Kentucky Derby News

Mar 2, 2021

Godolphin’s 2-year-old champion and winner of the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (Grade III) Essential Quality was made the 7-2 morning line favorite in the field of 24 betting choices for Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW), which will open on…

Mar 2, 2021

Unbeaten juvenile champion Essential Quality opened his three-year-old season with a victory in Saturday’s $750,000 Southwest S. (G3) at Oaklawn Park. Delayed 12 days due to adverse weather, the 1 1/16-mile Southwest was contested only two weeks prior…

Mar 2, 2021

After winning the Holy Bull S. (G3) in late January, Greatest Honour came back to add Saturday’s Fountain of Youth S. (G2) to his ledger. He will seek a sweep of the Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Gulfstream Park in the $750,000 Florida Derby (G1) on March…

Mar 1, 2021

Essential Quality's delayed season debut finally got out of the way on Saturday when the juvenile champion put on a dominating display over a sloppy Oaklawn Park strip in the Southwest (G3), which had been postponed nearly two weeks due to inclement weather. The…

Feb 28, 2021

Essential Quality had his three-year-old reappearance in Saturday’s $750,000 Southwest S. (G3) delayed 12 days due to adverse weather, and caught a sloppy track at Oaklawn Park, but the unbeaten two-year-old champion did not disappoint as the odds-on favorite,…

Feb 28, 2021

Courtlandt Farms’ homebred Greatest Honour continued his ascent as a major Kentucky Derby (G1) contender in Saturday’s $300,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Following up on his dominant display in the Jan. 30 Holy Bull (G3) at the same track…

Feb 28, 2021

Overlooked at 52-1, Wholebodemeister established herself as a Kentucky Oaks contender with a runaway victory in Saturday’s $200,000 Davona Dale S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The Juan Avila-trained filly sped forward from her rail post to duel for the early…

Feb 27, 2021

Turfway Park featured new qualifiers for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks on Friday evening. Hush of a Storm survived an inquiry and objection to post a minor upset in the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial S., and Wait for Nairobi recorded a 15-1 surprise in…

Feb 26, 2021

An overflow field of 13 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles on the synthetic oval at Turfway Park in Friday’s $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial S. The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby event, which is the local prep for the $250,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on…

Feb 25, 2021

After being postponed multiple times due to poor weather conditions, the $750,000 Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park will finally take place on Saturday. The lucrative 1 1/16-mile race has produced 17 Kentucky Derby starters since 2010 and coincidentally awards…

Feb 25, 2021

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s decades-long quest for the Kentucky Derby (G1) could reach fruition in 2021. His globally renowned Godolphin operation has more than just promising prospects on the trail. Leading the charge of Godolphin homebreds is…

Feb 25, 2021

Note: Please open the attached pdf document or paste the following in your browser for additional information: https://bit.ly/2P38lpMWith just nine weeks remaining until the first Saturday in May, the Road to the Kentucky Derby will continue this weekend…

Feb 25, 2021

Back in 2013, Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey won the $300,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park with Orb, a stretch-running colt who went on to claim victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Eight years later, McGaughey is returning to the Fountain…

Feb 23, 2021

The $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park has long served as a local steppingstone toward the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), Turfway's signature race. But Friday's renewal of the John Battaglia is the most significant to date—for the first time, the 1 1/16-mile…

Feb 23, 2021

Nearly two weeks after he was originally scheduled to commence his sophomore campaign on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, 2020 juvenile champion Essential Quality will finally get to run in, and Oaklawn Park will finally get to stage, the $750,000 Southwest…

Feb 23, 2021

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - February 23, 2021 – Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced that Master Milliner and owner of Louisville-based Formé Millinery Jenny Pfanenstiel has been named a Featured Milliner of the 147th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve.…

Feb 23, 2021

Withers (G3) hero Risk Taking has a well-constructed pedigree, a rock-solid foundation to assure even the most conservative investor. Bred along a successful cross, he also sports a less common inbreeding pattern, one that he shares with a commanding Kentucky…

Feb 22, 2021

Turfway Park's acquisition by Churchill Downs has given the northern Kentucky track additional point-scoring races on both the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks series, beginning with Friday's $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial…

