The Grade I, $3 million Pegasus World Cup highlights the Saturday action at Gulfstream Park. Following the defections of Spun to Run and Omaha Beach, a field of 10 will line up for this 1 1/8-mile heat. Post time for the Pegasus, the finale on a 12-race program, is estimated for 5:34 p.m. ET. #3…
Author: Robert M. Criscola
Silver Prospector should strike again in Smarty Jones
The $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, the first step on Arkansas’ road to the Kentucky Derby, takes place this Friday at Oaklawn Park. The opening day feature at the Hot Springs oval drew a field of nine. The three-year-olds colts will be tasked with a one-mile trip in the Smarty Jones, which goes as the eighth…
Major Cabbie the class of Queens County
Aqueduct’s $125,000 Queens County Stakes is the richest race on the thoroughbred calendar this Saturday. The 1 1/8-mile heat drew a field of seven colts and geldings looking to boost their résumés before year’s end. Post time for the Queens County, the eighth of nine races on the day at “The Big A,” is 3:46…
Maximum Security should seize another Grade I in Cigar Mile
The Grade I, $750,000 Cigar Mile, the centerpiece of the Aqueduct fall meeting, is their feature race this Saturday. A field of 11, headlined by MAXIMUM SECURITY, will compete in one of the last Grade I events on the calendar. Post time for the Cigar Mile, the finale on a 10-race program at “The Big…
Tiz the Law appears best in potentially-muddy Kentucky Jockey Club
The Grade II, $300,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes puts two-year-olds in the spotlight at Churchill Downs this Saturday. The 1 1/16th-mile heat, which carries 17 total points toward the Kentucky Derby (10-4-2-1), drew nine juveniles carrying dreams of wearing roses in May. Post time for the Kentucky Jockey Club, Race 11 of a scheduled 12,…
Late-blooming Standard Deviation the smart wager in Hollywood Derby
The Grade I, $1 million Hollywood Derby brings some of the best three-year-old turf runners to Del Mar this Saturday. The 1 1/8-mile classic attracted 13 runners from all over the country. Post time for the Hollywood Derby, Race 8 of a scheduled 10, is approximately 7:30 p.m. ET. #9 STANDARD DEVIATION (6-1) was last…
Firenze Fire packs punch along with extra pounds in Fall Highweight
The Grade III, $200,000 Fall Highweight Handicap, a longtime Thanksgiving staple at Aqueduct, will be renewed this Thursday. The six-furlong sprint drew a field of nine, led by multiple graded stakes winner FIRENZE FIRE. He’ll tote 134 pounds when the gate opens for the Fall Highweight, the seventh of nine on Thanksgiving Day at “The…
Roadster should make good on early promise in Native Diver
The Grade III, $100,000 Native Diver Stakes, honoring one of the great handicap horses ever campaigned in California, will be renewed this Saturday at Del Mar. The 1 1/8-mile heat attracted six runners, including Santa Anita Derby winner ROADSTER. Estimated post time for the Native Diver, Race 8 of nine on the program, is 7…
Sadler’s Joy holds the edge in Red Smith
The Grade III, $200,000 Red Smith Handicap anchors the Saturday action at Aqueduct. The 1 3/8-mile turf heat drew a field of 11 plus five AEs and MTOs. Post time for the Red Smith, Race 9 of 10 at “The Big A” this Saturday, is 3:47 p.m. ET. #7 SADLER’S JOY (8-5, morning-line favorite) looks…
Weekly jockey review, 11/20/19
It’s time to review the week that was in horse racing, focusing on jockey achievements from coast to coast. Aqueduct Irad Ortiz Jr. remains on top at the current Aqueduct meet that runs until Dec. 8 with 18 victories. Five of those trips to the winner’s circle were made last week. He’s six wins clear…