Derby countdown Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Each week leading up to the Kentucky Derby May 7, the Globe's Ron Indrisano will preview the top 10 contenders:
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1. Sweet Catomine -- The 2-year-old filly champion was an easy winner of the Santa Anita Oaks. She has no more to prove against fillies, and if she defeats males in the Santa Anita Derby, she could join Regret, Genuine Risk, and Winning Colors as a female Kentucky Derby winner. It would make a great story. Next: Santa Anita Derby, April 9.
2. Sun King -- He took a stroll in the park winning the Tampa Bay Derby. Trainer Nick Zito believes Sun King could be exceptional. If he wins the Blue Grass, he can be considered the best of the colts. Next: Blue Grass at Keeneland, April 16.
3. Greater Good -- He has won both the Southwest and Rebel with closing moves. He may be underrated, but he will be considered a major player if he runs well in the Arkansas Derby. Next: Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, April 16.
4. Consolidator -- He dominated the San Felipe, winning in a fast time. His performances have been in and out, but he is very dangerous. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas is leaning toward the Blue Grass at Keeneland, where Consolidator won the Breeders' Futurity last year, but has not ruled out the Santa Anita Derby. Next: Blue Grass or Santa Anita Derby.
5. Survivalist -- He is beautifully bred and in top hands. He can close ground and must be respected under the training of Shug McGaughey. Next: Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, April 9.
6. High Limit -- He won the Louisiana Derby in front-running fashion, and is undefeated at 3 for 3. He is a speed horse being developed by Bobby Frankel, who relishes early speed. Next: Blue Grass.
7. High Fly -- He looked good winning the Fountain of Youth, and is heavily favored for the Florida Derby after overcoming a recent fever. If he gets the job done tomorrow, he'll move up the list. Next: Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
8. Rockport Harbor -- He continues to battle a severe cut on his right rear foot after finishing second in the Rebel in his 3-year-old debut. Trainer John Servis still believes the talented colt, who is ridden by Stewart Elliott, will be ready for the Arkansas Derby. Next: Arkansas Derby.
9. Afleet Alex -- He ran last at 3-5 in the Rebel while suffering a lung infection. He has recovered but has been set back in his training. Trainer Tim Ritchey wants him to go in the Arkansas Derby, but he may have to settle for the Lexington at Keeneland, the last train out of the station on the Kentucky Derby trail. Next: Arkansas Derby or Lexington, April 23.
10. Bandini -- He ran second in the Fountain of Youth, and was being pointed for the Florida Derby. However, trainer Todd Pletcher did not enter him, saying, "He's not sick, but he's not 100 percent, either." Pletcher declined to say what was wrong, but it may be a minor foot problem. "He's going to be fine," said Pletcher. Next: Wood Memorial or Blue Grass.

