http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/ Weekly horse betting and handicapping tips on Bodog Racebook http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/07022008-upsets-dominate-graded-stakes-in-new-york-and-california.jsp There were a total of six graded stakes at Hollywood Park and Belmont Park last weekend and the betting favorites lost five of them. Steve Davidowitz 2008-07-02 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/06252008-the-best-races-last-week-were-outside-the-united-states.jsp Racing hasn't been a provincial sport since the advent of the Washington D.C. International at Laurel Race Course in the early 1950s and the United Nations Handicap at Atlantic City Race Course a few years later. Steve Davidowitz 2008-06-25 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/06182008-curlin-wins-in-return-but-will-skip-breeders-cup-classic.jsp The reigning champion is back at full power, but he returns with a big surprise. Barely 48 hours after Curlin scored a relatively easy victory in the $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs on Saturday, trainer Steve Asmussen revealed plans that have been lurking in the background ever since the classy colt won the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic last fall. Steve Davidowitz 2008-06-18 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/06112008-what-happened-to-big-brown-in-the-belmont.jsp The mystery of Big Brown's shockingly weak attempt to complete a rare Triple Crown sweep in the Belmont Stakes may never be solved. According to those who examined him after the race, he came through with no lameness, no bleeding in the lungs, no tear in the quarter crack patch that had been applied so carefully by hoof specialist Ian McKinlay. There were also no overt or internal issues found in subsequent examinations from Sunday to Tuesday to suggest any physical problem or specific reason for his uncharacteristic poor performance. That's why this is a mystery and why it may remain so from now until doomsday. Steve Davidowitz 2008-06-11 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/06042008-big-browns-has-crucial-five-furlong-workout.jsp With tightly wound athletic bandages on all four of his feet and extra protection for his healing quarter crack, Big Brown worked a good five furlongs at Belmont Park in 1:00.03 on Tuesday morning without incident, jogging back to trainer Rick Dutrow no worse for the wear. Steve Davidowitz 2008-06-04 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/05282008-big-browns-quarter-crack-problems-threaten-his-historic-triple-crown-bid.jsp There were several very big, nationally important stakes races in California, Texas and New York over the Memorial Day weekend, but the big story was a tiny crack in the left front hoof of Kentucky Derby-Preakness winner Big Brown. Steve Davidowitz 2008-05-28 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/05212008-undefeated-big-brown-dominates-the-preakness.jsp After winning the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3rd, most observers believed that Big Brown would win the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 17th. Most, but not all. Steve Davidowitz 2008-05-21 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/05142008-derby-winner-big-brown-to-face-12-in-preakness.jsp With Big Brown moving nicely forward toward the 133rd Preakness at Pimlico on Saturday, it is somewhat understandable that only Gayego is under consideration to oppose him from the 18 that survived the Kentucky Derby. Yet at the same time, Big Brown seems likely to face a surprisingly large field of 12 rivals in the 1 3/16 miles Classic. Where the Derby allowed 20 in the starting gate for its 1 1/4-mile race, the Preakness has a 14-horse limit due mostly to common sense rather than the geometrics of the one-mile track. Steve Davidowitz 2008-05-14 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/05082008-racing-celebrates-big-brown.jsp The thrill of an historic victory and the agony of a mortal defeat were on dramatic display in the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Steve Davidowitz 2008-05-08 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/05012008-big-brown-draws-extreme-outside-post-position-20.jsp It was past 5:30 PM on Wednesday, April 30, and the outside three post positions and the two inside posts were all trainer Rick Dutrow had left to choose for favorite Big Brown in the unique selection process for the 134th Kentucky Derby. Steve Davidowitz 2008-05-01 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/04232008-will-war-pass-ever-race-again.jsp When the news came out of Kentucky last weekend that a small fracture had been discovered in War Pass' left front leg, it had instant ramifications to the future of that high-class racehorse and the way the 2008 Kentucky Derby will be run. Steve Davidowitz 2008-04-23 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/04162008-todd-pletcher-scores-with-blue-grass-stakes-exacta.jsp Three times this season heavily backed favorites have run so poorly in important