#I. Ortiz

Race 9: 1 1/16th (Dirt), Stonestreet Lexington Stakes (G3), Purse $400k, 3 (Saturday) The Grade III Lexington Stakes is the last gasp for the Kentucky Derby Prep Trail. Up for the taking are Points that include, 20 for the "Winner," 8 for the "Place" horse, 4 for the "Show" runner, and a measly 2 for the entry who rounds out the "Super." In the…

Race 14: 1 1/8th (Dirt), Curlin Florida Derby (G1), Purse $1 million, 3 (Saturday) Named for that celebrated Steve Asmussen runner, the Curlin Florida Derby is a Grade 1 staple on the Kentucky Derby Trail, offering "Points" of 100-40-20-10 in that order to the top 4 finishers. The race continues to be dominated by trainer Todd Pletcher, who has won…

Race 5: 1 3/16ths, 1900m (Dirt), UAE Derby (G2), Purse $1 Million, 3 (Saturday) There are many paths to the 148th Kentucky Derby, but they are dwindling as we head towards April. The Dubai World Cup Carnival is a "last ditch" opportunity, especially for international runners. Specifically, the Group 2 UAE Derby represents one of the last…

Race 11: 1¼ (Dirt), Travers Stakes (G1), Purse $1.25 Million, 3 (Saturday) Late August means one thing for Thoroughbred horse racing … the Mid-Summer Derby … also known as the Travers Stakes! Always a highlight during Saratoga's Meet, it was always intended to offer another leg, an extension of the season's Triple Crown. Once the Breeders' Cup took…