Photo:

Fair Grounds / Hodges Photography & Jessica Morgan / Eclipse Sportswire

If college basketball could have its selection Sunday, then
horse racing offers its answer with selection Saturdays. Eight major stakes in
the next three weeks will do more to fill the starting gate for Kentucky Derby
2025 than all the prep races beforehand this winter.

The Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds in
New Orleans and the $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park near
Cincinnati are scheduled to happen less than 20 minutes apart Saturday. The
winners are guaranteed of invitations and second-place finishers virtually
assured of joining them in the run for the roses May 3 at Churchill Downs.

John Hancock and Poster are the program favorites for this
weekend’s features, which will be followed March 29 by the Florida Derby (G1)
and Arkansas Derby (G1). The UAE Derby (G2) has a separate path to Louisville
on April 5, the same day the Blue Grass (G1), Wood Memorial (G2) and Santa
Anita Derby (G1) color in most of the rest of the Kentucky picture.

Eclipse Award winner Sierra Leone stands out on the
Louisiana Derby undercard with his return in the New Orleans Classic (G2). Between
the Bayou, northern Kentucky, the Arkansas mountains and Southern California, there
are nine key stakes on the Saturday calendar.

Saturday

Louisiana Derby (G2), Fair Grounds, 1 3/16 miles,
3-year-olds, Kentucky Derby 100-50-25-15-10 points race

It was just last week when John Hancock was drawn into a
field of 10 for the Virginia Derby. Then trainer Brad Cox decided to wait for
this race that rewards twice as many Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Now the 2-for-2
Constitution colt is entered in another 10-horse field. After drawing the rail
post, John Hancock was made the 7-2 favorite on the morning line. With 20
points from his narrow Sam F. Davis victory Feb. 8 at Tampa Bay Downs, he might
need only a third-place finish in New Orleans to get into the big starting gate
this spring at Churchill Downs.

Post	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last start	Morn. line
1		John Hancock Constitution	7.06	Brad Cox Flavien Prat	1st, 2025 Sam F. Davis	7-2
Last race		1st, 2025 Sam F. Davis
2		Chunk of Gold Preservationist	6.12	Ethan West Jareth Loveberry Advertisement	2nd, 2025 Risen Star G2	8-1
Last race		2nd, 2025 Risen Star G2
3		Tiztastic Tiz the Law	6.64	Steve Asmussen Joel Rosario	5th, 2025 Rebel G2	8-1
Last race		5th, 2025 Rebel G2
4		Yinzer Twirling Candy		Steve Asmussen Ben Curtis	1st, FG, MSW, 2/15/25 R9	12-1
Last race		1st, FG, MSW, 2/15/25 R9
5		Caldera Liam’s Map	6.76	D. Wayne Lukas Advertisement Tyler Gaffalione	2nd, 2025 Sunland Derby	5-1
Last race		2nd, 2025 Sunland Derby
6		Built Hard Spun	6.57	Wayne Catalano José Ortiz	3rd, 2025 Risen Star G2	9-2
Last race		3rd, 2025 Risen Star G2
7		Vassimo Nyquist	6.06	Todd Pletcher Irad Ortiz Jr. Advertisement	4th, 2025 Risen Star G2	12-1
Last race		4th, 2025 Risen Star
8		Furio McKinzie	5.79	Joe Sharp Luis Sáez	2nd, FG, alw OC, 2/17/25 R5	12-1
Last race		2nd, FG, alw OC, 2/17/25 R5
9		Instant Replay Maximum Security	5.34	Brad Cox Florent Géroux	1st, FG, alw OC, 2/17/25 R5	6-1
Last race		1st, FG, alw OC, 2/17/25 R5
10		Hypnus Into Mischief	4.79	Kenny McPeek Advertisement Brian Hernandez Jr.	7th, 2025 Rebel G2	12-1
Last race		7th, 2025 Rebel G2

New Orleans Classic (G2), Fair Grounds, 1 1/8 miles, 4-year-olds
and up

Which version of Sierra Leone will show up for his
4-year-old debut in this $500,000 race? The most successful version has earned
$6,008,000 with deep-closing performances like his Breeders’ Cup Classic win
that clinched a division championship. He also won the 2024 Risen Star (G2) in
his only previous start at Fair Grounds. After he finished first in last year’s
Blue Grass (G1), the son of Gun Runner lost four races in a row, including
three as the post-time favorite. Regardless of those times he has dashed the
highest wagering hopes for him, Sierra Leone is 9-for-9 when it comes to being
part of the trifecta.

