Author Archives: Jarrod Horak

Kentucky Derby 2023 Report: Final Countdown

By Jarrod Horak We have reached the end of the Kentucky Derby 2023 points race series, and Todd Pletcher still holds three aces. He has juvenile champ Forte and young upstart Kingsbarns, and Tapit Trice followed up his late running win in the Tampa Bay Derby with a smart stalking score in the Blue Grass […]

Kentucky Oaks 2023 Report: Preps are complete

By Jarrod Horak All of the Kentucky Oaks 2023 points races are in the books and there was plenty of late movement on the points list. Defining Purpose and Promiseher America seemingly came out of nowhere with upset wins in the Ashland and Gazelle, and those late qualifiers knocked some big names out of the […]

Kentucky Derby 2023 Report: Forte still on top

By Jarrod Horak As mentioned in my previous Kentucky Derby 2023 report, Todd Pletcher dominated the points races in March with Forte, Tapit Trice, and Kingsbarns. Fast forward to April, and the more things change the more they stay the same. Forte cemented his status as the Kentucky Derby favorite by winning the Florida Derby […]

Kentucky Oaks 2023 Report: Wet Paint wins again

By Jarrod Horak Affirmative Lady and Wet Paint were the big winners in the latest road to Kentucky Oaks 2023 points races. The former has been thriving at Gulfstream Park this year and is on the upswing for Graham Motion, and the latter is the queen of Oaklawn Park following stakes wins in the Martha […]

Kentucky Derby 2023 Report: Kingsbarns Rules

By Jarrod Horak Todd Pletcher trainees dominated the Kentucky Derby 2023 points races in March. First it was Forte in the Fountain of Youth on March 4, and Tapit Trice made his case in the Tampa Bay Derby a week later. On March 25, it was Kingsbarns and Flavien Prat wiring the field in the […]

Kentucky Oaks 2023 Report: Southlawn Shines

By Jarrod Horak Southlawn seemingly came out of nowhere and is suddenly prominent player on the road to Kentucky Oaks 2023. The daughter of Pioneerof the Nile was just 1-for-5 last year. She romped in her optional claiming return at Fair Grounds on Feb. 17, and stormed home from off the pace in a strong […]

Kentucky Derby 2023 Report: Tapit Trice Triumphs

By Jarrod Horak The road to Kentucky Derby 2023 is suddenly Todd Pletcher’s playground. His talented juvenile champion Forte was excellent in his seasonal bow in the Fountain of Youth, and he is the solid Derby favorite after that easy victory on March 4. Fast forward one week, and his $1.3 million Tapit colt Tapit […]

Kentucky Oaks 2023 Report: Florida shocker

By Jarrod Horak We saw the biggest shocker yet on the road to Kentucky Oaks 2023. That stunning result was in the Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park on March 4. Dorth Vader pressed the pace and kicked clear to score as a 46-1 outsider. She is probably not a top Oaks contender but that sure […]

Kentucky Derby 2023 Report: Forte is back

By Jarrod Horak The road to Kentucky Derby 2023 is picking up serious momentum. Two-year-old champion Forte made his much anticipated return in the Fountain of Youth Stakes on March 4, and he did not disappoint. He solidified his position as the early Kentucky Derby favorite with another strong stalk and pounce victory at 1 […]

Kentucky Derby 2023 Report: Arabian Knight Rolls

By Jarrod Horak The road to Kentucky Derby 2023 is starting to heat up. The races are getting longer and more points are on the line as we prepare to turn the calendar from February to March. Juvenile champion Forte is scheduled to make his much anticipated seasonal bow in the Fountain of Youth Stakes […]