Kentucky Derby News

Jan 29, 2020

A disappointing third-place run in the Nov. 30 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) not only temporarily cost Tiz the Law more Kentucky Derby qualifying points, but also an opportunity to garner additional support for 2019 champion juvenile male honors. On Saturday,…

Jan 29, 2020

A trio of Road to the Kentucky Derby preps on Saturday will kick off with the $250,000 Withers (G3) at Aqueduct, a 1 1/8-mile event that features Shotski, who captured the Dec. 7 Remsen (G2) over the same track and distance. A son of Blame, Shotski led…

Jan 28, 2020

LOUISVILLE KY (January 28, 2020) -- The race for a Triple Crown-worthy foodie is on! Churchill Downs Racetrack announced today its search for one passionate foodie to receive the honorary title of ‘Official Menu Taste Tester of the 146th Kentucky Derby.’ Now…

Jan 27, 2020

Storm the Court parlayed his upset of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) into an Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old male. Now the third-generation Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful, whose sire and both grandsires competed in the Run for the Roses, will try to prove…

Jan 27, 2020

It was quite a week for Steve Asmussen. On Thursday, the Hall of Fame trainer celebrated the honoring of Midnight Bisou and Mitole as 2019 Eclipse Award champions in the older dirt female and male sprinter divisions, respectively. He closed out the weekend…

Jan 26, 2020

Mike McCarty’s Gold Street earned 10 points on the “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” following his triumph in the $150,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park. The sophomore colt led at every call in completing a mile over the muddy going in 1:39.63…

Jan 25, 2020

The $150,000 Smarty Jones on Jan. 24 was the first of four Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifiers at Oaklawn Park. The Hot Springs, Arkansas venue will also offer the Southwest (G3) on Feb. 17; Rebel (G2) on March 14; and the Arkansas Derby on April…

Jan 24, 2020

Of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen’s four runners in Friday’s $150,000 Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park, it was his lesser-fancied Gold Street who sprang a 10-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby (G1) points race. Track condition was a key factor. On a…

Jan 24, 2020

Even without the Kentucky Derby (G1) officially on his resume, Maximum Security racked up a series of major wins to earn champion 3-year-old male honors at Thursday night’s Eclipse Awards gala at Gulfstream Park. Maximum Security, who was first across…

Jan 21, 2020

A total of nine sophomores will try to acquire points on the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby at Oaklawn Park on Friday in the $150,000 Smarty Jones. The field is led by a quartet of 3-year-olds from the barn of Steve Asmussen, and I will tab one for…

Jan 21, 2020

The $200,000 Lecomte (G3) on Jan. 18 served the first of three Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Fair Grounds. Here are three takeaways: 1 -- Enforceable emerged as a legitimate Kentucky Derby contender in the Lecomte. He certainly improved upon…

Jan 21, 2020

With his victory in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds, Enforceable became a remarkable fourth graded stakes winner produced by his dam. The other three have all been involved, to greater or lesser degrees, on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail, including…

Jan 20, 2020

Derby’s First Featured Milliner Continues Role for Third Consecutive Year LOUISVILLE, Ky., January 21, 2020 – Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced that Christine Moore will continue for the third year as a featured milliner of the 146th Kentucky Derby…

Jan 20, 2020

Enforceable temporarily vaulted into second place on the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard when rolling to a solid-looking victory in the Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. Previously awarded three points by running third in the Breeders'…

Jan 20, 2020

A field of nine sophomores will contest the Friday feature at Oaklawn Park, the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes. The “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” tilt offers points to the top-four finishers of the race on a 10-4-2-1 structure.

