Kentucky Derby News

Jan 19, 2019

War of Will passed his fast-track debut with flying colors on Saturday, emphatically capturing the $200,000 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds by four lengths under Tyler Gaffalione. Tugging a bit when racing three wide just off the leaders down the backside, War…

Jan 19, 2019

Mike Abraham, an Eclipse Award finalist for outstanding breeder thanks to Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) star Accelerate, has now come up with a potential Kentucky Oaks (G1) filly. The Abraham-bred Needs Supervision made a successful stakes debut in Saturday’s…

Jan 18, 2019

An overflow field of 15 will travel a mile and 70 yards in the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. The Road to the Kentucky Derby points event boasts a competitive field of sophomore prospects in what appears to be a wide-open endeavor. Here's…

Jan 16, 2019

The first of three Fair Grounds’ qualifiers in the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series, Saturday’s $150,000 Silverbulletday is topped by Golden Rod (G2) winner Liora. She’s been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite among seven fillies. Contested at…

Jan 15, 2019

A huge field of 15, one of which is on the also-eligible list, will vie in the $200,000 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. Sophomores hoping to earn qualifying points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby event will travel two turns in the first…

Jan 15, 2019

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series attracts a largely fresh set of challengers Saturday when a maximum of 14 colts and geldings will compete in the $200,000 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds over one mile and 70 yards. Of the gate-load of entries in the…

Jan 14, 2019

There’s a new three-year-old to follow on the international front. Florida-bred but Dubai-based Walking Thunder romped in last Thursday’s UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, leaving Royal Marine, the pro tem leader on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, well behind…

Jan 13, 2019

It is common knowledge that one does not enter horse racing to make a fortune; instead one must have a fortune to enter horse racing. Or must they? Horse racing has always been known as the Sport of Kings, and not just for the majesty of feeling it…

Jan 11, 2019

Gulfstream Park plays host to a 12-race card on Saturday with two graded tests among the events. The $100,000 Marshua's River (G3) is one of those and it is where the Best Bet of the Weekend comes from. The lightly raced La Signare (#7) (3-1) will make…

Jan 10, 2019

The 145th running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) on Saturday, May 4 will be the richest in history as the purse for America’s greatest race and first leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown has been elevated to a guaranteed $3 million.  The substantial…

Jan 8, 2019

Half of the four Road to the Kentucky Derby preps scheduled in the month of January are in the books, and joining the point leaderboard early in 2019 was Mind Control, who earned 10 points for winning the $150,000 Jerome at Aqueduct on New Year's…

Jan 7, 2019

Abel Tasman, the 2017 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner and champion three-year-old filly who is also an Eclipse Award finalist for 2018 champion older dirt female honors, was sold to Coolmore for $5 million at Monday's first session of the 2019 Keeneland…

Jan 7, 2019

The midterm points leader on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, Godolphin’s homebred Royal Marine is expected to try dirt for the first time in Dubai Thursday. The Saeed bin Suroor trainee is among a large group of preliminary entries for the UAE…

Jan 6, 2019

Road to the Kentucky Derby Ultimate Racing Guide for North American Kentucky Derby Prep Races How will you select which horse will win the Kentucky Derby? The information below will help by providing information, analysis and past performances on the path…

Jan 6, 2019

Kaleem Shah’s Bellafina is back. Turning the page on her subpar effort in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), the Simon Callaghan trainee romped in Sunday’s $200,000 Santa Ynez S. (G2) by 8 1/2 lengths. That’s almost as many as the number of points…

Jan 5, 2019

Gunmetal Gray made a last-to-first rally to defeat heavily favored Coliseum and five others in Saturday's $100,702 Sham (G3) at Santa Anita, the first Road to the Kentucky Derby series prep of 2019. Never more than seven lengths off an early pace set…

Jan 4, 2019

A lackluster fourth as the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Bellafina aims to regain her winning habit in Sunday’s $200,000 Santa Ynez (G2). The seven-furlong contest at Santa Anita looms as the first Kentucky Oaks (G1) scoring race of…

