Kentucky Derby News

A standout field of 10 sophomore fillies will travel nine furlongs on the Keeneland turf in Saturday’s $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. (G1). The prestigious affair has attracted an enticing cast of three-year-olds this season, both from the…

Oct 14, 2021

Rattle N Roll made a big move into contention around the far turn, stormed past 19-10 favorite Classic Causeway entering the stretch, and drew off to convincingly win the $500,000 Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday. The Breeders' Futurity,…

Oct 9, 2021

Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud, and Peter Brant’s Jack Christopher earned 10 points on the 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby following his triumph in the $500,000 Champagne S. (G1) at Belmont Park on October 2. He clocked one-mile on the fast main…

Oct 9, 2021

If Classic Causeway can stay unbeaten in Saturday’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, he would become a record-equaling third winner sired by Giant’s Causeway. Nicknamed the “Iron Horse,” Giant’s Causeway is responsible for back-to-back Breeders’ Futurity scorers…

Oct 9, 2021

Juju’s Map drew off to an eye-catching victory in Friday’s $400,000 Alcibiades S. (G1) at Keeneland, picking up 10 points toward a Kentucky Oaks (G1) berth in the qualifier. Brad Cox trains the promising Liam’s Map filly for Albaugh Family Stables, and Florent…

Oct 8, 2021

Opening weekend at Keeneland's prestigious fall meet is highlighted by the $500,000 Breeders' Futurity (G1), a 1 1/16-mile steppingstone toward the 2022 Kentucky Derby. The Breeders' Futurity awards Kentucky Derby qualification points to the top four finishers…

Oct 7, 2021

Great Escape is poised to break through for his first stakes tally when he takes on a huge field of 13 juvenile prospects in the $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. The 1 1/16-mile contest on the main strip serves as a “Win and You’re In” challenge…

Oct 7, 2021

A total of 17 Kentucky Derby qualifying points will be offered in Saturday’s $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. The 1 1/16-mile race will offer a “Win & You’re In” berth for the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar. Double Thunder…

Oct 6, 2021

Trainer Kenny McPeek will take two shots at a record-equaling sixth victory in the $400,000 Alcibiades S. (G1) at Keeneland on Friday, which will award 2022 Kentucky Oaks (G1) qualifying points of 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers. McPeek, who has won two…

Oct 5, 2021

After romping in sprints at Saratoga, unbeaten Echo Zulu not only aced her mile test in Sunday’s $400,000 Frizette (G1) at Belmont Park. The 0.35-1 favorite carried her speed so effectively that she increased her winning margin over the extra distance.Trained…

Oct 4, 2021

Marc Chan’s Angel Bleu thrived on the heavy going at ParisLongchamp to score a new career high in Sunday’s Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) on Arc Day. Ridden by Frankie Dettori, the Ralph Beckett pupil reeled in longtime leader Noble Truth and edged away by three-quarters…

Oct 3, 2021

Jack Christopher emerged as New York's leading juvenile male on Saturday with a dominating performance in the $500,000 Champagne S. (G1) at Belmont Park. Sent off as the 17-10 favorite in his stakes debut, Jack Christopher rated in second behind Gunite…

Oct 2, 2021

Smashing performances from Corniche and Ain’t Easy highlighted Friday’s opening day program at Santa Anita. Corniche broke on top and dictated terms throughout in the $300,000 American Pharoah (G1), scoring by an easy 3 1/4-length margin. Speedway Stables…

Oct 2, 2021

Two of the entrants in Saturday’s Champagne S. (G1) will try to emulate their sires by winning the historic feature for two-year-olds at Belmont Park.Wit is from the first crop of Practical Joke, hero of the 2016 Champagne. Commandperformance is by Union Rags,…

Oct 2, 2021

Sunday’s Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby has attracted British, Irish, and German shippers take on the French at ParisLongchamp. Also a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), the about seven-furlong…

Oct 1, 2021

The 2021-22 Road to the Kentucky Derby continues with Saturday's $500,000 Champagne S. (G1) at Belmont Park. The historic one-mile race—won in the past by such racing legends as Count Fleet, Seattle Slew, and Spectacular Bid—awards 17 Kentucky Derby qualification points, split 10-4-2-1 among the top four finishers.

Sep 30, 2021

If Classic Causeway can stay unbeaten in Saturday’s Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, he would become a record-equaling third winner sired by Giant’s Causeway. Nicknamed the “Iron Horse,” Giant’s Causeway is responsible for back-to-back Breeders’ Futurity scorers…

Oct 9, 2021

Two of the entrants in Saturday’s Champagne S. (G1) will try to emulate their sires by winning the historic feature for two-year-olds at Belmont Park.Wit is from the first crop of Practical Joke, hero of the 2016 Champagne. Commandperformance is by Union Rags,…

Oct 2, 2021

The Road to the 2022 Kentucky Derby commences in Saturday’s Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill Downs, where several exquisitely-bred juveniles will try to live up to their pedigrees.Triple Crown champion American Pharoah has a promising runner in Husband Material,…

Sep 16, 2021

Leading sire Tapit has yet to sire a Travers S. (G1) winner, but that gap on his resume can be filled at Saratoga Saturday by his champion son Essential Quality. Tapit is the paternal grandsire of last year’s Travers star, Tiz the Law, but his own sons have…

Aug 27, 2021

If champion Essential Quality can rebound in Saturday’s Belmont S. (G1), he would become a record-equaling fourth winner sired by Tapit. The only stallion to achieve that feat is the 19th-century patriarch Lexington, who sired General Duke (1868), Kingfisher…

Jun 3, 2021

Several Preakness S. (G1) contenders with strong pedigree ties to the middle jewel are longshots. Might that portend an upset brewing at Pimlico on Saturday? Triple Crown champion American Pharoah (2015) is trying to join the exclusive club of Preakness…

May 14, 2021