byron king

The Record-Setting Keeneland Fall Meet Begins Friday with Fall Stars Weekend and laying out the schedule for us all is Amy Owens longtime veteran as Keeneland Communications Associate. Get out your calendars as Amy will layout the highlights and wagering options for Keeneland’s Fall Meet, which opens Friday for 17 days through Saturday, Oct. 29. The season precedes the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which Keeneland will host Nov. 4-5 for the third time. Get out your E-Z Win Forms because during the Fall Meet, Keeneland will offer 22 stakes worth a record $8.9 million! Big bets are not going to hurt your odds. The season opens with the three-day Fall Stars Weekend, which features 11 stakes, including nine “Win and You’re In” events, with total purses of $5.45 million. Post time for the first race each day of the Fall Meet is 1 p.m. ET. As Keeneland Communications Associate, Amy Owens assists Keeneland’s Communications Department with a variety of projects related to races and sales. Her days start early and she does an outstanding job giving us the inside scoop on all of the top connections. Owens, who hails from St. Charles, Missouri, is a graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism. She most recently worked as a freelance writer and editor, handling a variety of assignments for publications, organizations and farms in the racing industry. She has assisted in managing Keeneland’s press box since 2006 and serves as editor of the track’s race-day program wrap. Byron King is currently the Associate Editor at the Blood-Horse. He will become a very familiar face around the track as Keeneland will present its star-studded fields competing on “Fall Stars All Stars Weekend.” No sooner will he hit the “send” button on his last weekend story, will he head out the door to start on the Breeders’ Cup preview coverage – it all happens at Keeneland. Byron will join John in analyzing a few select races from an extensive menu of quality competitors.

It is a stellar Saturday at Belmont Park. There will be eight Grade 1 races with “The Test of the Champion,” the 1 ½ mile Belmont Stakes, serving as the headliner. Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is becoming the Rodney Dangerfield of the 3-year-olds. He’s getting no respect from the majority of the East Coast media and was installed at odds of 7-2 morning line and may go higher at post time. We are bringing on an integral part of the story and the observations of a national handicapper to weigh in on the $1.5 million Classic. Eric Reed, trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, was on “The Regular Guy Radio Show” on winningponies.com before and after the Kentucky Derby. A man of his word, Eric has returned to tell us about the rapid development of his muscular chestnut colt. After Eric’s post-Derby decision to rest his classic winner and point to the Belmont, Rich Strike has returned to training with vigor. We’ll get an up-to-the-minute report - straight from the horse trainer's mouth. We’ve engaged the handicapping talents of Byron King, Associate Editor of the Blood-Horse, who has been tracking the 3-year-olds through his “Derby Dozen” column. He’ll need only come up with a “Belmont Eight” on Saturday, but an interesting eight it is, with theories of the race pace scenario dominating press box conversation. We’ve engaged the handicapping talents of Byron King,Associate Editor of the Blood-Horse, who has been tracking the 3-year-oldsthrough his “Derby Dozen” column. He’ll need only come up with a “Belmont Eight” on Saturday, but an interesting eight it is, with theories of the race pace scenario dominating press box conversation. While the Belmont is “The Race of the Champion,” Byron will weigh in on several the championship match-ups that will take place leading up to the Belmont. We’ll see the multi-million-dollar earning mare Letruska take on the newly-turned 4-year-old Malathaatin the Ogden Phipps. Champion Echo Zulu faded to fourth in the Kentucky Oaks and will be shortening up to a mile in the Acorn, while 3-year-old sensation Matareya stretches out to the distance. Flightline will fly in for a rare appearance. The $1 million dollar baby has shown brilliance in every start, though he has only made three in his career. His speed figures have been through the roof, but the well-seasoned Speaker’s Corner comes into the race off three straight graded stakes wins while recoding 102+ Beyer Speed Figures.

