Downey Profile: Improvement Mandated in Rebel
Conditions could be ripe for Strong Mandate to turn the tables on Tapiture in the Rebel Stakes.
Dick Downey
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Dick Downey
Downey: Derby Trail, Where They're Going Next
The Kentucky Derby is only 53 days away now, and the quest for valuable qualifying points has intensified. Let's take a look at who's going where next.
Downey Profile: Parity the Story in Tampa
When you compare their most-recent-race performances and speed figures, the field in the Tampa Bay Derby could not be more competitive on paper.
Downey: New York Big Two Back in Gotham
Two horses have dominated the New York scene this winter, and now they look to validate their form against new blood in the Gotham Stakes.
Downey: Derby Trail, Where They're Going Next
The Kentucky Derby is only a little more than two months away, but there are still many roads to be traveled. Let's see where 60 of them are going next.
Downey Profile: What Gets FOY Top Billing?
The Fountain of Youth Stakes is comprised almost entirely of early-pace and stalking types, with a couple of closers looking to narrow the gap late. Let's try to sort them out.
Downey: Southwest Looking for Staying Power
There's a lot of early speed in the Southwest Stakes, but not much of it late, so the race should come down to which one of the early first flight lasts the longest.
Downey: Derby Trail, Where They're Going Next
Connections of many horses have firmed up plans since last week, and other events have transpired, so let's see where they're going next on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. This survey covers over 90 horses.
Candy Boy the Choice in Robert B. Lewis
The Robert B. Lewis Stakes drew only seven entries, but that's consistent with the average field size for this race the last seven years. Let's take a look at who might win it.
Derby Trail: Where They're Going Next
It's February, and that means many of last year's stars are close to making their 2014 debuts. Let's see what's next for over 60 horses trying to make the Kentucky Derby.
Cousin Stephen Choice for Redemption in Davis
Talk about a key race. Cousin Stephen finished behind not only Commissioner but also Top Billing last time out. Now he seeks redemption in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
Holy Bull Starts Separation on Derby Trail
The Holy Bull Stakes almost always serves as my Kentucky Derby Trail kick-off because it begins the separation of the contenders from the pretenders.
Derby Trail: Where They're Going Next
Kentucky Derby prospects are gathered and waiting to run, waiting in the wings, and waiting to come out of the woodwork. Let's take a look at where they're going next on the Kentucky Derby Trail.
Wide Open Blue Grass Full of Twists and Turns
This year's edition of the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes may be wide open, so let's have fun with it and try to bring home a winner.
Wynn Odds to Win Triple Crown Released
If you're leaning in favor of any particular horse for the Kentucky Derby, maybe you'd like to know what Johnny Avello thinks about its odds to win the Triple Crown.
Derby Trail: Where They're Going Next
We're at the top of the stretch now, and every Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) prep race gains heightened importance. Here's a survey of about 80 contenders and pretenders on the Derby Trail.
Spiral Field a Handicapping Challenge
The 2013 edition of the grade III Spiral Stakes brings together an interesting mixture of dirt, turf and synthetic track runners that includes shippers and local entries.
Derby Trail: Where They're Going Next
We are now officially barreling down the road to the Kentucky Derby, and the Road to the Roses contest is coming up soon. So here's a survey of over 80 horses and where they're going next on the Derby Trail.
KY Court Overturns Vet Stewart's Suspension
The Kentucky Court of Appeals has overturned Dr. Rod Stewart's four-year suspension for possession of cobra venom, stating that the regulation under which the veterinarian was disciplined was vague.
Can Super Ninety Nine Repel New Challengers?
With many of the also-rans from the grade III Southwest Stakes out of the grade II Rebel, can Super Ninety Nine fend off the new challengers?
New Derby Points System: Swelling the Ranks?
A prevalent idea at this point on the 2013 Kentucky Derby Trail is that the new points system is attracting more horses to the prep races. But is that what's actually happening?
Verrazano: A Bridge to the Kentucky Derby
The road to the Kentucky Derby winner's circle has run through Tampa twice since 2007. On Saturday in his first run in graded company, Verrazano will follow the path of Street Sense and Super Saver and see where it leads.
Derby Trail: Where They're Going Next
Here are next-race plans for over 70 horses on the Kentucky Derby trail. We'll start off with some of the more prominent names.
Derby Trail: Where They're Going Next
One week into the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, we run down the schedules of the major contenders, and more.
Where They're Going: Next-Race Plans
With Tuesday's announcement that Verrazano is going to the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby, it seems timely to survey several leading names on the Kentucky Derby trail and where they may race next.
