Spring is drawing closer and with that the world of graded stakes racing is ramping up as well. This past weekend saw no fewer than nine races contested all around the country - Santa Anita, Gulfstream, Aqueduct and Tampa Bay Downs each hosted top graded stakes action.
That big day in May is getting closer and trainers and horses alike are busy trying to gain maximum points on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby". This past weekend saw three points races take place - the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and the Withers Stakes from Aqueduct all handed out 10 points to their winners. The points standings from now until the Run for the Roses will be fluid as can be and things are only going to get more interesting as we draw nearer to Derby time and the points values increase.
The Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes goes down this Sunday, February 3 from Santa Anita Park in gorgeous Arcadia, California. A group of four year olds will be featured as they chase their share of the $200,000 purse over 1 1/8 miles on Santa Anita's dirt track.
The Grade 2 Strub Stakes is on tap for this Saturday, February 2 from Santa Anita Park in Arcadia California and is part of a packed card featuring three Grade 2 races. Four year olds will go 1 1/8 miles on Santa Anita's main track in search of the winner's share of the $200,000 purse.
Tampa Bay Downs will be the scene of one of three "Road to the Kentucky Derby" points gathering races this Saturday, February 2. A group of three year old hopefuls will be chasing the 10 points awarded to first place as the winner's share of the $200,000 purse in the Sam F. Davis Stakes - a 1 1/16 mile race on Tampa Bay Downs' main track.
The Grade 3 Withers Stakes comes our way this Saturday, February 2 from Aqueduct in the great state of New York. Three year olds will be after some much needed qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby in May as well as their share of the $200,000 purse when they go 1/16 miles on Aqueduct's inner track.
Santa Anita Park in Arcadia California will play host to one of three "Road to the Kentucky Derby" points races this Saturday, February 2. Three year old hopefuls will be after much coveted points and their share of the $200,000 purse in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes when they go 1 1/16 miles on Santa Anita's dirt track.
The Grade 3 Florida Oaks is on tap for this Saturday, February 2 from Tampa Bay Downs. Three year old fillies will be featured as they chase their share of the $100,000 purse over 1 1/16 miles on Tampa Bay Downs' turf track.
The Grade 2 Hutcheson Stakes goes down this Saturday, February 2 from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida. Three year olds hoping to garner a few points along the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" will go seven furlongs on Gulfstream's dirt track in search of their share of the $150,000 purse.
Aqueduct Racetrack in New York will be the scene of the Grade 3 Toboggan Stakes this Saturday, February 2. Horses three years old and upward will be featured as they dash six furlongs in Aqueduct's inner track in search of the winner's share of the $150,000 purse.
