Sun, 01/15/2023 - 11:06

Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby: Smarty Jones Stakes analysis

Coady Photography
Victory Formation showed his abilities were not limited to sprints with a victory in the one-mile Smarty Jones on Jan. 1 at Oaklawn Park. He stretches out to nine furlongs in the Risen Star.

$250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, Jan. 1, 2023 (10 qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth, and 1 for fifth) 

Winner: Victory Formation, by Tapwrit
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Owner: Spendthrift Farm and Frank Fletcher Racing Operations
Beyer: 91
Distance - time: 1 mile – 1:38.14
Win margin: 3 lengths

Sat, 01/14/2023 - 14:13

TimeformUS Aqueduct Horses in Focus for Jan. 15, 2023

RACE 5: BALPOOL (#1)

Fri, 01/13/2023 - 19:57

Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby: Breeders' Cup Juvenile analysis

Barbara D. Livingston
Forte desplaza a Cave Rock para ganar la Breeders' Cup Juvenile G1

Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Keeneland, Nov. 4, 2022 (30 qualifying points for first, 12 for second, 9 for third, 6 for fourth, and 3 for fifth) 

Winner: Forte, by Violence
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr
Owner: Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
Beyer: 100 
Distance – time: 1 1/16 miles – 1:43.06
Win margin: 1 1/2 lengths

Fri, 01/13/2023 - 17:03

TimeformUS Aqueduct Horses in Focus for Jan. 14, 2023

RACE 3: DANGEROUS EDGE (#5)

Thu, 01/12/2023 - 16:58

TimeformUS Aqueduct Horses in Focus for Jan. 14, 2023

RACE 1: TONIGHT WE LOVE (#3)

Thu, 01/12/2023 - 13:56

Weekend GamePlan: Picks for Fifth Season, Sunshine Filly and Mare Turf, and Pasco

Barbara D. Livingston
King Fury comes off a 13-length win in the Bourbon Trail.

Road to the Derby Kickoff Day next Saturday at Fair Grounds, Pegasus World Cup Day on Jan. 28, but slim pickings this second Saturday of 2023. A short American stakes schedule includes several short fields, but maybe there’s just enough meat on the bone to make a meal.

Fifth Season

Pick a horse, any horse – besides Ginobili. The track morning line has the 7-year-old pegged at 7-5, which feels about right, and, for me, he’s a great play-against.

Thu, 01/12/2023 - 12:32

Breakout Beyers: Mr Fisk improving exponentially

Benoit Photography
Mr Fisk uses inside trip to his advantage for maiden score at Santa Anita, earning a 81 Beyer.

Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed. Click here for a complete archive.

Mr Fisk