Jan 4, 2019

The second event on the Road to the Kentucky Derby series will take place at Santa Anita on Saturday in the $100,000 Sham Stakes (G3). A field of seven will go postward in the one-mile test, and the pair of Bob Baffert-trained sophomores in the cast looks…

Jan 3, 2019

A field of seven newly turned three-year-olds is set to enter the gates at Santa Anita Park on Saturday to take part in the $100,000 Sham Stakes (G3), the second Road to the Kentucky Derby points contest of 2019. The field is divided between four trainers,…

Jan 3, 2019

Coliseum has been mentioned among the upper echelon of Bob Baffert’s Kentucky Derby prospects since recording a powerful debut performance at Del Mar in mid-November, romping by 6 3/4 lengths as the 1-2 favorite, and the well-fancied colt can join stablemates Game…

Jan 1, 2019

Mind Control showed speed from the start and turned back multiple challenges posting a front-running victory in the $150,000 Jerome at Aqueduct. The New Year’s Day feature served as a Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier and Mind Control picked up…

Dec 31, 2018

Six newly turned three-year-olds will kick off the season in the $150,000 Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct on Tuesday. The January 1 headliner is part of the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series, with the top four finishers earning points on a 10-4-2-1 basis. Here…

Dec 29, 2018

Grade 1 winner Mind Control tops a field of six and Kentucky Derby points are up for grabs in Tuesday’s $150,000 Jerome Stakes. The New Year’s Day feature at Aqueduct will be contested at a one-turn mile. As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series,…

Dec 27, 2018

As we look ahead to the emerging three-year-old class of 2019, it’s also time to glance back at the events of the past year. There’s no doubt about which race was the best prep for the 2018 Kentucky Derby (G1): the April 7 Santa Anita Derby (G1), also known…

Dec 26, 2018

Not only is undefeated Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Game Winner virtually assured an Eclipse Award as the 2018 champion juvenile male, but the son of Candy Ride will celebrate his third birthday on January 1 as a clear early leader in the 2019 Road…

Dec 20, 2018

U. Carrot Farm’s Nova Lenda extended his winning streak to three in Wednesday’s Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki, earning 20 points to become the new leader on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun is the second scoring race…

Dec 16, 2018

Trainer Steve Asmussen provided the exacta in Sunday evening’s $400,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park when Long Range Toddy held off Bankit by a head on the wire. The eight-furlong contest is the final race on the domestic calendar of Road to the…

Dec 13, 2018

An interesting field of 11 will go to post in Sunday’s $400,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park. The lucrative event has grown in stature over the past few seasons and is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The top four finishers will receive points…

Dec 12, 2018

The “Best Bet of the Weekend” will come from Remington Park on Sunday. The $400,000 Springboard Mile drew a competitive field of 11, with many nice prospects among the cast. Trainer Steve Asmussen has five in the field and I will tab one from his quintet…

Dec 12, 2018

In search of his first Kentucky Derby (G1) win, Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen will give five of his stable's two-year-olds an opportunity to earn qualifying points for next year's classic in the Sunday's $400,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park…

Dec 9, 2018

Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse ProfileLos Alamitos Futurity winner Improbable “When Justify went to the farm from Del Mar this summer, (trainer) Bob (Baffert) put IMPROBABLE in his stall.” So said Elliott Walden, the President/CEO and Racing Manager of…

Dec 9, 2018

Pretty much anyone who has stayed up all night waiting for one of the cutest of all miracles, a new born foal, has come to the same conclusion: a watched mare never foals. In just a few weeks, “foal watch” season kicks off as farms ready for the new arrivals.…

Dec 8, 2018

Team Justify is back on the Triple Crown trail. That’s the inescapable conclusion after WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and Starlight Racing’s Improbable romped as the 1-5 favorite for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert in Saturday’s $300,345 Los Alamitos…