Pete Aiello is more than just the booming voice who has mastered the art of storytelling as a live event unfolds at Gulfstream Park, he is a keen student of the game. Pete will join us to pass along a few gems he may have unearthed through his binoculars while watching many of Saturday’s entrants in competition. Pete has a long day in store for him with the first of fourteen races starting at 11:30 a.m. There will be six graded stakes on the card headed by two 100-40-20-10 points races for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. The post position draw for the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby was very fair to the top contenders with the short run to the first turn in the 1 1/8-mile race at Gulfstream Park. None of the four morning-line favorites drew outside post 7, which is where Holy Bull winner White Abarrio will break. He was established as the 3-1 second choice on the morning line behind 5-2 favorite Simplication, who came back from his second-place finish in the Holy Bull to win the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth with authority, under Jose Ortiz four weeks later. Simplification, who has trained extremely well since the Fountain of Youth, drew post 3 with Ortiz again named to ride. Tyler Gaffalione takes his regular seat astride White Abarrio. Both multiple graded stakes winner Classic Causeway, the likely pacesetter, and last-out maiden breaker Charge It were set at 7-2 in the morning line. In the Grade 2, $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks Todd Pletcher-trained Goddess of Fire has been given morning line odds of 9 to 5 off her game second-place effort in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds. So, who is the second favorite, you may ask? SHE IS! Kathleen O has been instilled as the early favorite at odds of 4 to 5. Trained by Shug McGaughey, she is now undefeated in three starts, and has two stakes wins at Gulfstream Park, her last being an impressive effort in the Grade 2 Davona Dale. Byron King, Associate Editor of The Blood-Horse has been giving us updates on his weekly “Derby Dozen” and he will join us to talk about this week’s shake ups and this weekend's potential bracket busters. We’ll discuss Epicenter’s eye-popping performance while setting a track record in the Louisiana Derby. Saturday’s Grade 1 Arkansas Derby features D. Wayne Lukas-trained filly Secret Oath taking on the boys and at Turfway Park a very talented group of synthetic and turf performers will vie to take the Animal Kingdom route to Louisville via the Grade 3, $600,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks.

Daily Racing Form’s Eclipse Award-winning Marty McGee will be our first guest. He’s been “boots on the ground” these past weeks on the backstretch of Gulfstream Park (when he’s not feet in the sand, drink in hand, outside of his bachelor bungalow in Hollywood. He’s seen most of the runners and spoken to the trainers and now he’s ready to tackle Saturday’s amazing card that offers eight graded stakes races including two important points races (50-20-10-5). The Gr. 2, $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth has drawn an overflow field of 3-year-old colts and geldings. There are angles galore that await handicappers. Gr. 1 winner Rattle N Roll will make his long-awaited seasonal debut for trainer Ken McPeek. Three local challengers that should get backing at the windows are Simplification and Mo Donegal, the 2-3 finishers in the Gr. 3 Holy Bull and Dean Delivers who earned a hard-fought second in the Gr. 3 Swale. There does seem to be a clear favorite in the Gr. 2, $200,000 Davona Dale Stakes for the 3-year-old fillies. Girl With a Dream seems to check all the right boxes – has won over four different surfaces, including her last start in the Gr. 3 Forward Gal here; she has a top trainer with Brad Cox; excellent rider in Luis Saez; seems to relish the longer distances with a front-running style. The 1 Mile distance seems like a most logical and progressive step in her career. Byron King, Associate Editor at the Blood-Horse, is fresh off a “Road Trip to Hot Springs” to continue his quest for the very finest horses to include in his weekly “Derby Dozen” column for the Blood-Horse. From his clandestine view behind the grassy knoll at Oaklawn Park, King’s binoculars gave him a view of the opposite ends of racing’s predictability. In the Honeybee, a steppingstone to the Ky. Oaks, D. Wayne Lukas-trained Secret Oath smashed the field by 7 ½ lengths covering the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.74 (a full second faster than the boys would run the Rebel) to return $2.60 to her many backers. King may have to add her to his “Dozen” in the future as Lukas has left the door open for a potential Derby run…shades of Winning Colors. The $1million Rebel left plenty of questions unanswered and a little less cash in most pockets as one-eyed longshot Un Ojo popped to the wire in the final yards to record a $152.80 upset. Only ½ length behind was Ethereal Road, another D.Wayne Lukas-trained steed that could make a heavenly trip to Louisville. We’ll ask Byron to weigh in on two weekend Derby preps that could shuffle the “Dozen”– the San Felipe (G2), 1 1/16 miles, 50-20-10-5 Kentucky Derby points which is part of the sensational graded stakes Saturday at Santa Anita as well as the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct going a mile.

