It was President's Day weekend and in the world of Thoroughbred racing, that meant three days of exciting graded stakes action instead of two. Races were stages all over the country - Laurel Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream, Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields were just a few of the venues that hosted the best in the land. Let's break down all the action starting at Laurel Park.
The Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes comes our way this Holiday Monday, February 18 from Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. $150,000 will be on the line in this one mile turf event for fillies and mares four years old and upward.
The Grade 3 General George Handicap comes our way from Laurel Park this President's Day, Monday, February 18. Horses three years old and upward will be front and center as they dash seven furlongs on Laurel Park's dirt track in search of their share of the $250,000 purse.
Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida will play host to the Grade 3 Sabin Stakes this Sunday, February 17. A purse of $100,000 will be on the line for fillies and mares three years old and upward willing to go 1 1/16 miles on Gulfstream's turf track.
The last of the Prep Races on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" takes place this Sunday, February 17 from Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. A purse of $150,000 will be on the line in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes as well as a valuable 10 points in the Derby qualification process when a group of three year olds lines up and goes 1 1/16 miles on Santa Anita's main track.
Tampa Bay Downs in Tampa, Florida plays host to the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Stakes this Saturday, February 16. Horses four years old and upward will take to the track and go 1 1/16 miles on Tampa Bay Downs' dirt track as they chase their share of the $150,000 purse.
Santa Anita in beautiful Arcadia, California is the home of the Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes this Saturday, February 16. Fillies and mares four years old and upward will be featured as they go 1 1/16 miles on Santa Anita's dirt track for a share of the $200,000 purse.
The Grade 2 Mac Diarmida Stakes is on tap for this Saturday, February 16 from Gulfstream Park in beautiful Hallandale, Florida. Horses four years old and upward will be featured as they go 1 3/8 miles on Gulfstream's turf track in search of the winner's share of the $150,000 purse.
Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco, California hosts one of the two remaining Prep Races on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" this Saturday, February 16. Three year old hopefuls will line up in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby - a 1 1/8 mile race on Golden Gate's synthetic track looking for their share of the $200,000 purse and more importantly the qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby in May.
The Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap goes down this Saturday, February 16 from Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland. Fillies and mares three years old and upward will be front and center as they dash seven furlongs on Laurel Park's dirt track for their portion of the $250,000 purse.