Four of the past five Kentucky Derby winners have come out of Southern California. Thus, the San Felipe will lay out the blueprint for the Santa Anita Derby and then on to the Kentucky Derby.
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The inaugural $12 million Pegasus World Cup, won by Arrogate on Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park, will need tweaking to become a sustainable model.
The Belmont Stakes drew 13 horses, which tells me no one is afraid of Exaggerator. They should be. He is the fastest horse in the race, yet many believe he is not as good on a fast track as a muddy surface.
Del Mar is among a few tracks that fits the bill of a boutique meet. And the Southern California track is hoping to attract Triple Crown champ American Pharoah to race there. There is talk of a $5 million bonus for winning the Pacific Classic, Awesome Again and Breeders’ Cup Classic.
American Pharoah is a heavy favorite to win the last big prep race for the Kentucky Derby. But plenty of other horses need to run well at Oaklawn Park on Saturday if they want to run for the roses at Churchill Downs.
Wise Dan is the top contender for a third straight Horse of the Year title. But Shared Belief and California Chrome could challenge if either wins the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
We are 113 days from the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. This will be the first of many columns focused on, quite frankly, the only race that matters to the mainstream media and the nonracing public.
As soon as Kentucky Derby favorite Orb crossed the finish line first at Churchill Downs, the banter began: Is this the colt that finally could end the Triple Crown drought?