We are in the meat of the KYD Trail. This week and next weekend (Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, Blue Grass) are the big prelim races. But for this week we have the Florida Derby and the Arkansas Derby. The KYD is 5 weeks away.
In Arkansas this Saturday is the Arkansas Derby:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ url above; Saturday April 1, 2023; Oaklawn Park - Race 12; PPs ]
This traditionally big race is coming in a bit light;
Rocket Can, winner of Holy Bull Stakes, has defected to next weekend's Blue Grass.
Angel Of Empire, Reincarnate, and
Red Route One look like the contenders.
At Gulfstream Park is the Florida Derby:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ url above; Saturday April 1, 2023; Gulfstream Park - Race 14; PPs ]
Forte' makes his last start before the KYD and will be the heavy favorite. Starting from the 11 post is a small issue, but he will be carrying Irad Ortiz.
Fort Bragg has been searching the country for a soft spot to pick up KYD points; we'll see what the Baffert refugee can do. It's put up or shut up time for these 3YOs.
For the fillies, in Arkansas is the Fantasy Stakes
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ url above; Saturday April 1, 2023; Oaklawn Park - Race 10; PPs ]
Wet Paint and
Condensation are highly regarded. These two were the exacta in the more recent Honeybee Stakes, but that was on a sloppy track. The weather actually looks good (at this time) for Saturday, although thursday and friday will see rain.
In Florida is the Gulfstream Park Oaks:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ url above; Saturday April 1, 2023; Gulfstream Park - Race 12; PPs ]
Dorth Vader will see if she can stretch out her speed;
Atomically has a good chance to hit the board. Both of these fillies are by (now 2nd year sire)
Girvin.
Miracle also looks primed for a big effort.
The Kentucky Derby Futures Pool - Iteration 6 is ready:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/brisw...9/summary.html
[ url above; Thursday March 30, 2023; Ky Derby Future - Race 6; PPs ]
I'd be surprised if anyone (here) bets this, but I really like seeing all of the PPs together for the likely starters in the KYD. Each of the relevant horses will have one more racing line, but you can pick a few horses and probably watch them race within the next 2 weeks. Caution I would point out, I've seen many horses that already have enough KYD points use their last race as a conditioner and not extend themselves fully. I don't consider this rigging the race, but if a horse has casual workouts and is not given his full spectrum of medication before the race, they might have a dull effort intentionally. If you do your research, and know which trainers do this, then you have an advantage betting. With that said, I would expect horses that need the KYD points to be the ones that hit the board. Except perhaps in the case of Forte'; he has a chance to be a great horse and anything other than a win will hurt his residual (stud) value.
Here is the latest (often updated) KYD points list:
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-rac...cky-derby/2023
Happy April Fools Day!! (and the first day of baseball).
Larry
DevilHorse