Kentucky Derby News

Sep 18, 2018

Cairo Cat earned 10 points towards a berth in the 2019 Kentucky Derby and stamped his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) ticket winning Saturday’s Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs, overhauling pacesetter and even-money favorite Tight Ten in deep stretch for a half-length…

Sep 17, 2018

Triple Crown winner Justify arrived at Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky, on Monday, where he will take up stud duties beginning with the 2019 breeding season. A son of Scat Daddy, who stood at Ashford until his premature death in 2015, Justify…

Sep 17, 2018

Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile Iroquois Stakes winner Cairo Cat Walking L Thoroughbreds’ CAIRO CAT became the first juvenile to earn points towards next year’s Kentucky Derby when annexing the Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. In…

Sep 16, 2018

In 1780, Sir Charles Bunbury and the 12th Earl of Derby flipped a coin. Heads for Derby, tails for Bunbury. Heads faced up when the coin landed. And that, or so the tale goes, is how England’s iconic race came to be known as the Derby Stakes and not…

Sep 15, 2018

Going into Saturday’s $200,000 Pocahontas (G2) at Churchill Downs, the key question was whether Serengeti Empress could repeat her sensational victory in the August 19 Ellis Park Debutante while stretching out to two turns for the first time. Bettors…

Sep 15, 2018

When even-money favorite Tight Ten set a slow pace in Saturday’s $150,000 Iroquois (G3), and kicked away at the top of the Churchill Downs stretch, he looked on his way to victory in the first points race toward the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1). But…

Sep 14, 2018

The Road to the Kentucky Derby begins Saturday with the Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, and TwinSpires.com’s panel of experts have examined the 1 1/16-mile contest in hopes of kicking off the Kentucky Derby season with a winner. FREE Brisnet.com…

Sep 13, 2018

Iroquois Stakes Best Bet A dozen juveniles will try their luck at Churchill Downs on Saturday in the $150,000 Iroquois Stakes (G3). Here’s the cast: #1 MR WRENCH IT – The Lookin At Lucky colt exits a big stakes score in his two-turn bow. The bay colored…

Sep 13, 2018

The $200,000 Pocahontas Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs on Saturday serves as a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). An intriguing field of 12 two-year-old filly prospects will go postward in this affair. Tom Amoss’ SERENGETI EMPRESS…

Sep 13, 2018

It’s never too early to talk Kentucky Derby and the new season officially begins with Saturday’s $150,000 Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs, the first of 35 Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifiers. Lists for the 2018 edition have been cleared and…

Sep 12, 2018

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016, Steve Asmussen has won more than 8,000 races including the Preakness (twice), Belmont Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Classic (twice), Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Dubai World Cup. But the Kentucky Derby is the one important race…

Sep 12, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018) – The official “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” will begin Saturday at the home of America’s greatest race as Churchill Downs stages the 37 th running of the Grade III, $150,000 Iroquois for 2 year-olds…

Sep 10, 2018

The annual Keeneland September Yearling Sale kicks off Monday, and Book 1, which comprises the first four days, is chock full of sons and daughters from American Pharoah. The bay star became the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years when sweeping the…

Sep 9, 2018

With an eye-catching, last-to-first rally in the August 29 With Anticipation S. (G3) on the Saratoga turf, Opry broke his maiden in style. The Todd Pletcher juvenile was convincing enough to ponder his future, not only on turf, but on dirt. Opry prompts…

Sep 7, 2018

Trainer Richard Baltas and jockey Drayden Van Dyke plundered the Old Friends Stakes with California invader Next Shares at Kentucky Downs on Thursday. Can the trainer/jockey combo pull off a similar feat Saturday in the $500,000 Kentucky Downs Ladies…

Sep 7, 2018

10 Things to watch for in racing this weekend 1) Enable Makes Her Seasonal Debut – Reigning Prix De L’arc d DeTriomphe (FG1) sensation will make her much anticipated 2018 debut in the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton on Saturday. John Gosden pupil was untouchable…