Dec 8, 2018

No mare has produced a Triple Crown champion and a Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner, but that factoid may be in jeopardy after American Pharoah’s half-sister, Chasing Yesterday, captured Saturday's $300,345 Starlet (G1) at Los Alamitos. The 3-2 favorite got up…

Dec 6, 2018

A field of six will travel 1 1/16 miles at Los Alamitos on Saturday in the $300,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G1). Trainer Bob Baffert, who has racked up a sensational mark with two-year-old runners in 2018, is well-represented with a pair in the field and…

Dec 6, 2018

A smashing 7 1/4-length winner of the November 2 Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs, Improbable will stretch out to two turns and make his first appearance in a Kentucky Derby qualifier when he lines up for Saturday’s $300,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G1). A…

Dec 6, 2018

Trainer Michael McCarthy has endured a break-out season in 2018. The former Todd Pletcher assistant went out on his own a few years back and has never amassed success like he has in this season. The conditioner has saddled the winner of eight graded races,…

Dec 6, 2018

Six two-year-old prospects will vie in Saturday’s $300,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G1). The Futurity is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, offering points on a 10-4-2-1 basis for the top-four finishers. Conditioner Bob Baffert will have the…

Dec 3, 2018

Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile Remsen winner Maximus Mischief MAXIMUS MISCHIEF took two simultaneous tests in the December 1 Remsen (G2) – a class hike in his first try versus stakes company, and a distance challenge to stretch out from seven…

Dec 2, 2018

The inaugural European Road to the Kentucky Derby winner, Gronkowski, will be off on his international travels again. After placing twice in four U.S. starts for Chad Brown, most notably when runner-up to Triple Crown sweeper Justify in the Belmont (G1),…

Dec 2, 2018

Racing is not just a sport, it is also a business. And like any business, there are several levels that make it up.At the top is, of course, the owner, or the person (or persons) supplying money to run the business. Next comes the trainer, or manager. He/she…

Dec 1, 2018

Despite a little pre-race naughtiness, Maximus Mischief wasn’t fooling around when the gates opened, cruising to a 2 1/4-length victory in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. Well-behaved in the paddock, the two-year-old bay colt balked at loading,…

Dec 1, 2018

Michael Ryan’s Positive Spirit advanced to the lead on the far turn and drew off to a resounding victory in the Demoiselle (G2) at Aqueduct. A maiden scorer at Churchill Downs on November 8, the Rudolphe Brisset-trained filly won geared down by 10 1/2…

Nov 29, 2018

Seven juveniles will attempt to navigate 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct main surface in Saturday’s $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2). This race has produced some strong horses in recent years and an interesting cast will each attempt to earn their first graded win…

Nov 29, 2018

The Remsen Stakes (G2) for two-year-olds is one of four graded events on a big day of racing at Aqueduct on Saturday, and it is the contest which will play host to the Weekend’s Best Bet. Following a score by Signalman in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes…

Nov 29, 2018

A dominant winner in his first two starts at Parx Racing,  Maximus Mischief will try to make an impact upon the Kentucky Derby trail when he lines up for Saturday’s $250,000 Remsen (G2)  at Aqueduct. The front-running colt will face six rivals…

Nov 28, 2018

Second best to longshot Oxy Lady in last month's Tempted (G3), Enliven is the likely choice in Saturday's $250,000 Demoiselle (G2) over one, 1 1/8-mile lap of the Aqueduct oval. The Demoiselle is a Road to the Kentucky Oaks series prep, awarding qualifying…

Nov 26, 2018

Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner Signalman As a big, immature colt by a late-developing sire in General Quarters, SIGNALMAN figured to be a work in progress, so it’s an encouraging sign that he’s achieved what…

Nov 25, 2018

With the Kentucky Derby still 23 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of “All Other 3-Year-Old Colts and Geldings” closed as the 6-5 favorite in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) and the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I) winner Game Winner…

Nov 24, 2018

After a troubled second in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and a third from post 13 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), Signalman put it together in Saturday’s $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs. Trained by Ken McPeek and piloted by Brian…