Kentucky Derby prep races that serious doubts have been raised about their chances to win America's most famous race. Steve Davidowitz 2008-04-16 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/04092008-next-stop-louisville-for-colonel-john-and-tale-of-ekati.jsp There was plenty to like about the way Colonel John rallied late to win the Santa Anita Derby, and there was more evidence in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct that 2007 Juvenile Champion War Pass may yet play a vital role in the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby on May 3rd even if he doesn't win it. Steve Davidowitz 2008-04-09 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/04022008-big-wows-for-big-brown-and-curlin.jsp Big Brown's high-powered performance in the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park and Curlin's dominating victory over an international field in the $6 million Dubai World Cup at Nad al Sheba were the two most compelling events of the young 2008 racing season. Steve Davidowitz 2008-04-02 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/03262008-should-lanes-end-winner-go-to-kentucky-derby.jsp For many years, the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes has been a useful early forum for prospective Kentucky Derby contenders. Yet, despite Adriano's convincing victory in the Lane's End at Turfway Park on Saturday, March 22nd, trainer Graham Motion seems inclined not to go that route. Steve Davidowitz 2008-03-26 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/03192008-all-you-want-to-know-about-war-pass-and-the-tampa-bay-derby.jsp There are several important facts that relate to War Pass' weak last-place finish in the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby that ended his unbeaten streak and knocked him out of the favorite's role for the 2008 Kentucky Derby. Without question, this Grade 3 event was the most important race for 3-year-olds so far this year. Steve Davidowitz 2008-03-19 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/03122008-pyro-wins-becomes-kentucky-derby-futures-favorite.jsp When the 2008 Triple Crown chase began in early February, Pyro was just a promising 3-year-old colt who had been twice defeated by 2007 Juvenile Champion War Pass. Steve Davidowitz 2008-03-12 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/03052008-heatseeker-and-colonel-john-big-winners-on-big-cap-day.jsp The 2008 Santa Anita Handicap did not have a single horse among its 14 starters who could be favorably compared to many previous Hall of Fame horses who have won this race. But with the victory scored by the modestly accomplished Heatseeker, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer just might have gained a missing credential that will bolster his Hall of Fame quest. Steve Davidowitz 2008-03-05 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/02272008-war-pass-returns-with-easy-win-over-weak-foes.jsp When War Pass manhandled a field of five overmatched allowance rivals at one mile in the Fountain of Youth under card on Sunday at Gulfstream Park, he took an important first step forward towards the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 3rd. Steve Davidowitz 2008-02-27 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/02202008-upsets-on-santa-anita-dry-synthetic-track.jsp The Pro-Ride/Cushion Track hybrid racing surface that is now in play at Santa Anita is being labeled an "All Weather Track." But until a heavy rainstorm really hits, the new label will remain a hopeful guess. In the meantime, horseplayers have been forced to call it something else: The most unpredictable surface in American Thoroughbred racing. Steve Davidowitz 2008-02-20 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/02132008-pyro-comes-from-way-back-to-win-the-300000-risen-star-stakes.jsp As advertised, the Triple Crown chase got underway last weekend with an eye-catching last-to-first winning rally by Pyro in the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (G3) at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. Steve Davidowitz 2008-02-13 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/02062008-three-upsets-in-important-graded-stakes-on-both-coasts.jsp The $300,000 Strub Stakes at Santa Anita for newly turned 4-year-olds was supposed to be a forum for the useful, but frequently overbet TIAGO. But, the nine furlong, Grade-2 race was dominated from start to finish by MONTEREY JAZZ who earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure while completing nine furlongs in 1:45.65. That clocking on the ultra fast Cushion Track was just .01 slower than the track record set by GO BETWEEN in the Sunshine Millions Classic, Jan 26. Steve Davidowitz 2008-02-06 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/01302008-results-and-lessons-learned-from-sunshine-millions.jsp It certainly was remarkable to see the mushy, gushy, sloppy, gloppy, Santa Anita racing surface that shut down racing on Thursday and Friday become one of the fastest racetracks in racing history for Sunshine Millions Day, Saturday, January 26. Steve Davidowitz 