Kentucky Derby News

May 17, 2018

That’s the question fans are asking as unbeaten Kentucky Derby (G1) star Justify looms as the heavy 1-2 favorite in the Preakness (G1). While every Preakness serves as a referendum on the Derby winner, Saturday’s 143rd renewal has more reason than most…

May 17, 2018

With Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Justify an odds-on favorite (justifiably) for Saturday's Preakness (G1), contemplating who the best longshot to play in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown seems an odd task on the surface. Keep in mind, though, there…

May 15, 2018

History favors Kentucky Derby runners in the Preakness Stakes. The winner typically looms large and Justify will be an overwhelming favorite when the field lines up for Saturday’s 143rd Preakness at Pimlico. Thirty-one of the last 35 Preakness winners…

May 15, 2018

1. The Preakness, and the Triple Crown in general, has been the scene of famous rivalries. One of the more interesting if lesser known ones involved Hill Prince and Middleground, who met in the 1950 Preakness for the fourth time in less than a month.…

May 11, 2018

Fresh off a brilliant Kentucky Derby (G1) as co-owners of victorious Justify and third-placer Audible, Kenny Troutt’s WinStar Farm marches on to Pimlico with a similarly strong representation for the May 19 Preakness Stakes (G1). WinStar homebred Quip will…

May 9, 2018

The plethora of graded stakes at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby weekend took on added importance this year as it offered an opportunity to get test runs over courses that will be presented during the 2018 Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 2-3.

May 7, 2018

Although much can change in the build-up to the May 19 Preakness (G1), not too many are eager to confront Kentucky Derby (G1) star Justify in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

May 6, 2018

NEXT STOP PIMLICO FOR UNBEATEN DERBY HERO JUSTIFY JUSTIFY (1st)/SOLOMINI (10th) – The 144th Kentucky Derby winner was full of energy this morning and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has every intention of heading to Baltimore for the May 19 Preakness Stakes…

May 6, 2018

Justify Wins the 144th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve in Front of Rain-Soaked CrowdHighest All-Sources Wagering on Kentucky Derby Day program and Kentucky Derby race157,813 Endure Wettest Kentucky DerbyLOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 5, 2018) – Fans braved…

May 5, 2018

JOHN ASHER: Ladies and gentlemen, we will go through the list at the podium. Mike Smith, again, two‑time Kentucky Derby winner. (Applause) Bob Baffert, the Kentucky Derby‑winning trainer. (Applause) I'm going to go to Elliott and make sure I get everybody…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, Starlight Racing and Head of Plains Partners’ favored Justify took command at the half-mile pole and roared away to a 2 ½-length victory over Good Magic under the lights at Churchill…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018): Bob Baffert, trainer of Justify (1st), Solomini (10th) – “We saw something really great. That’s greatness right there. When he won his second race we were in (American) Pharoah territory.” On Solomini: “I knew…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018): Mike Smith, rider of Justify (1st) – “Going into the race the main concern was just getting him out of the gate. This horse is so talented. I keep using the term ‘above average’ because he has a mind to him as well.…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – China Horse Club, WinStar Farm and Head of Plains Partners’ Yoshida (JPN) returned to the races from a seven-month layoff to turn back favored Beach Patrol by three-quarters of a length to win the 32nd running of the…

