Kentucky Derby News

Jun 24, 2017

Two more horses coming out of the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1) rebounded with graded stakes victories on Saturday. Battle of Midway, a gritty third in the Run for the Roses, romped in the Affirmed (G3) at Santa Anita. And Irap, an uncharacteristic 18th at Churchill…

Jun 19, 2017

Following on from the historical connections between the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot, two contemporary Derby-winning trainers will go head-to-head in the opening event of the Royal meeting on Tuesday morning. And later on the card, Thunder Snow, famous…

Jun 18, 2017

Between the two world wars, two Kentucky Derby winners went close to winning the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Jun 17, 2017

One of the leading Kentucky Derby contenders earlier in the season, McCraken didn’t get the chance to show his best when being interfered with at the start of the Run for the Roses. Connections opted to use the June 17 Matt Winn (G3) on the Stephen Foster…

Jun 16, 2017

Where can you find the next races for Kentucky Derby runners? So, you’ve taken an interest in the Kentucky Derby, through the prep races and the Triple Crown. Along the way, you’ve gotten to know the horses well, and maybe had some successful wagers. The…

Jun 10, 2017

Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Robert LaPenta’s Tapwrit ran down 5-2 favorite Irish War Cry on Saturday in the 149th edition of the Belmont Stakes (G1) to give trainer Todd Pletcher two-thirds of the 2017 Triple Crown. Belmont Stakes…

Jun 5, 2017

The Belmont Stakes is best-remembered for the coronation of its Triple Crown winners, the 12 elite horses that had won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes beforehand. But the Belmont has also been won by greats of the sport that did not...

Jun 2, 2017

Belmont Stakes Records Set By Kentucky Derby Winners With the Belmont Stakes coming up on Saturday, June 10th, let's look at some notable moments of past Derby winners who have gone on to contest the test of a champion. First Kentucky Derby winner to contest…

May 25, 2017

Cloud Computing’s triumph in the 2017 Preakness Stakes was unusual in that he was just the eighth winner in the last 50 years not to have contested the Kentucky Derby. However, new shooters to the U.S. classics have found more success in the Belmont Stakes…

May 20, 2017

Klaravich Stables Inc. and William Lawrence’s Cloud Computing entered Saturday’s 142nd running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) with three starts under his girth and seeking a first stakes victory. The dark bay son of Maclean’s Music exited the 1 3/16-mile contest…

May 19, 2017

In its simplest form, handicapping Saturday’s Preakness (G1) is a referendum on Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Always Dreaming, and whether he’ll repeat the feat at Pimlico. Because so many believe he will, Always Dreaming is the odds-on favorite to win again,…

May 19, 2017

Gary and Mary West’s homebred Actress entered Friday’s $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) at Pimlico winless in two starts, but rose to the top with a rallying finish to break her maiden under jockey Nik Juarez. The gray daughter of Tapit ran near…

May 19, 2017

We asked some of our Churchill Downs trainers who they think will win Saturday’s Preakness Stakes…. Tom Bohannan (trained Preakness winners Pine Bluff, ‘92 and Prairie Bayou, ’93): “I miss not being at Pimlico with a good horse. Always Dreaming…

May 15, 2017

Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Always Dreaming will try to turn a classic double in Saturday’s Preakness (G1) at Pimlico, and keep the Triple Crown hopes burning going into the June 10 Belmont S. (G1). Since arriving in Baltimore May 9, Always Dreaming has…

May 7, 2017

ALWAYS DREAMING (1st)/TAPWRIT (6th)/PATCH (14th)– They were up and at ‘em early at the Todd Pletcher barn Sunday morning following the outfit’s smashing tally in Kentucky Derby 143 Saturday accomplished by the stable’s talented colt Always Dreaming.“Dreaming”…

May 6, 2017

Highest all-time wagering from all-sources on both the Kentucky Derby Day program and the Kentucky Derby race  LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 6, 2017) – Derby fans weathered rainstorms and the unseasonal cold during the day, to watch post-time favorite Always Dreaming…

May 6, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 6, 2017) – MeB Racing Stables, Brooklyn Boyz Stables, Teresa Viola Racing Stables, St. Elias Stable, Siena Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds’ favored Always Dreaming shook clear of longshot State of Honor at the half-mile pole,…

