Join "Derby" Bill Watson, Michael Dempsey, and Nick Hahn each Saturday morning at 11:00am ET for the latest in horse racing and previews of stakes action! Click on the logo above and listen live each week from June 6 until July 25!
April 5th Review
Colonel John threw his name into the list of Kentucky Derby favorites with a solid score in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) at Santa Anita on Saturday. Far behind the leaders with nowhere to go at the top of the stretch left many to write him off and concentrate on the leaders, pacesetter Coast Guard and the speedy Bob Black Jack stalking in the second position. Bob Black Jack took the lead in the stretch and began to draw clear, shaking loose of Coast Guard and Yankee Bravo, until Colonel John got out and motored home, diving under the wire a half length in front. Bob Black Jack, Coast Guard, and Yankee Bravo finished ahead of El Gato Malo, the post time favorite, in fifth. Corey Nakatani rides Colonel John for trainer Eoin Harty and WinStar Farm. The final time for 1 1/8 miles was 1:48.16.
The Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct proved to be the comeback race everyone expected. War Pass, last year's Juvenile champion who lost his luster with a dismal finish in the Tampa Bay Derby, bolted to the lead and carried the field through speedy fractions. In a rather dismal stretch drive that saw War Pass desperately holding on despite exhaustion, Barclay Tagg's Tale of Ekati snuck up slowly through the rail and nailed War Pass on the line, winning by a half length. Court Vision closed wide down the stretch to be third, a neck ahead of the exhausted Giant Moon. The final time was 1:52.35.
It took longshot Recapturetheglory, a late Triple Crown nominee, 1:49.01 to complete the 1 1/8 miles of the Illinois Derby (gr. II). The speedy son of Cherokee Run is a newcomer to the Triple Crown scene. He went straight to the lead and drew clear in the stretch to defeat Golden Spikes, Z Humor, Atoned, and the heavily favored and previously undefeated Denis of Cork by four lengths. He will continue on to Kentucky as a longshot, but will add to the pace scenario (along with Big Brown, War Pass, and possibly Bob Black Jack). Recapturetheglory is trained by Louie Roussel, III.
Saratoga
Saratoga opens for the 143rd year on Friday, July 22 for an outstanding 40-day meeting that includes over 50 stakes races and 17 Grade 1 races. The marquee event of the meeting is the $1 million Travers Stakes (G1) on Saturday, Aug. 27.
Michael Dempsey will be providing his full card selections throughout the meeting. Mike’s Reports include his selections, analysis, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for every race.
Get your day off to a good start with Michael’s Free Pick of the day from Saratoga.
For information on Saratoga including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here.
Keeneland
Get info on racing dates, stakes races scheduled and track contact information by Clicking Here
Get Free Racing Picks for Keeneland from professional handicapper Michael Dempsey or purchase his top selections by Clicking Here
Churchill Downs
The spring/summer meeting at Churchill Downs gets underway on Saturday April 30, with 24 graded stakes on the betting menu. The marquee events are the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1).
Michael Dempsey will be providing Full Card Analysis for Churchill Downs from Friday through Sunday each week.
Each racing day Michael will be providing his Free Betting Selection of the day for Churchill Downs.
For information on Churchill Downs including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here
Belmont Park
Racing in New York shifts to Belmont Park on Friday April 29 for the spring / summer meeting, which includes the Belmont Stakes (G1) on Saturday June 11.
Michael Dempsey will be providing Full Card Analysis for Belmont Park each racing day from Wednesday through Sunday.
Each racing day Michael will be providing his Free Betting Selection of the day for Belmont Park.
For information on Belmont Park including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here
Gulfstream Park
For information on Gulfstream Park including stakes information, wagering menu, post time information, and track layout Click Here
Get Free Selections for Gulfstream Park from professional handicapper Brian Mulligan or purchase his highly rated selections by
Clicking Here
Aqueduct
For Aqueduct racing info including racing dates, stakes schedule, track layout and contact information, Click Here
Get Free Picks for Aqueduct races from professional handicapper Michael Dempsey or purchase his top selections by Clicking Here