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Post	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last start	Morn. line
1		Kinetic Street Sense	6.23	Brad Cox Luis Sáez	1st, General MacArthur Overnight	10-1
Last race		1st, General MacArthur Overnight
2		Hall of Fame Gun Runner	6.60	Steve Asmussen José Ortiz	1st, 2025 Mineshaft G3	4-1
Last race		1st, 2025 Mineshaft G3
3		San Siro Classic Empire		Brendan Walsh Advertisement Édgar Morales	1st, FG, alw OC, 2/1/25 R6	15-1
Last race		1st, FG, alw OC, 2/1/25 R6
4		Maycocks Bay Speightstown	6.34	Michael Stidham Ben Curtis	3rd, 2025 Mineshaft G3	12-1
Last race		3rd, 2025 Mineshaft G3
5		Touchuponastar Star Guitar	5.45	Jeff Delhomme Timothy Thornton Advertisement	1st, La.-Bred Premier Night Championship	6-1
Last race		1st, La.-Bred Premier Night Championship
6		Uno Mas Bourbon Macho Uno	6.55	Ian Wilkes Brian Hernandez Jr.	3rd, GP, alw OC, 2/15/25 R9	30-1
Last race		3rd, GP, alw OC, 2/15/25 R9
7		Sierra Leone Gun Runner	7.88	Chad Brown Flavien Prat	1st, 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic G1	7-5
Last race		1st, 2024 Breeders’ Cup Classic G1
8		Tarantino Pioneer Of The Nile	6.05	Peter Eurton Advertisement Edwin Maldonado	3rd, 2025 San Pasqual G2	15-1
Last race		3rd, 2025 San Pasqual G2
9		Komorebino Omoide California Chrome	6.37	Robertino Diodoro Jansen Melancon	2nd, 2025 Mineshaft G3	8-1
Last race		2nd, 2025 Mineshaft G3
10		Bishops Bay Uncle Mo	5.89	Brad Cox Irad Ortiz Jr. Advertisement	1st, OP, alw, OC, 1/25/25 R4	10-1
Last race		1st, OP, alw, OC, 1/25/25 R4

Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 miles,
3-year-old fillies, Kentucky Oaks 100-50-25-15-10 points race

Cox also has an undefeated starter Saturday in Fair Grounds’
automatic qualifier for the Kentucky Oaks (G2). Good Cheer, a Godolphin
homebred filly by Medaglia d’Oro, is 5-for-5. Dominating in all her starts, she
drew away to a 6 1/4-length triumph Feb. 15 in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) at
Fair Grounds. With 45 points from her three wins in Oaks preps, Good Cheer
already may have done enough to assure her place among the 14 fillies running
for the lilies May 2.

Post	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last start	Status
1		Girl Math McKinzie		Rodolphe Brisset Advertisement Flavien Prat	5th, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy	Entered
Last race		5th, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy
2		Gowells Delight Practical Joke	6.34	Kenny McPeek Brian Hernandez Jr.	2nd, 2025 Rachel Alexandra G2	Entered
Last race		2nd, 2025 Rachel Alexandra G2
3		Ahavah City of Light		Cherie DeVaux José Ortiz Advertisement	1st, FG, MSW, 2/15/25 R6	Entered
Last race		1st, FG, MSW, 2/15/25 R6
4		Jenkin Mineshaft	6.27	Lindsay Schultz Florent Géroux	8th, 2025 Honeybee G3	Entered
Last race		8th, 2025 Honeybee G3
5		Her Laugh Practical Joke	6.34	Whit Beckman Irad Ortiz Jr.	2nd, 2025 Suncoast	Entered
Last race		2nd, 2025 Suncoast
6		Bless the Broken Laoban	6.06	Will Walden Advertisement Axel Concepción	3rd, 2025 Rachel Alexandra G2	Entered
Last race		3rd, 2025 Rachel Alexandra G2
7		Good Cheer Medaglia d’Oro	7.45	Brad Cox Luis Sáez	1st, 2025 Rachel Alexandra G2	Entered
Last race		1st, 2025 Rachel Alexandra G2
8		Secret Faith Aurelius Maximus		Jayde Gelner Jareth Loveberry Advertisement	1st, La.-Bred Premier Night Starlet	Entered
Last race		1st, La.-Bred Premier Night Starlet
9		Quickick McKinzie	7.24	Tom Amoss Tyler Gaffalione	5th, 2025 Honeybee G3	Entered
Last race		5th, 2025 Honeybee G3