Jan 19, 2020

Oaklawn Park opens Friday with a Kentucky Derby qualifier, the $150,000 Smarty Jones, serving as the main event on a nine-race program. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen will send four to the one-mile test including Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Silver…

Jan 18, 2020

Continuing was has become sort of a family tradition, Enforceable became the fourth graded stakes winner produced by his dam when stylishly taking the $200,000 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday night. The John Oxley-owned gray also earned 10…

Jan 18, 2020

As the Kentucky Oaks (G1) hopefuls dueled down the stretch of Saturday’s $148,500 Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds, Finite looked vulnerable to upset-minded Ursula. But the 3-5 favorite kept finding more to force her neck in front at the wire, handing Hall…

Jan 15, 2020

A full field of 14 sophomores will take aim at the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. A strong field of prospects will run in the 1 1/16-mile endeavor, which is a qualifying race in the “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” challenge…

Jan 14, 2020

Which Kentucky Derby hopeful should I bet in the Lecomte? A field of 14 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles in the $200,000 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. The finale of a superb 13-race card attracted some excellent prospects vying for points…

Jan 12, 2020

The Fair Grounds Road to the Kentucky Derby kicks off in Saturday’s $200,000 Lecomte (G3), a 1 1/16-mile contest worth points on the 10-4-2-1 scale. The full field of 14 ranges from established stakes performers like Scabbard and Enforceable to up-and-comers…

Jan 12, 2020

As the only winner of a Kentucky Oaks (G1) scoring race in the line-up, Finite looms as the one to beat in Saturday’s $150,000 Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds. But a couple of her opponents bring untapped potential into the mile and 70-yard affair offering…

Jan 11, 2020

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah has gotten off to a fantastic start at stud, with his first crop propelling him to the top of the 2019 freshman sire earnings list. The 2015 Horse of the Year sent out 27 winners, and his progeny collectively…

Jan 9, 2020

A cast of seven fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park turf course in Saturday’s co-feature, the $150,000 Marshua’s River (G3). Sweet Bye and Bye has never missed the board from seven career starts on the sod, and she is the Expert Pick…

Jan 9, 2020

Seven fillies and mares will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park turf course in Saturday’s $150,000 Marshua’s River (G3). The grassy affair pits a well-matched field featuring some accomplished turf performers, as well as a pair of lightly raced youngsters…

Jan 7, 2020

What is the first thing that comes to mind when I mention the names of Secretariat, Northern Dancer, Barbaro, Big Brown, California Chrome, and Animal Kingdom? The obvious answer is that they are all winners of the Kentucky Derby (G1), which is certainly true. But…

Jan 6, 2020

For the past few years, I’ve written a “pedigree fun facts” story including all the contenders for Kentucky Derby week. This year, we’ll get the fun started early by exploring pedigrees as the Derby hopefuls raise their profiles on the trail. Authentic…

Jan 6, 2020

We're halfway through the January allotment of 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby series preps, and there are a lot of 10s on the leaderboard. Not 10s as in "perfect," but simply a lot of different prep winners that have earned 10 points since the series…

Jan 5, 2020

Multiple Grade 1 star Bast took a while to find her best stride in Sunday’s $200,500 Santa Ynez (G2) at Santa Anita, but the 3-5 favorite finished strong to become the new Kentucky Oaks (G1) points leader. Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who also…

Jan 4, 2020

Authentic proved the real deal in Saturday's $100,500 Sham (G3) at Santa Anita, scoring a convincing victory in the mile Road to the Kentucky Derby series prep for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.Making his stakes debut off a 5 1/2-furlong debut win…

Jan 3, 2020

A field of six newly turned sophomores will vie at Santa Anita on Saturday in the $100,000 Sham Stakes (G3). The “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” tilt is the second points race of 2020, with a 10-4-2-1 structure rewarding the top-four finishers.