2008-01-30 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/01232008-horse-of-the-year.jsp There were no real surprises when the American Eclipse Awards were given out in Beverly Hills, California on Monday, January 21. And if you read my January 2 tongue- in-cheek-column ---'Nostradamus, I am Not', --- it was fairly obvious that the owners of 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin were going to announce that the newly turned four-year-old will race again in 2008. Steve Davidowitz 2008-01-23 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/01162008-phony-santa-anita-track-records-set-on-near-concrete.jsp Several very good races were run in very fast clockings at Santa Anita last weekend, and no rain fell on the Cushion Track to spoil the party. Steve Davidowitz 2008-01-16 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/01092008-cushion-track-problems-linger-at-santa-anita.jsp It is painful and troubling to watch what is going on at Santa Anita racetrack. One of the best race meets of the year is being jeopardized by a faulty synthetic racing surface that should never have been installed in the first place. Steve Davidowitz 2008-01-09 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/01022008-nostradamus-i-am-not-but.jsp Back in the early 1970s, at the start of my writing career, I was a big fan of an annual column that appeared in the New York Times sports section every year on January 1st. Steve Davidowitz 2008-01-02 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/12262007-four-derby-prospects-emerge-from-the-cashcall-futurity.jsp Favored Colonel John and second choice Massive Drama ran well enough for second and third in the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (G1) to suggest they will be long-range prospects for the 2008 Kentucky Derby. However, both were upstaged on every level by 12-1 shot Into Mischief, who out-finished his more experienced stakes winning rivals in his third career start. And this was after losing to Massive Drama in the 7-furlong Hollywood Preview on November 22nd. Steve Davidowitz 2007-12-26 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/12192007-four-high-class-fillies-could-challenge-indian-blessing-in-2008.jsp Even though the maiden Country Star won the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on October 5th, it was not surprising to see Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel keep her out of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Monmouth Park on October 27th. Steve Davidowitz 2007-12-19 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/12122007-results-of-six-major-stakes-around-the-world.jsp The six stakes races of major importance last weekend included three rich stakes in Hong Kong, plus Sunriver's well-earned, wire-to-wire score in the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup (G1); Z Humor and Turf War's dead heat in the $1 million Delta Jackpot (G3) at Delta Downs; and Evening Attire's remarkable victory as a 9-year-old in the $100,000 Queen's County Handicap at Aqueduct. The importance of the American races can be summed up as follows: Steve Davidowitz 2007-12-12 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/12052007-the-missing-voice-in-eclipse-award-voting.jsp As we approach the end of 2007, there are a few things bothering me about contemporary racing issues that deserve some comment. For instance: Steve Davidowitz 2007-12-05 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/11282007-eight-jockeys-star-in-stakes-rich-thanksgiving-weekend.jsp Aside from the Breeders' Cup and perhaps half a dozen other popular racing dates, the Thanksgiving weekend of 2007 certainly ranks among the strongest concentration of high-class races we saw all year. Steve Davidowitz 2007-11-28 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/11212007-the-unsung-masters-of-racing.jsp When I was writing The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing in 2006 for publication this year, space restrictions forced me to give short shrift to a group of racetrack performers too often overlooked. I am talking about jockey agents, top jockey agents, the best in the business in fact. Steve Davidowitz 2007-11-21 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/11142007-major-fall-stakes-in-california-new-york-and-the-orient.jsp The post Breeders' Cup period may be accompanied by an energy dip in overall interest in American horse racing, but there is never a complete shutdown of racing here or anywhere else. Steve Davidowitz 2007-11-14 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/11072007-post-breeders-cup-rankings-for-americas-top-horses.jsp Having periodically ranked the leading horses in America throughout the year, it is time for a seasonal update based on the Breeders' Cup and other late-season races. This time, the focus will be on the top 3-year-olds who competed at route distances in 2007 and the leading 2-year-olds who will be pointed towards the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks. A few other selected rankings for milers, fillies, sprinters