Derby countdown Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Each week leading up to the Kentucky Derby May 7, the Globe's Ron Indrisano will preview the top 10 contenders:
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1. Sweet Catomine -- The 2-year-old filly champion was an easy winner of the Santa Anita Oaks. She has no more to prove against fillies, and if she defeats males in the Santa Anita Derby, she could join Regret, Genuine Risk, and Winning Colors as a female Kentucky Derby winner. It would make a great story. Next: Santa Anita Derby, April 9.
2. Sun King -- He took a stroll in the park winning the Tampa Bay Derby. Trainer Nick Zito believes Sun King could be exceptional. If he wins the Blue Grass, he can be considered the best of the colts. Next: Blue Grass at Keeneland, April 16.
3. Greater Good -- He has won both the Southwest and Rebel with closing moves. He may be underrated, but he will be considered a major player if he runs well in the Arkansas Derby. Next: Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, April 16.
4. Consolidator -- He dominated the San Felipe, winning in a fast time. His performances have been in and out, but he is very dangerous. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas is leaning toward the Blue Grass at Keeneland, where Consolidator won the Breeders' Futurity last year, but has not ruled out the Santa Anita Derby. Next: Blue Grass or Santa Anita Derby.
5. Survivalist -- He is beautifully bred and in top hands. He can close ground and must be respected under the training of Shug McGaughey. Next: Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, April 9.
6. High Limit -- He won the Louisiana Derby in front-running fashion, and is undefeated at 3 for 3. He is a speed horse being developed by Bobby Frankel, who relishes early speed. Next: Blue Grass.
7. High Fly -- He looked good winning the Fountain of Youth, and is heavily favored for the Florida Derby after overcoming a recent fever. If he gets the job done tomorrow, he'll move up the list. Next: Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
8. Rockport Harbor -- He continues to battle a severe cut on his right rear foot after finishing second in the Rebel in his 3-year-old debut. Trainer John Servis still believes the talented colt, who is ridden by Stewart Elliott, will be ready for the Arkansas Derby. Next: Arkansas Derby.
9. Afleet Alex -- He ran last at 3-5 in the Rebel while suffering a lung infection. He has recovered but has been set back in his training. Trainer Tim Ritchey wants him to go in the Arkansas Derby, but he may have to settle for the Lexington at Keeneland, the last train out of the station on the Kentucky Derby trail. Next: Arkansas Derby or Lexington, April 23.
10. Bandini -- He ran second in the Fountain of Youth, and was being pointed for the Florida Derby. However, trainer Todd Pletcher did not enter him, saying, "He's not sick, but he's not 100 percent, either." Pletcher declined to say what was wrong, but it may be a minor foot problem. "He's going to be fine," said Pletcher. Next: Wood Memorial or Blue Grass.

David Cassidy Wants to Win Kentucky Derby Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

David Cassidy isn't horsing around when he says his life's passion is to win the Kentucky Derby.
The 1970s teen idol has a contender in Mayan King, an undefeated 3-year-old who will run Saturday in the Lane's End Stakes at Kentucky's Turfway Park. Cassidy owns the horse with several partners.
"If I could win the Kentucky Derby, there would be nothing on the face of the earth, other than the birth of my son 14 years ago, to compare to the thrill and the high of it," he said Tuesday by phone from Florida.
The colt is named for a street near Cassidy's home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
"The day we bought him I thought he was a Derby horse. It's the only time I've ever high-fived anyone in the sales ring," he said. "I've already turned down quite a lot of money for him."
Cassidy, 54, has bred thoroughbreds since the 1970s, when he rose to stardom playing Keith Partridge on "The Partridge Family." He has used a different name because he didn't want to draw attention to his celebrity.
Trainer Paul Aguirre, who will saddle Texcess on Saturday, remembers Cassidy's teen idol days. "It makes it hard to root against him," he said.
Cassidy can't attend Saturday's race because he's doing a concert at a Connecticut casino that night.
"I'm free May 7," he said, laughing. The 131st Kentucky Derby will be run that day at Churchill Downs.

Injured Declan's Moon off Kentucky Derby trail Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

