LET'S GO TO THE RACES Mar 28-29, 2015
Note: This blog is non-commercial and was developed for my own personal use to organize my racing viewing activity. Your comments as to its usefulness to you are welcomed & would be appreciated. Thanks!
____________________________
Time Ordered Races / Entries - printable file
Steve Haskin podcast - Chrome and weekend races
DERBY TRAIL - ON THE HOME STRETCH!
MAJOR PREPS ON TV - NBC SPORTS 5-7 PM EDT
The Road to the Kentucky Derby shifts into high gear this week with key prep races from coast to coast on NBC Sports Network from 5-7 p.m. ET. The $1-million Twinspires.com Wood Memorial Stakes, the key New York Kentucky Derby prep race, will be contested at Aqueduct; the $1-million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes will be featured from Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.; and Santa Anita Park in Southern California will host the $1-million Santa Anita Derby.
If you think this past Saturday was overflowing with racing action, you ain't seen nothin' yet!
Saturday, April 4 has SEVEN GRADE 1 RACES, seven that have Derby/Oaks implications, and a couple of handicap races for older horses. The Derby/Oaks preps will confer 100-40-20-10 points on the first four finishers. For some, this will just be gravy, and for others, it could make the difference in getting in the starting gate on May 1 or 2.
VIDEO: Bernier / Illman preview SA Derby
VIDEO: Bernier / Illman preview Wood Memorial
VIDEO: Bernier / Illman preview the Carter Handicap
VIDEO: Santa Anita Oaks previedw with Bernier / Illman
Final four major preps for the Kentucky Oaks
Former claimer chases greatness in SA Oaks - Singing Kitty
Luminance Gets Chance to Shine in Oaks: Kaleem Shah's undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Luminance (Tale of the Cat) looks to keep her perfect record intact while taking a big step up in class in Saturday's GI Santa Anita Oaks.
Carpe Diem an even money Blue Grass favorite
Rivals back to challenge Dortmund in SA Derby
Dortmund looking to remaining unblemished in SA Derby
Baffert Duo Drawn Inside for Santa Anita Derby: Dortmund (Big Brown) and One Lucky Dane (Lookin at Lucky) have the two inside stalls for Saturday's GI Santa Anita Derby.
Condo Commando tops Gazelle contenders
'Commando' Loaded for Gazelle
Frosted looking to rebound in Wood Memorial
El Kabeir the one to beat in Wood Memorial
Peace and War returns to Keeneland for Ashland
*************************************
Saturday, April 4 has SEVEN GRADE 1 RACES, seven that have Derby/Oaks implications, and a couple of handicap races for older horses. The Derby/Oaks preps will confer 100-40-20-10 points on the first four finishers. For some, this will just be gravy, and for others, it could make the difference in getting in the starting gate on May 1 or 2.
VIDEO: Bernier / Illman preview SA Derby
VIDEO: Bernier / Illman preview Wood Memorial
VIDEO: Bernier / Illman preview the Carter Handicap
VIDEO: Santa Anita Oaks previedw with Bernier / Illman
Final four major preps for the Kentucky Oaks
Former claimer chases greatness in SA Oaks - Singing Kitty
Luminance Gets Chance to Shine in Oaks: Kaleem Shah's undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Luminance (Tale of the Cat) looks to keep her perfect record intact while taking a big step up in class in Saturday's GI Santa Anita Oaks.
Carpe Diem an even money Blue Grass favorite
Rivals back to challenge Dortmund in SA Derby
Dortmund looking to remaining unblemished in SA Derby
Baffert Duo Drawn Inside for Santa Anita Derby: Dortmund (Big Brown) and One Lucky Dane (Lookin at Lucky) have the two inside stalls for Saturday's GI Santa Anita Derby.
Condo Commando tops Gazelle contenders
'Commando' Loaded for Gazelle
Frosted looking to rebound in Wood Memorial
El Kabeir the one to beat in Wood Memorial
Peace and War returns to Keeneland for Ashland
*************************************
Ann Maree's 'longshot": Here's an "underdog" to take a look at in the Blue Grass (12-1). 'Unrivaled' (Super Saver) a former claimer ($30,000 Oct '14), now owned by Team Valor. His record 5-3-3-2-1-1 (Six starts, 2 wins, 2 seconds and 1 third). Interview with trainer: Marya Montoya, trainer for Unrivaled Keeneland, 6:00 p.m. EDT
Watch his last race, an Allowance which he won by 5L 3-15-15 Race 7 Parx Allowance Unrivaled is the #1 horse that is off the screen for most of the race, coming from the clouds to win by 5. I like that Team Valor left the horse with his trainer, who has had to help him work out some "issues", since the October 2014 claim.