Nov 24, 2018

Two years after registering an upset with Farrell in the Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs, trainer Wayne Catalano and jockey Channing Hill played spoiler again in Saturday's $200,000 renewal of the 1 1/16-mile race for two-year-old fillies. Liora,…

Nov 24, 2018

California-bred filly Make Happy remained perfect from two starts when bossing the boys in Saturday’s Cattleya Sho at Tokyo, the first scoring race on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. Sent off as the heavy 2-5 favorite, the Kazuko Yoshida colorbearer…

Nov 22, 2018

The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby begins with the Cattleya Sho on Saturday (Friday night 12:15 a.m. EST) at Tokyo, and four American-breds will compete for points in the allowance race over a metric mile. All four were purchased at public auction,…

Nov 22, 2018

The Best Bet of the Weekend comes from Churchill Downs on Saturday in the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2). A sizable and competitive field is assembled for the Saturday feature and I will look to the rail post for the winner. SIGNALMAN is the top…

Nov 22, 2018

An overflow field of 16, two of which are on the also-eligible list, will contest Saturday’s $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. The 1 1/16-miles test drew a classy cast including the horses that finished second and third in the…

Nov 21, 2018

The 2019 Kentucky Derby Future Wager kicks off this week, running from Thanksgiving Day through Sunday evening at 6 p.m. (EST). This is the 20th year for the Future Wager, which began in 1999, but only the sixth year Pool 1 will be offered in late November. Judging…

Nov 21, 2018

Knicks Go and Signalman, both of whom placed behind Game Winner in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) earlier this month, are among an overflow field in Saturday's $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs. A field of 14, plus two also-eligibles,…

Nov 21, 2018

A leading contender for next year’s Kentucky Oaks (G1), Restless Rider will seek to conclude her juvenile season on a winning note when she lines up for Saturday’s $200,000 Golden Rod (G2) at Churchill Downs. The multiple stakes-winning filly heads a field…

Nov 19, 2018

Seven horses conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer and five-time Kentucky Derby winner Bob Baffert, are among the 24 betting interests in Pool 1 of the 2019 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which kicks off a four- day run at Churchill Downs on Thanksgiving Day.Unbeaten…

Nov 18, 2018

With the first four scoring races on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby in the books, and the next not until March 1, it’s time to take stock of the pro tem leaders. Godolphin’s Royal Marine, hero of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1), tops the list…

Nov 13, 2018

With his victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) earlier this month capping an undefeated campaign, Game Winner is certain to be named champion two-year-old male when the 2018 Eclipse Award winners are announced in late January. Typically included…

Nov 8, 2018

NBC Sports, The Home of Horse Racing in U.S., Adds Two 2019 Triple Crown Prep Races with Live Coverage of Louisiana Derby & Arkansas Derby on NBCSN Stamford, Conn. and Louisville, KY- November 8, 2018- As the home of horse racing in the United…

Nov 7, 2018

What do the results of last weekend's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) portend for the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1)? On the surface, the Juvenile produced an exciting Derby prospect in the winner without it seemingly being a particularly strong renewal. The…

Nov 5, 2018

Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Game Winner Five-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Bob Baffert unveiled an enviable series of hot maiden winners this season, but Gary and Mary West’s GAME WINNER has bragging…

Nov 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (October 31, 2018) – Churchill Downs Racetrack (“Churchill Downs”), one of the world’s most historic sports and entertainment venues, will create an improved infield guest entry experience for the 2019 Kentucky Derby and beyond with a $4.4 million…

Nov 4, 2018

Game Winner and Jaywalk are the “it” horses for next year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1) following the 2018 Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs on Friday and Saturday. But let’s not forget about past participants of the famed Run for the Roses…

Nov 2, 2018

Game Winner further cemented his status as the early favorite for the 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) with a victory in Friday's $1,762,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs. Trained by Bob Baffert, conditioner of Triple Crown winners American…

