Multiple-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Bob Baffert and Doug O’Neill offer a pair of prospects each in Saturday’s Grade 1 $500,000 Santa Anita Derby as they look to solidify potential returns to the first Saturday in May. Meanwhile, the top-3 finishers in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes are set for a re-match at The Great Race Place, while the Grade 1 American Pharoah winner awaits.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet take advantage of up to a $10 money-back special promo on Triple Crown prep race win bets, featuring Saturday’s Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, Blue Grass at Keeneland and the Santa Anita Derby. Get up to $10 back if your win bet finishes second or third when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Also play the $5,000 Exacta-Thon involving Gulfstream’s full card on Saturday.Let’s meet the contenders for the Santa Anita Derby (Race 10):#1-CHEROKEE NATION: While it took 6 starts to break his maiden, the Feb. 27 romp by this $1.1 million Not This Time colt may have been worth the wait. It took the Kentucky Jockey Club and Robert B. Lewis Stakes fifth-place finisher into another speed stratosphere for Bob Baffert, who is poised for a record-padding tenth Santa Anita Derby title – a race he’s shockingly not won since 2019. Florent Geroux will ride for the first time.#2-POTENTE: Baffert’s second of two Santa Anita Derby shots Saturday, Potente upset the San Felipe at 8-1 odds to increase his record to 2-for-2 lifetime. His pair of scores have come by less than 1 length in combined margin, showing a nose for the wire and an ability to win on the lead and from off the pace. The $2.4 million Into Mischief colt once again will be ridden by Juan Hernandez.#3-VIRTRUVIAN MAN: First start of 2026 and first stakes bid for this Kentucky transplant who raced at all 5 of that state’s Thoroughbred venues during his freshman campaign. Doug O’Neill trains the Vino Rosso colt who has a Keeneland maiden victory topping his ledger. Antonio Fresu rides as O’Neill seeks a third Santa Anita Derby title.#4-ROBUSTA: Doug O’Neill’s more-fancied chance to follow the Santa Anita Derby success of I’ll Have Another (2012) and Goldencents (2013), Robusta exits a narrow, runner-up finish in the San Fan Felipe. Assuredly will be the shortest price of his career after 67-1, 36-1, 24-1 and 70-1 offerings in his 4 prior starts, which include a Jan. 9 maiden score. Home-bred son of Accelerate for Calumet Farms will be ridden by regular pilot Emisael Jaramillo, who also guided Cherokee Nation to his maiden win last out.#5-SO HAPPY: San Vicente Stakes winner captured his first 2 sprints but couldn’t sustain his speed in the 1-1/16 miles San Felipe when finishing third. The Mark Glatt trainee has a pedigree made for Churchill Downs if he can find the stamina to get there; he’s grandson to Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver and Breeders’ Cup Classic-at-CD winner Blame. Mike Smith has ridden in each start.#6-START THE RIDE: Rallying Cal Cup Derby winner Jan. 17 at Santa Anita never got involved when a well-beaten sixth in the San Felipe. The Dan Blacker trainee was 26-1 that day and will need a big move forward under regular rider Armando Ayuso to turn the tables. Upstart colt will hope for a fast pace to help his late interest.#7-INTREPIDO (pictured, #2 outside): Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes winner over the Santa Anita surface at age 2, this Jeff Mullins trainee looks for a signature score at 3. His lone start this year was a narrow runner-up in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes in February and was put away by design to be freshened for the Santa Anita Derby. Maximus Mischief colt leads the field with $312,800. Mullins looks for his first SA Derby trophy since securing 3 straight from 2003-’05 (Buddy Gil, Castledale, Buzzard’s Bay).