Sep 7, 2018

The Fall racing season at Churchill Downs will be more star-studded than usual as the track will play host to the Breeders' Cup World Championships on November 2-3. Churchill last hosted the Breeders' Cup in 2011. As is customary, the Fall meet at…

Sep 6, 2018

WinStar Farm has announced the retirement of the 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1) hero, Always Dreaming . From the first crop of Bodemeister, who was himself runner-up to champion I’ll Have Another in the 2012 Derby and Preakness (G1), Always Dreaming will…

Sep 4, 2018

The summer racing seasons at Saratoga and Del Mar ended Labor Day afternoon with two historic juvenile features, the Hopeful (G1) and Del Mar Futurity (G1), the featured events. Not surprisingly, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was in the winner's…

Sep 1, 2018

A sense of excitement surrounds the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1) and $350,000 Hopeful Stakes (G1). Del Mar and Saratoga save their biggest two-year-old events for closing day and these important races have produced Kentucky Derby (G1) winners in the last…

Aug 31, 2018

The official Road to the Kentucky Derby doesn’t begin until mid-September, so many of the runners who will enter the starting gate for Kentucky Derby 145 are horses we haven’t even heard of yet. Led by prospects trained by five-time Kentucky Derby …

Aug 31, 2018

A pair of stakes races for juveniles will be held on the eastern half of the country Saturday. Each of these are non-graded races, but anytime a two-year-old runs in a black-type race this time of year we start thinking ahead to next spring’s Kentucky Derby (G1).SAPLING…

Aug 31, 2018

Close followers of Churchill Downs racing in recent seasons should be familiar with several candidates in the $750,000 Woodward (G1) at Saratoga, the historic 1 1/8-mile feature for older horses that attracted one of its largest fields in years -- 14…

Aug 27, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Monday, Aug. 27, 2018) – John Asher, an iconic and beloved member of the Churchill Downs family and Louisville community, passed away Monday morning after suffering a heart attack while on vacation with his family in Florida. He was 62.An…

Aug 26, 2018

Catholic Boy dominated the Travers (G1), and in the Personal Ensign (G1), Abel Tasman once again got the best of Elate. It’s full speed ahead toward the Breeders’ Cup for all three of those talented runners and the recency of those performances is sure…

Aug 25, 2018

Catholic Boy provided jockey Javier Castellano with his fifth Travers (G1) victory in the last nine years on Saturday, wearing down long-time leader Mendelssohn in the stretch to win the 1 1/4-mile $1.25 million "Midsummer Derby" at Saratoga by four lengths. Applying…

Aug 23, 2018

Saratoga will offer a blockbuster program Saturday featuring seven stakes races including the $1.25 million Travers Stakes for three-year-olds. For betting purposes, let’s focus on the $1 million Sword Dancer Stakes one race prior to the Travers (10th…

Aug 22, 2018

The retirement of Kentucky Derby (G1) and Triple Crown winner Justify opened up not only the sophomore division, but it’s turned the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) into an absolute crapshoot, which for horseplayers, is a very good thing. Led by runner-up…

Aug 21, 2018

Although a narrowly beaten second last time in the Jim Dandy (G2), the leading Saratoga prep for the Travers (G1), Kentucky Derby (G1) participant Flameaway is bypassing Saturday's Midsummer Derby and will instead head to suburban Philadelphia for…

Aug 20, 2018

Wednesday’s Juddmonte International (G1) at York, the biggest event during the British track’s four-day “Ebor Festival,” is likely to have a bearing on two Breeders’ Cup races. A “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Churchill Downs ,…

Aug 20, 2018

Multiple Grade 2-winning millionaire and 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1) competitor Gunnevera is on course for a return to top-level company in the September 1 Woodward S. (G1) at Saratoga. Eighth behind fellow Derby alum Thunder Snow when suffering a badly bloodied…

Aug 17, 2018

by Joe Kristufek Crowned Kentucky Oaks (G1) champions the past two years at Churchill Downs, Abel Tasman (2017) and Monomoy Girl (2018) loom as two of the early favorites for what should be an epic edition of Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) . Held…

