Kentucky Derby News

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…

Apr 12, 2017

A week after no clear standout emerged from three important Kentucky Derby (G1) preps, the door is open for reigning juvenile champion Classic Empire to re-emerge as the horse to beat on the first Saturday in May. First, the colt will need to confirm…

Apr 12, 2017

Saturday’s $200,000 Lexington Stakes (G3) is only worth 10-4-2-1 points toward a starting berth in the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1), but that was enough to attract a field of 10 for the 1 1/16-mile Keeneland contest. Included in the group are Senior Investment,…

Apr 12, 2017

A dozen sophomore fillies will line up on Friday for their chance at the final 170 points being offered toward a starting berth for the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1). The $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) rounds out the 2017 Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of…

Apr 12, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 12, 2017 – Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced that multi-platinum recording artist Harry Connick, Jr. will sing our national anthem at the 143rd Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 6, 2017.The multiple…

Apr 11, 2017

There are only two point-scoring preps remaining in this 2017 Road to the Kentucky Derby Series season, but only Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) figures to have an impact on the final Top 20 leader board. The other race, the Lexington (G3),…

Apr 11, 2017

Janis Whitham’s McCraken arrived at trainer Ian Wilkes’ Barn 26 at Churchill Downs Monday morning following a third-place finish in Saturday’s Blue Grass (Grade II) at Keeneland, and all systems are go for the 3-year-old son of Ghostzapper to move forward…

Apr 11, 2017

Irish War Cry’s roller-coaster ride to the Kentucky Derby hit a high mark in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) as he rolled to a 3 1/2-length decision at Aqueduct. After a puzzling clunker in the March 4 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park, the New Jersey-bred…

Apr 11, 2017

Gormley raced on the front end in his first three wins but after getting burnt chasing the pace in the San Felipe (G2) on March 11, the 3-year-old switched to a reserved run style in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1). The change in tactics resulted in…

Apr 10, 2017

The purple silks of Reddam Racing are well-known to Kentucky Derby fans, with victories in two of the last five runnings. Nyquist proved best as the 2-1 favorite in front of 167,227 patrons at Churchill Downs last year and I’ll Have Another captured the…

Apr 10, 2017

The $1 million Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland delivered a surprising outcome with Irap recording a 31-1 upset. He’s headed to the Kentucky Derby for owner Reddam Racing and trainer Doug O’Neill. Runner-up Practical Joke offered a fine showing, advancing to…

Apr 9, 2017

Sweet Loretta hadn’t been seen in competition since suffering her first career loss in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) last November at Santa Anita Park, but on Sunday made her three-year-old debut a winning one at Keeneland. The St. Elias Stable…

Apr 8, 2017

Trainer John Shirreffs has been teaching Jerry and Ann Moss’ Gormley how to save his energy for the finish, and the homework paid off with a form turnaround in Saturday’s $1,002,415 Santa Anita Derby (G1) – and a ticket to the Kentucky Derby. Gormley…

Apr 8, 2017

Saturday's $1 million Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland featured the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) Pool 3 favorite McCraken, recent prep winners Tapwrit and J Boys Echo, and Grade 1 winner Practical Joke. However, all were upset by the maiden Irap, who…

Apr 8, 2017

Irish War Cry regained his Kentucky Derby momentum in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct, recording a 3 ½-length decision in the major prep race. The Graham Motion-trained colt had questions to answer after flopping in the March 4 Fountain of Youth…

Apr 8, 2017

Martin and Pam Wygod and Steven Sarkowsky’s Paradise Woods turned her stakes debut into a record-setting victory when capturing Saturday’s $400,690 Santa Anita Oaks (G1) for trainer Richard Mandella. The bay filly set all the pace in the 1 1/16-mile contest over…

Apr 8, 2017

Miss Sky Warrior posted a gate-to-wire victory on Saturday in the $300,000 Gazelle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct, romping home by 13 lengths with jockey Paco Lopez aboard for trainer Kelly Breen. Campaigned by breeder Arlene London’s Sun Star Stable, Miss Sky…

Apr 8, 2017

Sailor’s Valentine wasn’t given much chance in Saturday’s $500,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, sent off the second longest shot in the eight-filly field at 22-1. The Eddie Kenneally-trained miss didn’t know that, though, and posted a half-length…

Apr 7, 2017

The $150,000 Beaumont Stakes (G3) at Keeneland on Sunday is the penultimate race in the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races, and features a pair of Grade 1-winning fillies making their three-year-old bows. Though it’s taking place in the…

Apr 7, 2017

Kentucky Derby: Full Court Press This is the second installment of “Kentucky Derby: Full Court Press,” which centers on Albaugh Family Stable’s 3-year-old colt J Boys Echo and his team. Part 2: Downgrade doesn’t change plans Trainer Dale Romans and…