Jan 3, 2020

There's a popular adage that there are no bad Kentucky Derbies, though some are better than others. The same could be said of the winners. How do the Kentucky Derby winners of the 2010s stack up against each other? Here's one take. 1. AMERICAN PHAROAH…

Jan 2, 2020

Currently second on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) leaderboard, Bast would leap to the top spot with a victory in Sunday’s $200,000 Santa Ynez (G2). The Santa Anita feature offers points on a scale of 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers, and Bast (24 points) is…

Jan 1, 2020

The 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby series continues Saturday when a field of six lines up in the $100,000 Sham (G3) over a mile at Santa Anita. Named for the 1973 Kentucky Derby runner-up to Secretariat, the Sham unsurprisingly features a dangerous…

Jan 1, 2020

He started a bit on the wrong foot, but Independence Hall gave his many backers a big sigh of relief by otherwise dominating Wednesday's $150,000 Jerome S. at Aqueduct, the first 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby series prep of the year for newly-turned…

Dec 31, 2019

A field of seven newly turned sophomores will vie in the New Year’s Day feature at Aqueduct, the $100,000 Jerome Stakes. The “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” tilt is the first points race of 2020, with a 10-4-2-1 structure rewarding the top-four finishers.

Dec 31, 2019

Which Kentucky Derby trail challenger should I bet in the Jerome Stakes? There are no sure bets in horse racing, but it seems reasonably safe to conclude #3 Independence Hall is going to win the $150,000 Jerome Stakes on New Year’s Day at Aqueduct. By virtually…

Dec 29, 2019

Arguably the most exciting Kentucky Derby (G1) prospect yet to try a points race, Independence Hall will rectify that situation in Wednesday’s $150,000 Jerome at Aqueduct. The unbeaten colt was last seen romping by 12 1/4 lengths in the November 3 Nashua…

Dec 27, 2019

Dave Erb, who rode Hall of Fame champion Needles to victory in the 1956 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, died Nov. 22 at the age of 95. The news was first reported by BloodHorse.com on Dec. 27, sourcing the Jockeys Guild and a member of the Erb family. The…

Dec 19, 2019

Two of the world’s top sprint performers headline a compact field of six in Saturday’s $100,000 Mr. Prospector (G3) at Gulfstream Park. The seven-eighths dash on the dirt has a Grade 1-caliber cast, and it will take a fine performance to come out victorious…

Dec 19, 2019

Grandview Equine, Cheyenne Stables and LNJ Foxwoods’ Shoplifted earned 10 points on the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby with a game tally in the $400,000 Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington Park on Dec. 15. The Steve Asmussen charge was a head clear under…

Dec 19, 2019

Who is running in the Mr. Prospector Stakes? A small, but superb, field of six will vie in Saturday’s $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. The seven-furlong feature has attracted two of the top sprinters in the world, as well as a few up-and-coming…

Dec 18, 2019

The second scoring race on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, Wednesday’s Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki, served up a thrilling finish as Vacation just caught Iolite on the wire. Rallying furiously in deep stretch, the once-beaten colt surged to…

Dec 16, 2019

The first scoring race on the Japan Road, the November 23 Cattleya Sho at Tokyo, produced a potentially smart winner in Dieu du Vin. None of the Cattleya Sho runners will contest the second points race, Wednesday’s Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun, so the Japanese…

Dec 15, 2019

The only runner in Sunday night’s $400,000 Springboard Mile with experience at the Grade 1 level, Shoplifted, called on that class edge to prevail in the Kentucky Derby (G1) points race at Remington Park. The Steve Asmussen trainee had flashed talent…

Dec 14, 2019

As Churchill Downs continues to push for international participation in the Kentucky Derby (G1), the European Road to the Kentucky Derby and the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby are slowly gaining recognition and momentum. Each international qualification…

Dec 13, 2019

A smashing maiden winner at Churchill Downs in his last outing, Answer In will jump straight to a Kentucky Derby qualifier in Sunday’s $400,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park. A field of 12 is set for the one-mile race at Remington Park and the top…

Dec 12, 2019

A dozen juveniles will travel one-mile on the Remington Park main oval in Sunday’s lucrative $400,000 Springboard Mile Stakes. The well-matched field will be vying for points in the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series event.

