Top Stakes Races of the Week: Betting Preview

Another exciting week of horse racing action is set, with Saturday’s Rebel Stakes offering a look at some of the leading contenders on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

It will be an exciting week of horse races in 2024, with a number of top stakes races of the week to make a bet on horse racing. But, what eye-catching races will take place in the U.S. this week?

Rebel Stakes

The G2 Rebel Stakes is the key prep action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby this week, with one of the top stakes races of the week attracting a field of 13 runners. This race will be run over 1 1/16 miles, and it was notably a prep race won by American Pharoah in 2015.

Timberlake will make his return to the track for Brad Cox after finishing fourth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November. The three-year-old sets the standard after clocking high speed figures throughout his career to this point, which included a 98 rating when scoring in the Champagne Stakes.

Carbone appears to be an interesting rival for trainer Steven Asmussen, and a return to quicker ground will suit his chances after finishing a disappointing seven in muddy conditions in the G3 Southwest Stakes.

However, at the prices available, it could be worth taking a chance on Time For Truth for trainer Ron Moquett. The three-year-old has been setting consistent speed figures in the 90s across his two previous starts, and this step up in trip could suit him after staying on to finish second in the Ozark Stakes over six furlongs at Oaklawn Park.

• Pick: Time For Truth

Honeybee Stakes

There is also Grade 3 action on the agenda at Oaklawn Park this weekend, with the Honeybee Stakes set to see fillies strut their stuff over 1 1/16 miles. This race has been won by the Kentucky Oaks winner in two of the last four years, and there is a strong feel to the race once again in 2024.

Band Of Gold is a likely contender for Kenneth McPeek this weekend, and she could be one of the solid horse racing predictions. She is a winner over course and distance after stopping up in trip to land the Martha Washington Stakes in early February. Her chances are boosted based on the fact that she has form over a likely rival in the form of Neom Beach.

Honor Cat and Midshipman’s Dance both also bring winning form into the weekend, but it could be challenging to overlook Brad Cox’s contender in one of the top stakes races of the week.

West Omaha hasn’t done a lot wrong on track to this point, finishing in the top two on each of her four career starts. At Fair Grounds in late January, they took a major step forward, winning the Silverbulletday over an extended mile. The increased trip will bring out further improvement on Saturday.

• Pick: West Omaha

Razorback Handicap

The G3 Razorback Handicap is one of the big betting races at Oaklawn Park this weekend, with a field of 13 runners set to compete over 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. The upcoming race this weekend will prep for the Oaklawn Handicap, completing the double on eleven previous occasions.

Octane could be a solid place to start this weekend for trainer Juan Alvarado. The five-year-old ran an excellent race to finish second in the Sunshine Classic over 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Park on his previous start, and has excellent form over the distance.

Promise Keeper also brings winning experience into the race after scoring in the Fifth Season on his previous start, while U S Army was also a winner after landing the Jeffrey A. Hawk Memorial Stakes.

However, taking a chance on the unexposed Magic Tap for trainer Steven Asmussen is an option.. The four-year-old has scored over 1 1/8 miles on two occasions, and holds esteemed form after finishing fourth in Grade 1 company. He has also won over 1 1/16 miles, landing a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs last June.

• Pick: Magic Tap

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