Big Derby Prep Weekend

Dateline: 03/09/00

Dollar Bill winning the Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds as a prep for the Louisiana Derby

This weekend the Triple Crown trail will get started in earnest with four graded prep races across the country. First off on Saturday at Gulfstream Park will be the Swale Stakes (G3) at 7 furlongs for those still trying to get on track plus the gem of the Florida sophomore season, the $1,000,000 Florida Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles. Later in the day will be the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields in San Francisco at 1 1/16 miles. Sunday closes out the weekend with the $750,000 Louisiana Derby (G2) at the Fair Grounds at 1 1/16 miles. I will be at the Fair Grounds for this race, so watch for photos and results to be posted late on Sunday.

Several major contenders such as Millennium Wind, Monarchos, Dollar Bill, and Startac will be running so the outcome of these races could have a major impact on the field of this year's Kentucky Derby. The races will be televised on a one hour show Sunday afternoon from 4:30-5:30pm EST on ESPN2 (tape delay for all but the Louisiana Derby) and will also be shown live online via Real Video. Past performances will be available online from Equibase for the Florida Derby and Louisiana Derby at these links. Below are the fields for each with morning line odds where available and links to useful info for each.

All photos by the author.

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