Muniz Memorial Classic presented by Horse Racing
Nation (G2), Fair Grounds, 1 1/8 miles, turf, 4-year-olds and up

The three millionaires in Fair Grounds’ top turf race
Saturday stand out for more than their bankrolls. Spirit of St Louis, a
6-year-old gelding from Chad Brown’s barn, rallied in his 2025 debut to deliver
a thrilling triumph in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1).
Five-year-old Gigante won two listed Fair Grounds stakes, lower case, since he
finished second in last year’s Muniz Memorial, but he was a disappointing
eighth last month in the Fair Grounds Stakes (G3), upper case. Brilliant Berti,
one of the three 4-year-olds in the 12-horse field, made the Oct. 26 Bryan
Station (G3) his fifth win in seven career starts before going on a 4 1/2-month
break.

Post	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last start	Morn. line
1		Gigante Not This Time	6.49	Steve Asmussen Joel Rosario	8th, 2025 Fair Grounds G3	8-1
Last race		8th, 2025 Fair Grounds G3
2		Johny’s Fireball Tonalist	5.47	Norm Casse Florent Géroux Advertisement	6th, John B. Connally Turf Cup	20-1
Last race		6th, John B. Connally Turf Cup
3		What Say Thee Sea The Stars		Mike Maker Luis Sáez	3rd, 2025 Fair Grounds G3	10-1
Last race		3rd, 2025 Fair Grounds G3
4		Cameo Performance Oscar Performance	5.84	Brendan Walsh Irad Ortiz Jr.	8th, 2024 Nashville Derby Invitational G3	20-1
Last race		8th, 2024 Nashville Derby Invitational G3
5		Redistricting Kingman	6.34	Chad Brown Advertisement Flavien Prat	2nd, 2024 Seabiscuit Handicap G2	9-2
Last race		2nd, 2024 Seabiscuit Handicap G2
6		Spirit of St Louis Medaglia d’Oro	7.76	Chad Brown Tyler Gaffalione	1st, 2025 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational G1	3-1
Last race		1st, 2025 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational G1
7		Rebel Red Frankel	5.94	Cherie DeVaux José Ortiz Advertisement	3rd, 2024 Red Smith G2	4-1
Last race		3rd, 2024 Red Smith G2
8		Brilliant Berti Noble Mission	6.67	Cherie DeVaux Brian Hernandez Jr.	1st, 2024 Bryan Station G3	5-1
Last race		1st, 2024 Bryan Station G3
9		Smokey Mandate Strong Mandate	3.79	Mike Maker Jareth Loveberry	1st, FG, alw OC, 2/22/25 R8	20-1
Last race		1st, FG, alw OC, 2/22/2025 R8
10		Dancin In Da’nile Pioneerof the Nile	4.45	Gail Cox Advertisement Axel Concepción	4th, 2024 Valedictory G3	20-1
Last race		4th, 2024 Valedictory G3
11		Idratherbeblessed Unified	3.79	Chris Hartman Ben Curtis	4th, 2025 Fair Grounds G3	20-1
Last race		4th, 2025 Fair Grounds G3
12		Higgins Boat Omaha Beach	6.06	Tom Amoss Édgar Morales Advertisement	2nd, 2025 Fair Grounds G3	15-1
Last race		2nd, 2025 Fair Grounds G3

Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), Turfway Park, 1 1/8 miles,
synthetic, 3-year-olds, Kentucky Derby 100-50-25-15-10 points race

Poster has won twice on turf and once on dirt. After a
third-place finish last month in the Sam F. Davis, trainer Eoin Harty will try
Godolphin’s homebred Munnings colt on Tapeta for the first time. The winner of
the Remsen (G2) on the Aqueduct dirt in December, Poster will be paired with
John Velázquez this weekend, his fourth different jockey in five starts. Among
the other entrants in the overflow field, California Burrito successfully
graduated to stakes company with a narrow, gate-to-wire victory in the John
Battaglia Memorial covering 1 1/16 miles of Turfway’s synthetic track Feb. 22.

Post	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last start	Status
1		Calling Card Complexity	6.06	Mike Maker Advertisement Adam Beschizza	7th, 2025 Gotham G3	Entered
Last race		7th, 2025 Gotham G3
2		Charlie’s To Blame Blame	6.12	Peter Eurton Juan Hernández	1st, 2025 Kitten’s Joy	Entered
Last race		1st, 2025 Kitten’s Joy
3		California Burrito Army Mule	6.14	Tommy Drury Irving Moncada	1st, 2025 John Battaglia Memorial	Entered
Last race		1st, 2025 John Battaglia Memorial
4		Final Gambit Not This Time		Brad Cox Advertisement Luan Machado	1st, TP, MSW, 2/15/25 R5	Entered
Last race		1st, TP, MSW, 2/15/25 R5
5		Flying Mohawk Karakontie	5.79	Whit Beckman Joe Ramos	1st, FG, alw OC, 1/30/25 R8	Entered
Last race		1st, FG, alw OC, 1/30/25 R8
6		Baby Max Maximus Mischief	6.07	Kelsey Danner Abel Cedillo Advertisement	2nd, 2025 John Battaglia Memorial	Entered
Last race		2nd, 2025 John Battaglia Memorial
7		Giocoso Not This Time	6.15	Keith Desormeaux Jaime Torres	12th, 2025 Risen Star G2	Entered
Last race		12th, 2025 Risen Star G2
8		Innovator Authentic	6.24	D. Wayne Lukas Nik Juárez	12th, 2025 Rebel G2	Entered
Last race		12th, 2025 Rebel G2
9		Poster Munnings	7.12	Eoin Harty Advertisement John Velázquez	3rd, 2025 Sam F. Davis	Entered
Last race		3rd, 2025 Sam F. Davis
10		Maximum Promise Maximum Security	6.05	Kenny McPeek Frankie Dettori	3rd, 2025 John Battaglia Memorial	Entered
Last race		3rd, 2025 John Battaglia Memorial
11		Curvino Vino Rosso		Peter Miller Gerardo Corrales Advertisement	3rd, OP, alw OC, 2/24/25 R6	Entered
Last race		3rd, OP, alw OC, 2/24/25 R6
12		He’s Not Joking Practical Joke	6.27	Josie Carroll Rafael Hernández	5th, 2025 Holy Bull G3	Entered
Last race		5th, 2025 Holy Bull G3
13 ae		Candytown Speightstown		Todd Pletcher Advertisement John Velázquez	2nd, TAM, MSW, 2/8/25 R7	Entered
Last race		2nd, TAM, MSW, 2/8/25 R7

Bourbonette Oaks, Turfway Park, 1 1/16 miles, synthetic,
3-year-old fillies, Kentucky Oaks 50-25-15-10-5 points race

Racing on her home track, White Rocks tries to parlay her
Cincinnati Trophy score Feb. 21 into a victory that would clinch one of the 14
berths in the Kentucky Oaks. The daughter of Frosted will be rematched against
Adrift, who finished second in last month’s one-mile race, and
Somethinabouther, who came in third. Fourth-place Bracelet, an also-eligible
entrant this week, would join the rematch with one scratch. Just Ruthless, who
finished eighth in the Cincinnati Trophy, is also part of the reunion.

