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.
Another weekend of graded stakes action is in the books - the place to be this past weekend was Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida. Five stakes races were run over the weekend including two Grade 1 tilts on Saturday. There was also a pretty big race at Santa Anita this past weekend. Let's recap all the action starting at the very busy Gulfstream Park.
The Grade 3 Hurricane Bertie Stakes comes our way this Sunday, February 10 from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida. Fillies and mares four years old and upward will be featured in this 6 1/2 furlong dash as they chase the winner's share of the $150,000 purse.
Santa Anita Park in beautiful Arcadia, California will be the scene of the Grade 2 San Marcos Stakes this Saturday, February 9. Horses four years old and upward will be featured as they go 1 1/4 miles on Santa Anita's turf track in search of the winner's share of the $150,000 purse.
Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida will be the scene of two Grade 1 races this Saturday, February 9 - the biggest being the Donn Handicap for horses four year olds and upward. A nice purse of $500,000 will be on the line for those willing to go 1 1/8 miles on Gulfstream's dirt track.
The Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap is on tap this Saturday, February 9 from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida and is just one of two Grade 1 races on Gulfstream's packed Saturday schedule. Horses four years and upward will participate in this 1 1/8 mile race on Gulfstream's turf track as they chase their share of the $300,000 purse.
Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Florida will host the Grade 3 Suwannee River Stakes this Saturday, February 9 as it joins three other stakes races on Gulfstream's packed Saturday schedule. $150,000 will be on the line for horses four years and older willing to go 1 1/8 miles on Gulfstream's turf track.
The Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint comes our way this Saturday, February 9 from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Florida. Horse four years old and upward will be featured in this seven furlong dash as they chase the winner's share of the $150,000 purse on Gulfstream's dirt track.
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.