RICHMOND, VA – APRIL 12, 2021 – “And they’re off…” When it comes to the horse racing industry in Virginia and the economic impact it is generating, that’s an appropriate metaphor. According to a newly released study, the industry generated an estimated economic impact of $542.1 million in the Commonwealth in 2019.

“What we’re finding is that jobs are coming back, horse racing related expenditures are up, and tax revenue to the state is increasing,” said John Hannum, Executive Director of the Virginia Equine Alliance. “These are all very positive signs that the racing industry is moving in the right direction and benefiting the Commonwealth’s agribusiness and related businesses. Racing was at a low point in 2014 after the closure of Colonial Downs’ racetrack. The General Assembly took a number of steps, most notably the passage of Historical Horse Racing machines in 2018, that provided the revenue to re-open the track and fund the revitalization of the industry. The study points to the enormous strides the industry has made since 2014.”

The study was commissioned by the Virginia Equine Alliance, the industry’s organizational body that promotes the racing and breeding industry throughout the state.  Chmura Economics and Analytics (Chmura), a research consulting firm in Richmond, VA, conducted the study.

Highlights of the new study include:

• Overall economic impact for 2019 of $542.1 million.

• Annual horse-related expenditures by Virginia horsemen estimated at $239.44 million in 2019.
• Overall total in state tax revenue for 2019 estimated at $26.5 million.
• Estimated total economic impact of horse racing events and visitor spending in Virginia was $68.7 million in 2019.
• Jobs supported in 2019 by the horse racing and breeding industry estimated at more than 5,000.
• The average amount spent by horsemen in Virginia to care for, train, and board a race horse is estimated at $14,663.

“The Commonwealth has a rich history of breeding and racing Thoroughbreds, from even before the days of Triple Crown-winning Secretariat from Caroline County and continuing to today. The industry is an important part of our agriculture economy, especially in rural parts of Virginia,” said Bettina Ring, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.  “A successful horse industry means that more farms remain economically viable, which in turn makes it easier to maintain and conserve productive farmland throughout the Commonwealth. I am pleased that the results of this study support that Virginia continues to be a place where the horse industry can thrive.”

Karen Godsey, owner of Eagle Point Farm, a 200-acre Thoroughbred training center in Ashland, VA has seen first-hand the benefit of the Thoroughbred industry coming back stronger in the last few years.

“Our industry has really seen a tremendous turnaround,” Godsey said. “I’ve been able to recruit and retain more workers, because I am able to pay them a higher per-hour rate than before. I’ve also had to rent out two additional farms for more horses.”

D.G. Van Clief, Chairman of the Virginia Racing Commission stated “that much of the industry’s success over the last few years has been the result of the entire industry coming together and working for the shared goal of revitalizing racing.  We are now in a position to grow the sport and add racing days.  I am excited about the prospects for racing in the state.”

According to this study, the economic impact is likely an underestimation of the full potential impact in 2019. For example, Colonial Downs race track in New Kent, VA, was only open for nine months in 2019, versus a full 12 months. On the racing side, there were 18 race days, attracting 42,000 spectators. In future years, those racing days are expected to likely double, generating even more of an economic impact.

“We’re eager to see how these numbers increase when life gets back to normal and we have a full year of activity at the venue,” Hannum said.

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About Virginia Equine Alliance

The Virginia Equine Alliance is the state sanctioned organization representing horse racing throughout the state. The Alliance is a non-profit, 501(c)6 organization comprised of the Virginia Harness Horse Association, Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, Virginia Gold Cup Association and Virginia Thoroughbred Association. Virginia Equine Alliance’s primary mission is to sustain, promote an expand the horse breeding and horse racing industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

About Chmura Economics and Analytics

Chmura Economics and Analytics is a consultation business providing labor market software, consulting, and data, so you can make informed decisions that grow your community. Chmura’s staff consist of PhD economists, data scientists, and strategic planners who are able to guide client’s local labor market.

The Kentucky Derby kicks off the Series May 1, followed by the Preakness on May 15 and the Belmont on June 5.

Leading Derby candidate Essential Quality shipped into Churchill Downs on April 5. The Kentucky-bred leads all three-year-old horses in points accumulated from early season preps. Photo by Coady Photography.

