TRIPLE CROWN PREP RACES

Get a head start on the road to the Triple Crown with our Triple Crown 2025 Prep! Get the insights and info you need to win this Triple Crown Prep season. Plus, join NYRA Bets now to earn a $25 Derby Free Bet + $200 Deposit Match Sign Up Bonus

Welcome to Triple Crown Prep season! It's the most pivotal series of races for 3-year-olds, is where championships are started, and it's where the road to the Kentucky Derby begins.

Why get excited? Because this page is your go-to for betting tips, historical insights, and everything you need to confidently bet the Triple Crown Prep races. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the track, we've got you covered.

WHAT IS THE TRIPLE CROWN?

The Triple Crown, one of horse racing's most coveted achievements, consists of three races for 3-year-olds: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. Sir Barton became the inaugural Triple Crown winner in 1919, with the most recent winner, Justify, only being the 13th horse to sweep all three races

WHY BET TRIPLE CROWN PREP RACES?

Betting on the winter and early spring prep races leading to the Triple Crown is more than just predicting a winner—it's an opportunity to identify the next champion in its formative stages. These prep races offer unique insights into the capabilities and potential of 2 and 3-year-old Thoroughbreds, providing astute bettors with a chance to spot undervalued contenders before they become household names. The unpredictability of these early races adds an element of excitement, as each victory or standout performance can dramatically alter the Triple Crown landscape.

HOW TO BET ON THE TRIPLE CROWN PREP RACES?

Bet on the Triple Crown Prep races with NYRA Bets! Join now for your sign up bonus, and stay tuned for historical analysis and betting tips to make your 2025 Triple Crown Prep season the best!

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 04/12/2025

Lexington Stakes Picks

Find out how Matthew DeSantis is playing the final Kentucky Derby prep race of the season.

Race Picks

Keeneland, Race 9, Lexington Stakes (G3), Post Time-5:16 PM ET

Gosger

Bullard

Praetor

Native Runner

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 04/05/2025

Santa Anita Derby Picks

A short field for the Santa Anita Derby (G1) makes the pace scenario a challenge, get the analysis to see how Matthew DeSantis is playing Saturday's California Derby prep.

Race Picks

Santa Anita, Race 10, Santa Anita Derby (G1), Post Time-7:30 PM ET

Citizen Bull

Journalism

Baeza

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 04/05/2025

Wood Memorial Picks

Expect a strong early pace in the 100th running of the Wood Memorial. Find out which runners will have a clear advantage in the analysis!

Race Picks

Aqueduct, Race 12, Wood Memorial S. Presented by Resorts World Casino (G2), Post Time-6:10 PM ET

Captain Cook

Hill Road

Rodriguez

Omaha Omaha

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 03/29/2025

Florida Derby Picks

Morning line favorite, Sovereignty, seems to universally be one of the top contenders on everyone’s Kentucky Derby list. Find out why Matthew DeSantis has him at the top of his Florida Derby picks too.

Race Picks

Gulfstream Park, Race 14, Florida Derby (G1), Post Time-6:42 PM ET

Tappan Street

Sovereignty

Disruptor

Madaket Road

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 03/29/2025

Arkansas Derby Picks

Find out who Matthew DeSantis thinks is a sure bet in Oaklawn Parks' 100 point Derby prep, get the Arkansas Derby analysis.

Race Picks

Oaklawn Park, Race 13, Arkansas Derby, Post Time-7:48 PM ET

Coal Battle

Cornucopian

Sandman

Publisher

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 03/22/2025

Jeff Ruby Steaks Picks

100 Kentucky Derby points are on the line in Turfway Park's Jeff Ruby Steaks, get ahead with Matthew DeSantis picks & betting strategy.

Race Picks

Turfway Park, Race 12, Jeff Ruby Steaks, Post Time-6:25 PM ET

Maximum Promise

Poster

Flying Mohawk

Innovator

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 03/22/2025

Louisiana Derby Picks

Find out how Matthew DeSantis is playing the Louisiana Derby a key Kentucky Derby prep race.

Race Picks

Fair Grounds, Race 12, Louisiana Derby, Post Time-6:42 PM ET

Chunk of Gold

Built

Vassimo

John Hancock

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 03/15/2025

Virginia Derby Picks

Find out how Matthew DeSantis is playing Colonial Downs' 50 point Kentucky Derby prep race.

Race Picks

Colonial Downs, Race 9, Virginia Derby, Post Time-5:10 PM ET

Rapture

Omaha Omaha

Getaway Car

American Promise

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 03/08/2025

Tampa Bay Derby Picks

Will Champagne (G1) winner, Chancer McPatrick win the Tampa Bay Derby? Here's Matthew DeSantis's take on Tampa's 50 point Derby prep.

Race Picks

Tampa Bay Downs, Race 11, Tampa Bay Derby, Post Time-5:34 PM ET

Patch Adams

Chancer McPatrick

Owen Almighty

Hill Road

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 03/01/2025

San Felipe Picks

See what Baffert entry Matthew DeSantis thinks can take the San Felipe at Santa Anita, a Kentucky Derby prep race.

Race Picks

Santa Anita Park, Race 8, San Felipe Stakes, Post Time-6:43 PM ET

Barnes

Journalism

Rodriguez

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 03/01/2025

Gotham Stakes Picks

Here's what to expect and who to bet for Aqueduct's 50 point Kentucky Derby prep race on Saturday!

Race Picks

Aqueduct, Race 8, Gotham Stakes, Post Time-4:18 PM ET

Calling Card

Sacrosanct

Sand Devil

Garamond

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 03/01/2025

Fountain of Youth Picks

Derby points are on the line in Gulfstream's Fountain of Youth Stakes, get ahead of the game with winning picks & insights!

Race Picks

Gulfstream Park, Race 8, Fountain of Youth, Post Time-5:44 PM ET

Burnham Square

River Thames

Sovereignty

Gate to Wire

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 02/23/2025

Rebel Stakes Picks

The Road to Derby 151 heats up with Oaklawn's Rebel Stakes on Sunday where the winner will earn 50 points essentially securing their spot for the Kentucky Derby.

Race Picks

Oaklawn Park, Race 11, Rebel Stakes, Post Time-6:23

Sandman

Tiztastic

Coal Battle

Madaket Road

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 02/22/2025

John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Picks

Who will follow in Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike's steps and use the Battaglia Memorial as a launching pad to Derby victory? Get Matthew DeSantis' take on Turfway's 20 point Derby prep.

Race Picks

Turfway Park, Race 7, John Battaglia Memorial, Post Time-8:55PM ET

Maximum Promise

Calling Card

Baby Max

Studlydoright

KENTUCKY DERBY PREP RACERace Date: 02/16/2025

Sunland Derby Picks

A deep dive into why Bob Baffert's speedy Getaway Car faces intriguing challengers in what could be a pace-setting showdown at Sunland Park.

Race Picks

Sunland Park, Race 9, Sunland Park Derby, Post Time- 6:17 PM ET

Getaway Car

Touchy

Take Charge Tom

Remember Big Jim

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