Weekend Watch: Champ World Approval makes 2018 debut

As is the case with nearly every weekend from now leading into the first weekend of May, there are points races on tap for both the Kentucky Derby and the Oaks. However, this Saturday, the spotlight also belongs to 2017 Champion Turf Male World Approval, who will begin his title defense in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Stakes.

On that and more, it's the Weekend Watch!

Derby and Oaks happenings

This week’s points-paying Kentucky Derby and Oaks official preps will take place at Tampa Bay Downs and Oaklawn Park. In Florida, the Suncoast Stakes for fillies attracted a field of eight. While there are no major names in the field, a trio of the contenders look to have a good chance at taking home some points. Grade 3 winner Daisy drew the far outside post, while Blonde Bomber and Belles Orb appear well up to the challenge. The Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes, also at Tampa Bay, seems to be between Hollywood Star, who scratched out of last week’s Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Todd Pletcher-trained Vino Rosso and Catholic Boy. Meanwhile, over at Oaklawn Park, the Martha Washington Stakes for fillies drew a small field of six. Again, there are no big names in this field with undefeated Amy's Challenge waiting until the next round of preps, but several could take a step forward in their progression. Post times are as follows:

Suncoast Stakes - 3:16 p.m.

G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes - 4:52 p.m.

Martha Washington Stakes - 5:38 p.m.

World Approval, La Coronel return at Tampa Bay.

Newly minted Champion Turf Male World Approval and multiple graded stakes winner La Coronel both return to the races this Saturday at Tampa Bay for the Mark Casse barn. World Approval will be your heavy favorite in the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Stakes (post time 5:25 p.m.). Breaking from post 7, he will face nine others. The 6-year-old gelding is undefeated in two starts over Tampa Bay’s turf course. Meanwhile, La Coronel, who has never won a graded stakes away from Keeneland, will also break from post seven while facing seven rivals in the Grade 3 Endeavour Stakes. Among the field assembled is the ultra-consistent Dona Bruja, who has been outside the exacta just once in 14 career starts. She is a Group 1 winner in her native Argentina and has won two Grade 3 stakes since arriving in the United States. Post time for the Endeavour is 4:20 p.m.

Gulfstream Park features turf runners

With 3-year-old action moving across the state to Tampa Bay Downs this week, Gulfstream Park will focus on the older turf runners. Multiple graded stakes winner Heart to Heart will attempt to rebound from a poor effort in last month’s Fort Lauderdale while going in Saturday’s Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes. Lightly raced March, who has only faced the starter four times since November 2015, will continue on in his transition from a dirt runner to a turf runner. Also in the field is graded stakes winning Money Multiplier. Post time is 4:10 p.m.

While Heart to Heart carries the high weight of 123 pounds in the Gulfstream Park Turf Stakes, four fillies and mares will carry that much in the Grade 3 Suwannee River Stakes. Of those four, Ultra Brat is undefeated in two starts on the Gulfstream Park turf, her most recent win here being a huge upset victory in the G3 Marshua’s River last month. Post time for the Suwannee is 4:43 p.m.

A trio of graded stakes at Santa Anita Park

The graded stakes races on Saturday’s card at Santa Anita run the gamut. The Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes for older fillies and mares will feature 2017 Champion Female Sprinter Unique Bella and is carded for 8.5 furlongs on the dirt. Om has not graced the winner’s circle since December 2015 and looks to rectify that with a win in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes for older turf males at a mile. Meanwhile Ax Man will test deeper waters off a dazzling debut when he lines up against five others in the seven-furlong Grade 2 San Vicente for 3-year old males. Post times are:

G2 Santa Maria Stakes 4:30 pm

G3 Thunder Road Stakes 5:00 pm

G2 San Vicente Stakes 5:30 pm

Ring Weekend makes season debut

Millionaire Ring Weekend never saw the winner’s circle last year, but hopefully he will rectify that soon. The multiple graded stakes winner and the year 2017 just didn’t seem to get along, with his best finish a runner-up in allowance company. That’s where he will return on Sunday when he faces nine in Gulfstream’s 11th race, a one-mile turf affair for older colts and geldings. Post time is 5:08 p.m.

*All post times listed are in EST.