Top Horse Races for the Week

Like most weeks, there is exciting action taking place at race tracks across the U.S. this coming weekend. Among those are two huge graded races at Fair Grounds, with the G2 Risen Star Stakes expected to have a significant impact on the Kentucky Derby odds.

There is also Kentucky Oaks prep action in the form of the G2 Rachel Alexandra on the card at Fair Grounds. You can find out more about some of the top horse races for this coming weekend here.

Kentucky Derby Prep Action Takes Center Stage

The G2 Risen Star Stakes has been a prominent stop on the horse racing calendar in recent years, with previous winners having a big impact on the Triple Crown betting. Last year’s race was won by pre-Derby favorite Epicenter, while Mandaloun won the race in 2021 before later being upgraded to the Kentucky Derby winner.

As one of the topn horce racing this weekend, the Risen Star has attracted a field of 14 runners at Fair Grounds this weekend. Brad Cox has three in the race, which includes the one-two from the Smarty Jones Stakes. Victory Formation won that contest, with stablemate Angle of Empire also declared this weekend.

Harlocap was an eye-catching winner for Steven Asmussen on his latest start, and further improvement is likely this weekend. Private Creed is among the most interesting contenders, as he makes his first start on the dirt after taking second in the Texas Turf Mile last time out. Two Phil’s also holds solid claims after finishing second in the G3 Lecomte on his previous start.

As well as having an impact on the Derby prices, significant movement could be found in the Preakness odds and Belmont Stakes odds this weekend following the G2 Risen Star.

Rachel Alexandra Offers Oaks Points

It isn’t just Kentucky Derby prep action taking place at Fair Grounds this weekend, as we will also see some of the likely contenders in the Kentucky Oaks. The G2 Rachel Alexandra is run over a distance of 1 1/16 miles, and was won in 2021 by the incredibly talented Clairiere.

I’m most excited to see Hoosier Philly for trainer Asmussen this weekend, who already looks like a solid contender for the Distaff at the Breeders Cup 2023. She is three from three to this point, which included a standout win in the G2 Golden Rod on her previous start over this distance at Churchill Downs.

Pretty Mischievous is an interesting contender for Brendan Walsh, having landed the Untapable Stakes on her previous outing. Further stakes quality performers are also found in the forms of Miracle, who was second in the Maid of the Mist, Chop Chop, who was second in the Silverbulletday, and Knockyoursocksoff.

Fair Grounds Undercard

While the Derby and Oaks preps are the standout races at Fair Grounds this weekend, there are four further stakes races to look ahead to. The Albert M. Stall Memorial kicks things off, before the Colonel Power Stakes also looks set to be a wide-open affair.

The action on the turf then takes over, with the G3 Fair Grounds Stakes featuring talented runners, including Tiz The Bomb, Two Emmys, and English Tavern. Calvary Charge will also be involved, as the six-year-old looks for a second straight win in the race.

Royal Delta Stakes Among Other Interesting Races

Away from Fair Grounds, there are three further graded stakes races in the U.S. this weekend. The standout could come in the form of the G3 Royal Delta Stakes over 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Park. Kathleen O. remains one of the more interesting runners, having won four from six starts. She performed excellently on her return to action in November, finishing second in the G3 Comely Stakes at Aqueduct.

Two graded races will be staged at Laurel Park, including the G3 Barbara Fritchie Stakes. Meanwhile, a seven-furlong dash in the G3 General George Stakes also looks like a competitive race according to the horse racing odds.

The big race of the day at Oaklawn Park is the G3 Razorback Handicap, won last year by Plainsman. Caddo River will be among the runners included this weekend, while Last Samurai, Rated R Superstar, and Trademark may be among the best-handicapped horses in the race.

International Action Offers More Cheltenham Insights

Before we get to the Kentucky Derby, all eyes will be on the best jumpers in the world, as the Cheltenham Festival is staged over four days in March. The feature in the United Kingdom this weekend is the G1 Ascot Chase. Fakir D’oudairies heads the betting for Joseph O’Brien, but doubts remain over his ability over two miles and five furlongs.

Shishkin, for Nicky Henderson, will have the most to prove after losing his perfect record at the Festival last year. Since then, he returned with a comprehensive defeat at Sandown in December. Pic D’Orhy could also offer the value in the betting, after winning on all three starts this season, including last time out over this distance at Kempton by a wide 16-length margin.

Meanwhile, one of the top horse races on the international calendar remains the Grand National, and a look at some of the contenders will be on show at Haydock on Saturday in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase. Corach Rambler heads the betting for Lucinda Russell, while Bristol De Mai remains a solid enough contender despite being 12.

Fortescue remains a rock-solid contender for the red-hot Henry Daly, and he was third on his previous outing at Haydock. At around +2000, he offers excellent value this weekend.

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