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NBC Sports To Present Live Coverage Of Three Derby Preps This Saturday

With one month to the running of the 148^th Kentucky Derby, NBC Sports presents exclusive live coverage of the Wood Memorial, Blue Grass Stakes, and Santa Anita Derby this Saturday, April 9 at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

This weekend's show concludes NBC Sports' “Road to the Kentucky Derby” coverage on three consecutive Saturday afternoons, and marks the first time the “triplecast” show will be presented on NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports will present the 148^th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 7.

Saturday's live coverage begins from Aqueduct Racetrack with the Grade 2 Wood Memorial, New York's premier Kentucky Derby prep race which has had 11 winners go on to win the Derby. The race is expected to feature Morello, who has won all three of his career races and has already earned 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points.

In addition, the $1 million Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in Lexington is expected to feature Smile Happy, who recently finished second in the Grade 2 Risen Star behind Kentucky Derby qualifying leader Epicenter. Last year's Blue Grass Stakes winner, Essential Quality, placed third in the 2021 Kentucky Derby.

Rounding out Saturday's show is the $750,000 Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, the signature West Coast prep race for the Kentucky Derby. Headlining the field is Messier, who won the Robert B. Lewis (G3), and Forbidden Kingdom, the American Pharoah colt who has won two consecutive races.

Ahmed Fareed hosts Saturday's coverage, alongside analysts Jerry Bailey, the Hall of Fame jockey who won each Triple Crown race twice, Randy Moss, and insights analyst Steve Kornacki, who will be at his Big Board to analyze the Kentucky Derby points standings as qualifying for the Run for the Roses enters its final weeks. Reporters Britney Eurton will be on-site in Santa Anita, Matt Bernier will be in New York, and Kenny Rice will be at Keeneland.

NBC Sports will also present highlights of Saturday's “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” races from across the country.

Coverage will also be streamed live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

NBC SPORTS GROUP AND HORSE RACING: NBC Sports is the exclusive home to the most important and prestigious events in horse racing, including the Triple Crown, the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Royal Ascot, and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series. NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001, and the Belmont Stakes since 2011, when NBC Sports Group reassembled the Triple Crown.

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Australia: Verry Elleegant To Say Farewell At The Championships

“The Championships” at Randwick were inaugurated in 2014 and the title has never been more apt than this Friday night, when a regal rendition of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes brings this year's two-day event to a climax. TVG's international analyst, Adam McGrath, will again join Sky Racing World's Jason Witham on a live broadcast from the famous Sydney track. Friday night's card mirrors last week's, with four Group Ones amid a 10-race program that gets underway at 9:40 p.m. ET / 6:40 p.m. PT.

Beyond the structure of the two cards that comprise The Championships, mirror images abound. Last Friday night, the brilliant sprinter Nature Strip won his third consecutive T.J. Smith Stakes in his probable Australian swansong. This week could be the farewell to home soil for Queen Elizabeth favorite Verry Elleegant. Both horses are targeting prestigious European assignments: Nature Strip at Royal Ascot and Verry Elleegant at Longchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (with a possible appearance in England en route). Both have reached the pinnacle of Australian racing, crowned Horse of the Year the past two seasons. Both are trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald. Both lost their race prior to The Championships.

The Queen Elizabeth Stakes of 2019 memorably served as the career finale for Winx (also trained by Chris Waller!), as she won her 33rd consecutive race and third straight Queen Elizabeth. Verry Elleegant will also be contesting the 1 1/4-mile race for a third time, but has come up short the past two years in fierce battles with tough English visitor Addeyb. While her international nemesis is absent this time, Verry Elleegant (2-1) has not encountered this Queen Elizabeth Stakes' assemblage of depth and quality. Verry Elleegant's massive haul of 11 Group One victories has ranged in distance from seven furlongs to the two miles of last November's Melbourne Cup, but this championship race within The Championships includes six other Group One winners – four of whom boast multiple G1 victories in the last six months:

Zaaki (3-1), the English import who has taken Australian racing by storm with seven wins from eleven starts “down under.”

Anamoe (7-2), the nation's top 3-year-old who decimated the Rosehill Guineas field last start. Godolphin's private Australian trainer, James Cummings, does battle with brother Edward, who prepares Duais. Both are grandsons of legendary 12-time Melbourne Cup winner, the late Bart Cummings.

Duais (9-2), the “now” horse whose dominant, back-to-back G1 wins have stamped her a horse of the highest quality.

Montefilia (8-1), who defeated Verry Elleegant three weeks ago.

Friday night's other three races at the elite level:

Coolmore Legacy Queen of the Turf, for fillies and mares at a mile; 19 entered. Colette (3-1) is a multiple G1-winner for Godolphin; Yonce (5-1) brings a 6-for-6 record north from Melbourne for her clockwise and “graded stakes” debut; Icebath (6-1) chases an elusive and thoroughly deserved G1 success. She and Lighthouse (13-1 for LNJ Foxwoods) were 3rd and 8th respectively in last week's 20-horse Doncaster Mile against males.