Aug 15, 2018

Instagrand dazzling at Del Mar; Call Paul gritty at Saratoga Two unbeaten colts scored graded stakes victories over the weekend, raising their profiles on the road to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and potentially the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1). OXO Equine’s…

Jul 31, 2018

The race for the Eclipse Award for champion three-year-old is in the books with Triple Crown sensation Justify having locked up the hardware with his six-for-six record.  But that doesn’t take anything away from the foes Justify defeated during the spring…

Jul 30, 2018

Although Justify has been retired, his Triple Crown form was advertised in three key races over the weekend. Sunday’s $1,010,000 Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park was dominated by colts who’d placed to Justify in the first two jewels of the Triple…

Jul 30, 2018

Champion Good Magic, the best of his generation until Justify arrived on the scene and swept the Triple Crown, could re-emerge as King of the Hill when he returns in the Haskell Invitational (G1) on Sunday at Monmouth Park. Good Magic, winner of the Breeders’…

Jul 25, 2018

Triple Crown winner Justify's racing career is officially over. His retirement was announced via press release Wednesday afternoon. "Justify had some filling in his ankle, and he is just not responding quick enough for a fall campaign," said trainer Bob…

Jul 24, 2018

The $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) will be run Sunday, but August 3 marks the actual 50th anniversary of the race's first appearance on the Monmouth Park schedule. Inaugurated as a more lucratively-enticing way of attracting some of the nation's…

Jul 23, 2018

Millionaire Bolt d’Oro, who ran well below form when unplaced in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Met Mile (G1) on Belmont Day, has switched trainers. Hitherto trained by his owner Mick Ruis, Bolt d’Oro has moved into Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen’s barn at Saratoga.…

Jul 22, 2018

Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine Monomoy Girl likely wrapped up the title of champion three-year-old filly with a fourth straight Grade 1 victory in Sunday’s $291,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga. The anticipated clash with Midnight Bisou hardly materialized,…

Jul 22, 2018

Only four colts and one gelding have signed on to face WONDER GADOT Tuesday in the C$400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie. The contest is the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown and takes place over 1 3/16 miles on the dirt. The Triple Crown…

Jul 22, 2018

Eighteen months after his bucking bronco routine in the 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1) made him a social media sensation, Thunder Snow will get another chance at Churchill Downs in the November 3 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The Godolphin homebred was last…

Jul 21, 2018

The Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 4 at Churchill Downs featured a dramatic stretch battle between MONOMOY GIRL and Wonder Gadot, with MIDNIGHT BISOU, ESKIMO KISSES and CHOCOLATE MARTINI filling out the top five. On Sunday, the 102nd running of the Coaching…

Jul 16, 2018

Saratoga, the most popular race meeting in the country as measured by daily average handle, kicks off its 40-day stand Friday. A traditional backbone of the sport at the nation's oldest track are the dozens of maidens, allowances, and stakes for two-year-olds…

Jul 16, 2018

Saratoga and Del Mar both open this week, and taking place on different sides of the country is not the only thing that separates them. Whereas Saratoga offers a backyard summer picnic vibe, Del Mar is pure Southern California beach. But despite their…

Jul 15, 2018

Saturday evening saw yet another talented filly enter the divisional fray when TALK VEUVE TO ME romped by 4 3/4 lengths in the Indiana Oaks (G3) at Indiana Grand. With jockey Julien Leparoux riding for the first time, the dark bay miss pressed the early…

Jul 13, 2018

While none in the nine-horse field entered in Saturday night’s $500,000 Indiana Derby (G3) took part in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 5, a number of contestants ran in prep races leading up to the Run for the Roses. One of those who attempted the Road…

Jul 10, 2018

Triple Crown winner Justify will undergo an evaluation after filling was found in his left front ankle, it was announced Tuesday. "Justify had some filling in his left front ankle a week ago, which subsided in a couple days," said trainer Bob Baffert in…

Jul 8, 2018

A number of runners, and almost-runners, from this year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) showed up at Belmont Park on Saturday to take part in the track’s Stars and Stripes Day. The biggest names entered the Dwyer Stakes (G3), which sent a field of seven a one-turn mile…