May 6, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 6, 2017): John Velazquez, rider of Always Dreaming (1st) – “This is the best horse Todd (Pletcher) and I have ever come to the Kentucky Derby with. Nothing against all the others, but this was the best horse. I got a good position…

May 6, 2017

TRAINER QUOTES FROM THE 143RD RUNNING OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 6, 2017): Todd Pletcher, trainer of Always Dreaming (1st)/Tapwrit (sixth)/Patch (14th) – (A very emotional Todd Pletcher shedding tears of joy): “I knew we had a…

May 6, 2017

DIVISIDERO REPEATS IN WOODFORD RESERVE TURF CLASSIC LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 6, 2017) – Gunpowder Farms’ Divisidero unleashed a powerful stretch run to post a half-length victory over pace-setting Beach Patrol to repeat in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve…

May 6, 2017

LIMOUSINE LIBERAL HOLDS OFF AWESOME SLEW TO WIN CHURCHILL DOWNS LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 6, 2017) – Katherine Ball’s homebred Limousine Liberal overtook favoredMasochistic at the head of the stretch and then held off a late bid from Awesome Slew by a…

May 6, 2017

ARKLOW SPRINGS UPSET IN AMERICAN TURF LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 6, 2017) – Donegal Racing’s Arklow rallied from off the pace to spring a 15-1 upset by a length over Good Samaritan in the 26th running of the $300,000 American Turf (Grade II) presented…

May 6, 2017

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May 6, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 6, 2017) – Sheep Pond Partners, Newport Stables and Bradley Thoroughbreds’ Roca Rojo (IRE) edged a game Believe in Bertie by a head to win the 32nd running of the $300,000 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (GII) for fillies and mares. Trained…

May 6, 2017

PAULASSILVERLINING PREVAILS IN HUMANA DISTAFF LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 6, 2017– Juddmonte Farms’ Paulassilverlining moved past pacesettingSuper Humor on the far turn and then held off a prolonged bid from Breeders’ Cup winner Finest City by a neck to…

May 6, 2017

ABEL TASMAN – An authoritative, last-to-first victory by China Horse Club and Clearsky Farms’ Abel Tasman in Friday’s Longines Kentucky Oaks is the latest example of why the world’s most prominent owners seek out Bob Baffert to care for their most talented…

May 6, 2017

There are a number of questions the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby can answer, but let’s keep it simple and look at five. 1 – In 2016, trainer Keith Desormeaux and jockey Kent Desormeaux just missed becoming the first trainer/jockey siblings to win…

May 6, 2017

After summing up the pedigree connections between the 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders and gladiators of Derbies past, let’s look at some additional fun facts about their ancestry. In post position order: 1. Lookin at Lee descends from a strong female…

May 5, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 5, 2017) – Fans braved an all-day rain and the coldest Oaks Day since 1940 as Abel Tasman captured the 143rd running of the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) at Churchill Downs Racetrack.  The dreary weather, which kept thousands…

May 5, 2017

Bob Baffert, trainer of Abel Tasman (1st) -- “It’s just exciting to win the Kentucky Oaks. We’d like to have a horse in the Derby but I’m so happy for the China Horse Club. They trusted me with the filly. And ‘Big Money’ Mike (Smith), what can you say? Incredible…

May 5, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 5, 2017): Mike Smith, rider of Abel Tasman (1st) -- “Immediately after her second-place finish in the Santa Anita Oaks, we (Smith and trainer Bob Baffert) both realized she probably needed a slight blinker. She broke OK that…

May 5, 2017

China Horse Club and Clearsky Farms’Abel Tasman rallied from far back and then held off a late bid from Daddys Lil Darlingby 1 ¼ lengths to win the 143rd running of the $1,000,000 Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) for 3-year-old fillies before a crowd of 105,100…

May 5, 2017

OXLEY RUNS 1-2 AS LA CORONEL ROLLS TO EDGEWOOD VICTORY LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 5, 2017) – John Oxley’s La Coronel surged past her stablemate Dream Dancing inside the sixteenth pole to claim a half-length victory in the 33rd running of the $150,000 Edgewood…

