Mon, 12/17/2018 - 13:08

Road to the 2019 Kentucky Derby: Springboard Mile analysis

Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park
Long Range Toddy edges Bankit to win the Springboard Mile at Remington on Sunday.

Listed, $400,000 Remington Springboard Mile, one mile, Remington Park, Dec. 16, 2018
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Long Range Toddy, by Take Charge Indy
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Richard Eramia
Owner: Willis Horton Racing LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 82

Mon, 12/17/2018 - 07:26

Long Range Toddy ($39.20) edges Bankit in Springboard

Dustin Orona Photography/Remington Park
Long Range Toddy edges Bankit to win the Springboard Mile at Remington on Sunday.

Long Range Toddy edged stablemate Bankit by a head to win the $400,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park on Sunday, closing out a dream meet for their Hall of Fame trainer, Steve Asmussen.

It was 2 1/2 lengths back to Dunph in third and another half-length back to Asmussen trainee Tone Broke in fourth.

The first four finishers in the Springboard Mile earned Kentucky Derby eligibility points on a scale of 10-4-2-1. The race Sunday also closed out the meet at Remington. It was the richest of six stakes on the card.

Sun, 12/16/2018 - 12:24

Road to the 2019 Kentucky Derby: CashCall Futurity analysis

Barbara D. Livingston
Improbable opened up to a five-length victory in Saturday's Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity.

Grade 1, $300,345 Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity, 1 1/16 miles, Los Alamitos Race Course, Dec. 8, 2018
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Improbable, by City Zip
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Drayden Van Dyke
Owner: WinStar Farm LLC, China Horse Club International Ltd., and Starlight Racing
Beyer Speed Figure: 96

Mon, 12/10/2018 - 08:48

Sparkman: City Zip might have his Derby horse in Improbable

Barbara D. Livingston
Improbable opened up to a five-length victory in Saturday's Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity.

When Ghostzapper retired to stud at Adena Springs in 2006 there was never any question that he would be well patronized by breeders even at a $200,000 fee that proved unsustainable, since his nine wins in 11 starts included the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which earned him Horse of the Year honors.

Sun, 12/02/2018 - 11:59

Road to the 2019 Kentucky Derby: Remsen Stakes analysis

Barbara D. Livingston
Maximus Mischief returned $4.80 with the Remsen Stakes win.

Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes, 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct, Dec. 1, 2018
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Maximus Mischief, by Into Mischief
Trainer: Butch Reid
Jockey: Frankie Pennington
Owner: Cash is King LLC and LC Racing
Beyer Speed Figure: 97

Sat, 12/01/2018 - 17:16

Maximus Mischief looks confident in Remsen Stakes triumph

Barbara D. Livingston
Maximus Mischief returned $4.80 with the Remsen Stakes win.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Maximus Mischief passed the audition.

Dominant in two sprints at his home base at Parx Racing, Maximus Mischief stepped up in company, stretched out in distance and handled both with aplomb, recording a 2 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct.

The victory not only kept Maximus Mischief perfect in three starts, it put him squarely on the 2019 Kentucky Derby trail. He earned 10 qualifying points toward the Derby with his Remsen win and will head to South Florida to prepare for his 3-year-old campaign.

Thu, 11/29/2018 - 15:58

Road to the 2019 Kentucky Derby: Breeders' Cup Juvenile analysis

Emily Shields
Game Winner earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, 1 1/16 miles, Churchill Downs, Nov. 2, 2018
(20 Derby qualifying points for a win, 8 for second, 4 for third, 2 for fourth – CQ; the chart on the RTTD page has incorrect point values)

Winner: Game Winner, by Candy Ride
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Owner: Gary and Mary West
Beyer Speed Figure: 93

Wed, 11/28/2018 - 07:34

Road to the 2019 Derby: Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes

Coady Photography
Signalman paid $9.20 with the victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on Saturday.

Grade 2, $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club; 1 1/16 miles; Churchill Downs; Nov. 24, 2018
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Signalman, by General Quarters

Trainer: Kenny McPeek

Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Owner: Tommie Lewis, David Bernsen, and Magdalena Racing

Beyer Speed Figure: 84

Sun, 11/25/2018 - 19:20

Field closes at 6-5 in Pool 1 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager

Barbara D. Livingston
Game Winner remains unbeaten in four starts by winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Friday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The mutuel field, the 24th or “all others” option, closed as usual as a decisive favorite in Pool 1 of the 2019 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closed Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern after a four-day wagering window.

Thu, 11/22/2018 - 14:00

King: Sizing up Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Network Effect, shown winning an Aug. 11 maiden race, should offer value in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Time to raise a glass, or a mutuel ticket, to the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which is now under way through Sunday and is in its 21st consecutive year. This parimutuel wager, of which Pool 1 of four opened on Thursday, is as much about bragging rights as it is about profits – a chance for horseplayers to state their opinions early and be validated if proven right.