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The Derby trail approaches its end each season with the most prime and critical races towards the end of March or the first week of April. This time of the year, the colts make their final attempt at gathering enough pre-Derby points so they go out the final day at maximum odds and also rate as top favourites as this would contribute to the earnings made on corresponding bets. Also, the prep races are highly decisive of their future action and qualification to the Derby failing which they may not be even allowed to contend in the races. Florida Derby, Grade 1, $1 million in purses, Gulfstream Park Racetrack, March 31st , 1 1/8 miles Florida Derby winners who have previously made it to the winner circle in the Kentucky Derby included legendary racehorses like Big Brown who won it in 2008 and followed with a similar bearing in the Preakness Stakes also. Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby after a grand win at the Florida Derby in 2006; Empire Maker placed second in the Derby in 2003 after winning this race but successfully eliminated the field at the ‘Graveyard’ race, the Belmont Stakes. Monarchos won the Derby in 2001 finishing second fastest in the race’s history, though historically if Sham who finished second at approximately less than 2:00 to Secretariat is considered, Monarchos should be ranked third fastest at 1:59.97. The previous year, the race was won by Dialed In who later finished 8th at Churchill Downs. This year’s expected top starters are (trainer – horse) A. Bezara – Reveron, Todd Pletcher – El Padrino, M. Matz - Union Rags. Wood Memorial Stakes, Grade 1, $1 million in purses, Aqueduct Racetrack, April 7th , 1 1/8 miles Wood Memorial Stakes was inaugurated in 1925 and since then it has produced some reputed names who later won the Kentucky Derby within a month. Triple Crown champions Count Fleet and Assault won the Wood Memorial in 1943 and 1946 respectively. The race was also won by Florida Derby winner of 2003, Empire Maker who later placed second in Derby and won the Belmont Stakes. Leading North American sire, Bold Ruler, won the stakes race in 1957. The track record was recently revisited by 2005 winner, Bellamy Road won clocked 1:47.16 for the distance winning it by 17 ½ lengths. Previous year, the race was won by Graham Motion’s Toby’s Corner who passed the Triple Crown races. This year’s expected top starters are M. Casse - Prospective, Todd Pletcher – Gemologist, M. Maker – Hansen, Bob Baffert – Liaison, K. McLaughlin – Alpha. Santa Anita Derby, Grade 1, $750,000 in purses, Santa Anita Park, April 7th, 1 1/8 miles The race came into existence in 1935 and since then only six of the Santa Anita Derby winners have managed to win the Run for the Roses. San Felipe Stakes is one of the races that precedes the Santa Anita Derby as a prep race. Earlier won by Kentucky Derby winner, Sunday Silence in 1989; last Triple Crown winner, Affirmed in 1978 and Sham, who finished a close second to legendary Secretariat in Kentucky Derby in 1973; Santa Anita Derby was won by Baffert’s Midnight Interlude last year, though the colt failed miserably in the Derby and Preakness finishing 16th and 13th respectively. This year’s starters include, M.Harrinton – Creative Cause, Bob Baffert – Bodemeister, Bob Baffert – Liaison and Steve Asmussen – Daddy Nose Best. Arkansas Derby, Grade 1, $1 million in purses, Oaklawn Park Racetrack, April 14th, 1 1/8 miles Timed a little close to the Big Derby Day, the Arkansas Derby has produced many multiple graded stakes winners but has made little success with the Kentucky event. However, Curlin and Afleet Alex, won the Preakness in 2007 and 2005 respectively. Among the Kentucky Derby winners, Smarty Jones won the 1 ¼ mile ‘Roses’ in 2004 and Victory Gallop who placed second in 1998. Previously, the Arkansas Derby was won by Archarcharch in 2011 but he failed to hit the mark finishing 15th in the Derby. This year’s starters include Bob Baffert- Secret Circle, Steve Asmussen – Sabercat, D.Lukas- Optimizer. Blue Grass Stakes, Grade 1, $750,000 in purses, Keeneland Racetracks, April 14th, 1 1/8 miles Of the previous winners at the Blue Grass Stakes, Strike the Gold later won the Kentucky Derby in 1991, Spectacular Bid made a solid gallop to the winner’s circle at Churchill Downs in 1979 and Alydar pulled up a strong and close second to his prime rival Affirmed in Kentucky Derby of 1978. Last year, Brilliant Speed upset the race with a winning gait but finished a desperate 7th in the Derby. He however, closed the defeat with a decent third place in the Belmont Stakes, a much more gruelling tournament, so to speak. 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