First Look: Preps for Ky. Derby preps, Cal Cup Derby & Oaks

This weekend brings informal preps for Kentucky Derby points preps at Tampa Bay Downs and Santa Anita, plus older horses in the Sunshine Classic and Sprint at Gulfstream.

Here is an early look at the likely fields for six weekend stakes, all on Saturday.

Pasco (listed), Tampa Bay Downs, 7 furlongs, 3-year-olds

After two tries in the fall at Belmont Park, Provocateur broke his maiden with a 4 1/2-length win last month at Tampa Bay Downs. Cattin graduated on debut at Gulfstream in July then came up short in two Florida Sire stakes before winning the black-type Inaugural. The field that also included Old Time Road, who is expected here.

Gasparilla (listed), Tampa Bay Downs, 7 furlongs, 3-year-old fillies

After a third-place effort on debut in July, Outfoxed won two Florida Sire stakes at Gulfstream but hasn't raced since September. Bill Mott has had her in training at Payson Park since November. Strategic Bird, 2-for-2, won the black-type Sandpiper at Tampa Bay by a neck over Devine Charger, also expected here.

Sunshine Classic (restricted), Gulfstream, 1 1/8 miles, 4-year-olds and up

Hercules returns to stakes company after going 3-for-8 last year. Saffie Joseph Jr. also is expected to have an entry here. Big Venezuela compiled a 13: 3-2-5. record last year, mostly in Maryland – though he did break his maiden at Tampa Bay in March. Glory of Florida had 12 starts last year, with a record of 2-5-0, finishing fourth in a Gulfstream Park stakes last out in December.

Sunshine Sprint (restricted), Gulfstream, 6 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up

Boca Boy won back-to-back allowance races last summer at Indiana Grand but was seventh last out in a November allowance at Churchill Downs. Lugamo raced only twice last year, finishing 12th in the UAE Derby and then dueling with Weyburn for the first half-mile of the Pegasus at Monmouth Park last out before giving way and stopping.

California Cup Derby (restricted), Santa Anita, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year olds

Straight Up G broke his maiden on second try last year at Del Mar then led gate to wire in the King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos, where he beat a rallying Finneus – also expected here – by 3 1/2 lengths. Agador Spartacus will look for his first career win after eight starts. Highland Ghost has run more than six furlongs only once in seven starts last year, finishing third at a mile in a Golden Gate Fields allowance race.

California Cup Oaks (restricted), Santa Anita, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-old fillies

This field is expected to see four starters return from the black-type Soviet Problem Stakes at Los Alamitos, where Professors' Pride won by three lengths to bring her record to 2-for-2. Munny Penny brought a 3: 1-2-0 record but finished last after being bumped at the start. Ellamira has two wins in four starts, scoring by a head last out in the black-type Golden Gate Debutante.