(NEW KENT, VA — 3/5/20) —- With only two months to go until Kentucky Derby Day, prep race action for three-year-old horses takes center stage this weekend plus, fans will have a chance to bet both the Derby and Kentucky Oaks weeks in advance.
A trio of key graded stakes for three-year-olds is on tap Saturday March 7 — the $300,000 (Gr. 3) Gotham at Aqueduct, the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (Gr. 2) at Tampa Bay Downs and the $400,000 San Felipe (Gr. 2) at Santa Anita. In addition to these showcase events, each track has a stakes filled under card as well. Saturday is shaping up to be the biggest betting day of 2020 so far.
The Gotham program at Aqueduct includes three under card stakes which will run consecutively — the $125,000 Stymie, $200,000 Tom Fool (Gr. 3) and $250,000 Busher Invitational. The first of the trio kicks off at 4:18 PM while the Gotham itself is at 5:42 PM. Aqueduct’s first post is at 1:30 PM.
Tampa Bay’s Derby goes to post at 5:32 PM and is preceded by three stakes, also run consecutively. The $100,000 Challenger (Gr. 3) is at 3:55 PM, followed by the $225,000 Hillsborough (Gr. 2) and the $200,000 Florida Oaks (Gr. 3). First post at Tampa is 12:15 PM.
The San Felipe Stakes (6 PM) at Santa Anita will draw plenty of attention but another race on the card should be an even bigger draw. The 84th running of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap finishes off a stellar day of racing there at 7 PM. The $200,000 San Carlos Stakes (Gr. 2) goes off at 4 PM and the $400,000 Frank Kilroe Mile (Gr. I) is slated for 4:30 PM. First post at the west coast track is at 3 PM.
Racing fans can also bet Derby hopefuls from Friday March 6 thru Sunday March 8 in Pool #3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. Pool #1 of the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager is also available as is the Oaks/Derby Future. This is a unique opportunity to bet potential contenders at more lucrative odds than might be offered on the actual Oaks and Derby cards.
Fans can bet all the action at any VA-Horseplay Off Track Betting Center in Henrico (Breakers), Richmond (Ponies & Pints), Chesapeake (Buckets) and Collinsville (The Windmill) in addition to simulcast centers at the Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in Richmond, Hampton, Vinton and New Kent.
