Tag Archives: Michael McCarthy

Kentucky Derby Video Update (4-21-24)

By Jarrod Horak Track Phantom was the lone Kentucky Derby 2024 contender to breeze under the Twin Spires on Sunday, April 21. In the video below, I discuss Track Phantom’s workout and go through the latest Derby news, including Deterministic’s defection and Grand Mo the First’s addition to the field.  We are less than two weeks out […]

Kentucky Derby 2024 Update (3-26-24)

By Jarrod Horak The Louisiana Derby and Jeff Ruby Steaks were the latest road to Kentucky Derby 2024 points races on Saturday, March 23. In this article, I will look back at those events and update my “Exceptional 11” Kentucky Derby contenders. The Grade 1 Florida Derby, Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, and Grade 2 UAE […]

Queen of Naples: Good Debut For Daughter of Hard Spun

Four year old filly for Mike McCarthy made her debut on Saturday in a maiden special weight at ¾ on the main, 3 and up. Off at 9/1 in a field of six, she broke OK but didn’t have much speed and was fifth in the early going. She started to rally on the outside […]

Jeff Ruby Steaks 2024 Picks

By Jarrod Horak The road to Kentucky Derby 2024 continues at Turfway Park on Saturday, March 23, and I have included Jeff Ruby Steaks 2024 picks below. The Grade 3 event for 3-year-olds has a $700,000 purse and the full field of entrants will be journeying 1 1/8 miles on the all-weather track. The Jeff […]

Logan’s Red Falcon: Fine Debut for Son of Practical Joke Who is Bred To Win Early

Four year old gelding for Mike McCarthy made his debut on Saturday in a maiden special weight at ¾ on the lawn on a course rated as good. Off at 5/1 in a field of 7, he was bumped at the start to be away a bit awkward, then was hustled up to contend for […]

Mystic Flyer: Superb Effort and His 2nd In a Row Coming Off Turf

Four year old gelding for Mike McCarthy tried a protected 32,000 Starter Allowance race on Friday for older runners at a mile on the main track. Off at 16/1 in a field of 7, he broke running under Tyler Baze and contested the early lead into the clubhouse turn. Baze got him to relax nicely […]

Tamara wins 2023 Del Mar Debutante

Del Mar 2023 Stakes Recaps: Terrific Tamara

By Jarrod Horak The closing week stakes races at Del Mar featured some excellent performances, but none were better than Tamara in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Saturday, Sept. 9. She won for fun and stamped herself as the early favorite for the BC Juvenile Fillies. That does it for my Del Mar […]

Barbara T: Daughter of Army Mule Will Be Hard To Beat In Next Start | Upcoming Race:Keeneland April 26, 2024

Two year old filly for Mike McCarthy made her debut on Sunday and ran too good to lose. Off at 20/1 in a field of 9 maiden special weights at five and a half on the main, she broke running under Rispoli from the rail and was sent hard to make the lead by the […]

Escape Artist: Quick Opened Up 3 At 1/8 Pole for Win By 5

Three year old ridgling for Mike McCarthy tried the first allowance condition on Sunday at a mile on the turf for sophomores. Off as the even money choice in a field of 7, he broke OK and sat 2nd into the clubhouse turn. He laid 2nd down the back side just 2 lengths behind the […]

Seven Charms: Should Be Ready In 3rd Off Layoff

Six year old gelding for Mike McCarthy made start #2 off a 10 month layoff in Saturday’s finale, a 9 furlong test on the lawn for non winners of three who have started for a $50,000 tag or less. Off at 6/1 in an 11 horse field, his trip today was almost as bad as […]