There will be high-quality racing action across the U.S. this weekend, with graded races taking place at Tampa Bay Downs and Santa Anita Park. One of the key Kentucky Derby prep horse races in 2024 will be the Tampa Bay Derby, and which has attracted a solid field of runners.
Weekend Horse Races Picks
- Pick: No More Time +250
- Pick: Desert Dawn
- Pick: Nay V Belle
You can find out more about the horse racing events’ scores and odds this weekend and our top picks for horse races this weekend below.
Tampa Bay Derby
The Tampa Bay Derby will be among the popular races to make a bet on horse racing this weekend. A total distance of 1 1/16 miles will be covered by the field, with former Derby winners such as Street Sense and Super Saver previously competing in this prep race at Tampa Bay Downs.
Several leading contenders will be involved this weekend, including Grand Mo The First, who was last seen finishing third in the Swale Stakes. Domestic Product will tick a lot of boxes for many when making horse racing predictions this weekend after finishing a strong second behind Hades in the G3 Holy Bull.
However, No More Time looks to be among the top picks for horse races this weekend, for trainer Jose Francisco D’Angelo. This three-year-old was in excellent form over course and distance last month to hold off Agate Road to land the G3 Sam F. Davis, and another progressive showing is likely this weekend.
- Pick: No More Time +250.
Beholder Mile Stakes
The Beholder Mile Stakes is one of the most lucrative races on the schedule this weekend, with the field competing over one mile for their share of the $500,000 purse. Recent winners of the race include A Mo Reay and Swiss Skydiver, both staged at Santa Anita Park.
Some runners will have points to prove this weekend, including Adare Manor, who was last seen finishing seventh in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff in November. She will step back down in distance this week, and that should boost her claims in this company.
Interstatedaydream will be the ride of Frankie Dettori for trainer Todd Pletcher, and she made a very pleasing impression when scoring in the Turnback The Alarm Stakes on her previous start.
However, we like the chances of Desert Dawn at a bigger price for trainer Phillip D’Amato. This five-year-old is incredibly consistent, achieving speed figures in the mid-90s over the last two years. She comes into this after a recent win, scoring over 1 1/16 miles in the G3 La Canada Stakes in January.
- Pick: Desert Dawn
Santa Ysabel Stakes
This weekend, important preparation races will take place with the Kentucky Oaks in mind. Santa Anita stages the Santa Ysabel Stakes, a race covering 1 1/16 miles. Fillies aged three will be eligible to run in this race, and recent winners in the Grade 3 include Faiza, Eda, and Midnight Bisou.
Bob Baffert holds an excellent record in this race, meaning that Kinza will rank among the top picks for horse races this weekend based on the odds available. The three-year-old showcased her quality at Santa Anita on her previous start, landing the G3 Las Virgenes over a mile with a speed rating of 91.
However, there is no shortage of contenders in this race with progressive profiles that are worth considering. Nay V Belle is one of the most eye-catching, with Frankie Dettori taking the ride on the Mark Glatt-trained runner. She was hugely impressive on her racecourse debut last month, clocking a speed figure of 101 when winning over 6 ½ furlongs. There could be more to come from this three-year-old now up in trip.
- Pick: Nay V Belle
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