Kentucky Derby Betting: Countdown to the Crown
Kentucky Derby Betting: Jeremy Plonk brings you the Countdown to the Crown to help you bet on the Kentucky DerbyKentucky Derby Betting: Countdown to the Crown
he horses most critical to my morning observation in Louisville this week will be those who possibly could bounce off of sharp performances, namely BODEMEISTER, I’LL HAVE ANOTHER, DULLAHAN, HANSEN and GEMOLOGIST. Plus, I’ll want to see if EL PADRINO has gotten his A-game back after his Florida Derby regression.Kentucky Derby - Countdown to the crown
BODEMEISTER will be favored in the Kentucky Derby for two reasons. One, racing people will respect his Arkansas Derby tour de force. Two, non-racing people are going to be drawn to the violins and heartfelt features on Bob Baffert’s heart condition and the fact this horse is named for his cute-as-a-button kid.Arkansas Derby Countdown to the Crown
From the moment they hit the wire in the G2 Rebel Stakes on March 17, I’ve been looking for someone to beat SECRET CIRCLE (Bob Baffert) when he stretched out to 1 1/8 miles in the G1 Arkansas Derby. Wood Memorial - Countdown to the Crown
I’m not sure I’ve toiled more on a race all season long than Saturday’s $1 million Wood Memorial. For a field of eight with clear-cut favorites in GEMOLOGIST (Todd Pletcher) and ALPHA (Kiaran McLaughlin), surely there are better ways to spend my late nights than popping antacids. Florida Derby - Countdown to the Crown
The top-end strength of the $1 million G1 Florida Derby is so strong it makes this the race of the season to date, and that’s without much supporting depth. But that’s just how good UNION RAGS (Michael Matz) and EL PADRINO (Todd Pletcher) rate. Outside of the big two, the Gulfstream showpiece offers back the two-four finishers in the G2 Fountain of Youth in NEWS PENDING (Dale Romans) and NECK ‘N NECK (Ian Wilkes), as well as the Gulfstream Park Derby winner REVERON (Agustin Bezera), a last-out third in the G3 Sam F. Davis at Tampa. While TAKE CHARGE INDY (Pat Byrne) is only listed stakes-placed to date, few would argue against his class and he very well may be third choice in the betting.Countdown to the Crown: Vinery Spiral Stakes on NBC
So when Turfway’s 1 1/8-mile Spiral Stakes is renewed Saturday a little to the north of Keeneland, it should come as no surprise that the road show once again features these three powerful route barns.Kentucky Derby - Countdown to the Crown
This section previews the coming attractions in Kentucky Derby prep 3-year-old stakes and undercard races. Since we’ve hit mid-March, it’s time to hone in on the stakes players and we’ll only touch on the undercard races of known significance. Later today (Friday, March 16), we certainly have one of those at Gulfstream Park among three key Friday afternoon allowances nationally.Fountain of Youth - Countdown to the Crown
The eight-horse Fountain of Youth Stakes offers $400,000 in graded stakes earnings and will be run at 1 1/16 miles around two turns, the new configuration, at Gulfstream Park. Because these races end at the sixteenth pole finish line, the stretch run will only be 568 feet. Consider that versus the 1,346-feet stretch in play for Saturday’s Risen Star at Fair Grounds.Kentucky Derby - Countdown to the Crown - Southwest Stakes
This section previews the coming attractions in 3-year-old stakes and undercard races. Monday’s G3 Southwest Stakes won’t draw until Saturday afternoon.Kentucky Derby - Countdown to the Crown: Hutcheson
Hutcheson Stakes selections: W) WILDCAT CREEK; P) THUNDER MOCCASIN; S) EVER SO LUCKY. Last week’s selections: 4: 1-2-0. ALPHA scored easily as the top selection in the G3 Withers, while our top choices PROSPECTIVE and PHANTOM FURY finished second in the G3 Sam F. Davis and WEBN Stakes, respectively. Top pick ROUSING SERMON ran a clunker in the G2 Bob Lewis Memorial. Countdown to the Crown: Week 5 - Feb. 3, 2012
This section previews the coming attractions in 3-year-old stakes and undercard races. The deepest week of 3-year-old stakes so far this year takes place with a trio of graded dirt events from New York to Florida to California, as well as listed action on the turf and Polytrack. We’ll begin with a look at the weekend’s undercard races.Countdown to the Crown: Week 4 - Jan. 27, 2012
This section previews the coming attractions in 3-year-old stakes and undercard races. While champion HANSEN (Mike Maker) returns Sunday in a star of stars situation for the G3 Holy Bull, we have, hands-down, the best allowance race seen anywhere on the trail this year in Sunday’s race 7 at Gulfstream. Countdown to the Crown: Week 3 - Jan. 20, 2012
