Here’s a detailed preview of the Sunland Park Derby (G3), a key stop on the Kentucky Derby prep races, where promising 3-year-olds will compete for valuable qualifying points toward the first Saturday in May.

The 2025 racing season heats up at Santa Anita Park with the Grade 3, $100,000 San Marcos Stakes, featuring a competitive field of eight older turf runners. The 1 1/4-mile event on the downhill turf course highlights some of the top route specialists in California, headlined by “Truly Quality”, who looks to extend his winning streak after a successful

The $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park on February 8 features a competitive field of six fillies and mares set to battle over 1 1/16 miles. The race could have implications for Kentucky Derby betting as the top older female runners continue establishing themselves early in the season.

The road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby continues this weekend at Tampa Bay Downs with the Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes. As one of the key Kentucky Derby Prep Races, the event offers 20-10-6-4-2 qualifying points to the top five finishers, making it a crucial stepping stone toward Churchill Downs.

The Kentucky Derby Prep Races may be in full swing. Still, older horses continue to make headlines, with "El Potente" delivering a standout performance in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes at Santa Anita. With Kentucky Derby betting intensifying and Kentucky Derby odds shifting for top three-year-olds, "El Potente"’s breakthrough victory highlights the importance of patience and development in thoroughbred racing.