Good morning racing fans! It is an especially early morning for those of you switching to daylight saving time, like myself. I consider it another sign of spring, which I welcome with open arms. I am ready for longer evenings, warmer weather, Saint Patrick’s Day and just a dozen more prep races until the Kentucky Derby. Everything is coming up roses!
It was a busy week for myself and KY Derby prep races. I attended a tour at Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington, KY, on Sunday 3/4/18, as part of Horse Country’s Meet the Neighbors annual event. Keeneland is my city’s hometrack but there is always something new to see and learn, so I catch every opportunity to visit. Last week also featured 5 KY Derby prep races; the Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes, the Patton Stakes, the Tampa Bay Derby, the San Felipe Stakes and the Gotham Stakes. As this new week dawns, we just have twelve prep races to go until the KY Derby. The 9th and 12th remaining races will each take place at Keeneland. Local live racing is just right over 3 weeks away for those living in and visiting The Horse Capital of the World!
The final KY Derby prep races are as follows by race/track/date/ and points assigned to the first 4 finishers of each race:
- Rebel/Oaklawn Park/3-17/50-20-10-5
- Jeff Ruby Stakes/Turfway Park/3-17/20-8-4-2
- Louisiana Derby/Fair Grounds/3-24/100-40-20-10
- Sunland Derby/Sunland Park/3-25/50-20-10-5
- Burradon/Newcastle/3-30/30-12-6-3
- UAE Derby/Meydan Racecourse/3-31/100-40-20-10
- Florida Derby/Gulfsteam Park/3-31/100-40-20-10
- Wood Memorial/Aqueduct/4-7/100-40-20-10
- Blue Grass/Keeneland/4-7/100-40-20-10
- Santa Anita Derby/Santa Anita Park/4-7/100-40-20-10
- Arkansas Derby/Oaklawn Park/4-14/100-40-20-10
- Lexington/Keeneland/4-14/20-8-4-2
Saturday brings St. Patrick’s Day and 2 prep races. Just 1 prep follows the next weekend. Then, 3 more races fall on the third week, Holy Week. Following Easter, another 3 races are on the 4th weekend, after opening day at Keeneland. Finally, 2 races play out the 5th weekend, with the final prep race at Keeneland. Racing at Keeneland continues 2 more weeks thereafter ending on Friday, 4/27. Saturday, 5/5, features the 144th Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs, the KY Derby! It’s just a short Easter bunny hop away from now, but plenty of prep points are still up for grabs.
Yesterday, Bolt d’Oro bolted to the top of the leaderboard, with a cumulative high score of 64. The Road to the KY Derby began last September and by the third race on that road, Bolt d’Oro was showing clear signs that he was a front runner (winning the FrontRunner Stakes). However, his 64 points were a culmination of his two 1st place and one 3rd place finish in qualifying prep races. Remember, there are still races which offer 100 points to the winner. The 20 spaces on the KY Derby leaderboard are wide open. I have yet to choose a favorite myself. Looking ahead to the last 12 prep races, I can not wait to see the live preps at Keeneland and a total of sixteen stakes races there this Spring meet.
As for the Grade 2, $1 million Toyota Bluegrass Stakes, I recall fond memories of visiting with Irap, the 2017 winner, at the Keeneland barns. I saw him race in the Ohio Derby live as well and I miss him. The 2018 edition will be at a distance of 1 and 1/8 miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt. Inaugurated in 1911, nineteen winners of the Blue Grass Stakes have won the KY Derby. Early nominations closed 2/17 but later and additionally priced noms continue thru 3/21. 145 Thoroughbreds were nominated thus far. Time will tell who makes the cut. Free Drop BIlly is on the list. The race is the 10th on the card 4/7 posting at 6:23 ET.
Furthermore, the Grade 3 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes was inaugurated in 1936 and is 1 and 1/16 miles (8.5 furlongs) on dirt with a purse of $200,000. Nominations for this race will continue thru 3/28. In 1999, Charismatic won the Lexington with the standing speed record and then he won the KY Derby. This race should feature a lot of talent as well. Be sure to catch it 4/14.
The Keeneland connection is present in many of the KY Derby winners of the past. I have high hopes of witnessing the races of upcoming champions this Spring. I am devoted to sharing the photos and experiences with my readers. With just one dozen prep races remaining until the KY Derby, it is time for the best Thoroughbreds to take over the top 20 spots on the leaderboard. Anyone care to share their choice? I’ll be glad to announce my pick when my mind is made up and I’ll also share more Thoroughbred news and adventures as they develop.
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Thank you for the pictures. I am a native of Lexington but retired with husband to Tennessee. My mother worked for Springs Motel restaurant and bar for over 20 years from 1957 to 1976 and would work the Clubhouse at Keeneland during race season. I haven’t picked my horse yet either.
Your family history of Lexington is very interesting. I am glad you enjoyed the photos. Good luck with picking a Derby winner!