can see some color codes.  Note than in bold are trainers that have won Triple Crown races.  We include Tim Yakteen because he’s running Baffert trainees.

Green:  Santa Anita Derby runners

Blue:  Blue Grass racers

Red:  Wood Memorial competitors

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The figures to the right are the best Brisnet, Beyer, and Equibase speed figures (all public information posted on their sites) and the average of such.

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I would love to go into explanation into all of the thought processes that went into this ranking but that would take two hours to write and at least half an hour to read. So you get the concise chart.

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Here is the sortable table of the Double Dozen and one:

Down and Dirty Derby Double Dozen and 1 as of April 8 2022

DD	Horse	FP5	ST	Sire	Trainer
1	Messier	8	EP7	Empire Maker	Yakteen(Baffert)
2	Forbidden Kingdom	8	E8	American Pharoah	Mandella Richard E
3	White Abarrio	8	EP6	Race Day	Joseph Saffie A Jr
4	Epicenter	5	EP8	Not This Time	Asmussen Steven M
5	Charge It	12	EP6	Tapit	Pletcher Todd A
6	Morello	20	EP7	Classic Empire	Asmussen Steven M
7	Smile Happy	6	P3	Runhappy	Mcpeek Kenneth G
8	Cyberknife	12	EP4	Gun Runner	Cox Brad H
9	Tiz The Bomb	12	P2	Hit It A Bomb	Mcpeek Kenneth G
10	Taiba	50	EP8	Gun Runner	Yakteen(Baffert)
11	Barber Road	30	S1	Race Day	Ortiz John Alexander
12	Simplification	15	EP4	Not This Time	Sano Antonio
13	Slow Down Andy	50	EP5	Nyquist	O'neill Doug
14	Rattle N Roll	30	P3	Connect	Mcpeek Kenneth G
15	Zandon	20	P5	Upstart	Brown Chad C
16	Classic Causeway	12	EP6	Giant's Causeway	Lynch Brian A
17	Call Me Midnight	30	S0	Midnight Lute	Desormeaux Keith
18	Un Ojo	12	P4	Laoban	Courville Ricky
19	Mo Donegal	20	P3	Uncle Mo	Pletcher Todd A
20	In Due Time	50	EP6	Not This Time	Breen Kelly J
21	Ethereal Road	50	S2	Quality Road	Lukas D Wayne
22	Emmanuel	20	E6	More Than Ready	Pletcher Todd A
23	Early Voting	20	EP6	Gun Runner	Brown Chad C
24	Zozos	30	EP7	Munnings	Cox Brad H
25	Commandperformance	12	EP5	Union Rags	Pletcher Todd A

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Note that in this top 25 list we omitted two of the top 3yo’s:  Corniche and Newgrange, both of which have accrued any Kentucky Derby points because they were trained by Bob Baffert.  It will simply be just about impossible for either to qualify for the Kentucky Derby because they’re not running in one of the big 3 races listed above, this weekend.   

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Now for one of today’s free Grids (we also provided one for Keeneland).  The Futures Pool 5 Grid will give you some insight as to how the horses stack up numerically against each other.

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After this weekend’s big 3 races, things could change to some degree.  It’s possible that a horse like Barese for example, could take another step up in class and take the Wood.  Rattle N Roll returns to the track where he had his best career race, a win in the Breeders Futurity G1.  

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It shall be interesting, and we’ll see what happens along the way on this exciting Saturday of racing.  The next Derby Double Dozen will be issued the week after the Lexington Stakes to include all of the Championship Series races.  

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Good luck in your futures betting and stay tuned for tomorrow’s free Grid!

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You can get the Grid for all your favorite tracks and races here, so check it out.

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Friday, April 8, 2022.  Keeneland launches its short but sweet spring meet with a blast this weekend, starting today with 6 3yo races highlighted by the Ashland G1 on dirt and Transylvania G3 on turf, both for 3yo fillies.  The Lafayette $400k is the only race for 3yo males / open.

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On Saturday, a slew of 5 graded stakes races will ensue, featuring the Toyota Blue Grass G1, a key Kentucky Derby championship series race.  The top 2 finishers and possibly others, will stamp their ticket to Run for the Roses.

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Today, racing begins at 1PM ET with a MSW for unraced 2yos. There are 10 races on the card with over 100 horses slated to run, after morning scratches.  Stakes racing will begin at 4:12PM with the Lafayette stakes.  Download today’s free Grid here, no questions asked.

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R7 4:12ET 7f D LafayetteB400k 3 YO 

This race has a nice competitive field of 12

8 My Prankster is set as the 2-1 ML favorite for Todd Pletcher

2 Money Supply 9-5 coached by Chad Brown will have something to say in his 2^nd career race

12 Tejano Twist 7-2 will be closing late for a piece of the action

3 Old Homestead 20-1 would like to go 3 for 3 with another frontrunning victory

10 Magnolia Midnight and 1 Osbourne  and 6 American Xperiment could get a piece of the action

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R8 4:44ET 8.5f T Trnylvna-G3 3 YO 

This short field of 6 is not worth betting on, but the 4 virtual co-favorites should put on a great show.

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R9 5:16ET 8.5f D Ashland-G1 3 YO F

The field of 8 provides some more competitive nature but it appears to be a 5 filly race at best.

4 Nest 2-1 has won two stakes in a row for Todd including a 9f G2

6 Happy Soul 5-2 has won 3 in a row including 2 stakes for Wesley Ward, now first time 2 turns

3 Insterstatedaydream 5-2 was runner up in a G2 last year, won her debut easily this year

2 Awake at Midnyte 4-1 faltered in the G2 last out but showed tremendous speed at 1 turn

7 Cocktail Moments 12-1 was 3^rd in 2 stakes in a row last while closing quite well

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OK that’s it for now. You got the Grid so make the rest of the picks on your own.

You can get the Grid for all your favorite tracks and races right here, check out the options.

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Good luck!