After a weekend that saw Commandment and Renegade jump to the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with their off-the-pace victories in the Florida Derby (G1) and Arkansas Derby (G1), it is time to start thinking about another massive Saturday. The Blue Grass (G1), Wood Memorial (G2), and Santa Anita Derby (G1) will help us determine who is in and who is likely out in this year’s Run for the Roses. So, without further ado, let’s dive into another edition of Prep School.Re-Evaluating My Top Tier Heading into April:Heading into last Saturday, I had a four-horse top tier of Chief Wallabee, Commandment, Reagan’s Honor, and Renegade. I am not making any major adjustments heading into April. Commandment beat Chief Wallabee for the second consecutive race and is almost certain to be one of the favorites on the first Saturday in May, but I still think the Chief can turn the tables in Louisville. Neither of them is likely to be my top choice come Derby Day, but neither is close to a toss either. Obviously, Renegade’s performance in Hot Springs felt good for my future wagers, but now the Todd Pletcher trainee is likely to be a relatively short price in the Kentucky Derby. He is certainly tops on my list with Reagan’s Honor yet to compete, but when it comes to gambling, he will be tough to push all-in on. His running style will leave him a lot to do and he may not have a ton of pace to chase. More obviously to come soon.Most Disappointing Horses Last Weekend: Nearly and Blackout TimeNearly is the obvious answer to this weekly segment of Prep School. The Centennial Farms colt took a ton of early money and surprisingly went off the 7-5 top choice, but failed the public big time with his off the board run despite a clean trip. It remains to be seen what is up next for the son of Not This Time, but he appears overmatched against the top of this crop. Others are probably not surprised by Blackout Time’s no show in Arkansas, but I was. The Kenny McPeek trainee caught my eye as a 2YO and was expected to peak in this race and ideally in Louisville, but clearly, he has not moved forward as a 3YO. I am sure McPeek will still give him shots at glory, but my futures bet on this guy is in the paper shredder.Most Likely Pacesetter (as of March 31) in the 2026 Kentucky Derby: ????Honestly, heading into the final big weekend of Triple Crown preps, the lack of speed signed on to this race is worthy of discussion. A lot can change on Saturday, but as of now very few horses that have qualified for this year’s Derby possess early speed. That does not mean the pace will be a crawl given the field size and what is on the line, but trying to come from well out of it could be a tough task in 2026.Who can change this? There appears to be a lot of speed entered in this year’s Wood Memorial, but that could set things up for a closer. However, a return to form from Napoleon Solo or another big run on the front end from Talk to Me Jimmy would have major implications on the potential race shape in Louisville. A number of winners in the Santa Anita Derby could also change the landscape since we know California speed is serious. If Cherokee Nation shows speed from the inside and runs another big one on or near the front end on Saturday, he could have a pace advantage as one of the Kentucky Derby’s top choices. We will see what happens in the Blue Grass, but at quick glance at probables, those entered are unlikely to make the lead come Derby time. It will be fascinating to see how it shakes out since hot paces have been the thing of late in North America’s biggest race.Most to Prove This Weekend: Further AdoBrad Cox appears to have another big shot for a Derby win in 2026 with Commandment, but certainly would love to have a strong 1-2 punch heading into the first Saturday in May. Further Ado, not Commandment was the colt expected to be Cox’s best shot earlier in the campaign after he ended his 2YO season with a victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2). The son of Gun Runner underwhelmed in his runner-up effort in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), so not only does he need points to secure his spot in the gate, but he needs to run big to be taken seriously at Churchill Downs. He ran a hole in the wind last time he competed over the Keeneland main track. We will learn a lot about Further Ado and his chances in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday afternoon.

EXTRA INCENTIVESBet $100, Get $10 | Parx | today’s racesNOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 5 | $25,678 | Parx | begins Race 1 | 12:40 pm ETJackpot Pick 6 | $39,747 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 5:11 pm ETLONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXParx | Race 4 | 2:01 pm ETParx | Race 11 | 5:10 pm ETTurf Paradise | Race 8 | 7:41 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHJay Bernardini | Mahoning Valley | 4 of 5 entrants 4-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Parx | trainer Mike Pino | 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third from 5 startersPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMJeremy Plonk: Parx Bet $100, Get $10 Promo Picks for TuesdayFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

The “Lucky Strides” promotion this March at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet offers a $10 bonus when you bet $100 or more at select tracks each Tuesday and Thursday. Parx will be the track spotlighted for this Tuesday. Here’s how I’ll approach that card with the help of the Betmix Angler database.Parx: Race 6#4 Mildoon (9-2 morning line odds) rallied nicely when second-best to a total win machine favorite at the class level last time out. Trainer Miguel Rodriguez’s local March numbers are wild with 31% wins, 50% in the exacta from 16 starts and a $2.88 ROI for every $1 bet. He’s had 8-1 and 22-1 winners with 6-1, 9-1 and 13-1 runners-up among them. Win bet #4. Daily Double 4 with 4,6 to next play.Parx: Race 7#4 Romantic Gamble (10-1 morning line odds) goes first off the claim for a red-hot Mike Pino barn that won 2 races yesterday (including a $17 winner) and is 16-38 (42%) during the month of March at Parx. Horse has been knocking on the door vs. lesser while racing for a 9% trainer and the confident class rise here won’t need much “move up” to deliver. Should be the longer price of 2 Pino entries here as #6 Backside Buzz also rises in class off the claim, but from Jamie Ness, so there might not be as much improvement. Win-place bet #4. Exacta box 4-6.

