This weekend on the KYD Trail there is one 3YOC race of note, at Oaklawn Park, the Rebel Stakes:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
[ URL above, Saturday February 26, 2022, Oaklawn Park - Race 11 , PPs ]
The favorite will likely be the undefeated
Newgrange, trained by Bob Baffert.
Barber Road, Dash Attack, and
Ben Diesel might have something to say if they show some improvement (which any 3YO can do).
In this $1M race, a Baffert horse will not accrue any KYD points, but can accrue money. It may be that this horse changes trainers and attempts to pick up some points in the Arkansas Derby in an attempt to qualify later, but most owners appear to be sticking with BB.
Also at Oaklawn Park is the filly counterpart called the Honeybee:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...7/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday February 26, 2022, Oaklawn Park - Race 5 , PPs ]
Feel Like A Girl and
Secret Oath look to be the best bets, with
Yuugiri a close third.
A word about this feeder into the Kentucky Oaks, it seems that although Bob Baffert has several Oaks worthy fillies, he seems to have given up the ghost on being able to run there; he has not made the sustaining payments on any of his capable fillies for the Kentucky Oaks (only $200).
Another interesting race this weekend takes place at Gulfstream Park, where the great
Letruska has been freshened:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...5/summary.html
[ URL above, Saturday February 26, 2022, Gulfstream Park - Race 6 , PPs ]
If Letruska is right, she wins. When we saw her last, she failed miserably in the BC Distaff. But she was stalking a very hot pace in that race. There is other early speed in here to challenge Letruska, but it isn't the quality of Letruska.
For those of you who like expensive maidens:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...99/summary.htm
[ URL above, Saturday February 26, 2022, Santa Anita Park - Race 6 , PPs ]
3YOF
Ganadora is making her first lifetime start at a $1M pricetag.
Brocade is making her 2nd start at a $750k price tag. Both are Baffert trainees.
BTW, the $20M Saudi Cup will take place Saturday at about 12:45pm. It will be broadcast stateside on the FS2 network. I haven't found any free PPs. But here are the Post Positions. There are a lot of familiar names.
Mishriff and
Mandaloun are likely favorites.
Art Collector and
Midnight Bourbon can throw a big race now and then.
https://www.horseracingnation.com/race/2022_Saudi_Cup#
The Saudi Cup Undercard is on my cable system from 8am-12noon too.
Larry
DevilHorse