Top Stakes to Bet On: Turfway Park and Fair Grounds

Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks prep races are back this weekend. Sunland runs the Grade 3 Sunland Derby, Turfway Park runs the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Stakes, and the Fair Grounds runs the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby. For the fillies, the Grade 2 Fair Ground Oaks happens in New Orleans.

Check horse racing odds and more information for these stakes races and three more happening this weekend.

Top Stakes Races for the Week

Top Stakes Races for the Week; Saturday, March 25 – Sunday, March 26

Jeff Ruby Stakes | Grade 3

Track: Turfway Park, Florence, Kentucky
When: Saturday, March 25
Race type: Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Distance: 1 1/8 miles synthetic – 3-year-olds

Major Dude switches back to dirt after winning 2-of-4 on grass. If the Pletcher runner can transfer the form, the Dude should finish in the top three.

Larry Rivelli trained Two Phil’s could end up the chalk. Two Phil’s finished third in the Grade 3 Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds in the last.

Others expected to the enter the starting gate include Antonio Sano trained Congruent, Funtastic Again from the Wesley Ward barn, Maker’s Candy and Moon Landing.

Bet Jeff Ruby Stakes Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes | Grade 2

Track: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Sunday, March 26
Race type: Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Distance: 1 1/8 miles turf – 4 year olds & up

No doubt, Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational winner Atone will attract the most action. Mike Maker trains and Luis Saez takes the call.

Two Emmys and Tiz the Bomb should fight for second choice status. Spooky Channel, English Tavern, Rising Empire, and Gentle Soul are also probable.

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MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Fair Ground Oaks | Grade 2

Track: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Sunday, March 26
Race type: Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Distance: 1 1/16 miles dirt – 3 year old fillies

So far, connections for just five runners plan on sending their fillies to the Fair Ground Oaks’ starting gate. Among the five, Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra winner Pretty Mischievous should garner the most action.

Hoosier Philly, The Aly’s Look, Christian D’Oro, and Southlawn should also run.

Bet Fair Ground Oaks Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

New Orleans Classic Stakes | Grade 2

Track: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Sunday, March 26
Race type: Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Distance: 1 1/8 miles dirt – 4 year olds & up

Trainer Bill Mott didn’t give Art Collector much of a break. Mott is wheeling the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup winner back in the New Orleans Classic. Art Collector could go off less than even money.

West Will Power, Rattle N Roll, and Mr. Wireless will attract action. So will Grade 3 Mineshaft winner and Todd Pletcher trained Pioneer of Medina.

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MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Louisiana Derby | Grade 2

Track: Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Sunday, March 26
Race type: Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Distance: 1 1/16 miles dirt – 3 year olds

Brad Cox has high hopes for Instant Coffee, the Risen Star Stakes winner. If Coffee takes the Louisiana Derby, Brad might train the Bolt D’Oro sired runner up to the Kentucky Derby.

Steve Asmussen saddles a contender in Shopper’s Revenge. Sun Thunder, which finished second to Instant Coffee in the Risen Star, will attract betting dollars. So will Pletcher trained Kingsbarns.

Bet Louisiana Derby Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

Sunland Derby | Grade 3

Track: Sunland Park Racetrack, Sunland Park, New Mexico
When: Sunday, March 26
Race type: Thoroughbred – Flat racing
Distance: 1 1/8 miles dirt – 3 year olds

At least seven will go in the Sunland Derby. Among the seven, Bob Baffert trained Hard to Figure projects as the chalk. Owner Mike Pegram decided to stick with Bob, which means the Baffert runner won’t go in the Derby.

Steve Asmussen trained How Did He Do That will challenge Hard to Figure for favoritism. Wild On Ice, One In Vermillion, Henry Q, Fort Bragg, and Low Expectations will also break from the gate.