Welcome to the ninth edition of the National HBPA's Quest for the Crown, a weekly look at the major prep races on the road to the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Below you will find a variety of links to previews, analysis, video, free PPs and more for the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland Race Course and $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park on April 13. Following are two video previews of both races:
Triple Crown Insider: Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass Video Preview – The Blood-Horse
That Handicapping Show: Blue Grass Stakes and Arkansas Derby – The Blood-Horse
After the links, you will also find useful information about the Kentucky Derby prep race schedule, points standings and leading contenders.
If you have a link to suggest, please email hj@hbpa.org. You may also post your comments or selections to this blog by clicking the comment link at the bottom of this posting.
$1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) * Oaklawn Park * 4/13 * Approx. Post - 5:28 pm CT
Arkansas Derby: Falling Sky's top rivals draw far-outside posts – Daily Racing Form
Road to the Kentucky Derby Video Preview of Arkansas Derby – KentuckyDerby.com
Trainer Danele Durham talks with HRTV about Texas Bling in the Arkansas Derby - HRTV
War Academy 2-1 Favorite in Arkansas Derby – The Blood-Horse
Arkansas Derby Draws Calvin Borel aboard Texas Bling – Sporting Life Arkansas
Arkansas Derby: Scramble for points lures horses from coast to coast – Daily Racing Form
Arkansas Derby Video Preview – Daily Racing Form
Oaklawn Park News and Notes – Oaklawn Park
$750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) * Keeneland Race Course * 4/13 * Approx. Post - 5:40 pm ET
Trainer Gary Contessa discusses Blue Grass Stakes contender Rydilluc – The Blood-Horse
Contessa on Rydilluc: He's One Bad Hombre – The Blood-Horse
Unlocking Winners with Pete Denk: Handicapping the Blue Grass – The Blood-Horse
Wide Open Blue Grass Full of Twists and Turns – The Downey Profile
Keeneland News and Notes – Keeneland Race Course
Blue Grass Stakes: Top two finishers will earn ticket to Kentucky Derby – Daily Racing Form
Oxleys hoping Cards karma spills over to Uncaptured in Blue Grass – Louisville Courier-Journal
Wild in the paddock, Blue Grass Stakes hopeful Rydilluc all business on the track – Lexington Herald-Leader
Blue Grass Stakes Video Preview – Daily Racing Form
Norm Casse, assistant trainer for Uncaptured and Dynamic Sky, talks about their prospects in the Blue Grass – The Blood-Horse
Uncaptured Favored in 14-Horse Blue Grass – The Blood-Horse
Helpful Links:
Complete Kentucky Derby Prep Schedule with Point Values - KentuckyDerby.com
Road to the Kentucky Derby Points Leaderboard - KentuckyDerby.com
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Info - KentuckyDerby.com
Kentucky Derby Power Rankings from Leading Handicappers - KentuckyDerby.com
Profiles of Leading Kentucky Derby Contenders - KentuckyDerby.com
Daily Racing Form's Derby Top 20 - DailyRacingForm.com
Free Feature Portfolio with Pedigree and Dam Info on Top 3YO Horses - equineline.com
The Paulick Report's Bullet Train presents Derby Dreams - PaulickReport.com
Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - BloodHorse.com
