Kentucky Derby News

Mar 11, 2017

Tapwrit launched an eye-catching rally past horses on the far turn and blew past pacesetter State of Honor after turning for home in the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2), stamping his Kentucky Derby ticket with a 4 ½-length decision. “We were looking for…

Mar 11, 2017

Mastery turned in a masterful performance in Saturday's $400,690 San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita, but the long-term Kentucky Derby (G1) prospects ended for the star three-year-old strides after the wire when he was dismounted, unsaddled, and vanned back…

Mar 10, 2017

Bob Baffert is a face synonymous with Kentucky Derby success and he looks to showcase his next potential star Mastery in Saturday’s $400,000 San Felipe (GII) at Santa Anita Park in Southern California – one of two Championship Series races on the Road to…

Mar 8, 2017

As it often does, the $400,000 San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita on Saturday will go a long way toward clarifying the picture regarding the West Coast's leading Kentucky Derby (G1) prospects. The 1 1/16-mile San Felipe is the final major lead-in to next…

Mar 8, 2017

A field of 11 sophomore fillies will line up Saturday in the next race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks – the $200,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park. The 1 1/16-mile contest is part of the Championship portion of the series and will award 50-20-10-5…

Mar 8, 2017

After finishing second in the February 11 Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, Tapwrit figured to be trying to turn the tables on McCraken in Saturday’s $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2). But the absence of the leading Kentucky Derby contender due to an ankle…

Mar 7, 2017

A multiple graded stakes winner, Gunnevera had plenty of experience but his BRIS Speed ratings were lacking entering the March 4 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park. He stepped up while rallying last-to-first in the 1 1/16-mile race, generating a 102…

Mar 7, 2017

J Boys Echo significantly raised his Kentucky Derby profile in the March 4 Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct, registering a 104 BRIS Speed rating the 3 ½-length victory. That’s the top number from a 2017 qualifying race, two points better than the previous best. By…

Mar 6, 2017

Classic Empire, last year’s unanimous champion two-year-old colt, has had a bumpy ride on the  Kentucky Derby (G1) trail so far this year. Diagnosed with a foot abscess after his subpar third in the February 4 Holy Bull (G2), he was all set to resume…

Mar 6, 2017

Wins by Gunnevera in the Fountain of Youth (G2) and J Boys Echo in the Gotham (G3) last Saturday elevated the two colts to the top of the Kentucky Derby (G1) leader board, thus virtually cementing their participation in the year’s first classic at Churchill…

Mar 5, 2017

Purse earnings in non-restricted stakes is all that separate Farrell and Unique Bella on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard. Farrell currently sits on top due to more of those earnings but Unique Bella has tied it up in terms of points, with each filly boasting…

Mar 4, 2017

The day of upsets in Kentucky Derby (G1) preps continued Saturday from the Gotham (G3) to the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park, where Gunnevera turned in an explosive stretch run to win the 1 1/16-mile race by 5 3/4 lengths, while…

Mar 4, 2017

Don Alberto Stable’s Unique Bella pulled off yet another easy victory on Saturday when taking the $100,345 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park by 2 1/4 lengths. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Mike Smith, Unique Bella was challenged…

Mar 4, 2017

J Boys Echo blew past a tiring El Areeb in upper stretch and drew off to a 3 ½-length decision in Saturday’s $300,000 Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct, putting himself into the Kentucky Derby picture with the 50-point prize. Robby Albarado was up on the Dale Romans-trained…

Mar 4, 2017

Arlene’s Sun Star Stable’s Miss Sky Warrior held off a determined Jordan’s Henny as well as a late run from Summer Luck to captured her three-year-old bow in Saturday’s Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The First Samurai filly earned 50 points…

Mar 3, 2017

Irish War Cry, one of the early favorites for this year’s $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I), headlines Saturday’s $400,000 Fountain of Youth (GII) at Gulfstream Park – one of two Championship Series races on the Road to the Kentucky…

