Kentucky Derby preps set for Florida, California, Dubai

Kentucky Derby candidates are in action from California to Florida and Dubai. Nest is a heavy favorite in Saturday's Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Knicks Go won Horse of the Year honors at Thursday's ceremony at Santa Anita. Essential Quality beat Medina Spirit in voting for the top 3-year-old male of 2021 and Loves Only You took the award for female turf horse.

Kentucky Derby preps are taking place in Florida, California and Dubai. The winner of the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs gets 10 points for the Triple Crown. Howling Time and Make It Big are the favorites in the El Camino Real Derby in California.  

Nest is the favorite in Saturday's $150,000 Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Curlin is a well-bred filly working well for trainer Todd Pletcher. Alittleloveandluck won the Gulfstream Park all-weather track and then returned on the turf to win the Ginger Brew Stake on Jan. 1. Marissa's Lady is an even-money favorite for Saturday’s $100,00 Valdale St. at Turfway Park.

Baby Yoda is the 6-5 favorite on the morning line in Saturday's $100,000 Pelican Stakes at 6 furlongs on dirt at Tampa Bay Downs. The 4-year-old Prospective gelding was second behind Flightline in the Grade I Malibu Stake at Santa Anita in his last start Dec. 26.

Gear Jockey is the 3-5 favorite on the morning line for Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint. Gear is a 5-year-old son of Twirling Candy. He won the $1 million Grade 3 FanDuel TurF Sprint at Kentucky Downs and finished third in the Grade II Troy Stakes at Saratoga. Miss J. McKay and Miss Auramet are the favorite in Saturday’s $ 100,00 Ladies Turfing Sprint, which is also at Gulf Stream Park.

Nine horses signed up for Saturday's $600,000 Grade III Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park. The field includes last year's Arkansas Derby winner, Super Stock. Lone Rock, Rated R Superstar, Promise Keeper and Plainsman are also in the field. Saturday is the $250,00 Grade 3 Bayakoa Stakes for fillies and mares. Coach, a 4-year-old Commissioner filly from Brad Cox's barn, is a narrow favorite.

Urban is the morning-line favorite for Saturday's $100,000 Grade III Sweet Life Stakes at Santa Anita. Urban won her fifth start Jan. 8.

Sir Alfred James is the 9-5 favorite on the morning line for Saturday's $100,000 Forego Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on all-weather course. The Munnings gelding won the local Holiday Cheer Stake on New Year's Day.

The UAE 2,000 Guineas is a prep for the Group 2 UAE Derby. Get Back Goldie returns on a week's rest after a late-running score over the same course with William Buick riding. The Curlin Stakes is carded at the the 2.000 meters and offers 100 points on the Churchill Downs "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series. Godolphin's team for Curl includes Dubai Icon and Lord Glitters. The Singspiel Stake points directly to Group 1 Dubai Turf on World Cup night. It's the fifth evening of the Dubai World Cups Carnival at Meydan.

The autumn racing season heats up on Saturday with the Group 1 Neds C.F. Orr Stakes at Caulfield and the Apollo Stake at Randwick. Verry Elleegant is the defending champion of the Melbourne Cup.

Golden Sixty will try to start a new winning streak in the 2,000-meters Group 1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup on Feb. 20. He won the race last year. Last month he suffered his first loss in 17 starts in Grade I Stewards' Cup.