and older horses are included at the end of the article. Steve Davidowitz 2007-11-07 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/10312007-the-most-important-story-of-the-2007-breeders-cup.jsp The three Breeders' Cup races on Friday, October 26th and the eight on Saturday, October 27th clinched American Eclipse Awards for eight horses and left no doubt that Curlin is certain to be voted Champion 3-year-old and 2007 Horse of the Year. But all of that was overshadowed by the death of George Washington, an immensely popular champion from Great Britain. Steve Davidowitz 2007-10-31 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/10242007-the-2007-breeders-cup-classic-a-race-with-a-classic-pedigree.jsp When the Breeders' Cup was first proposed by the late John Gaines of Gainesway Farm to a disbelieving gathering of horsemen during Kentucky Derby week in 1982, the world of Thoroughbred Horseracing changed forever. Steve Davidowitz 2007-10-24 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/10172007-preview-of-the-eight-traditional-breeders-cup-races.jsp The pre-entered fields for all 11 Breeders' Cup races will be released to the general public by midday on Wednesday, October 17th. Steve Davidowitz 2007-10-17 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/10102007-a-huge-weekend-of-important-bc-prep-races.jsp Nearly 20 rich graded stakes races were run in America and Europe over the weekend and all had implications for more than 50 Breeders' Cup prospects. Steve Davidowitz 2007-10-10 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/10032007-preview-of-3-new-bc-races-plus-weekends-19-bc-preps.jsp There is enormous ground to cover in this and future columns leading up to and coming out of the 2007 Breeders' Cup. In a normal year, we would have eight Breeders' Cup races; this year - the 24th annual Breeders' Cup and the first at Monmouth Park in New Jersey - we have 11. Steve Davidowitz 2007-10-03 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/09262007-any-given-saturday-wins-grasshopper-and-octave-lose.jsp Any Given Saturday scores an underappreciated victory Steve Davidowitz 2007-09-26 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/09192007-why-rags-to-riches-lost-and-is-out-for-the-year.jsp When Rags to Riches went to the post in the $250,000 Gazelle Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on Saturday, September 15th, she was an over bet, 2-5 wagering favorite meeting a very fit, improving rival in Lear's Princess. Steve Davidowitz 2007-09-19 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/09122007-handicapping-author-tom-ainslie-dies.jsp When Tom Ainslie passed away at age 89 last week, it became obvious to those who knew him that he was a virtual unknown outside American racing circles. Moreover, too many American horseplayers had no clue who he was or what he did to advance the art of handicapping. Steve Davidowitz 2007-09-12 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/09052007-up-to-date-weighted-rankings-of-the-best-american-racehorses.jsp After watching dozens of well-bred, fast-working 2-year-old horses in several dozen races at Saratoga and Del Mar this summer, I've put together my first list of leading American juvenile colts and fillies. In addition, I've updated the 3-year-olds, turf horses, sprinters, milers and older fillies and mares to reflect the performances in each division since mid-July. All horses that make any of these lists for the first time and/or have shown improvement over previous ratings, will appear in italicized form. Steve Davidowitz 2007-09-05 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/08292007-where-to-next-for-street-sense-and-hard-spun.jsp Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense seemed destined to win the $1 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday, August 25th. Not only was he facing a Travers field that included only one graded stakes winner - Sightseeing - but his two most formidable Triple Crown rivals - Curlin and Hard Spun - were not in the historic 1 1/4-mile race. Steve Davidowitz 2007-08-29 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/08222007-pacific-classic-on-polytrack-is-meaningless-exercise.jsp When longshot Student Council took command of the $1 million Pacific Classic (G1) at the top of the stretch at Del Mar on Sunday, observers were not nearly as shocked as when he stopped the teletimer in 2:07 1/5. Steve Davidowitz 2007-08-22 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/08152007-arlington-million-day-dominated-by-foreign-invaders.jsp The scratching of probable favorite After Market due to relatively soft turf conditions at Arlington Park left the $1 million Arlington Million (G1) without a formidable American-based contender. Yes, last year's winner, 9-year-old The Tin Man, ran gallantly and just failed to hold off the Canadian-based longshot Jambalaya in the final strides, but the race failed to deliver a world-class performance or a horse to move forward to the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Monmouth Park on October 27th. Steve