Jul 5, 2018

Grade 1 hero MENDELSSOHN and multiple Grade 3 scorer MY BOY JACK return to action on Saturday at Belmont Park for the first time since unplaced runs in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Mendelssohn tried to give European champion trainer Aidan O’Brien his first…

Jul 1, 2018

WONDER GADOT and MIDNIGHT BISOU, the respective runner-up and third-placer from the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on May 4, could be on course for a showdown in the Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on August 18 after showcasing their talents Saturday in two different countries. Wonder…

Jun 29, 2018

Saturday features the 159th running of the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine in Toronto, and 16 colts, fillies and geldings have been entered in the contest. Click for the FREE Queen’s Plate Betting Guide The race is the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown,…

Jun 24, 2018

Breeding Triple Crown winner Justify would have been enough to make it a stellar year for John Gunther and his daughter Tanya, who plans the matings for their mares. But the proprietors of Glennwood Farm just achieved another milestone. Only 10 days after…

Jun 20, 2018

Justify capped a Triple Crown sweep with a 1 ¾-length victory in the Belmont Stakes, winning the 1 ½-mile event over a fast track after taking the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in the slop, and connections have an investment to protect after such an historical…

Jun 14, 2018

LOUISVILLE, KY (Thursday, June 14, 2018) – Churchill Downs Racetrack today unveiled the official Kentucky Derby 145 logo. Featuring racing Thoroughbreds, the logo brings to life the thrill of the most exciting two minutes in sports. The 145th running of the…

Jun 10, 2018

As we celebrate Justify’s Triple Crown, it’s worth emphasizing the unprecedented manner of his sweep of the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness (G1), and Belmont S. (G1).Unlike the 12 previous Triple Crown winners, who built upon the solid foundation of a campaign…

Jun 10, 2018

When Gronkowski beat all but unbeaten Triple Crown winner Justify in the Belmont S. (G1), his bold runner-up effort was a boost to the inaugural European Road to the Kentucky Derby. Originally based in England with trainer Jeremy Noseda, Gronkowski topped…

Jun 9, 2018

As if becoming only the 13th Triple Crown winner in racing history is not exclusive enough, JUSTIFY's Belmont Stakes (G1) win on June 9 at Belmont Park inducted him into even more exclusive company.In sweeping the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness Stakes (G1)…

Jun 9, 2018

Justify has answered every question in a whirlwind 4-month, 5-race career, and now the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner faces the Test of the Champion.

Jun 7, 2018

The 150th running of the Belmont Stakes (G1) is finally here and all eyes will be on Justify as he seeks to complete a Triple Crown sweep.

Jun 6, 2018

Aiming to become just the second unbeaten Triple Crown winner in history following Seattle Slew, at odds-on favorite value, here is how to best churn out a score on the short-priced favorite, Justify, in the Belmont Stakes.

Jun 5, 2018

150TH BELMONT STAKES PP   HORSE   TRAINER   JOCKEY   ML ODDS 1   Justify   Bob Baffert   Mike Smith   4-5 2   Free Drop Billy   Dale Romans   Robby…

Jun 5, 2018

From a betting standpoint, chewing on 2-5 odds never tastes as good as collecting on a double-digit win mutuel. I will highlight the chances of a pair of long shot contenders I think have a legitimate chance on Saturday.

Jun 5, 2018

You could mention color, running style, historical reputation, or any number of points in trying to equate a Triple Crown candidate, like Justify, with any of the previous 12 winners of the series and come up woefully short of the mark. What is possible is finding some commonalities with Justify and some of the current members of the exclusive group he looks to join Saturday in the Belmont Stakes.

