HALLANDALE BEACH, March 26, 2023 — I had absolutely no interest in the Big Dance this year. Racing has a tournament of its own, playing out now, and it has its own Final Four for the Triple Crown: The Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, Blue Grass, and Wood Memorial. There was no rushing out for a copy of USA Today on the Monday following Selection Sunday for the sketches it provides on each team and, of course, the Sagarin ratings–speed figures for hoops.   I didn’t even download a set of NCAA brackets until the Thursday the tournament started. And I blame my alma mater for this. The landscap ..read more

There’s no question that Todd Pletcher has an extremely fast filly entered in the Stonehedge Farm Florida-bred Fillies going seven furlongs and will be an extremely short price. Munnys Gold (1-1) could be the shortest price favorite of the meet, especially if Irad Ortiz shows up to ride. We’re going to use her defensively but will take any value offered on Lynx (9-2) who’s dropping out of the G2 Davona Dale. This is easier–but not easy given the presence of the Munnings filly, but has conditioning on the turnback, and won a stakes at this trip vs. Florida-breds earlier in the Gulfstream campai ..read more

Today’s seventh in Hallandale is a maiden allowances for the distaff set racing a flat mile, the field having varied amounts of experience into this. Hollywoodland is the early line favorite at 7-2 for her second start, a favorable scenario for the McGaughey barn, as is the stretch-out and the second career run, a profitable 22% angle. By Quality Road, the added distance can only help. But experience counts at this level and trip. Imonra (4-1) makes her third lifetime start and the promise of a fast track should signal a return to her good debut, form especially since she returns fresh and get ..read more

Edited Gulfstream Staff Release — Longtime turf writer Jim Freer, who covered Florida horse racing for several decades, passed away March 17 of complications from Parkinson’s Disease. He was 74. Freer, who was passionate about the sport and business of racing, particularly Florida Thoroughbred racing, wrote for the BloodHorse, Miami Herald, South Florida Business Journal and, most recently, was founder of HorseRacingFLA.com. Jim loved attending the races, meeting owners, trainers, jockeys and executives, and was always thinking of ways to publicize the sport. Freer grew up in upstate New York ..read more

HALLANDALE BEACH, March 25, 2023 – In the past few years, it’s been amazing how Japanese horses have been so ascendent on the world stage, and that trend continued Saturday as the Far East conquered the Middle East once again. But, of course, all roads lead to Kentucky. Japanese horses, led by impressive winner Derma Sotogake, swept the UAE Derby superfecta, separating themselves from the group inside the final quarter-mile, the winner going to the front from his inside slip beneath Christophe Lemaire and, as the cliche goes, improved his position. Always going comfortably albeit pressured thr ..read more

Interesting turf marathon for stater handicap fillies and mares in today’s seventh in Oldsmar. We’ve narrowed the choices to three and two come out of Kathleen O’Connell’s shedrow. The early line favorite is Katie’s a Lady (2-1) with go-to rider Antonio Gallardo and it’s hard to envision any hotter tandem, Gallardo having won with four of his last nine rides for North America’s leading female trainer. And it doesn’t hurt that the filly he rides has won five of eighth starts on this course, plus two places. But her uncoupled mate, Panotti (3-1) also loves it here, having won three of five with ..read more

By Edison Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper — Saturday, March 25, 2023 — Race 1: 1   CONCUR – He did win off the layoff here at the Meadowlands earlier this meet, but he hasn’t been able to get a lot going in the last several miles, including last week against similar. Would need to take a step forward to contend here. 2   SOUTHWIND DREDGE – Ended up being fanned extremely wide around the final turn and just didn’t have the same closing kick he’s had in previous starts. Has been solid against these types lately and will look to rebound tonight. 3   ALI – He hasn’t b ..read more

By Marc Lawrence, PlaybookSports.com — After giving it some thought, this would be my all-time Top 10 list of NHL players… 1. Wayne Gretzky… 2. Mario Lemieux… 3. Gordie Howe… 4. Sidney Crosby… 5. Mark Messier… 6. Jaromir Jagr… 7. Marcel Dionne… 8. Phil Esposito… 9. Steve Yzerman… 10. Ron Francis. Note: Francis makes the list as the #2 all-time assists leader behind Gretzky. Ovechkin is a great goal scorer, but ranks #49 in assists of the top 50 all-time points leaders ..read more

Edited Churchill Staff Release – Following one week off, the Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series is set to return in a big way with four major Kentucky Derby qualifying races led by Saturday’s $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade II) and $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII).           Along with the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks, the action on the Road to the Kentucky Derby will begin early Saturday morning with the $1 million UAE Derby (GII) at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. The weekend’s Ch ..read more

Sometimes, players have little choice but to take what’s offered. And Raising Moon (5-2) looks like an offer no one should refuse. Dropping significantly into an N2L for the first time this year and with a sharp breeze for preparation–17th fastest of 114 workers the week of MAR 18, he has the figures and class to prevail in this spot. Add the fact that Jorge Delgado is in the throes of a career year and the fact he reaches out for Jose Ferrer-=-5 for 7 for this barn through Wednesday’s races–clinches it for us. To win it, he must defeat co-second choices, Bustin Up (9-2), circling back to his ..read more