Mar 1, 2017

One month after toppling juvenile champion and early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Classic Empire in the Holy Bull (G2), Irish War Cry will be out to enhance his Derby prospects on Saturday in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The…

Mar 1, 2017

After initially planning to skip Saturday’s $300,000 Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct, trainer Cathal Lynch called an audible and decided to run El Areeb. The gray colt is already well-positioned for the Kentucky Derby (G1), picking up a combined 20 points for wins…

Mar 1, 2017

A full field of 14 will head to the gate on Saturday in Gulfstream Park’s $200,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2), which is worth a total of 85 points toward a starting berth in the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1). The one-mile Davona Dale is part of the Road to the…

Mar 1, 2017

Unique Bella continues her journey to the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1) when lining up against six rivals in Saturday’s $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3). The contest is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races and is worth 50-20-10-5 to…

Feb 28, 2017

Practical Joke, who was the only horse of his generation besides champion Classic Empire to be a dual Grade 1 winner at two, kicks off what is expected to be a two-prep campaign for the Kentucky Derby (G1) in Saturday's $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2)…

Feb 28, 2017

Girvin advanced to the lead in midstretch and edged away to a two-length decision in the February 25 Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, capturing the first of 16 races in the Championship segment of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Related: Girvin…

Feb 28, 2017

As expected, the first "Championship Season" prep of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Series shook up the leader board last Saturday, an easy thing to do with 50 qualifying points awarded to the winner and 20 to the runner-up. Girvin, making his first…

Feb 27, 2017

Don Alberto Stable’s Unique Bella, a dazzling daughter of Tapit with a pair of dominant graded stakes triumphs on her growing résumé for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, heads the roster of 109 3-year-old fillies nominated to compete in the 143rd running of the $1 million-guaranteed, Grade I Longines Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on Friday, May 5.

Feb 26, 2017

Don Alberto Stable’s rising star Unique Bella was the overwhelming even-money favorite to win the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) when three days of wagering concluded Sunday evening in Churchill Downs' 2017 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

Feb 26, 2017

The always-popular “All Others” (#24) wagering interest closed strongly on Sunday’s final day of betting to emerge as the narrow 5-1 favorite in the third of four pools of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager, edging a tightly-bunched group of individual Derby contenders headed by unbeaten McCraken.

Feb 26, 2017

CLICK HERE for final odds and $2 win will-pays for the 2017 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

Feb 26, 2017

CLICK HERE for final odds and $2 win Will-Pays for Pool 3 of the 2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Feb 26, 2017

El Areeb was bred by William Shively’s Dixiana Farms, a name steeped in Bluegrass history. Dixiana traces to 1877, when Maj. Barak Thomas acquired the property and rechristened it after his successful broodmare Dixie. As fine a matron as Dixie was, Thomas…

Feb 25, 2017

It's never a bad thing to have backup going into the Kentucky Derby (G1). Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., the regular rider of the undefeated Derby candidate McCraken, now has some after guiding Girvin to an 8-1 upset in Saturday's $400,000 Risen Star…

Feb 25, 2017

Coffeepot Stables’ homebred Farrell made it three straight wins in Kentucky Oaks (G1) preps with a resounding victory in Saturday’s $196,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds, and in the process, vaulted to the top of the leaderboard with 70 points. Farrell…

Feb 25, 2017

Danny Chen’s bargain buy Yorkiepoo Princess has been dominant of late at Aqueduct, but not until Saturday’s $150,000 Busher S. did she have the chance to compete for Kentucky Oaks (G1) points. The $8,000 two-year-old in training purchase continued her winning…

Feb 24, 2017

The next 10 weeks will be packed with compelling drama as the 2017 "Road to the“Kentucky Derby Championship Series” begins in earnest with Saturday’s Risen Star (GII) at Fair Grounds.

