March 2-3

LET'S GO TO THE RACES

March 2-3

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

NOTE:AFTER A RACE HAS BEEN RUN, you can return here, click on the CARD to view the Results and watch a REPLAY.

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TWO DERBY PREPS, THREE GRADE 1 RACES, DUBAI SATURDAY

In the U.S., three Grade 1 races, two Derby preps, and some undercard races coming up on Saturday.  In Australia, ALL TOO HARD, half brother to champion Black Caviar, has been scratched from the Grade 1 Australian Guineas.

Some top prospects for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks are on display this weekend and there's a showdown for older horses out west. 

Florida and California have some nice turf racing. 

Separate blog post for DUBAI SATURDAY RACING
TCI Insider - Jon and Joel look at the Gotham
That Handicapping Show - Tom LaMarra, Pete Denk The Gotham and the Santa Anita Derby
Jeremy Plonk's COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN - Week 9
Jeremy Plonk's Horseplayer Now Jeremy Plonk's Derby Prep schedule
Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - 2-26-13
The Downey Profile
Brisnet's Dick Powell gives his Handicapping Insights

If you are serious about keeping up with the horses, standings, race outcomes, etc. on the Derby Trail, don't miss the recap by Jeremy Plonk at DRF. Road to the Derby: Prep races, replays, leaderboard Scroll down under the Point Standings to a list of the Derby Prep races. Click on the race, and read Jeremy's re-cap. Very enlightening, because Jeremy sees things I would never see and points them out. We are moving into the next phase of the preps, where the points to be earned will put the winner in the starting gate of the KY Derby, and the secondary points to the next three finishers can earn some important points as well. From Feb. 23 thru March 24 is the first leg of the Championship Series in which the races will be worth 85 points, with 50 pts to the winner, and 20-10-5 to the next 3 finishers. I'm betting that from here on out, the starting gate for each of these races should see full or near-full fields.

For info on the Oaks prep series, go to the Kentucky Derby Oaks site: http://www.kentuckyderby.com/oaks Standings and horse profiles, along with replays can be found there.

TRIPLE CROWN: Source guide to lists of Derby qualifying races, standings, handicapping tools
DUBAI: Source Guide for Dubai World Cup Carnival

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Races listed below in time ordered format with cards. Come back after the race is run, click on the Card link and watch the replay at BloodHorse's results and video page.


FEATURED RACES

ENTRIES in Time Ordered Format
Time Ordered LIST of Races

SATURDAY, March 2
Bold = Derby/Oaks Prep
Free PPs most major races - click here
3:38 ET Top Flight H, G2, Aqu, $200,000g, 3&up, f/m, 8.5f, R7 CARD
3:55 ET Caesar's Wish S, Laurel, $100,000g, 3yo f, 8f R8 CARD
4:34 ET Tom Fool H, G3, Aqu, $200,000g, 3&up, 6f R9 CARD
5:02 ET Gotham S, G3, Aqu, (gr. III), $400,000g, 3yo, 8.5f R10 CARD
5:05 ET Herecomesthebride S, G3, GP, $100,000g, 3yo f, 9fT R9 CARD
5:26 ET Allen Lacombe Memorial H, FG, $75,000g, 3yo f, 7.5fT, R10 CARD
5:30 ET Las Virgenes S, G1, SA, $250,000g, 3yo f, 8f, R6 CARD
5:35 ET Swale S, G3,GP, $150,000g, 3yo, 7f, R10 CARD
7:00 ET Frank E. Kilroe Mile, G1, SA, $300,000g, 4&up, 8fT, R9 CARD
7:30 ET Santa Anita H , G1, SA, $750,000g, 4&up, 10f R10 CARD
 
More info on today's races:
Pulling for Overanalyze in the Gotham - Downey Profile
Overanalyze draws post 12 in Gotham
Gotham Stakes gives Vyjack owner first shot in KY Derby
Santa Anita Handicap Called to Serve returns an improved horse

Vagabond Shoes - Photo by Jillian Smith

My pick for today's Frank Kilroe Mile:  VAGABOND SHOES (IRE), this aptly-named gelding who mostly raced overseas, including Spain, France, England and Dubai previously, and now trained by John Sadler, lines up today in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita to see if he can improve upon his off the board finish last time out in the Arcadia in February.

He will face Suggestive Boy (ARG), winner of the Arcadia, Mr. Commons who will be looking to overcome several disappointing seconds since winning the Arcadia in February 2012; and Fed Biz, winner of the San Fernando in January and third in the Strub in February. Suggestive Boy at 5-2 is the favorite with Mr. Commons at 3-1, and Fed Biz, Wilkinson, and Silentio are all 9-2.

At 12-1, Vagabond Shoes, a 6 year old gelding, is not being given much respect, but, he's my pick today to finish in the money and begin to step up his career in the U.S. I'm hoping he will be given time to settle down in one place and that will help build his confidence. This is not handicapping advice, just a fan who would like to see this horse be given an opportunity to achieve his potential. It brought to mind this song, which I dedicate to Vagabond Shoes, my favorite today in the Frank Kilroe Mile! ♥ 
KC and the Sunshine Band, Boogie Shoes! 


SUNDAY, March 3
5:35 ET  Palm Beach S, G3, GP, $150,000g, 3yo, 9fT, R10  CARD
 
NEWS
My Happy Face hit with virus to mis KY Oaks
Interview with champion trainer, John Hawkes (AUS)
Paynter has first workout since recovery
Animal Kingdom web site
Buena Vista Mile no issue for Mizdirection
Mizdirection's plans call for mix of turf sprints, miles
Lumber Guy back for San Carlos at Santa Anita
Igugu on target for return in Balanchine
Haskin: Stevens taking every ride as a gift
Derby prep races, results video replays
Where they're going next - Downey Profile
Fair Grounds: Risen Star attracting horses coast to coast
Bill Finley: Wise Dan vs. Little Mike - What a show that would be!
Beyer: Animal Kingdom being given chance to make history
Churchill remains comfortable with points system - Podcast
Coolmore buys interest in unbeaten Verrazano
Horse Reunion video

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UPCOMING MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN STAKES

Date Race Track
Mar. 9
GII San Felipe S. SA
GII Tampa Bay Derby TAM
GII Gulfstream Park H. GP
GIII Honeybee S. OP
GIII Razorback H. OP
GIII Hillsborough H. TAM
Mar. 10
GIII Las Flores H. SA
Mar. 16
GI Santa Margarita S. SA
GII Rebel S. OP
GII San Luis Rey S. SA
GII Honey Fox S. GP
GIII Azeri S. OP