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The April 2022 Thoroughbred stakes schedule for the United States of America, its top hat Canada, and the Japan Racing Association has been updated. Keeneland wins this month with 19 stakes races, most of which are graded, highlighted by the Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes

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April 2022 Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule for USA, Canada, Japan

Race	Track	Date	Purse	Age/Sex	Dist.	Surface	Fee, Due Date
Excelsior S	Aqu	02-Apr	$150k g	4&up	9f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 19.
Carolina Cup	Cam	02-Apr	$50k g	4&up R	17f	Turf	Closed on Mar 21.
Pepsi S	Fon	02-Apr	$15k a	3yo f	6f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 26.
Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1)	GP	02-Apr	$1,000k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 20.
Cutler Bay S	GP	02-Apr	$100k g	3yo	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Mar 20.
Ghostzapper S (G3)	GP	02-Apr	$100k g	4&up	9f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 20.
Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2)	GP	02-Apr	$250k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 20.
Kitten's Joy Appleton S (G3T)	GP	02-Apr	$100k g	4&up	8f	Turf	Closed on Mar 20.
Orchid S (G3T)	GP	02-Apr	$150k g	4&up f/m	12f	Turf	Closed on Mar 20.
Pan American S (G2T)	GP	02-Apr	$200k g	4&up	12f	Turf	Closed on Mar 20.
Sand Springs S Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance	GP	02-Apr	$100k g	4&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Mar 20.
Sanibel Island	GP	02-Apr	$100k g	3yo f	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Mar 20.
Sir Shackleton S	GP	02-Apr	$100k g	4&up	7f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 20.
Lord Derby Challenge Trophy (G3T)	JRA	02-Apr	$838k a	4&up	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 8.
Arkansas Derby (G1)	OP	02-Apr	$1,250k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 18.
Carousel	OP	02-Apr	$200k g	4&up f/m	6f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 18.
Fantasy S (G3)	OP	02-Apr	$600k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 18.
Oaklawn Mile (G3)	OP	02-Apr	$400k g	4&up	8f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 18.
Temperence Hill S	OP	02-Apr	$150k g	4&up	12f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 18.
Singletary S	SA	02-Apr	$100k g	3yo	8f	Turf	Closed on Mar 24.
Sunland Park H	Sun	02-Apr	$100k g	3&up	9f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 25.
Animal Kingdom S	TP	02-Apr	#$200k g	3yo	6f	AW	Closed on Mar 19.
Bourbonette Oaks	TP	02-Apr	#$250k g	3yo f	8.5f	AW	Closed on Mar 19.
Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3)	TP	02-Apr	#$600k g	3yo	9f	AW	Closed on Mar 19.
Latonia S	TP	02-Apr	#$200k g	4&up f/m	8.5f	AW	Closed on Mar 19.
Rushaway S	TP	02-Apr	#$200k g	3yo	8.5f	AW	Closed on Mar 19.
TwinSpires Kentucky Cup Classic	TP	02-Apr	#$250k g	4&up	9f	AW	Closed on Mar 19.
Osaka Hai (G1T)	JRA	03-Apr	$4,115k a	4&up	10f	Turf	Closed on Feb 8.
Central Bank Ashland S (G1)	Kee	08-Apr	#$600k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 19.
Kentucky Utilities Transylvania S (G3T)	Kee	08-Apr	#$400k g	3yo	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Mar 23.
Lafayette S	Kee	08-Apr	#$400k g	3yo	7f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 23.
Bay Shore S (G3)	Aqu	09-Apr	$200k g	3yo	7f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 26.
Carter H (G1)	Aqu	09-Apr	$300k g	4&up	7f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 26.
Danger's Hour S	Aqu	09-Apr	$100k g	4&up	8f	Turf	Closed on Mar 26.
Distaff H (G3)	Aqu	09-Apr	$150k g	4&up f/m	7f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 26.
Gazelle S (G3)	Aqu	09-Apr	$250k g	3yo f	9f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 26.
Wood Memorial Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2)	Aqu	09-Apr	$750k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 26.
Dowd Mile S	Fon	09-Apr	$20k a	3&up	8f	Dirt	$0/Apr 2
Hanshin Himba S (G2T)	JRA	09-Apr	$1,135k a	4&up f/m	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 22.
New Zealand Trophy (G2T)	JRA	09-Apr	$1,120k a	3yo	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 22.
Appalachian S Presented by Japan Racing Association (G2T)	Kee	09-Apr	#$400k g	3yo f	8f	Turf	Closed on Mar 23.
Commonwealth S (G3)	Kee	09-Apr	#$300k g	4&up	7f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 23.
Madison S (G1)	Kee	09-Apr	#$500k g	4&up f/m	7f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 23.
Shakertown S (G2T)	Kee	09-Apr	#$350k g	3&up	5.5f	Turf	Closed on Mar 23.
Toyota Blue Grass S (G1)	Kee	09-Apr	#$1,000k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 19.
Howard B. Noonan S	MVR	09-Apr	$75k g	3yo S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 30.
Rainbow Miss S	OP	09-Apr	$150k g	3yo f S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 25.
Rainbow S	OP	09-Apr	$150k g	3yo S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 25.
Echo Eddie S	SA	09-Apr	$150k g	3yo S	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 31.
Evening Jewel S	SA	09-Apr	$150k g	3yo f S	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 31.
Monrovia S (G2T)	SA	09-Apr	$200k g	4&up f/m	abt 6.5f	Turf	Closed on Mar 31.
Providencia S (G3T)	SA	09-Apr	$100k g	3yo f	9f	Turf	Closed on Mar 31.
Royal Heroine S (G2T)	SA	09-Apr	$200k g	4&up f/m	8f	Turf	Closed on Mar 31.
Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1)	SA	09-Apr	$750k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 31.
Santa Anita Oaks (G2)	SA	09-Apr	$400k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 31.
Top Flight Invitational	Aqu	10-Apr	$100k g	4&up f/m	9f	Dirt	Not Available
Oka Sho (Japanese One Thousand Guineas) (G1T)	JRA	10-Apr	$2,684k a	3yo f	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 22.
Beaumont Presented by Keeneland Select (G3)	Kee	10-Apr	#$400k g	3yo f	abt 7f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 23.
Palisades S	Kee	10-Apr	#$200k g	3yo	5.5f	Turf	Closed on Mar 23.
John Shear Mile S	SA	10-Apr	$75k a	4&up	8f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 31.
Siren Lure S	SA	10-Apr	$75k a	3&up	6.5f	Turf	Closed on Mar 31.
Miranda Diane S	WRD	11-Apr	$55k g	3&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 30.
TRAO Classic Sprint S	WRD	12-Apr	$55k g	3&up S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 31.
Acadiana S	EvD	15-Apr	$60k g	3yo f	6f	Dirt	Closed on Apr 1.
Maker's Mark Mile (G1T)	Kee	15-Apr	#$600k g	4&up	8f	Turf	Closed on Mar 30.
TVG Limestone S	Kee	15-Apr	#$200k g	3yo f	5.5f	Turf	Closed on Mar 30.
Wildcat S	TuP	15-Apr	$60k g	3&up	11f	Turf	Not Available
Plenty of Grace S	Aqu	16-Apr	$100k g	4&up f/m	8f	Turf	$100/Apr 2
Lafayette S	EvD	16-Apr	$60k g	3yo	6f	Dirt	Closed on Apr 1.
Runza S	Fon	16-Apr	$15k a	3&up f/m	6f	Dirt	$0/Apr 9
Arlington Cup (G3T)	JRA	16-Apr	$823k a	3yo	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 22.
Giant's Causeway S	Kee	16-Apr	#$200k g	3&up f/m	5.5f	Turf	Closed on Mar 30.
Jenny Wiley S (G1T)	Kee	16-Apr	#$500k g	4&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Mar 30.
Stonestreet Lexington S (G3)	Kee	16-Apr	#$400k g	3yo	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 30.
Federico Tesio S	Lrl	16-Apr	$125k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	$0/Apr 2
Frank Y. Whiteley S	Lrl	16-Apr	$100k g	3&up	7f	Dirt	$0/Apr 2
Heavenly Cause S	Lrl	16-Apr	$100k g	3&up f/m	8f	Dirt	$0/Apr 2
Weber City Miss S	Lrl	16-Apr	$125k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	$0/Apr 2
My Lady's Manor Timber S	Mon	16-Apr	$50k g	5&up	24f	Turf	$100/Apr 4
Cheryl C. White Memorial S	MVR	16-Apr	$75k g	3yo f	6f	Dirt	$0/Apr 4
Count Fleet Sprint H (G3)	OP	16-Apr	$500k g	4&up	6f	Dirt	Closed on Apr 1.
Long Branch S	WO	16-Apr	$100k g	4&up f/m	5.5f	AW	$0/Apr 6
Antares S (G3)	JRA	17-Apr	$780k a	4&up	9f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 22.
Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas) (G1T)	JRA	17-Apr	$3,096k a	3yo	10f	Turf	Closed on Feb 22.
Thorncliffe S	WO	17-Apr	$100k g	4&up	5.5f	AW	$0/Apr 6
Baird Doubledogdare S (G3)	Kee	22-Apr	#$300k g	4&up f/m	8.5f	Dirt	$100/Apr 6
Dr. O.G. Fischer Memorial S	SRP	22-Apr	$50k g	3&up f/m	7f	Dirt	$200/May 3
Inaugural S	SRP	22-Apr	$75k g	3&up	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Apr 1.
SunRay Park & Casino	SRP	22-Apr	$50k g	3&up	8f	Dirt	$200/May 3
Ann Owens Distaff S	TuP	22-Apr	$60k g	3&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	Not Available
Dwight D. Patterson S	TuP	22-Apr	$60k g	3&up S	8.5f	Turf	Not Available
Gene Fleming Breeders' Derby	TuP	22-Apr	$60k g	3yo S	8.5f	Dirt	Not Available
Joanne Dye Breeders' Oaks	TuP	22-Apr	$60k a	3yo f S	6f	Dirt	Not Available
Lyman and Bradley Rollins S	TuP	22-Apr	$60k g	3&up S	6f	Dirt	Not Available
New York Stallion S (Times Square Div.)	Aqu	23-Apr	$200k g	3yo R	6.5f	Dirt	$200/Apr 9
Woodhaven S	Aqu	23-Apr	$100k g	3yo	8.5f	Turf	$100/Apr 9
Grand National Timber	But	23-Apr	$30k g	5&up	26f	Turf	$100/Apr 11
Confucius Say S	CT	23-Apr	$75k g	3&up S	7f	Dirt	$50/Apr 13
Original Gold S	CT	23-Apr	$75k g	3&up f/m S	7f	Dirt	$50/Apr 13
Baxter S	Fon	23-Apr	$15k a	3yo	6f	Dirt	$0/Apr 15
Fukushima Himba S (G3T)	JRA	23-Apr	$823k a	4&up f/m	9f	Turf	Closed on Mar 8.
Ben Ali S (G3)	Kee	23-Apr	#$300k g	4&up	9f	Dirt	$100/Apr 6
Elkhorn S (G2T)	Kee	23-Apr	#$350k g	4&up	12f	Turf	$100/Apr 6
Dahlia S	Lrl	23-Apr	$100k g	3&up f/m	8f	Turf	$0/Apr 9
Henry S. Clark S	Lrl	23-Apr	$100k g	3&up	8f	Turf	$0/Apr 9
King T. Leatherbury S	Lrl	23-Apr	$100k g	3&up	5.5f	Turf	$0/Apr 9
Native Dancer S	Lrl	23-Apr	$100k g	3&up	9f	Dirt	$0/Apr 9
Primonetta S	Lrl	23-Apr	$100k g	3&up f/m	6f	Dirt	$0/Apr 9
Middleburg Hunt Cup	Mid	23-Apr	$25k g	5&up	26f	Turf	$100/Apr 11
Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase (G2T)	Mid	23-Apr	$75k g	4&up	20f	Turf	$250/Apr 11
Apple Blossom H (G1)	OP	23-Apr	$1,000k g	4&up f/m	8.5f	Dirt	$100/Apr 8
Oaklawn H (G2)	OP	23-Apr	$1,000k g	4&up	9f	Dirt	$100/Apr 8
Oaklawn S	OP	23-Apr	$150k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	$0/Apr 8
Russell & Helen Foutz Distaff	SRP	23-Apr	$100k g	3&up f/m S	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Apr 1.
Memories of Silver S	Aqu	24-Apr	$100k g	3yo f	8.5f	Turf	$100/Apr 9
New York Stallion S (Park Avenue Div.)	Aqu	24-Apr	$200k g	3yo f R	6.5f	Dirt	$200/Apr 9
Fonner Park Special S	Fon	24-Apr	$20k a	3yo c/g S	6f	Dirt	$0/Apr 15
Fonner Park Special S	Fon	24-Apr	$20k a	3yo f S	6f	Dirt	$0/Apr 15
Flora S (G2T)	JRA	24-Apr	$1,072k a	3yo f	10f	Turf	Closed on Mar 8.
Yomiuri Milers Cup (G2T)	JRA	24-Apr	$1,221k a	4&up	8f	Turf	Closed on Mar 8.
Page McKenney H	PRX	25-Apr	$100k g	3&up S	7f	Dirt	$100/Apr 4
Unique Bella S	PRX	25-Apr	$100k g	3&up f/m S	7f	Dirt	$100/Apr 4
Bluebonnet S	LS	28-Apr	$75k a	3&up f/m S	6.5f	Dirt	$0/Apr 18
Dr. T.F. Classen Memorial S	Tdn	28-Apr	$75k g	3&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	$50/Apr 18
Affirmed Success S	Bel	29-Apr	$100k g	4&up S	6f	Dirt	$100/Apr 16
Bewitch S (G3T)	Kee	29-Apr	#$300k g	4&up f/m	12f	Turf	$100/Apr 13
Elusive Quality S	Bel	30-Apr	$100k g	4&up	7f	Turf	$100/Apr 16
Roxelana Overnight S	CD	30-Apr	#$160k a	4&up f/m	6f	Dirt	$0/Apr 16
Bosselman Pump and Pantry/Gus Fonner S	Fon	30-Apr	$75k a	3&up	8.5f	Dirt	$0/Apr 13
California Derby	GG	30-Apr	$100k g	3yo	8.5f	AW	$50/Apr 21
California Oaks	GG	30-Apr	$75k g	3yo f	8.5f	AW	$50/Apr 21
Camilla Urso	GG	30-Apr	$75k g	3&up f/m	5f	Turf	$50/Apr 21
Golden Poppy	GG	30-Apr	$75k g	3&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	$50/Apr 21
Lost in the Fog	GG	30-Apr	$75k g	3&up	6f	AW	$50/Apr 21
San Francisco Mile (G3T)	GG	30-Apr	$250k g	3&up	8f	Turf	$50/Apr 21
Maryland Hunt Cup Timber	Gln	30-Apr	$100k g	5&up	32f	Turf	Closed on Mar 14.
Aoba Sho (G2T)	JRA	30-Apr	$1,120k a	3yo	12f	Turf	Closed on Mar 8.
Bachelor S	OP	30-Apr	$150k g	3yo	6f	Dirt	$0/Apr 15
Californian S (G2)	SA	30-Apr	$200k g	4&up	9f	Dirt	$100/Apr 21
Charles Whittingham S (G2T)	SA	30-Apr	$225k g	3&up	10f	Turf	$100/Apr 21
Kona Gold S (G3)	SA	30-Apr	$100k g	3&up	6.5f	Dirt	$100/Apr 21
Santa Margarita S (G2)	SA	30-Apr	$200k g	4&up f/m	9f	Dirt	$100/Apr 21
Star Shoot S	WO	30-Apr	$125k g	3yo f	6f	AW	$125/Apr 13

