2013 Kentucky Oaks & Derby | May 3 and 4, 2013 | Tickets, Events, News

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Kentucky Derby Report

A lot of factors go into handicapping the Kentucky Derby. We can analyze all the data available, watch race replays and workouts, but it’s seldom an easy process and the one thing you can’t count on is racing luck.
With that being said, I am confident Orb will win Saturday’s 139^th running of the Run for the Roses.
A mighty Oaks: 139th Kentucky Oaks field may be most competitive in history

The Kentucky Derby is America's greatest horse race, the one owners, trainers and jockeys want to win more than any other. But from a purely competitive standpoint this weekend at Churchill Downs, the marquee race on Friday – the $1 million Kentucky Oaks, Churchill's championship event for 3-year-old fillies – promises to be in a league of its own, sporting the deepest and most competitive field in the race's 139-year history. The 10-horse field includes three unbeaten fillies, and yet none of the three is expected to start as the betting favorite.
Video Jill Byrne and the Louisville Cardinal at Churchill Downs!
Video Artist Peter Williams at Churchill Downs
Video Louisville's Day at Churchill with Jill Byrne
Derby / Oaks Update - Thursday, May 2, 2013

KENTUCKY DERBY UPDATE – THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2013

BLACK ONYX – Sterling Racing’s Black Onyx galloped 1 ½ miles during the Derby and Oaks session while under regular exercise rider Aurelio Gomez. Trainer Kelly Breen was concerned that with the largest throng of morning onlookers yet his Spiral Stakes (Grade III) winner might finally get fazed by all the attention. Turned out, there was nothing to worry about.
Video Kentucky Oaks 139 backside Buzz with Jill Byrne
Video Kentucky Derby 139 Backside Buzz with Jill Byrne 5.2.13
A Busy Backside 5.2.13
Tales from the Crib

We know the contenders for the 139th Kentucky Derby through their lives on the racetrack, with their past performances and workouts being a matter of public record. But we don't really know them as individuals. To gain insight into their character, it's helpful to learn about their early life as foals.
Derby Week on the Backside 5.1.13
Cyber Secret, Take Charge Indy Top Oaks Undercard

Charles Cella’s Cyber Secret, runaway winner of the Oaklawn Handicap (Grade II) in his most recent start, and WinStar Farm and Chuck and Maribeth Sandford’s Take Charge Indy, winner of the 2012 Florida Derby (GI), head a field of nine for Friday’s 10^th running of the $300,000-added Alysheba Presented by Besilu Stables (GII).
Wise Dan, Point of Entry Top Derby Undercard

Morton Fink’s reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan and Phipps Stable’s four-time Grade I winner Point of Entry signed on for a heavyweight showdown Saturday when they were among nine entries for the 28^th running of the $500,000-added Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (Grade I).
Orb, Verrazano Vie for Favoritism

Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s Orb and the undefeated Verrazano, owned by Let’s Go Stable, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, headline a stellar field of 20 3-year-olds entered today for Saturday’s 139^th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby 139 Post Position Draw Quotes

BLACK ONYX (Post position 1, morning line 50-1) – Kelly Breen (trainer) – “Saturday we hope to make it the winningest post position in Kentucky Derby history. We know Oxbow isn’t the best of breakers; it’s not a bad horse to be next to. We’re going to make the best of what we can. We’re going to go back and look at all the different things, different scenarios, and we’ll put all those different things in to Joe’s head and he’s going to go out there and ride his race anyway.”
Derby / Oaks Update - 5.1.13

NOTE – Through various sources, the Churchill Downs Communications Team has confirmed the following 21 horses have entered the 139^thrunning of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum!
Video Kentucky Derby Backside Buzz with Jill Byrne 5.1.13
Derby Wednesday on the Backside 5.1.13
Derby Tuesday on the Backside 4.30.13
Giant Finish Late Derby Addition Leapfrogging Fear the Kitten

Sunrise Stable and partners’ Giant Finish, who in his most recent start finished third in the Spiral Stakes (Grade III) at Turfway Park on March 23 earning 10 points toward Kentucky Derby eligibility, will be entered in Saturday’s 139^th Kentucky Derby at the wishes of his ownership group.