Derby Day of course is highlighted by the Grade 1, $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. Post time for the “Run for the Roses” is 6:57 PM.

Churchill Downs will card a trio of additional Grade I stakes on the under card — the $1 million Old Forester Turf Classic, $500,000 Churchill Downs Stakes and $500,000 Derby City Distaff. Three Grade 2 stakes are also on tap including the $500,000 Pat Day Mile, $500,000 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile and the $500,000 American Turf.

Bob Baffert’s Authentic won the Kentucky Derby September 5, 2020. The 2021 edition will be May 1. Photo by Coady Photography.

Derby Day’s first post is at 10:30 AM. NBC Sports Network has coverage from 12:00-2:30 PM followed by NBC’s extensive coverage from 2:30-7:30 PM. Advance betting is available the day prior (April 30), which is Kentucky Oaks Day.

The Oaks card also begins at 10:30 AM and is highlighted by the $1,250,000 Longines Kentucky Oaks (Gr. 1) which goes to post at 5:51 PM. The $500,000 La Troienne Stakes, also a Grade 1, headlines the under card along with a four-pack of Grade 2 stakes — the $400,000 Alysheba, $300,000 Edgewood, $300,000 Eight Belles and $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint.

Each Rosie’s has an OTB area which features live simulcasting from up to 20 tracks on a daily basis.

Watch and wager all the Derby weekend action in Virginia at any VA-Horseplay Off Track Betting Center in Henrico (Breakers Sports Grille), Chesapeake (Buckets Bar & Grill) and Collinsville (The Windmill Sports Grill OTB), at any Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Richmond, New Kent, Vinton, Hampton and the newest location in Dumfries, and online via TVG.com, Xpressbet.com, Twinspires.com and NYRABets.com.

With Ryan Moore riding on the grandstand side of the track, 8-year-old Extravagant Kid (16-1) made a late charge to the lead with less than 150 yards to go on the way to a half-length triumph the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint (G1), a straight, six-furlong dash on the turf.

Extravagant Kid prevails in the $1 million Al Quoz Stakes in Dubai. Photo provided by Dubai Racing Club.

“When he did come running, he really did come running,” Walsh told Horse Racing Nation in a telephone call from New Orleans. “He has never let us down on any occasion.”

[Related: Mystic Guide takes Dubai World Cup]

Final Song (12-1) finished second, a neck ahead of Acklam Express (65-1) with Equilateral (10-1) another 1 1/4 lengths back in fourth. The favorite Space Blues (1-1), bidding for a sixth consecutive win, was squeezed at the start and finished ninth.

There were two other U.S. starters in the Al Quoz. True Valour (28-1) was sixth and Cowan (13-1) finished 10th in the field of 13.

Breaking through after finishing second in his three most recent U.S. starts, the last two on dirt, Extravagant Kid’s winning time was 1:09.26. It was his 50th start – and his first win in three Grade/Group 1 tries.

Extravagant Kid wins the Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs in 2019. Photo by Coady Photography.

“It was just a matter of time before he won a big one for us,” Walsh said. “I had a bit of a hunch the travel would freshen his mind.”

Moore had to make snap judgments throughout what he called “a very messy race,” thinking first of going left to the inside before making a commitment to the outside. “The speed looked like it was going to be stand side,” he said, “but we had to make a decision.”

Extravagant Kid has come a long way for owner David Ross, who claimed the Kiss the Kid gelding three years ago for $75,000. He has now won 15 races and purse money exceeding $1.6 million.

“What an unbelievable race,” Ross said. “He really liked the venue here, and we thought we would take advantage. As an 8-year-old, what about that?”

Moore summed up the result with compliments for both Extravagant Kid and Walsh.

“He is a very talented horse,” Moore said. “You’ll have to watch out for Brendan when he comes back here.”

David and Dana Ross are shown with the Da Hoss trophy courtesy of Extravagant Kid’s 2019 win at Colonial Downs.

A native of Ireland who is based in the U.S., Walsh also won two years ago with Plus Que Parfait in the UAE Derby (G2). This time he was on a flight from Miami to New Orleans.

“I saw the race on the flight,” Walsh said. “But I had no Wi-Fi. When I got off the plane, my phone was blowing up.”