Feb 22, 2017

The Championship portion of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks kicks off Saturday with the $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds, and the 1 1/16-mile affair will award a total of 85 points toward a spot in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) starting gate. Vying…

Feb 22, 2017

Two-time sprint stakes winner Yorkiepoo Princess will have a chance to stretch her speed over 1 1/16 miles on Saturday in the $150,000 Busher at Aqueduct, a Kentucky Oaks (G1) prep that yielded 2013 winner Princess of Sylmar. The Busher is one of two Oaks…

Feb 21, 2017

For Guest Suite, the road to the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) gets increasingly more difficult the closer he gets. Conqueror of 10 rivals in last month's Lecomte (G3), the gelded son of Quality Road could face as many as 13 in Saturday's $400,000 Risen…

Feb 21, 2017

Nominations Open for 143 Breast Cancer Survivors to Walk in 2017 Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade Presented By KrogerLOUISVILLE, KY (Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017) – Churchill Downs and Norton Cancer Institute today announced a new charitable partnership to raise…

Feb 21, 2017

Don Alberto Stable’s Unique Bella, the brightest star thus far in North America’s 2017 crop of 3-year-old fillies, looms as a heavy bettors’ choice to win this year’s renewal of the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) when three days of wagering opens Friday in the 2017 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager. .

Feb 21, 2017

The always-popular Mutuel Field (#24), or “All Others,” looms as a solid betting favorite Pool 3 of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager, while reigning 2-year-old champion Classic Empire and unbeaten rising stars McCraken, Mastery and Irish War Cry figure to battle for role of individual favorite.

Feb 21, 2017

The “Prep Season” portion of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Series came to a close Monday with the $500,000 Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn. One Liner burst onto the leader board with an emphatic victory in his stakes debut for Todd Pletcher, and currently sits…

Feb 21, 2017

One Liner impressed on multiple fronts winning the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park on February 20, drawing away masterfully to a 3 ½-length decision and registering a 101 BRIS Speed rating.That’s one of the better numbers this year and One Liner was making…

Feb 21, 2017

McCraken is the latest talented homebred for Whitham Thoroughbreds, the nom de course of Janis R. Whitham and family. Whitham bred and raced such standouts as $4.4 million-earner Fort Larned, the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner, and millionaire Affluent.…

Feb 20, 2017

One Liner made a successful step up to stakes company in his first route attempt with a runaway victory in Monday's $500,000 Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park, a Road to the Kentucky Derby Series qualifier which awarded 10 points to the colt owned by WinStar…

Feb 20, 2017

Charismatic, who took fans on an unforgettable ride through the 1999 Triple Crown trail, has passed away at Old Friends , the Thoroughbred Retirement Center near Georgetown, Kentucky. The 21-year-old pensioner had been repatriated from his longtime stud…

Feb 19, 2017

Odds-on favorite Epicharis needed, and found, just enough room on the fence to get up in Sunday’s Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo, preserving his perfect record and topping the inaugural Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. Epicharis earned 50 points for his Hyacinth…

Feb 18, 2017

Antone Metaxas’ Zakaroff was sent off the longest shot at 48-1 in Saturday’s $200,450 El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields, but that didn’t stop the Steven Specht trainee from capturing the 1 1/8-mile contest under jockey Kyle Frey. The El…

Feb 17, 2017

After rolling to a convincing victory in the January 16 Smarty Jones, Uncontested will try to carry his momentum forward in Monday’s $500,000 Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park The front-running colt heads a field of 13 in the President’s Day feature. The…

Feb 16, 2017

The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby concludes Sunday (Saturday night 12:25 a.m. EST) with the Hyacinth Stakes over a metric mile at Tokyo, and five of the 15 entrants are nominees to the Triple Crown.  Two already have Derby points on the board – Mont…

Feb 16, 2017

Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby contender Mont Saint Legame could be Came Home's first big Japanese runner.