Feb 21, 2021

Triple Crown-nominated La Perouse was slow to begin in Sunday’s Hyacinth S. at Tokyo, but rolled late to take leadership of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Kazuo Fujisawa trainee banked 30 points, surpassing the winners of the first two scoring races…

Feb 19, 2021

John Fradkin and Diane Fradkin’s homebred Rombauer earned 10 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his neck victory in the $101,350 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate on Feb. 13. The three-year-old colt negotiated nine…

Feb 19, 2021

Takeru Pegasus nearly wired the first race on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Nov. 28 Cattleya Stakes, only to be run down late by Lemon Pop. Sunday’s Hyacinth Stakes is held over the same metric mile at Tokyo, and with no Lemon Pop in the line-up,…

Feb 18, 2021

A Kentucky-bred daughter of Empire Maker, Mnasek has earned her ticket back stateside after a dominant victory in Thursday’s $125,000 UAE Oaks (G3) at Meydan. But the Al Rashid Stables runner could make one more start in Dubai, if connections decide to take…

Feb 16, 2021

Point values increased from the Feb. 13 Risen Star S. (G2), and Mandaloun likely guaranteed his Kentucky Derby participation by posting a 1 1/4-length victory. As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, the 1 1/8-mile Risen Star awarded points…

Feb 16, 2021

Derby’s First Featured Milliner Continues Role for Fourth Consecutive Year LOUISVILLE, Ky., February 16, 2020 – Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced that Christine Moore will continue for the fourth year as a featured milliner of the 147th Kentucky…

Feb 14, 2021

After coming up short as the odds-on favorite in the Lecomte S. (G3), Mandaloun rebounded with the addition of blinkers in Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) at Fair Grounds, driving to a 1 1/4-length victory. The 1 1/8-mile Risen Star is the second…

Feb 14, 2021

Stonestreet Stables’ homebred Clairiere had been collared by Travel Column late in the Nov. 28 Golden Rod S. (G2), but turned the tables in Saturday’s $300,000 Rachel Alexandra S. (G2) at Fair Grounds. This time the one rallying in deep stretch, the Steve Asmussen…

Feb 14, 2021

Sent off as the 6-5 favorite in Saturday’s $101,350 El Camino Real Derby, Rombauer closed from last to deny the filly Javanica by a neck at Golden Gate Fields. John and Diane Fradkin’s homebred added 10 more points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) and also booked…

Feb 12, 2021

Tickets to Churchill Downs Racetrack for Kentucky Derby Week events are on sale now at www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets/2021-derby-week-tickets.             “Kentucky Derby Week represents a time of fun and excitement and our team is working diligently…

Feb 11, 2021

The $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) will headline a big day of action on Fair Grounds on Saturday. A total of six stakes events are on the slate at the New Orleans venue, led by the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest. The top four finishers…

Feb 11, 2021

Rerouted from the Jan. 30 Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita to Saturday’s $100,000 El Camino Real Derby, Rombauer is the one to beat in the 1 1/8-mile test at Golden Gate Fields. The Michael McCarthy trainee figures to be effective on the Tapeta surface,…

Feb 11, 2021

Note: Please open the attached pdf document or paste the following in your browser for additional information: https://bit.ly/3qaUWKc The Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series is set to kickoff Saturday in New Orleans with a field of 13 horses…

Feb 11, 2021

The Road to the Kentucky Derby makes a stop at Golden Gate Fields for Saturday's $100,000 El Camino Real Derby. Held over 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic Tapeta course, the El Camino Real Derby awards qualification points to the top four finishers a 10-4-2-1 basis.…

Feb 10, 2021

The Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series kicks off on Saturday with the $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) at Fair Grounds. Held over 1 1/8 miles, the lucrative race awards a total of 85 Kentucky Derby qualification points, split 50-20-10-5 among the top…

Feb 9, 2021

Godolphin’s Eclipse Award-winning colt Essential Quality and CHC Inc and WinStar Farm’s undefeated $100,000 Sham Stakes (Grade III) winner Life Is Good were made the 8-1 individual morning line favorites in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (“KDFW”)…