Walsh said he had no plan yet for Extravagant Kid’s next race, saying he would wait until he was shipped back to the U.S. to decide. He did not rule out the possibility of another trip overseas for a big race.

As he put it, “We have nothing to lose with him anymore.”

What are the odds that two Virginia-based horse owners could see their charges square off against each other — in Dubai? The longshot proposition will indeed happen when Larry Johnson’s True Valour and David Ross’s Extravagant Kid compete in Saturday’s (March 27) $1 million Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Raceourse in Dubai. The six-furlong straight turf race will be contested at 9:30 AM (EDT), several hours before the featured $12 million Dubai World Cup takes center stage.

Much has been written about Extravagant Kid, whose second place finish in the February 13 Colonel Power Stakes at Fair Grounds pushed the 8-year-old Kiss The Kid gelding’s bankroll into seven-digit range. Since a solid a fourth place finish in November’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint, Extravagant Kid has had three straight runner-up finishes in stakes. Ross is President of the Virginia HBPA.

Johnson’s True Valour is a 7-year-old Irish-bred horse he purchased last July for $225,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Sale for Horses of Racing Age in Lexington, Kentucky. At the time, he had won a Group 3 stakes in Europe and both a Grade 2 and 3 in the U.S..

“He was by a well-regarded stallion named Kodiac, so I was interested in his current and long-term racing potential, and stud value as well,” said Johnson. “Graham (Motion) took over training after the purchase and based on his prior form, which was long on the turf, we were disappointed with his initial performance in a Grade 2 at Pimlico on Preakness Day. He didn’t seem to be performing as well as he had trained.”

Based on pedigree, the decision was made to switch to a shorter distance and the move paid immediate dividends. True Valour won a 6 1/2-furlong wide open turf allowance at Woodbine then went on to record a solid third in Aqueduct’s Turf Sprint Stakes November 28. Most recently, he was runner-up in the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita on New Years Day.

“We started thinking about Dubai after he got beat by less than a length at Santa Anita,” said Johnson. “We gave him a month off to do basically nothing because he traveled quite a bit over his last five starts. He started back training and did well, so we decided to nominate him to the Al Quoz. We ended up getting invited and accepted,” he added. “Joel Rosario, who in my opinion is the best turf rider in the country, will be up. True Valour is a pretty professional horse and can handle just about anything.”

“He arrived there last Wednesday,” Johnson said earlier this week, “And breezed Monday morning to stretch his legs. He has trained well. He shipped well. With every day that passes, the realization that this is actually going to happen gets even more exciting.”

Johnson said all owners receive first class airfare and hotel but with the current pandemic, he will watch remotely instead. “I wish I was going to be there but with current Covid restrictions and masking, I decided to take a pass. I’ll be watching from home though of course.”

Johnson owns Legacy Farm in Bluemont, which he purchased 20 years ago. At the time, it encompassed 175 acres but Johnson has since further developed it and added more fields, run-in sheds and most significantly,  a 3/4-mile synthetic racetrack.

“It’s been a terrific benefit for us and a big help in getting young horses ready,” noted Johnson. “We’re able to get them to where they’re ready to go to the track, ready to be breezed, and adjusted and acclimated to the starting gate.”

Johnson hired former steeplechase rider Jonathan Smart to manage the farm a year and a half ago. Smart rode for a dozen years on the NSA circuit and won a number of big races. “Through a relationship Graham Motion had with him, I was able to hire Jonathan and he’s done a great job getting horses ready after the winter layoff and with rehab horses too.”

As an owner, Johnson has accumulated 375 wins from 2,584 starts. He also has 361 seconds and 345 third place finishes. His horses combined have earned $12,387,854. “This has been a labor of love for the last 20 years he said. “I enjoy living in Virginia and now with the Certified Residency program, it’s economically viable to raise horses here.”

Asked what gives him the most satisfaction from all the horse-related aspects he participates in, Johnson declared it a tie between breeding and raising a horse that goes on to compete successfully, particularly a stakes caliber one, and to be able to breed and raise a commercial sales yearling that attracts a substantial price in the marketplace.

