Stakes Saturday at Turfway Park

 Derby points are on the line again as we turn attention to the Tapeta at Turfway Park. The 2021 Kentucky Derby is only 35 days away.

Turfway Park Race 11 {Jeff Ruby Steaks~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~graded Stakes}

A full and fantastic field of twelve will go to the gate in this annual prep race.

Past Performances used:  Equibase.

All, but three in this field like to be close to the pace as their are speedsters and pressers that will lead the way. The entire field will be stretching out to this distance for the first time. Speed numbers are very close making it quite a competitive event. Interestingly, only half the field have synthetic or turf experience prepping for this one. It should be a high quality race on a day with terrific racing across the country.

#10 Gretzky the Great (C. Landeros / M. Casse) might have the edge with the third highest last out speed number and two superb peaking workouts. He has hit the board in both of his starts over the synthetic surface. Expect this guy to be battling with the forwardly placed herd. A son of Nyquist, he is 83% in the money from six career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#5 Sainthood (Corrales / Pletcher) should challenge coming off the dirt in his third career start. This lad has hit the board in both of those starts. Pedigree suggests he should get over the synthetic smoothly. His four strong peaking workouts indicate he is ready for a good run. A son of Mshawish, this guy is 100% in the money from two career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#1 Like the King (Van Dyke / W. Ward) will contend with the second highest last out speed number over this surface and one fierce bullet workout. He is another that should be running with the lead pack. A son of Palace Malice, he is 100% in the money from five career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#12 Hockey Dad (Bejarano / O'Neill) comes in from California where he has stitched three wins in a row and has put in two hearty workouts. Look for him to be guided just off the pace ready to spring into the stretch. Another son of Nyquist, he is 75% in the money from four career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#10 Gretzky the Great  //  #5 Sainthood,  #1 Like the King,  #12 Hockey Dad.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#10 Gretzky the Great  +  #5 Sainthood  +  #1 Like the King  +  #12 Hockey Dad.

Our Previous Stakes Saturday Play (3/13/2021)

Oaklawn Park R11.  Rebel Stakes--G2.  Our first pick, Get Her Number, finished 7th.  Our second pick, Keepmeinmind, finished 6th.  Our third pick, Caddo River, finished 5th.

We were complete shut out in our Exacta and Superfecta play.  Superfecta went 7-3-2-8.

Bankroll gets crushed and drops to $51.63.

A Rebellious Stakes Saturday

 Off we go (virtually speaking) to another fine Kentucky Derby prep down in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Oaklawn Park Race 11 {Rebel Stakes~G2~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A very good field of eight will go to the gate in attempt to gain points for entry into this year's Kentucky Derby.

Past performances used:  DRF Formulator.

All but one in this field are Triple Crown nominated. This appears to be a speed laden event. If left uncontrolled on fast Arkansas dirt, it could set up nicely for a horse coming from off the pace. Speed numbers are very, very close among this talented field. It should be one of the best Stakes races of the day.

#4 Get Her Number (Castellano / P. Miller) is coming off an extended lay off, but is well prepped with five strong peaking workouts. This colt holds the second highest (tie) speed number at the distance. This will be his first race over the Oaklawn oval for the Californian invader. Look for him to be forwardly placed. A son of Dialed In, he is 66% in the money from three career starts.

$2 WIN  /  $3 PLACE  /  $5 SHOW.

#6 Keepmeinmind (Cohen / Diodoro) comes in from Kentucky where he is 100% in the money from three starts at this distance. He will take advantage of any boiled over pace. This will also be his first start at Oaklawn. Like all but one in this race he comes off a win coupled with two solid workouts. A son of Laoban, he is also 100% in the money from four career starts.

$2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#1 Caddo River (Geroux / B. Cox) could go off as the co-favorite seeking his third win in a row. He holds the second highest last out speed number and four explosive workouts. This colt is one of two with a win over the Oaklawn track. He will show speed and could wire this field. A son of Hard Spun, he is 100% in the money from four career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#7 Concert Tour (Rosario / Baffert) is the other that could share favorite status with the highest last out speed number and three stamina building workouts. This colt should be motoring on the front end as he seeks his third win in a row. He stretches out from a sprint to conquer this distance. A son of Street Sense, he invades from California with two wins from two career starts.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3)

#4 Get Her Number  //  #6 Keepmeinmind,  #1 Caddo River,  #7 Concert Tour.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#4 Get Her Number  +  #6 Keepmeinmind  +  #1 Caddo River  +  #7 Concert Tour.

Last Stakes Saturday (3/6) Results

Tampa Bay Downs R11.  Tampa Bay Downs~G2.  Our first pick, Candy Man Rocket, finished 11th.  Our second pick, Hidden Stash, finished 2nd for place money of $2.10 and show money of $3.40.  Our third pick, Super Strong, finished 10th.  Our fourth pick, Promise Keeper, finished 12th.

We failed miserably in our Exacta Wheel play. Superfecta went 10-8-7-9.

Bankroll plummets to $74.03.

Stakes Saturday in Tampa Bay

 Another Derby Prep is on tap for this Stakes Saturday as we look in on a full field down in Tampa.

Tampa Bay Downs Race 11 {Tampa Bay Derby~G2~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A nice full field of twelve will go to the gate in search of Kentucky Derby points.

Past Performances used:  DRF Formulator.

There is plenty of speed to put some steam on the pace. Speed numbers are fairly close allowing any of these lads to take a major step forward toward victory. Only five have raced over the Tampa Bay surface. All have trained well coming into this race. It should be a tremendous race. Eight have been nominated to the Triple Crown.

#3 Candy Man Rocket (Jr. Alvarado / Mott) could have the edge with the highest last out speed number and two terrific workouts. This guy already has notched a win over the Tampa dirt. He will be seeking his third win in a row. Look for him to be forwardly placed in a strategic position. A son of Candy Ride [ARG], he is 66% in the money from three career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#8 Hidden Stash (Bejarano / Oliver) should challenge with the second highest last out speed number and three superb peaking workouts. This fella has hit the board in all three of his starts at this distance. Look for him to take advantage of a fast pace with his tracking capability. A son of Constitution, he is 80% in the money from five career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#2 Super Strong (Gallardo / Joseph) should contend with a first place finish last out and four dynamite workouts. He will be stretching out to this distance and will be running over the Tampa Bay surface for the first time. This son of Kentucky Derby winner, Super Saver, will be making his second career start. It is likely he will track the pace and strike.

$2 SHOW.

#11 Promise Keeper (L. Saez / Pletcher) should take another step forward with the third highest last out speed number and two sound workouts. Look for him to be forwardly placed in the mix from the opening bell. He will be making his third start of the form cycle. Another son of Constitution, he is 50% in the money from two career starts.

$1 SHOW.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($3.00)

#3 Candy Man Rocket  //  #8 Hidden Stash,  #2 Super Strong,  #11 Promise Keeper.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#3 Candy Man Rocket  +  #8 Hidden Stash  +  #2 Super Strong  +  #11 Promise Keeper.

Previous Stakes Saturday (2/20) Results

Santa Anita Park R7.  Buena Vista--G2.  Our first pick, Going to Vegas, finished 4th.  Our second pick, Mucho Unusual, finished 2nd for place money of $4.20 and show money of $4.50.  Our third pick, Red Lark [IRE], finished 5th.

We failed in our Exacta Wheel play.  Superfecta went 8-2-3-7.

Bankroll drops like a rock to settle at $83.93.