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Post	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last start	Status
1		Resolve Midnight Lute	5.87	Leonard Powell Umberto Rispoli	2nd, SA, alw OC, 2/21/25 R7	Entered
Last race		2nd, SA, alw OC, 2/21/25 R7
2		Somethinabouther Mendelssohn	6.34	Brendan Walsh Declan Cannon	3rd, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy	Entered
Last race		3rd, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy
3		Admit Blame	5.84	Tommy Drury Irving Moncada Advertisement	2nd, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy	Entered
Last race		2nd, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy
4		Zealous Moon The Factor		Riley Mott Jaime Torres	1st, GP, alw, 2/2/25 R8	Entered
Last race		1st, GP, alw, 2/2/25 R8
5		Bless the Broken Laoban	6.06	Will Walden John Velázquez	3rd, 2025 Rachel Alexandra G2	Entered
Last race		3rd, 2025 Rachel Alexandra G2
6		Getting After It Violence		Michael Puhich Advertisement Juan Hernández	2nd, TP, alw OC, 3/6/25 R7	Entered
Last race		2nd, TP, alw OC, 3/6/25 R7
7		As Catch Can Mo Town	6.15	Jonathan Thomas Frankie Dettori	2nd, 2025 Sweet Life	Entered
Last race		2nd, 2025 Sweet Life
8		Golden Sunshine Medaglia d’Oro		Eoin Harty Vincent Cheminaud Advertisement	1st, TP, MSW, 2/13/25 R8	Entered
Last race		1st, TP, MSW, 2/13/25 R8
9		Fixin To Bee Mshawish	5.79	Rusty Arnold Corey Lanerie	4th, 2025 Sweetest Chant	Entered
Last race		4th, 2025 Sweetest Chant
10		Just Ruthless Justify		Destin Heath Gabriel Sáez	8th, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy	Entered
Last race		8th, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy
11		White Rocks Frosted	6.12	Arnaud Delacour Victor Carrasco Advertisement	1st, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy	Entered
Last race		1st, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy
12		Will Then War of Will	6.34	Jonathan Thomas Gerardo Corrales	1st, 2024 Jimmy Durante G3	Entered
Last race		1st, 2024 Jimmy Durante G3
13 ae		Bracelet Authentic		Brad Cox Advertisement Luan Machado	4th, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy	Entered
Last race		4th, 2025 Cincinnati Trophy
14 ae		Classic Appeal Classic Empire		John Hancock Albin Jiménez Advertisement	13th, 2025 Honeybee G3	Entered
Last race		13th, 2025 Honeybee G3

Kentucky Cup Classic (G3), Turfway Park, 1 1/8 miles,
synthetic, 4-year-olds and up

Three weeks after a seventh-place finish in the Gulfstream
Park Mile (G2), Godolphin homebred Encino goes back to the Tapeta track where
his career began so impressively. Overcoming a dawdling start to finish second
by a neck in his debut last winter, the 4-year-old Nyquist colt broke his
maiden next out and then finished first in the 2024 Battaglia. After an April
13 victory in the Lexington (G3) on the Keeneland dirt, a soft-tissue strain
cost him a start in the Kentucky Derby and put him on Cox’s bench for nine
months. A comeback win came Jan. 16 in a 1 1/16-mile allowance at Gulfstream
Park. That was where Encino set the pace early this month before fading off the
board.