“It’s a different outcome and a different process,” Johnson said of each. “There’s equal excitement between running in a race and watching your horse come into a ring. Both only last a few minutes and you’re either really disappointed or elated. But when you’re elated, it’s very rewarding.”

Sir Rockport won a combined 11 races races as a 7 & 8-year-old the past two years. He kicked off 2021 with a victory. Photo by Jim McCue.

Sir Rockport is a horse he bred in 2012 and even at age 9, the son of Rockport Harbor continues to provide Johnson with breeder’s incentive bonus checks for each win. He isn’t a stakes caliber horse but one that holds a special place still. From 71 career starts, he has earned $339,432 and has 16 wins. Amazingly, 12 of those have come in the past two years.

“He’s an old warrior. I think I sold him at Timonium for maybe $15,000,” Johnson recalled. “I have him in my stable mail so I can keep up with his races. He’s a tough old horse and is still out competing in mid-level claimers. A barnful of horses like him wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.”

Johnson has plenty to keep him busy besides his horses. He is CEO of a litigation consulting firm, which takes up most of his time, and he also owns the West End Wine Bar & Pub in Purcellville, which he has had for five years now. The restaurant is in a historic 1900’s house that Johnson restored and converted into a high-end fine dining establishment that features an old-style English pub in the lower level.

“The restaurant was on a good trajectory before Covid,” said Johnson. “The last twelve months has been challenging to say the least though. We’ve had to close a couple times because staff tested positive but we’re looking forward to warmer patio weather soon and vaccinations being out there.”

Johnson is also optimistic about horse racing’s future in the Commonwealth. “The Certified program has been terrific,” he said. “I had some initial involvement working with Debbie Easter and staff when we were struggling to come up the kind of incentives needed to keep farms open here and make them financially viable. The program has done wonders. It has reinvigorated farms in Virginia. And the return of racing at Colonial Downs is terrific. Last year was so difficult and unexpected between the weather, Covid, then the shutdown. I’m looking forward to this year with an increased number of race days and purses back to the 2019 level if not even a little higher. I’m going to run a bunch of horses at Colonial whether they are Certified or not,” added Johnson. “Overnight purses are great and the stakes program is great. Virginia racing is in top form now and great opportunities lie ahead.”

SECRETARIAT Virtual BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – MARCH 26-27
Online Gathering to Honor Birth of 1973 Triple Crown Champion

For the second consecutive year the Secretariat Birthday Celebration at the Meadow will not take place due to the continued COVID challenges. However, we are delighted to announce a virtual gathering via Zoom and Facebook will take place March 26-27 to continue our tradition of honoring the birth of a racing legend.

Co-hosts for the online festivities will be Kate Chenery Tweedy, daughter of the Meadow’s Penny Chenery, and Leeanne Meadows Ladin, former tourism manager at Meadow Event Park and co-author along with Ms. Tweedy of the award-winning book Secretariat’s Meadow – The Land, The Family, The Legend and Riva Ridge – Penny’s First Champion.

The Birthday Celebration will offer a selection of activities for all Big Red fans beginning with a virtual Secretariat Julep cocktail party to kick off the festivities on Friday, March 26 and followed by the Celebration’s main activities on Saturday, March 27, including a selection of Fan Forums and special appearances with jockey Ron Turcotte, Lucien Laurin assistant Steve Jordan, and other distinguished guests.

Celebration highlights include the viewing of rare lost film footage of Secretariat and the public debut of a never-before-seen photo of the champ as yearling, a visual history of several of the Meadow Stable’s most accomplished stars, a Florida Derby/Kentucky Derby Rankings preview with acclaimed sports journalist Steve Haskin, a tribute presentation to the entire Meadow Team, and the opportunity to bid on an amazing collection of memorabilia from the Secretariat/Meadow Stable Archives.

Don’t get left at the gate, purchase your All-Access VIP Birthday Celebration Pass now and receive a free commemorative color foal print created specifically for this year’s event. A collectible keepsake when you join us and your fellow Secretariat fans for this joyful virtual event!

Miniature horse Mia has become a companion to Groundshaker at The Meadow. Courtesy of The Paulick Report.

