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WEEKEND RACING
Plenty of racing around the U.S. including a Grade 1, the American Oaks, and The Californian, a Grade 2, on Saturday, both at Santa Anita; and two Grade 1 races overseas, the Japanese Derby and the Prix du Jockey Club, both on Sunday.
AMERICAN OAKS 1 1/4 miles - Santa Anita 3 year old fillies - Eight Tough Ladies Ready To Run Long. The GI American Oaks takes place Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Santa Anita Race track in sunny Arcadia, California. The race is for 3 year-old fillies running 1 1/4 miles on the grass for a purse of $350,000. The race was previously run at Betfair Hollywood Park with the inaugural race in 2002 and was a listed stakes race until 2004 when in was upgraded to the (GI) level. Short odds for Nashoba's Gold (9-5), Diversy Harbor (4-1), Little Journey (6-1), Sweet Bliss (4-1), with Room Service the favorite at 2-1 odds and carrying the high weight of 123 pounds, with the rest of the field 118 pounds. Read more
In France: French Two Thousand Guineas winner Karakontie will bid to add a second classic triumph to his record June 1 in the Prix du Jockey Club (Fr-I, French Derby) at Chantilly racecourse.
With his connections opting to run in France instead of the Epsom Derby (Eng-I) in a week's time, the Niarchos family's Japanese-bred son of Bernstein is to meet 15 challengers in the race unless the turf conditions come up heavy on race day. Read more
In Japan on Sunday, a horse-racing icon transcends the boundaries of not only racing, but sport itself, making its way into the conscience of the general public, not just the upwards of 130,000 racing fans expected to make their way to Tokyo Racecourse this Sunday, June 1.
The Tokyo Yushun, or Japanese Derby, “Yushun” is Japanese for “superlative steed” and the Tokyo Yushun is Japan's biggest race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds, a race seen and wagered on around the world, and a cherished dream of horsemen and racehorse owners. They dream not only of winning, but even of owning, training or riding one of the Derby runners, such is the event's prestige. Of the over 7,000 Thoroughbreds born in 2011 and registered in Japan, only 18 have earned a spot in the Derby. Read more
New York breds are showcased at Belmont on Saturday: New York-breds will take center stage at Belmont Park on Saturday as the historic track celebrates the Empire State on track and off with the Big Apple Showcase Day. In addition to six stakes worth $900,000, highlighted by the $200,000 Critical Eye for fillies and mares and the $200,000 Commentator Handicap, guests will be able to experience some of the finest products the state has to offer, with food and craft vendors offering their wares in the grandstand. Read more Big Apple Showcase Day highlights best of New York
Strong field set for $500,000 Penn Mile at Penn National Race Course: The field has been assembled for the second running of the $500,000 Penn Mile on Saturday night. The contest has quickly turned into one of the premier turf races for 3-year-olds in the nation. Led by multiple-graded-stakes-winner GLOBAL VIEW, who will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, the eight-horse field lined up at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course features five stakes winners who have won or placed in nine graded races. The four races that kick off the card comprise an All-Stakes Pick 4 that climaxes with the Penn Mile, which has a scheduled post time of 7:31 p.m. Post time for Penn National's first live race is 6 p.m. Read more
Featured races below include the Card which will take you to the BloodHorse Race Replay after the race is concluded.