May 5, 2018

Justify prevailed over both champion Good Magic and the sloppy main track at Churchill Downs on Saturday when scoring in the 2018 Kentucky Derby (G1) for trainer Bob Baffert. Jockey Mike Smith guided the chestnut son of Scat Daddy in the 1 1/4-mile affair,…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – On a rainy afternoon suitable for ducks, Calumet Farm’s Funny Duck romped to a 4 ¾-length victory over New York Central in the 94th running of the $300,000 Pat Day Mile Presented by LG&E and KU (Grade III) for 3-year-olds. Trained…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – Treadway Racing Stable’s Maraud surged to the lead at mid-stretch en route to a 1 ½-length victory in the 27th running of the $300,000 American Turf Presented by Ram Trucks (Grade II) for 3-year-olds. Trained by…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – Katherine Ball’s homebred Limousine Liberal surged to the front in deep stretch to successfully defend his title by a head over Warrior’s Club in winning the 84th running of the $500,000 Churchill Downs Presented by…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – Patricia Moseley’s homebred Proctor’s Ledge collared On Leave at the sixteenth pole and pulled away to a half-length victory in the 33rd running of the $300,000 Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (Grade II) for fillies…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – Kaleem Shah’s American Gal moved past Finley’sluckycharm on the turn and drew clear to win the 32nd running of the $300,000 Humana Distaff (Grade I) for fillies and mares by two lengths over Ivy Bell in the first of…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) -- Trainer Steve Asmussen became the second North American trainer to record 8,000 victories when L and N Racing’s Lookin At Lee took the third race on Saturday’s Kentucky Derby Day card. Asmussen trails only Dale…

May 5, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – Trainer Brad Cox had the blanket of lilies proudly displayed outside his barn and was a popular person among media and well-wishers Saturday morning, less than 12 hours after winning the biggest race of his career with…

May 5, 2018

COX CELEBRATES HOMETOWN OAKS VICTORY WITH MONOMOY GIRL LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, May 5, 2018) – Trainer Brad Cox had the blanket of lilies proudly displayed outside his barn and was a popular person among media and well-wishers Saturday morning, less than…

May 5, 2018

Timeline of Events: Kentucky Derby Day (PDF)

May 4, 2018

The 144th Running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks Attracts 113,510 Fans as Monomoy Girl Claims the Lillies Kentucky Oaks sets All-time Wagering Record LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 4, 2018) – The fifth-highest crowd of 113,510 fans watched Monomoy Girl capture the…

May 4, 2018

Kentucky Derby Advance Wagering Odds and Double Will Pays (PDF)

May 4, 2018

JOHN ASHER: Good evening, everyone. And welcome to the press conference following the 144th running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks. And the winner of the Kentucky Oaks, Monomoy Girl! (Applause.) I will start down here on the rail with the jockey who was…

May 4, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 4, 2018) – Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables’ Monomoy Girl outdueled Wonder Gadot by a half-length after a stretch-long duel to win the 144th running of the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks…

May 4, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 4, 2018): Brad Cox, trainer of Monomoy Girl (1st), Sassy Sienna (6th) and Kelly’s Humor (8th) –“It was unbelievable. It worked out just the way we planned. That was the trip we were hoping for. Florent (Geroux) did a great job…

May 4, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 4, 2018): Florent Geroux, rider of Monomoy Girl (1st) – “This is an unbelievable feeling. The filly was sharp early and I just hustled her out of the gate to get a good position. From there I was pretty confident, but when I…

May 4, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 4, 2018) – Ken Baca, Lisa and Nicholas Hawkins and Lynne and Joseph Hudson’s Toinette caught the previously undefeated Rushing Fall just before the wire to win the 34th running of the $200,000 Edgewood presented by Forcht Bank (Grade…

May 4, 2018

Monomoy Girl captured the 2018 Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Friday at Churchill Downs with jockey Florent Geroux aboard. Trained by Brad Cox, the chestnut daughter of Tapizar ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.13 over the fast main track as the 5-2 second choice and survived…

May 4, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 4, 2018) – Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Backyard Heaven disposed of 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming on the far turn and drew off to win the 15th running of the $400,000 Alysheba presented by Sentient Jet (Grade II) for 3-year-olds…

May 4, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 4, 2018) – Klein Racing’s Will Call emerged from a tight pack in deep stretch to win the 24th running of the $200,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Presented by TwinSpires.com (Grade III) by 1 ¼ lengths over Kid Perfect.Trained by Brad Cox and…

May 4, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 4, 2018) – Gary Barber Baccari Racing Stable and Chester Prince’s Salty wore down a game, front-running Farrell to win the 33rd running of the $350,000 La Troienne presented by TwinSpires.com (Grade I) for fillies and mares by 1…

