Fair Grounds: Risen Star attracting horses from coast to coast
Five invaders – from Florida, California, and points in between – are expected for the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Feb. 23.
Bob FortusFeb 15, 2013
Five invaders – from Florida, California, and points in between – are expected for the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Feb. 23.
Is there a way to expand interest in Derby Futures and make them at least as attractive to bettors as a dismal mid-afternoon maiden-claiming race? It’s worth a try, and here are three suggestions.
My favorite longshot to win the Kentucky Derby was not listed among the 23 individual betting interests last week in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. His name is Shakin It Up, and he makes his first start of the year on Sunday at Santa Anita in the Grade 2 San Vicente.
The eighth season of Countdown to the Crown returns as one of the most comprehensive handicapper’s scouting reports of the 3-year-old scene. Get Jeremy Plonk's picks for the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields, the San Vicente, and updates on other 3-year-old developments across the country.
Despite the fact Cornelio Velasquez is 3 for 3 aboard Vyjack, Joel Rosario will ride the 3-year-old in the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on March 2, trainer Rudy Rodriguez confirmed Thursda
Trainer Bob Baffert doubled down on Saturday’s 32nd running of the Grade 3, $200,000 El Camino Real Derby, entering both Manando and Carving.
Trainer Mark Casse reported that his top 3-year-old prospect, the multiple graded stakes winner Uncaptured, worked three furlongs in 35.60 seconds and galloped out a half-mile in 48.60 in Ocala on Wednesday.
Verrazano is one of two leading contenders for the May 4 Derby – the other being 2-year-old champion Shanghai Bobby – who have had investors buy into the colts, hoping their hot stock keeps rising.
Considering all that can go wrong, anyone who ventures to compile a list of Kentucky Derby contenders is wasting their time.
The same 20 horses who were on last week’s Derby Watch list are on this week’s list, but there is a new horse on top in Verrazano.