Kentucky Derby News

Apr 23, 2018

If Monday morning brought news that Gronkowski’s Kentucky Derby (G1) hopes could be dashed, confirmation came later in the day when connections officially withdrew the European Road invitee, citing “a slight infection.” That allowed Instilled Regard, the…

Apr 23, 2018

Trainer Todd Pletcher’s horses for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) contingent are expected to arrive at Louisville International Airport at 1:30 (all times Eastern) this afternoon after leaving its winter base at Palm Beach Downs in…

Apr 22, 2018

Undefeated Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Magnum Moon is the latest headliner with deep ties to historic Claiborne Farm. Not only was he born and raised at the Paris, Kentucky, nursery, but his pedigree features past Claiborne patriarchs, and his breeder,…

Apr 22, 2018

Craig Upham’s Ashland Stakes (Grade I) third-place finisher Patrona Margarita recorded a half-mile breeze in :48.80 on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for a start in the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) on Friday, May 4.         …

Apr 21, 2018

John Oxley’s Flameaway, Albaugh Family Stables’ Free Drop Billy and Robert Baron’s Promises Fulfilled kicked off the exclusive training period for Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve contenders from 7:30-7:45 a.m. (all times Eastern) Saturday with…

Apr 20, 2018

News about Rob Gronkowski buying into his namesake Kentucky Derby (G1) contender rightly grabbed all the headlines, but there are a couple of strictly racing-related updates for Gronkowski the horse. Since our last article summing up the European Road…

Apr 20, 2018

Churchill Downs Racetrack, in conjunction with TwinSpires.com, will provide live online streaming of Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders’ workouts when the exclusive 7:30-7:45 a.m. (all times Eastern) training window begins in earnest Saturday.The…

Apr 20, 2018

Calumet Farm’s Risen Star (Grade II) winner Bravazo breezed six furlongs in 1:15.40 Friday morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI), which will be staged for the 144th consecutive year…

Apr 19, 2018

If you knew nothing about Hofburg as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender, his name alone would be a substantial clue. Only a colt of the most exquisite bloodlines, physique, and comportment could bear such a name worthily, evoking the stateliness of Imperial…

Apr 19, 2018

How many fillies have run in the Kentucky Derby (G1)? How many fillies have won the Derby? How many fillies have run in both the Derby and the Kentucky Oaks (G1)?So many questions, so little time before the 144th Run for the Roses takes place on May 5 at…

Apr 19, 2018

G M B Racing’s TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade II) runner-up Lone Sailor fired a bullet five-furlong move in :57.60 Thursday morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) on Saturday,…

Apr 19, 2018

Track encourages guests to visit KentuckyDerbyParking.com for parking, arrival & entry information LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs Racetrack (“Churchill Downs”), home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby, announced today new entry procedures that will…

Apr 19, 2018

G M B Racing’s TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade II) runner-up Lone Sailor fired a bullet five-furlong move in :57.60 Thursday morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) on Saturday,…

Apr 19, 2018

DERBY DAY RAFFLE GUARANTEES MINIMUM $50,000 POOL, HALF TO RAFFLE WINNER, HALF TO THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE AND OTHER CHARITABLE INITIATIVES LOUISVILLE, KY., (Thursday, April 19, 2018) –Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation today announced the opening…

Apr 18, 2018

Rob Gronkowski, the New England Patriots star tight end, has acquired "a substantial stake" in his namesake Thoroughbred, Gronkowski, in advance of the May 5 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs."We are very excited to have this talented racehorse running…

Apr 18, 2018

1. Two stallions will have the opportunity to sire a second Kentucky Derby winner in the race's 2018 renewal on May 5. Malibu Moon, the sire of Arkansas Derby (G1) and Rebel (G2) winner Magnum Moon, previously sired 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb. Distorted…

Apr 17, 2018

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series is completed and, barring any hiccups, the field of 20 for Kentucky Derby 144 is now known. At the weekend, Magnum Moon (#1, 150 points) delivered a powerful effort to take the Arkansas Derby (G1). The additional…