Post	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last start	Status
1		Highestdistinction Point of Entry	4.79	Lindsay Schultz Advertisement Adam Beschizza	4th, TP, alw OC, 2/28/2025 R8	Entered
Last race		4th, TP, alw OC, 2/28/2025 R8
2		Paros Cairo Prince	5.34	Mike Maker Juan Hernández	5th, 2025 Canadian Turf G3	Entered
Last race		5th, 2025 Canadian Turf G3
3		Verstappen War Front	6.11	Brendan Walsh Declan Cannon Advertisement	2nd, John B. Connally Turf Cup	Entered
Last race		2nd, John B. Connally Turf Cup
4		Mercante Gun Runner		Brian Knippenberg Joe Ramos	1st, TP, alw OC, 2/12/25 R5	Entered
Last race		1st, TP, alw OC, 2/12/25 R5
5		Gamer Twirling Candy		Hugo Andrade Óscar Villarreal	1st, TP, OC, 2/28/25 R3	Entered
Last race		1st, TP, OC, 2/28/25 R3
6		Encino Nyquist	6.81	Brad Cox Advertisement Luan Machado	7th, 2025 Gulfstream Park Mile G2	Entered
Last race		7th, 2025 Gulfstream Park Mile G2
7		Tapit Shoes Tapit	6.03	Ed Moger Jr. Evin Román	4th, Dust Commander	Entered
Last race		4th, Dust Commander
8		Hush of a Storm Creative Cause	4.84	Brad Cox Vincent Cheminaud Advertisement	2nd, Dust Commander	Entered
Last race		2nd, Dust Commander
9		Tall Boy Lookin At Lucky	5.70	Doug O’Neill Rafael Hernández	1st, CD, alw OC, 5/2/2024 R8	Entered
Last race		1st, CD, alw OC, 5/2/2024 R8
10		Utah Beach English Channel	6.07	Nacho Correas Frankie Dettori	9th, 2025 William L. McKnight G3	Entered
Last race		9th, 2025 William L. McKnight G3
11		Lord Bullingdon Lord Nelson	6.26	Michael McCarthy Umberto Rispoli Advertisement	3rd, 2025 San Marcos G3	Entered
Last race		3rd, 2025 San Marcos G3
12		Chiron Protonico		Richard Estvanko Sophie Doyle	1st, Dust Commander	Entered
Last race		1st, Dust Commander
13 ae		Tucson Constitution		Todd Pletcher Advertisement John Velázquez	1st, GP, alw OC, 2/22/2025 R11	Entered
Last race		1st, GP, alw OC, 2/22/2025 R11

Essex (G3), Oaklawn, 1 1/16 miles, 4-year-olds and up

Sired by Street Sense out of Bernardini mare Collective, 4-year-old colt Kinetic has yet to have his racing résumé measure up to his bloodlines. Lightly raced for Cox, the Godolphin homebred won by three-quarters of a length as the odds-on favorite Jan. 25 in the $145,000 General MacArthur Overnight going 1 1/8 miles at Oaklawn. Two starts back he finished second to Saudi Crown in the $100,000 Tenacious at Fair Grounds. Kinetic will carry the top weight of 120 pounds, between one and four more than anyone else in the field.

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Post	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last start	Status
1		Red Route One Gun Runner	7.11	Steve Asmussen Keith Asmussen	7th, 2025 Razorback Handicap G3	Entered
Last race		7th, 2025 Razorback Handicap G3
2		Maycocks Bay Speightstown	6.34	Michael Stidham Francisco Arrieta	3rd, 2025 Mineshaft G3	Entered
Last race		3rd, 2025 Mineshaft G3
3		Tarantino Pioneer Of The Nile	6.05	Peter Eurton Advertisement Edwin Maldonado	3rd, 2025 San Pasqual G2	Entered
Last race		3rd, 2025 San Pasqual G2
4		Patriot Spirit Constitution	6.18	Michael Campbell Rafael Bejarano	2nd, 2025 Fifth Season	Entered
Last race		2nd, 2025 Fifth Season
5		Kinetic Street Sense	6.23	Brad Cox Cristian Torres Advertisement	1st, General MacArthur Overnight	Entered
Last race		1st, General MacArthur Overnight
6		Speed Bias Uncle Mo	4.84	Ron Moquett Ricardo Santana Jr.	4th, OP, alw OC, 2/28/2025 R9	Entered
Last race		4th, OP, alw OC, 2/28/2025 R9
7		Unload Gun Runner	5.79	Steve Asmussen Erik Asmussen	7th, OP, alw OC, 1/25/25 R4	Entered
Last race		7th, OP, alw OC, 1/25/25 R4

San Luis Rey (G3), Santa Anita, 1 1/2 miles, turf,
4-year-olds and up

In a race likely to be without any standout winning streaks, some recent also-rans may capture the attention of bettors. Seven-year-old Easter and 4-year-old Lord Bullingdon finished second and third in that order in the 1 1/4-mile San Marcos (G3), which was won Feb. 8 by There Goes Harvard. Six-year-old Midnight Mammoth, who won the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II (G3) by 10 1/4 lengths in July at Del Mar, lost his last three races by a combined 49 1/2 lengths, all at shorter distances. According to the Santa Anita racing office, a $67,000 turf allowance going 1 1/8 miles March 29 may lure some of the horses listed as possible rather than probable for the San Luis Rey.