This section previews the coming attractions in 3-year-old stakes and undercard races. We have a big one Saturday at Fair Grounds in the G3 Lecomte on dirt, and what could turn out to be an important turf race Saturday at Gulfstream Park in the listed Kitten’s Joy Stakes. Sunday’s menu includes some rapid runners in Santa Anita’s San Pedro Stakes.Countdown to the Crown: Week 2 - Jan. 13, 2012
This section previews the coming attractions in 3-year-old stakes and undercard races. Four listed stakes are on tap this weekend, starting with Saturday’s $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields and $100,000 Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.Countdown to the Crown: Week 1 - Jan. 6, 2012
Prepare for an influx of turf and synthetic performers to march all the way toward the 2012 Derby following Animal Kingdom’s 2011 success. Only NFL coaches rival Thoroughbred trainers when it comes to a copycat industry. Consider putting races like Gulfstream Park’s March 11 Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes on your radar.Countdown to the Crown
Countdown to the Crown returns for a sixth season online as one of the most comprehensive handicapper's analyses of the 3-year-old scene. Posted each Friday from Jan. 7 through the Belmont Stakes, Countdown keeps you apprised of the rising stars of the 3-year-old class from the maiden ranks through the Grade 1 stakes.Belmont Stakes - Countdown to the Crown
We'll begin our look at each contender and his relative chances after a quick look at how I see the Belmont Stakes pace shaping up.Belmont Stakes - Countdown to the Crown
DIALED IN, weren't you supposed to be the long-winded, run-all-day horse of this crop trained by New Yorker Nick Zito? Anyone care to tell me why he's not Belmont bound, and why now it's almost safe to say that all that talk about how lightly he worked out this spring was "by design," but in actuality just another case of "believe nothing you're told."Belmont - Countdown to the Crown
With the Belmont Stakes looming in 2 weeks, the prep discussions are complete. We'll reserve our next forecast for the final jewel of the Triple Crown.Preakness Stakes - Countdown to the Crown
Batten down the crabcakes. We've arrived in Baltimore. It's time to talk middle jewel, as in Preakness, and the storylines are focused. Preakness Stakes - Countdown to the Crown
The Preakness will be the toughest task for ANIMAL KINGDOM in the entire Triple Crown because of the quick turn-around and normally conservative nature of his trainer. Kentucky Derby - Countdown to the Crown
But when his budding star Archarcharch drew the rail yesterday for Kentucky Derby 137, there were at least three sick men in America. Jinks, jockey Jon Court, and yours truly. Kentucky Derby - Countdown to the Crown
I'm a firm believer that conventional handicapping does not apply to the Kentucky Derby. The premise is that the Derby is not like any other race. Kentucky Derby - Countdown to the Crown
Can't wait for the first Saturday in May? Me either. Each week I'll give my top 20 contenders based on potential for the 1-1/4 miles distance for the Kentucky Derby. This will be a fluid list throughout the season. Arkansas Derby - Countdown to the Crown
Convinced there are no iron horses anymore? Look no further than Saturday's Arkansas Derby. The race features the 1-2-3 finishers of not only the G3 Southwest Stakes, but also the 1-2-3-4-5-6 finishers of the Rebel Stakes, and the 1-2 finishers of the San Vicente and the 2-4 finishers of the Louisiana Derby for more clout.Wood Memorial - Countdown to the Crown
How do you get 10 horses in a race when UNCLE MO (Todd Pletcher) towers over its very existence? How about these race conditions for Saturday's Wood Memorial? No nomination fee, $7,500 to pass the entry box. All starters get a $7,000 rebate. Florida Derby - Countdown to the Crown
The absolute best thing that could have happened to SOLDAT (Kiaran McLaughlin) in the G1 Florida Derby already has happened. Sprint speedball FLASHPOINT (Rick Dutrow) has entered the race, which insures that SOLDAT will get every opportunity for a Kentucky Derby dress rehearsal.Countdown to the Crown Louisiana Derby
It's a busy stakes weekend worldwide and on an array of surfaces from dirt to Tapeta to Polytrack, from blueblooded places like Kentucky, to far-flung reaches like New Mexico and Dubai. With plenty on the marquee, also be sure to check out Saturday's Race 4 allowance from Fair Grounds on the G2 Louisiana Derby undercard.Countdown to the Crown Rebel Stakes
Countdown to the Crown Tampa Bay Derby
Countdown to the Crown Gotham Stakes March 4th
Countdown to the Crown Fountain of Youth Feb 25th
Countdown to the Crown Risen Star Stakes Feb 18th
Countdown to the Crown Bob Lewis Memorial Stakes Feb 12th
Countdown to the Crown Feb 5th
Countdown to the Crown Holy Bull Jan 30
Countdown to the Crown Jan 21
Countdown to the Crown
Countdown to the Crown
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