Apr 14, 2018

Magnum Moon went gate-to-wire, and to the top of the Kentucky Derby (G1) Leaderboard, in winning the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) on Saturday at Oaklawn Park. The win – worth 100 of the Arkansas Derby’s 170 points – gives Magnum Moon 150 points for…

Apr 14, 2018

Saddled with post 10, facing a short stretch as a deep closer, and needing a win to ensure a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) field in three weeks, My Boy Jack had not much margin for error in Saturday's $200,000 Lexington (G3) at Keeneland. Under…

Apr 14, 2018

Roddy Valente, RAP Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds’ Gulfstream Park Oaks (Grade II) winnerCoach Rocks worked a half-mile in :48.60 Saturday morningat Churchill Downs in preparation for the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) on Friday, May 4.         …

Apr 14, 2018

Fountain of Youth (Grade II) front-running hero Promises Fulfilled published his first breeze back at Churchill Downs since his winter in Florida with a maintenance half-mile move in :49 in preparation for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford…

Apr 13, 2018

Medallion Racing and Jerry McClanahan’s Sassy Sienna entered Friday’s $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park on the outside of the 144th Kentucky Oaks (G1) field looking in. One nose victory later and the dark bay lass secured her spot in the starting…

Apr 13, 2018

A new way of qualifying for the famed Kentucky Derby (G1) kicked off during the 2012-13 season, and both owners and trainers embraced the points-based system. But Churchill Downs officials weren’t done. Taking note of the excitement which erupted when Japanese-based…

Apr 13, 2018

Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: JustifyBob Baffert was joking about needing to get starts into some of his unraced two-year-olds before the end of the year. It turns out, he wasn’t joking. Knowing that every Kentucky Derby (G1) winner since…

Apr 13, 2018

Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Good MagicChad Brown has trained a ton of turf superstars but that has typecast him as a “turf” trainer. In the past few years, his clients have been buying more horses with dirt pedigrees and Brown is showing that…

Apr 13, 2018

Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Vino RossoVINO ROSSO won a maiden at Aqueduct and an allowance race at Tampa Bay Downs last year and gave the impression that he would get better as his career progressed. He was favored both times, so internal expectations…

Apr 13, 2018

Risen Star (Grade II) winner Bravazo began his serious preparations for the Grade I, $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on Friday morning when he breezed five furlongs in 1:01.20 at Churchill Downs.         Bravazo stepped on the…

Apr 12, 2018

Some horses just have “it,” that indefinable air of supremacy, from day one. Given what unbeaten Justify has accomplished on the track in the span of about seven weeks – going from unraced three-year-old to Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite – you won’t be surprised…

Apr 12, 2018

A field of eight has been entered in Friday’s $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park. The 1 1/16-mile event wraps up the 2017-18 Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of races. As part of the Championship portion of that series, the contest will award…

Apr 12, 2018

Note: Please open the attached pdf document or paste the following in your browser for additional information: https://bit.ly/2IPholR The Road to the Kentucky Derby will conclude Saturday as the final two races in the 35-race series – the $1 million Arkansas…

Apr 12, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 12, 2018 – Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced that multi-platinum, Grammy® Award-winning A Cappella group Pentatonix will sing the national anthem at the 144th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday, May 5,…

Apr 11, 2018

Magnum Moon stepped into the Kentucky Derby spotlight with a convincing victory in the Rebel Stakes (G2), remaining unbeaten with a three-length decision, and the Todd Pletcher-trained colt has returned to Oaklawn Park as the horse to beat in Saturday’s…

Apr 11, 2018

A dozen sophomores have been entered in the $200,000 Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland on Saturday, and the finish will determine whether My Boy Jack makes the starting gate at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. Having thus far earned 32 total…

Apr 11, 2018

TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade II) runner-up Lone Sailor returned to the work tab Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs with a half-mile breeze in :47.60, his first major tune-up in preparation for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford…

