First Look: Final 2-year-old Kentucky Derby prep races of 2024

The year's final 2-year-old Kentucky Derby and Oaks prep races take place at Fair Grounds and three graded stakes races at Gulfstream Park serve as a preview for the Pegasus World Cup, which will be held January 25. 

Saturday

Gun Runner, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 miles, 2-year-olds, Kentucky Derby 10-5-3-2-1 points race

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Magnitude leads the field in the final 2-year-old Kentucky Derby prep race of the year. Steve Asmussen trains the Not This Time colt, bringing the two-time winner to a race Asmussen has already won twice before. All five starters have won at least one race, but Magnitude is the only one with two wins. Five starters means everyone goes home with at least one point towards the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

2024 Gun Runner

Richard R. Scherer Memorial Stakes, Fair Grounds, 5 ½ furlongs, 3-year-olds and up

Nine entrants look to add a win to their resume before the end of the year as they enter the starting gate. The winner for what could be the most intriguing name to listen to the caller is Thomas Morley trainee Son of a Birch, who failed to hit the board in his last outing in the Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship, finishing sixth. 

2024 Richard R. Scherer Memorial Stakes LS

Grade 3 Harlan's Holiday, Gulfstream, 1 1/16 miles, 3-years-old and older

Tuscan Sky was close to a win in his last time out in the Discovery Stakes at Aqueduct on November 3, so the connections of the Vino Rosso 3-year-old go into the Harlan's Holiday feeling confident. Tuscan Sky hopes to nail down his first graded stakes win with trainer Todd Pletcher, but he'll have to battle three Saffie Joseph Jr. entrants: Cape Trafalgar, Digital Ops and Super Corinto. Tumbarumba hopes to bounce back after finishing fourth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. 

2024 Harlan's Holiday G3

Saffie Joseph Jr. saddles three in search of a Grade 2 win, with Kenneth Ramsey's Cash Equity, Dailey Double Racing's Saratoga Flash and Daniel Alnso's Lorenz hoping to secure a win. Saratoga Flash has already won on Gulfstream's turf in his last out, winning an allowance on October 18. Win for the Money and Grand Sonata look to bounce back from tough races during the Breeders' Cup.

2024 Fort Lauderdale G2

The Suwannee River shows some international flair, as two first-time U.S. starters look to make their mark in preparation for the Pegasus World Cup. South African-bred Ribaltagaia seeks redemption after finishing sixteenth in her last out, in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on October 6. Todd Pletcher's lone entry, Bless My Stars, is the second South African-bred in the race. The Gimmethegreenlight 5-year-old is making her first start since February.

2024 Suwannee River G3