Matt Shifman

New Jersey

Senior Writer at Horse Racing Nation

Senior Writer, Horse Racing Nation, https://t.co/S8JoQPQxfi• Partner, New York Hot List @NYHotList • https://t.co/CVm4RXG7Or•

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Articles

HorseCenter: Lexington Stakes and Apple Blossom top picks

2 weeks ago | horseracingnation.com | Brian Zipse |Matt Shifman

This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman offer analysis and top picks for a pair of important races from Oaklawn and Keeneland. The 2024 horse of the year Thorpedo Anna will be making her second start of the year in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn, where she will spot six rivals four to 12 pounds. In search of her sixth Grade 1 score, the Kenny McPeek-trained filly will be an overwhelming favorite.
Kentucky Derby trail 2025: Blue Grass odds and analysis

2 weeks ago | horseracingnation.com | Matt Shifman

The Grade 1, $1.25 million Blue Grass Stakes drew a field of seven 3-year-olds that will run the 1 1/8-mile distance. The race will be run on Tuesday after a severe weather forecast prompted Keeneland to postpone the Saturday card. The Blue Grass is the second stop at Keeneland Race Course on the road to the Kentucky Derby 2025 and qualifying points of 100-50-25-15-10 are available to the top five finishers. All seven of the 3-year-olds have already run on the Kentucky Derby trail.
HorseCenter: Top picks for 3 big Kentucky Derby preps

3 weeks ago | horseracingnation.com | Brian Zipse |Matt Shifman

This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman tackle the final 100-point Kentucky Derby 2025 preps of the season. In California, the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby features the first meeting between the champion Citizen Bull and the streaking Journalism. If either colt wins, he would likely wind up the favorite on the first Saturday in May. With severe weather expected in Kentucky, Saturday’s card at picturesque Keeneland was postponed until Tuesday, when the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) will be run.
Kentucky Derby prep: Wood Memorial odds and analysis

3 weeks ago | horseracingnation.com | Matt Shifman

Saturday’s Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial drew a field of 12 3-year-olds that will run the 1 1/8-mile distance. The Wood is the last of six stops on the New York road to Kentucky Derby 2025, and 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points are available to the top five finishers. The field includes seven 3-year-olds who already ran on the Kentucky Derby trail.
HorseCenter: Arkansas Derby, Florida Derby top picks

4 weeks ago | horseracingnation.com | Brian Zipse |Matt Shifman

This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman will offer top picks and analysis for a couple of million-dollar events on the 2025 Kentucky Derby trail. A big card of racing is set for Saturday at Oaklawn Park, and leading the way will be the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby. Despite having only one lifetime start, the highly regarded Cornucopian looms as the favorite for trainer Bob Baffert. Coal Battle and Sandman top his opposition.
Kentucky Derby prep: Arkansas Derby odds and analysis

4 weeks ago | horseracingnation.com | Matt Shifman

Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby is the final of four races on the Oaklawn road to the Kentucky Derby 2025. The signature race at the Arkansas track offers 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five eligible finishers. A field of nine was drawn for the 1 1/8-mile race, and six of the 3-year-olds already ran on the Derby trail. Together they earned 136 Derby points, with individual totals ranging from 0 to 70.
Kentucky Derby prep: Florida Derby odds and analysis

1 month ago | horseracingnation.com | Matt Shifman

Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby is the final of three races on the Gulfstream Park road to the Kentucky Derby 2025. The signature race offers 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five eligible finishers. A field of 10 was drawn for the 1 1/8-mile race, and five of the 3-year-olds already ran on the Derby trail. Together they earned 106 Derby points, with individual totals ranging from 0 to 60. Five of the horses have only a maiden victory in their records.
HorseCenter: Louisiana Derby top picks, Sierra Leone returns

1 month ago | horseracingnation.com | Brian Zipse |Matt Shifman

This week on HorseCenter, Brian Zipse and Matt Shifman will offer top picks and analysis for a pair of important preps on the road to Kentucky Derby 2025 and the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. In the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby, John Hancock has been installed a lukewarm favorite among a field of ten sophomore males in the 1 3/16-mile affair. One race earlier on an excellent card of racing at Fair Grounds, the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) will feature the current favorite for the Kentucky Oaks.
Kentucky Derby prep: Louisiana Derby odds and analysis

1 month ago | horseracingnation.com | Matt Shifman

Saturday’s Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby is the final race of four on the Fair Grounds road to the Kentucky Derby 2025. The 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby is part of the seven qualifying races that offer 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points to the top five eligible finishers. A field of 10 was drawn, and six of the 3-year-olds earned Derby points thus far with individual totals ranging from 10 to 35. John Hancock won the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs last month.
Kentucky Derby prep: Jeff Ruby Steaks odds and analysis

1 month ago | horseracingnation.com | Matt Shifman

Saturday’s Grade 3, $777,777 Jeff Ruby Steaks is the second of two races that are run on the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park on the road to Kentucky Derby 2025. The 1 1/8-mile Jeff Ruby is one of the seven qualifying races that offer 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five eligible finishers. An overflow field of 13 was drawn and eight of the 3-year-olds already ran on the Derby trail. Together they earned 65 Derby points with individual totals ranging from 0 to 20.