May 4, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 4, 2018) – William and Corinne Heligbrodt, Heider Family Stables and Madaket Stables’ Mia Mischief fought off an early test from Amy’s Challenge and then held off a late bid from Talk Veuve to Me by 1 ¾ lengths to win the 63rd running…

May 4, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, May 4, 2018) – On a warm and breezy Friday morning at Churchill Downs all entrants for Saturday’s 144th running of the $2,192,000 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) stretched their legs. Twenty of the 21 entrants…

May 3, 2018

WEILAND SPRINGS UPSET IN KENTUCKY JUVENILE; MR CUB DELIVERS AS FAVORITE IN OPENING VERSE LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, May 3, 2018) – John Ennis’ Weiland outgamed Myhotrodlincoln by a head to win the 25th running of the $100,000 Kentucky Juvenile for 2-year-olds…

May 3, 2018

One of the most fascinating things about pedigrees is discovering the relationships between today’s horses and top performers of the past. Whether bred in the purple or more of a blue-collar baby, the contenders for Saturday’s 144th running of the Kentucky…

May 3, 2018

TODAY Show & Tonight Show to Feature Kentucky Derby Segments as NBCUniversal Surrounds Derby Day STAMFORD, Conn. – May 3, 2018 – NBC Sports Group celebrates the 144th Kentucky Derby with 14 hours of Kentucky Derby Week coverage highlighted by a record…

May 3, 2018

If you’re into numbers and attempting to decipher whose speed, pace and class figures indicate a winner…this guide is not for you. Nope, this is for the 99.9 percent of the population who bet three, maybe four, times a year on the three Triple Crown races…

May 3, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, May 3, 2018) – In possibly the most anticipated pre-Derby entrance at Churchill Downs since Arazi in 1992, runaway UAE Derby (GII) winner Mendelssohn emerged from quarantine Thursday morning to get his first feel of the track beneath…

May 3, 2018

The last decade or so has been a relatively lean time for true longshots scoring upset victories in the Kentucky Derby. Since 2006, only three winners have been sent away at odds of 10-1 or higher: Mine That Bird (50-1), Animal Kingdom (20-1), and I'll…

May 3, 2018

If no horse based outside of the Western Hemisphere has ever won the Kentucky Derby (G1), it’s equally true that none has brought the credentials of Mendelssohn. Between his pedigree, as a Scat Daddy half-brother to four-time U.S. champion Beholder…

May 2, 2018

Give the Show Parlay a try I’ve been betting horses a long time but when it comes to spending an afternoon at a Kentucky Derby party or even the track with my wife and casual racing friends, any in-depth analysis or multi-race betting strategies can go…

May 2, 2018

A 5 1/2-length wire job in the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on April 7 helped propel Monomoy Girl into 2-1 favoritism when the post positions were drawn Monday for the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Friday, May 4, at Churchill Downs. The Brad Cox-trained…

May 2, 2018

May 2, 2018 (Louisville, KY): Audible Inc., the world’s largest seller and producer of downloadable audiobooks and other spoken-word entertainment, will donate $25,000 to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) May 5 as a continuation of Audible Inc.’s involvement…

May 2, 2018

The Road to Churchill: Breeders’ Cup Kentucky Derby Sweepstakes to offer VIP experience at 2018 World Championships

May 2, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, May 2, 2018) – All entrants but one for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks were on the track at Churchill Downs on a balmy Wednesday morning in Kentucky.The one is UAE Derby (Grade II) winner Mendelssohn, who is expected to clear…

May 2, 2018

1. The Kentucky Derby was first run on Monday, May 17, 1875, the first ever day of racing at the track that would become known as Churchill Downs. The Derby, then run at 1 1/2 miles, was the second of four races on the program. Interestingly, another…

May 2, 2018

Includes James Beard Award and Top Chef Winners to Kick Off Derby Weekend with Flavors from Across the Nation  LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 2, 2018 – The ninth annual Taste of Derby presented by Angry Orchard will kick off the 144th Derby weekend with delicious…

