The march rolls on this week, no pun intended. And the march we’re talking about has nothing to do with a certain basketball tournament that seems to get more attention for the bracket than the games themselves these days. No, we’re talking about the march to the Kentucky Derby
Saturday Special presented by Pin Oak Stud, home of Alternation, Broken Vow and Cowboy Cal sets the scene for all things post-Cheltenham and Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. In addition to the 50 Derby points on the line, Oaklawn Park rolls out a strong card that also features the Razorback and Azeri.
There’s plenty of other interesting action across the country, from Aqueduct to Santa Anita. Tear yourself away from those brackets and the basketball for the afternoon. Enjoy.
Kempton. Race 3. 11:15. Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins will talk about the Cheltenham wins, the falls and near misses later. They’re back at it, trying to win the Silver Plate with Townshend.
Uttoxeter. Race 5. 12:10. No rest for the weary, fresh off a four-day bender at Cheltenham, the jumpers roll forward. The Betfred Midlands Grand National attracts 21 strong going 4 1/8 miles.
Gulfstream Park. Race 1. 12:35 p.m. How did Boalt Hall go off at nearly 10-1 in maiden debut back in mid-January? No chance for close that price despite Scat Daddy colt making his first start on the grass in 1-mile allowance-optional.
Aqueduct. Race 3. 2:20. Paulassilverlining returns to stakes company in $125,000 Correction after big win in allowance-optional Feb. 11. Standing in the way is the seemingly ageless Willet and Grade 2-placed Clothes Fall Off.
Gulfstream. Race 5. 2:35. Third running of $75,000 Any Limit goes to post one year and a day removed from the death of the graded stakes winner’s trainer, the legend Allen Jerkens.
Fonner Park. Race 3. 3:28. The great melting pot that is … Nebraska? Field of 10 maidens and they were bred in Nebraska, Texas, Minnesota (2), Oklahoma, Kentucky (3), Colorado, California.
Santa Anita Park. Race 2. 4:00. Cal-bred fillies and mares go down the hill in $100,000 Irish O’Brien. Velvet Mesquite is 6-for-12 on the course and she’s 4/5.
Parx Racing. Race 8. 4:04. One-mile allowance resembles small stakes with Souper Lucky, Matterhorn, Edge Of Reality, Warrioroftheroses and Abra entered.
Gulfstream. Race 8. 4:05. Hint Of Roses, son of Tapit for the Ramseys, returns of near two-month freshening. Who’s Your Drama tries to snap seconditis streak for Todd Pletcher and co-owner and retired hockey star Eddie Olcyk.
Gulfstream. Race 9. 4:35. Happy’s Causeway and Direct Message couldn’t handle Gettysburg in similar two-turn maiden. Heckuvashot endured quite the trip in 6-furlong debut and stretches out for Pletcher.
Oaklawn Park. Race 6. 4:45. Unbridled Outlaw, 12th in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, gets sophomore campaign started against older in 1 1/16-mile allowance-optional.
Aqueduct. Race 8. 4:50. Didn’t get enough green beer Thursday? How about Beyond The Green, a 4-year-old state-bred son of Freud breaking from the rail in two-turn allowance-optional? Field also includes Uncle Sigh, Pop The Hood, Readthebyline, Damage Control and Big Business.
Laurel Park. Race 8. 4:54. The $75,000 Ben’s Cat for Maryland-breds. If King Leatherbury got him going a little earlier the venerable gelding could have won his own race.
Gulfstream. Race 10. 5:05. Top Billing, once a classics candidate and third in Grade 2 Fountain of Youth in 2014, continues long road back in 1-mile allowance-optional. J S Bach looks to make it four in a row and is one of two entered for Pletcher, along with Chipit.
Oaklawn. Race 7. 5:21. Champion Untapable makes 2016 debut in Grade 2 Azeri, race she finished second in last year during less-than-stellar campaign where she went 1-for-6 with four seconds. Tapit mare looks tough against Call Pat, Streamline and Sarah Sis.
Gulfstream. Race 11. 5:35. Maybe a Woody Stephens candidate or two could come out of $75,000 Spectacular Bid.
Fair Grounds. Race 8. 5:52. Season is winding down in New Orleans – next weekend is Louisiana Derby Day. This weekend’s feature is first running of $50,000 Colonel Power going 5 1/2 furlongs on the grass. Time running out for Joe Sharp and Tom Amoss to catch meet-leading trainer Michael Stidham but they do have entries here with El Botas (Sharp) and Galton (Amoss).
Oaklawn. Race 8. 5:57. Graded-stakes winning New York-bred Upstart ships from South Florida for Grade 3 Razorback. Flatter colt making his 2016 debut and first start since Pennsylvania Derby in September. Carve loves Hot Springs (4-for-10) and so does Far Right (3-for-5 with two seconds), including last year’s Smarty Jones and Southwest.
Gulfstream. Race 12. 6:05. When Stonetastic is right she’s lights out. Mizzen Mast mare was right in 2016 debut, winning small stakes by 5 lengths. She’ll be tough in Grade 2 Inside Information, but she’s winless in four tries at 7 furlongs. Maybe it’s time for Bar Of Gold to break through in stakes company.
Oaklawn. Race 10. 7:06. Full field of 14 seeking the 95 Kentucky Derby points on the line – 50 to the winner – in Grade 2 Rebel. Suddenbreakingnews looks to keep rolling after dramatic victory in Southwest and he’ll face Whitmore, American Dubai, Siding Spring, Discreetness, Z Royal and Cutacorner. New shooters Cupid, Creator and Ralis merit respect.
Santa Anita. Race 9. 7:30. Kiaran McLaughlin looks to keep his dream start to 2016 rolling with Penwith in Grade 1 Santa Margarita. Bernardini mare ships West to take on Taris, Tara’s Tango and Living The Life.
Oaklawn. Race 11. 7:35. A dozen 3-year-olds entered in two-turn maiden finale.
Turfway Park. Race 8. 9:38. Great to see the green and white diamonds of Wimbourne Farm on Argentine import Kasaqui.
