CALIFORNIA — By Chris Lomon   Spotlight Race:  $100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes, 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill turf for Golden State Series Eligible California Bred Or California Sired Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds And Upward.   Date:  Sunday, March 16 (Race 8,...

VIRGINIA — By Ed DeRosa   Horses and Virginia have been intertwined since the 1600s, and on Saturday that relationship will take another step forward when the commonwealth’s lone Thoroughbred dirt track plays host to Kentucky Derby and Oaks prep races.   Virginia is...

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon   Load ‘em up   It’s been a grand slam start for 4-year-old filly Cavalieri, who remained a perfect 4-for-4 to begin her career with a hard-fought score in Saturday’s $300,500 B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile (G1).   Competing within the...

CALIFORNIA — By Chris Lomon   Spotlight Race:  $100,000 Pasadena Stakes, one mile on the turf for 3-year-olds   Date:  Sunday, March 9 (Race 9, 7:30 pm ET )   What to do with a $20 Bet : $2 exacta box: #2 Shea Brennan, #7 Will Then, #8 Tiz Secure $8 to win on #7...

FLORIDA — By Ed DeRosa   With apologies to Tampa Bay Downs announcer Jason Beem for completely and shamelessly stealing his line, we’re in for another “Titanic tussle in Tampa” when the starter springs the latch on this year’s Tampa Bay Derby on Saturday.   I feel...

CALIFORNIA — By Chris Lomon   Spotlight Race:  $69,000 allowance optional claiming, one mile on the turf for 4-year-olds and up   Date:  Sunday, March 2nd (Race 11, 8:00 pm ET )   What to do with a $20 Bet : $1 exacta box – #1 Eye on Ry, #4 Call Sign Seven,...

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon   Take it up a Notch   Fresh off a career-best effort in the Grade 3 Thunder Road, El Potente (2-1) will need to find another gear to outduel Mi Hermano Ramon, the 8-5 opening line choice in Saturday’s $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T) at Santa...

NEW YORK — By Chris Lomon   Spotlight Race:  $125,000 Broadway Stakes, 7 furlongs   Date: Sunday, February 23 (Race 9, 4:35 pm ET )   What to do with a $20 Bet : $1 exacta box- #6 My Magic Wand, #7 Sweet Brown Sugar, #11 Tough Street $5 win, $5 place, $4 show on...

KENTUCKY — By Ed DeRosa   With ten weeks between the Cincinnati Trophy Stakes on Friday at Turfway Park and the Kentucky Oaks on May 2 at Churchill Downs, the race for points is officially on.   Like the Kentucky Derby, horses qualify for the Kentucky Oaks earning...

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon   League of Their Own   Good Cheer, who is now 5-for-5 after claiming this past Saturday’s $282,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds, is nearing a level of dominance achievable only by one of the sporting world’s most profound performers....