This week’s show has so much information we had to bring in three guests. Billy Reed, a well-known, accomplished sportswriter in Kentucky and a three-time Eclipse Award-winning turf writer, died Feb. 5 in Louisville, Ky. He was 79. He served as president of the National Turf Writers Association (now the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters) from 1988-90. His three Eclipse Awards came when writing for the Louisville Courier-Journal (1979), Lexington Herald-Leader (1988), and Thoroughbred Times (2008). Multiple Eclipse Award winner Jennie Rees worked alongside Reed covering racing in Louisville for decades. She will join us to put Reed’s career in perspective. Leading up to the Kentucky Derby, Byron King updates his weekly “Derby Dozen” on bloodhorse.com every Tuesday. He will join us on a regular basis as the Derby Preps take more focus leading up to the 1st Saturday in May. According to King, “In years past, a 15-length score in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) from a horse like Messier (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/messier/2019?source=BHonline) would have vaulted such a 3-year-old toward the top of the Derby Dozen, but not in 2022 with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert suspended by Churchill Downs Inc. Barring a change in the status of Baffert trainees (i.e. barn switch, legal action), no cracking the 'Dozen for such types for now.” His current top three are: Rattle N Roll, Smile Happy and Zandon. Vic Stauffer has a long resume in the world of racing. While familiar to most as the current voice of Oaklawn Park, he’s called races at Gulfstream Park, Hialeah Park, Hawthorne Race Course, and spent 13 years at Hollywood Park in California. He has also earned two Eclipse Awards for radio and broadcast. He’s also served stints as a jockey agent and is an accomplished handicapper. Stauffer will join us to discuss his “Life and Times” in the sport and of his new home base in Hot Springs. We’ll ask him for his opinion of the Derby preps thus far and his impression of Newgrange, who remained unbeaten in three starts, when he forged past the leaders late for a 1 1/2-length win over Barber Road in the Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. There are two graded stakes carded for Saturday. Distaffers will match strides for $250,000 in the Bayakoa. Super Stock, the winner of last year’s Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, is on pace to launch his 4-year-old season Feb. 12 in the Grade 3, $600,000 Razorback, said trainer Steve Asmussen. The Razorback will be run over 1 1/16 miles. Super Stock won the Zia Park Derby at the distance in November. The earner of $1.1 million races for Erv Woolsey and Asmussen’s parents, Keith and Marilyn Asmussen.

The man behind the microphone at Gulfstream Park, Pete Aiello will join us to dissect their most outstanding day of racing. There will be six graded stakes races for Pete to put paint with his colorful litany of story lines and pinpoint race calls. In what may go down as one of the best races of the year 11 months from now, will pit two of the most talented horses currently in training against each other – probable 2021 Horse of the Year Knicks Go against the near-perfect Life is Good in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup. Leading up to the day’s main event is a talent-laden undercard. The two turf tests are the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational and Grade 3 Pegasus Filly& Mare. The competition continues on the main track with the Grade 2 Inside Information; Grade3 Fred W. Hooper; and Grade 3 Wm. McKnight. Pete will familiarize us with the top competitors of each test. Byron King from the Blood-Horse will weigh in on the much-anticipated Pegasus World Cup and then take a turn on the weekend’s handicapping map and head for Hot Springs. Spotlight on the 3-year-olds will take place on Saturday in the $750,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Post positions were drawn Monday for the Southwest, along with two other stakes races Jan. 29. The 1 1/16-mile Southwest is Oaklawn’s second of four Kentucky Derby points races, offering 17 to the top four finishes (10-4-2-1) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. Dash Attack, Barber Road, Ignitis, Vivar and Barber Road, the 1-2-3-5-7 finishers, respectively, in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 1 are expected to return for the Southwest. The 1-mile Smarty Jones was Oaklawn’s first Kentucky Derby points race. From there, Saturday’s 3-year-old action switched to Santa Anita. The Grade 2, $200,000 San Vicente is a west coast “stepping stone” race that will be contested at 7 furlongs. What has come to serve as the norm in such events, Bob Baffert will enter three impeccably bred colts as they take their baby steps to the Santa Anita Derby.

