The Road to the Kentucky Derby takes the rest of 2012 off - the CashCall Futurity this past weekend marked the last race in which horses could gain points toward qualification this year. Todd Pletcher colt Violence became the latest to join the top of the standings with a victory in that race with Fury Kapcori, Den's Legacy and Oxbow also picking up valuable points. Keep in mind the top 20 points earners ahead of the Kentucky Derby will gain automatic berth into the Spring Classic.
The 2012 racing season is coming to a close and for one North American track; Sunday marked the end of yet another exhilarating year of graded stakes action at Woodbine while the last graded stakes race of the year went down at Betfair Hollywood Park. Hollywood Park hosted two huge races on Saturday including one of the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" points races - the CashCall Futurity and Woodbine saw its last action of 2012 with the Valedictory on Sunday. Let's break down all of the weekend stakes action starting at Hollywood Park.
The Grade 3 Valedictory Stakes is on tap for Woodbine Race Track in suburban Toronto this Sunday, December 16 - the final day of the Ontario and Canadian racing seasons. Horses three years old and upward will be after their share of the $100,000 purse when they go 1 3/4 miles on Woodbine's main track.
The Grade 1 CashCall Futurity goes down this Saturday, December 15 from Betfair Hollywood Park. Two year old males will go 1 1/16 miles on Hollywood Park's synthetic track as they chase the winner's portion of the very nice $750,000 purse. Not only is a very nice winner's check on the line, but so too are valuable points on this year's "Road to the Kentucky Derby".
Betfair Hollywood Park will be the scene of the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup this Saturday, December 15. Horses three years old and upward will be featured as they go 1 1/2 miles on Hollywood Park's turf track in search of their share of the $250,000 purse.
It was a pretty light week in the world of graded stakes horse racing as nearly every winter weekend is. Thank goodness for Betfair Hollywood Park and Gulfstream! Last weekend both tracks hosted intriguing graded stakes races - two took place at Hollywood Park and another at Gulfstream. Let's take a look at all the happenings starting at Hollywood Park.
The Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet comes our way from Betfair Hollywood Park this Saturday, December 6. Two year old fillies will be featured as they go 1 1/16 miles on Hollywood Park's synthetic track in search of their share of the very nice $500,000 purse.
Betfair Hollywood Park will be the scene of The Bayakoa, a Grade 2 stakes race for fillies three years old and upward this Saturday, December 8. The race will cover 1 1/16 miles on Hollywood Park's synthetic track and a $200,000 purse will be on the line.
The Grade 3 Sugar Swirl Stakes takes place this Saturday, December 8 from Gulfstream Park. Horses three years old and upward will dash six furlongs on Gulfstream's main track as they go after the winner's portion of the $100,000 purse.
The Grade 3 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes is on tap for this Sunday, December 2 from Betfair Hollywood Park. Horses three years old and upward will be featured as they go six furlongs on Hollywood Park's all weather track in search of their share of the $100,000 purse.