Tom Pedulla offers takeaways from major Kentucky Derby prep races held on each coast Saturday, the Santa Anita Derby in California and the 100th Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct.
Hit Show capped off a night of stunning upsets April 5 at Meydan Racecourse with the biggest surprise of all, leading an American-trained 1-2 finish in the $12 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline with the massive favorite, Forever Young, relegated to third.
There’s usually something special attached to the first time.
Of the numerous champions trained by Todd Pletcher, the first to enter the sport’s Hall of Fame was the sensational Ashado – an honor well-befitting one of the sport’s top fillies since the dawn of the 21st Century.
When Arcangelo sailed across the finish line in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets on June 10, 2023, he gave Jena Antonucci a historic victory as the first woman to train the winner of a U.S. Triple Crown race.
Saturday’s $300,000, Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap Presented by Yaamava’ Resort & Casino is an important early-season test for older horses at Santa Anita Park.