The path to the Kentucky Derby took a few unexpected twists and turns during the weekend: High Limit soared into contention by winning the Louisiana Derby, and top prospect Declan's Moon dropped out with a slight knee fracture.
"It's still early to get excited," trainer Bobby Frankel said the day before High Limit won Saturday's Louisiana Derby in his first race in more than four months. "Strawberries today, jam tomorrow."
But Frankel was pretty pumped up after he got his first look at High Limit in action. Now 3-for-3, the three-year-old colt won his first two races for trainer Tony Dutrow last October before owners Gary and Mary West sent High Limit to Frankel's barn.
High Limit moves into this week's Run to the Roses Top 10 at No. 4. Meanwhile, undefeated Declan's Moon will be sidelined about five months, trainer Ron Ellis said. The two-year-old champion, No. 2 last week, was injured after winning the Santa Catalina Stakes on March 5.
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Also moving onto the Derby trail is Bellamy Road, yet another colt from Nick Zito's barn, this one owned by Yankees boss George Steinbrenner. Bellamy Road won an allowance race at Gulfstream Park by a whopping 153/4 lengths Saturday, and his next start is likely the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 9. Zito's other Derby hopefuls include No. 3 High Fly, No. 7 Sun King, Noble Causeway and Andromeda's Hero.
Sweet Catomine continued her domination of fillies Sunday by winning the Santa Anita Oaks, and now is likely to challenge the boys in the Santa Anita Derby on April 9. A strong showing in that race, and the two-year-old champion filly might have a chance to become just the fourth filly to win the Kentucky Derby.
Coming up this weekend is a full slate of Derby preps, topped by the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita and the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion Wilko takes on the likes of Roman Ruler, Consolidator, Don't Get Mad, Giacomo and Golden Shine in the 1 1-16th-mile San Felipe, while unbeaten Rockport Harbor is set to take on top-ranked Afleet Alex in the 1 1-16th-mile Rebel.
Rockport Harbor was flavouring his right rear leg Saturday — the same leg that was gashed during the Remsen Stakes in November and needed six weeks to heal. Trainer John Servis said "instead of being 75 to 80 per cent for the Rebel, Rocky will be maybe 65 to 70 percent."
Also, Galloping Grocer is scheduled to run in the one-mile Gotham at Aqueduct, and Sun King should be the favourite for the 1 1-16th-mile Tampa Bay Derby.
———
This week's top 10, with updated Derby future wager odds through Sunday:
1. Afleet Alex (Tim Ritchey, trainer; John Velazquez, jockey): Velazquez ready for first trip aboard son of Northern Afleet ... Winner in five of seven starts, with two seconds, for earnings of $710,800 ... Next start: Rebel ... Odds: 8-1.
2. Rockport Harbor (John Servis, Stewart Elliott): Hopefully set for three-year-old debut after winning all four starts last year ... Worked five furlongs in 1:02.80 at Oaklawn on Friday, but right rear leg problem could be factor ... Next start: Rebel ... Odds: 14-1.
3. High Fly (Nick Zito, Jerry Bailey): Fountain of Youth winner has four victories in five starts ... Training solidly for final prep ... Next start: Florida Derby (April 2) ... Odds: 21-1.
4. High Limit (Bobby Frankel, Ramon Dominguez): Won 1 1-16th-mile Louisiana Derby by four lengths in near stakes record time ... Won despite 138 days between races ... Next start: Wood Memorial (April 9) or Blue Grass (April 16) ... Odds: 9-1.
5. Sweet Catomine (Julio Canani, Corey Nakatani): Cruised to victory in Sunday's Santa Anita Oaks ... Next test may be against boys ... Only three fillies have won Kentucky Derby; Winning Colors in 1988 was the last ... Next start: Santa Anita Derby (April 9) ... Odds: 16-1.
6. Roman Ruler (Bob Baffert, Bailey): Passed on Gotham in favour of staying at Santa Anita for 3-year-old debut ... Last race was BC Juvenile on Oct. 30 — he was fifth ... Worked a mile in 1:38.60 last week ... Next start: San Felipe ... Odds: 18-1.
7. Sun King (Zito, Edgar Prado): Won allowance by 53/4 lengths at Gulfstream on Feb. 26 ... Tuned up for next race with five-furlong work in 59.49 at Palm Meadows ... Next start: Tampa Bay Derby ... Odds: 10-1.
8. Wilko (Craig Dollase, Nakatani): BC Juvenile winner worked seven furlongs in 1:28 at Hollywood Park on Saturday ... A solid third in Hollywood Futurity on Dec. 18 in last race ... Next start: San Felipe ... Odds: 21-1.
9. Lost in the Fog (Greg Gilchrist, Russell Baze): Swale Stakes winner just 50-50 for Derby ... Undefeated colt shipped from Florida back to Northern California last week ... Next start: Undecided ... Odds: 13-1.
10. Bandini (Todd Pletcher, Velazquez): Fountain of Youth runner-up may be trainer's best Derby prospect ... Next start: Florida Derby ... Odds: 14-1.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Bellamy Road, Consolidator, Don't Get Mad, Galloping Grocer, Noble Causeway.

