First Look: Graded stakes this weekend + Derby, Oaks cards

[RELATED – Kentucky Derby 2021 odds: Early morning line]

Here is a look at the likely fields for those stakes plus a look ahead to next weekend's action at Churchill Downs.

Friday

Bewitch (G3), Keeneland, 1 1/2 miles (turf), fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

War Like Goddess did not race until September, breaking her maiden on first try. She debuted this year with a fifth-place finish in The Very One (G3) before scoring in the Orchid (G3). Delta's Kingdom hit the board in her last six starts but hasn't had a win since September 2019. Dominga's second-place finish in the Tom Benson Memorial Stakes came after a seven-month layoff.

Saturday

Santa Margarita (G2), Santa Anita, 1 1/8 miles, fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Harvest Moon finished fourth in her 2021 debut in the Beholder Mile (G1), won by Swiss Skydiver. She also was fourth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff but won four in a row before that. Finishing second in the Beholder Mile was As Time Goes By, a daughter of American Pharoah trained by Bob Baffert. He also expected to start Crystal Ball, who is looking to return to form after an allowance win on April 2. Warren's Showtime has hit the board in 15 consecutive starts but hasn't won since the Auburn Miss (G3) in October.

Here are the possible fields for the April 30 Kentucky Oaks, the May 1 Kentucky Derby and the races on their undercards.

Kentucky Oaks

The rematch between Travel Column and Clairiere – who finished two-one, one-two and two-one in their last three races – is getting a lot of attention ahead of this race, but Todd Pletcher's Malathaat comes in undefeated in four starts. She scored in the Ashland (G1) and Demoiselle (G2) her last two starts. And Search Results is 3-for-3 for Chad Brown.

Here are probables for races on the Kentucky Oaks undercard. Click on the race names for more information.

$250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2)

American Butterfly (D. Wayne Lukas); Carotari (Brian Lynch); Classy John (Dallas Stewart): Diamond Oops (Patrick Biancone); Firecrow (Ron Moquett); Just Might (Michelle Lovell); and Sombeyay (Peter Miller).

$300,000 Edgewood (G2)

Aunt Pearl (Brad Cox); I Get It (Mark Casse); Oliviaofthedesert (Kenny McPeek); Postnup (Cherie Devaux); and Queen of the Green (Jason Barkley). Possible: Jouster (Todd Pletcher) and Zaajel (Pletcher).

$300,000 Eight Belles (G2)

Abrogate (Steve Asmussen); Dayoutoftheoffice (Tim Hamm); Euphoric (Bernie Flint); Slumber Party (Kelly Breen); Sun Path (Brad Cox); and Windmill (Larry Jones). Possible: Joyful Cadence (John Ortiz).

$400,000 Alysheba (G2)

Attachment Rate (Dale Romans); Chess Chief (Dallas Stewart); Maxfield (Brendan Walsh); Roadster (Bob Baffert); Sonneman (Steve Asmussen); and Visitant (Bill Morey).

$500,000 La Troienne (G1)

As Time Goes By (Bob Baffert); Dunbar Road (Chad Brown); Envoutante (Kenny McPeek); Paris Lights (Bill Mott); Sanenus (Michael McCarthy); and Shedaresthedevil (Brad Cox). Possible: Finite (Steve Asmussen).

Kentucky Derby

Three undefeated colts are expected in the gate – Essential Quality has five wins, and Rock Your World and Helium have three each. Other compelling contenders include Louisiana Derby (G1) winner Hot Rod Charlie, Florida Derby (G1) winner Known Agenda and Arkansas Derby (G2) winner Super Stock.

Here are probables for races on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Click on the race names for more information.

$500,000 Pat Day Mile (G2)

Dream Shake (Peter Eurton); Excellent Timing (Chad Brown); Gretzky the Great (Mark Casse); Jackie’s Warrior (Steve Asmussen); Prevalence (Brendan Walsh); and Whiskey Double (Steve Asmussen).

$500,000 Distaff Turf Mile (G2)

Abscond (Eddie Kenneally); Blowout (Chad Brown); Got Stormy (Mark Casse); and Princess Grace (Mike Stidham).

$500,000 Derby City Distaff (G1)

Gamine (Bob Baffert) and Sconsin (Greg Foley). Possible: Bell’s the One (Neil Pessin); Finite (Steve Asmussen); Hibiscus Punch (Justin Nixon); and Unique Factor (Peter Miller).

$500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (G1)

Charlatan (Bob Baffert); Hog Creek Hustle (Vickie Foley); Lexitonian (Jack Sisterson); and Tap It To Win (Mark Casse). Possible: Bango (Greg Foley); and Shashashakemeup (Peter Miller).

$1 million Turf Classic (G1)

Arklow (Brad Cox); Colonel Liam (Todd Pletcher); Digital Age (Chad Brown); Ivar (Paolo Lobo); Masteroffoxhounds (Richard Baltas); Ride a Comet (Mark Casse); and Smooth Like Strait (Michael McCarthy). Possible: Flavius (Chad Brown); and Spooky Channel (Brian Lynch).