Apr 10, 2018

1. Held annually at Oaklawn Park since 1936 (except in the war year of 1945), the Arkansas Derby is one of the most highly-attended races in the country as the city of Hot Springs swells to nearly three times its size. Estimated crowds exceeding 60,000…

Apr 10, 2018

The field for the 2018 Kentucky Derby (G1) is nearly set following major preps last weekend in New York, Kentucky, and California. With victories in the Wood Memorial (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1), respectively, Vino Rosso (#4, 107 points) and Justify…

Apr 10, 2018

Track launches KentuckyDerbyParking.com to help visitors plan their arrival  LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs Racetrack (“Churchill Downs”), home of the world-famous Kentucky Derby, announced today its new parking and traffic plan for Derby Week and…

Apr 8, 2018

Four weeks in advance of the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I), lightly-raced and unbeaten Santa Anita Derby winner Justify closed as a resounding 3-1 favorite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW).

Apr 8, 2018

Riley Racing Stables LLC, Jason and Megan J. Tackitt, and Mike Hensen’s Gas Station Sushi improved her record to a perfect two-for-two on Sunday when taking the $150,000 Beaumont Stakes (G2) at Keeneland by 1 1/2 lengths. The race is the penultimate contest…

Apr 7, 2018

In his one and only shot at securing a berth in the Kentucky Derby (G1), not only did Justify ace the test but possibly made himself the favorite for next month's Run for the Roses with a sterling, wire-to-wire victory in Saturday's $1 million Santa…

Apr 7, 2018

A little more than an hour after steering unbeaten Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Justify in Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby (G1), Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith completed a double aboard another odds-on choice, Midnight Bisou, in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1). By…

Apr 7, 2018

Monomoy Girl will bring a two-race win streak into the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs after dominating her rivals by 5 1/2 lengths in Saturday’s $500,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. Jockey Florent Geroux guided the chestnut daughter…

Apr 7, 2018

Vino Rosso rallied wide into contention on the far turn and after battling with Enticed to midstretch, the 3-year-old colt drew away to a three-length victory in Saturday’s $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct. He rebounded nicely from a disappointing…

Apr 7, 2018

A bit of a disappointment in his season debut last month, juvenile champion Good Magic rebounded nicely in Saturday's $1 million Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, confirming his status as a major player in the Kentucky Derby (G1) in four weeks. Under Jose…

Apr 7, 2018

A stretch-out to two turns proved helpful to My Miss Lilly, who punched her ticket to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) with a hard-fought victory in the $300,000 Gazelle (G2) at Aqueduct on Saturday. Under Joe Bravo, the gray daughter of Tapit made a four-wide…

Apr 6, 2018

Although Mendelssohn aims to become the first European shipper to plunder the Kentucky Derby (G1), and the first to use the UAE Derby (G2) as a path to glory at Churchill Downs, he’s no exotic foreigner. On the contrary, he’s a Kentucky-bred half-brother…

Apr 6, 2018

On June 14, 2012, during an annual shareholder meeting, Churchill Downs Inc. Chairman and CEO Bob Evans announced that entry into the famed Kentucky Derby (G1) would be determined by a new points ranking system. The old graded earnings classification…

Apr 5, 2018

Only five races are left in the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points contests, and four take place this weekend. Three are on Saturday – each of which is worth 100-40-20-10 points to the respective top four finishers – beginning with the $300,000…

Apr 5, 2018

Trainer Bob Baffert boasts the record for the most Santa Anita Derby wins (seven) and will try to extend that to eight when saddling Justify on Saturday; two of Baffert’s four Kentucky Derby winners (Silver Charm [1997] and Real Quiet [1998]) both finished second…

Apr 5, 2018

Churchill Downs has announced that betting will be suspended on trainer Mark Casse’s promising Mississippi (#16) in the fourth and final pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (“KDFW”), which opens its three-day run at noon (all times EDT) on Friday and…

Apr 5, 2018

What: It’s just another “sign” that Kentucky Derby 144 is right around the corner! Churchill Downs laborers will change the signage on the historic grandstand (from 143rd Derby 2017 to 144th Derby 2018) and the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Stand/Pagoda (from…