Feb 8, 2021

Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) at Fair Grounds is the first 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) scoring race worth 50 points to the winner. Midnight Bourbon, who opened the New Orleans road to the Derby by wiring the Jan. 16 Lecomte (G3), will renew rivalry with…

Feb 8, 2021

Travel Column and Clairiere, who both made a favorable post-Breeders' Cup impression in Kentucky last fall, will resume their burgeoning rivalry on Saturday in the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra S. (G2) at Fair Grounds. With 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky…

Feb 7, 2021

While Godolphin has several prominent American-based contenders for the Triple Crown, including champion Essential Quality and sharp debut winner Prevalence, the international operation also has hopes stationed further afield. The Charlie Appleby-trained…

Feb 7, 2021

Klaravich Stables’ Risk Taking earned 10 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his 3 3/4-length victory in the $250,000 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct on Feb. 6. The winner clocked 1 1/8 miles on the fast main surface in 1:51.91…

Feb 7, 2021

Frank Fletcher Racing’s Candy Man Rocket picked up 10 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his one-length triumph in the $200,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 6. Piloted by Junior Alvarado, the dark…

Feb 6, 2021

When Medina Spirit dug in gamely to withstand all comers in the Jan. 30 Robert B. Lewis (G3), he was expressing tenacity reminiscent of grandsire Giant’s Causeway – and a more distant ancestor, Wild Again.Medina Spirit’s pedigree isn’t fashionable up front,…

Feb 6, 2021

Risk Taking utilized a big late kick to earn his first points toward a Kentucky Derby berth, closing boldly to take Saturday’s $250,000 at Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct. After recording a maiden victory over the track in mid-December, the Medaglia d’Oro colt…

Feb 6, 2021

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott brought two improving colts to Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday for the $200,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) on Saturday and was rewarded when Candy Man Rocket and Nova Rags ran one-two in the Road to the Kentucky Derby prep. Exiting…

Feb 6, 2021

Last-out maiden winners Moonlight d’Oro and Curlin’s Catch joined the Kentucky Oaks picture on Feb. 6, posting respective victories in the $200,000 Las Virgenes S. (G2) at Santa Anita and $100,000 Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs. Both fillies picked up…

Feb 4, 2021

Led by 2-year-old champion and two-time Grade I winner Essential Quality, a total of 326 3-year-old Thoroughbreds were made eligible to compete in this year’s Triple Crown during the early nomination phase, which closed Jan. 23.Each of the 326 horses from…

Feb 4, 2021

A strong field of nine sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s $250,000 Withers S. (G3). The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby event will reward the top-four finishers with points on a 10-4-2-1 basis toward the Run for the Roses…

Feb 4, 2021

Kalypso picked up 10 points toward a Kentucky Oaks berth with an easy win in the Jan. 3 Santa Ynez S. (G2), and the Bob Baffert-trained filly will seek her second straight qualifier in the $200,000 Las Virgenes S. (G3) at Santa Anita. The $150,000 Suncoast…

Feb 4, 2021

The third of five Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races held at Aqueduct is the $250,000 Withers (G3). First run in 1874, the 1 1/8-mile race awards Kentucky Derby qualification points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 basis.

Feb 4, 2021

By J. Keeler JohnsonIn recent years, the $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs has churned out a bevy of high-class horses, including Belmont (G1) winner Tapwrit and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Vino Rosso. Saturday's renewal of the 1 1/16-mile…

Feb 3, 2021

The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby series hits the west coast of Florida on Saturday when a full field lines up in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. The 1 1/16-mile test will award Derby qualifying points of 10-4-2-1 to the top four…

Feb 3, 2021

Jerome S. winner Capo Kane will seek his second consecutive Kentucky Derby qualifier when he lines up against eight challengers in Saturday’s $250,000 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct. The 1 1/8-mile Withers will award points on a 10-4-2-1 scale as part…

Feb 1, 2021

As a Tapit colt out of a half-sister to two Belmont S. (G1) winners, Greatest Honour has the third jewel of the Triple Crown written all over him. So it’s highly encouraging that he’s burst onto the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with a stellar display as early…

