The preps are in the books, and the weeks ahead will be like waiting for Santa for horse players. It seems like yesterday when we began this long road and every year the process begins the same. You have to love this time of year as a racing fan and now comes the best part of making sense of all the preps leading up. You’ll watch replays, read charts, pay attention to barn notes and listen for that last minute defection of one of the marquee names. It always happens and it is never easy. – With only 19 days until the most exciting two minutes in sports there are a few things in addition to the above process you should follow. – Winning Ponies is the best place you can start. There is the one-of-a-kind E-Z Win Forms which show you how the race will take shape. They have a change of weather tab if Mother Nature gets ugly and you’ll receive a BRAND NEW set of updated E-Z Win Forms at NO CHARGE ! – Winning Ponies doesn’t tell you to bet this and watch. We like to show you how the runners in the race measure up against each other. There are the color coded easy-to-read tier levels which can be used at first glance. Rare in the world of handicapping data do you have a source where it can be used by new and seasoned players alike. – There are handy icons which alert you to late works, dropping in class, moving up in class, and monster workouts to name a few. The past performances offer every single item under the sun to allow you to see how the rider and trainer are doing at the meet and percentages on the year.

 

Keeneland

4/15/17

 

Race #9 – The G-3 Lexington Stakes – 1 1/16

Ten three year olds went to post to do battle in the Lexington Stakes. The morning line favorite was #10 West Coast at (3-1).

 

West Coast did everything correct shipping in from California looking to give Bob Baffert a victory. The post position looked to be no problem rounding the turn and going into the short stretch of the 1 1/16 distance looked to play into his hands. – No Dozing for Arnaud Delacour had an eventful trip waiting for room and tipped off the rail at the top of the lane and came motoring with a strong late run. – The late-prize goes to Senior Investment who exited the G-2 Louisiana Derby fighting it out with stretch running Girvin. Channing Hill fit this Kenny McPeek colt like a glove and got up in the shadow of the wire to get his picture taken.

 

 

Oaklawn Park

4/15/17

 

Race #11 – The 81st. G-1 Arkansas Derby – 1 1/8

 

A full field of 12 went to the starting gate and the morning line favorite was Classic Empire at (8-5). – The race was the last chance for getting a shot at coveted Derby points of 100 / win, 40 for 2nd, 20 for 3rd, and 10 points for fourth.

 

Classic Empire steadied at the start and received a patient ride from Julien Leparoux. The son of Pioneer of the Nile was 5/6 ITM lifetime, and faced some of the tough guys along the way. Toss out the G-1 Hopeful at Saratoga where he wheeled and lost the rider and his resume is impressive. He was the best on this day and only time will from here. – Conquest Mo Money showed the way and had some solid fractions on the board. This son of Uncle Mo had been racing solely at Sunland and this was a big move going forward for races later in the year. – Lookin at Lee is the “Silky Sullivan” of the field, and comes rolling from the back of the pack like gangbusters. “Lee” is a son of Lookin at Lucky and is the kind of runner who would need the perfect pace implosion to score. He’s exciting for sure and no matter where he runs he tries to give the players plenty to root for.

 

Winning Ponies is ready and waiting. – We offer blogs, free selections, stories, updates and the Winning Ponies Internet Show bringing you some of the best names talking racing. Add this in with the easy-to-use E-Z Win Forms and you have your complete one-stop-shop. We want you to be ready for the big score and for the next 19 days be sure to start your day by checking in with Winning Ponies. – The countdown has begun and with only 19 days to the first Saturday in May, you’ll want to stay close as we’ll be bringing you everything to have you ready. – Best of luck from your friends at Winning Ponies !