The above stakes schedule is sortable and filterable by any column.

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April 2, 2022. Gulfstream Park has its biggest race day of the year with 10 stakes races, 6 graded, highlighted by the Grade 1 $1M Curlin Florida Derby featuring 11 top east coast three year olds.  Oaklawn Park will run 5 stakes races, 3 graded including the G1 $1.25 Arkansas Derby with 9 of the top 3yos in the southeast.

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Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa (G1)	GP
Cutler Bay S	GP
Ghostzapper S (G3)	GP
Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2)	GP
Kitten’s Joy Appleton S (G3T)	GP
Orchid S (G3T)	GP
Pan American S (G2T)	GP
Sand Springs S Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance	GP
Sanibel Island	GP
Sir Shackleton S	GP
Arkansas Derby (G1)	OP
Carousel	OP
Fantasy S (G3)	OP
Oaklawn Mile (G3)	OP
Temperence Hill S	OP

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It’s a very exciting day for the Road to the Roses, as both of these races offer Kentucky Derby points of 100-40-20-10 to the top 4 finishers, basically guaranteeing a run for the roses to the top two in each race, with 3^rd and 4^th getting a chance if they gain some points in other races.

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Oh I almost forgot, Turfway Park will run the Jeff Ruby Steaks G3. Yes it’s spelled that way for its sponsor, Jeff Ruby’s which is an excellent steakhouse that you should visit whenever in the area. The race is only worth 20 points to the winner but the $600k purse is nothing to scoff at.

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The weather at Gulfstream Park is warm and partly cloudy with the possibility of a little rain developing late in the day, which is when the Derby will be run. To add excitement, Gulfstream has a Jackpot Pick 6 carryover of 483k. Oaklawn weather will be in the 60s with no chance of rain. 

.

For the sake of brevity, we won’t break down all 15 stakes races, much less 27 races on both cards.  But we shall break down both of the Derbies and provide some good long shot specials to use on a few other races.  Today’s Gulfstream Grid is free so download here to follow along. Morning scratches out.

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R14 6:38ET 9f D FlaDerby-G1 3 YO 

THE CHALK:  There are 4 current virtual favorites here, the only 4 with single digit morning lines.

2 Classic Causeway 7-2 comes off two front running wins in the Tampa Derby G2 and Sam Davis G3, after showing good form last year with two ITM graded stakes efforts. Tops in Power and EP in the Grid

3 Simplification 5-2 has the highest PF overall in his maiden win at GP and last out had a great come from behind Fountain of Youth G2 win after finishing 2^nd to White Abarrio in the Holy Bull G3. Virtual tie for top power.

6 Charge It 7-2 has a total of two races under his belt, breaking his maiden last out after losing by a neck.  But both races were at a mile this and his PF’s are comparable to tops in the field. Plus, Pletcher.

7 White Abarrio 3-1 won the Holy Bull G3 in his only race this year, drawing away from Simplification.  He showed promise last year breaking maiden first out at GP and 3^rd in a G2 at CD. Just behind top 3 in power.

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So you can just box the top 4 and get a super low paying trifecta, right? That’s not a great idea, but in fact, seldom happens in this race anyway.  Normally, a long shot with good speed finishes 2^nd to break that up.  Let’s look at the top candidates.

8 Cajun’s Magic 30-1 has the highest PF at over a mile in this field, and is tied for high EP. The high PF was achieved in a 400k stakes, one of 2 state restricted races in which he finished 2^nd to Octane.  Last out he faded to 5^th in the Holy Bull, but it was his first race since September.

5 Pappacap 10-1 isn’t a super LSS but you can’t discount a horse that was 2^nd in the BC Juvenile and 3^rd in the Lecomte, despite his horrific fade to 8^th in the Risen Star last out.  But he may end up single digits.

1 Strike Hard 20-1 doesn’t have the greatest PF’s, but is a good come from behind runner.  Unfortunately starting 11 lengths behind in the Sam Davis last out didn’t give him a chance, but he got a strong 2nd to Simplification in a stakes race before that.

9 O Captain 20-1 broke his maiden first out by 9 lengths at GP.  In his first trip over a mile, he went from 11^th to 3^rd in the FOY G2 last month.

10 Clapton 30-1 will be discounted because he finished a distant 5^th in his only route race, to Cajun’s Magic in the 400k FSNR.  But he has steadily improved and could be ready for 2 turns again. He can run from on or off the pace.

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So you can see there are plenty of options to choose from here.  I expect that at least 2 and probably 3 of the favorites will be part of the superfecta, but one of the above long shots will likely break up the chalk fest.  My top pick is Cajun’s Magic which at 30-1 is a super long shot special.

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Scattered long shot specials:

Race 7:  6 at 30-1, 8 at 12-1

Race 8:  any filly that hasn’t raced yet.

Race 9:  2 at 12-1.

Race 10:  4 at 10-1, 6 at 12-1, 7 at 10-1

Race 11:  4 at 12-1

Race 12:  1 at 12-1, 4 at 12-1

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The Arkansas Derby field of 9 has a lot of parity and possibilities, with the favorites not nearly as clear cut as the Florida Derby.  Let’s take a look.

The chalk:

6 Secret Oath 5-2 is the actual morning line favorite coming off a pair of 7 length stakes victories and an 8 length $120k ALW win before that. The last win was in the Honeybee G3, which means, yes she’s a filly on fire for Wayne Lukas, whose latest great accomplishment was the great filly Azeri.

