Mike Watchmaker

Thoughts on Saturday’s three big Kentucky Derby preps:

Dubai World Cup Day impressions, part 1:

Remembering well when entries taken 48 hours in advance was a new thing, and what an incredible luxury it was having past performances one day ahead of time because of it, I thought it was cool last week when entries for the richest race of the weekend, Sunday’s $800,000 Sunland Derby, were drawn and made available to the public 96 hours in advance.

Some quick thoughts on the weekend stakes action:

Some quick thoughts on Saturday’s stakes results: If you are a 1-20 shot like Havre de Grace was in the New Orleans Ladies, you really can do only one of two things and get out with your reputation intact: You could win by a big double-digit lengths margin, or you could win eased up. Havre de Grace Saturday pretty much went with the latter option. She won well in hand over four game, but massively outclassed opponents. It was a fine comeback, just the kind you would like to see from a Horse of the Year.