Australian Oaks, for 3-year-old fillies at 1-1/2 miles. 18 combatants, headed by a quartet priced from 3-1 to 9-2: Hinged, Gypsy Goddess, Honeycreeper and Pink Ivory. Interestingly, two favorites in Friday night's other three Group Ones previously won the Australian Oaks: Verry Elleegant (2019) and Colette (2020).

Sydney Cup, a two-mile handicap with 19 runners. The well-weighted Stockman (7-2) holds clear favoritism after filling the exacta behind Duais at weight-for-age. Chris Waller trains Crystal Pegasus (6-1; four straight wins) and Chalk Stream (7-1). The latter makes his third Australian start after being sent from England by Her Majesty The Queen, whose royal silks will grace “Royal Randwick” on a day when the monarch is honored with the showpiece race.

The Randwick card (AUS-A) will be broadcast live on TVG this Friday night (First Post: 9:40 p.m. ET / 6:40 p.m. PT) alongside cards from Newcastle (AUS-B), Doomben (AUS-C) and Gold Coast (AUS-D). All races will be live-streamed in HD on the new Sky Racing World App, skyracingworld.com and major ADW platforms such as TVG, TwinSpires, Xpressbet, NYRABets, WatchandWager, HPIbet, and AmWager. Wagering is also available via these ADW platforms. Fans can get free access to live-streaming, past performances and expert picks on all races at skyracingworld.com.

About Michael Wrona

A native of Brisbane, Australia, Michael Wrona has called races in six countries. Michael's vast U.S. experience includes; race calling at Los Alamitos, Hollywood Park, Arlington and Santa Anita, calling the 2000 Preakness on a national radio network and the 2016 Breeders' Cup on the International simulcast network. Michael also performed a race call voiceover for a Seinfeld episode called The Subway.

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All-Graded Stakes Cross Country Pick 5 Features Action From Aqueduct, Keeneland

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host an all-graded stakes Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring racing from Aqueduct Racetrack and Keeneland.

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

The sequence begins in Race 8 at Keeneland [4:30 p.m. Eastern] with the Grade 2 Shakertown for 3-year-olds and upward sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. The field of 11 is led by Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Golden Pal, who will be making his 4-year-old debut for trainer Wesley Ward. The son of Uncle Mo and graded stakes winner Lady Shipman was also the winner of the 2020 Grade 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Steep opposition will be provided by The Lir Jet, who also makes his 4-year-old debut for trainer Brendan Walsh. The bay gelding was last seen taking down the Grade 2 Franklin-Simpson at Kentucky Downs to close out his sophomore campaign.

Multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Diamond Oops will return to turf after he finished fourth behind Speaker's Corner in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile last out on March 5. Trained by Patrick Biancone, Diamond Oops last visited the winner's circle in June 2021 when he won a handicap at Gulfstream.

The action moves to Aqueduct for the second leg in Race 8 at 4:45 p.m., the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino, a 100-40-20-10 qualifier for the Kentucky Derby. Eight sophomores will attempt to punch their ticket to Louisville with a trio of them hoping to keep a perfect record intact.

The Steve Asmussen-trained Morello has won two stakes races at the Big A, most recently stretching out to take the one-mile Grade 3 Gotham on March 5 in his graded stakes debut. Trainer Chad Brown sends out Early Voting after a professional last-out win in the Grade 3 Withers on February 5 while trainer Mike Maker hopes the New York-bred Barese can pass the open-company test after two state-bred stakes victories at the Big A.

The middle leg will see 12 more Kentucky Derby hopefuls vie for 100-40-20-10 points in the Grade 1 Blue Grass in Race 9 [5:10 p.m.] at Keeneland. Lucky Seven Stable's Smile Happy will have to overcome a wide post in his quest for redemption after he suffered his first career defeat last time out in the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds for trainer Ken McPeek.

To his inside, he faces a formidable challenge from Grade 2 Rebel runner-up Ethereal Road for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and from his Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity-winning stablemate Rattle N Roll. The field also includes Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby runner-up Grantham and El Camino Real Derby winner Blackadder.

The sequence switches back to the Big A for the final two legs, starting with the Grade 1 Carter Handicap presented by NYRA Bets in Race 9 [5:21 p.m.]. Dual Grade 1 winner Mind Control makes his 6-year-old debut for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher after a fever forced him to miss a start in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in November. He was last seen giving a gutsy performance in the Parx Dirt Mile in September where he bested fellow Grade 1 winner Silver State by a head.

Mind Control will face seven opponents, including the improving Green Light Go for trainer Jimmy Jerkens. The 5-year-old son of Hard Spun won the Grade 2 Saratoga Special as a juvenile and won his first stakes since when he took the Stymie at the Big A on February 26. Speaker's Corner, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, also seeks to build on a last-out dominant win in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Mile on March 5.

The final leg features Race 10 [5:55 p.m.] from the Big A, the Grade 3 Gazelle for sophomore fillies competing for 100-40-20-10 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points. Multiple stakes winner Venti Valentine returns to graded company after a convincing win in the Busher Invitational last out for trainer Jorge Abreu on March 5. The daughter of Firing Line finished second in her lone start at the graded level, defeated a neck by Nest in the Grade 2 Demoiselle on December 4 at the Big A.