Apr 5, 2018

Three crucial steppingstones to the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) – the Wood Memorial (GII), Blue Grass (GII) and Santa Anita Derby – will be staged Saturday within a 35-minute span as 3-year-old Thoroughbreds continue…

Apr 5, 2018

Tickets on Sale June 7  LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 5, 2018) - The Breeders' Cup today announced ticket prices and availability for the 35th Breeders’ Cup World Championships to be held on Friday, November 2 and Saturday, November 3 at historic Churchill Downs.…

Apr 5, 2018

The marquee match-up between Bolt d’Oro and Justify in Saturday’s $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1) appears destined to determine Kentucky Derby favoritism. Justify has observers speculating upon possible greatness following a pair of scintillating wins…

Apr 4, 2018

Enticed and Old Time Revival ran one-two, respectively, in the March 10 Gotham Stakes (G3) and on Saturday the duo will face off yet again in the $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. The 1 1/8-mile contest is part of the Road to the Kentucky…

Apr 4, 2018

First Featured Milliner In Iconic Event’s HistoryLOUISVILLE, Ky., April 4, 2018 – Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced that Christine Moore is the featured milliner of the 144th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. This is the first time in…

Apr 3, 2018

Good Magic came up short when opening 2018 in the March 3 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park, checking in an even third as the 3-5 favorite, but the champion 2-year-old male will look to make amends and reestablish himself as a major Kentucky Derby contender…

Apr 3, 2018

A tightly-grouped foursome headed by Ruis Racing LLC’s San Felipe (GII) winner Bolt d’Oro (#2, 5-1) sits atop the morning line odds for the 24 wagering interests set for this weekend’s fourth and final pool of Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Derby Future Wager…

Apr 2, 2018

When Churchill Downs officials announced last August the creation of a “European Road to the Kentucky Derby,” the opening of another avenue was simultaneously adventurous and uncertain. What kind of horse might ultimately score the most points in the seven-race…

Mar 31, 2018

With an impressive three-length victory, Audible looked the part of a serious Kentucky Derby contender in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt extended his win streak to four and John Velazquez was up for owners…

Mar 31, 2018

In one of the most lopsided performances in a Kentucky Derby (G1) prep in years, Mendelssohn punched his ticket to the May 5 Run for the Roses with an emphatic 18-length demolition of his rivals in the U.A.E. Derby (G2) Saturday night at Meydan. The…

Mar 31, 2018

Coach Rocks earned the majority of the 100-40-20-10 points up for grabs when rallying to catch Take Charge Paula in Saturday’s $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2). The Oxbow filly raced in midpack as near 5-2 favorite Take Charge Paula took over from…

Mar 30, 2018

The equine Gronkowski concluded his successful "playoff" run toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Friday, capturing the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle, England, and securing an invitation to the Run for the Roses as the leading point earner in the European…

Mar 30, 2018

When Promises Fulfilled upset the Fountain of Youth (G2) at odds of 18-1, it wasn’t the first time he was cast in the role of underdog – or rewarded those who believed in him. A sick newborn and a bargain yearling, he’s come a long way to emerge as a Kentucky…

Mar 29, 2018

Mubtaahij established the current time record for the race when going about 1 3/16 miles in 1:58.35 on March 28, 2015; it is, however, not the fastest running of the race, just the quickest since Meydan switched to dirt that same year. The fastest UAE Derby…

Mar 29, 2018

Forward Gal Stakes (G3) winner Take Charge Paula lines up in Saturday’s $300,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) against 12 rivals in search of enough points to solidify her spot in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) starting gate on May 4 at Churchill Downs. The Gulfstream…

Mar 29, 2018

Saturday’s 67th running of the $1 million Florida Derby (GI) at Gulfstream Park and the 19th running of the $2 million UAE Derby (GII) in Dubai highlight this week’s Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series as 3-year-old Thoroughbreds continue their quest…

Mar 28, 2018

Audible drew rave reviews for a convincing Holy Bull (G2) victory earlier in the Gulfstream Park meet but has been perhaps a bit of a forgotten horse as 12 qualifiers in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series have been offered in the eight-week interim since his…

Mar 28, 2018

A dozen three-year-olds went to post in Saturday’s Sunland Derby (G3), but it was one horse who was all the rage following the $800,000 feature.