	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer	Last start	Status
		Midnight Mammoth Midnight Lute	6.91	Craig Dollase	4th, 2025 Santa Anita Handicap G1	Probable
Last race		4th, 2025 Santa Anita Handicap G1
		Cabo Spirit Pioneerof the Nile	6.71	George Papaprodromou Advertisement	3rd, 2025 Frank E. Kilroe Mile G1	Probable
Last race		3rd, 2025 Frank E. Kilroe Mile G1
		Easter Exosphere	6.49	Phil D’Amato	2nd, 2025 San Marcos G3	Probable
Last race		2nd, 2025 San Marcos G3
		Lord Bullingdon Lord Nelson	6.26	Michael McCarthy	3rd, 2025 San Marcos G3	Probable
Last race		3rd, 2025 San Marcos G3
		Megayacht Tonalist	4.12	Bob Hess Jr.	1st, SA, clm, 2/2/25 R1	Probable
Last race		1st, SA, clm, 2/2/25 R1
		Atitlan The Factor	6.70	John Shirreffs	5th, 2025 San Marcos G3	Possible
Last race		5th, 2025 San Marcos G3
		Balladeer Distorted Humor	6.15	George Papaprodromou Advertisement	9th, 2024 Kentucky Turf Cup G2	Possible
Last race		9th, 2024 Kentucky Turf Cup G2
		Divin Propos George Vancouver	6.09	Phil D’Amato	4th, 2025 San Marcos G3	Possible
Last race		4th, 2025 San Marcos G3
		Wizard Of Westwood Tu Brutus	5.91	Michael McCarthy	8th, 2025 Thunder Road G3	Possible
Last race		8th, 2025 Thunder Road G3
		El Rey Rey Karakontie	4.79	Héctor Palma	1st, SA, alw, 2/28/25 R3	Possible
Last race		1st, SA, alw, 2/28/25 R3
		Gold Phoenix Declan’s Warrior	4.45	Phil D’Amato	7th, CT, clm, 2/24/23 R1	Possible
Last race		7th, CT, clm, 2/24/23 R1
		Invigorated Street Sense		Michael McCarthy Advertisement	11th, SA, alw OC, 3/1/25 R11	Possible
Last race		11th, SA, alw OC, 3/1/25 R11

Kentucky Wildcats guard Lamont Butler is expected to return for the NCAA Tournament after missing the Wildcats’ 99-70 loss to Alabama in the SEC Tournament. Head coach Mark Pope shared the positive update on Friday, easing concerns about Butler’s shoulder injury.

Butler’s absence was felt in the loss to Alabama, as Kentucky struggled to keep up offensively and defensively without their dynamic playmaker. Fortunately, Pope clarified that the latest injury is unrelated to Butler’s previous shoulder issue.

Despite the loss, news of Butler’s return has lifted spirits within the team.

“That’s great. I mean, obviously, we were all worried about it,” said guard Koby Brea after the loss to Alabama. “Just knowing that we have such a big piece that’s going to be able to provide a lot for us going into this tournament is important.”

Amari Williams expressed his enthusiasm about having teammates return from injury, emphasizing the dedication they put into their recovery.

“I’m always excited when one of our guys comes back, just knowing they put in the work to recover and be back out there with us,” Williams said. “They give it 100% every time, and that’s what they showed, even the guys who weren’t able to return. We’re just thankful that we can get them back.”

With Butler’s return on the horizon, the Wildcats are hopeful for a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament as they look to bounce back from their SEC Tournament exit.

The 5th-ranked and 3rd-seeded Alabama Crimson Tide destroyed the Kentucky Wildcats 99-70 in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament on Friday night. The win gave the Tide a 3-0 record against UK this year, the first time Bama has ever beaten the Wildcats three times in a season. The only other teams to have matched this feat are Florida and Tennessee. Alabama improved to 25-7 and Kentucky fell to 22-11. The Tide will play Florida at approximately 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday. The game will follow top-seeded Auburn playing 4th-seeded Tennessee at noon CT.