Jan 31, 2021

Courtlandt Farms’ homebred Greatest Honour picked up 10 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his 5 3/4-length victory in the $200,000 Holy Bull S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 30. Piloted by Jose Ortiz, the winner finished 1…

Jan 31, 2021

Zedan Racing Stables’ Medina Spirit earned 10 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series after winning the $100,500 Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) at Santa Anita on Jan. 30. The talented sophomore, who came out on top by a hard-fought neck,…

Jan 31, 2021

After expending energy to set a strong pace on a deep, demanding track at Santa Anita, Medina Spirit had a right to succumb in Saturday’s $100,500 Robert B. Lewis S. (G3). Instead, the Bob Baffert trainee was lion-hearted as he fended off challenges from Roman…

Jan 30, 2021

Greatest Honour joined the Kentucky Derby trail with an eye-catching win in Saturday’s $200,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, launching a bold rally leaving the far turn to take command and draw off to a 5 3/4-length decision. Jose Ortiz was up…

Jan 30, 2021

Both of Saturday’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) scoring races went to recent maiden winners making their stakes debuts. Shadwell Stable’s homebred Zaajel prevailed as the 3-5 favorite in the Forward Gal (G3), over the same seven-furlong trip as her debut at Gulfstream…

Jan 29, 2021

A deep field of Road to the Kentucky Derby contenders will square off in Saturday's $100,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita. Eight talented 3-year-olds will vie for 17 qualification points, split 10-4-2-1 among the top four finishers in the 1 1/16-mile…

Jan 29, 2021

Authentic, who joined an exclusive club by winning the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in the same season, was the overwhelming choice for 2020 Horse of the Year at Thursday night’s Eclipse Awards.Held as a virtual event in light of the pandemic,…

Jan 28, 2021

A field of nine 3-year-old prospects will take aim at Gulfstream Park on Saturday in the $200,000 Holy Bull (G3). The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series event offers points on a 10-4-2-1 basis to the top-four finishers towards qualifying for…

Jan 28, 2021

The first of three Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races taking place at Gulfstream Park this winter is the $200,000 Holy Bull (G3), slated to take place on Saturday. The race has been won by a bevy of talented horses through the years, including 2006 Kentucky…

Jan 27, 2021

Medina Spirit, a closing second to early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Life Is Good in the Sham (G3) earlier this month, looms as perhaps the horse to beat on Saturday in the $100,000 Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) at Santa Anita. The 1 1/16-mile Lewis offers Road…

Jan 27, 2021

A brilliant 8 3/4-length maiden winner, Prime Factor will make his highly-anticipated stakes debut in Saturday’s $200,000 Holy Bull S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. The exciting Quality Road colt faces eight challengers in the 1 1/16-mile test. The Holy Bull…

Jan 27, 2021

A pair of Kentucky Oaks qualifiers, the $200,000 Martha Washington S. at Oaklawn Park and $100,000 Forward Gal S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park, will be offered Saturday. Both races award points on a 10-4-2-1 scale toward a berth in the April 30 Kentucky Oaks (G1)…

Jan 25, 2021

Fourteen years after Hard Spun made a bold attempt to carry his speed in the Kentucky Derby (G1), his son Caddo River could try to do the same on the first Saturday in May.Hard Spun was a warrior on the 2007 Triple Crown trail, finishing second in the Derby,…

Jan 25, 2021

The Man o’ War sire line hasn’t come up with a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner since Triple Crown sweeper War Admiral (1937), a factoid that current contender Midnight Bourbon hopes to erase.Midnight Bourbon’s sire, Hall of Famer Tiznow, has helped carry the torch…

Jan 24, 2021

Despite pulling early in first-time blinkers, Louis Lazzinnaro’s The Grass Is Blue still packed a punch late in Sunday’s $97,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct. The 1.75-1 favorite rallied past Coffee Bar to earn her first stakes victory, along with 10 points toward…

Jan 24, 2021

Shortleaf Stable’s homebred Caddo River earned 10 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby following his 10 1/4-length tally in the $150,000 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park on Jan. 22. The winner completed one mile on the fast main surface in 1:38.19…