Nov 2, 2018

Jaywalk showed speed from the start and rolled to a convincing victory in Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Churchill Downs, establishing herself as the top contender for the 2019 Kentucky Oaks (G1) under the Twin Spires. Owned…

Oct 31, 2018

An overflow cast of 15 will converge in the biggest prize of Breeders' Cup weekend in the $6 million Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Three of the contenders earned an automatic berth into the Classic field with “Win & You're In” Breeders'…

Oct 31, 2018

The biggest weekend in racing is upon us. Two days of Breeders’ Cup championship events will take place at Churchill Downs and the Best Bet of the weekend will be held beneath the Twin Spires on Friday. Unbeaten COMPLEXITY (#6) (5-2) is one…

Oct 30, 2018

A total of eight Kentucky Derby alumni will compete on Saturday's Breeders' Cup card at Churchill Downs, all of whom hope to add their names to a very select group. Since 1988, the first of eight occasions Churchill has previously played host to…

Oct 27, 2018

Favored Magna Grecia just outdueled Phoenix of Spain – and then survived a stewards’ inquiry – to give trainer Aidan O’Brien his ninth win in Saturday’s Vertem Futurity Trophy (G1). Doncaster’s signature event for two-year-olds and a pointer to the classics,…

Oct 25, 2018

 total of 15 juveniles threw their hats in the ring to contest Future Star Friday's $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). A trio in the field made their way to Churchill Downs via victories in the "Win & You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge Series…

Oct 25, 2018

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) is among the most exciting events on the biggest weekend of racing. In addition, it holds special intrigue and importance when Churchill Downs hosts it. The Juvenile winner will not only be in the driver’s seat for an…

Oct 25, 2018

Formerly known as the Racing Post Trophy, Saturday’s rebranded Vertem Futurity Trophy (G1) at Doncaster historically yields European classic contenders. The mile feature is also a scoring race on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, offering juveniles…

Oct 22, 2018

Two-time Eclipse Award champion Lookin at Lucky was out of luck in his Breeders’ Cup attempts during his racing career, but as a sire, he’s in a position to go for an unprecedented Classic (G1)/Distaff (G1) double on November 3 at Churchill Downs. While…

Oct 19, 2018

One of two key Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) trends will likely be defied in the November 2 renewal at Churchill Downs . The question is, which one? For a race that had been a haven for favorites in its early years, the Juvenile has turned into unfriendly…

Oct 18, 2018

Chad Brown. Turf racing. Any questions? Saturday is Empire Showcase Day for New York-breds at Belmont Park , with eight stakes races worth a total of $1.75 million. The weather is supposed to cooperate so we are hoping all five turf races stay on…

Oct 18, 2018

1.       CHAMPIONS DAY AT ROYAL ASCOT Four Group-1 events will headline a massive day of racing at Ascot on Saturday. Champions Day will play host to prestigious races such as the Champion Stakes (Eng-G1), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-G1), Champions…

Oct 14, 2018

A couple weeks ago, identifying Thoroughbreds by color and markings was discussed. But now it’s time to discuss the rarest color – or non-color as it were. That is the color white. It’s easy to overlook when referring to Thoroughbreds because so…

Oct 11, 2018

1) CLIMBING THE EVEREST The world’s richest turf race will be held at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday. The A$13 million TAB Everest will host a dozen of the top turf sprinters in training for the feature, led by defending champ Redzel.…

Oct 11, 2018

There used to be one Daily Double bet each day at racetracks and it involved picking the winners of the first two races of the day. Now, many tracks have Daily Doubles that begin with every race but the last. And it is an unappreciated bet since many bettors…

Oct 11, 2018

European Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Royal Marine Godolphin’s homebred ROYAL MARINE could get the opportunity to test dirt while wintering in Dubai. That makes the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail a plausible option…

Oct 7, 2018

Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile Champagne Stakes winner Complexity It’s easy to see why trainer Chad Brown has hailed COMPLEXITY  as an “outstanding talent.” After a flashy debut score at Saratoga, the Klaravich Stables runner followed up…