Jun 4, 2018

Continued from the biographical introduction in Part 1, “They called him Mr. Fitz: remembering Hall of Famer Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons” Mr. Fitz’s horsemanship carried him through those lean times, along with a reputation for impeccable honesty and integrity.…

Jun 1, 2018

Farm boy has a fondness for horses, tries his hand at being a jockey until he gets too big, goes on to become a Hall of Fame trainer with a record number of wins in Triple Crown races.Bob Baffert? No, James E. “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons, the only horseman to…

May 31, 2018

As unbeaten Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) winner Justify aims for an historic Triple Crown sweep in the June 9 Belmont S. (G1), thoughts turn to his forebears who made history themselves. If the typical pedigree write-up makes your eyes glaze over,…

May 31, 2018

Why, a Triple Crown of course. Justify is seeking to give trainer Bob Baffert a second Triple Crown sweep in just three years, and this after a 37-year drought between Affirmed’s successful bid in 1978 and American Pharoah’s 2015 triumph. Winning the…

May 31, 2018

Undefeated Kentucky Derby (Grade I) and Preakness Stakes (GI) winner Justify returned to the Churchill Downs racetrack Thursday morning for a one-mile jog following his half-mile breeze in :46.80 Tuesday as he continued training for the 1 ½-mile Belmont…

May 31, 2018

When Justify crossed the wire first in the Preakness (G1), setting up an opportunity for a Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes (G1), it was inevitable that comparisons would be drawn between he and American Pharoah, who gloriously ended a 37-year drought when claiming the Crown in 2015.

May 30, 2018

Can Woody Stephens and Tapit provide clues on Hofburg and Justify in the Belmont Stakes?

May 28, 2018

We all know about the 12 colts that entered the Belmont Stakes (G1) with a chance at a Triple Crown sweep that succeeded. Will Justify be "Lucky 13" or will he join a list that currently numbers 20 of those that missed reaching the mountaintop? A different…

May 27, 2018

With all the attention currently focused on Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Justify’s bid for Triple Crown glory in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (G1), it’s easy to forget there were 19 other hopefuls who took part in the famed Run for the…

May 26, 2018

Kentucky Derby (Grade I) and Preakness (GI) winner Justify galloped 1 ½ miles Saturday morning at Churchill Downs with Humberto Gomez in the saddle as the undefeated colt continued preparing for the June 9 Belmont Stakes (GI). “I couldn’t be happier…

May 25, 2018

With the field for the 150th Belmont Stakes (G1) set, a number of horses who competed in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 5 at Churchill Downs will be returning for the June 9 contest at Belmont Park. Of course, the most prominent of the Kentucky Derby…

May 25, 2018

"Here" is days out from the Belmont Stakes with a Kentucky Derby-Preakness Stakes winner going for the Triple Crown. "It" is all the hoopla that surrounds trying to achieve one of the most difficult tasks in horse racing, if not all of sports.

May 25, 2018

Hall of Famer. All-time leading jockey in Breeders’ Cup history. Two-time Eclipse Award champion and Kentucky Derby (G1) winner. Regular rider of Hall of Famers from Azeri to Zenyatta. “Big Money Mike.” As that rapid-fire summary suggests, jockey Mike…

May 24, 2018

Grace under pressure. It’s how Ernest Hemmingway defined courage and athletes must have the intestinal fortitude as well as talent to maintain their composure under the intense pressure of competition.

May 19, 2018

It would be hard to imagine a more dismal Triple Crown season. Unexpectedly, the Kentucky Derby (G1) turned into a sodden, sloppy affair, watched by tens of thousands of soaked spectators.Preakness Week was, if possible, even worse. The rain came all week,…

May 19, 2018

Justify continued his quest for Triple Crown glory on Saturday at Pimlico, securing the 143rd running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) under jockey Mike Smith in a close finish with Bravazo, Tenfold and Good Magic. A dense, creeping fog engulfed the track…

May 19, 2018

Tenfold photo courtesy of Jon Kral/Maryland Jockey ClubToday is Saturday, May 19, 2018, Armed Forces Day. It is also Preakness Stakes 143 Day. The Preakness takes place at Pimlico in Baltimore, Maryland, about an hour north from the United Stakes Naval Academy in…

May 18, 2018

A prominent contender on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) trail before missing her final prep, Red Ruby returned triumphant in Friday’s $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) at Pimlico. The sloppy conditions brought out the best in the daughter of Hall of Famer Tiznow, who…

May 17, 2018

That’s the question fans are asking as unbeaten Kentucky Derby (G1) star Justify looms as the heavy 1-2 favorite in the Preakness (G1). While every Preakness serves as a referendum on the Derby winner, Saturday’s 143rd renewal has more reason than most…

