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Decadent & Depraved: The Kentucky Horse Racing Podcast

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2023 Kentucky Derby

5 Story Lines ... 10 Days Out

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*Cue Michael Buffer Voice* “LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLEEEEEEEEEEEE” Ladies and Gentlemen, the time has finally arrived and it is time for the 2023 Kentucky Derby. Being around the city of Louisville around Derby time is a feeling unlike any other. It’s the only place in the world where they have a month-long celebration, where they shut down the city for a week, all simply for a 2-minute horse race at Churchill Downs that doesn’t take place until Saturday evening.

JMS

John Mark Strader


2023 Florida Derby

Arkansas Derby Previews

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In the famous words of Will Smith, Welcome to Miami! It’s Florida Derby Week at Gulfstream and we’re coming down the home stretch of the Kentucky Derby Prep Race Season.

JMS

John Mark Strader


2023 Florida Derby Results Recap

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The road to the Kentucky Derby closed out the month of March with a bang. The Florida Derby & Arkansas Derby both proved to be very competitive and provided some fireworks as we move closer and closer to the 149th Kentucky Derby. With a little over 30 days left until the run for the roses, let’s take a moment to look back at an exciting weekend.

JMS

John Mark Strader


2023 Arkansas Derby Results Recap

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After his performance in the Risen Star, Angel of Empire left no reason to believe that he would do anything other than improve heading into the Arkansas Derby and boy did he ever. Despite that impressive Risen Star, Angel of Empire ended up being the 4th betting choice on the board at 9/2 come

JMS

John Mark Strader


2023 Florida Derby

Arkansas Derby Previews

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In the famous words of Will Smith, Welcome to Miami! It’s Florida Derby Week at Gulfstream and we’re coming down the home stretch of the Kentucky Derby Prep Race Season.

JMS

John Mark Strader


2023 Louisiana Derby

UAE Derby

Ruby Stakes Results

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Kingsbarns stays undefeated in his career, winning by an extremely impressive four lengths at 9/2 and earning 100 points on the road to the KY Derby. Kingbarns and jockey Flavien Prat broke cleanly out of

JMS

John Mark Strader


2023 Louisiana Derby

UAE Derby

Ruby Stakes Previews

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With the smell of spring in the Kentucky air, it can only mean one thing for a Louisvillian like me: the Kentucky Derby is around the corner. As we sit here roughly 44 days away from the first Saturday in May, I can’t help but smile thinking about the festivities ahead in the coming weeks.

JMS

John Mark Strader


2023 Tampa Bay Derby Results

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Horse racing fans, take a deep breath and enjoy the fact we’ve got a weekend ahead with no KY Derby Prep Races. I don’t know who is in charge of the Prep Race schedule, but whoever decided not to have a race (in the USA at least) deserves a gold medal.

JMS

John Mark Strader


2023 Tampa Bay Derby Preview

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Man, am I glad that there is only one Derby Prep Race this weekend. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing I love more than a Saturday filled with reading racing forms

JMS

John Mark Strader


March 4th 2023 Race Results

Fountain of Youth, San Felipe, Gotham, John Battaglia
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Forte silenced any doubters with a dominate performance in this year’s rendition of the FOY. Coming off an extended layoff, there was a slight concern he might need to get a race under his belt. Forte & Irad Ortiz did nothing but prove why this horse was the 2-year old of the year in 2022. Irad sat back with a nice stalking trip and was able to bring Forte sailing smoothly down the center of the track for what looked like an effortless win. Rocket Can & Cyclone Mischief ran a respectable 2nd & 3rd but ultimately were out classed. It will be interesting to see where Todd Pletcher & the ownership group will send this horse next (I imagine the upcoming FL Derby) but regardless of where it is, I know my eyes will be glued to the TV because this horse could be really special.

JMS

John Mark Strader


The Fountian of Youth Race Preview

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The time is finally here, G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Forte makes his return after an extensive layoff. The infamous Fountain of Youthat Gulfstream Park attracts a field of 10 horses this year, and it’ll be extremely interesting to see if Forte can outclass his opponents in the last prep race for the 2023 Florida Derby. Below are my thoughts of the 2023 rendition of the FOY:

JMS

John Mark Strader


The Rebel Stakes Results

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As I sit here typing this recap of the 2023 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn park, all I can do is simply laugh. On last week’s episode of Decadent & Depraved, I simply told the boys that I had no analysis to offer on the 15/1 long-shot Confidence Game.

JMS

John Mark Strader


The Rebel Stakes Race Preview

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The time is finally here, G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Forte makes his return after an extensive layoff. The infamous Fountain of Youthat Gulfstream Park attracts a field of 10 horses this year, and it’ll be extremely interesting to see if Forte can outclass his opponents in the last prep race for the 2023 Florida Derby. Below are my thoughts of the 2023 rendition of the FOY:

JMS

John Mark Strader