The gang’s all here when it comes to Aqueduct prospects on the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes path. The winners of the Grade 1 Champagne, Withers and Grade 3 Gotham all clash in a big field of 13 over 1-1/8 miles. The top-2 finishers likely punch their tickets to the first Saturday in May on qualifying points.Horseplayers with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet take advantage of up to a $10 money-back special promo on Triple Crown prep race win bets, featuring Saturday’s Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, Blue Grass at Keeneland and the Santa Anita Derby. Get up to $10 back if your win bet finishes second or third when you bet with 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. Also play the $5,000 Exacta-Thon involving Gulfstream’s full card on Saturday.Let’s meet the contenders for the Wood Memorial (Race 12):#1-NAPOLEON SOLO: Grade 1 Champagne winner tired to fifth in Gulfstream’s Fountain of Youth Stakes in late February, his first start since October. Trainer Chad Summers and owner Gold Square LLC supplemented him to the Arkansas Derby last week, scratched and sought this spot in hoping to get back into the Kentucky Derby points discussion. Paco Lopez, who upset this race at 59-1 odds 3 years ago, rides the speedy son of Liam’s Map for the first time. Easy Goer in 1988-’89 was the last Champagne winner at add the Wood at age 3.#2-TALK TO ME JIMMY: 11-length winner of the 1-1/8 miles Withers returns to the same track and distance for trainer Rudy Rodriguez. Modernist colt sprung 12-1 upset in the Withers and has won both starts since adding blinkers. Ruben Silvera has the return mount as Talk to Me Jimmy tries to become the first Withers winner to add the Wood Memorial since the former stakes was moved ahead on the calendar in 2012.#3-RIGHT TO PARTY: Gotham Stakes third-place finisher stretches out around 2 turns for the first time. Maiden breaker Jan. 10 at the Big A has been bookended by losses to Iron Honor, who rematches again Saturday. $325,000 Constitution colt is trained by Kenny McPeek and will be ridden again by Christopher Elliott. Maternal grandson of Chimichurri, winner of the G3 Temped over this track in 2002. Right to Party is not Triple Crown-nominated.#4-STEEL: Feb. 28 Gulfstream debut winner has been the morning workmate for last week’s Florida Derby third-place finisher Chief Wallabee. The Tapit colt could give Bill Mott a pair of chances in this year’s Kentucky Derby as he seeks to follow Sovereignty’s roses from a spring ago. Steel rallied from 10 lengths back to win by a nose at 18-1 odds in his only start. Half-brother to 2021 Kentucky Derby fourth-place finisher O Besos, who earned $760K. Mott won this race in 2024 with Resilience and 2019 with Tacitus.#5-OCELLI: Maiden through 5 starts faded late in both the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs and the Virginia Derby while making ill-timed middle moves. Trainer Whit Beckman takes the blinkers off as this $12,000 Connect colt remains ambitiously placed while making his first graded-stakes attempt. Company lines include successful sophomores Renegade, The Puma, Incredibolt and Reagan’s Honor. Aqueduct will be the fourth different track in the last 4 starts.#6-MINORINCONVENIENCE: New York-bred won the Funny Cide to close the Saratoga meeting last summer and was runner-up upon his March 7 return in Aqueduct’s Gander. Mendelssohn colt was a $20K bargain having already earned $160K and now tries open company for the first time. Former jockey and Todd Pletcher assistant trainer Amelia Green looks for her first Triple Crown starter as head trainer.#7-ALBUS: Entered and scratched from last Saturday’s Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park for this easier spot. Trainer Riley Mott already has Virginia Derby winner Incredibolt earmarked for Kentucky Derby 152 and looks to deepen his roster. Albus won his third-start maiden breaker at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 27 in his only start this year. The $320K Yaupon colt bids in stakes company for the first time.#8-COURTING: $5 million blueblood full brother to star mare Clairiere didn’t live up to the pedigree when out of the money in the Remsen and Risen Star. Todd Pletcher had mixed results last week, winning the Arkansas Derby (Renegade, Courting’s Palm Beach Downs workmate on March 13) while running fourth in the Florida Derby (Nearly). The trainer has won this race 7 times and an eighth would tie the all-time record of Triple Crown legend Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons. Blinkers come off after a poor showing when trying them for the first time in the Risen Star.