May 5, 2017

BENNER ISLAND HOLDS OFF UNION STRIKE TO WIN EIGHT BELLES LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 5, 2017) – Shortleaf Stable’s Benner Island held off the fast-closing Union Strike by a head and survived a rider’s objection to win the 62nd running of the $200,000 Eight…

May 5, 2017

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May 5, 2017

Bird Song Soars in the Slop to Win Alysheba LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 5, 2017) – Marylou Whitney Stables’ Bird Song won the chase to the first turn ahead of Honorable Duty and favored American Freedom and never surrendered the lead to win the 14th running…

May 5, 2017

It's the first Saturday in May and, as a newcomer to the Sport of Kings, you're ready to bet the first horse race of your life – the Kentucky Derby. It's by far the most popular race in the country, attracting nearly $125 million in wagers in 2016, and this time you want to be in on the action.

May 5, 2017

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May 5, 2017

ALWAYS DREAMING/PATCH/TAPWRIT – The Todd Pletcher barn was busy and humming Friday morning, a day before Kentucky Derby 143. The trainer had his four Derby candidates on the track at5:30 to take advantage of a special 5:30-5:45 exercise period for Derby and…

May 5, 2017

The 2017 Kentucky Derby represents a challenging puzzle for handicappers. The 1 ¼-mile race for 3-year-olds, the opening leg of the American Triple Crown, lacks a standout and a case can be made for more than half the 20-horse field. I keep coming back…

May 5, 2017

Tools to Help Your First-Time Visit to the Kentucky Derby Are you planning to bet on the Kentucky Derby for the first time, especially at a track? It can seem a little bewildering, but there are plenty of things that can help.  Here are five useful…

May 5, 2017

Final preps can, and do, play a role in how runners perform in a big race. So what is the prep race that has produced the most Kentucky Oaks (G1) winners? That is a lot of ground to cover considering the 143rd running of the contest takes place later…

May 4, 2017

A field of 14 plus one also-eligible has been entered to go 1 1/8 miles on Friday in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. The Run for the Lilies takes place one day before the famed Kentucky Derby and has drawn a talented, and competitive,…

May 4, 2017

Always be prepared! A day at the races is a fun day out in all circumstances. But you can enjoy it much more – and be more successful with your betting – if you do a little bit of homework beforehand. Here are five things you can do that can help: STUDY…

May 4, 2017

BUY SELL HOLD TAKES KENTUCKY JUVENILE; PLEUVEN (FR) PREVAILS IN OPENING VERSE LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, May 4, 2017) – Kirk and Judy Robison’s Buy Sell Hold held off a late bid from Amberspatriot by a neck to win the 24th running of the $100,000 Kentucky…

May 4, 2017

The 143rd runnings of the Kentucky Derby and Oaks have finally arrived but not everyone can make it out to Churchill Downs for the events. Those watching from home have a couple of options to watch both the Run for the Lilies on Friday and Run for…

May 4, 2017

DERBY AND OAKS HOPEFULS DODGE THE RAIN THURSDAY MORNING  LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, May 4, 2017) – Several conditioners opted to move Thursday morning training sessions up a bit to beat what was forecast to be a rainy morning. Instead, the most serious…

May 4, 2017

As the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail heated up through the spring, we’ve gone back to take a look at the contenders as youngsters. Now as Derby Day approaches, it’s time to revisit those profiles. But to make it a little more interesting, we’re just using…

May 3, 2017

James Beard Award And Top Chef Winners Join Nationally Renowned Chefs For Evening Of Exquisite Cuisines Created By Nationally Renowned Chefs  LOUISVILLE, Ky., Wednesday, May 3, 2017 – Churchill Downs Racetrack announced today that the eighth annual Taste of…

May 3, 2017

Gunpowder Farms’ Divisidero will face 11 rivals Saturday as he bids to repeat in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (Grade I), one of seven graded stakes on the 14-race program that is highlighted by the 143rd running of the $2 million Kentucky Derby…

May 3, 2017

John Oxley’s Classic Empire was made the 4-1 morning-line favorite for Kentucky Derby 143 when post positions were drawn Wednesday morning in the Aristides Lounge at Churchill Downs. Prior to the draw during morning training, Louisiana Derby (Grade II) winner…