With less than five weeks to go before the Breeders' Cup Championships, this weekend is busiest of the North American season for the win and you're in races. 11 qualifiers are on the calendar, mostly at Keeneland where we will put the focus of this week’s show. Amy Owens logs a lot of miles every morning traveling from barn to barn to find stories of interest and check in on the many stakes horses – before and after the races. As always, a new Keeneland meet brings in new creative ideas to the game and Amy will update us on all of them and the schedule of events for the Fall Meet. One eye-catching concept is the new Keeneland Turf Pick 3, for handicappers of all levels during the Fall Meet from Oct. 8-30. The Keeneland Turf Pick 3 wager will be offered on the final three turf races each race day. The minimum wager is $3 and will follow the same rules as the traditional Pick 3. The new wager has a 15% takeout, the same low takeout as Keeneland’s popular Pick 5 wager. As Keeneland Communications Associate, Amy Owens assists Keeneland’s Communications Department with a variety of projects related to races and sales. Kentucky native Byron King will be on-site at Keeneland to cover the action for The Blood-Horse and perhaps make a wager or two. He’ll be joining John to analyze as many “Win and You’re In” races as time allows. The action starts on Friday and features a packed field in the G1 $400,000 Darley Alcibiades for 2-year-old fillies. This race not only delivers a Breeders’ Cup berth, but points for next year’s Kentucky Oaks. Previous to that race on the card the race will be to the swift in the six furlong G2, $250,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix. Saturday is a stakes-filled afternoon and will see the juvenile boys match strides in the G1, $500,000 Breeders Futurity with an overflow field. In addition to Breeders’ Cup invite, the race carries qualifying points to the Kentucky Derby. Thirteen outstanding fillies and mares will take to the turf on the card in the G1, $400,000 First Lady Stakes that should provide excellent betting opportunities.

The “King” of Louisville, Byron King, is here to discuss the season under the Twin Spires in 2021. The Blood-Horse’s Associate Editor will join John to handicap the stakes-laden card. Saturday’s closing day stakes spectacular has an 11-race program and scheduled to be headlined by Godolphin’s GI winner Maxfield in the featured $600,000 Stephen Foster (GII) – one of seven stakes events on the card. Maxfield, trained by Brendan Walsh, enters the Stephen Foster following a convincing 3 ¼-length win in the $400,0000 Alysheba (GII). The talented son of Street Sense is slated to be joined in the gate by fellow graded stakes winners Chess Chief (Dallas Stewart), Silver Dust (Bret Calhoun) and Warrior’s Charge (Brad Cox). All three horses completed their major Stephen Foster preps Saturday at Churchill Downs. The Stephen Foster is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” race for the $6 million Longines Classic (GI) on Nov. 6 at Del Mar. Here are the other probable runners for the undercard races to the Stephen Foster we will handicap the $300,000 Fleur de Lis (GII), run at 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and up, Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Distaff Division: Dreamalildreamofu (Brad Cox); Envoutante (Kenny McPeek); Point of Honor (Shug McGaughey); Singita Dreams (Phil Bauer); SpiceIs Nice (Todd Pletcher); and Vault (Brad Cox). · $300,000 Wise Dan (GII), run at 1 1/16 miles on turf for 4-year-olds and up: Field Pass (Mike Maker); In Love (BRZ) (Paulo Lobo); Ride a Comet (Mark Casse); Set Piece (GB) (Brad Cox); and Somelikeithotbrown (Mike Maker). Possible: Spooky Channel (Jason Barkley). Hugh Drexler, the Racing Secretary at Thistledown will make his first appearance on the show as he lends his insights to Ohio’s biggest day of racing, anchored by the $500,000 GIII Ohio Derby. Drexler was born into racing as his father was a jockey and his grandfather and great-grandfather were trainers in Puerto Rico. A graduate of the Racetrack Industry Program in Arizona, he had internships with the Breeders’ Cup and Santa Anita. He eventually did the paddock shows at Sunray and Rillito Park. Even old-timers familiar with the Cleveland area track, are saying that this year’s edition is the strongest ever. In our era of small fields in stakes races, Drexler and his crew in the racing office drew a highly competitive field of 11. Nine of the eleven 3-year-olds will draw their regular riders or top jocks from major venues. Three graded stakes winner and two graded stakes-place runners are set to travel the 1 1/8 miles on the dirt. Weather sources indicated a 50-50 chance of rain. Breaking from the inside post Promise Keeper was made the tepid favorite, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Luis Saez. The $250,000 Lady Jacqueline at 9 furlongs has drawn together a talent-laden field of nine fillies and mares. Pletcher has Spice Is Nice entered here and at Churchill Downs with John Velazquez slated to ride.

James Ross is a British bookmaker with over 20-years-experience working “on-course” at race tracks in the UK, trading lines for sportsbooks like Betfred and Paddy Power, and is now the spokesperson for BUSR based in the UK. James’ favorite race is the Aintree Grand National which runs in Liverpool, his home town, although his favorite racing festivals are Royal Ascot and Chester which weather is much warmer and the girls can get dressed up! Although James is not an expert in American racing (at all), BUSR are specialists in US Racing and offer a wide variety of futures markets- leading the industry on Triple Crown betting. BUSR is our new sponsor and hopefully James Ross will come back as guest in future American big racing events. The final traditional, “Derby Dozen” has been posted on The-Blood-Horse. The man who has dedicated months to tracking the Derby contenders and pretenders along the road to Louisville will join us for our second segment – Byron King. The Associate Editor, of that internationally recognized magazine, has enjoyed the sport of thoroughbred racing from all sides. He’s been a bloodstock agent, owner, public handicapper and is an outstanding racing analyst. Byron will give us a classic countdown (drumroll, please) from last to first in the “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.”

