Kentucky Derby News

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

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…

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…

Sep 29, 2018

Aidan O’Brien runners swept the first scoring race on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Royal Lodge (G2) at Newmarket on Saturday, with Mohawk leading home stablemates Sydney Opera House and Cape of Good Hope. Aside from banking 10 points on the…

Sep 28, 2018

Kentucky Derby (G1) alumni Lone Sailor and Combatant are among 11 three-year-olds entered in Sunday's $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park. Eighth at Churchill Downs and a narrow loser of the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Ohio Derby (G3) earlier…

Sep 28, 2018

A huge day of racing with major Breeders’ Cup implications will be held at Belmont Park on Saturday. Four graded races will be contested, three of which are graded and part of the “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series. Race 7 on the card is the Vosburgh Stakes…

Sep 28, 2018

European Road to the Kentucky Derby Beresford Stakes Preview The Kentucky Derby prep-race season goes through Ireland on Sunday where a field of seven juveniles will go one mile in the Beresford Stakes (G2) on the turf course at Naas. There will be a long…

Sep 27, 2018

Saturday’s Royal Lodge (G2) at Newmarket (8:50 a.m. EDT) serves as the first scoring race on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby. The mile test could have a more immediate impact for Churchill Downs, as a “Win and You’re In” for the November 2 Breeders’…

Sep 26, 2018

It started life as the Norfolk and in recent years has been run as the FrontRunner. On Saturday, the $300,000 American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita Park oozes with long-term implications as both a Road to the Kentucky Derby series prep and a "Win…

Sep 24, 2018

Just as political polls are a snapshot in time, so are rankings of Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls that can – and will – change as new evidence becomes available. Hence I offer my latest list with a degree of trepidation, knowing with moral certainty…

Sep 24, 2018

Last year’s champion two-year-old colt Good Magic, who sparred valiantly with Justify in the first two jewels of the Triple Crown, has been retired to stud. He will now stand alongside his sire, Hall of Famer Curlin, at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms near Lexington,…

Sep 23, 2018

Ever hear the phrase, “A horse of a different color?” Most have, probably in part thanks to “The Wizard of Oz” and the carriage ride Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion took through the Emerald City. The phrase is understood to mean “a…

Sep 22, 2018

The once and future king? That’s the role McKinzie wants to stake out for himself, after returning from a six-month layoff to capture Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing. Bob Baffert’s leading Kentucky Derby (G1) contender over…

Sep 22, 2018

Kentucky Oaks (G1) star Monomoy Girl finally had her winning streak snapped in Saturday’s $1 million Cotillion (G1) at Parx Racing, but it took a stewards’ ruling to reverse the result on the racetrack. After staving off Midnight Bisou by a neck, the 1-2…

Sep 22, 2018

I recently viewed Kentucky Derby (G1) video covering the last 25 years, and it never gets old to me. We have witnessed some superb performances over the last 2 1/2 decades, along with some deft rides from standout jockeys. The following compilation…

Sep 21, 2018

The name Celestial Insight should be a familiar one to close followers of the Churchill Downs racing scene. The five-year-old mare has raced five times at the track over the past two years, peaking last November by winning a third-level allowance. In…

Sep 20, 2018

Parx Racing commands most of the attention Saturday with a pair of $1 million races on tap, but there’s plenty of other action to watch as well. Here’s one take on the top 10 things to know for this weekend’s racing: 1. The $1 million Pennsylvania…

Sep 20, 2018

A trio of 2018 Kentucky Derby (G1) contestants will represent the classic form in Saturday’s $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx. Two sport a new look, so to speak. Hofburg adds blinkers for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, while Instilled Regard…

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…

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…