The new year ushers in a fresh season of horse racing, spotlighting the promising 3-year-old contenders. This weekend is packed with key events, particularly for the 2023 generation, with only four stakes races outside this group. Highlighting the weekend is Saturday’s Kentucky Derby alongside a crucial points race leading to the Kentucky Oaks.
Saturday’s racing action kicks off with the 1-mile Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct, followed by the Busanda Stakes, also one mile, running two hours later. Nine potential Kentucky Derby runners will compete in the 1 1/16 mile Smarty Jones Stakes, where the top five finishers will earn points (10-5-3-2-1) toward Derby qualification.
At Santa Anita, 3-year-old fillies will race seven furlongs in the Santa Ynez Stakes on Saturday, while older mares contest six and a half furlongs in the G3 Las Flores Stakes on Sunday. Gulfstream Park hosts four 1-mile stakes for 3-year-olds: the Dirt and Turf fillies’ races, Cash Run and Dania Beach, will take place on New Year’s Day, with their counterparts—Mucho Macho Man on dirt and Ginger Brew on turf—scheduled for Saturday.
Saturday’s key races begin with the Suidobashi Busanda Stakes at 3:10 pm, featuring Schilling and Believable, who placed 4th and 5th in the previous G2 Demoiselle, competing over one mile. Schilling, who dominated the Tempted Stakes in November, and Believable, now ridden by Flavien Prat, will face off again. Dazzling Dame, a two-time stakes winner known for front-running races, also poses a threat.
At 4:48 pm, the Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park will spotlight Commandment, a Brad Cox-trained son of Into Mischief, making his stakes debut with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. Epic Summer, who won his debut by over three lengths, is another contender, guided by Tyler Gaffurione. Max Capacity and Thunderchuck bring stakes experience, each finishing runner-up in listed stakes events.
At 5:25 pm, the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park features undefeated Rancho Santa Fe, also under Brad Cox, making his stakes debut after a strong recent win. Trainers Mark Casse and Kenny McPeek each field two horses, including G1 winner Universe and recent victor Sleeping On Freedom. Strategic Risk and Silent Tactic, the latter making his first dirt start after success on synthetic surfaces in Canada, complete the field.
Fan Take: This weekend’s races are pivotal for shaping the road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, spotlighting emerging 3-year-old stars. For horse racing enthusiasts, these contests offer thrilling previews of the sport’s next generation and build excitement for one of the biggest events in racing.