The man who brings us “The Derby Dozen” in the Blood-Horse, Byron King will be our first guest. The Louisville native will explain his methodology in creating the list for national distribution and tell us about recent changes in his selections. He will join John to discuss some of the top races on the 10-stakes card, focusing of several of the five graded races. Two “points” races will highlight the program – the Grade 1 $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby and the Grade 2 $200,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks. The duo will then examine the Grade 2 $200,000 Pan American on the turf. Veteran turf writer, handicapper and author Bob “Railbird” Roberts will be our second guest handicapper. He just returned from a vacation from Florida where he caught the Florida Derby and several days at Gulfstream Park, with a few games of golf mixed in. His analysis of the Florida Derby will lead off his selections and then he will look at two rare “points races” contested over Turfway’s All Weather Track now owned by Churchill Downs. The northern Kentucky track will present the uniquely named Jeff Ruby Steaks, a Grade 3 $250,000 test and the listed $150,000 Bourbonette Oaks.

Trainer Tim Hamm has been the leading stakes trainer in Ohio for years, his success is now being recognized on the national stage. He was featured in this month’s Blood-Horse in a story written by Meredith Daugherty where she concisely states his formula for success.“ The former owner and operator of a successful construction company, Hamm has spent a lifetime moving from one phase to the next, building a career in the Thoroughbred industry that has helped him, his partners, and their horses reach the highest peaks of the game. Blood-Horse’s Associate Editor and anointed “King of the ‘Cappers” Byron King will join the show to analyze our selected races. It’s Mardi Gras week in New Orleans, so we will head to the Fair Grounds for the first two races in the “Championship Series” for the Ky Derby and Oaks carrying points on a 50-20-10-5 weight. We will look at the G2 $400,000 Risen Star; G3 $200,000 Rachel Alexandra; G3 $200,000 Mineshaft; and at Golden Gate the $100,000 El Camino Stakes.

It was quite the Labor Day weekend in Thoroughbred Racing! From the Kentucky Derby and Oaks at Churchill Downs to Saratoga for the Woodward, Prioress, Jim Dandy and Hopeful out to Del Mar with graded stakes race highlighted by the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity. We’ll do our best to cover these and other important news stories of the week. Now it is time to focus on America’s most unique and lucrative racing from Kentucky. Louisville native “King of the Handicappers” Byron King will join us to look at the rich graded races at Kentucky Down. The all-turf card is highlighted by the $1 million Calumet Farm Kentucky Turf Cup as last year’s winner Zulu Alpha will take on a full field of distance specialists. Following that event will be the $700,00 Run Happy Turf Sprint; while the $500,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint and Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf will run earlier on the card,

Art Collector earned Tommy Drury his first graded stakes win in the G2 Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland. Tommy has been a regular on this show for years with his trainer's perspective on varying subjects from conditioning young horses to his opinion on race-day medication rules. Host John Engelhardt, who has known and watched Drury’s rise would close out with interview by saying, “I’m telling you folks, this guy is flying under the radar, just watch.” Well, he is on the radar now With Art Collector established as one of the top 3 contenders for the Sept. 5 Kentucky Derby. Byron King is not only a Associate Editor for Blood-Horse, but a student of the game. He will join John to analyze the quality card at Saratoga. The star-studded races include an appearance by superstar mare Midnight Bisou in the G1 $500,000 Personal Ensign; the Louisiana-bred No Parole taking on a tough field in the G1 $300,000 H. Allen Jerkens and the G1 $750,000 Whitney that features a field of millionaires.

Chip Bach is the General Manager of Turfway Park. He has been at the helm through the many changes the track has gone through, including several ownership changes. Chip will reflect on the early days at Turfway and its impending resurgence under the banner of Churchill Downs. Next Saturday, Turfway will present its best day of racing for the season with four stakes highlighted by the Grade 3 $250,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, a prep for the Kentucky Derby. Byron King, Associate Editor of the Blood-Horse is a Louisville native who is on the road covering the Grade 1 $600,000 Santa Anita Handicap. Who will add his name to that lofty club? whiie on the west coast he will also be covering the Oaks Points important Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes. In addition to those races, Byron will join John to take a look at other Oaks points races - the Busher at Aqueduct and Honeybee at Oaklawn Park. Derby points races on Saturday include the Tampa Bay Derby, Gotham Stakes and San Felipe.

