This weekend marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards the Kentucky Derby, with several key races offering valuable qualifying points. The Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, and the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park will all provide insight into potential contenders for the first Saturday in May. Additionally, older horses will compete in various graded stakes events across the country, while Hong Kong kicks off its prestigious Derby series for 4-year-olds. This weekend's races promise to be thrilling and informative for both fans and handicappers alike.
Young Horses Compete for Crucial Derby Points
The upcoming weekend features three significant races that offer crucial qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. Each event will showcase promising young talent vying for a spot in the starting gate. At Santa Anita, the Robert B. Lewis Stakes welcomes Citizen Bull, last year’s champion juvenile, who makes his 3-year-old debut. Meanwhile, Aqueduct hosts the Withers Stakes, featuring Mo Quality, and Gulfstream Park presents the Holy Bull Stakes, where several maiden winners will test their mettle over longer distances. These races will provide valuable insights into which horses might emerge as serious contenders for the Kentucky Derby.
In the Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Citizen Bull returns to the track after an impressive 2024 season. Trained by Bob Baffert, he faces two stablemates, Rodriguez and Madaket Road, along with Clock Tower and Valentines Candy. Over at Aqueduct, Mo Quality takes on Omaha Omaha and other promising runners in the Withers Stakes. In the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, four maiden winners join forces with others looking to prove their early-career successes were no fluke. Among them, Guns Loaded, Ferocious, and He’s Not Joking stand out as notable competitors. Each race offers 20 Derby qualifying points to the winner, making this weekend critical for aspiring Derby hopefuls.
Global Racing Highlights and Oaks Contenders
Beyond the Derby trail, the racing world turns its attention to Hong Kong, where the Classic Mile kicks off the BMW Hong Kong Derby series for 4-year-olds. This prestigious event sets the stage for a challenging progression from one mile to one and a half miles over three heats. Top-rated horses like Rubylot and Packing Hermod will vie for supremacy, with trainer Francis Lui aiming to replicate his success with Golden Sixty. Meanwhile, back in the United States, several races cater to fillies and mares, including the Ruthless Stakes at Aqueduct and the Fasig-Tipton Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park, providing opportunities for potential Kentucky Oaks contenders.
In Hong Kong, the Classic Mile not only serves as the opening leg of the Derby series but also highlights the region's rich racing tradition. Trainer David Hayes' Rubylot and Francis Lui's Packing Hermod are among the top contenders, with Lui enlisting the services of jockey Zac Purton, now Hong Kong’s all-time leading rider. Back in North America, the Ruthless Stakes at Aqueduct and the Fasig-Tipton Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park feature promising fillies seeking to make their mark. Tenma, fresh off victories in the Del Mar Debutante and Starlet, headlines the Fasig-Tipton Las Virgenes at Santa Anita, joined by Bob Baffert's Cipriani. These races will help identify potential stars for the Kentucky Oaks, adding another layer of excitement to an already action-packed weekend.