Once again we go into another big weekend of Derby Prep races, and there are just too many stakes races to chose from. We’ve got a trio of Stakes from Keeneland finishing up with the Blue Grass Stakes. I grabbed the Wood Memorial and Carter from Aqueduct (wish I could get the Remsen in there too), and we finish the day at Santa Anita for the Santa Anita Derby. Lots of great racing today, hope your handicapping is strong.

Race 1: Madison Stakes (G1)

• Lady Rocket – High speed figs, winner of last 2 and 4 of last 5, winner of 3/4 at distance, heavily favored in most races, winner at Keeneland, working bullets.
• Bell’s the One – Lots of graded stakes experience here, winner of last 2 races, high speed figs, winner at Keeneland, winner at distance, second in this race last year, 3rd in BC Filly Mare sprint.
• Kimari – Last years winner of the Madison, hasn’t raced much recently, 2/2 at Keeneland, likely can’t be ignored.
• Just Missed – Just One Time – winner at distance, winner 5/6 lifetime, has good speed, graded stakes winner, working out well.

Race 2: Shakertown Stakes (G2)

• Golden Pal – Multiple graded stakes winner, highest speed figures, winner of 5 of last 6, winner of 5/7 at distance, winner of 2/2 at Keeneland, will go to the front and try and wire the field, working bullets.
• Barraza – Dropping in distance and winner of last 4 at 6f, consistent high speed figs in 2022, working out well, hasn’t raced distance or track, will there be time to close?
• Filo Di Arianna – Undefeated in 4 starts, working out well, moving up in class from last start, dropping distance.

Race 3: Wood Memorial Stakes (G2)

• Morello – Undefeated in 3 starts at Aqueduct, all wins by 4.5 lengths or more, high speed figs, working bullets.
• Mo Donegal – Returns to Aqueduct where he last won the Remsen, good speed figs, high percentage trainer, winner at track and at distance, working bullets.
• Early Voting – Undefeated in 2 starts at Aqueduct, Withers winner, winner at distance and track, high speed figs, high percentage jockey/trainer, working out well. Could need to cover all 3 here.

Race 4: Blue Grass Stakes (G1)

• Smile Happy – Was not going to beat Epicenter in the Risen Star that day, winner of 2/3 lifetime, 1/1 at Keeneland, high speed figs, working out well, may see success against weaker field.
• Zandon – High speed figs, has shown up in Graded Stakes races but not a winner, working out well, experience at distance, speeds trending up, results trending down.
• Emmanuel – Went wide in Fountain of Youth will likely get a better trip this race, working out well.
• Rattle N Roll – Hasn’t shown up the last 2 starts after promising early career, working bullets, graded stakes experience, may benefit from shorter distance after driving at finish last race.

Race 5: Carter Handicap (G1)

• Speaker’s Corner – Looks to be the horse to beat, highest speed figs, winner at distance, winner last 2 races, Graded Stakes winner, working out well, will try to wire the field.
• Mind Control – Has the speed figs to be discussed with Speaker’s Corner, but has usually ended up second best. Lots of experience at Aqueduct and at distance, working bullets, high percentage trainer.
• Green Light Go – Will need to put in another 100+ Beyer to win this one, winner of last 2, 3 2-1-0 at Aqueduct, working bullets, but is that just trainer screaming hey look at me?

Race 6: Santa Anita Derby (G1)

• Messier – Winner last race, owner of 2 100+ Beyers, winner at track, high percentage jockey/trainer, working out well.
• Forbidden Kingdom – Winner last race with lots of speed and by almost 6 lengths, winner at Santa Anita, high percentage jockey/trainer, working out well, bested by Messier in the Bob Hope.
• Taiba – Only other horse with a 100 Beyer, winner in only start, moving up in class, moving up in distance, will likely be challenged for the lead, high percentage jockey/trainer, working out well, high risk, high reward against this field.

There you have it, lots of great races today, get to a TV if you can.

Think you can pick them better than try.

http://games.scaredycatfilms.com/pick6/index.php