Tales From the Crib

The Oaks and Derby favorites didn’t just become stablemates when they joined Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. They were both born and raised at Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky.

“Meaning as a foal was as straightforward as they come, low maintenance and smart. The best ones always are."

Orb, the 2013 Kentucky Derby (G1) hero, recorded his most significant win as a sire when his daughter Sippican Harbor captured the 2018 Spinaway (G1). Now Sippican Harbor’s son, Commandment, tops the points leaderboard.

In the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1), trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr. scored an upset victory with Mage. Now the Venezuelan-born horseman, nicknamed “The Puma,” returns to Churchill Downs with his namesake.

Six years ago, the blueblood filly Spice Is Nice was on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) trail for Robert and Lawana Low. Now her homebred son, Renegade, has made a far bigger splash on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Pavlovian’s pedigree carries a duplication of Storm Cat, well known for transmitting his brilliance along with a dash of temperament. Indications are that Pavlovian has inherited both of those dimensions.

"He would run right up to us as soon as we opened the gate, like, hey, I’m here—play with me!"

As a $2,000 yearling purchase turned Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful, Express Kid is the very type of rags-to-riches story that fuels dreams.

In a racing industry featuring global empires and giant commercial operations, 93-year-old Janis Whitham keeps producing major winners from her small group of broodmares.

Roderick Wachman is known for scouting out high-profile winners, and David Egan’s family farm produced the world’s all-time richest racehorse.