May 1, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Tuesday, May 1, 2018) – European invader Deauville (IRE), trained by Aidan O’Brien, tops a field of 10 for Saturday’s $500,000 Old Forester Turf Classic (Grade I), one of seven graded stakes on the 14-race program that is highlighted by the…

May 1, 2018

For First Time, Derby Fans Can Support Their Derby Pick With Officially Licensed Merchandise LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Tuesday, May 1, 2018) –Churchill Downs today announced the Kentucky Derby Contenders Collection, a new line of officially licensed merchandise that…

May 1, 2018

Twenty aspiring three-year-olds await their date with destiny in Saturday’s 144th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Making it to America’s iconic race, the “greatest two minutes in sports,” is the culmination of a journey that began in the hopes and dreams…

May 1, 2018

Features Live Music, Kentucky Food & Drink and a 2018 Derby Box Giveaway LOUISVILLE, KY (Tuesday, May 1, 2018) – The fifth annual Thurby presented by Old Forester® will kick off Derby weekend on Thursday with its annual celebration of Kentucky and the local…

May 1, 2018

JUSTIFY 3-1 MORNING-LINE DERBY FAVORITE, MAKES INITIAL CHURCHILL DOWNS APPEARANCE LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Tuesday, May 1, 2018) – China Horse Club International, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing and WinStar Farm’s undefeated Justify, who was made the 3-1…

May 1, 2018

QUOTES FROM THE 144th KENTUCKY DERBY DRAWJASON SERVIS (FIRENZE FIRE, Post Position 1, 50-1) – “I think it’s a lot better than 19 or 20, really. I’d rather be inside. I’m OK with it.”DALE ROMANS (FREE DROP BILLY, Post Position 2, 30-1); PROMISES FULFILLED Post…

May 1, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Tuesday, May 1, 2018) – China Horse Club International, Heads of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing and WinStar Farm’s undefeated Justify has been established as the 3-1 morning-line favorite in a field of 20 3-year-olds and one also eligible entered…

Apr 30, 2018

As if we needed more reason to mourn the loss of internationally renowned sire Scat Daddy in 2015, at the young age of 11, the late Coolmore stallion is responsible for four  Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders. Two fittingly have Coolmore connections.  Mendelssohn is…

Apr 30, 2018

In what is believed to be a Churchill Downs first, the winners from the previous year’s Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks will be returning to run under the Twin Spires a year later on Derby Weekend.

Apr 30, 2018

NBC & NBCSN Present Three Days of Coverage, Including Saturday’s Live “Run for the Roses” 15 Commentators to Contribute to Live Telecasts, Beginning This Thursday, May 3 at 4 p.m. ET on NBCSN Derby Coverage Features New Backstretch Aerial Camera…

Apr 30, 2018

Combatant Works Toward Derby 144, Mendelssohn due To Arrive Monday Afternoon; Monomoy Girl 2-1 Morning Line Favorite For Kentucky OaksLOUISVILLE, Ky. (Monday, April 30, 2018) – Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing’s Combatant completed his major…

Apr 30, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Monday, April 30, 2018) – Monomoy Girl and Midnight Bisou, the two dominant 3-year-old fillies in the country, will clash for the first time Friday as they head a field of 14 entered Monday for the 144th running of the $1 million Longines…

Apr 30, 2018

Looking at a set of Kentucky Derby past performances, it’s easy to find that John D. Gunther bred a pair of contenders in Justify and Vino Rosso, and that WinStar Farm likewise appears as the breeder of two more in Bolt d’Oro and Noble Indy (in addition to…

Apr 30, 2018

Free Drop Billy will try for better luck in the Kentucky Derby (G1) than sire Union Rags had in the 2012 running, where he was too far back early after a troubled start and closed belatedly for seventh. But that only scratches the surface of Free Drop Billy’s Derby…

Apr 29, 2018

Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Instilled Regard was bred by KatieRich Farms within its first decade of operation in the Bluegrass, but as a grandson of incoming Hall of Famer Heavenly Prize, his pedigree is old-school. Larry and Karen Doyle’s nom de course,…

