Winning Ponies

Things are starting to ratchet up on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks trail with a total of eight points races contested over the weekend. There will be four for the ladies and four for the boys from coast to coast. At Turfway Park where they will celebrate their biggest day of racing on Saturday. Former announcer and track handicapper Mike Battaglia will join us to comment on the card focusing on the Grade 3, $200,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks that carries Derby points and the $100,000 Bourbonette Oaks that will gain Oaks points. DRF's Jeremy Balan, fresh off his first Eclipse Award for writing, will reflect on his award and give us his insights on the big races at Santa Anita over the weekend. The $500,000 San Felipe Stakes Saturday and Oaks points go to the girls on Sunday in the $100,000 Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes. Jeremy recently penned a story in DRF about the rash of breakdowns occurring at Santa Anita since the start of the meet. He will update us on that situation.