Happy Saturday & National Margarita Day! 🍹
The groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter, but here on the West Coast, it is starting to look more like spring. So grab a margarita and let’s head to sunny Southern California to play the ponies at Santa Anita Racecourse! We originally planned to be in the south for a Derby/Oaks prep day, but they are still deep in winter, so Oaklawn has moved their racing schedule by one day to ensure the safety of the horses, jockeys, and staff. We’ll be there tomorrow to help you win on the road to the Kentucky Derby.
Today’s card features ten races, including one stakes race, and plenty of opportunities to cash in for a bigger bankroll tomorrow. The weather is expected to be amazing, with highs in the low 80s and sunny skies. This will create a fast track and firm turf throughout the day at this beautiful racecourse.
Fortunately, we still have one prep race today at Turfway Park—the annual John Battaglia Derby prep race. This is the first of two Derby preps at this track, and it’s also the last race where only 20 points will be awarded to the winner until mid-April. From now on, all U.S.-based prep races will award 50 or 100 points to the winner, meaning this is the last opportunity for a horse to earn points that could secure a spot in the starting gate. The good news is that these smaller point races have been known to lead to significant returns later on, as many horses gain valuable experience in stakes races.
The weather in Florence, KY, is much colder, with highs reaching near 30 degrees and clear skies. There’s no rain in the forecast, so the synthetic track should be fast at post time. For more details on this race, let’s take a look at what Mr. W has prepared for us.
Here is some info about the namesake of today's KY Derby Prep Race @ Turfway Park:
John Battaglia was a well-respected horse racing official and the longtime general manager of Turfway Park in Kentucky. Known for his contributions to the sport, he played a key role in developing racing in the Midwest and was instrumental in promoting winter racing at Turfway. His legacy is honored through the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes, an annual prep race for the Kentucky Derby that serves as an important stepping stone for three-year-old horses aiming for the Triple Crown trail. His influence on the industry continues to be recognized through this event, as well as his impact on Kentucky racing.
Need help pickin' winners? We've got you covered! Our (Always Free) #LundinLine's Top Picks and Best Bets are below in this post. We use them to help narrow the field while putting our tickets together. The first post will be here soon, so don't be late - It's time to get #InTheMoney!
🏇🏻 Santa Anita Park // Sat., Feb. 22nd, 2025 🏇🏾
🏇🏾 1st Post @ 12:30 PT / 3:30 ET
R1: 7-1-2-6
R2: 8-2-6-4
R3Ⓢ: 1⭑-5-2-6
R4: 2-3-6-1
R5: 8-2-3-6
R6: 8-10-3-7
R7: 1-2-8-9
R8: 7-6-8-3
R9: 13-6-4-1
R10: 2⭑-8-6-13
⭑Best Bets
R3: Queen Maxima (#1)
R10: Eternal Reign (IRE) (#2)
Ⓢtakes Races
R3: 100K Wishing Well S.
6 Furlongs on Turf for Fillies & Mares, 4 Yr. Olds & Up
Wishing Well was a highly influential Thoroughbred mare best known as the dam of Sunday Silence, one of the most celebrated racehorses in American history. Although her racing record was modest, her legacy was solidified through her exceptional success as a broodmare.
Kentucky Derby Prep Race @ Turfway Park
R7: 175K John Battaglia Mem. Stakes
Post Time: 8:55 p.m. (ET)/ 5:55 p.m. (PT)
1 1/16 Miles on All-Weather for 3 Yr. Olds
KY Derby Prep: Pts.= 20-10-6-4-2
Ye Olde Official Turtle Sports Pick: 9-7-10-3
Mr. W: 9-3-5-10
Bill: 9-7-12-10
Mr. Fink: 7-6-9-8
Photo from our friends @ https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com
Hit us up @_TurtleSports, and let us know what you think! Oh, and don't forget to follow us @_TurtleSports and subscribe to our site so you don't miss any of the action.
-TSL
/ As always, please forgive any typos and grammatical errors
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