Topic: Pasco Stakes

The 2024 U.S. Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna, steals the weekend horse racing spotlight from the sole Kentucky Derby prep -- the Tampa Bay Derby.

Horse racing is a thing of hopes and dreams, and some unlikely runners kept hopes alive for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks and even the Dubai World Cup with weekend victories.

It's a slow weekend on the track, but a steady stream of horse racing news keeps the equine hot stove league going nicely.

The "Road to the Kentucky Derby" has alternate routes weekend, with potential candidates for the big race in action as far afield as Dubai, while 2022 juvenile filly champ Wonder Wheel wheels back into action in Florida.

It's that time of year when late-blooming Kentucky Derby contenders have to start to make good on their promise and that's just how things played out during the Martin Luther King weekend action.

It might be a good weekend to find a long shot contender for the Kentucky Derby or Oaks in action at Tampa Bay Downs and Aqueduct.

The Hong Kong Derby produced a thrilling finish, the "old guy" ruled in the Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park, a potential "new shooter" emerged for the Preakness Stakes and Breeders's Cup also-rans returned to action.

The first meeting of the Dubai World Cup Carnival was the big doings in weekend horse racing, as some of last year's heavy hitters returned from sort out their chances for big races set for the next few months.

The Dubai World Cup Carnival kicks off its eight-week run Friday with racing that will identify candidates for the $20 million Saudi Cup, the World Cup itself and other major races.

Kentucky Derby candidates are on display this weekend at Tampa Bay Downs and Aqueduct, while another Derby prospect put on a show Thursday in Dubai.