Venti Valentine will face the imposing Classy Edition, whose only career defeat came last time out with a loss to impressive next-out Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Kathleen O. in the Grade 2 Davona Dale on March 5 at Gulfstream. Also featured are stakes-placed fillies Morning Matcha and Shotgun Hottie.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, which features a low 15 percent takeout, will continue each Saturday throughout the year.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the spring meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the spring meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, April 9:

Leg A: Keeneland – Race 8, Grade 2 Shakertown (4:30 p.m. Eastern)

Leg B: Aqueduct – Race 8, Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino (4:45 p.m.)

Leg C: Keeneland – Race 9, Grade 1 Blue Grass (5:10 p.m.)

Leg D: Aqueduct – Race 9, Grade 1 Carter Handicap presented by NYRA Bets (5:21 p.m.)

Leg E: Aqueduct – Race 10, Grade 3 Gazelle (5:55 p.m.)

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Friday: Only Two Chances Left To Play Stronach 5

The Stronach 5 will be paused after April 15, so there's only two more chances to play the popular Friday wager which has resulted in strong returns on investment.

Friday's Stronach 5 will be highlighted once again with a low 12 percent takeout and competitive races from Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park, Laurel Park and Golden Gate Fields.

Last week's Stronach 5 returned $2,729.90 with three winning favorites.

The sequence begins Friday at 4:51 ET with a seven-furlong event at Gulfstream Park for fillies and mares. The sequence also includes a 1 1/8th mile turf race from Santa Anita. The Stronach 5 will conclude at 5:37 ET.

Leg A: Gulfstream Race 8, 4:51 ET

7 furlongs, Florida Bred Allowance ($43,000), fillies and mares

A field of eight go to post and lightly raced Sea Art has three starts with a debut victory and two seconds, one being in the Juvenile Filly Sprint last fall. This will be her first start since a runner-up finish in January for trainer Victor Barboza. Jaramillo has ridden the daughter of Klimt in every start. American of Course, a 5-year-old by Awesome of Course, has six in-the-money finishes in eight starts for Kathleen O'Connell. Queen Camilla has been running against open company.

Leg B: Santa Anita Race 3, 5:07 ET

5 1/2 furlongs, Claiming ($25,000), 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds

Smiling Goodbye has run only twice for Dean Pederson, but he broke his maiden in March after finishing a good fourth after pressing the pace in his debut. Could be more to this son of Smiling Tiger. Thirsty Always comes out of restricted Cal-bred races but he's won three times on main tracks and this will be his third start off a short layoff. Gator Shining ships in from Golden Gate after his last two starts came against open allowance company. He's hit the board in seven of his 12 starts, but his lone win has come on turf. Swiss Swoo also takes a drop in class and could be dangerous at this level.

Leg C: Laurel Race 9, 5:12 ET

5 ½ furlongs, Maiden Claimer ($40,000-$32,000), 3-year-old fillies

A field of 10 go to post with four first-time starters from the barns of Michael Trombetta, Niall Saville, Cathal Lynch and Don Bryant. Saville is 25-percent with first time starters and Lynch 19-percent. All Worked Up has held the lead in two of her four starts entering the stretch against maiden special weight company. Jockey Jevien Toledo stays aboard. Trainer Tim Keefe sends out Cush Effect for her second start after a fifth-place finish in her debut last month under Toledo. Kevin Gomez gets the mount. Isabella's Glory, who has lacked speed in her six previous starts, makes her first start in three months and draws the rail for Jose Corrales.

Leg D: Golden Gate Race 3, 5:21 ET

1-mile, Maiden Claimer ($8,000), 3-year-olds and up

Bob Daniels had a troubled trip in his last start against $20,000 claimers, but against similar in February he finished second for trainer Jonathan Wong. Theultimatepraise drops in company and could be a factor late. Drew Big has shown some life in his last two since dropping in company and going to the barn of Steve Sherman.

Leg E: Santa Anita Race 4: 5:37 ET

1 1/8 mile (turf), Maiden Special Weight claimer ($67,000), fillies and mares

The Stronach 5 wraps up with a competitive field of seven going long on the grass. Khlass checked in third in February at this level, but it was her first start since August and first in the U.S. for trainer Michael McCarthy. The 4-year-old daughter of No Nay Never should improve. Queen Ofthe Temple closed to finish second last out at a mile in her first start since May and should like the added distance. Right behind Queen Ofthe Temple was Sunday Morning. This Irish-bred daughter of Lope de Vega has been beaten less than five lengths in her last three starts. Joe Bravo rides her for the first time.

Fans can watch and wager on the action at 1/ST.COM/BET as well as stream all the action in English and Spanish at LaurelPark.com, SantaAnita.com, GulfstreamPark.com, and GoldenGateFields.com.

The minimum wager on the multi-race, multi-track Stronach 5 is $1. If there are no tickets with five winners, the entire pool will be carried over to the next Friday.

If a change in racing surface is made after the wagering closes, each selection on any ticket will be considered a winning selection. If a betting interest is scratched, that selection will be substituted with the favorite in the win pool when wagering closes.

The Maryland Jockey Club serves as host of the Stronach 5.

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