May 3, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, May 3, 2017) – John Oxley’s Classic Empire, the unanimous Eclipse Award selection as champion 2-year-old of 2016 and a three-time Grade I winner, has been established as the 4-1 morning-line favorite in a field of 20 3-year-olds…

May 3, 2017

Untrapped, a third-generation product of Indian Creek Farm, sports a fascinating pedigree pattern redolent of nearby Claiborne Farm, also in Kentucky’s famed Bourbon County. The connection actually goes to the human side of Indian Creek too. The farm…

May 2, 2017

It’s a curious fact of American racing history that its greatest Thoroughbred legend, Man o’ War, didn’t contest the nation’s most celebrated race, the Kentucky Derby (G1). But in 2017, as we celebrate the centennial of Man o’ War’s birth, the blood of…

May 2, 2017

Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks patrons should be familiar items on this year's roster of permitted and banned items on Churchill Downs' list of Derby and Oaks "Dos and Don'ts." The lists are identical to those in place a year ago.

May 2, 2017

Seltzer Thoroughbreds’ Finest City, winner of last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (Grade I) headlines a field of nine entered Tuesday for the 32nd running of the $300,000 La Troienne (Grade I) Presented by Spirit Funds for fillies and mares going…

May 2, 2017

Godolphin Racing’s Thunder Snow (IRE) exited quarantine Tuesday morning and made his first visit to the main track at Churchill Downs. Going out during the special training period reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses at 8:30, Thunder Snow jogged a…

May 2, 2017

Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella's Paradise Woods, winner of the Santa Anita Oaks (GI), has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in a full field of 14 3-year-old fillies entered to compete in Friday's 143rd running of the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) at Churchill Do wns.

May 2, 2017

  As the grandson of a bargain $17,000 yearling purchase campaigned in the Pacific Northwest by Exclusive Stable and Ray Hanson, Lookin at Lee is a case study in how classy female lines can spring to life again. At the 1995 Keeneland September Yearling…

May 2, 2017

Fast and Accurate will try to become the third Pennsylvania-bred to wear the roses, after Lil E. Tee (1992) and Smarty Jones (2004). But although he was foaled in the Keystone State, the gray colt grew up in the Bluegrass, at his breeder John R. Penn’s farm…

May 1, 2017

Asmussen Trio, Sonneteer Work Toward Derby 143; Gormley, Royal Mo Arrive from California  LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Monday, May 1, 2017) – Trainer Steve Asmussen’s three Kentucky Derby hopefuls turned in half-mile works Monday morning at Churchill Downs as did Sonneteer…

May 1, 2017

It lies on one of Lexington's major thoroughfares and beside iconic Keeneland Race Course, but even without the advantages of geography Calumet Farm would never be far from the subconscious of first-time visitors or long-time residents of Central Kentucky's…

May 1, 2017

If UAE Derby (G2) hero Thunder Snow can land a blow at Churchill Downs, he would be a fitting first Kentucky Derby (G1) winner for the Godolphin empire built by Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum of Dubai. Descending from the same female line as Godolphin’s first-ever…

May 1, 2017

Sonneteer, the third of Calumet Farm’s trio to make the starting gate for the 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1), was also the unlikeliest. And not just because he’s still a maiden after 10 starts who needed defections to draw into the field. Like Sunland Derby…

Apr 30, 2017

If you’ve been a Kentucky Derby (G1) fan in recent years, you’ll probably remember runners like Pioneerof the Nile, Bodemeister, Curlin, Union Rags, Lookin at Lucky, and Dialed In. Depending upon how far back your Derby memories go, you may have seen Unbridled,…

Apr 30, 2017

Two Kentucky Derby likely entrants and two Kentucky Oaks hopefuls worked Sunday morning over a fast track at Churchill Downs. Whitham Thoroughbreds’ McCraken worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 and Kendall Hansen, Skychai Racing and Bode Miller’s Fast and Accurate…

