LET'S GO TO THE RACES - Jan 29-30


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.

 *************

Florida and California take the stage Saturday to showcase each state's best runners.  DRF will LIVE STREAM the day's card at Gulfstream:  LIVE STREAM - FLORIDA SUNSHINE MILLIONS

Undefeated 4-year-old filly AWESOME FEATHER Race Preview , champion female sprinter MUSICAL ROMANCE, and popular 4-year-old MUCHO MACHO MAN are among the stars expected to run in one of six Florida Sunshine Millions Stakes Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park.  Race Preview - Mucho Man tops deep field in Classic

In the California Sunshine Millions, CARACORTADO Race Preview has been scratched from the Sensational Star with a foot problem Story  and KILLER GRACES and CHARM THE MAKER will face each other once again, this time in the Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3 year old fillies at Santa Anita. Race Preview

Also on the Santa Anita card is the only Grade 1 event of the weekend, the $300,000 Santa Monica Stakes for 4 year old fillies and mares.  Race Preview  Last time out when Teddy's Promise and Sugarinthemorning met in the LaBrea Dec. 31, Teddy's Promise delivered a 16-1 upset.  The two are matched up again in the 7 furlong event, with Teddy's Promise at 8-5 and will tote 123 pounds as the highweight.  Rafael Bejarano will be aboard Sugarinthemorning, and Victor Espinoza will be up on Teddy's Promise.  Also in the race are Rumor (Mike Smith) 9-5, Home Sweet Aspen (Joel Rosario) 6-1, Big Tiz (Corey Nakatani) 9-2, and the two long shots round out the field with Bella Diamante (David Flores) 30-1, and She's Cheeky (Joe Talamo) 20-1.

On Sunday, the main feature is the Holy Bull for 3 year olds, in which HANSEN (Tapit), ALGORITHMS (Bernardini), CONSORTIUM (Bernardini), MY ADONIS (Pleasantly Perfect) will each make their 2012 debut.

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - Jan 21-22


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.


Front page of the DRF at the 1980 Kentucky Derby
Genuine Risk, the filly, won!

 WHAT'S UP, DOC! 
With so many races each week, it is sometimes hard to figure out what is important to watch, where is the most "action", and basically, is there an "order" to things in the sport.  Here is my take on how things "work" in horse racing, this time of year anyway.  (This discussion does not deal with "handicapping" the races.)

In the "stakes" category of races (there are graded and ungraded stakes races), there are basically two groups racing this time of year: the young 3 year olds on the "Derby Trail" or Road to the Triple Crown"; and, the 4 year olds and up in the "older" or "handicap" group. Within those groups, you will have sprinters, middle-distance runners, and longer races of 1 mile or more typically called the "route" races.  There are also races restricted to fillies and there are races open to both sexes.  You may have 3 year olds that start out in the sprint group and wind up in the route race group, as this time of year, the object is to find out where your three year old fits best. To be able to run in the three Triple Crown races, you have to be able to run in the route races: The Kentucky Derby is 1 1/4 mi (10 furlongs), the Preakness is 1 3/16 mi (9.5 furlongs), and the Belmont at 1 1/2 mile (12 furlongs).

The industry has unoffficially dubbed certain races the "Derby Preps", although there are other avenues to the Kentucky Derby and to the Triple Crown that a 3 year old might travel.  Most of these are "graded" stakes. Derby Prep Races

From the list, first up this weekend is the Lecomte Stakes at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans on Saturday. Other races for 3 year olds today include: the Silverbulletday at The Fairgrounds for fillies, Kittens Joy at Gulfstream; the California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields for 3 yo fillies. On Sunday, the Sweetest Chant for fillies at Gulfstream, and the San Pedro at Santa Anita.

The Grade 3 Lecomte at New Orleans’ Fairgrounds is 1 mile 70 yards, around two turns. Two of the entries in this race already have a graded stakes win under their belts: SHARED PROPERTY, and EXFACTOR, although neither has run around "two turns", which the Lecomte will test for today.

