I settled down on Saturday night and watched with a blank stare as the images flashed across the TV screen. The chyron at the bottom of the screen posted updates on the big fight in Las Vegas between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao – a boxing match sure to end in a decision, unlike the knockout I experienced during the day at Churchill Downs.
Dave Litfin's horses to watch at Belmont Park for the week of May 6.
Triple Strike (#3, ML 5-2) stretches out to one mile and 70 yards in Wednesday’s fourth race at ThistleDown. Since Jan. 1, 2014, trainer Robert Gorham is winning at a 30 percent clip when saddling a horse switching from sprint to route, for a return on investment of $3.74.
Our Faith (#5, ML 9-2) will return to action in Wednesday’s third race at Evangeline Downs, a six-furlong maiden special weight race. It will be his first start since a third-place finish by 10 lengths in a maiden race Feb. 8 at Fair Grounds. The fourth- and fifth-place finishers from that race came back to win their next starts.
Gierkink's Woodbine Horses to Watch for the week of May 4
Trip Notes for May 1-3: Kentucky Oaks, Kentucky Derby, and more by Michael Hammersly.
Let’s close out opening week at Belmont Park on Sunday with a late pick four play on an intriguing sequence that begins with race 6.
American Pharoah was best winning the Kentucky Derby, and he deserves all the credit he is receiving. But while I am well aware he has the speed and the talent to get a perfect trip every time he races, it must be said that American Pharoah had yet another perfect trip Saturday. He stalked a deliberate pace, moved at a point when it was ideal for him to move, and out-finished a gutsy Firing Line. It was all pretty simple. And now, that’s five straight stakes victories for American Pharoah after five straight perfect trips.
Download DRF Plus handicapping reports for Sunday's races, including DRF Bets GamePlan, the Positive ROI Report, and Key Race Report.
The following is a list of DRF Plus resources and content related to Saturday’s Kentucky Derby card at Churchill Downs.