Apr 30, 2017

The whirlwind journey occurred in 2014. “I literally went from Louisiana Downs to Monmouth Park to Aqueduct to Churchill Downs in less than the span of a year,” Travis Stone explained. Stone, 33, was named track announcer at Churchill Downs in December…

Apr 29, 2017

J Boys Echo, once in the shadow of Not This Time, has stepped up into the void left by his retired stablemate and emerged as a proper Kentucky Derby (G1) contender in his own right. That development over time was to be expected, judging by J Boys Echo’s…

Apr 29, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, April 29, 2017) – Two Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) hopefuls worked Saturday morning in the state: Albaugh Family Stables’ J Boys Echo breezed five furlongs in 1:01 after the morning renovation break at Churchill…

Apr 29, 2017

"Who's the greatest horse in the history of the universe?" For Michael Blowen, this shouted, rhetorical query isn't a solicitation to debate. It's merely a sincere and heartfelt ploy to attract the attention of an aging gray stallion grazing in his paddock…

Apr 29, 2017

In their first few years in racing, Erik and Pavla Nygaard of Thor-Bred Stables achieved top-level success with their bargain buy Rigoletta. Now a prized member of their small broodmare band, Rigoletta has provided them with another rapidly attained milestone:…

Apr 28, 2017

Battalion Runner is the latest Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful bred and raised by the Justice family’s Dell Ridge Farm. Established in 1998 by the late Frank Justice, the Lexington, Kentucky, nursery has been responsible for two top Derby prospects in recent…

Apr 28, 2017

Eclipse Award winner Classic Empire started the activity at 6 o’clock Friday morning but things really got hopping during the 8:30-8:45 training window at Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses when a dozen hopefuls for the two races put in their…

Apr 28, 2017

“It’s unbelievable. We’re so excited. It’s a dream that we didn’t even dream.” That’s how Penny Conrad described the Kentucky Derby (G1) odyssey of State of Honor, an Ontario homebred campaigned by Penny and her husband, Manfred. Neither of the Conrads…

Apr 27, 2017

Practical Joke proves that you don’t have to be a mega-sized breeding operation to come up with a top-class Kentucky Derby (G1) contender. He hails from the small broodmare band belonging to the Whispering Oaks Farm of Keith Crupper and his trainer brother,…

Apr 27, 2017

Two-year-old champion Classic Empire and Florida Derby (Grade I) runner-up State of Honor could bring a lifelong dream to the Mark Casse barn in the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) on Saturday, May 6. “There isn't a day that goes…

Apr 26, 2017

Breeding racehorses might feel like you’re throwing darts, just hoping to hit a target, but in Girvin’s case, it literally happened that way. If it weren’t for a Darby Dan Farm party in late 2012, and a providential dart landing on a certain triangle on…

Apr 26, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, April 26, 2017) – For the first time in nearly a month, trainer Todd Pletcher had all of his Kentucky Derby hopefuls in one shedrow. The last of the contingent, Always Dreaming and Patch, arrived after training hours Tuesday…

Apr 26, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, April 26, 2017) – TruGreen is proud to announce its partnership with Churchill Downs, home of The Kentucky Derby. TruGreen has joined Churchill Downs as a proud partner caring for 37 acres of turf at the facility.  Located…

Apr 25, 2017

Peacock Racing Stables’ Gunnevera, a three-time graded stakes winner and a millionaire in his young career, took his first steps on the main track at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morning with exercise rider Victor Farrel aboard.  On hand to supervise the…

Apr 24, 2017

Whitham Thoroughbreds’ McCracken turned in his penultimate workout for Kentucky Derby 143 by working five furlongs in 1:00.60 in company on a sunny Monday morning at Churchill Downs.  Also working toward the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum!…

Apr 23, 2017

If you’re on the lookout for a sentimental rooting interest, especially one who’s had to overcome adversity, Patch qualifies. He’s one of a trio of 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls for historic Calumet Farm, along with Sunland Derby (G3) hero Hence and…

Apr 23, 2017

Calumet Farm is the most successful owner/breeder in Kentucky Derby (G1) history. A record eight winners have represented the Lexington, Kentucky, establishment, including such Triple Crown legends as Whirlaway (1941) and Citation (1948), and the unlucky…