#9-BRAVARO: Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. upset the 2023 Wood Memorial with 59-1 shot Lord Miles and seeks a sequel. Bravaro adds blinkers for the first time following a fourth-place finish in Gulfstream’s Fountain of Youth and a runner-up in the Holy Bull over the same track. The New York-bred began his career 2-for-2 at Aqueduct last year, including a win in the Sleepy Hollow Stakes. Edwin Gonzalez comes north to ride for the first time.#10-RED ZONE RUNNER: Romping winner of the City of Brotherly Love Stakes at his Parx home-base, this Practical Joke colt hits the road for his second start of 2026. Road-tripped to Laurel to run third in the Heft Stakes in December when under the care of Eric McClellan. Hugo Padilla now trains and top Parx pilot Mychel Sanchez sticks in the saddle.#11-OTTINHO: Half-brother to the great Gun Runner is the first of 2 Chad Brown trainees in the lineup, joining Iron Honor. This one exits a third-place Withers finish, 11-1/2 lengths behind rematched rival Talk to Me Jimmy. Quality Road colt has won 1 of 3, a Dec. 31 Big A maiden route over the Wood Memorial distance. In fact, this will be his third straight 9-furlong start and adds blinkers for the first time. Brown won this race in 2021 (Risk Taking) and 2022 (eventual Preakness winner Early Voting). Dylan Davis takes the mount the first time.#12-BUETANE: California-based colt has been a road warrior this spring, third in the Southwest at Oaklawn, fourth in Colonial Downs’ Virginia Derby and now a last-call effort in New York to make the Kentucky Derby. His luggage also includes a sticker from Saratoga last year when second in the Hopeful. Bob Baffert trains the $1.15 million Tiz the Law colt, who has won 1 of 5, his Del Mar debut last August. Martin Garcia will ride for the first time.#13-IRON HONOR: Unbeaten Gotham Stakes winner has won both career starts with press-and-pounce styles around 1 turn at Aqueduct. The $475K colt by 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist has plenty of stamina in the pedigree but draws a difficult post. Trainer Chad Brown’s second shot in the race (alongside Ottinho) to earn a third Wood Memorial victory to go along with 2021 and 2022. Regular rider Manny Franco will be aboard Saturday. The last Gotham-Wood sweep was I Want Revenge in 2009.

Yonkers Raceway has an 11-race card. The $1.00 Pick 5 begins in Race 5, and the sequence has a $10,000 guaranteed pool. The $1.00 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 8, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 8 (9:05 PM EDT)2-Ameritric (6-1)-Will look to beat Jason Bartlett on the rail with the 6/5 chalk who moves up after 2 straight wins. This 5-year-old should be no worse than 2nd off the gate and could trip out at a square price.4-Lucapelo A (7/2)-Team Stratton entry has been close versus this kind but hasn’t sealed the deal. Doesn’t have big gate speed and rolled home in a hurry last week. But the 58.4 first half wasn’t the right set up for a closer. Can get a good early seat, the fractions should be honest and will look for Jordan Stratton to be in striking range turning for the wire.Race 9 (9:25 PM EDT)4-Six Degrees (9/2)-Will spread here and fade Bartlett again, he’s on the program chalk #3 who faces better. Colin Kelly gets the call, which won’t hurt chances and the 8-year-old could be the best down the lane at a solid price.5-Keayang Kamikaze A (20-1)-Price shot makes its 3rd start since 11-11 and put in 2 decent races at PcD. Last time here cashed checks versus better and will look for a big try in the 1st start back in town.7-Hemsworth N (9/2)-Beat this kind 2 back in the slop, then drew the 8 hole and rallied from way back to lose by less than 2 lengths. Has gate speed, so Austin Siegelman should have the pedal down and could get a good early seat.8-American Dealer N (5-1)-Yannick Gingras will give the veteran a chance to win its 3rd straight. Steps up but should fit, has been in sharp form and does have the gate to make things interesting. It won’t be easy and the first turn will be very interesting, but this looks like a wide-open affair.Race 10 (9:45 PM EDT)4-Boiling Oar (5/2)-Willing to fade the morning line chalk #6 with Bartlett who hasn't raced since 12-2. Was claimed on 3-9 by the Adamczyk barn after finishing 8th by 30 lengths. The qualifier on 3-20 looked good and could bounce back in a big way.5-The Bigboss A (8-1)-Has lacked the ability to finish and has looked dull at times. This is a spot to wake up, drops to the level of its last win at YR on 1-20. Comes back in sequence, this is a beatable field and could be sitting on big try.Race 11 (10:05 PM EDT)5-Shine A Light (4/5)-Winner of 3 straight, all with different trainers, and is at another level compared to the rest. Unless there is a form reversal Bartlett should be posing again.$1 Late Pick 42,4/4,5,7,8/4,5/5Total Bet=$16Check me out on X!

