Both coasts to have 2013 Kentucky Derby prep races Saturday. The west coast will have the 2013 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA. The east coast will have the 2013 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, NY.

With a total of 340 points available to 8 of the 19 horses scheduled to run now, we know that every owner, trainer and jockey is hoping that their horse will “hit the board”. The race is worth 170 points toward qualifying for a spot in the May 4 Kentucky Derby, with 100 to the winner, 40 to the runner-up, 20 to third, and 10 to fourth.

The Santa Anita Derby was first run in 1935 and since its inception, seven Santa Anita Derby winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby. Most recently, last years Derby sent I’ll Have Another to victory at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. Jockey Gary Stevens has won the race 9 times and will be riding Saturday. His horse is Storm Fighter who may go off at 20 to 1. Flashback is the probable favorites after the scratch of Hear The Ghost on Thursday.

Santa Anita Post Positions and horses
1 Flashback
2 Hear The Ghost SCRATCHED
3 Power Broker
4 Tiz A Minister
5 Goldencents
6 Super Ninety Nine
7 Summer Exclusive
8 Storm Fighter
9 Dirty Swagg

The Wood Memorial is run at Aqueduct Racetrack. The race was named to honor Eugene D. Wood, a New York State politician and horse racing enthusiast who had been a founder and past president of the old Jamaica Racetrack where the race was run until 1960. Three time Kentucky Derby winning jockey, Calvin Borel will ride Always in a Tiz. Verrazano and Vyjack are expected to be the favorites.

Wood Memorial Post Positions and horses
1 Chrisandthecaper
2 Normandy Invasion
3 Quinzieme Monarque
4 Elnaawi
5 Vyjack
6 Mr. Palmer
7 Always in a Tiz
8 Verrazano
9 Go Get the Basil
10 Freedom Child

TVG and HRTV will televise the races as part of their normal horse racing schedule.

NBC Sports Network will televise a one hour special with the Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby starting at 6 PM (ET).