Today’s Races
If you’re visiting this page, chances are you already know today is the biggest day of racing since the Breeders’ Cup, with Derby preps at Santa Anita and Gulfstream, as well at the Santa Anita Handicap, featuring Saint Liam and Rock Hard Ten. Afleet Alex’s surprise appearance in the minor Mountain Valley Stakes at Oaklawn adds to the day’s exciting bill.
The line-up:
Swale (Gulfstream, post time 4:43). Lost in the Fog is the big horse in this race and how he does here will determine if he runs in the Derby, says trainer Greg Gilchrist.
Gulfstream Park Handicap (Gulfstream, post time 5:13). Eddington is the likely favorite, Classic Endeavor will offer better value.
Santa Catalina (Santa Anita, post time 5:17 EST). Declan’s Moon is all everyone’s talking about in this race, but don’t overlook Snack, Spanish Chestnut, or Going Wild — all intriguing contenders.
Fountain of Youth (Gulfstream, post time 5:45). Kansas City Boy and Dearest Mon are already scratched; the presence of Bandini, Defer, and High Fly along with the maiden Papi Chullo still makes this one of the most interesting races today.
Mountain Valley Stakes (Oaklawn, post time 6:15 EST). Afleet Alex is the only graded stakes winner in the bunch, but Dr. Meatball and Razor look like worthy competition.
Santa Anita Handicap (Santa Anita, post time 8:04 EST). Truly a Judge is a wild card here — can he keep up with Saint Liam, and can they both hold off Rock Hard Ten?
Related: Jeremy Rose gets one last chance to ride Afleet Alex (Delaware News Journal); Truly a Judge offers trainer David Bernstein a chance at redemption. (LA Times)
Tangent: This is a day where I wish that Suffolk Downs (which isn’t alone among tracks in this lack) had wireless internet access, because I plan to spend several hours today in the upstairs lounge watching races, making notes, and wagering a little, and it’d be so much fun to blog results and comments during that time, rather than waiting until later tonight or Sunday morning.