Mar 28, 2018

Gronkowski seeks to firm up a spot in the Kentucky Derby (G1) field on Friday in the Burradon Stakes, at Newcastle, England, the final prep in the European Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Currently second on that series leaderboard behind Mendelssohn,…

Mar 28, 2018

Inspired by the Rich, Smooth Flavor of Woodford Reserve® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 28, 2018 – Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced the official menu of the 144 th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. Curated…

Mar 27, 2018

1. First run at Gulfstream Park in 1952, the Florida Derby (G1) has been won 15 times by the eventual Kentucky Derby (G1) winner. It has been an especially fruitful prep the last five years, with three colts pulling off the Florida/Kentucky Derby…

Mar 26, 2018

Saturday’s $2 million UAE Derby (G2) promises to be one for the ages. Aidan O’Brien’s Mendelssohn, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner, puts his Kentucky Derby (G1) ambitions on the line in this first dirt test. Godolphin’s Gold Town, invincible…

Mar 26, 2018

Several colts punched their tickets to the Kentucky Derby (G1) this past weekend, including TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Noble Indy (#1, 110 points) and Sunland Derby (G3) hero Runaway Ghost (#7, 50), a recent Late Triple Crown nominee. Third…

Mar 25, 2018

Shippers came in droves from California, Florida, and Arkansas in hopes of plundering Sunday’s $800,000 Sunland Derby (G3), but it was the lone locally based runner, Runaway Ghost, who scored one for the home team – and netted a Kentucky Derby (G1) spot…

Mar 25, 2018

Not one filly in Sunday’s $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks, which is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points contests, was nominated to the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.That didn’t stop Cleber J. Massey’s Blamed for making her case to be a…

Mar 24, 2018

One week after teaming up to win the Rebel (G2) with Magnum Moon, trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez qualified another colt for the Kentucky Derby (G1), Noble Indy, in Saturday's $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds. Owned…

Mar 24, 2018

Double Doors Racing LLC’s Chocolate Martini made her stakes debut on Saturday in the $392,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) under jockey Mitchell Murrill and pulled off the 13-1 upset of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series points contest. The Fair Grounds Oaks…

Mar 24, 2018

Noble Indy began his racing career in December, but he has already left his mark on this Kentucky Derby prep season. WinStar Farm homebred comes off his biggest triumph to date when bagging the Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds in just his fourth lifetime start.

Mar 23, 2018

The Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues on Saturday and Sunday with a pair of contests offering points toward a starting berth in the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. First up on Saturday is the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks, which is the first…

Mar 23, 2018

It gets serious for Kentucky Derby prospects over the next four weekends as the final round of major prep races begins Saturday with the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds. Worth a combined 170 points (100-40-20-10 scale) toward…

Mar 23, 2018

A field of 12 sophomores will go nine furlongs in Sunday’s $800,000 Sunland Derby (G2) at Sunland Park in an effort to earn enough points to make the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 5 at Churchill Downs. The Sunland Derby is worth 50-20-10-5…

Mar 22, 2018

Saturday’s 105th running of the $1 million Louisiana Derby Presented by TwinSpires.com (Grade II) and Sunday’s 15th running of the $800,000 Sunland Derby (GIII) are the featured stops on this week’s Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series as 3-year-old Thoroughbreds…

Mar 21, 2018

John C. Oxley’s Flameaway, the winner of Tampa Bay Downs’ Sam F. Davis (Grade III), leads a group of 10 3-year-old Thoroughbreds that were made eligible to compete in the 2018 Triple Crown with a late $6,000 payment that was due Monday.

