:quality(75))
Dirt racing is a second-class citizen in Japan, where turf is king, but Japanese dirt horses are doing just fine in Dubai. A year after Japan-based Crown Pride won the UAE Derby, Japan-based Derma Sotogake dominated the 2023 renewal, breaking from the rail and leading from start to finish under Christophe Lemaire en route to a 5 1/2-length victory.
:quality(75))
The complexion of the starting lineup for next Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby took a turn for the better Friday with confirmation that Fort Bragg and Mage are now both being pointed to the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby prep.
:quality(75))
The Southern California-based horses Henry Q and Hard to Figure will vie for favoritism Sunday in the Grade 3, $600,000 Sunland Park Derby. Fort Bragg, another leading contender entered in the 1 1/8-mile race, will not start, according to trainer Tim Yakteen.
:quality(75))
There is plenty of betting value to be found in Saturday's Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. Brad Cox runs Instant Coffee and Jace's Road, but the list of contenders does not stop there.
:quality(75))
Major Dude and Two Phil's, the top two choices on the morning line for Saturday's Grade 3, $700,000 Jeff Ruby at Turfway Park, make a surface switch to Tapeta as they collide with local prep winners Funtastic Again and Congruent.
:quality(75))
Hit Show, the Grade 3 Withers Stakes winner, will return to New York for the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial on April 8 at Aqueduct, trainer Brad Cox confirmed Wednesday.
Henry Q will face Southern California shippers Fort Bragg and Hard to Figure on Sunday in the Grade 3, $600,000 Sunland Park Derby.
:quality(75))
Trainer Ben Colebrook and owners Andrew and Rania Warren will have a little more breathing room between races when their colts Scoobie Quando and Raise Cain run in a pair of major Kentucky Derby points races in the coming weeks.
:quality(75))
Six weeks out from the 149th Run for the Roses, May 6 at Churchill Downs, Luis Saez finds himself the regular rider of two of the more promising contenders. Decisions will have to be made. For now, however, Saez appears to have time on his side.
:quality(75))
2023 Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Instant Coffee