Lost in the Fog May Find Way Into Kentucky Derby Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

There are only so many questions the veteran trainer Greg Gilchrist can answer. He knows he has a special horse, one with blazing speed and immense ability that may be unbeatable at six and a half furlongs or less. But is his horse, Lost in the Fog, capable of winning longer races and does he belong in the Kentucky Derby? Like everyone else, Gilchrist will have to wait to find out.
It will be a busy weekend for horses heading down the road to the Kentucky Derby on May 7. Declan's Moon, a champion as a 2-year-old last year, will make his 2005 debut in Saturday's Santa Catalina Stakes at Santa Anita and, a few hours earlier, a large field of 3-year-olds will compete in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream. But Lost in the Fog, the most intriguing and, perhaps, the most talented 3-year-old to compete Saturday, is not even nominated to the Triple Crown.
Lost in the Fog will be heavily favored in the seven-furlong Swale Stakes at Gulfstream, and a victory could compel Gilchrist and Harry Aleo, the horse's owner, to start thinking about the Kentucky Derby. Lost in the Fog can still run in the Triple Crown races if his owner pays a $6,000 late-nomination fee.
"We need to find out how much class this horse has and how far he can go," Gilchrist said. "As far as trying to go out and prove those things, they will happen in time. We'll just let the horse answer the questions for us."
With a modest pedigree and based at the second-tier Northern California tracks, Lost in the Fog won in his debut Nov. 14 at Golden Gate Fields by seven and a half lengths. Six weeks later, he set a track record in winning a small stakes at six and a half furlongs by 14¾ lengths at Turf Paradise in Arizona. In his next start, he dominated a decent field in the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Dash at Gulfstream.
Victories, even impressive ones, in minor sprint stakes, usually do not merit much buzz. But Lost in the Fog's fame mushroomed because of his Beyer numbers, the speed figures run by The Daily Racing Form. His 109 in the Turf Paradise race was the best number given to any 2-year-old in 2004.
The figures and the dominant manner in which Lost in the Fog polished off his opponents caught the attention of several people looking for a Kentucky Derby prospect. Aleo, who is 85, received several offers for the horse, and some were reportedly in the $2 million neighborhood. Aleo was adamant: Lost in the Fog is not for sale.
"There are more important things in the world than money," Aleo said. "How much is it worth to go to Gulfstream Park and win the Sunshine Millions? The excitement, the enthusiasm, the apprehension, you can't buy that sort of thing. If I sold him, what would I do with the money? I'd start looking around for another horse to buy."
Lost in the Fog has enough ability to produce more thrills for his owner, but it remains to be seen if they will occur in the Triple Crown races. Lost in the Fog may be another Smarty Jones, a colt with speed that he can carry for a mile and a quarter, the distance of the Kentucky Derby. Or he could just be a fast horse lacking the stamina to win distance races.
"I can't tell you if he can go a mile and a quarter," Gilchrist said. "The only way we're ever going to find out is to try it. I don't think he'll have any problems up to a mile. Past that, I'd just be guessing."
The Swale, a Grade III race, should be the toughest assignment of Lost in the Fog's career, but it won't answer many questions about Lost in the Fog's distance capabilities. But Gilchrist said that should Lost in the Fog win Saturday, he would most likely make his next start in a longer race, probably at a mile and an eighth. Even a victory at that distance might not get him to the Kentucky Derby. Aleo said he was more interested in trying the Preakness Stakes because it is slightly shorter at a mile and three-sixteenths and usually has a smaller field than the Derby.
Declan's Moon, a gelding, closed out his 2-year-old campaign with a victory in the Dec. 18 Hollywood Futurity. Because Declan's Moon was still competing in December, his trainer, Ron Ellis, decided to schedule only two prep races before the Kentucky Derby. After the Santa Catalina, he will run in the Santa Anita Derby on April 9. Only one horse (Sunny's Halo in 1983) since 1947 has won the Kentucky Derby with two or fewer preps as a 3-year-old.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Bandini, an impressive allowance winner this year, and High Fly are the top contenders in the Fountain of Youth. High Fly, a disappointment when he finished third as the heavy favorite in the Holy Bull Stakes, will be making his debut for the new trainer-jockey team of Nick Zito and Jerry Bailey.

