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...

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon   A busy but fulfilling eight-start sophomore campaign earned Tarifa a few months of down time before her 2025 debut, which comes this Saturday in the $300,000 Beholder Mile (G1) at Santa Anita.   The three-time graded stakes winning filly...

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...

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon   Locked in   Locked certainly looked the part of a multiple graded stakes winner who has landed in the money each time out with a commanding 8 ¼-length triumph in Saturday’s $300,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1).   Calm and cool out of the...

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...

KENTUCKY — By Ed DeRosa   If you haven’t gotten on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” yet, then this is where you get on because March 1 is a three-prep extravaganza featuring several of the biggest stars among this year’s current Triple Crown hopefuls.   In...

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon   Mission Accomplished   Super Chow kickstarted his fourth professional campaign with a come-from-behind victory in Saturday afternoon’s $140,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint.   Forming a line of leading options with 8-5 favorite Comedy Town (post...