Getting Close to the Kentucky Derby...

There were three interesting graded stakes run yesterday, and the fourth will be on the track next Saturday.  All of these races have extremely good, entertaining histories, and they each deserve some type of recognition, other than me calling them "Derby prep races."  Next Saturday, 11 April, the Arkansas Derby will be held at Oaklawn Park, and, at the moment, American Pharoah looks to be the betting favorite.  Several races for the three-year-old fillies were run yesterday - leading up to the Triple Tiara races - as well as the stakes for the colts hoping to make the points to enter into the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown.  I saw six races yesterday that captivated me - three each for the boys and girls.
   The first filly intrigued me, just because she shares a part of my name - Include Betty was a long-shot in the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park yesterday.  She was running last in the field, when she suddenly found another gear and began passing each opponent, winning the race over Ocean wave and Achiever's Legacy.  It was the first Stakes win for the daughter of Include.

Include Betty

In the Gazelle Stakes, Condo Commando, a daughter of Tiz Wonderful, was the betting favorite, and she came through with flying colors.  She defeated the hard-trying Puca, who had to settle for second, and Money'soncharlotte in third.

Condo Commando

In the Santa Anita Oaks, the daughter of Curlin, named Stellar Wind, defeated Luminance and Wild at Heart.

Stellar Wind

In the Wood Memorial, the betting favorite was Daredevil, but the son of More Than Ready finished in fourth place. Frosted, a son of Tapit, won the Wood, defeating Tencendur and El Kabeir.

Frosted

Carpe Diem was the bettor's choice in the Blue Grass Stakes, and the son of Giant's Causeway did not disappoint the crowd.  He defeated Danzig Moon and Ocho Ocho Ocho.

Carpe Diem

In the Santa Anita Derby, Bob Baffert-trained Dortmund, a large son of Big Brown, did not disappoint, either.  The big chestnut defeated One Lucky Dane and Bolo.

Dortmund

The early betting pools for the Kentucky Derby, which will be run on 2 May, closed on March 29.  The early betting favorite is the son of Pioneerof the Nile, American Pharoah, who won the Rebel Stakes, and will race next Saturday in the Arkansas Derby.  Dortmund was the very close second betting choice.

American Pharoah