NOTABLE CARRYOVERSJackpot Pick 6 | $30,016 | Turf Paradise | begins Race 3 | 5:14 pm ETKEY RACESTurf Paradise | Race 2 | 5:45 pm ET | Spring Derby (AQHA)LONGSHOT RACE ALERT FROM BETMIXMahoning Valley | Race 8 | 3:31 pm ETSunland | Race 4 | 3:43 pm ETParx | Race 10 | 4:43 pm ETTRAINERS TO WATCHMike Pino | Parx | all 5 entrants 5-1 or less oddsDID YOU SEE?Yesterday | Aqueduct | this Saturday’s Wood Memorial drew 13 entriesPUT US ON YOUR HANDICAPPING TEAMFrank Carulli & Brian W. Spencer best bets today in Xpressbet.com member’s section

Miami Valley begins the week with a 14-race card. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 11, and the sequence will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.Race 11 (7:30 PM EDT)3-Alta Revelry N (5-1)-Finished a good 3rd facing the one below and comes right back with the same post at the same class. Looking for a hot pace and Trevor Smith can keep the veteran close to the leaders. Should be a square price and make the most of an efficient trip.5-Little Rocket Man (2-1)-Starts inside of the main foe and has a short field to beat. David Miller will have the classy veteran cranked up when the wings fold. If dialed on high, can get the top and not look back.Race 12 (7:51 PM EDT)4-Seafire (2-1)-Went the back-half in 53.4 against better and that was only good enough to cash a 4th place. Drops, Miler does the steering with a nice post draw and should relish the company.7-Moons Up (7/2)-Finished 2nd last time, won 2 back and has done well against this kind at MVR. Should be in the mix at the wire and has good tactical speed so the post draw shouldn't hinder chances.Race 13 (8:12 PM EDT)3-Rockin Airway (7-1)-Comes off some dull efforts and was hindered with outside post draws but now take a good drop in class. Does well racing near the top of the stack. Has won and then finished 2nd in the last 2 races versus this kind.5-Book The Fight (3-1)-Came off the bench and raced without hopples for the 1st time and was hung the mile. The Hoosier shipper finished a respectable 3rd in the 1st race since 10-10 and will look for a more friendly trip this time.10-The Bird Dance N (7/2)-Had the 8-hole last week after dropping to face this kind. Got on the point off the gate, then ended up with a 2 hole trip and faded down the lane. Starts from the 2nd tier but doesn't need to lead every step of the way to win.Race 14 (8:33 PM EDT)2-Boomerang (7/2)-Beaten chalk did race well in the 2nd start off the bench. Rallied with a .54 back half but didn't leave into a slower opening quarter. Chris Page should be more aggressive when the wings fold and could get a cozy trip.5-Woodrow Blue Chip (4-1)-Couldn't gain any ground down the lane versus this kind in last. Did miss a start and now comes back in sequence. Could beat this crew if Trace Tetrick finds a live cover flow.$1.00 Late Pick 43,5/4,7/3,5,10/2,5Total Bet=$24Check me out on X!