Mar 20, 2018

1. Inaugurated in 1894, the Louisiana Derby was held at two other New Orleans locations -- Crescent City Race Course and Jefferson Park -- before settling at Fair Grounds in 1932. It has been held every year since except from 1940-42, 1945, and 2006.…

Mar 20, 2018

The Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) was run at Turfway Park on Saturday. Formerly sponsored by Jim Beam, Galleryfurniture.com, Lane's End, Vinery Stables, Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati and JACK Cincinnati Casino, the race formerly known as the Spiral Stakes was run at…

Mar 20, 2018

Magnum Moon (#5, 50) took another step toward the goal of becoming the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) without having raced as a juvenile last Saturday with an authoritative victory over Solomini (#9, 34) in the Rebel…

Mar 19, 2018

Thunder Gulch, who captured the 1995 Kentucky Derby (G1) as a 24-1 longshot over two favored stablemates and later won the Belmont Stakes (G1) en route to champion three-year-old honors, has been euthanized at the age of 26. Coolmore America, who stood…

Mar 18, 2018

Hailing from the storied farm that’s produced the most Kentucky Derby (G1) winners, and trained by a Hall of Famer with four Derby trophies, Bravazo is heir to quite an historical legacy. Calumet Farm stands alone in the Derby record book as the owner…

Mar 17, 2018

A week after counterparts starred on the West Coast, Magnum Moon looked special trying a Kentucky Derby qualifier in Saturday’s $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt registered his third straight convincing victory from…

Mar 17, 2018

Blended Citizen was not among the original nominees to the Triple Crown, but his connections plan to nominate him following his win in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on Saturday at Turfway Park. Owners Greg Hall and Steve Young were at Turfway for the 34-point…

Mar 17, 2018

Go Noni Go proved too good for her seven rivals in Saturday’s $101,600 Bourbonette Oaks (G3) at Turfway Park, taking the Road to the Kentucky Derby points race by two lengths for trainer Mike Maker.Campaigned by Three Diamonds Farm, the dark bay daughter…

Mar 16, 2018

If the Kentucky Derby (G1) recognized one contender as “Mr. Congeniality,” Solomini would be a leading candidate for the honor. But with his pedigree, connections, and talent, he’s much more than just a friendly face. By Hall of Famer Curlin, also the…

Mar 16, 2018

The next phase of the Road to the Kentucky Derby will begin in about a week, with races bumped from 85 to 170 total points each toward a starting berth in the May 5 Kentucky Derby (G1). It didn’t used to be this way, though. The points system so familiar…

Mar 15, 2018

The $100,000 Bourbonette Oaks (G3) on Saturday at Turfway Park drew a contentions field of 11 sophomore fillies to go a mile over the synthetic Polytrack, and the final two runners in the gate have been made the morning-line favorites. The Bourbonette…

Mar 15, 2018

The Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park and Jeff Ruby Steaks (formerly the Spiral Stakes) at Turfway Park are on deck for the weekend.

Mar 15, 2018

Features Derby-Winning Jockeys Pat Day and Gary Stevens and Trainers D. Wayne Lukas and Carl Nafzger; Benefits Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance LOUISVILLE, KY (Thursday, March 15, 2018) – Churchill Downs today announced Champions Day presented by…

Mar 14, 2018

A contentious field of 11 sophomores has been entered in Saturday’s $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.FREE Brisnet.com Past Performances for the Rebel Stakes The 1 1/16-mile affair is part of the Championship portion of the Road to the Kentucky…

Mar 14, 2018

Magicalmeister upset Turfway Park’s John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at 39-1 on February 23, and  Saturday returns to the all-weather Poltytrack at that venue for the $200,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) going nine furlongs.FREE Brisnet.com Past Performances for…

Mar 14, 2018

5 Fast Facts about the Rebel Stakes, a Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race 1. The Rebel Stakes (G2), contested at Oaklawn Park at a distance of 1 1/16 miles, dates to 1961. However, its first 15 runnings were as an overnight handicap. It became a…