4 Doppelganger 3-1 hasn’t won this year since breaking maiden last year. Last out he got a semi-distant 2^nd to Forbidden Kingdom in the San Felipe G2.  Since then he’s been transferred from Baffert to Tim Yakteen as we predicted, in order to actually achieve Kentucky Derby points this month.

9 We The People won both his career races this year by 5 lengths, and no stakes racing so far, but his PF’s are very competitive with the field.

Next up:

5 Un Ojo 6-1 had a couple 2^nd place stakes runs in NY and old one-eye wasted no time in his trip back south in Courville’s barn by winning the Rebel G2 last out.  Normally that winner is favored here.

3 Barber Road 8-1 had a string of close 2^nd place stakes finishes before an even closer 3^rd last out, coming up a half length short to Un Ojo in the Rebel.  His closing moves will improve at 9f especially if the pace gets hot.

8 Cyberknife 8-1 faded badly in his only stakes race but has been excellent in his other 4.

1 Kavod 15-1 has a string of 3 stakes races in which he faded to 4^th, which he hopes to do again for 10 more Derby points.

7 Ben Diesel 15-1 has been up and down for no apparent reason and could run big

2 Chasing Time 12-1 didn’t do great in the Rebel but is usually competitive.

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So there’s the entire field for you.  Of them, the top 5 are the only horses with real stakes cred, except for We The People who only has speed figure credentials.  It’s still kind of wide open, but the great late running of Barber Road and Secret Oath will be tough to beat.

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Good luck!

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You can get the Grid for all your favorite tracks and races right here so check out the options.

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March 2022

. The updated thoroughbred stakes racing schedule for North America and the JRA is provided here. Aqueduct seems to be the epicenter of American racing this month.

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March 2022 Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule for North America and Japan

