Epsom Derby, Oaks top weekend horse racing action

Epsom Derby and Oaks are the highlights of the British flat racing season. The Oaks has a heavy favorite with Marx Brothers connections. There's another Breeders' Cup qualifying race in Japan and interesting races around North America. Evangeline Downs has the Louisiana Legends program Saturday and Belterra Park hosts the Best of Ohio competition Friday.

Hoo Ya Mai is at triple-digit odds everywhere. The Derby is being run in memory of Lester Piggott. Queen Elizabeth II is not going to the Derby. Reach for the Moon was ruled out of the race earlier. Friday is Oaks Day at Epsom Downs. Emily Upjohn is the favorite. Manobo and Pyledriver are the favorites in the Group 1 Dahlbury Coronation Cup at the Downs on Friday. Aidan O'Brien sends out Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up and third-place finisher Tuesday and Concert Hall.

Café Pharoh is entered in Sunday's Grade 1 Yasuda Kinen. Café Pharah won the February Stakes at 1 mile on the Tokyo dirt course. The field also includes the last year's winners from the NHK Mile Cup, Schnell Meister and Songline, Danon the Kid and Serifos, Soul Rush and Fine Rouge.

Unanimous Consent is undefeated after three starts and tops a field of six for Saturday's $200,000 Grade II Pennine Ridge Stakes for 3-year-olds at Belmont Park. Annapolis won both 2-years-old starts for trainer Todd Pletcher and made his 3rd start for Chad Brown. Red Danger started six times last year and five times in the first five months of 2022. Dalika is hoping to rebound from a disappointing career in Sunday's Grade III Old Forester Mint Julep Stake at Churchill Downs. Get Smokin returns from last-place finish in Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night in Dubai.

Epsom Derby, Oaks and Regret Stakes are the top weekend horse racing events. Haughty, an Empire Maker filly from the Chad Brown training empire, is the odds-on favorite on the morning line. McKulick is 7-5 morning favorite, after finishing second in the Grade II Edgewood on Oaks Day.

Boardroom and Amalfi Coast are the favourites for Saturday's $175,000 (Canadian) Grade II Royal North Stakes at Woodbine.

American Revolution and Scalding are going to race in the Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday. American Revolution is 5-for-7 and won the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct in December. Scalting is 4-0 on the season and is trained by Shug McGaughey.

Pauline's Pearl is the favorite in Saturday's $200,000 Shawnee Stakes at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old Tapit filly has won three of her last four starts.

Bob's Edge is a narrow favorite in the field of eight for Saturday's $200,000 Aristides Stakes at Churchill Downs. Top Gunner, Necker Island and Bango are also in a field for the race. Quick Tempo, Drafted and Greeley and Ben are morning-line favorites for Mr. Prospector Stake at Monmouth Park.

Becca Taylor, Dance to the Music and Samurai Charm are on the morning line for Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Desert Stormer Stakes at Santa Anita.