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Aqueduct, Keeneland and Santa Anita will all host races that give points to the Kentucky Oaks and Derby.
That's 100 points to the winners and 40-20-10 to the next three home.
At Aqueduct the races in question are the Gazelle and the Wood Memorial but to start with there is the Carter Grade 1 for 3yo fillies over 1400m with only 5 runners. Mischievous Alex is the 6/5 favourite with Chateau on 8/5.
The Gazelle is Gr 3 for the fillies over 1800m. 9 to run. Search Results is on evens from the Chad Brown yard with Irad Ortiz riding, Stablemate The Grass is Blue is on 4/1 and Miss Martina and Army Wife are both on 6/1.
The Wood is Gr 2 also over 1800m with a field of 9. Risk Taking is 5/2 for Brown-Ortiz,
Prevalence on 3/1 for Brandon Walsh and Tye Gaffalone, and Crowded Train, another Chad Brown, is on 4/1.
Keeneland has just started their festival and Saturday host numerous graded stakes races. The Apppalachian sponsored by the Japan Racing Association is Gr 2 over 1600m on the turf but only has 6 runners. Spanish Loveaffair is on 2/1 and Plum Ali 2/1.
The Shakertown is also Gr 2 over 1100m on the turf and this has attracted 13 starters. Wesley Ward's Bound For Nowhere heads the call on 3/1 with Joel Rosario riding. Imprimis is on 7/2 and The Critical Way 9/2 are the other fancies.
The Ashland Gr 1 for 3yo fillies is over 1700m with 6 to run and this gives Kentucky points. Malathaat is a daughter of Curlin trained by Todd Pletcher and is on 9/5 with Rosario riding. The most likely threat comes from Wills Secret on 7/2.
The Madison Gr 1 is for the f&m over 1400m with 7 runners. Don't know much about these but the Morning Line has Bell's The One on 2/1 and Sconsin on 3/1.
The Blue Grass is Gr 2 (lovely to see that the 3yo fillies race has a higher grade than the boys!) with 9 competing for the win and the 100 points. Godolphin's Essential Quality is by Tapit with Brad Cox training and Luis Saez riding. Highly Motivated is by Into Mischief and is on 3/1 for Chad Brown and Javier Castellano and Keepmeinmind is 8/1.
At Santa Anita the Oaks has only 5 starters with Moraz on 8/5, McCarthy-Rispoli looking after the daughter of Empire Maker. Beautiful Girl comes from Bob Baffert's yard with John Velazquez riding and they are on 9/5. She's by Medaglia d'Oro.
The Santa Anita Derby has 10 3yos in the Gr 1 over 1800m and has the Kentucky points too.
Baffert's Medina Spirit is on 5/2 with Velazquez riding the son of Protonico. Dream Shake is by Twirling Candy and is on 7/2 and Rock Your World by Candy Ride is 4/1.
The Royal Heroie G2 is over 1600m on the turf and has a field of 8. Charmaine's Mia is 8/5, Raymondo's Secret is 4/1 and there are 6 runners on 6/1.