Lukas Betting on Azeri in Breeders' Cup Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - The king of Breeders' Cup trainers is pursuing his record 18th victory on horse racing's biggest stage in a surprising way. D. Wayne Lukas said Azeri will run against the boys in the $4 million Classic, instead of the $2 million Distaff, where the 2002 Horse of the Year would have been the likely favorite. Azeri won the Distaff in 2002 but was injured and did not run in last year's race. By choosing the tougher Classic for the 6-year-old mare, Lukas is taking a shot at history. She will be just the third female to run in the 1 1/4-mile Classic since the Breeders' Cup began in 1984, and would be the first to win it. Triptych was sixth in 1986, and Jolypha was third in 1992. "We're going to swing for the fences," Lukas said Tuesday. "She's already won the Distaff. We're going to see if we can do something that hasn't been done before." Azeri was pre-entered in the Distaff and the Classic, and it was believed Lukas was leaning toward running her in the Distaff. After talking things over with owner Michael Paulson, though, the decision was made to give it another try against males. "She's very good right now," Lukas said. Paulson weighed the pros and cons of challenging the boys, then told Lukas he was going to go for it. "He agonized over it," Lukas said. Azeri is coming off a victory in the Spinster Stakes at Keeneland nearly three weeks ago. She has three victories in seven starts since Lukas took over as her trainer this year. Paulson fired Laura de Seroux after Azeri's 11-race winning streak was snapped last year. Hall of Famer Mike Smith, who rode Azeri to 15 wins in 18 starts, was dumped, too. The mare has won 17 of 23 starts and earned $3,959,820. Azeri ran against males for the first time at Belmont Park on May 31, finishing eighth in the Metropolitan Mile. Lukas compared Azeri's challenge to a poker game. "This is Texas. The Breeders' Cup is kind of a Texas Hold 'Em, and we're going all-in," he said. "We're going to play our queen." The 69-year-old trainer has a record 140 Breeders' Cup starters, with 17 victories and more than $18 million in earnings. Lukas has never been reluctant to send out females against males, especially in the biggest races. The Hall of Famer won the 1988 Kentucky Derby with filly Winning Colors, and filly Serena's Song was 16th in the '95 Derby. The Classic is the richest race in North America. "I'm very excited to lead her over there for $4 million," Lukas said. "I don't care who shows up." Post position draw for the eight Breeders' Cup races is Wednesday. The Classic field features defending champion Pleasantly Perfect, Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone, Whitney Handicap winner Roses in May, Woodward Handicap winner Ghostzapper, and 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide. "I wish she was in the Distaff," said Ken Ramsey, who owns Roses in May. "My daddy used to say, 'Ladies first, except when climbing ladders.' We're going to change that. It's, 'Ladies first, except for the Breeders' Cup Classic.'" Lukas' move means trainer Murray Johnson needs another rider for Classic entrant Perfect Drift. Pat Day was going to be aboard Johnson's horse, unless Azeri was entered in the Classic. Now, Kent Desormeaux will ride Perfect Drift, who will make his third appearance in the race. The 5-year-old gelding was sixth last year at Santa Anita and last in 2002 at Arlington Park. Lukas still has a runner in the Distaff with Stellar Jayne, although she's a long shot. He'll also saddle Consolidator in the Juvenile, a race he has won five times.

lLone Star Park Began Breeders' Cup Quest Even Before it Was Built Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