Race	Track	Date	Purse	Age/Sex	Dist.	Surface	Fee, Due Date
Owner Appreciation Distaff	DeD	03-04-22	$75k g	4&up f/m R	7.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 17.
Cactus Flower S	TuP	03-04-22	$30k g	4&up f/m	6.5f	Dirt	Not Available
Cactus Wren S	TuP	03-04-22	$30k g	4&up c/g	6.5f	Dirt	Not Available
Gotham S (G3)	Aqu	03-05-22	$300k g	3yo	8f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 19.
Busher Invitational	Aqu	03-05-22	$250k g	3yo f	8f	Dirt	Not Available
Tom Fool H (G3)	Aqu	03-05-22	$200k g	4&up	6f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 19.
Heavenly Prize Invitational	Aqu	03-05-22	$125k g	4&up f/m	8f	Dirt	Not Available
Owner Appreciation Cup	DeD	03-05-22	$75k g	4&up R	7.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 17.
Black Gold S	FG	03-05-22	$75k g	3yo	abt 8.5f	Turf	Closed on Feb 19.
Edward J. Johnston Memorial S	FG	03-05-22	$60k g	4&up	abt 8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 19.
Red Camelia S	FG	03-05-22	$60k g	4&up f/m S	abt 8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 19.
Bold Accent S	Fon	03-05-22	$15k a	3&up f/m	4f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 26.
Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S (G2)	GP	03-05-22	$400k g	3yo	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 20.
Davona Dale S (G2)	GP	03-05-22	$200k g	3yo f	8f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 20.
Mac Diarmida S (G2T)	GP	03-05-22	$200k g	4&up	11f	Turf	Closed on Feb 20.
WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile (G2)	GP	03-05-22	$200k g	4&up	8f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 20.
Canadian Turf S (G3T)	GP	03-05-22	$150k g	4&up	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Feb 20.
Honey Fox S (G3T)	GP	03-05-22	$150k g	4&up f/m	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 20.
The Very One S (G3T)	GP	03-05-22	$150k g	4&up f/m	11f	Turf	Closed on Feb 20.
Herecomesthebride S (G3T)	GP	03-05-22	$125k g	3yo f	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 20.
Palm Beach S	GP	03-05-22	$125k g	3yo	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 20.
Ocean S (G3T)	JRA	03-05-22	$886k a	4&up	6f	Turf	Closed on Jan 11.
Tulip Sho (G2T)	JRA	03-05-22	$1,072k a	3yo f	8f	Turf	Closed on Jan 11.
Downthedustyroad S	OP	03-05-22	$150k g	4&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 18.
Nodouble S	OP	03-05-22	$150k g	3&up S	6f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 18.
Santa Anita H (G1)	SA	03-05-22	$650k g	4&up	10f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 24.
Beholder Mile (G1)	SA	03-05-22	$500k g	4&up f/m	8f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 24.
Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T)	SA	03-05-22	$500k g	4&up	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 24.
San Felipe S (G2)	SA	03-05-22	$400k g	3yo	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 24.
Buena Vista S (G2T)	SA	03-05-22	$200k g	4&up f/m	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 24.
San Carlos S (G2)	SA	03-05-22	$200k g	4&up	7f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 24.
Curribot H	Sun	03-05-22	$75k g	4&up	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 25.
Cincinnati Trophy S	TP	03-05-22	#$125k g	3yo f	8f	AW	Closed on Feb 24.
John Battaglia Memorial S	TP	03-05-22	#$125k g	3yo	8.5f	AW	Closed on Feb 24.
Biogio's Rose S	Aqu	03-06-22	$100k g	4&up f/m S	8f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 19.
Yayoi Sho (G2T)	JRA	03-06-22	$1,120k a	3yo	10f	Turf	Closed on Jan 11.
China Doll S	SA	03-06-22	$100k g	3yo f	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 24.
Santa Ysabel S (G3)	SA	03-06-22	$100k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 24.
Peppers Pride H	Sun	03-06-22	$100k g	3&up f/m S	8f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 25.
Fishtown S	PRX	03-07-22	$100k g	4&up	6f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
Penn's Landing S	PRX	03-07-22	$100k g	4&up f/m	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
Washington Crossing S	PRX	03-07-22	$100k g	4&up	8.32f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
City of Brotherly Love S	PRX	03-08-22	$100k g	3yo	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
Main Line S	PRX	03-08-22	$100k g	3yo f	8.32f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
Rittenhouse Square S	PRX	03-08-22	$100k g	3yo	6f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
Society Hill S	PRX	03-08-22	$100k g	3yo f	6f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
LaSalle Starter H	PRX	03-09-22	$65k g	3&up f/m	8.32f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
St. Joe's Starter H	PRX	03-09-22	$65k g	3&up	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
Temple Starter H	PRX	03-09-22	$65k g	3&up f/m	6f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
Villanova Starter H	PRX	03-09-22	$65k g	3&up	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
Drexel Starter H	PRX	03-09-22	$55k g	3&up f/m	5.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
Penn State Starter H	PRX	03-09-22	$55k g	3&up	5.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
U Penn Starter H	PRX	03-09-22	$55k g	3&up	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
West Chester Starter H	PRX	03-09-22	$55k g	3&up f/m	8.32f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 16.
Arizona Oaks	TuP	03-11-22	$75k g	3yo f	8f	Dirt	Not Available
Turf Paradise Derby	TuP	03-11-22	$75k g	3yo	8.5f	Dirt	Not Available
Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile	TuP	03-11-22	$100k g	3&up	8f	Turf	Closed on Mar 2.
Phoenix Gold Cup	TuP	03-11-22	$100k g	4&up	6f	Dirt	Closed on Mar 2.
Correction S	Aqu	03-12-22	$100k g	4&up f/m	6f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 26.
Allen "Black Cat" Lacombe Memorial S	FG	03-12-22	$75k g	3yo f	abt 8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 26.
Ogataul S	Fon	03-12-22	$15k a	3&up S	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 5
Captiva Island	GP	03-12-22	$100k g	4&up f/m	5f	Turf	Closed on Feb 27.
Hurricane Bertie S (G3)	GP	03-12-22	$100k g	4&up f/m	6.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 27.
Nakayama Himba S (G3T)	JRA	03-12-22	$780k a	4&up f/m	9f	Turf	Closed on Jan 25.
Azeri S (G2)	OP	03-12-22	$350k g	4&up f/m	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 25.
San Luis Rey S (G3T)	SA	03-12-22	$125k g	4&up	12f	Turf	$100/Mar 3