Apr 23, 2017

 Albaugh Family Stable’s J Boys Echo breezed a half-mile in :49.20 Sunday at Churchill Downs in preparation for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) on Saturday, May 6.J Boys Echo, with regular exercise rider Tammy Fox aboard,…

Apr 22, 2017

Thanks to inclement weather, Janis Whitham’s McCraken and the Albaugh Family Stable’s J Boys Echo were the only two 3-year-olds on the “sloppy” main track Saturday during the first of Churchill Downs’ exclusive Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks training periods from…

Apr 21, 2017

Churchill Downs Racetrack, in conjunction with TwinSpires.com, will provide live online streaming of Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders’ workouts when the exclusive 8:30-8:45 a.m. (all times Eastern) training window begins Saturday in earnest.The live…

Apr 21, 2017

CASSE DUO OF STATE OF HONOR, SALTY BREEZE FOR KENTUCKY DERBY, OAKS Trainer Mark Casse’s barn breezed 16 horses Friday morning at Churchill Downs including Florida Derby (GI) runner-up State of Honor, who worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 for the Grade I, $2 million…

Apr 20, 2017

Always Dreaming will try to make it two straight Kentucky Derby (G1) winners who have called Gerry Dilger’s Dromoland Farm home. But unlike last year’s Derby champion, Nyquist, who moved to the Lexington, Kentucky, farm after he was bought as a weanling,…

Apr 18, 2017

DERBY FANS ACROSS THE NATION INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN RAFFLES TO SUPPORT THROUGHBRED AFTERCARE AND OTHER CHARITABLE INITIATIVESLOUISVILLE, KY., (Monday, April 17, 2017) – Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation today announced the opening of three separate…

Apr 18, 2017

Janis Whitham’s Blue Grass (Grade II) third-place finisher McCraken breezed a half-mile in :47.80 Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Ian Wilkes in preparation for the Grade I, $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 6.McCraken,…

Apr 18, 2017

Classic Empire waited until the final major prep for the Kentucky Derby, the Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 15, to validate his status as a major contender. He came back from a 70-day layoff to post a half-length decision at Oaklawn Park and is now the probable…

Apr 17, 2017

Classic Empire, last year’s champion 2-year-old who won Saturday’s Arkansas Derby (Grade I), arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday morning to prepare for the Grade I, $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 6. Classic Empire,…

Apr 16, 2017

The Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races came to a close on Friday, April 14, at Oaklawn Park when Ever So Clever prevailed in the Fantasy Stakes (G3). Before that, however, there were a couple of upset wins and a new exciting prospect for…

Apr 16, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sunday, April 16, 2017) – Florida Derby (Grade I) runner-up State of Honor breezed a half-mile in :49.80 over a fast track on Easter Sunday at Churchill Downs in preparation for a start in the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands…

Apr 15, 2017

John C. Oxley’s Classic Empire jumped all the way from 21st on the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard to second following a gutsy half-length victory in Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. The bay son of Pioneerof the Nile didn’t have the…

Apr 15, 2017

After Senior Investment got up on the wire in Saturday’s $200,000 Lexington S. (G3), trainer Ken McPeek joked that the race should carry more Kentucky Derby (G1) points – immediately! Alas, the Lexington winner receives 10 points, not nearly enough to make…

Apr 15, 2017

LOUISIANA DERBY WINNER GIRVIN BREEZES AT CHURCHILL DOWNS' TRACKSIDE - Kentucky Derby contender Girvin recorded his first breeze since winning the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade II) with a half-mile move in :47.80 on Saturday morning at Trackside Louisville,…

Apr 14, 2017

Clearview Stable’s Ever So Clever proved best by 1 3/4 lengths on Friday at Oaklawn Park in the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3), the final points race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series. The win awarded the Steve Asmussen trainee 100 points toward a…

Apr 14, 2017

The Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by TwinSpires.com concludes Saturday with the $1 million Arkansas Derby (Grade I), which will help finalize the preference list for the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) on Saturday,…

Apr 13, 2017

“When he got hooked in the lane, I thought for sure that Practical Joke was going by him. But that Silken Cat was so tough, and it came out in him.” Thus Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Farm saw the influence of Irap’s mother, Canadian champion Silken…