Friday, March 26 – Secretariat Birthday Celebration Virtual Kickoff Julep Party (Free)
The Secretariat Birthday Celebration begins with a virtual Kickoff Party on Zoom where Big Red fans can see old friends and meet new ones. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. EDT, Kate Chenery Tweedy and Leeanne Meadows Ladin will host a get-together that will be highlighted by a Secretariat Julep toast that is sure to taste better when sipped from your own commemorative Birthday Celebration Julep Cup. Activities planned include a trivia contest and individual breakout rooms with some of our distinguished guests, and perhaps a few other surprises!

The Kickoff Julep Party is a free event, but capacity will be limited and space will be filled on a first-come basis. To guarantee your participation, please sign up for the All-Access VIP Birthday Celebration Pass now available for purchase. Otherwise, we are now accepting Julep Party Registration, while space is still available.

Saturday, March 27 – Secretariat Virtual Birthday Celebration 
We are delighted to present our ticketed virtual Fan Forums through the electronic meeting technology of Zoom and free Birthday Celebration video premieres throughout the day on our Facebook page at @SecretariatOfficial. Please review our selection of virtual activities below:

Fan Forums on Zoom: Our popular limited capacity Fan Forums will provide fans access to discussions with our hosts and special guests along with the opportunities to ask questions and hear insiders’ perspective on many Secretariat-related topics. Listed Fan Forum times are Eastern Daylight and may be subject to minor changes, and we encourage you to confirm the schedule prior to the event. We recommend downloading the Zoom app on your phone, tablet or desktop prior to the event. Fan Forums require pre-registration and registrants will receive an access link by email prior to the event. For technical assistance, please email information@secretariat.com.

Secretariat’s annual birthday celebration will be online this year.

• (TICKETED) “Meadow Stars” 11:30 a.m. – In addition to Secretariat and Riva Ridge, the Meadow racing stable was represented in winner’s circles across the country dating back to late 1930s. Learn more about some of the most accomplished Meadow horses, both in the breeding shed and on the racetrack in this illuminating visual history presentation. Horses to be discussed include Hill Prince, First Landing, and Cicada, as well as blue-hen broodmares like Hildene, Imperatrice and Somethingroyal. As an added bonus, jockey Ron Turcotte will join in providing his experiences aboard Secretariat’s and Riva Ridge’s younger brothers Capital Asset and Capito. Approximate length 40 minutes with Q&A to follow. Advance ticketing to guarantee your space in this Forum is now available for purchase through an All-Access VIP Birthday Celebration Pass. Individual tickets on sale now for $25, while quantities last.
• (TICKETED) “Secretariat Virtual Vault” 1:00 p.m. – This highly anticipated event includes rare and never-before-seen Secretariat film footage and photography, including the public debut of the only known image of Secretariat as a yearling that was recently discovered in one of the original Meadow Farm files dating back to the early history of Penny Chenery’s management of the renowned farm. Among the historical treasures to be viewed are period film commercials of Secretariat produced by the New York Racing Association and First & Merchant National Bank as well as outtakes and photography associated with their filming. Approximate length 40 min with Q&A to follow. Individual tickets on sale now for $40, while quantities last.
• (TICKETED) “Florida Derby Preview and Derby Rankings” 3:00 p.m. – Hall of Fame racing journalist, handicapper, and historian Steve Haskin will host this discussion that coincides with the running of the Florida Derby later in the afternoon on Celebration Saturday. This Forum will provide an in-depth analysis of the important prep race as well as a look at the key contenders for the 2021 Kentucky Derby. As a live video extension of his weekly Derby Rankings column, the forum promises spirited discussion, candid predictions, prognostications, and perhaps even a wagering suggestions. Leeanne Meadows Ladin will join in the fun, identifying the horses who trace back to Secretariat and other horses associated with the Meadow. Approximate length 50 minutes with Q&A throughout. Individual tickets on sale now for $15, limited space available.

To guarantee your space in all three Fan Forums as well as the Kickoff Julep Party, a convenient All-Access VIP Birthday Celebration Pass is available for purchase. 

Facebook Premieres: Posting throughout the day on our Facebook page at @SecretariatOfficial Facebook page  (You will need a Facebook account to access the page.) For technical assistance, please contact @SecretariatOfficial via Facebook Messenger.

