March Madness Expert Picks and News

On Saturday, the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita Park brings together a competitive four-horse field featuring Grade 1 winner Kopion against three Bob Baffert-trained challengers. While the Kentucky Derby Prep Races dominate early-season racing discussions, this seven-furlong sprint for fillies and mares provides an exciting betting opportunity. With Kentucky Derby betting gaining momentum, the Santa Monica serves as a key race to evaluate the form of top-tier female sprinters. Despite not being part of the Derby trail, the performance of horses like Kopion could influence Kentucky Derby odds indirectly by shaping future stakes races.

The Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues this Saturday at Gulfstream Park with the Grade 3 Forward Gal Stakes, a seven-furlong contest offering 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top five finishers. As one of the key Kentucky Derby Prep Races for fillies, this $165,000 race features a competitive field of 11, headlined by Rojo Rita's highly anticipated sophomore debut. With Kentucky Derby betting heating up and Kentucky Derby odds beginning to shift, this race will provide key insights into the development of some of the top three-year-old fillies.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues Saturday with the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park. This $200,000 race is a key Kentucky Derby Prep Races circuit stop and offers points toward Derby qualification.

On Saturday, the Road to the Kentucky Derby continues at Aqueduct with the $250,000 Withers Stakes, the fourth stop on New York’s Derby trail. This 1 1/8-mile race offers crucial points toward the Kentucky Derby, with a 20-10-6-4-2 distribution for the top five finishers. 

The Road to the Kentucky Derby continues with the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park this Saturday. As one of the key Kentucky Derby Prep Races, this 1 1/16-mile contest offers valuable qualifying points and a clearer picture of emerging contenders. With Kentucky Derby betting heating up, the seven-horse field presents an opportunity for value seekers looking beyond the morning-line favorite. While Kentucky Derby odds favor Ferocious, his status as the top choice is debatable given the competition.