As host of Saturday's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, Lone Star Park is one of the smallest tracks in the event's 21-year history and by far the newest. The host site is in an area not known for high-stakes racing and, thus, is rarely used by the sport's elite.
Those are all reasons why Breeders' Cup president D.G. Van Clief is thrilled to be at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.
``Our original mission was to build awareness and promote the well-being of the sport,'' he said. ``So obtaining a high profile in major marketplaces like Dallas-Fort Worth fits into our mission.''
And hosting the Breeders' Cup fits the mission of Lone Star Park, too.
Track officials began dreaming about hosting this event since they conceived the place nine years ago. The day funding was finalized, Lone Star president Corey Johnsen symbolized his goal by taking his keys off the rabbit's foot he'd been carrying around and clipping them onto a key chain with the Breeders' Cup logo.
As the track was being built, Cup officials were consulted to make sure it would meet their standards. Then, once Lone Star was up and running, Johnsen and Charles England, the mayor of Grand Prairie, pursued Van Clief so vigorously that he jokingly referred to them as his stalkers.
``We have proven within the industry that we are a progressive track. That's why we got the event,'' said Johnsen, the track's first employee. ``What this does is give us a chance to reach more people. Now, when our card goes into France, people will say, `Oh yeah, I know that place. That's where the Breeders' Cup was.'''
Many elite owners, breeders, trainers, riders and high-roller bettors from around the globe will be making their first trip to Lone Star, located about halfway between downtown Dallas and The Ballpark in Arlington, home of the Texas Rangers.
Some of them barely knew the place existed until it was awarded the Cup. A successful Cup could be the first step toward making Lone Star a more important track on the national circuit.
``We're very fortunate,'' Johnsen said. ``A lot of things have landed just right for us. I've been pleasantly surprised by the support we've received from the industry. It's almost as if people were rooting for us. They appreciated what we had done for the sport in opening up the north Texas market in a successful manner.''
The Breeders' Cup first went to a smaller track in 1989 at Gulfstream Park in Florida. It first went to a non-traditional market in 1996 by going to Woodbine in Toronto. The Cup was at Arlington Park outside Chicago two years ago and is headed to Monmouth Park along the New Jersey shore in three years.
Lone Star was just a blueprint and a vacant field when Johnsen first told Van Clief he wanted to bring the Breeders' Cup to Texas, but Van Clief knew him well enough to take him seriously.
Cup officials toured the facility a few years after it opened and left convinced it was worthy of the big event. So Johnsen began turning ideas into a plan.
He met with a temporary seating company and ordered an economic feasibility survey. The numbers showed so much benefit for the area that he began lobbying state government to give back some of the money it collects from Lone Star, with the promise of using it to pay for the temporary seats.
When the state approved the rebate the following summer, Van Clief requested a formal bid and was Lone Star approved soon after.
Lone Star has spent nearly $9 million getting ready.
Because the track is so new, the permanent changes are things like expanding the stable area, adding a huge party room with a balcony overlooking the finish line and replacing frontside benches with individual seats. The temporary additions include 39,000 seats and 71 corporate suites.
The 51,000 tickets cost between $25 and $125 and sold out quickly. There are no general admission seats because officials wanted to know exactly where fans would be sitting, so there would be enough betting windows, concession stands and toilets.
Foreign owners who attended yearling sales in Kentucky last month even made side trips to Texas for firsthand inspections.
``We're getting high marks,'' Van Clief said.
Van Clief arrived last week and after looking around said he's as confident as he's ever been at a first-time Cup site. He's looking forward to an exciting day of races capped by the inevitable question: Are you coming back?
``Even if the answer is yes,'' he said, laughing, ``Corey may not want us until 2018.''

texas-sized cup Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

The Oct. 30 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, is officially sold out, officials announced Sept. 22. All 51,034 reserved seats at the racetrack have been allocated, which makes for an advance-sales record for the event. "Texans have embraced the Breeders' Cup, and horseracing fans around the world are eager to visit the Lone Star state," Breeders' Cup president D.G. Van Clief Jr. said in a release. Lone Star is a first-time host for the Breeders' Cup.