Apr 29, 2018

Churchill Downs Racetrack today re-emphasized its annual enhanced security measures for horses competing in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) and ongoing safety and integrity measures included in its “Safety from Start to Finish”…

Apr 29, 2018

Juddmonte Farms’ Hofburg tuned up for Kentucky Derby 144 by working a half-mile in company in :48.20 at Churchill Downs on a cool Sunday morning.  With exercise rider Penny Gardiner up for trainer Bill Mott, Hofburg produced fractions of :13.20, :24.60,…

Apr 29, 2018

Whether you cash a ticket or not, the Kentucky Derby result can be gratifying in other ways. An example of that is witnessing a long-time patron of the turf who, after decades of industry support and success, finally tastes victory for the first time…

Apr 28, 2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Saturday, April 28, 2018) – Newtown Anner Stud’s Beckford (GB) rallied from far back in the stretch to run down pace-setter Salmanazar by three-quarters of a length to win the fourth running of the $100,000 William Walker Presented by GE…

Apr 28, 2018

With the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Oaks (G1) just a week away, now would be a good time to look at some of the records currently on the books. First up, the KENTUCKY OAKS. After all, it does take place first. The fastest running of the Kentucky Oaks…

Apr 28, 2018

Kevin Chessen’s Luv This Lifestyle, one of 10 2-year-old winners sent out by trainer Wesley Ward at the just concluded Keeneland meet, headlines a field of nine 2-year-olds entered Saturday for Thursday’s 25th running of the $100,000 Kentucky Juvenile run…

Apr 28, 2018

The ever-professional Flameaway strives to become the third Canadian-bred winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1), emulating his direct male-line ancestor Northern Dancer (1964) and Sunny’s Halo (1983). Descended from Northern Dancer via the Storm Cat branch, Flameaway…

Apr 28, 2018

E Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables’ 2-year-old champion Good Magic headed a group of six hopefuls for next Saturday’s $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) putting in works at Churchill Downs on a Chamber of Commerce Saturday…

Apr 28, 2018

My Boy Jack’s bargain yearling price belies his pedigree as well as his birthplace. He was bred by former Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones and raised at his Airdrie Stud, whose roots go back to the most illustrious Bluegrass farm of the 19th century. Airdrie…

Apr 27, 2018

One year after Thunder Snow’s bucking bronco exhibition, Godolphin resumes its quest for the Kentucky Derby (G1) with another homebred. But unlike Irish-bred Thunder Snow, who came to Churchill Downs via Europe and Dubai, Enticed hails from the American…

Apr 27, 2018

Firenze Fire, the first foal of a mare claimed – against advice – for $16,000, has been a hard-trying overachiever for owner/breeder Ron Lombardi’s Mr. Amore Stable. Lombardi knows all about training of the human variety as the president and CEO of SportsCare…

Apr 27, 2018

Two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher put his 2018 Run for the Roses arsenal on full display Friday morning at Churchill Downs under a cloudless sky with four workers. Three Pletcher workers were on the track during the special 7:30-7:45…

Apr 26, 2018

What tidbits can we learn from decades outside of the 'golden' eras?

Apr 26, 2018

Kenny Troutt’s WinStar Farm is already in an enviable position as the co-owner of two premier Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders in Justify and Audible, both auction purchases. But the Versailles, Kentucky, establishment has two additional rooting interests…

Apr 26, 2018

Even with a small bank roll, you can have fun and find nice returns for your $10 bets!

