HorseCenter: Arkansas Derby and Florida Derby top picks

By Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman
Photo:

This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman continue their Kentucky Derby 2024 prep coverage with a pair of Grade 1 races on Saturday. Derby hopefuls will make their final try to qualify for the run for the roses in the Arkansas Derby and the Florida Derby.


Muth, Timberlake and Mystik Dan come to the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn following a victory in their most recent starts. The top five eligible finishers in the field of 10 3-year-olds will compete for 100-50-25-15-10 Derby qualifying points.

Fierceness, the champion 2-year-old from 2023, looks to bounce back in the $1 million Florida Derby after running third in the Holy Bull (G3) in his first start of this year. His trainer Todd Pletcher won this Derby prep seven times in the past and his jockey John Velazquez has five victories in Gulfstream Park’s signature race.

Next weekend, the final three major Derby prep races will take place, and HorseCenter will have picks and analysis. As always, thanks for watching the show.

Read More

Jockey Club Oaks odds and analysis: Fionn-Laurelin rematch
The Grade 3, $350,000 Jockey Club Oaks drew a field of eight 3-year-old fillies who will race 1 3/8...
Fair odds: Kentucky transplant is getting good at right time
It is not often that the lone graded stakes on a card is the appetizer to what follows,...
Dale Romans is running for McConnell's seat in U.S. Senate
Trainer Dale Romans is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Mitch McConnell. In...
Barn Tour: Drexler wins 'the hard way' at Woodbine
Martin Drexler stands in second place in the trainer standings at Woodbine, where he finished the last two...
Breeders' Cup Distaff: See plans for top fillies and mares
In the 11 days since the Breeders' Cup Distaff, some of the fillies and mares have gone through...