Dec 12, 2019

A 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying race will take place at Remington Park on Sunday. A dozen juveniles will go postward in the $400,000 Springboard Mile Stakes, with a 10-4-2-1 points structure going to the top-four finishers. RELATED: Rowdy Yates,…

Dec 11, 2019

In a season where there was literally no standout among the juvenile colts, the early portion of the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby series will have a wide-open leaderboard when the final domestic points prep of the year, the $400,000 Springboard Mile…

Dec 11, 2019

Owner of Formé Millinery and Master Milliner to Bring Her One-of-A-Kind Headwear to Derby Fans Around the World LOUISVILLE, Ky. - December 11, 2019 – Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced that Master Milliner and owner of Formé Millinery Jenny Pfanenstiel…

Dec 10, 2019

As we approach the end of the Road to the Kentucky Derby two-year-old prep season for 2020, racing analyst John Mucciolo lists his top of the crop:It is never too early for Kentucky Derby talk. So, as we near the conclusion of a fascinating 2019 racing season,…

Dec 10, 2019

Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm’s Thousand Words was headed late but rallied back in the final stages to capture Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). The juvenile completed the 1 1/16-mile contest in 1:43.19 over a good, sealed surface…

Dec 9, 2019

Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, Pantofel Stable and Mike Karty’s Shotski broke best and went straight to the front in Saturday’s $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. The two-year-old opened up a nice edge in early stretch and dug deep late to post an impressive…

Dec 7, 2019

Kentucky Derby hopefuls were in action on both coasts in a pair of Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifiers on December 7. Thousand Words gamely turned back Anneau d’Or by a neck in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), and Shotski posted a minor upset leading…

Dec 7, 2019

Two scoring races on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks were staged on opposite coasts Saturday, and both were won on the front end. But one came more easily than the other, and the winners brought different profiles. Bast was already a familiar face on the…

Dec 7, 2019

After months of flux in the three-year-old ranks, Maximum Security brought order and clarity in a Cigar Mile H. (G1) romp at Aqueduct on Saturday to sum up his case for the Eclipse Award as divisional champion. The disqualified first-past-the-post in the…

Dec 6, 2019

A compact field consisting of four mega-talented two-year-olds will vie in Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). The “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” test attracted some of the best in the Golden State, and this 1 1/16-miles endeavor promises to be an exciting tilt.

Dec 6, 2019

Nine juveniles will go postward in the $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct  on Saturday. The “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” event attracted a well-matched field of two-year-olds going 1 ⅛ miles on the dirt, and it will offer points on a 10-4-2-1 basis…

Dec 5, 2019

Who should you bet in the Remsen Stakes? Nine two-year-old colts will travel 1 ⅛ miles on the Aqueduct main surface in Saturday’s $250,000 Remsen Stakes (G2). An evenly-matched cast will contest the “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” race, which will award…

Dec 5, 2019

Small fields will contest the $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), the penultimate 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby prep of 2019, and the $300,000 Starlet (G1), the final 2020 Road to the Kentucky Oaks prep of the year, on Saturday. Trainer Bob Baffert,…

Dec 5, 2019

Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks hopefuls will square off at Aqueduct Saturday in the $250,000 Remsen (G2) and $250,000 Demoiselle (G2). The qualifying races offer points toward a berth in the Derby and Oaks next spring, with the top four finishers rewarded…

Dec 1, 2019

Ed and Susan Orr’s Silver Prospector earned 10 points on the “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” following his triumph in Saturday’s Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. The two-year-old colt earned his first graded stakes win after completing…

Dec 1, 2019

A rainy day and a sloppy, sealed track would normally dampen the spirits of horsemen and horseplayers alike, but no amount of rain could spoil the parade of trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr., who nabbed a memorable graded stakes double at…

Nov 30, 2019

Nine juveniles will go postward in the $300,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The “2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby” event will offer points on a 10-4-2-1 structure to the top-four finishers.