Longshot #2: BloodHorse - Former claimer chases greatness in SA Oaks. Another 'underdog' to take a look at., SINGING KITTY (12-1). She seems to be able to run on grass, synthetic, and dirt. Her maiden which she won at first asking was on the dirt at Santa Anita last June. She was claimed in December for $32,000. In the SA Oaks, she will face one of the favorites, Stellar Wind (9-5), who Singing Kitty beat in the China Doll on the Turf in March. Can she put it all together in the SA Oaks to rise in class to make it to the KY Oaks in May? As the article points out, she will be the sentimental favorite in the SA Oaks, however, the betting money will likely go to Stellar Wind (9-5). Should be a fun race to watch, though! Unfortunately, the Keeneland Blue Grass and the SA Oaks are scheduled at the same time, 6:00 p.m. EDT
Watch his last race, an Allowance which he won by 5L 3-15-15 Race 7 Parx Allowance Unrivaled is the #1 horse that is off the screen for most of the race, coming from the clouds to win by 5. I like that Team Valor left the horse with his trainer, who has had to help him work out some "issues", since the October 2014 claim.
Longshot #2: BloodHorse - Former claimer chases greatness in SA Oaks. Another 'underdog' to take a look at., SINGING KITTY (12-1). She seems to be able to run on grass, synthetic, and dirt. Her maiden which she won at first asking was on the dirt at Santa Anita last June. She was claimed in December for $32,000. In the SA Oaks, she will face one of the favorites, Stellar Wind (9-5), who Singing Kitty beat in the China Doll on the Turf in March. Can she put it all together in the SA Oaks to rise in class to make it to the KY Oaks in May? As the article points out, she will be the sentimental favorite in the SA Oaks, however, the betting money will likely go to Stellar Wind (9-5). Should be a fun race to watch, though! Unfortunately, the Keeneland Blue Grass and the SA Oaks are scheduled at the same time, 6:00 p.m. EDT
*************************************
The Championships 2015: Global appeal grows for racing’s “Grand Finals”
FLASH: Day One of the Championships was postponed due to heavy rain. Re-scheduled for Monday, April 6
Also, this Saturday will see the first leg of the Australia Sydney Championships. With the 15 hours time difference, we probably will have to settle for replays. However, for those on the West Coast, it would just be a "late night" for you, so I have included the entries in my printable time ordered list, and I have posted links below to catch up on the action Down Under.
The G1 $2.5 million Darley T.J. Smith Stakes features a showdown between three of the best sprinters in the world, LANKAN RUPEE, TERRAVISTA, and CHAUTAUQUA.
The $2 million BMW ATC Australian Derby is a classic trans-Tasman clash. The local stayers are headed by Victoria Derby hero PREFERMENT and last week’s stunning Tulloch Stakes winner HAURAKI.
The $3 million The Star Doncaster Mile field contains no fewer than 11 individual Group 1 winners. The Doncaster includes two international runners for the first time in the race’s 150-year history, Japanese duo REAL IMPACT and WORLD ACE. Read more
'Championships' Coming of Age in 2015
*************************************
Triple Crown - Kentucky Derby
Jeremy Plonk's Countdown to the Crown
Bill Dwyre: Baffert has the two Derby favorites, and maybe another!
James Scully's Kentucky Derby Report 4-1-15
Derby Prep Alert
Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - Mar 31
Brisnet 4-2-15
Jay Privman - Sunland Derby analysis - Firing Line
Matt Berneir and Dan Illman profile Dortmund - video
Productive KY Derby preps - By the numbers
Courier-Journal's national media Kentucky Derby pollKentucky Derby.com - Updated points posted to Oaks and Derby qualif. races
DRF Road to the Derby - Preps, winners, replays
Derby Watch Mike Watchmaker & Jay Privman keep a weekly tally on what's happening with their Top 20 Derby horses
BloodHorse KY Derby coverage
KY Derby Report - Mar 18 - James Scully - Brisnet
Avalyn Hunter profiles Upstart pedigree
*************************************
The CARDS links below will take you to replays once race is completed.