Apr 7, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, April 7, 2017) – The Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by TwinSpires.com is in its final stages with three crucial steppingstones on Saturday to America’s greatest race – the $750,000 Wood Memorial (GII), $1 million Blue Grass…

Apr 7, 2017

Farrell is in full command of the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard with rival Unique Bella sidelined with a shin injury. Her reign could come to an end with five preps left on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races, but she’s the one to beat right…

Apr 7, 2017

As you might expect for a colt who sold for $1.2 million as a yearling, Tapwrit has always been the type to catch the eye. His good looks match his pedigree. The gray gets his coat color from leading sire Tapit, and his dam, Appealing Zophie, won Saratoga’s premier…

Apr 6, 2017

Celebrates Modern American Cuisine with Local Ingredients and Traditional Southern Flavors LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 6, 2017 – Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced the official menu of the 143rd Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands. Each year, the official…

Apr 5, 2017

Irish War Cry made a name for himself by capturing his first three career starts, including the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park by 3 3/4 lengths on February 4. Off that easy win, the Graham Motion trainee was sent off the even-money favorite in…

Apr 5, 2017

The $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1) proved popular at the entry box, attracting a field of 13 Kentucky Derby hopefuls, and Iliad has been installed as a slight 7-2 morning line favorite. He’s one of four entrants from trainer Doug O’Neill. As part of…

Apr 5, 2017

Grade 1 heroine Abel Tasman takes on six rivals Saturday in the $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1) under jockey Mike Smith. The Santa Anita Oaks is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races and will award the respective top four finishers with…

Apr 5, 2017

The coveted solid gold Kentucky Derby Winner's Trophy has arrived at Churchill Downs for the 2017 Run for the Roses.

Apr 5, 2017

A field of nine sophomore fillies has been entered to go the Kentucky Oaks (G1) distance of nine furlongs on Saturday in the $300,000 Gazelle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. The Gazelle is part of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races, and offers…

Apr 5, 2017

Of the eight fillies entered in Saturday’s $500,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, only one is currently listed in the top 14 on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard. That one is Daddys Lil Darling, and the Kenny McPeek trainee can boost herself all the way…

Apr 5, 2017

The $1 million Blue Grass at Keeneland was downgraded to Grade 2 status this year but could wind up being the most important prep race for the 2017 Kentucky Derby. The 1 1/8-mile race features a quartet of graded stakes winners with serious aspirations and…

Apr 3, 2017

With a dazzling stakes debut in the Florida Derby (G1), Always Dreaming rose significantly in Kentucky Derby stature. The athletic colt drew off to a five-length victory, registering a 102 BRIS Speed rating that ranks among the best numbers this year, and…

Apr 3, 2017

Girvin doesn’t check all the boxes. His Risen Star (G2) and TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) performances were not overwhelming, yielding solid-but-unspectacular BRIS Speed ratings of 98 and 99. And he’s still relatively inexperienced with four career…

Apr 3, 2017

With two weekends to go and five preps in the Road to the Kentucky Derby Series remaining, an interesting question is how many more horses Todd Pletcher can get qualified for the big race. On Saturday, the Pletcher barn saw two colts that had never run…

Apr 2, 2017

It was a battle of unbeaten stars in Pool 4 of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager as McCraken (#15, 5-1) edged Always Drearming (#1, 6-1) to be favored in the fourth and final pool of Churchill Downs' 2017 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Apr 2, 2017

Most people wish for the weekend to last forever. But not one self-proclaimed “casual handicapper.” David Hoyt could barely contain his excitement a year ago when Creator rallied from last to take the Arkansas Derby (G1), the final race in the Final…

Apr 1, 2017

Always Dreaming spectacularly punched his Kentucky Derby ticket in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, drawing off to a five-length decision in his stakes debut. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt extended his win streak to three and picked…

Apr 1, 2017

Favored at 6-5 odds, Girvin did not disappoint comfortably prevailing by 1 ¼ lengths in the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds. The Joe Sharp-trained colt moved to the top of the Leaderboard in the Kentucky Derby qualifier, increasing…

Apr 1, 2017

Farrell completed a sweep of the Fair Grounds series for three-year-old fillies headed to the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1) when romping home by 3 1/4 lengths in Saturday’s Fair GroundsOaks (G2). Regular rider Channing Hill, who has now been aboard the Malibu…

Apr 1, 2017

Salty captured her stakes debut in Saturday’s $250,000 GulfstreamPark Oaks (G2) under jockey Joel Rosario, and in the process earned a shot at the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. The Quality Road filly is not currently nominated to the Kentucky…

Mar 31, 2017

The Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by TwinSpires.com heats up Saturday with the $1 million Florida Derby (Grade I) at Gulfstream Park and $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (GII) at Fair Grounds. Both races will award 100 points to the winner…