Horses can be cross-entered in multiple races, with decisions to be made by Monday of race week for the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Saturday at Santa Anita Park. Several horses have been lucky enough to have options to go one way or another: - Omaha Beach, Mitole, Catalina Cruiser, Bricks and Mortar and Catholic Boy all have their options open. In another twist, Tiz the Law, winner of the Grade 1 Champagne, is opting to pass the Breeders' Cup set on a well-planned route to the Kentucky Derby. They pulled it off with Funny Cide! The new Associate Editor at the Blood-Horse, Byron King, will join us to give his opinion on the path they will take. If time allows he will give us his insights on Keeneland's Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup. There is some great racing north of the border this Saturday and Woodbine clocker Ernie Perri will join John to look at the top contenders in the Grade 1 $600,000 E.P. Taylor; Grade 1 $800,000 Canadian International and Grade 2 $250,000 Neartic Stakes.

Going Coast to Coast up first Rich Eng will tackle the 2 graded stakes at Saratoga on Saturday - the Gr. 1 dollar 600,000 Alabama and the Gr. 2 dollar 200,000 Lake Placid. The Alabama is shaping up as a very interesting race as jockey Sophie Doyle will make her Saratoga debut aboard Indiana Oaks winner Street Band for trainer Larry Jones. They will have some tough competition with Point of Honor, winner of the Black-Eyed Susan Iowa Oaks winner Lady Apple and Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Champagne Anyone. Renowned handicapper Byron King will join John to analyze 3 graded stakes at Del Mar on Saturday - the Win and You are In Gr. 1 dollar 1 million Pacific Classic Gr. 1 Del Mar Oaks and Gr. 2 Win and You're In Del Mar Handicap. Jockey John Velazquez will make his seasonal Del Mar Debut with recent Stephen Foster winner Seeking the Soul. It is a deep talent laden field that includes millionaire Quip, who was only a neck behind Seeking the Soul in the Stephen Foster Pavel and War Story.

The Stakes at Belmont will be smokin' for three days! Get your E-Z win Forms to get you through 18 stakes races at all distances and surfaces for every division. We will be joined this week by two respected writers and handicappers - Frank Angst, the Online News Editor from the Blood-Horse and the Daily Racing Form's King of the 'Cappers Byron King. Both of our guests will tackle the Test of Champions - the Belmont Stakes, that looks to be a toss up between Preakness Stakes winner War of Will and the 3rd place finisher in the Kentucky Derby Tacitus. Then they will be asked their opinion on Serengeti Empress' chance to stretch her speed again in the $700,000 Acorn Stakes. Frank and Byron will get a Pick 'em on the amazing undercard that features a delicious selection of Grade 1 Stakes. Don't forget winningponies.com is offering another free handicapping contest - head to the website for all of the details!

All eyes (covered in Sunglasses) will be in The Sunshine State on Saturday for the outstanding action at Gulfstream Park. They will be presenting nine graded stakes races! The Gr.2 $400,000 Fountain of Youth could easily unveil a potential Kentucky Derby threat, but who will it be? It will be a Daily Racing Form Daily Double with two of their most respected handicappers - Byron King and Matt Bernier joining John to examine a card that will present a great day of handicapping angles. In addition to the Fountain of Youth, some of the races that will be discussed on the show are:- the Gr. 2 $200,000 Davona Dale, the $200,000 Gr. 2 Mac Diarmida, and the $150,000 Gr. 3 Very One.

The other shoe finally dropped and it is officially announced that Justify will be leaving the racing game. What are the implications and impact? We'll discuss this late breaking news with Evan Hammonds and reflect on a recent column he penned on changes in the horse's ownership. Evan Hammonds has worked at The Blood-Horse for over 15 years, first as managing editor in 1998 and was named executive editor in 2007. Daily Racing Form columnist and handicapper Byron King will help catch up on the national news. Then he and John will look for the major contenders at Saratoga in the important Jim Dandy Stakes, a Gr. 2 worth $600,000; the Gr. 1 $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap and the $100,000 Curlin Stakes, a prep for the Travers Stakes. If time allows, they may take a look at Del Mar's Gr. 1 $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes a Breeders Cup 'Win-and-you're-in' race.