Davidowitz 2007-08-15 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/08082007-any-given-saturday-dominates-the-haskell-at-monmouth.jsp Arlington Heights, Illinois, August 8th. When Any Given Saturday was unlucky enough to lose a hard-fought nose decision to 2006 Juvenile Champion Street Sense in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 17th, many horsemen and horseplayers expected him to challenge Street Sense in the Triple Crown races. Steve Davidowitz 2007-08-08 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/08012007-some-saratoga-history-some-handicapping-hints.jsp Saratoga Racetrack in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York is America's oldest racetrack.It was built in 1864 during the Civil War fought between the Union of Northern States and the Confederacy of Southern States. While the declared end to slavery was the central issue that provoked armed battle for the Northern States, the Southern mentality was to preserve their states' rights to choose policies without interference from Washington. The south even insisted that this principle of "states' rights" trumped common decency, a twisted logic that inevitably brought ruin to many southern institutions while the slaves went free anyway. Steve Davidowitz 2007-08-01 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/07252007-handicapping-primer-for-del-mar-by-the-sea.jsp Del Mar, California. I spent the first week of racing at Del Mar, one of America's most beautiful racetracks. Built in the 1930s by Bing Crosby and his Hollywood friends, Del Mar's charm stems from extraordinary Spanish-inspired architecture and the Pacific Ocean, which is barely 500 yards away. Steve Davidowitz 2007-07-25 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/07182007-american-racings-biggest-problem.jsp Aside from the high caliber of racing we are set to experience at Del Mar in Southern California and at Saratoga in upstate New York, it is difficult to remain silent about the most important issue plaguing racing on these shores. Steve Davidowitz 2007-07-18 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/07112007-analysis-of-a-high-class-weekend-of-racing.jsp There were so many high-class stakes races last weekend that I will get right to my analysis of the most important races at Hollywood Park, Belmont Park, Calder Racecourse and Monmouth Park. The second half of the American racing season is off and running and many of these races included horses that we will see in action again during the summer as well as possibly an assortment of Breeders' Cup events. Steve Davidowitz 2007-07-11 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/07042007-lava-man-yes-the-tin-man-not-quite.jsp I spent the weekend at Hollywood Park in Southern California and saw the venerable Lava Man eke out a narrow but still convincing victory over longshot A.P. Xcellent in the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1). Steve Davidowitz 2007-07-04 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/06272007-invasors-retirement-leaves-big-void-at-the-top.jsp The $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) at Hollywood Park and the $400,000 Suburban Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park this coming Saturday couldn't come at a better time. With the sudden and unfortunate retirement of 2006 Horse of the Year Invasor due to a sesamoid fracture to his right rear leg after a workout last Saturday, the two races for older horses on opposite coasts will give several good horses a chance to fill a very big void at the top of American Thoroughbred rankings. Steve Davidowitz 2007-06-27 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/06202007-strong-summer-racing-schedule-set-to-begin.jsp Now that a most entertaining Triple Crown season is complete, American racing will move in several different directions with the beginning of summer this week. Steve Davidowitz 2007-06-20 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/06132007-the-ups-and-downs-of-a-thrilling-2007-triple-crown.jsp Just as there were important positives and negatives to evaluate going into the Belmont Stakes (see last week's column), the entire 2007 Triple Crown chase had more than its share of highs and lows. Steve Davidowitz 2007-06-13 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/06072007-seven-contenders-for-the-belmont-stakes.jsp There will be no strong/strong in the 139th Belmont Stakes (G1), which makes very little sense from any standpoint. Not for the sport, not for the fans, not even for the horse who was pronounced fit by his trainer, Carl Nafzger, after he completed a good workout at Churchill Downs a week ago. Steve Davidowitz 2007-06-07 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/05302007-jerkens-dominate-metropolitan-mile.jsp While the horses involved in the 2007 Triple Crown were getting a brief respite, the best race in America this past week was the 114th running of the Metropolitan Mile (G-1), at Belmont Park on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28. Steve Davidowitz 2007-05-30 