Weekend Horse Racing Preview: Key Trials for Kentucky Derby

A busy weekend on the scores and odds of horse racing action will take place across the U.S. this weekend. The headlines will be made in the key trials for the Kentucky Derby, with the standout race coming in the form of the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Weekend Horse Races Picks

• Pick: Victory Avenue +575
• Pick: El Grande O
• Pick: Bolt At Midnight +400

Below, you can find out more about some of the competitive horse races 2024, and our best picks for the weekend horse races.

Horse Races for this Weekend

Fountain of Youth Stakes

The big race of the weekend takes place at Gulfstream Park, with a competitive field set to take their chance in the Fountain of Youth Stakes in order to win Kentucky Derby qualifying points. It will be a fascinating race to bet on horse racing, with each of the top four in the betting boasting solid claims.

Locked will be making his first start this year for Todd Pletcher, and his form from his third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile sets the standard. Dornoch was an impressive winner of the G2 Remsen Stakes, but the quicker ground in Florida this weekend could go against him.

We are most interested by the maiden special weight that was run at Gulfstream at the end of January, with both Speak Easy and Victory Avenue setting mighty speed ratings over the seven-furlong trip.

Victory Avenue was the runner-up on that day for Gustavo Delgado, but further improvement is incredibly likely over this extended trip for this son of Arrogate. Therefore, he ranks among our best horse racing picks for the weekend events.

• Pick: Victory Avenue +575

Gotham Stakes

The Gotham Stakes is another key prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby this weekend, with the field of runners aged three competing over a mile at Aqueduct.

Just A Touch will likely be the market favorite for trainer Brad Cox. This son of Justify was excellent on his racecourse debut, finishing clear of Gun Party over six furlongs at Fair Grounds. However, at the prices, he could be vulnerable against runners with greater experience this weekend.

Slider is among those at a bigger price worth considering for exotic players. He takes a step up to a mile for the first time this weekend after previously competing over shorter distances. He was outclassed when ninth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, and there was enough to like about his third in the G2 San Vincent to suggest he could play a part this weekend.

However, we are sweet on the chances of El Grande O for Linda Rice this weekend. The three-year-old was very impressive over a longer distance on his previous start when second in the G3 Withers, but quicker conditions should suit him. He has previous winning experience over a mile after landing the Sleepy Hollow Stakes over course and distance last September.

• Pick: El Grande O

John Battaglia Memorial Stakes

The John Battaglia Memorial Stakes was a key Derby prep back in 2022, as Rich Strike battled to a place. This weekend’s race could be an interesting clash at Turfway Park, and a number of selections could rank as possible horse racing predictions.

Epic Ride appears to be a standout selection in the betting for trainer John Ennis after progressing with each start. His most recent win scored a career-best speed figure of 91, edging out Blue Eyed George to score in the Leonatus Stakes over a mile at Turfway Park.

However, one of our best picks for the weekend horse races in this contest comes in the form of Bolt at Midnight. The son of Bolt d’Oro has progressed excellently over recent months and sets the standard based on his mighty win over a mile at Turfway earlier this month. He left the field behind, achieving a speed rating of 100, unmatched by any rival in this field.

• Pick: Bolt At Midnight +400

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