Feb 15, 2017

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series makes a stop in Northern California for the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields on February 18. Contested over a synthetic Tapeta track, the 1 1/8-mile qualifier offers points on a 10-4-2-1 scale…

Feb 14, 2017

McCraken continued to distinguish himself form-wise when opening his 3-year-old season in the February 11 Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, establishing a new track record posting a 1 ½-length victory, and the unbeaten colt finally earned a BRIS Speed…

Feb 14, 2017

McCraken remained undefeated, proved his ability to win outside Churchill Downs, and climbed the Kentucky Derby (G1) leaderboard in the span of 1:42.45 last Saturday when taking his season debut in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. Worth…

Feb 13, 2017

If there’s a watchword for Irish War Cry’s life story, it’s patience. Not only is patience the governing philosophy of his owner/breeder, Isabelle de Tomaso, and his handlers along the way, but his dam’s as well. The theme begins in his mother’s womb,…

Feb 12, 2017

Chanel’s Legacy closed out the Prep Season portion of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races in the Martha Washington Stakes on Saturday. That ended the 10-4-2-1 point contests (except for the April 9 Beaumont Stakes [G3]), with the next series…

Feb 11, 2017

Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC’s McCraken set a new track record of 1:42.45 for 1 1/16 miles at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday when rallying for a 1 1/2-length score in the $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) as the 3-2 favorite. The Ian Wilkes pupil found himself…

Feb 11, 2017

Chanel’s Legacy was sent off the 13-1 third longest shot in Saturday’s $125,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park but ran like a favorite to easily score by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Alex Birzer. The one-mile race closed out the Prep…

Feb 9, 2017

Saturday’s Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs features the return not only of the unbeaten McCracken but also the colt that pushed him hardest in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs last November, Wild Shot. Stamina may…

Feb 8, 2017

McCraken will make his long-awaited return on Saturday when facing eight rivals in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs with regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard. The 1 1/16-mile contest makes its debut this year on the Road to…

Feb 8, 2017

The Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues on Saturday when nine sophomore fillies line up in the $125,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The one-mile contest may not be graded but is an important part of Oaklawn’s three-year-old filly preps to…

Feb 7, 2017

Irish War Cry easily defeated a pair of well-regarded rivals and posted an outstanding 102 BRIS Speed rating in the February 4 Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park, leading wire-to-wire in a 3 ¾-length decision. It marked the first start in a Kentucky Derby qualifier…

Feb 7, 2017

El Areeb posted a sharp 4 ¼-length tally in the February 4 Withers (G3), romping in a second consecutive Kentucky Derby qualifier on Aqueduct’s inner track. The gray colt hasn’t faced top company, but he’s looked the part registering commendable BRIS Speed…

Feb 7, 2017

Classic Empire was always going to remain atop this week’s Kentucky Derby (G1) leader board regardless of his performance in last weekend’s Holy Bull (G2). However, the juvenile champion and early Derby favorite showed plenty of vulnerability when beaten…

Feb 7, 2017

Royal Mo kept moving forward while making his stakes and 3-year-old bow in the February 4 Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita, leading all the way in a 3 ½-length decision. But he must run faster to defeat better competition after generating a career-best 95…

Feb 5, 2017

Don Alberto Stable’s Unique Bella drew closer to the top of the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard on Sunday when romping by 8 3/4 lengths in the $196,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. The one-mile race drew a field of five but only four started,…

Feb 5, 2017

The 2017 portion of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks kicked off January 7 with the Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) going seven furlongs at Santa Anita Park. Two more points races followed in the coming weeks at Aqueduct and Fair Grounds. Each contest awarded points…

Feb 4, 2017

Isabelle de Tomaso’s homebred Irish War Cry led all the way home in Saturday’s $350,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park to move his record to a perfect three-for-three. The chestnut colt grabbed command of the 1 1/16-mile affair soon after the…

Feb 4, 2017

Although M M G Stables’ El Areeb was entitled to win Saturday’s $250,000 Withers (G3) at Aqueduct as the 1-2 favorite, the Maryland shipper did so in a way that elevated his profile as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender. El Areeb’s three previous wins had…