Fortify Among Entries in UAE 2000 Guineas
Fortify is among nine entered for Thursday's group III UAE Two Thousand Guineas, with final declarations scheduled to be made on Tuesday.
Dynamic Sky Faces Engaging Davis Foes
It's supposed to be Dynamic Sky's race to lose, but he's going to face some 3-year-olds with upside potential in the grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes.
Downey Profile: A Revolutionary Upset?
I can't wait to see Revolutionary run on Saturday in the grade III Withers Stakes, but I am even more interested in watching the colt that was the first foal out of Round Pond.
UAE Derby Draws 27 U. S. Nominations
The grade II UAE Derby has drawn 27 nominations from the United States, comprising about a quarter of the 105 names submitted for the race. Bob Baffert and Ken McPeek lead the trainer list.
Downey Profile: Shanghai Bobby Put to Test
A field of 10, some of them with the look of real contenders, will decide whether Shanghai Bobby will be be upended coming off his 2-year-old championship in the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Derby Could Be Made With Under 40 Points
While there is an educated guess out there that 40 points may be the over-and-under to make the Kentucky Derby starting gate, there is reason to believe it will take fewer points than that.
Breeders' Cup Sprint Probables, Possibles
There's no shortage of good sprinters lining up for what is, every year, one of the most exciting races of Breeders' Cup.
Ladies' Classic Probables, Possibles
There's plenty of time between now and pre-entry day on Oct. 22, but based on a survey of several sources, there's a list of six definites, with only one of them based in Southern California
Breeders' Cup Classic Probables, Possibles
The list of probables for the Breeders' Cup Classic will undoubtedly change before pre-entries are due on Oct. 22, but here's the best we know based on the information that's out there.
Saratoga Diary: Class in Session
- By Vic Zast
Even on College Day, the backyard of Saratoga should not be confused with the infield of Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day. read blog
Winning Belmont Stakes Patterns Since 1978
Belmont Stakes charts since the last Triple Crown was won show that it is almost imperative to be in the top three with a quarter-mile left in the race -- and to be on the lead at the furlong marker.
Derby by the Speed Numbers
Or, Who'll Get to the Eighth Pole First; Who Can Run on An Off Track?
Updated Graded Earnings Chart--Jockeys Added
Chart of contenders for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), ranked by earnings in graded stakes that are used to determine 20-horse starting field.
Coolmore Lexington: Will Speed Rule the Day?
Let's get right to it and start this analysis with Morgan's Guerilla. He's breaking from post 1.
Derby Graded Earnings List Updated (Top 64)
Bodemeister jumped into the Top 20 in a big way with a 9 1/2-length win of the grade II Arkansas Derby, catapulting him to number 11.
Blue Grass Win to Early Speed or Deep Closer?
I think either Hansen or Dullahan will win the Grade I Toyota Blue Grass, but how will the track be playing on Saturday?
Derby Graded Earnings List Inflates
After Saturday's graded stakes, Rousing Sermon is number 20 on the Kentucky Derby graded stakes earnings list with $270,000. He's ahead of Mark Valeski, El Padrino, Reveron and a host of others.
Downey: Can Gemologist Be Upset in Wood?
The Grade I Wood Memorial is worth taking a risk with a moderate longshot, but things have to set up right for him.
Is Illinois Derby Pletcher's Stepping Stone?
It's possible Todd Pletcher will have just one Kentucky Derby horse, and the name of that horse is Our Entourage.
Pletcher's Derby Madness Number One Seeds
Tuesday in a national conference call, trainer Todd Pletcher was asked to name the figurative four number one seeds on the Kentucky Derby Trail, and he didn't hesitate with his answer.
Updated Kentucky Derby Graded Earnings Chart
There were a lot of changes to the Kentucky Derby graded earnings chart over the weekend. Number 20 on the list now has $188,000, with several major preps left.
Derby Earnings List Update: Late Nominees
Our Kentucky Derby earnings chart now includes five horse late-nominated to the Triple Crown with graded earnings within the range set out on the chart -- and two of them are in the top 20.
Downey: Spiral A Handicapping Headache
This race shows even matchups on paper, so like an NCAA Tournament game, it could result in a big surprise.
Downey Profile: Late Mover Could Win Rebel
It could turn out to be a bust, but I picked my winner of the Grade II Rebel Stakes about two weeks ago.
Palm Beach: How Great Is Dullahan?
Paddy O'Prado won the grade III Palm Beach Stakes in 2010, but last year Joes Blazing Aaron came away with the win. He went on to finish sixth in the grade I Toyota Blue Grass and has lost seven straight races.
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