Others of note are TED'S FOLLY, riding a 6-race win streak; and MR BOWLING, each of whom has won a non-graded stakes race.  Mr. Bowling hasn’t raced since October, when he finished third as the 7-5 favorite in the Iroquois Stakes. His Jan. 9 workout in 58.80 seconds is among the fastest five-furlong works at this meet. His connections think he prefers two-turn races (the Iroquois was a one-turn event). Mr. Bowling won the Dover Stakes at Delaware, his only two-turn race, by more than seven lengths, and trainer Larry Jones thinks the Iroquois’s one-turn mile didn’t suit his horse.

Ted’s Folly, an Oklahoma-bred, doesn’t seem to care about the number of turns. He won five sprints in a row before capturing the $315,000 Springboard Mile, his route debut, with a strong late rally. Springboard Mile Race Result and Video Replay

The more important races this weekend are listed below, including those for older horses (4 yo and up).

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - Jan 14-16


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.

DRF: Watchmaker's Divisional Rankings - 1-9-2012 Includes PPs
Watchmaker's Weekend Warrior - Comprehensive coverage
DRF: Countdown to the Crown - Week 2 - Jan 13, 2012
NTRA Poll
TTimes: Cards for upcoming stakes races

BloodHorse - Stakes Entries Index for next several days
Horse Racing Nation's Stakes Tracker - See Who's Probable
Links to past races for each horse entered
Graded Stakes Database - Powerful database / Race Videos
Thoroughbred Report - Companion to Graded Stakes Database

FEATURED RACES:

AQUEDUCT
Monday, January 16

Jimmy Winkfield S. | $75,000  | 3yo | 6f | Race 8 | 3:37 pm
BHorse: Jimmy Winkfield - CARD - RACE REPLAY VIDEO

GULFSTREAM PARK
Saturday, January 14
BHorse:  Big names lining up for Gulfstream

Fort Lauderdale S.  | G3 |  $100,000 | 4&up | 1 1/16 mi Turf | Race 10 | 4:45 pm ET
BHorse: Ft Lauderdale - CARD - RACE REPLAY VIDEO It's Silver Medallion
BHorse: Flat Out, Teaks North top Ft. Lauderdale cast
Flat Out trying the turf for the first (AND LAST) time!

Hal's Hope S. | G3 | $100,000 | 4&up | 1 mi | Race 9 |  4:17 pm | HRTV
BHorse: Hal's Hope - CARD - RACE REPLAY VIDEO - Jackson Bend with a closing burst
DRF: Hal's Hope preview - VIDEO
BHorse: Jackson Bend draws rail in Hal's Hope

OAKLAWN PARK 
Monday, January 16
Smarty Jones S.  | $100,000 | 3yo | 1 mi | | Race 8 | 4:33 pm CT
BHorse: Smarty Jones CARD - RACE REPLAY VIDEO
BHorse: On Fire Baby to tackle males at Oaklawn
On Fire Baby - G2 Goldenrod Nov. 26, 2011
"Much the best":  YouTube - Goldenrod Stakes
Pocahontas Stakes - Oct. 30, 2011
BHorse: On Fire Baby smokes Pocahontas field - Embedded VIDEO
Also expected is Jake Mo (Giacomo)

SANTA ANITA
Saturday, January 14

San Fernando S. | G2 | $150,000 | 4yo | 1 1/16 mi | Race 8 | 4:07 pm PT | HRTV

BHorse: CARD - VIDEO REPLAY - It's Tapizar, much the best!

Tapizar, Prayer for Relief clash in the San Fernando

Sunday, January 15

Paseana H. | $75,000 | 4&up | f&m | 1 1/16 mi |  Race 8 | 4:07 pm

BHorse: Paseana H - CARD - VIDEO REPLAY

Santa Ynez S.  | G2 | $150,000 | 3yo f |  6.5f | Race 4 | 2:03 pm PT | HRTV

BHorse: Santa Ynez CARD - RACE REPLAY VIDEO

Monday, January 16

San Gabriel S.  | G2 | $150,000 |  4&up | 1 1/8 mi Turf | Race 8 | 4:07 pm PT
BHorse: San Gabriel S - CARD - RACE REPLAY VIDEO

BHorse: Top weight Jeranimo eyes San Gabriel repeat

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS
Saturday, Jan 14 

California Derby | $100,000 | 3yo | 1 1/16 mi |  Race 8 | 4:15 pm | HRTV

BHorse: California Derby - CARD - RACE REPLAY VIDEO - Russian Greek, last to first!