Feb 4, 2017

Royal Mo led wire-to-wire in Saturday’s $150,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita, posting a 3 ½-length victory under three-time Kentucky Derby winner Victor Espinoza. A front-running maiden scorer in his previous start, the 3-year-old colt picked up…

Feb 4, 2017

Tequilita earned her place on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard Saturday when turning back a game challenge from Grade 1 heroine Pretty City Dancer to take the $200,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park The Dorothy Alexander Matz homebred was sent…

Feb 3, 2017

Sunday’s $200,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park features an exciting match-up between Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) romper Unique Bella and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) champion Champagne Room. Up for grabs is not only first-place purse money…

Feb 3, 2017

Grade 1 heroine Pretty City Dancer takes on eight rivals when she goes in Saturday’s $200,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G2). The seven-furlong contest is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races and offers points to the respective top four…

Feb 1, 2017

Classic Empire was crowned champion two-year-old male after closing out 2016 with a gutsy neck victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Park. On Saturday, the Mark Casse pupil returns to competition at Gulfstream Park as part of a nine-horse…

Feb 1, 2017

El Areeb handled two turns with aplomb early in the new year, taking the January 2 Jerome (G3) at Aqueduct by more than 11 lengths. On Saturday, the gray looks to raise his Kentucky Derby (G1) profile even more in the $250,000 Withers (G3) over 1…

Feb 1, 2017

Stakes winners Dangerfield and Term of Art highlight a trio from two-time Kentucky Derby winner Doug O’Neill in Saturday’s $150,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita. As part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, the Lewis offers points on a 10-4-2-1…

Feb 1, 2017

A big weekend awaits with three Kentucky Derby preps, including the return of early favorite Classic Empire in the Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The unanimous 2-year-old champion is expected to receive three prep races in advance of the Run for the…

Jan 31, 2017

Saturday's $350,000 Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park has been eagerly anticipated for weeks as it will mark the sophomore debut of juvenile champion and early Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Classic Empire. Winner of the Bashford Manor (G3) at Churchill…

Jan 30, 2017

You could say that Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful McCraken is bred for a classic. In his case, the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) factors prominently in his pedigree. Contested over the Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles, at rotating host tracks, the Breeders’…

Jan 29, 2017

Champion Classic Empire edged the unbeaten duo of Mastery and McCraken for the role of individual favorite in Pool 2 of Churchill Downs' 2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, but the ever-popular "All Others" bet was the fans' choice after three days of betting.

Jan 29, 2017

Final odds and $2 win and exacta will-pays for 2017's Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2

Jan 28, 2017

Arrogate delivered another monstrous performance in the inaugural running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) at Gulfstream Park, accelerating to the lead on the far turn and rolling to a convincing 4 ¾-length tally in the world’s richest race. Trained…

Jan 27, 2017

The roster of 3-year-olds nominated to the 2017 Triple Crown has grown to 419 with the addition of Bourbon Lane Stable's Bourbon Empire, who was inadvertently omitted from the roster of early nominees.

Jan 27, 2017

Continued from Part 1 on the European nominees After Churchill Downs Inc. and the Japan Racing Association devised a “ Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby,” and the New York Racing Association followed up by offering a $1 million bonus to a Japanese-based…

Jan 27, 2017

As America’s iconic Thoroughbred race, the Kentucky Derby (G1) attracts interest from much further afield. This year, of a total of 418 three-year-olds nominated to the U.S. Triple Crown, 18 are internationally based. While it remains to be seen how many…

Jan 24, 2017

John C. Oxley’s 2-year-old champion Classic Empire (#3) is the individual favorite to win the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI), but the Mutuel Field (#24), or “All Others,” is expected to continue its traditional role as the overall betting choice in Pool 2 of Churchill Downs’ 2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (“KDFW”) that begins a three-day run on Friday, Jan. 27.

Jan 24, 2017

Champion juvenile Classic Empire heads an international roster of 418 3-year-old Thoroughbreds nominated to compete in the races of the 2017 Triple Crown series, which opens with the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) on Saturday, May 6 at Churchill Downs.