Oct 7, 2018

Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile Breeders’ Futurity winner Knicks Go KNICKS GO, let go at 70-1 in the October 6 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, sprang the biggest upset in the history of the race. While it might have been a fluke…

Oct 7, 2018

Godolphin’s Royal Marine outdueled Coolmore’s Broome in a battle of global empires in Sunday's Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) on Arc Day at ParisLongchamp. Stalking pacesetter Broome early, the Saeed bin Suroor trainee wore his rival down to earn 10 points…

Oct 6, 2018

With a convincing wire-to-wire win in the $500,000 Champagne (G1) , Complexity confirmed himself as a top contender for the November 2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs. He earned a free berth to the Juvenile in the “Win & You’re In” event…

Oct 6, 2018

Knicks Go produced pari-mutuel fireworks in Saturday's $500,000 Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, a Road to the Kentucky Derby series prep and a "Win & You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge race for next month's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at…

Oct 5, 2018

On Saturday, a pair of two-year-old contests will not only award points toward a spot in next year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) but also bestow all-fees paid berths to this year’s Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs. FREE Brisnet.com PPs for the Breeders’ Futurity…

Oct 5, 2018

The next stop on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby lies in Paris, where Anodor must repel invaders from Britain and Ireland to stay undefeated in Sunday’s Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1). The only points race in France, the about one-mile affair is also…

Oct 4, 2018

A fantastic weekend of U.S. racing is upon us, with a bevy of races with Breeders’ Cup implications being hosted by Belmont Park , Santa Anita and Keeneland. While my top play of the weekend is not in a “Win & You’re In” event , it is a lucrative…

Oct 4, 2018

A fantastic weekend of racing awaits us both on U.S. soil and abroad. Here is a list of 10 things for horse racing enthusiasts to keep their eyes on. ENABLE DEFENDS TITLE IN ARC DE TRIOMPHE Labeled by some as the greatest horse race in the world, Sunday…

Oct 3, 2018

Call Paul brings top credentials into Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne (G1) at Belmont Park, improving to two-for-two with a victory in the August 12 Saratoga Special (G2), but the John Servis-trained son of Friesan Fire could be overshadowed in a 10-horse…

Oct 3, 2018

Mind Control displayed excellent moxie winning the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga on September 3, shrugging off multiple challenges on the front end to prevail by nearly a length in his stakes debut, and the speedy son of Stay Thirsty will try to carry his momentum…

Oct 2, 2018

Game Winner confirmed himself as a major prospect for the 2019 Kentucky Derby with a 4 1/2-length victory in the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita, remaining unbeaten in his third career start and two-turn debut for owners Gary and Mary West and Hall…

Oct 1, 2018

European Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile Beresford winner Japan As a colt who didn’t see a racecourse until September, Aidan O’Brien’s JAPAN has made rapid progress to finish the month by capturing the Beresford (G2) at Naas. Even better, the…

Oct 1, 2018

European Road to the Kentucky Derby Horse Profile Royal Lodge winner Mohawk Trained by Aidan O’Brien for the Coolmore partnership of Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, and Michael Tabor, MOHAWK is just one of the budding European classic prospects for…

Sep 30, 2018

Trainer Aidan O’Brien recorded his 18th victory in the Beresford (G2) at Naas on Sunday, not with 11-8 favorite Mount Everest, but with 11-2 chance Japan, who caught fire late to deny his stablemate on the wire. Well handled by Seamie Heffernan, Japan won…

Sep 30, 2018

Bellafina continued her dominance of the Southern California two-year-old filly division in the $300,000 Chandelier (G1), drawing off to a 6 1/2-length decision. Now a three-time stakes winner for owner Kaleen Shah and trainer Simon Callaghan, the Quality…

Sep 29, 2018

Game Winner continued his ascent as the West Coast's leading Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful with a 4 1/2-length victory in Saturday's $300,000 American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita Park. Pressing the pace-setting Rowayton to the quarter pole, Game…