Weekend Stakes Rundown: One Step Closer to the Derby
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Photo: Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
Girvin is the favorite in the Louisiana Derby
Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes in North America. This week we have cards loaded with stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and Gulfstream Park, Dortmund's return to dirt, and more. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern) and full previews are available through the links below.
Saturday, April 1
1:24 p.m.—$200,000 Appleton Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park
Following two efforts on dirt, Stronach Stables' Delta Prince, a half brother to champion filly Royal Delta, was switched to the grass and broke his maiden first out in December. He came back to score an allowance victory at Gulfstream in February.
Appleton S. (G3T)
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 4
- 1m
- Turf
- $200,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 1:24 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Diamond Bachelor (KY) |
Nicky Figueroa | 119 | Patrick L. Biancone | 10/1 |
| 2 | 2Our Way (FL) |
John R. Velazquez | 121 | H. James Bond | 2/1 |
| 3 | 3All Included (KY) | Javier Castellano | 119 | Todd A. Pletcher | 9/5 |
| 4 | 4My Point Exactly (FL) | Paco Lopez | 119 | Elizabeth L. Dobles | 12/1 |
| 5 | 5Market Outlook (KY) | Nik Juarez | 117 | Nick J. Mastronardi, Jr. | 30/1 |
| 6 | 6Siding Spring (KY) |
Julien R. Leparoux | 117 | Mark E. Casse | 8/1 |
| 7 | 7Delta Prince (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | 117 | James A. Jerkens | 3/1 |
1:53 p.m.—$200,000 Orchid Stakes (G3T) at Gulfstream Park
Olorda had a short but productive season in 2016, when she won Gulfstream's The Very One Stakes (G3T) and Bewitch Stakes (G3T) in her only two starts a year ago, besting eventual grade 1 winners Dacita and Al's Gal in the process.
Orchid S. (G3T)
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 5
- 1 3/8m
- Turf
- $200,000
- 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 1:53 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Olorda (GER) | Javier Castellano | 119 | Chad C. Brown | 9/5 |
| 2 | 2Summersault (NY) | Paco Lopez | 119 | Mark A. Hennig | 7/2 |
| 3 | 3Temple Fur (KY) |
Edgar S. Prado | 119 | Jessica J. Campitelli | 4/1 |
| 4 | 4Maquette (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | 117 | William I. Mott | 5/2 |
| 5 | 5Quiet Kitten (KY) | Luis Saez | 117 | Dale L. Romans | 5/1 |
4:25 p.m.—$300,000 Honey Fox Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream Park
After dispatching fellow grade 1 winner Catch a Glimpse in her 2017 debut, Moyglare Stud Farm's Celestine will look to continue her roll by defending her title in the Honey Fox. The 5-year-old Scat Daddy mare was impressive in the Sand Springs Stakes March 3 at Gulfstream, where she set the pace, never gave in to the pressing Catch a Glimpse, and pulled clear to win by two lengths.
Honey Fox S. (G2T)
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 10
- 1m
- Turf
- $300,000
- 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 4:25 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Lori's Store (FL) | Javier Castellano | 119 | Martin D. Wolfson | 6/1 |
| 2 | 2Dad's Princess (KY) | Luis Saez | 117 | Patrick L. Biancone | 15/1 |
| 3 | 3Inside Out (KY) |
Paco Lopez | 117 | Martin D. Wolfson | 15/1 |
| 4 | 4Josdesanimaux (FL) | John R. Velazquez | 119 | Ralph E. Nicks | 8/1 |
| 5 | 5Celestine (KY) |
Jose L. Ortiz | 121 | Christophe Clement | 3/5 |
| 6 | 6Mississippi Delta (KY) | Jose Lezcano | 119 | Mark E. Casse | 8/1 |
| 7 | 7Linda (KY) | Julien R. Leparoux | 123 | Ian R. Wilkes | 5/1 |
4:39 p.m.—$400,000 New Orleans Handicap at Fair Grounds
Honorable Duty will try for a third straight stakes win at the Fair Grounds meeting and the most prestigious victory of his career. He enters Saturday's 1 1/8-mile test for older horses off a half-length score over International Star in the Mineshaft Handicap (G3) Feb. 25 at Fair Grounds.