Columbia S	Tam	03-12-22	$75k g	3yo	8f	Turf	Closed on Feb 26.
Michelob Ultra Challenger S (G3)	Tam	03-12-22	$100k g	4&up	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 26.
Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2)	Tam	03-12-22	#$400k g	3yo	8.5f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 26.
Hillsborough S (G2T)	Tam	03-12-22	#$225k g	4&up f/m	9f	Turf	Closed on Feb 26.
Florida Oaks (G3T)	Tam	03-12-22	#$200k g	3yo f	8.5f	Turf	Closed on Feb 26.
Big Daddy S	TP	03-12-22	#$100k g	4&up	6f	AW	$0/Mar 3
Damon Runyon S	Aqu	03-13-22	$100k g	3yo S	7f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 26.
Kinko Sho (G2T)	JRA	03-13-22	$1,383k a	4&up	10f	Turf	Closed on Jan 25.
Fillies' Revue (G2T)	JRA	03-13-22	$1,072k a	3yo f	7f	Turf	Closed on Jan 25.
Las Flores S (G3)	SA	03-13-22	$100k g	4&up f/m	6f	Dirt	$100/Mar 3
Cicada S	Aqu	03-19-22	$100k g	3yo f	6f	Dirt	$100/Mar 5
Orphan Kist S	Fon	03-19-22	$15k a	3&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 12
Any Limit S	GP	03-19-22	$100k g	3yo f	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 6
Hutcheson S	GP	03-19-22	$100k g	3yo	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 6
Silks Run S	GP	03-19-22	$100k g	4&up	5f	Turf	$0/Mar 6
Falcon S (G3T)	JRA	03-19-22	$823k a	3yo	7f	Turf	Closed on Jan 25.
Conniver S	Lrl	03-19-22	$75k g	4&up f/m S	7f	Dirt	$0/Mar 5
Not For Love S	Lrl	03-19-22	$75k g	4&up S	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 5
Beyond the Wire S	Lrl	03-19-22	$100k g	3yo f	8f	Dirt	$0/Mar 5
Harrison E. Johnson Memorial S	Lrl	03-19-22	$100k g	4&up	8f	Dirt	$0/Mar 5
Private Terms S	Lrl	03-19-22	$100k g	3yo	8.5f	Dirt	$0/Mar 5
Essex H (G3)	OP	03-19-22	$500k g	4&up	8.5f	Dirt	$0/Mar 4
Whitmore S (G3)	OP	03-19-22	$200k g	4&up	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 4
Irish O'Brien S	SA	03-19-22	$100k g	4&up f/m S	abt 6.5f	Turf	$100/Mar 10
Mt. Cristo Rey H	Sun	03-19-22	$100k g	3&up S	5.5f	Dirt	$0/Mar 11
Queen S	TP	03-19-22	#$100k g	4&up f/m	6f	AW	$0/Mar 10
Haynesfield S	Aqu	03-20-22	$100k g	4&up S	8f	Dirt	$100/Mar 5
Hanshin Daishoten (G2T)	JRA	03-20-22	$1,383k a	4&up	15f	Turf	Closed on Jan 25.
Spring S (G2T)	JRA	03-20-22	$1,120k a	3yo	9f	Turf	Closed on Jan 25.
Sensational Star S	SA	03-20-22	$100k g	4&up S	abt 6.5f	Turf	$100/Mar 10
Flower Cup (G3T)	JRA	03-21-22	$764k a	3yo f	9f	Turf	Closed on Jan 25.
Arizona Stallion S	TuP	03-25-22	$30k a	3yo S	8f	Dirt	Not Available
Caixa Eletronica	Aqu	03-26-22	$80k g	4&up R	7f	Dirt	$50/Mar 19
Stud Muffin	Aqu	03-26-22	$75k g	4&up R	11f	Dirt	$50/Mar 19
Xtra Heat S	Aqu	03-26-22	$75k g	4&up f/m R	6.5f	Dirt	$50/Mar 19
Peeping Tom S	Aqu	03-26-22	$70k g	4&up R	6.5f	Dirt	$50/Mar 19
More to Tell S	Aqu	03-26-22	$60k g	4&up R	8f	Dirt	$50/Mar 19
Sis City S	Aqu	03-26-22	$60k g	4&up f/m R	8f	Dirt	$50/Mar 19
Kelly Kip S	Aqu	03-26-22	$55k g	4&up R	6f	Dirt	$50/Mar 19
Videogenic S	Aqu	03-26-22	$55k g	4&up f/m R	6f	Dirt	$50/Mar 19
Belle Gallantey	Aqu	03-26-22	$45k g	4&up f/m R	7f	Dirt	$50/Mar 19
Dads Caps	Aqu	03-26-22	$45k g	4&up R	7f	Dirt	$50/Mar 19
Costa Rising S	FG	03-26-22	$75k g	3&up S	5.5f	Turf	$0/Mar 12
Crescent City Derby	FG	03-26-22	$75k g	3yo S	8.5f	Dirt	$0/Mar 12
Crescent City Oaks	FG	03-26-22	$75k g	3yo f S	8.32f	Dirt	$0/Mar 12
New Orleans Classic (G2)	FG	03-26-22	$500k g	4&up	9f	Dirt	$500/Mar 12
TwinSpires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2)	FG	03-26-22	$400k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	$400/Mar 12
Muniz Memorial Classic (G2T)	FG	03-26-22	$300k g	4&up	9f	Turf	$300/Mar 12
Tom Benson Memorial S	FG	03-26-22	$100k g	4&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	$100/Mar 12
TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2)	FG	03-26-22	$1,000k g	3yo	9.5f	Dirt	$1,000/Mar 12
Budweiser-Tondi S	Fon	03-26-22	$20k a	3&up	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 19
Melody of Colors	GP	03-26-22	$75k g	3yo f	5f	Turf	$0/Mar 13
Texas Glitter S	GP	03-26-22	$75k g	3yo	5f	Turf	$0/Mar 13
Bara Lass S	Hou	03-26-22	$100k g	3yo f S	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 16
Groovy S	Hou	03-26-22	$100k g	3yo S	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 16
Richard King Turf S	Hou	03-26-22	$100k g	4&up S	9f	Turf	$0/Mar 16
San Jacinto Turf S	Hou	03-26-22	$100k g	4&up f/m S	8.5f	Turf	$0/Mar 16
Spirit of Texas S	Hou	03-26-22	$100k g	4&up S	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 16
Star of Texas S	Hou	03-26-22	$100k g	4&up S	8f	Dirt	$0/Mar 16
Yellow Rose S	Hou	03-26-22	$100k g	4&up f/m S	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 16
Mainichi Hai (G3T)	JRA	03-26-22	$823k a	3yo	9f	Turf	Closed on Feb 8.
Nikkei Sho (G2T)	JRA	03-26-22	$1,383k a	4&up	12.5f	Turf	Closed on Feb 8.
Southern Park S	MVR	03-26-22	$75k g	3yo f S	6f	Dirt	$50/Mar 16
Purple Martin S	OP	03-26-22	$150k g	3yo f	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 11
Santa Ana S (G3T)	SA	03-26-22	$125k g	4&up f/m	10f	Turf	$100/Mar 17
Serena's Song S	TP	03-26-22	#$100k g	3yo f	6f	AW	$0/Mar 17
East View S	Aqu	03-27-22	$100k g	3yo f S	7f	Dirt	$100/Mar 12
Page Cortez S	FG	03-27-22	$75k g	3&up f/m S	abt 5.5f	Turf	$0/Mar 12
Shantel Lanerie Memorial S	FG	03-27-22	$75k g	4&up f/m S	8.32f	Dirt	$0/Mar 12
Star Guitar S	FG	03-27-22	$75k g	4&up S	8.5f	Dirt	$0/Mar 12
March S (G3)	JRA	03-27-22	$780k a	4&up	9f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 8.
Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1T)	JRA	03-27-22	$3,507k a	4&up	6f	Turf	Closed on Feb 8.
Sunland Park Derby (G3)	Sun	03-27-22	$500k g	3yo	9f	Dirt	Closed on Feb 14.
Sunland Park Oaks	Sun	03-27-22	$300k g	3yo f	8.5f	Dirt	$0/Mar 18
New Mexico Breeders' Derby	Sun	03-27-22	$250k g	3yo S	8.5f	Dirt	$0/Mar 18
New Mexico Breeders' Oaks	Sun	03-27-22	$250k g	3yo f S	8.5f	Dirt	$0/Mar 18
New Mexico State University S	Sun	03-27-22	$120k g	4&up S	8.32f	Dirt	$0/Mar 18
Bill Thomas Memorial S	Sun	03-27-22	$100k g	3&up	6.5f	Dirt	$0/Mar 18
Harry Henson H	Sun	03-27-22	$100k g	3&up f/m	8f	Dirt	$0/Mar 18
Equistaff Sophomore Turf	Tam	03-27-22	$110k g	3yo	8.5f	Turf	$0/Mar 13
Grey Goose Turf Classic	Tam	03-27-22	$110k g	4&up	9f	Turf	$0/Mar 13
NYRABETS Sprint S	Tam	03-27-22	$110k g	4&up	6f	Dirt	$0/Mar 13
Ocala Breeders' Sales Sophomore	Tam	03-27-22	$110k g	3yo	7f	Dirt	$0/Mar 13
Pleasant Acres Stallions Distaff Turf	Tam	03-27-22	$110k g	3&up f/m	8.5f	Turf	$0/Mar 13
Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies	Tam	03-27-22	$110k g	3yo f	7f	Dirt	$0/Mar 13