Jan 23, 2021

The 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) is less than 100 days away, but the current leaderboard looks as you might expect through the third week in January -- not overly indicative of how things will look a month from now much less three. Essential Quality, who is…

Jan 22, 2021

Caddo River's two-turn and stakes debut in Friday's $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park turned into a runaway as the Hard Spun colt seized command early and walloped the opposition in the one-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby test. Holding a comfortable…

Jan 21, 2021

After a rallying neck third in the Dec. 26 Ann Arundel County S. at Laurel Park, The Grass Is Blue heads a field of five fillies entered for Sunday’s $100,000 Busanda S. at Aqueduct. The 1 1/8-mile race will award points on a 10-4-2-1 scale as a Road…

Jan 21, 2021

A field of seven sophomores will travel a two-turn mile in Friday’s $150,000 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park. The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series tilt will give out qualifying points on a 10-4-2-1 basis to the top-four finishers towards a…

Jan 20, 2021

Early nominations for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds to become eligible to the 2021 Triple Crown series are due Saturday, Jan. 23 with a $600 payment. Nominations can be made online at www.TheTripleCrown.com or by calling the Churchill Downs Racing Office…

Jan 19, 2021

CHC Inc and WinStar Farm’s undefeated $100,000 Sham Stakes (Grade III) winner Life Is Good was made the 6-1 individual morning line favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (“KDFW”) but the pari-mutuel field of “All Other 3-Year-Olds” is expected…

Jan 18, 2021

A busy Road to the Kentucky Derby prep season awaits at Oaklawn Park! The Arkansas track will host four Kentucky Derby qualifiers between January and April, beginning with the $150,000 Smarty Jones S. on Friday. The one-mile fixture will award 17 qualification…

Jan 17, 2021

On Friday, Oaklawn Park kicks off its racing season and series of Kentucky Derby (G1) preps. The opening day feature, the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, serves as a stepping stone to the Feb. 15 Southwest (G3), Mar. 13 Rebel (G2), and finally the Apr. 10 Arkansas…

Jan 17, 2021

Midnight Bourbon made all the running in the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3), leading wire-to-wire for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Steve Asmussen in the first of three Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Fair Grounds. Joe Talamo was up on the Tiznow colt, and Midnight Bourbon…

Jan 17, 2021

As odds-on favorite Sun Path sputtered in the stretch of Saturday’s $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes, Charlie’s Penny kicked on best of all to post a 9-1 upset at Fair Grounds. The Minnesota-bred passed her first two-turn test and earned 10 points toward the…

Jan 14, 2021

A field of 11 3-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles in the $200,000 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the top four finishers of the race with points on a 10-4-2-1 structure towards…

Jan 14, 2021

The Road to the Kentucky Derby resumes on Saturday with the $200,000 Lecomte (G3), the first of three winter prep races taking place at Fair Grounds. The 1 1/16-mile event awards qualification points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 basis.

Jan 11, 2021

Trainer Brad Cox has other Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls in his barn in addition to Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) hero Essential Quality, and one of them – Mandaloun – takes his first test on the trail in Saturday’s $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds.Himself…

Jan 11, 2021

After Souper Sensational impressively won her first two starts in the span of three weeks last fall in Canada, her connections contemplated, but ultimately decided against, another quick turnaround for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). An early…

Jan 11, 2021

Although a new year was going to prompt an overhaul of my Kentucky Derby (G1) Top 10 list, a couple of sensational maiden winners made it imperative. They’re certainly not the only promising graduates of late, but both captured my imagination – perhaps too…

Jan 9, 2021

Top sire Tapit, and global operation Godolphin, are still seeking an elusive first Kentucky Derby (G1) winner. Both could achieve the goal simultaneously courtesy of Essential Quality, who comes from the same female line as Smarty Jones.Tapit has furnished…

Jan 6, 2021

A field of eight fillies and mares will travel 5 1/2 furlongs on the Fair Grounds lawn in Saturday’s $75,000 Nelson J. Menard Memorial S. The well-matched affair features the top-four finishers of the recent Pan Zareta S. on the course, and the winner will…

