The eyes of the horse racing world was fixed on Belmont Park but there was racing at other tracks around the country - believe it or not! The Grade 3 Fort Marcy Stakes went down at Belmont Park and it featured horses three years old and upward as they raced 1 1/16 miles on turf.
To absolutely nobody`s surprise, 3-5 favorite Wise Dan raced to a relatively easy 4 3/4 length victory in the $500,000 Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs Saturday in the race that immediately preceded the Kentucky Derby.
The $300,000 Grade 1 Humana Distaff was one of the huge races featured on the undercard of the Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 4.
The $1 million Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks kicked off Derby weekend and Churchill Downs and with arguably one of the best field in years lining up for the Big Race.
The one mile $100,000 Grade 3 Wilshire Handicap took place on Betfair Hollywood Park turf Sunday, April 28. It was Halo Dolly that recorded a 1 1/2 length score at 3-1 odds in the field of seven fillies and mares.
Lone Star Park was the scene of the $200,000 Grade 3 Texas Mile Stakes on Saturday, April 27. Master Rick rallied from third in the stretch for his first career graded stakes victory by 1 1/4 lengths.
Golden Gate Fields turf hosted the $100,000 Grade 3 San Francisco Mile on Saturday, April 27.
The $150,000 Grade 3 Westchester Stakes was contested at Belmont Park on Saturday, April 27. It was two-time Jockey Club Gold Cup winner and 5-2 second choice Flat Out who made it 4-for-4 at Belmont Park.
The $150,000 Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes took place at Keeneland on Friday, April 26. Sarah and Ken Ramsey owned Dark Cover registered the upset win at 9-1 odds.
A rare Thursday graded stakes went down at Keeneland April 25 - the Grade 3 Bewitch Stakes for older fillies and mares took place on Keeneland turf. Joel Rosario extended his record for most wins in a single spring meet at Keeneland when he guided 18-1 shot Strathnaver to a one length victory.