This thoroughbred stakes schedule can be sorted by any column.

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Saturday, February 12, 2022.  Tampa Bay Downs jumps into the Kentucky Derby prep series with the Sam Davis G3 today, a prep worth $250k and 17 Kentucky Derby points (10-4-2-1).  12 horses are entered after the morning scratch of Howling Time, one of 23 individual Derby Futures Pool entries.

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11 races are scheduled with over 111 runners to compete, including 2 other stakes races which we’ll break down as well.  First you’ll want to download today’s FREE Tampa Bay Grid to follow along.  Just click the link, no need to enter email or anything, no strings attached.  Watch out for those long shot specials (LSS)!

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R10 4:54ET 8.5f D SFDavis-G3 3 YO 

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Shipsational (6-1) is my top pick, one of two in the field with 2 stakes wins and 3 wins.  He’s 3 of 4 for Ed Barker with the 2 stakes victories coming in NY state restricted races last fall.  Not an LSS because he’ll likely be 4-1 or less by post time.  He has the top two PF’s in the field, both on dirt, one on slop, and currently ranked 7th in the Derby Double Dozen.

Classic Causeway (3-1) headlines the field after two strong ITM graded stakes Keeneland finishes last year at Keeneland following a debut maiden win.  This will be his first start of the year for Brian Lynch.

Strike Hard (6-1) is looking good after breaking maiden then coming in 2nd in the Mucho Macho Man stakes in January. Not much is known about trainer Matt Williams.

Unpredictable Bay (20-1) qualifies as a Super LSS! And he’s my 3^rd choice.  He comes off 3 strong maiden runs at Churchill, finally breaking the win at 6f last out for Ali Alnaz.  He has top EP and 2^nd best dirt PF’s.

Make it Big (9-2) is the other one with 3 wins and two stakes wins, coming off a Springboard Mile win in December for his first Derby points.  His PF’s aren’t great but he’s 3 for 3 and should step up for Saffie.

God of Love (10-1) will not go off at more than 6-1, coming off a Grey G3 win on poly at Woodbine last year.  It will be his first try on dirt for Mark Casse, but he has top LP in a race chalk full of speed, and everyone knows it.

Wild Cards:

There are several long shots that can complete the superfecta should one of the above falter, but they will need to step up in class: Trademark, Volcanic, Kitten Mischief, Little Vic.

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R8 3:49ET 8.18f D SuncoastL150k 3 YO F

The filly version of the Sam Davis is run at 8.2f for $150k in purse.

