Horse Racing Blog Posts on April 13, 2013

And down the stretch they come....the prep races that is. We're three weeks away from the first Saturday in May, which means the final frenzy of Kentucky Derby prep races are in full swing. The two big races today are the Arkansas Derby and the Blue Grass Stakes.

Merit Man is a With Distinction and Precise Strike colt who broke his maiden in his first attempt. He finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, won the Spectacular Bid and finished third in the Florida Derby (G1) after a disappointing fourth in the Hutcheson Stakes (G2). He's right on the cusp as far as qualifying points go, but he may have just enough to make him a contender.