Santa Anita Derby (G1) Day

Irish-trained horses look set to repeat last year’s dominance of the Grand National as they were given the top five weights for the famous marathon steeplechase at Aintree, Liverpool on April 8. Five of last year’s top six finishers were trained in Ireland and the weights for April’s race announced on Tuesday contains 20 horses trained in the country out of the top 40 entries — the maximum runners allowed — on the list. Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud won with Rule The World last year and the businessman appears intent on staging a repeat with 12 of his 16 entries on the 109-horse list guaranteed a run if trainer Gordon Elliot opts to race them.

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Irish Smoke blew past the field and remained unbeaten with a victory in the $250,000 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday. While More Happy led through a fast early pace, Irish Smoke benefited from a patient ride from Julien Leparoux. The 2-year-old daughter of Smoke Glacken kicked clear of the field and went on to win by 3 lengths for West Point Stables and trainer Patrick Biancone.

Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs was even more crowded on the backside with Derby fans now that all the Derby and Oaks horses are on the grounds. All 21 Derby horses and 15 Oaks fillies were out this morning, including new arrivals Maximum Security, Cutting Humor, and Vekoma. Master Fencer also put in a timed work. Check out photos for each with comments.

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