Coach Nate Oats stayed with the starting lineup of Mark Sears, Labaron Philon, Chris Youngblood, Grant Nelson, and Clifford Omoruyi. The Tide started off strong, grabbing an early lead, and never letting it go. The story of the half was Philon, and the Tide’s defense. Bama was able to forge ahead despite missing all of their nine three point attempts. Philon was a magician in the paint, exploding past defenders and scoring all sorts of ways at the rim.

Jarin Stevenson finally made a three pointer for the Tide with around six minutes left in the half. Nelson made the team’s second from distance with 4:46 left for a 36-30 lead. The Tide led 47-38 going into the locker room at halftime, but only 45-38 once play resumed. Multiple times this season Bama has had baskets that were awarded on goaltending calls taken away, and actually happened in both halves in this game.

In the first half the Tide shot 16-37 for 43% with only 2-13 from three point range. Alabama made 11-13 free throws for 85%, grabbed 20 rebounds, had seven steals, one block, six assists, and four turnovers. Philon led the way with 10 points, three assists, one block, and three steals. Nelson and Omoruyi both scored seven. and Sears, Mo Dioubate, and Stevenson added a half a dozen each.

‘The Wildcats shot 12-31 for 39% in the first half with 3-9 from behind the arc UK had 20 rebounds, two blocks, one steal, six assists, and eight turnovers. Amari Williams and Travis Perry scored 11 and 10 points respectively to lead the Kentucky scoring.

The Tide used the same lineup to begin the 2nd half. Youngblood and Philon hit early three pointers to push the lead out to 52-42 with 17:51 left. Philon was all over the court, continuing his outstanding start. Dioubate pushed the lead out to 13 when he drained a long three pointer with 16:20 remaining for a 57-44 lead. Stevenson and Aden Holloway took the torch and ran with it over a several minute period. Dioubate, Youngblood, and Sears joined into the three point brigade, and the Tide was on cruise control.

Sears scored nine straight points for 83-60 lead with 7:35 left. After the timeout one of Sears’ baskets was taken away on another reversed goaltending call. Stevenson and Philon took over and with the help of Holloway, were never threatened the rest of the day. Holloway made two late free throws to reach 99 points, but the Tide couldn’t reach the century mark.

In the second half the Tide blistered the nets, shooting 20-34 for 59% and 9-16 for 56% from deep. Bama also made 5-8 free throws in the half. Overall Alabama finished 36-71 for 51%, 11-29 for 38% from behind the arc, and made 16-21 free throws with 17 assists, four blocks, 11 steals, and turned it over 10 times. Philon scored 21 points, had four assists, three rebounds, one block, and three steals. Stevenson seems to come alive in the postseason and scored 16 on 6-8 shooting with 3-5 from behind the arc and added four rebounds, an assist, a block, and three steals. Holloway had 13 with four assists, Sears added 13 of his own with four assists, and Dioubate scored 13 with eight rebounds, two blocks, and steal.
Kentucky was held to 9-25 shooting in the second half by the suddenly resurgent Alabama defense.

The Cats hit 2-10 from deep and just 12-21 at the charity stripe in the period. Overall UK was 21-56 for 38%, 5-19 from three point range, and 22-35 on freebies. The Wildcats turned it over 16 times, dished 12 assists, blocked three shots, and had six steals. Andrew Carr led the team with 18 points, followed by Williams with 16 points and seven rebounds.
After the game Oats said ““we have some tough minded kids, we wanted to press them (Kentucky) and we were able to score 29 points off of 16 turnovers.” This was the worst loss in the SEC Tournament In Kentucky’s illustrious history. Oats continues to take Alabama basketball to places it has never been.

Next up a battle with the team that is playing better than anyone in the country right now, the Florida Gators. The Tide seems poised to be able to handle the rematch of several days ago, and would love to make up for the loss UF handed them at Coleman Coliseum.

Tip is at 2:30 CT. Roll Tide