At least there’s still horse racing. While some tracks across the US have suspended operations due to the Covid-19 crisis, others remain up and running for the time being, albeit without spectators.
A little diversion sounds fantastic right about now, and we have one to look forward to thanks to a busy racing schedule over the weekend. The highlight is a Kentucky Derby Prep Race slated to take place on Saturday at Fair Grounds.
The Derby itself has been pushed back until September, so we’ll have to consider the prep schedule to be subject to change. Another prep race, the Sunland Derby at Sunland Park, was slated to take place this Sunday, but that venue has cancelled racing for the next three weeks.
The lone prep race for the weekend is a big one that allocates lots of points on the road to Churchill Downs. Let’s take a look.
Louisiana Derby (G2)
It’s a 12-race card at Fair Grounds on Saturday, and the last one on the schedule is one of the most highly-anticipated of Derby prep season. The $1M Twinspires Louisiana Derby is a 1 3/16 mile race on a dirt track with 16 entrants (two of which are designated as also eligible). Post time is 4:49 ET. The top four finishers earn points for the Derby on a scale of 100-40-20-10.
Field
1 – Major Fed
2 – Mailman Money
3 – Wells Bayou
4 – Chestertown
5 – Social Afleet
6 – Shake Some Action
7 – Sharecropper
8 – Royal Act
9 – Portos
10 – Enforceable
11 – NY Traffic
12 – Lynn’s Map
13 – Silver State
14 – Modernist
15 – Mr. Big News (AE)
16 – Farmington Road (AE)
Other Saturday Stakes Races
The Louisiana Derby will capture the majority of the attention of the horse racing community on Saturday, but there are a number of other stakes races to look forward to as well. Here are some of the biggest highlights.
$100,000 Cicada Stakes
Aqueduct Race 3 – 2:31 PM ET
6 Furlongs, Dirt, 5 Entrants
$75,000 Crescent City Derby
Fair Grounds Race 1 – 11 AM ET
1 1/16 miles, Dirt, 8 Entrants
$75,000 Crescent City Oaks
Fair Grounds Race 3 – 12 PM ET
1 Mile 70 yards, Dirt, 8 Entrants
$75,000 Costa Rising Stakes
Fair Grounds Race 6 – 1:34 PM ET
5 1/2 Furlongs, Turf, 16 Entrants
$100,000 Tom Benson Memorial Stakes
Fair Grounds Race 8 – 2:38 PM ET
1 1/16 miles, Turf, 11 Entrants
$400,000 New Orleans Classic Stakes
Fair Grounds Race 9 – 3:10 PM ET
1 1/8 Miles, Dirt, 9 Entrants
$300,000 Muniz Memorial Stakes
Fair Grounds Race 10 – 3:42 PM ET
1 1/8 Miles, Turf, 13 Entrants
$400,000 Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks
Fair Grounds Race 11 – 4:15 PM ET
1 1/16 Miles, Dirt, 6 Entrants
$75,000 Melody of Color Stakes
Gulfstream Park Race 9 – 4:49 PM ET
5 Furlongs, Turf, 11 Entrants
$75,000 Texas Glitter Stakes
Gulfstream Park Race 11 – 5:52 PM ET
5 Furlongs, Turf, 8 Entrants
$90,000 Gazebo Stakes
Oaklawn Park Race 9 – 5:09 PM ET
6 Furlongs, Dirt, 8 Entrants
$100,000 San Simeon Stakes
Santa Anita Race 5 – 2:30 PM PT
5 1/2 Furlongs, Turf, 7 Entrants
$100,000 San Luis Rey Stakes
Santa Anita Race 7 – 3:30 PM PT
1 1/2 Miles, Downhill Turf, 7 Entrants
It’s a quality day of racing action to look forward to, but that comes with a caveat. The news cycle is moving even faster than normal these days, so keep an eye out for any developments such as cancellations.
One other note on the weekend racing schedule to keep in mind: As of this writing, the Gulfstream Park Rainbow Pick 6 hasn’t been hit as of yet. The carryover has surpassed $1 million and is still climbing. You can read more about the Pick 6 here.