Jan 5, 2021

Fresh off establishing a new single-season progeny earnings record for a North American sire, Into Mischief could be in line for an even greater achievement in 2021. No stallion has sired back-to-back Kentucky Derby (G1) winners, so if Life Is Good – or another…

Jan 4, 2021

China Horse Club and WinStar Farm’s Life Is Good earned 10 points on the “2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby” following his victory in the $100,000 Sham (G3) at Santa Anita on Jan. 2. The winner completed the one-mile dirt test in 1:36.63 to notch his initial…

Jan 4, 2021

Runner-up to stablemate Varda in the Dec. 5 Starlet (G1) last out, Kalypso relished the cutback to one turn in Sunday’s $200,500 Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita. The Bob Baffert trainee, who went off as the 9-10 favorite after Varda was scratched, led…

Jan 3, 2021

Nearly a year to the day after Authentic romped in his stakes and two-turn debut, trainer Bob Baffert returned to the winner's circle following Saturday's $100,000 Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita after the highly-rated Life Is Good fended off a late surge…

Jan 2, 2021

If one of your favorite runnings of the Kentucky Derby (G1) is the Street Sense-Hard Spun finish in 2007, you’ll love the pedigree of 2021 hopeful Capo Kane. Sired by Street Sense and out of a daughter of Hard Spun, Capo Kane grafts their bloodlines onto a…

Jan 1, 2021

Road to the Kentucky Derby Ultimate Racing Guide for North American Kentucky Derby Prep Races Finding a horse to follow on the Road to the Kentucky Derby could be overwhelming for some. With typically over 21,000 Thoroughbreds hoping to earn their way into…

Jan 1, 2021

Capo Kane opened the New Year with a convincing victory in Friday’s $150,000 Jerome S., scoring by 6 1/4 lengths in the Kentucky Derby qualifier at Aqueduct. Overlooked at 6-1 odds, the Harold Wyner-trained colt led wire-to-wire in his stakes debut with Dylan…

Dec 31, 2020

The top individual betting choice in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, Bob Baffert’s debut romper Life Is Good bids to earn his first Derby points in Saturday’s $100,000 Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. A son of leading sire Into Mischief – also responsible…

Dec 31, 2020

The first Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race of 2021 takes place on New Year's Day at Aqueduct. The historic $150,000 Jerome S. is a 1-mile test offering qualification points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 basis.

Dec 31, 2020

In 2020, the $100,000 Sham (G3) was won by Authentic, who went on to claim victory in the Kentucky Derby. The 2021 renewal of the one-mile Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race will take place on Saturday at Santa Anita Park, with 17 qualification points (split…

Dec 31, 2020

Four of the seven fillies in Sunday’s $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita are trained by Bob Baffert, including the top two from the Dec. 5 Starlet (G1), Varda and Kalypso. Like the Starlet, the Santa Ynez is a scoring race on the Road to the Kentucky…

Dec 30, 2020

A compact field of five newly turned sophomores will travel a mile on the Aqueduct main strip in Friday’s $150,000 Jerome S. The top-four finishers of the New Year’s Day feature will earn points on a 10-4-2-1 basis in the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge…

Dec 30, 2020

Following a fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs, Swill will look to gain additional qualifying points toward a Kentucky Derby berth when he lines up for Saturday’s $150,000 Jerome S. at Aqueduct. The 3-year-old will meet four rivals…

Dec 21, 2020

SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm, and Robert Masterson’s Spielberg earned 10 points on the “2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby” when posting a nose victory in the$200,500 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on Dec. 19. The Bob…

Dec 21, 2020

Joe Peacock’s homebred Senor Buscador was a dominant 5 3/4-length winner of the $200,000 Springboard Mile S. at Remington Park on Dec. 18. The colt stopped the teletimer in 1:37.87 for the one-mile event under Luis Quinonez, and although he didn’t receive any…

Dec 19, 2020

Spielberg rallied to nail The Great One in the final stride of Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), registering his first stakes victory in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier. The 2-year-old colt extended Hall of Fame trainer Bob…