Nest (3-5) At first glance, it looks like Nest is the only possible winner after winning the Demoiselle G2 in December for Todd Pletcher.  That may be true but there are a couple other contestants.

Princess Elm (12-1) is my 2^nd pick and top LSS, coming off a first out maiden win last month right here at Tampa for Ali Alnaz, achieving the 2^nd best dirt PF in the field behind the favorite, at 6f.

Alittleloveandluck (5-1) will be the public second choice, after notching two straight wins, one on poly and a stakes win on turf.  The elusive dirt victory looms.

Peaceful Surprise (10-1) LSS also won at first ask right here at Tampa last month at this distance.

Ha Penny (8-1) will round out the super if one of the above doesn’t.

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R7 3:18ET 6f D PelicanL100k 4 UP 

This one looks very chalky and shouldn’t go further than the top 3 betting choices for the win, and the next two to round out the super.  Not a good betting race.

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For the rest of the races , use whoever has the best numbers in the Grid, and your brain, and try to get some good action to bankroll your Superbowl bets tomorrow.

Check out all the Weekend Winner Winter Wonderland options here to get the Grid for all your favorite tracks and races.

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BONUS! El Camino Real Derby at 7:30PM ET Golden Gate.

11 runners will go 9f on the San Fran polytrack course for $100k and 17 Kentucky Derby points up for grabs (10-4-2-1), same as the Sam Davis G3.  The race is favored Mackinnon’s to lose but there are some other possible contenders.

Mackinnon (8-5) is tops in every category except EP, which is expected for a midpack runner.  First time on poly but no reason to think he won’t handle it after excellent turf and dirt races.  Doug-O also brings 10-1 Del Mo into the fray as a deep closer but the pace doesn’t look to set up for him.

Blackadder (7-2) gives Baffert a solid contender after breaking his maiden last out.  A solid midpack runner that should step up in class.

Stormy Samurai (8-1) has the best polytrack figure, achieved last out in a Golden Gate win. First time at two turns.  LSS alert!

Il Bellator (20-1) Super LSS alert! Got the 2^nd best poly PF last out in a GG win.

Boise (9-5) may have trouble with his late running style in a race without a lot of early speed.

Nuestro Engreido (20-1) Super LSS!  The lack of early speed could make the EP8 tough to run down.

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Good luck!

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Friday February 11, 2022.  Kentucky Derby Futures Pool 3 opened today, so it’s a good time to release the next Derby Dozen and One Top 25 rankings for male 3yo’s.  It’s been 3 weeks since the Future Pool 2 and the last Top 25 but a few things have changed.

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Since then, Messier blasted out a 15 length win in his 3yo debut for Baffert in a huge big Bob Lewis G3 win, earning him the highest Beyer of any 3yo.  In fact, he also got the highest Brisnet and Equibase figure for that effort as well, making last year’s Los Al Futurity loss seem like ancient history.

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It should be no surprise then that the field, “All Other 3yo’s” is now the heavily bet favorite in Pool 3, since it does not include any horses trained by Baffert, which is ridiculous because Baffert doesn’t own the horses.  4 Baffert trainees occupy our top 5 in the DDDDDD.  Maybe we should just call it 6D.

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It gets kind of shaky after the top 14 since many of them have not competed yet this year, and it is unknown when they will resume racing.  Generally speaking, at least 3 of the top 4 Ky Derby finishers are found in the top 12 of this list year after year.  Without further ado, here it is.

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Doug's Down and Dirty Derby Double Dozen Feb.11 2022

DD	Horse	Fri	ST	Sire	Trainer
1	Corniche	0.4	E8	Quality Road	Baffert Bob
2	Messier	0.4	EP7	Messier	Baffert Bob
3	Jack Christopher	0.4	EP6	Munnings	Brown Chad C
4	Smile Happy	13	P4	Runhappy	Mcpeek Kenneth G
5	Newgrange	0.4	EP6	Violence	Baffert Bob
6	Slow Down Andy	36	EP6	Nyquist	O'neill Doug
7	Shipsational	0.4	EP7	Midshipman	Barker Edward
8	Call Me Midnight	67	S0	Midnight Lute	Desormeaux Keith
9	Emmanuel	50	E6	More Than Ready	Pletcher Todd A
10	Epicenter	39	E8	Not This Time	Asmussen Steven M
11	White Abarrio	18	EP7	Race Day	Joseph Saffie A Jr
12	Rattle N Roll	37	P2	Connect	Mcpeek Kenneth G
13	Pappacap	42	EP6	Gun Runner	Casse Mark
14	Mo Donegal	12	P4	Uncle Mo	Pletcher Todd A
15	Giant Game	0.4	E5	Giant's Causeway	Romans Dale
16	Commandperformance	68	S3	Union Rags	Pletcher Todd A
17	Simplification	87	E8	Not This Time	Sano Antonio
18	Varatti	0.4	E6	Into Mischief	Pletcher Todd A
19	Major General	82	EP4	Constitution	Pletcher Todd A
20	Barber Road	96	P3	Race Day	Ortiz John Alexander
21	Zandon	61	P6	Upstart	Brown Chad C
22	Classic Causeway	49	E6	Giant's Causeway	Lynch Brian A
23	Make It Big	99	EP6	Neolithic	Joseph Saffie A Jr
24	Tiz The Bomb	0.4	P1	Hit It A Bomb	Mcpeek Kenneth G
25	High Oak	0.4	P6	Gormley	Mott William I
26	Dash Attack	0.4	EP2	Munnings	Mcpeek Kenneth G
27	Chasing Time	32	EP7	Not This Time	Asmussen Steven M
28	Trafalgar	0.4	EP4	Lord Nelson	Stall Albert M Jr
29	Courvoisier	0.4	EP8	Tapit	Breen Kelly J

Sort table by any column.

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You can see now that the Dozen is very Baffert top-heavy, and that they all have Friday evening odds of 4-5 since they’re part of the field.  Pletcher brings up the second half of the Top 25 with several high potential runners.

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Next we’ll take a look at the Futures Pool 3 action with the morning line odds as seen at pool opening.  Remember the pool closes at the end of Friday and Saturday, and the last call is 6pm on Sunday. Odds are locked in at the end of each day. 

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Note that the horses highlighted in red are running in the Sam Davis G3 stakes at Tampa tomorrow, Saturday the 12^th.  As luck would have it, my top pick for that race is Shipsational, who does not appear as an entry in the Pool.  We’ll see if his rank of #7 in the dozen has merit. Stay tuned for Saturday’s Sam Davis precap.

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Kentucky Derby Central has all the Ky Derby point standings and prep race schedule with results.

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Check out our Winter Wonderland options for subscribing to the WWC here, where you can get the Grid for all your favorite tracks and races.