Jan 24, 2017

Guest Suite won his first attempt in a Kentucky Derby qualifier, rallying from midpack to score a 1 ¼-length decision in the January 21 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds. Held at a mile and 70 yards on a muddy track, the Lecomte awarded points on a 10-4-2-1 scale…

Jan 24, 2017

Barring any defections due to injuries and such, the Kentucky Derby (G1) leaderboard will remain static for a couple weeks following last Saturday’s $200,000 Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds. Contested at one mile and 70 yards, the Lecomte had a field of…

Jan 23, 2017

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Classic Empire, currently atop the Kentucky Derby (G1) points leaderboard, officially became a champion at Saturday night’s Eclipse Awards gala at Gulfstream Park . Receiving all 248 first-place votes for the champion two-year-old…

Jan 22, 2017

The force that is California Chrome ruled the night during Saturday evening’s 46th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony at Gulfstream Park. The popular chestnut earned his second Horse of the Year title, the first coming in 2014 when he captured the Kentucky…

Jan 22, 2017

Coffeepot Stables’ homebred Farrell posted an easy 2 3/4-length victory in Saturday’s $145,500 Silvebulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds, which saw the Wayne Catalano pupil jump from ninth position on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard to third. Farrell, the 4-5…

Jan 21, 2017

Trainer Neil Howard's enthusiasm for Guest Suite ahead of Saturday's $200,000 Lecomte (G3) was apparently so infectious, the three-year-old gelding was bet down from a 5-1 morning line price and started as the 5-2 favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1)…

Jan 20, 2017

Seven fillies will be vying for 17 total points on Saturday in the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes, the next race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. The mile-and-70-yard contest takes place at Fair Grounds, which is known for producing Kentucky Oaks (G1)…

Jan 18, 2017

The first of three qualifying races at Fair Grounds, Saturday’s $200,000 Lecomte (G3) features a contentious field of 12 competing for a total of 17 points (10-4-2-1 scale) toward a berth in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. Untrapped, a runaway last-out maiden…

Jan 17, 2017

Uncontested ran to his name in Monday’s Smarty Jones, dominating the one-mile event over a sloppy track at Oaklawn Park, and kudos to the Wayne Catalano-trained colt for a visually-impressive performance. The dark bay received a solid 97 BRIS Speed rating…

Jan 17, 2017

Before the potential re-emergence of some of last year’s leading juveniles and Kentucky Derby point earners early next month, the second half of January will see some fresh faces enter the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard Top 20. The process already began Monday…

Jan 16, 2017

Uncontested, the 6-5 favorite against seven rivals, rolled to a 5 1/4-length victory in Monday's $150,000 Smarty Jones, opening leg of Oaklawn Park's four-race series of Kentucky Derby (G1) preps. A son of Tiz Wonderful, Uncontested was sent to the…

Jan 15, 2017

Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Lockdown not only triumphed in her stakes debut on Sunday but also debuted on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard with 10 points thanks to that effort. The Bill Mott-trained Lockdown marked her first try against stakes rivals in the…

Jan 13, 2017

Libby’s Tail currently ranks 14th on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard with five points and will seek to move up the list on Sunday as part of a five-horse field entered in the Busanda Stakes. The mile-and-70-yard contest is part of the Road to the Kentucky…

Jan 13, 2017

Monday’s $150,000 Smarty Jones is the first of four Kentucky Derby qualifying races at Oaklawn Park and eight 3-year-olds will compete for a total of 17 points (10-4-2-1 scale) in the one-mile event. The Hot Springs, Arkansas track will also offer the…

Jan 12, 2017

The 2017 Smarty Jones Stakes will emanate from Oaklawn Park on Monday, January 16th as a Road to the Kentucky Derby points race. The top-four finishers will earn points worth 10-4-2-1 towards entering the Kentucky Derby (G1). The one mile long Smarty Jones…