Kentucky Derby around corner, Let ’em Run needs to sharpen up

The Road to the Oaks and Kentucky Derby Comes Into Focus

The prepping is over (well, mostly), and the table will soon be set for both the first Friday and the first Saturday in May. As we approach the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby, we will begin to pour over the fields and provide our insight into who we think will be a runner to keep your eye on.

Upcoming Shows and Weekend Preview

Stay tuned on Fridays at 3PM, when we will dedicate each Happy Hour leading up to those races with discussions, and special guests providing in depth analysis. This Saturday at 12:30 we will break down the Late P5 at Keenenland, with a very nice sequence including The Jenny Wiley Stakes, a Gr1 Turf race, and The Lexington Stakes, a Gr3 for 3 y.o.’s, with 20 points to the winner towards a spot in the Derby.

Keeneland Recap

Race 9 The Ashland Stakes

We started off right and nailed the winner #2 Percy’s Bar who paid $7.12 for the win and punched her ticket to The Kentucky Oaks. We will be keeping our eye on her.

Race 11 The Blue Grass Stakes

#6 Further Ado looked impressive winning here and looks to be one of the likely favorites in the run for the roses. Our pick #4 Reagan’s Honor, will be looking to race somewhere else, while only managing a 6th place finish.

Aqueduct Late P5 Recap

Race 8

Our “Play of the Day” #5 Morlock, was dueled into defeat by another frontrunner that was not in the plans, and #3 Fiddling Felix took the win spot and paid $32.90.

Race 9

We had the winner here, but we think most bettors did, as #1 Incentive Pay did the job as BRISnet.com #1 Prime Power and paid $4.68 for the effort. We also nailed the 2nd place runner #4 Bold Strength and finished the exacta.

Race 10

Our pick with jockey Kendrick Caramouche, the #6 Hold Your Breath, was only able to muster a 4th place finish. We did boast about the runner up # 7 Immersive.

Race 11

The #1 Paradise was the pick for many handicappers, including us, but the best she could do was a 3rd place finish. That may be good enough for a spot in the 1st Friday in May. The winner #2 Always a Runner, with jockey Dylan Davis up will be in the starting gate for The Kentucky Oaks. Dylan Davis is getting healthy again, and warrants a close watch on whoever he lands on.

Race 12

The final Wood Memorial to be run at The Big A, surely provided some memories to be cherished for anyone who had any of the three finishers, who all were long shots. The winner #7 Albus paid a handsome $25.78. This runner is trained by Riley Mott, who is becoming a top trainer, and his runner is worth watching in the Derby.

Final Thoughts and What’s Next

The P5 paid $19,398 and was a tough puzzle to figure out. If you did have it, kudos to you. This payout usually requires a deep ticket, and that is where myself and partner John Kostin discuss ticket structure on our Saturday Big Show at 12:30, on Sports Talk Media Network. Moving forward, our Happy Hour shows on Friday will be focused on the field for the Kentucky Derby. This Saturday at 12:30, we will dive into a loaded Late P5 at Keeneland. You can catch us on multiple streaming apps and social channels. So, “Bet smart, cheer hard, remember fast horses can lead to serious fun, and when all is said and done, Let ‘em Run.”