Apr 26, 2018

Keeneland, William S. Farish’s Lane’s End and Churchill Downs Racetrack have teamed to sponsor the Bluegrass Breakfast, an enhanced breakfast experience for horsemen in the Churchill Downs stable area during Kentucky Derby Week. The Bluegrass Breakfast will…

Apr 26, 2018

Godolphin Racing’s Enticed worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 at Palm Meadows Thursday morning for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin as the pace of final works for the 144th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) as well as for the 144th Longines Kentucky…

Apr 26, 2018

Born in an historic New York neighborhood, Audible hopes to become only the second horse bred in the Empire State to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) after Funny Cide (2003). But there’s also a lot of Kentucky in this colt who was raised in the Bluegrass. Audible…

Apr 25, 2018

Each year, the Kentucky Derby (G1) has a field of 20 horses going a distance of ground that none have ever attempted. Please don't call it a crapshoot since rolling a pair of dice only has 11 possible outcomes. With 20 horses, it results in 380 possible…

Apr 25, 2018

Newtown Anner Stud’s Beckford (GB) heads a field of 10 3-year-olds entered Wednesday for the fourth running of the $100,000 William Walker going five furlongs on the turf, the highlight of Opening Night presented by Budweiser.          Saturday’s 10-race…

Apr 25, 2018

Pour over the history books enough and you can find some commonalities that link this year's Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls with one or more past winners of America's most famous race. Some are well known, others less so. Stump your friends with some…

Apr 25, 2018

Juddmonte Farms’ Hofburg, runner-up in the Florida Derby (Grade I) in his most recent start, made his first visit to the track at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning as he began his preparations for the 144th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI).  Hofburg,…

Apr 24, 2018

One day after Justify was born at John D. Gunther’s Glennwood Farm, the Versailles, Kentucky nursery welcomed another bundle of joy – Vino Rosso. Who would have dreamed that three years later, the Gunther-bred colts who grew up together would face each other in…

Apr 24, 2018

Trainer Todd Pletcher’s four Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) hopefuls arrived at Churchill Downs at 2:30 Monday afternoon with the trainer following a few hours later. On Tuesday morning, it was back to work.At 7:30, during the special…

Apr 24, 2018

What exactly is the "Apollo Curse" and how does it pertain to this year's Kentucky Derby? The Apollo Curse is simply a long-standing trend bettors believe justifies not backing any horse in the Kentucky Derby that was unraced as a two-year-old. It…

Apr 23, 2018

If Monday morning brought news that Gronkowski’s Kentucky Derby (G1) hopes could be dashed, confirmation came later in the day when connections officially withdrew the European Road invitee, citing “a slight infection.” That allowed Instilled Regard, the…

Apr 23, 2018

Trainer Todd Pletcher’s horses for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) contingent are expected to arrive at Louisville International Airport at 1:30 (all times Eastern) this afternoon after leaving its winter base at Palm Beach Downs in…

Apr 22, 2018

Undefeated Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Magnum Moon is the latest headliner with deep ties to historic Claiborne Farm. Not only was he born and raised at the Paris, Kentucky, nursery, but his pedigree features past Claiborne patriarchs, and his breeder,…

Apr 22, 2018

Craig Upham’s Ashland Stakes (Grade I) third-place finisher Patrona Margarita recorded a half-mile breeze in :48.80 on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for a start in the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) on Friday, May 4.         …

Apr 21, 2018

John Oxley’s Flameaway, Albaugh Family Stables’ Free Drop Billy and Robert Baron’s Promises Fulfilled kicked off the exclusive training period for Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve contenders from 7:30-7:45 a.m. (all times Eastern) Saturday with…

Apr 20, 2018

News about Rob Gronkowski buying into his namesake Kentucky Derby (G1) contender rightly grabbed all the headlines, but there are a couple of strictly racing-related updates for Gronkowski the horse. Since our last article summing up the European Road…

Apr 20, 2018

Churchill Downs Racetrack, in conjunction with TwinSpires.com, will provide live online streaming of Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders’ workouts when the exclusive 7:30-7:45 a.m. (all times Eastern) training window begins in earnest Saturday.The…

Apr 20, 2018

Calumet Farm’s Risen Star (Grade II) winner Bravazo breezed six furlongs in 1:15.40 Friday morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI), which will be staged for the 144th consecutive year…

Apr 19, 2018

If you knew nothing about Hofburg as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender, his name alone would be a substantial clue. Only a colt of the most exquisite bloodlines, physique, and comportment could bear such a name worthily, evoking the stateliness of Imperial…