BHorse: Seven sophomores vie in California Derby 

The California Derby is a steppingstone race to the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III), which will be run Feb. 18 at Golden Gate Fields.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS 

January 14, Saturday 

The Gasparillo | $100,000 | 3 yo f |Race 8 | 3:42 pm ET

BHorse: Gasparillo CARD - RACE REPLAY VIDEO   - Salad Girl beats the favorite, Delightful Magic

The Pasco | $100,000 | 3 yo | 7 f | Race 10 | 4:50 pm ET  

BHorse: Pasco CARD - RACE REPLAY VIDEO - Prospective wins it, For Oby had catastrophic leg break in the run out after the race, rolled over on jockey, Juan Delgado, who was carried off unconcious.

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - Jan 7-8


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.

DRF: Watchmaker's Divisional Rankings - 1-4-2012

NTRA Poll
NTRA Race Schedule grid, month by month

BloodHorse - Stakes Entries Index for next several days
Horse Racing Nation's Stakes Tracker - See Who's Probable
Links to past races for each horse entered

FLASH:  It was announced today that RAPID REDUX is the recipient of the Secretariat Vox Populi award. In addition, the Eclipse committee has made a Special Eclipse award to Rapid Redux for his accomplishments and for his positive impact on the sport this past year!  Congratulations to a very deserving horse and his connections!  See his page at this blog: Rapid Redux

FEATURED RACES:

GULFSTREAM PARK
Saturday, January 7

Marshua's River S | G3 | $100,000 | 4yo+ f/m | 1 1/16 mi | Race 10 | 4:45 pm ET
BHorse: Daveron leads jam-packed Marshua's River
BHorse: MarshuaS River Stakes CARD - VIDEO AFTER RACE
Heavenly Landing

SANTA ANITA
Saturday, January 7

The Sham is the first of three two-turn graded stakes on the West Coast for 3-year-olds leading to the Santa Anita Derby (G1) April 7.

The Sham | G3 | $100,000 | 1 Mi | 3 yo | Race 3 | 1:31 pm PT| 

BHorse: Secret Circle makes 3yo debut in Sham
DRF: Secret Circle at a crossroads in the Sham
BHorse: Sham CARD - VIDEO AFTER RACE
Out of Bounds wins, Secret Circle second

The San Pasqual is a prep for the Santa Anita Handicap
San Pasqual S | G2 | $150,000 | 1 1/16 mi | 4 yo+ | Race 8 | 4:07 pm PT
BHorse: San Pasqual CARD - VIDEO AFTER RACE
Uh Oh Bango first, Tres Borrachos second
BHorse: Tres Borrachos totes top weight
DRF: Utopian getting stakes surface test in San Pasqual
Jerry and Ann Moss' Utopian tries dirt for the first time in his stakes debut for trainer John Shirreffs. The 5-year-old son of Rock Hard Ten   won a 10-furlong optional claimer on the Hollywood Park turf in his most recent start Nov. 25.

Sunday, January 8
Daytona H | G3 | $100,000 | 4yo+ | 6.5f Downhill Turf |
BHorse: Daytona H - CARD - VIDEO AFTER RACE
Caracortado comes from the clouds to win going away!
BHorse: Regally Ready starts season in Daytona Stakes

AQUEDUCT
January 7, Saturday

A pair of races for three year olds:
The Busanda S | $100,000 | 1 Mile 70 Yards | Fillies | 3 yo | Inner track | 3:09 pm ET
BHorse: Busanda CARD - VIDEO AFTER RACE
Captivating Lass (A.P. Indy) and Sweet Seventeen, 1-2

Count Fleet |  1 mi 70 yds | 3 yo | $150,000 | Race 8 | 3:37 pm ET
BHorse: Count Fleet - CARD - VIDEO AFTER RACE
Alpha (Bernardini), Stephenoatsee (A.P. Indy), finish 1-2
DRF: Count Fleet draws deeper cast
Faves are Alpha (Bernardini) 4-5, Stephanoatsee (A.P.Indy) 6-1, II Villano (Pollard's Vision) 4-1