Searching History for Clues to the 2012 Kentucky Derby
Yazan: Steve | 26 April 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Horse Racing
It’s a cliché that history repeats itself. It does, kinda, but not usually in ways that are easily recognizable or predictable. However, it’s still fun thinking about what happened in previous Derbies to see if there are any clues for what might happen next weekend The defection of Uncle Mo just prior to last year’s [...]
Test of a Champion – Blue Grass Stakes Preview
Yazan: Steve | 14 April 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
This preview was originally published on Thorofan Saturday’s Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Racecourse is one of the last major prep races prior to the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Despite its Grade I status, few winners of the Blue Grass have gone on to actually win the Kentucky Derby (the most recent was [...]
Secrets Out – Arkansas Derby Preview
Yazan: Dylan | 14 April 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
This preview was also published on Thorofan The Arkansas Derby once again manages to draw a talented full field of eleven. In the gate Saturday will be Southwest and Rebel Stakes winner #5 SECRET CIRCLE (5/2), San Felipe Stakes winner #11 BODEMEISTER (9/5), Delta Jackpot winner #9 SABERCAT (15-1), Rebel Stakes runner up #7 OPTIMIZER [...]
Horseplayer Paradise – WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume IV
Yazan: Steve | 11 April 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
Our Derby Dozen panel is filled with astute folks that understand the game and appreciate its complex history. But we are not of one mind when it comes to the top Derby contender (i.e., the most likely winner). No sir, 6 of the 12 horses on our list received #1 votes and none more than [...]
Hawthorne – Illinois Derby Day Preview
Yazan: Paul | 07 April 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
The most important race of the Hawthorne spring meet is upon us. It’s Illinois Derby Day, with the feature set for race 9 on a ten race card. WGN will be showing the Illinois Derby, along with the Cryptoclearance, in a program set to air from 5:00 pm CT to 6:00 PM CT. (Which airs [...]
Union Dues – Florida Derby Preview
Yazan: Dylan | 30 March 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
This weekend marks five weeks until the Kentucky Derby and a key prep race is on tap: Saturday’s Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. The Florida Derby has a history of producing legitimate Kentucky Derby contenders including recent Derby winners Barbaro (2005) and Big Brown (2008) and 2010 runner-up Ice Box. This year’s edition features a [...]
Weekend Trifecta – Turf, Dirt and Synthetic Graded Stakes on the Docket
Yazan: Dylan | 24 March 2012 | 1 Comment
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
This weekend is filled with a diverse mix of graded stakes with two having potential Kentucky Derby implications. Time to find those checkmark winners! Gulfstream Park Race 10 – Grade II Pan American Stakes ($150K) – 1 ½ Miles (Turf) – 5:35 (EDT) Post Time Usually when thinking of turf racing at Gulfstream it’s about [...]
A Cause Worth Celebrating – WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume III
Yazan: Steve | 14 March 2012 | 3 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
New and improved, this edition of the Derby Dozen has three times more Baffert. Perhaps suffering a tongue lashing from the Mrs after being shut out of Volume II, Baffert raised his game. He came back strong to sweep both divisions of the Southwest Stakes and his BODEMEISTER finished a game 2nd in the San [...]
How Great is Kitten’s Joy? Palm Beach Stakes Preview
Yazan: Steve | 10 March 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
Gulfstream Park Race 7 – Grade III Palm Beach Stakes ($150K) – 1 and 1/8 miles – Post time 4:05 Though it has a small field of 6, half the entrants in Sunday’s Palm Beach Stakes are out of the exceptional turf sire Kitten’s Joy. The race may also hold the winner of Keeneland’s Blue [...]
Some Saturday Races to Watch (and a few worth betting)
Yazan: Steve | 02 March 2012 | 4 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
There’s plenty of racing action to be had on Saturday from New York, Kentucky, Florida, and California. The best races for 3 year old colts, and potential Derby prospects, may be at Gulfstream Park instead of Aqueduct or Turfway Park. The best betting race of the weekend figures to be the Santa Anita Handicap at, you [...]
What’s New? It’s WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume II
Yazan: Steve | 23 February 2012 | 2 Comments
Categories: Horse Racing
Boy how time flies, the Derby preps are heating up and here we are with Volume II of our Derby Dozen. After reading this list you may notice two things: 1) Bob Baffert is not very well represented (or is he?). 2) There are a couple of dudes (and I know who they are) who [...]
WirePlayers Road to the Roses League
Yazan: Dylan | 17 February 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Horse Racing
Hello Everyone, It’s that time of year again; time to navigate down the Road to the Roses. The road is long, winding, and like the game of LIFE, full of sudden twists and turns (left handed turns). Many of you may already have a stable, which is good because we have plenty of stalls. It’s [...]
Your Guide to KY Derby Glory – WirePlayers Derby Dozen Volume I
Yazan: Steve | 01 February 2012 | 6 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
Yes friends, it’s here again, Derby Road. While hopeful owners, trainers, and jockeys well . . ., jockey for a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, we’re here passing judgement with our Derby Dozen list. Sure, we offer the perfunctory 1 to 12 ranking you’ll find most anywhere, but our list offers opinions by [...]
2012 Kentucky Derby Prep Race Schedule
Yazan: Steve | 26 January 2012 | Comments Off
Categories: Horse Racing
This is my 2012 Kentucky Derby prep race schedule. There are many like it, but this one is mine. The Kentucky Derby is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. The Kentucky Derby, without me, is useless. Without the Kentucky Derby, I am useless. Ok, [...]
Delta Destiny – Princess and Jackpot Stakes Start Triple Crown Aspirations
Yazan: Dylan | 17 November 2011 | 2 Comments
Categories: Handicapping, Horse Racing
On Saturday Delta Downs in Vinton, LA will host two races that could have Kentucky Oaks and Derby implications come springtime. The Million Dollar Delta Downs Jackpot S. (G3) effectively kicks off the 2012 road to the Triple Crown. The Delta Jackpot has been known for producing exciting finishes (dead heat in 2007) and a [...]
