Today is an embarrassment of riches for racing fans. The Kentucky Derby and Oaks fields will begin to crystalize after today’s slate of preps with the Wood Memorial, Bluegrass Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita Oaks and the Ashland. There’s a lot going on, so here’s 10 horses you’ll want to keep an eye on today as the action unfolds. Good luck.

$1,000,000 GI Wood Memorial

5:30pm (ET)
Aqueduct Racetrack
TV: NBC Sports

Matt King Coal—Let’s call this colt a mystery. He clearly has plenty of speed, but does he have the stamina for the 1-1/8 mile distance in his first leap into stakes company?

$1,000,000 GI Toyota Bluegrass Stakes

6pm (ET)
Keeneland Racecourse
TV: NBC Sports

Zulu—He was no match for Mohaymen last time out in the Fountain of Youth, but that was just his third career start and first try at two turns and stakes company. Purchased by Stonestreet Stables and the Magnier/Smith/Tabor trio for $900k a year ago, this well bred colt should move forward with that experience under his belt and looks like the clear class of the Bluegrass.

$1,000,000 GI Santa Anita Derby

6:45pm (ET)
Santa Anita Racetrack
TV: NBC Sports

Danzig Candy—Aced his first attempt at stakes company in the GII San Felipe here last month with an emphatic wire-to-wire run. Will once again play catch me if you can today in his biggest test yet.

Mor Spirit—Bob Baffert’s best hope for a Kentucky Derby repeat is this PA bred with tremendous turn of foot.

$400,000 GI Santa Anita Oaks

6:10pm (ET)
Santa Anita Racetrack

Songbird—Bona fide superstar. Arguably the best 3-year-old of any gender at the moment is not only a perfect 6-for-6, she’s never finished fewer than 5 lengths ahead. A rare talent who should be ready for another spectacle in her third start of the season.

$500,000 GI Ashland

3:25pm (ET)
Keeneland Racecourse

Cathryn Sophia—If not for Songbird, this miss would be getting all the hype. Like her rival, she’s never been challenged in her 4 career starts, winning by an average of 10 lengths.

Rachel’s Valentina—The second and last foal by future Hall-of-Famer Rachel Alexandra, this special filly clearly has the pedigree for greatness and has not disappointed. While no match for Songbird in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last fall, she has all the tools to fire a big one in her 3-year-old debut.

IMG_1132

 

$300,000 GI Madison

5:20pm (ET)
Keeneland Racecourse

Fiortetti—This mare is a longshot against a field of multiple Grade I winners and will have to pull out a career effort if she hopes to get a shake. But we love longshots around here, especially this one.

sophie-doyle-fioretti-bc-16

Fioretti and jockey Sophie Doyle

 

$200,000 GII Shakertown Stakes

4:40pm (ET)
Keeneland Racecourse

Undrafted—Owned by former NFL All-Pro Wes Welker, this well-traveled, millionaire gelding returns for his 6-year-old campaign with hopes of avenging a disappointing 5th place finish here at Keeneland last fall in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Wes Welker handing out money at the Kentucky Derby. Happy drunk.

 

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