• (FREE) Meadow Farm Foaling Shed and Yearling Barn Virtual Tour Posting– While Meadow Event Park remains closed to the public, join us for a virtual tour with host and Meadow Stable historian Leeanne Meadows Ladin. Peek into the foaling shed where Somethingroyal gave birth to Secretariat as Leeanne recounts the story, and enjoy other snippets from the pastoral farm. Approximate length is 10 minutes.
• (FREE) Meadow Team Tribute Posting – Though many of the key figures who comprised the Meadow Team have left us over the years since the glory days of the stable, time has not diminished their impact on racing nor their fans’ admiration. From visionary founder Christopher Chenery to the First Lady of Racing Penny Chenery to all who helped raise and race the Meadow champions and run Meadow Stable, we will never let them be forgotten. It has been said that “the land made them all,” and together they made history with the greatest racehorse of them all. This presentation will highlight their contributions. Approximate length is 20 minutes
• (FREE) Collectors’ Chat – Posting throughout the day – Kate Chenery Tweedy and Leonard Lusky will host a series of short discussions sharing backstories and their personal insights for several artifacts originating from the personal residence of Penny Chenery and the Secretariat Meadow Stable Archives that are currently being offered for auction at Lelands.com.

We look forward to returning to the Meadow one day to celebrate the birthday of Secretariat. But this virtual format affords fans opportunities and experiences that we would not be able to share at an in-person event. We hope that you will join us for this celebratory spring weekend — no matter where you are!

A total horse racing handle of $9,450,356 was wagered by Virginians via four online wagering partner companies in the month of February, a sizeable boost over the $7,093,550 recorded for the same month a year ago. The upward trend of online activity has continued into the new year, after 2020 saw a 56.4% increase in business.

Each Rosie’s has an OTB area which features live simulcasting from up to 20 tracks on a daily basis.

TVG led the way in February with a handle of $5,239,968. When added to January’s $5.7 million figure, they are up 45.9% over the same two-month period from a year ago. Twin Spires, up 34% during the same time frame, handled $2,472,071 in February while Xpressbet, up 38.03%, took in monthly wagers totaling $1,362,762. NYRABets, newest of the four Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW) services to do business in the Commonwealth, handled $375,553 and their combined two-month tally of $874,064 is a 73% boost from last year.

The overall two-month handle total was $20,140,787 compared with $14,147,851 in 2020, a 42% rise. Interestingly, both the thoroughbred and harness handle have grown proportionately at the same 42% figure.

A third VA-Horseplay OTB is located in Collinsville — the Windmill OTB Sports Grill.

In person wagering did well too. The eight simulcast centers at Colonial Downs’ Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums and VA Horseplay OTBs combined to handle $4,926,972 during the first two months. Buckets Bar & Grill in Chesapeake led the way with $1,094,939 and Breakers Sports Grille in Henrico was next with $1,003,862.

An uptick in handle should continue as the next month features key Kentucky Derby prep races most every weekend, leading up to the “Run for the Roses” on May 1.

The $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby (Gr. 2) is next on March 20 at Fair Grounds, which has a trio of Grade 2 stakes on the under card.

Gulfstream Park will host ten stakes in a massive program on March 27 highlighted by the Grade I Florida Derby. The same day, Turfway Park holds their big Derby prep — the $250,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes (Gr. 3) — along with five others. And the Dubai World Cup card takes place that morning from Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Two Virginia owned horses — Extravagant Kid (David Ross) and True Valour (Larry Johnson) — will compete there at 9:30 AM (EDT) in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint (Gr. I) at six furlongs on the straight. The World Cup post is 12:15 PM.

Bob Baffert’s Authentic won the Kentucky Derby September 5, 2020. The 2021 edition will be May 1. Photo by Coady Photography.

The biggest race day of 2021 to date will take place on April 3 when a trio of major preps occur. The $750,000 Wood Memorial (Gr. 2) is at Aqueduct along with four other graded stakes. Keeneland hosts the $800,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (Gr. 2) and five additional graded events. And the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I)  headlines out west, and they have five other stakes programmed.

The final Derby prep is the following Saturday, April 10, when Oaklawn hosts the $1 million Arkansas Derby (Gr. I).