FEATURED RACESTime Ordered Races / Entries - printable file
Race Index
SATURDAY
3:28 EDT Madison S G1 Kee $350,000 4+ f/m 7f D R6 CARD
4:00 ET Echo Eddie S SA $200,000 3yo S 6.5f D R3 CARD
4:05 ET Commonwealth S G3 Kee $300,000 4+ 7f D R7 CARD
4:20 ET Gazelle S G2 Aqu $300,000 3yo f 9f D # R8 CARD
4:42 ET Shakertown S G3 Kee $125,000 4&up 5.5f T R8 CARD
4:52 ET Bay Shore S G3 Aqu $300,000 3yo 7f D R 9 CARD
5:20 ET Ashland S G1 Kee $500,000 3yo f 8.5f D # R9 CARD
5:30 ET Wood Memorial S G1 Aqu $1,000,000 3yo 9f D * R10 CARD
6:00 ET Santa Anita Oaks G1 SA $400,000 3yo f 8.5f D # R7 CARD-Replay
6:00 ET Blue Grass S G1 Kee $1,000,000 3yo 9f D * R10 CARD
6:04 ET Carter H G1 Aqu $400,000 4&up 7f D R11 CARD
6:09 ET Fantasy S G3 OP $400,000 3yo f 8.5f D # R9 CARD
6:30 ET Santa Anita Derby G1 SA $1,000,000 3yo 9f D * R8 CARD
7:00 ET Providencia S G3 SA $150,000 3yo f 9f T R9 CARD
7:30 ET Evening Jewel S SA $200,000 3yo f S 6.5f D R10 CARD
* or # = KY Derby or KY Oaks qualifying races 100-40-20-10 points
HRTV Replays:
Blue Grass
Wood Memorial
Ashland
Madison
Santa Anita Derby
Brisnet Write-ups
Dortmund does it again - Brisnet
Frosted does it well in the Wood
Carpe Diem does not disappoint - Brisnet
Stellar Wind sails in SA Oaks - Brisnet
Lovely Maria earns first stakes win in Ashland - Brisnet
Condo Commando draws off in Gazelle - Brisnet
Include Betty just holds in Fantasy - Brisnet
Dads Caps defends title in Carter - Brisnet
Princess Violet no longer a bridesmaid in Madison - Brisnet
A slam dunk for Kobe's Back in Commonwealth - Brisnet
March captures Bayshore over troubled trip Lord Nelson - Brisnet
Something Extra ran his rivals off their feet in Shakertown - Brisnet
Spirit of Xian wires Providencia at 16-1 - Brisnet
DRF Write-ups
Dortmund dominent in Santa Anita Derby
Stellar Wind scores big in SA Oaks
Kobe's Back overcomes poor start in Commonwealth
Carpe Diem delivers as favorite in Blue Grass
Lovely Maria gives Jones first Ashland win
Changes pay off for Frosted in Wood Memorial
Dad's Caps returns to winner's circle in Carter Handicap
March holds off Lord Nelson in Bayshore
More on today's races
Ready for Rye looms in Bay Shore Stakes
The Big Beast returns to the big leagues in Carter H
**********************************************
INTERNATIONAL - AUSTRALIA
POSTPONED UNTIL MONDAY, APR 6 DUE TO WEATHER
Sydney Championships $50K trophy revealed
Everything in one place - all you need to know about The Championships - click here
AUSTRALIA
- SYDNEY CHAMPIONSHIPS @ ROYAL RANDWICK
These races take place in the early morning hours of Saturday, Apr 4. Sydney is 15 hours ahead of New York time. On the West Coast, 12:10 EDT = 9:10 p.m. PDT Friday evening.Championships Day 1 - Analysis and Selections 4 G1s
Free PPs - 4 G1s Day 1 The Championships
Dick Powell: Analysis/Selections - Championships Day 1
A Primer: Australian racing - The Championships
More
CARDS - FORM - Scroll to Races 6, 7, 8, 9 - Click to reveal comments at each card
April
6 - MONDAY
Fields - Form
The 2YO Championship - Race 6 - 12:10 a.m. EDT
2nd leg of 2 year old Triple CrownInglis Sires' GR1 $A1,000,000 1400m for 2YO
Result Street Cry's Pride of Dubai Wins the Sires' Produce VIDEO
The 3YO Classic Championship - Race 7 - 12:50 a.m. EDT
BMW Australian Derby GR1 $A2,000,000 2400m for 3YO
Australia's premier race for staying 3 year olds
Result Holy Roman Emperor's Mongolian Khan Wins Australian Derby VIDEO
The Open Sprint Championship Race 8 - 1:30 a.m. EDT
Darley TJ Smith Stakes GR1 $A2,500,000 1200m for 2YO & Upwards
Sprinting Championship
Result Encosta de Lago's Chautauqua Last to First in TJ Smith VIDEO
The Mile Championship - Race 9 - 2:10 a.m. EDT
Star Doncaster Mile
GR1 $A3,000,000 1600m for 3YO & UpwardsReal Impact, Japanese star main attraction
Long established Australia's mile championship, 2015 150th year
Result Teofilo's Kermadec Takes the Doncaster Mile VIDEO
Second leg of the Sydney Championships will take place
on April 11
___________________________________
NEWS
Dubai Sky injured, off Derby Trail, 4-4-15
Beholder looking toward 2015 debut in the Vanity May 9
Take Charge Brandi out of Rebel and off Trail
Brisnet's Dick Powell recaps last Saturday's Dubai, Australia, and U.S. racing tri-fecta ___________________________________
NEWS
Dubai Sky injured, off Derby Trail, 4-4-15
Beholder looking toward 2015 debut in the Vanity May 9
Take Charge Brandi out of Rebel and off Trail
Jockey Joseph O'Brien has done it all