May 17, 2018

With Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Justify an odds-on favorite (justifiably) for Saturday's Preakness (G1), contemplating who the best longshot to play in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown seems an odd task on the surface. Keep in mind, though, there…

May 15, 2018

History favors Kentucky Derby runners in the Preakness Stakes. The winner typically looms large and Justify will be an overwhelming favorite when the field lines up for Saturday’s 143rd Preakness at Pimlico. Thirty-one of the last 35 Preakness winners…

May 15, 2018

1. The Preakness, and the Triple Crown in general, has been the scene of famous rivalries. One of the more interesting if lesser known ones involved Hill Prince and Middleground, who met in the 1950 Preakness for the fourth time in less than a month.…

May 11, 2018

Fresh off a brilliant Kentucky Derby (G1) as co-owners of victorious Justify and third-placer Audible, Kenny Troutt’s WinStar Farm marches on to Pimlico with a similarly strong representation for the May 19 Preakness Stakes (G1). WinStar homebred Quip will…

May 9, 2018

The plethora of graded stakes at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby weekend took on added importance this year as it offered an opportunity to get test runs over courses that will be presented during the 2018 Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 2-3.

May 7, 2018

Although much can change in the build-up to the May 19 Preakness (G1), not too many are eager to confront Kentucky Derby (G1) star Justify in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

May 6, 2018

NEXT STOP PIMLICO FOR UNBEATEN DERBY HERO JUSTIFY JUSTIFY (1st)/SOLOMINI (10th) – The 144th Kentucky Derby winner was full of energy this morning and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has every intention of heading to Baltimore for the May 19 Preakness Stakes…

May 6, 2018

Justify Wins the 144th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve in Front of Rain-Soaked CrowdHighest All-Sources Wagering on Kentucky Derby Day program and Kentucky Derby race157,813 Endure Wettest Kentucky DerbyLOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 5, 2018) – Fans braved…

May 5, 2018

JOHN ASHER: Ladies and gentlemen, we will go through the list at the podium. Mike Smith, again, two‑time Kentucky Derby winner. (Applause) Bob Baffert, the Kentucky Derby‑winning trainer. (Applause) I'm going to go to Elliott and make sure I get everybody…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing and Head of Plains Partners’ favored Justify took command at the half-mile pole and roared away to a 2 ½-length victory over Good Magic under the lights at Churchill…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018): Bob Baffert, trainer of Justify (1st), Solomini (10th) – “We saw something really great. That’s greatness right there. When he won his second race we were in (American) Pharoah territory.” On Solomini: “I knew…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018): Mike Smith, rider of Justify (1st) – “Going into the race the main concern was just getting him out of the gate. This horse is so talented. I keep using the term ‘above average’ because he has a mind to him as well.…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – China Horse Club, WinStar Farm and Head of Plains Partners’ Yoshida (JPN) returned to the races from a seven-month layoff to turn back favored Beach Patrol by three-quarters of a length to win the 32nd running of the…

May 5, 2018

Justify prevailed over both champion Good Magic and the sloppy main track at Churchill Downs on Saturday when scoring in the 2018 Kentucky Derby (G1) for trainer Bob Baffert. Jockey Mike Smith guided the chestnut son of Scat Daddy in the 1 1/4-mile affair,…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – On a rainy afternoon suitable for ducks, Calumet Farm’s Funny Duck romped to a 4 ¾-length victory over New York Central in the 94th running of the $300,000 Pat Day Mile Presented by LG&E and KU (Grade III) for 3-year-olds. Trained…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – Treadway Racing Stable’s Maraud surged to the lead at mid-stretch en route to a 1 ½-length victory in the 27th running of the $300,000 American Turf Presented by Ram Trucks (Grade II) for 3-year-olds. Trained by…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – Katherine Ball’s homebred Limousine Liberal surged to the front in deep stretch to successfully defend his title by a head over Warrior’s Club in winning the 84th running of the $500,000 Churchill Downs Presented by…