Let's Go To The Races

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - April 22-24

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!)

Note: There are free sites to watch online: check out http://www.ntra.com/ or NTRA Live Stream or http://www.tvgfree.net/ or sign up for a free trial account at http://www.twinspires.com/content/video You can also catch the replays right after the big races at http://www.raceday360.com/ Calracing has live coverage of races - Will need to register

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The following links show the stakes racing cards for the next 3 days. There are probably only two that have any consequence for the Ky Derby or the Preakness.

The first link gives you all of the stakes race cards together; the second gives you a list of the stakes races with a link to the individual card for that race!
Stakes Race Cards - April 22-24 - Look for Jerome and Coolmore
List of Stakes Races - Click on Race for individual card

APRIL 23 IS THE COOLMORE LEXINGTON, featuring Silver Medallion trying to raise his stakes earnings to qualify for the Derby. He needs a win, second probably won't get him there. He currently has $184,000, and the total purse for the Coolmore is $200,000, so if he gets $125,000 of that, he should easily make the cut. He might even do it with a second, but it could be close.
Coolmore Lexington Card + Commentary

Link to view the current earnings of the top 35 horses. The field is limited to 20 in the Derby.
Earnings for Top 35 Derby Contenders

The Handicapping Show discusses the Coolmore Lexington and the Jerome Stakes

THE JEROME IS SUNDAY, APRIL 24, the last official prep race. Years ago, horses ran up to 4 days prior to the Kentucky Derby in a prep race and then ran in the Derby. Not happening now, for sure! The Jerome Card + Links to commentary The Jerome could be a key Preakness Prep

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Catching up with Vertigineux

Slide Show - Anne Eberhardt - Vertigineux & Silverbulletday

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COUNT DOWN TO KY DERBY, MAY 7:

Do you know where your Derby contender is on the Top 20 list?

http://www.drf.com/news/kentucky-derby-contenders-derby-watch-top-20-horses

Be sure to browse through the scrolling list of Derby contenders, click for detailed info on each horse, including videos of past races, pedigree analysis, etc.

Horseracing Nation provides some great tools for looking at all the Derby contenders, watching their races, reading about them:
DERBY TRAIL REPLAY WALL - HRN
LIST OF EACH DERBY TRAIL RACE, WINNERS, VIDEO
Brian Zipse's Derby Favorites with Each Horse's Race Videos

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A really good site for the new fan: Hello Race Fans! Great Beginner site - Check this out!

NOTE: In order to enjoy and use the functionality of the various sites below, some sites may require you to register, however, there is no charge for most of what you will want access to. If you want to go to the next level and actually place bets and learn more about handicapping, some of these types of services have a fee, but this is strictly your choice whether to use these services.

Today's Action - Upcoming & Prior Race Days - Click on any track "day", and pull up that day's entries for each of the races
Entries Summary for a day's racing card for track
Stakes Entries - Summary
Top 20 Derby Hopefuls - Dynamic - Notes
Derby Prep Races 2011 - Chrono Order by Date
Stakes Review - Weekend Warrior - Covers All Stakes Action over Weekend - Videos & More
DRF Video Replay of Immediate Past races
One of the most useful sites I have found to keep up with Stakes results, to watch only the important races - Also, searchable by date range for past races

RACE ENTRIES - By TRACK, BY DAY + Recent Races
DRF - Starts with ACTIVE tracks - Click on the DAY next to the track name to see that day's full race card.

STAKES RACES - Calendar - Bloodhorse
Click on "Stakes" for a complete DATE/TRACK listing of the stakes events for 2011

LIST OF STAKES RACES - 2011
Simple Alpha List of American Graded Stakes by Stakes Name, by Grade I, II, III

Racing Meet Dates BY TRACK
This includes a list of all American tracks

List of Race Tracks BY STATE

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WANT TO FOLLOW A PARTICULAR HORSE OR TRAINER?
Looking for a way to keep up with the horses, or a trainer? Or, ever want to watch replays of races quickly and easily? What's coming up today or this weekend?

http://www.drf.com/
You need to register - it's free....there are some pay type options, but all I have needed has been the "free stuff".

Click on "Handicapping & PPs", roll over to "Tools" and note there is a "Horse Watch" and a "Trainer Watch" on the drop down list. I have entered several Horses to watch on the "Horse Watch" (you can even have it send you an email with updates, or you can check in and click on "Messages" and check out what is happening with your choice. You can also write a short note (I usually drop in the horse's next race, when I know what it is). A few of my choices are Uncle Mo, To Honor and Serve (one of Bernrdini's colts), Dialed In, and Zazu.

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BloodHorse online main site
Thoroughbred Times main site
Daily Racing Form main site
Twin Spires Race viewer - One of the best individual race video sites - You will need to register, free
ESPN Sports - Horse Racing link

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