New Orleans H. (G2)
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 8
- 1 1/8m
- Dirt
- $400,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 3:39 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Breaking Lucky (ON) |
Luis Contreras | 118 | Reade Baker | 8/1 |
| 2 | 2Iron Fist (KY) |
David Romero Flores | 116 | Steven M. Asmussen | 6/1 |
| 3 | 3International Star (NY) | Tyler Gaffalione | 118 | Michael J. Maker | 6/1 |
| 4 | 4Honorable Duty (KY) |
James Graham | 119 | Brendan P. Walsh | 6/1 |
| 5 | 5Aglimpseofgabby (KY) |
C.J. McMahon | 112 | Dallas E. Keen | 50/1 |
| 6 | 6Hawaakom (KY) | Miguel Mena | 118 | Wesley E. Hawley | 4/1 |
| 7 | 7Roman Approval (KY) |
Rajiv Maragh | 114 | Michael J. Maker | 12/1 |
| 8 | 8Mo Tom (KY) |
Robby Albarado | 115 | Thomas M. Amoss | 10/1 |
| 9 | 9Noble Bird (KY) | Florent Geroux | 121 | Mark E. Casse | 7/2 |
| 10 | 10Eagle (KY) | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | 118 | Neil J. Howard | 6/1 |
4:57 p.m.—$250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) at Gulfstream Park
Overlooked prior to her 14-1 upset of the Forward Gal Stakes (G2) six weeks ago, Dorothy Alexander Matz's homebred Tequilita figures to be one of the horses to beat when she returns to Gulfstream Park for the Oaks.
Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2)
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 11
- 1 1/16m
- Dirt
- $250,000
- 3 yo Fillies
- 4:57 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Conquest Sorceror (KY) |
Miguel Angel Vasquez | 122 | Rasharn Creque | 50/1 |
| 2 | 2Tequilita (KY) | Luis Saez | 122 | Michael R. Matz | 5/1 |
| 3 | 3Summer Luck (KY) |
Patrick Husbands | 122 | Mark E. Casse | 6/1 |
| 4 | 4Spring Mist (KY) |
Javier Castellano | 122 | William E. Deaton | 30/1 |
| 5 | 5Jordan's Henny (KY) | Corey J. Lanerie | 122 | Michael A. Tomlinson | 8/1 |
| 6 | 6Salty (KY) | Joel Rosario | 122 | Mark E. Casse | 9/5 |
| 7 | 7Nonna Bella (KY) | John R. Velazquez | 122 | Todd A. Pletcher | 2/1 |
| 8 | 8Shezaprado (KY) |
Julien R. Leparoux | 122 | Michael J. Maker | 20/1 |
| 9 | 9Modacious (KY) |
Nik Juarez | 122 | Robert E. Reid, Jr. | 15/1 |
5:06 p.m.—$300,000 Muniz Memorial Handicap (G2T) at Fair Grounds
A trio of Mike Maker-trained graded stakes winners, two owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, will face eight others when they line up for the Muniz. With graded stakes-placed Roman Approval, Maker has a total of four entrants in the approximately 1 1/8-mile turf test.
Muniz Memorial H. (G2T)
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 9
- About 1 1/8m
- Turf
- $300,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 4:06 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Enterprising (FL) | Tyler Gaffalione | 119 | Michael J. Maker | 5/1 |
| 2 | 2Blarp (KY) | Miguel Mena | 114 | Thomas M. Amoss | 8/1 |
| 3 | 3Sky Flight (KY) |
Richard E. Eramia | 114 | Michelle Lovell | 20/1 |
| 4 | 4Roman Approval (KY) |
Rajiv Maragh | 115 | Michael J. Maker | 8/1 |
| 5 | 5One Mean Man (KY) | James Graham | 115 | Bernard S. Flint | 8/1 |
| 6 | 6Granny's Kitten (PA) | Shaun Bridgmohan | 119 | Michael J. Maker | 6/1 |
| 7 | 7Pumpkin Rumble (PA) | Mitchell Murrill | 114 | Gary M. Scherer | 20/1 |
| 8 | 8Kasaqui (ARG) | Robby Albarado | 118 | Ignacio Correas, IV | 7/2 |
| 9 | 9Bullards Alley (KY) | Marcelino Pedroza | 116 | Tim Glyshaw | 12/1 |
| 10 | 10Oscar Nominated (KY) | Florent Geroux | 119 | Michael J. Maker | 4/1 |
| 11 | 11Special Ops (KY) |
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | 113 | Brad H. Cox | 15/1 |
5:41 p.m.—$400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) at Fair Grounds
Coffee Pot Stables' homebred Farrell will look to score her fourth straight stakes win and keep her status atop the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard. Already assured a spot in the starting gate at Churchill Downs May 5 with 70 qualifying points, the Malibu Moon filly could cement her status as the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) favorite.
Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2)
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 10
- 1 1/16m
- Dirt
- $400,000
- 3 yo Fillies
- 4:41 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Majestic Quality (KY) |
Richard E. Eramia | 122 | J. Keith Desormeaux | 6/1 |
| 2 | 2Daria's Angel (KY) |
Robby Albarado | 122 | W. Bret Calhoun | 6/1 |
| 3 | 3Wicked Lick (KY) | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | 122 | Brendan P. Walsh | 12/1 |
| 4 | 4Corporate Queen (KY) | Florent Geroux | 122 | Mark E. Casse | 5/1 |
| 5 | 5Vexatious (KY) |
Kent J. Desormeaux | 122 | Neil D. Drysdale | 6/1 |
| 6 | 6Farrell (KY) | Channing Hill | 122 | Wayne M. Catalano | 8/5 |
| 7 | 7Summer Luck (KY) |
Patrick Husbands | 122 | Mark E. Casse | 9/2 |
| 8 | 8Queen Bernardina (KY) |
Miguel Mena | 122 | W. Bret Calhoun | 20/1 |
6:06 p.m.—$200,000 Pan American Stakes (G2T) at Gulfstream Park
The first three finishers out of the Jan. 28 W. L. McKnight Handicap (G3T) will again face one another in the Pan American. Taghleeb, who got the job done in the McKnight with a driving rally from well off the pace, will be going for his third straight black-type victory. He also won the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes in December.
Pan American S. (G2T)
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 13
- 1 1/2m
- Turf
- $200,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 6:06 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Designed for War (KY) |
Joel Rosario | 117 | Michael J. Maker | 10/1 |
| 2 | 2Sadler's Joy (KY) | Julien R. Leparoux | 117 | Thomas Albertrani | 3/1 |
| 3 | 3Taghleeb (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | 123 | Michael J. Maker | 7/2 |
| 4 | 4Snag (KY) |
John R. Velazquez | 117 | Todd A. Pletcher | 15/1 |
| 5 | 5Patterson Cross (KY) | Jose Lezcano | 117 | William I. Mott | 4/1 |
| 6 | 6Reporting Star (FL) | Javier Castellano | 119 | Brendan P. Walsh | 6/1 |
| 7 | 7Montclair (IRE) | Nik Juarez | 119 | Armando De la cerda | 12/1 |
| 8 | 8Mr Maybe (KY) |
Paco Lopez | 119 | Chad C. Brown | 5/1 |
6:21 p.m.—$1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds
In a Triple Crown prep season that has been full of chaos, Brad Grady's Girvin will hope to supply a bit of stability. The Tale of Ekati colt has played his part in the chaos. Last time out he upset the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at odds of 8-1, but will have to play the favorite in Fair Grounds' final prep for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2)
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 11
- 1 1/8m
- Dirt
- $1,000,000
- 3 yo
- 5:21 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Patch (KY) | Tyler Gaffalione | 122 | Todd A. Pletcher | 9/2 |
| 2 | 2Hollywood Handsome (KY) | Francisco C. Torres | 122 | Dallas Stewart | 12/1 |
| 3 | 3Local Hero (KY) |
Florent Geroux | 122 | Steven M. Asmussen | 7/2 |
| 4 | 4Senior Investment (KY) |
Channing Hill | 122 | Kenneth G. McPeek | 12/1 |
| 5 | 5Monaco (KY) |
Rajiv Maragh | 122 | Todd A. Pletcher | 12/1 |
| 6 | 6Guest Suite (KY) | Robby Albarado | 122 | Neil J. Howard | 4/1 |
| 7 | 7Sorry Erik (KY) | Kent J. Desormeaux | 122 | J. Keith Desormeaux | 30/1 |
| 8 | 8Girvin (KY) |
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | 122 | Joe Sharp | 8/5 |
| 9 | 9Hotfoot (KY) | James Graham | 122 | Joe Sharp | 30/1 |
6:40 p.m.—$1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park
Even as trainer Antonio Sano considers the Gunnevera's greatest challenge yet, from a difficult outside post under Javier Castellano, his confidence is unwavering. "We're going to be dropping to the rail," Sano said. "Castellano knows what to do. He knows this track better than anyone. And my horse comes from behind, so it's not a problem for us."
Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1)
Gulfstream Park, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 14
- 1 1/8m
- Dirt
- $1,000,000
- 3 yo
- 6:40 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1State of Honor (ON) | Julien R. Leparoux | 122 | Mark E. Casse | 8/1 |
| 2 | 2Talk Logistics (FL) | Joe Bravo | 122 | Edward Plesa, Jr. | 30/1 |
| 3 | 3Charlie the Greek (FL) | Leonel Reyes | 122 | Mikhail Yanakov | 50/1 |
| 4 | 4Always Dreaming (KY) |
John R. Velazquez | 122 | Todd A. Pletcher | 4/1 |
| 5 | 5Quinientos (KY) | Carlos Montalvo | 122 | Enrique A. Sanchez | 50/1 |
| 6 | 6Coleman Rocky (KY) |
Jose L. Ortiz | 122 | Gustavo Delgado | 30/1 |
| 7 | 7Unbridled Holiday (FL) |
Nik Juarez | 122 | Patrick L. Biancone | 30/1 |
| 8 | 8Impressive Edge (KY) |
Corey J. Lanerie | 122 | Dale L. Romans | 12/1 |
| 9 | 9Battalion Runner (KY) |
John R. Velazquez | 122 | Todd A. Pletcher | 3/1 |
| 10 | 10Three Rules (FL) | Luis Saez | 122 | Jose Pinchin | 8/1 |
| 11 | 11Gunnevera (KY) |
Javier Castellano | 122 | Antonio Sano | 9/5 |
7 p.m.—$75,000 Santana Mile at Santa Anita Park
In the March 11 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Stakes (G1T)—his first start for trainer Art Sherman and the first grass try of his career—Dortmund looked uncomfortable on the turf throughout and never seriously threatened, so he'll switch back to the surface where he's won eight races in the Santana Mile.
Santana Mile S.
Santa Anita Park, Saturday, April 01, 2017, Race 8
- STK
- 1m
- Dirt
- $75,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 4:10 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Magic Mark (CA) | Joseph Talamo | 120 | Ronald W. Ellis | 8/1 |
| 2 | 2Dalmore (FL) |
Stewart Elliott | 122 | J. Keith Desormeaux | 8/1 |
| 3 | 3Dortmund (KY) |
Victor Espinoza | 120 | Art Sherman | 6/5 |
| 4 | 4Clever Royal (FL) | Corey S. Nakatani | 120 | Kristin Mulhall | 12/1 |
| 5 | 5Collected (KY) |
Martin Garcia | 120 | Bob Baffert | 3/1 |
| 6 | 6Mithqaal (KY) |
Rafael Bejarano | 122 | Doug F. O'Neill | 8/1 |
| 7 | 7Avanti Bello (CA) | Flavien Prat | 122 | Doug F. O'Neill | 9/2 |
Sunday, April 2
5:17 p.m.—$200,000 Top Flight Invitational Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack
William Schettine's Isabelle showed she could handle stakes competition with two wins in her last three starts. She now will see if that success translates to a higher level. The 6-year-old Successful Appeal mare went gate to wire for an impressive 12-length victory last time out in the Heavenly Prize Invitational Stakes March 4.
Top Flight Invitational S. (G3)
Aqueduct Racetrack, Sunday, April 02, 2017, Race 8
- 1 1/8m
- Dirt
- $200,000
- 4 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 5:17 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Disco Rose (PA) | J. D. Acosta | 116 | Robert E. Reid, Jr. | 20/1 |
| 2 | 2Oasis At Midnight (KY) |
Rajiv Maragh | 116 | Joseph F. Orseno | 20/1 |
| 3 | 3Verve's Tale (KY) | Paco Lopez | 123 | Barclay Tagg | 5/2 |
| 4 | 4Isabelle (NY) | Kendrick Carmouche | 123 | William I. Mott | 8/5 |
| 5 | 5Mo' Green (KY) |
Irad Ortiz, Jr. | 116 | John C. Servis | 3/1 |
| 6 | 6Winter (KY) | Trevor McCarthy | 118 | Cathal A. Lynch | 5/1 |
7 p.m.—$100,000 Tokyo City Cup (G3) at Santa Anita Park
With a relatively short turf prep race under his belt, Michael House's Big John B will attempt to repeat his 2016 victory in the 1 1/2-mile dirt test. Also a two-time grade 2 winner on grass, the son of Hard Spun has run on dirt just twice in 16 starts for trainer Phil D'Amato—he has 15 wins from 41 starts overall—but he's won them both.
Tokyo City Cup S. (G3)
Santa Anita Park, Sunday, April 02, 2017, Race 8
- 1 1/2m
- Dirt
- $100,000
- 4 yo's & up
- 4:07 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Beach View (MD) |
Stewart Elliott | 120 | Leonard Powell | 5/1 |
| 2 | 2Infobedad (ARG) | Tyler Baze | 120 | John W. Sadler | 5/1 |
| 3 | 3Hi Happy (ARG) | Tiago Josue Pereira | 120 | Felipe N Souza | 5/2 |
| 4 | 4Irish Surf (KY) | Flavien Prat | 120 | Dan L. Hendricks | 12/1 |
| 5 | 5Big John B (FL) | Rafael Bejarano | 122 | Philip D'Amato | 8/5 |
| 6 | 6Hard Aces (KY) | Santiago Gonzalez | 124 | John W. Sadler | 7/2 |