Thedowneyprofile

Derby by the Speed Numbers

• May 6, 2016
• Triple Crown

Assessing the Kentucky Derby field based on speed numbers.

Orb Looks Best in Florida Derby

• March 28, 2013
• Handicapping, Triple Crown

Orb doesn't have to win the Florida Derby to go on to the Kentucky Derby -- he just needs to run the right kind of race. Still, there's a good argument that he will win the race.

Derby Trail: Where They're Going Next

• March 19, 2013
• Handicapping, Triple Crown

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.

Can Super Ninety Nine Repel New Challengers?

• March 14, 2013
• Handicapping, Triple Crown

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?

Verrazano: A Bridge to the Kentucky Derby

• March 7, 2013
• Handicapping, Triple Crown

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

• March 5, 2013
• Handicapping, Triple Crown

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.

Fortify Among Entries in UAE 2000 Guineas

• February 11, 2013
• Triple Crown

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

• February 1, 2013
• Triple Crown

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?

• January 31, 2013
• Triple Crown

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

• January 30, 2013
• Thoroughbred Racing, Triple Crown

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

• January 24, 2013
• Thoroughbred Racing, Triple Crown

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.

Ladies' Classic Probables, Possibles

• October 11, 2012
• Breeders' Cup

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

Downey: How Will Pyro Play the Game

• March 6, 2008
• Triple Crown

We've all heard it said. It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game. That will be our focus when Pyro runs in Saturday's Grade II Louisiana Derby.