2012 Kentucky Derby prep races are plentiful on Saturday and Sunday of this weekend. These races may have connections looking for 2012 Kentucky Derby tickets or at least another 2012 Kentucky Derby prep race before the 2012 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Donws. Can I interest you in Kentucky Derby Tours? On to the Saturday races –

The 2012 Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds in Louisiana is slated to feature several of this year’s leading Kentucky Derby contenders. El Padrino, a son of Pulpit will face 10 other 3yos in a 1 1/16th mile test that also features a coupled entry from trainer Larry Jones. El Padrino should be the favorite off his stirring allowance victory on Jan. 29. He ships in for trainer Todd Pletcher and will be ridden by Javier Castellano. Trainer Larry Jones brings his Lecomte Stakes winner Mr. Bowling and his highly-regarded allowance winner Mark Valeski to New Orleans (they will be a coupled entry). The two horses will be coupled on the tote board due to their shared trainer. Z Dager, runner-up in the Lecomte, will try again for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Post, Horse, Sire, Weight, Jockey, Trainer,
1 Afford, Street Sense, 116, Shaun Bridgmohan, Greg Geier
2 Optimizer, English Channel, 116, Carlos Marquez,Jr., D. Lukas
3 Mr. Bowling, Istan, Robby Albarado, J. Jones
4 Z Dager, Mizzen Mast, 116, Shane Sellers, Steven Asmussen
5 Ted’s Folly, Wild Tale, 120,Ramsey Zimmerman, Wilson Brown
6 Adena’s Chance, Limehouse, 116, Richard Eramia, G. Dorochenko
7 Hero of Order, Sharp Humor, 116, James Graham, G. Dorochenko
8 El Padrino, Pulpit, 116, Javier Castellano, Todd Pletcher
9 Mark Valeski, Proud Citizen, 116, Rosie Napravnik, J. Jones
10 Shared Property, Scat Daddy, 120, L.Goncalves, Thomas Amoss
11 Tizanexpense, Tiznow, 116, Miguel Mena, Michael Maker

The Borderland Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino in New Mexico will boast of Isn’t He Clever being the morning line favorite. A potential spot in next month’s Sunland Derby is on the line for this field of seven.
Post Horse Sire Weight Jockey Trainer
1 Zackn’mat, Northern Afleet, 121, Hector Berrios, Martin Jones
2 Isn’t He Clever, Smarty Jones, 121, A. Medellin, H. Dominguez
3 Strong Resolve, Elusive Quality, 121, C. Lambert, Neil Koch
4 So Far So Fast, Cuvee, 121, Enrique Gomez, Henry Dominguez
5 Tequila Factor, Pure Prize, 121, Luis Robletto, C. Wilson
6 Justanoldsong, Unbridled’s Song, 121, Ry Eikleberry David Wolochuk
7 Major Hope, Lemon Drop Kid, 121, Roman Chapa, Steven Asmussen

A state away in Arizona at Turf Paradise, a field of ten will compete in the Turf Paradise Derby. Taylors Deal enters the Turf Paradise Derby off a victory in the Lost in the Fog Juvenile Stakes on December 26 at Turf Paradise.
Post Horse Sire Weight Jockey Trainer
1 Immaculate, Distorted Humor, 122, T. Piermarini, Eric Guillot
2 Taylors Deal, Second in Command, 122, M.Gutierrez, Sandi Gann
3 Congrats Ski, Congrats, 122, Kevin Krigger, Craig Lewis
4 Higgs, A. P. Warrior, 122, David Lopez, J. Kruljac
5 Az Ridge, Toccet, 122, Glenn Corbett, Dan McFarlane
6 Mr Shane the Pain, Monarchos, 122, S. Heiler, Tony Klenakis
7 Silvanus, Decarchy, 122, Jocelyne Kenny, Michael Rollins
8 Inquisitive Son, Unusual Heat , 122, Jorge Carreno, R. Diodoro
9 Makors Finale, Makors Mark, 122, Wilson Dieguez, Valorie Lund
10 Born Force, Political Force, 122, Juan Rivera, Mark Jensen

Laurel Park will have the Miracle Wood Stakes
Post Horse Sire Weight Jockey Trainer
1 Runnin Bull, Flashy Bull, 116 , TBA, Randy Allen
2 Romp City, Holy Bull, 116, Oliver Castillo, Cathal Lynch
3 Pass You Bye Bye, Rock Slide, 116, Mario Pino, Ronald Alfano
4 The Lumber Guy, Grand Slam, 116, J. Pimentel, Michael Hushion
5 Bear’s Delite, Go for Gin, 116, F. Peltroche, Debra Ketterman
6 Mr. Handsome, Rock Hard Ten, 116, M. Franklin, T. Tullock, Jr.
7 Brimstone Island, Tiznow, 116, Xavier Perez. William Campbell
8 Rocky Gap, Rockport Harbor, 116, Forest Boyce, Linda Gaudet
9 Friscan, Two Punch, 116, Kendrick Carmouche, Graham Motion
9 The Caller, Cozzene, 116, Malcolm Franklin, Dane Kobiskie