Nov 27, 2019

Who should you bet in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on the Road to the Kentucky Derby? A talented field of nine two-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the dirt in Saturday’s $300,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. The co-feature…

Nov 27, 2019

How to attack pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager The initial pool of the 2020 Kentucky Derby Future Wager begins on Thursday, November 28 at 12 p.m. (EST), and runs through Sunday, December 1 at 6 p.m., (EST). The wager offers 22 individual horse entries,…

Nov 27, 2019

Winchell Thoroughbreds, Thomas Reiman, William Dickson and Deborah Easter’s impressive $123,859 Rags to Riches winner Finite tops a field of eight 2-year-old fillies that were entered in Saturday’s 76th running of the $300,000 Golden Rod (GII) at Churchill Downs. The…

Nov 27, 2019

Sackatoga Stables’ undefeated Grade I winner Tiz the Law will lead a field of nine promising 2-year-olds entered in Saturday’s $300,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) – the co-featured event on Saturday’s penultimate day of racing at the 2019 Fall Meet at Churchill Downs . Billed…

Nov 23, 2019

An impressive debut winner at Tokyo last out, Dieu du Vin made it two straight in Saturday’s Cattleya Sho to kick off the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. The 3-2 favorite uncorked a strong rally, much as he did in his first start, only this time for…

Nov 22, 2019

A large field is signed on to contest the $200,000 Red Smith Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct on Saturday. The 1 ⅜-miles turf endeavor features a talented and well-matched group in what appears to be a wide-open event. RELATED: Expert pick for the Red Smith Stakes Here…

Nov 21, 2019

Triple Crown champion American Pharoah is off to a hot start as a stallion, siring a Breeders’ Cup winner from his first crop of foals. Whether he’ll add a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner to his stud resume remains to be seen, but when his first foals turn three…

Nov 21, 2019

An overflow field of 16, with two on the also-eligibles list and three entered as main-track only contestants, will vie in Saturday’s $200,000 Red Smith Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. The 1 3/8-mile turf endeavor has attracted a well-matched cast with a lot of early…

Nov 21, 2019

Officially Licensed Artwork Available on Variety of Merchandise, including Limited Edition Signed PostersLOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, November 21, 2019) – Churchill Downs today released the 2020 “Official Art of the Kentucky Derby” by beloved Louisville artist…

Nov 19, 2019

Leading Thoroughbred Racing Organizations Launch Safety Coalition Partnering together under the name Thoroughbred Safety Coalition, the group seeks to create and implement a series of significant safety, medication, operational and integrity guidelines across…

Nov 14, 2019

A field of 10 will square off in the $150,000 River City Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The feature race will be contested on the lawn at 1 ⅛ miles and is led by defending champ Mr. Misunderstood. Here is the cast: CULLUM ROAD Cullum…

Nov 14, 2019

A well-matched field of 10 will vie in Saturday’s $150,000 River City Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs. The grassy feature will be contested at nine panels on the lawn, and a nice group of turf performers will go postward in the fine betting event. Trainer…

Nov 8, 2019

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Twin Creeks Racing Stable, and Robert and Kathleen Verratti’s Independence Hall moved his mark to a perfect two-for-two following his romp in the Nashua (G3) at Aqueduct on Sunday. The Kentucky-bred juvenile was 12 1/4 widening…

Nov 7, 2019

Handicapping the Commonwealth Turf at Churchill DownsA huge field of 16 sophomores will vie in Saturday’s $175,000 Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. The feature attracted the top-four finishers of the recent Jefferson Cup Stakes, but I will…

Nov 7, 2019

What horses are running in the Commonwealth Turf Stakes? An overflow field of 16 sophomores, two of which are on the also-eligibles list, will contest the $175,000 Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The 1 1/16 miles turf test lacks…

Nov 2, 2019

Vino Rosso, a veteran of the 2018 Kentucky Derby, continued his ascent through the racing ranks with a dominant triumph in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on November 2 at Santa Anita. Winner of the 1 1/4-mile Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1)…

Nov 1, 2019

Chaos reigned in the $1.84 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) while form did otherwise in the $1.84 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita on Friday. The two 1 1/16-mile features were the most points-lucrative of the 2020 Road to…

Nov 1, 2019

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…

Oct 31, 2019

The marquee race on the calendar for two-year-olds has attracted top runners from various parts of the country, as well as a Japanese import making his first start in the U. S.

