Saturday’s $300k Tampa Bay Derby has drawn an interesting field of 11, and note that there have only been two wire jobs in 61 races conducted at 8.5f. Stalk and pounce types perform best, and I will look for value contenders with the right running style.
Musket Man won his 1st three sprint starts and was hardly disgraced in Sam Davis show finish (post 9) at this distance here last time. He projects a ground saving stalking trip at playable odds. He sports a pair of local bullets for this, and note that he defeated Sam Davis winner General Quarters …read more

I Want Revenge uncorked a 113 BSF en route to a romping Gotham Stakes (G3) tally (replay below) while trying conventional dirt for the first time. He showed quality on synthetic, and his connections (Mullins/Talamo) were spot-on in saying he would move up on dirt. He will ship back to his Hollywood Park base before returning to the Big A for the Wood Memorial on April 4th.
Imperial Council ran a quality race to grab the place in his first start around two turns. If you like Shug’s well bred colt, don’t give up on him because the …read more

Arkansas:
Old Fashioned has arrived at Oaklawn Park in advance of his next start, the Grade 3 Southwest on February 16th. Ramon Dominguez is expected to pilot the undefeated Remsen (G2) winner for Larry Jones.
Remsen Stakes replay
Florida:
Seven furlong Hutcheson (G2) 1-2 finishers Capt. Candyman Can and Hello Broadway are expected to battle it out again in the flat mile Fountain of Youth (G2) on Feb 28th.
Holy Bull (G3) winner Saratoga Sinner earned a much improved speed rating in his surprise tally on Saturday. He was all over the pace and raced on the good part of the …read more

A field of seven three-year-olds are set to contest Friday’s seven furlong Hutcheson (G2), and Hello Broadway is the 5-2 morning line favorite.
The Barclay Tagg trainee kicked off his career with a neck victory at Saratoga last August, then finished an okay 5th when thrown to the wolves in the Champagne (G1).
He bounced back with a game place finish behind today’s rival Break Water Edison when last seen in Aqueduct’s Nashua (G3), and this is a perfect starting point for his Derby march.

Break Water Edison had a busy juvenile campaign with four stakes appearances, and he finally …read more

Eclipse Awards
Curlin repeated as Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Award ceremonies. The recently retired all-time North American money earner stands at Lane’s End Farm with a $75k stud fee. Undefeated miss Zenyatta took home Older Female honors.

Big Brown was unanimously voted 3yo Champion, and Proud Spell took down 3yo filly honors over her late stablemate Eight Belles.
As expected, Midshipman is the Juvenile Champ, and Stardom Bound nabbed Juvenile Filly honors.
The other equine Eclipse Awards went to Conduit (Turf Male), Forever Together (Turf Female), Benny the Bull (Male Sprinter), Indian Blessing (Female Sprinter), and Good Night …read more