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/05232007-a-terrific-high-quality-preakness.jsp The 132nd Preakness Stakes was one of the most entertaining races in Triple Crown history and it validated the high class of the horses who made it so. Steve Davidowitz 2007-05-23 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/05182007-lingering-kentucky-derby-thoughts-and-ideas-for-2007-preakness.jsp Having won the Kentucky Derby by 2 1/2 lengths, Street Sense is sure to be the betting favorite in the 1 3/16 mile Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, May 19. Steve Davidowitz 2007-05-18 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/05092007-the-shortest-distance-between-two-points.jsp STREET SENSE may have been a clear-cut winner of America's most famous race on Saturday May 5, but he was also the beneficiary of good fortune rarely seen in a race of such magnitude. Steve Davidowitz 2007-05-09 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/05032007-preparing-for-the-derby.jsp In most years, horses that train strongly for the 1-1/4 mile Kentucky Derby run strongly. Steve Davidowitz 2007-05-03 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/04262007-dramatic-changes-in-kentucky-derby-preparation.jsp It started last year, when Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby after a five-week layoff, the longest gap leading up to Americas most famous and most testing race in more than 50 years. More accurately, the shift away from traditional training methods for the 1 1/4-mile Derby began subtly in the 1990s when a handful of trainers began to get decent Derby results despite training their contenders far away from Churchill Downs. Steve Davidowitz 2007-04-26 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/04182007-a-bizarre-but-intriguing-blue-grass-stakes.jsp Juvenile Champion strong/strong was barely beaten at 11-10 odds by the 8-1 shot Dominican in the hotly contested $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday. Of equal importance, the bizarrely run race pointed out some issues that could impact the Kentucky Derby. Steve Davidowitz 2007-04-18 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/04122007-three-substandard-kentucky-derby-preps-on-april-7.jsp The three major Kentucky Derby prep races on Saturday April 7 were, in a word-disappointing. Steve Davidowitz 2007-04-12 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/04042007-a-formfull-florida-derby-and-charting-pletcher-army.jsp The $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park on Saturday was won by wagering favorite strong/strong over second choice Notional in workmanlike fashion. Meanwhile, highly regarded Chelokee finished a very good third despite a rough trip to continue a rare trend in this years prep races for the 2007 Kentucky Derby. So far, with only six major Derby prep races left to be run, there have been no longshot winners, not one remotely shocking result. Steve Davidowitz 2007-04-04 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/03282007-hard-spun-wins-the-race-he-had-to-win.jsp The once-beaten strong/strong was one more defeat away from being completely eliminated from serious consideration for the 2007 Kentucky Derby. His trainer Larry Jones looked at his lackluster fourth place finish in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on February 19 and was mystified by the weak performance. Until that moment, Jones believed he had a genuine Grade 1 colt who just might be the one to beat in the Kentucky Derby. Steve Davidowitz 2007-03-28 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/03222007-was-the-tampa-bay-derby-too-strenuous-for-street-sense.jsp The reigning 2006 American Juvenile champion strong/strong put on quite a show in his return to competition while narrowly out-gaming the high-class Any Given Saturday in a thrilling $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on Saturday, March 17. But-and its a big but-Street Senses victory might have been quite costly in the overall scheme of things. Indeed, such a gut-wrenching effort in this colts first start since winning the $2 million Breeders Cup Juvenile (G1) by 10 lengths last fall might have diminished his chance to win the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby. Steve Davidowitz 2007-03-22 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/03142007-thumnbnail-sketches-of-major-derby-prep-races.jsp Last weekend, trainer Todd Pletchers strong/strong won the $600,000 Louisiana Derby (G2) at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, with a strong last-to-first rally that suggested he may be the best of several highly accomplished Pletcher-trained Derby contenders. Steve Davidowitz 2007-03-14 http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/analysis/03072007-essential-ingredient-to-good-triple-crown-handicapping.jsp A few days ago, it was publicly announced that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, is planning to be at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky for the 133rd running of a modern American cavalry charge. Steve Davidowitz 2007-03-07