Oct 31, 2019

Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, who closed his racing career with a brilliant victory in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), has chances of siring a Breeders’ Cup winner in his first crop. His son Four Wheel Drive is the morning-line favorite for…

Oct 31, 2019

After looking as though inexperience cost him in two narrow stakes losses, Kameko put it all together with an emphatic victory in Friday’s rescheduled Vertem Futurity Trophy (G1). The mile test for two-year-olds was transferred to the Newcastle Tapeta,…

Oct 29, 2019

The $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita on Friday are the most points-rich stakes of the season in the 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby and 2020 Road to the Kentucky Oaks series, respectively. Both…

Oct 29, 2019

A field of nine two-year-olds will contest Friday’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita. The 1 1/16-mile test is led by three super-impressive prep winners, and it seems likely one of those will rise to the occasion and be the front runner…

Oct 26, 2019

Unexpectedly long layoff? No problem. Facing older rivals? No concern whatsoever. Maximum Security lived up to expectations in the $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) on October 26 at Belmont Park, prevailing easily as the 3-5 favorite. Famously disqualified…

Oct 25, 2019

What horses are running in the Rags to Riches Stakes? An intriguing field of seven two-year-old fillies will travel one mile at Churchill Downs on Sunday in the $120,000 Rags to Riches Stakes. Five of the seven that are signed on for the event were victorious…

Oct 25, 2019

What horses are running in the Street Sense Stakes? The 2018 Street Sense Stakes winner Improbable would eventually advance into a Kentucky Derby start following his win at Churchill Downs; thus this renewal could have implications for the 2020 Kentucky Derby.…

Oct 25, 2019

What horses should I consider in the Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs? A well-matched field of 11 will vie in Sunday’s $120,000 Street Sense Stakes at Churchill Downs. The Churchill opening day co-feature has attracted some intriguing juveniles that…

Oct 23, 2019

The popular but star-crossed Maximum Security will make his belated fall debut in the $200,000 Bold Ruler H. (G3) on Saturday at Belmont Park, the first stepping stone toward reclaiming leadership of the three-year-old division. For about 20 minutes…

Oct 23, 2019

Betting preparation for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile An exciting group of prospects will headline the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) next Friday at Santa Anita. The standout race for two-year-olds is often a springboard to an Eclipse Award, as seven…

Oct 23, 2019

What names should we watch for in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile with potential to hit the 2020 Kentucky Derby? Gary and Mary West’s champion Game Winner captured the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs to cap a perfect two-year-old season. The…

Oct 23, 2019

What names from past runnings of the Kentucky Derby can be seen in the Breeders' Cup? A total of eight past Kentucky Derby starters will go postward at Santa Anita during Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Saturday, November 2. Five of the alums raced in…

Oct 18, 2019

Breeders' Cup Juvenile favorites who came up short There have been 35 runnings of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) dating back to 1984 when champion Chief’s Crown was a winner in the inaugural edition of the race at Hollywood Park. The marquee event on…

Oct 17, 2019

A well-matched field of 11 three-year-old fillies will contest the Saturday feature at Keeneland Race Course. The $250,000 Raven Run Stakes (G2), at seven furlongs on the dirt, lacks a clear standout and appears to be a very good betting event. I will swing…

Oct 17, 2019

Learn who is running in the Rave Run Stakes at Keeneland A cast of 11 sophomore fillies will travel seven furlongs in the $250,000 Raven Run Stakes (G2) at Keeneland on Saturday. The feature of the day pits a talented and well-matched field of three-year-olds…

Oct 10, 2019

A European-dominated field of six will vie in Saturday’s C$800,000 Canadian International Stakes (G1) at Woodbine. The 1 1/2-mile turf test is led by defending champion Desert Encounter from the barn of David Simcock, but I will side with another one…