Fri, 04/05/2024 - 11:50

Pletcher granted temporary stay of 14-day suspension

Todd Pletcher, the Hall of Fame trainer, has secured a temporary stay of a 14-day suspension recently issued by the New York State Gaming Commission for an overage of the regulated medication phenylbutazone, according to his attorney.

Thu, 04/04/2024 - 11:07

1/ST partners with British tracks for free berths in major stakes

1/ST Racing, the owner of Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park, among other racing assets, has reached an agreement with the operator of numerous courses in the United Kingdom to provide automatic berths and travel incentives to a handful of their races this year.

Wed, 04/03/2024 - 14:15

Kentucky Derby: The points bar could be set at record high

Barbara D. Livingston
Fierceness established himself as the Derby front-runner with this powerful victory in the Florida Derby.

We may now know who the favorite is for Kentucky Derby 150. By nightfall Saturday, we should have a pretty good line on the field likely to line up against impressive Florida Derby winner Fierceness at Churchill Downs on May 4.

Wed, 04/03/2024 - 11:55

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 3, 2024

Dubai Racing Club
Forever Young has risen up the charts, but history is against him as none of the past U.A.E. Derby winners have hit the board in the Kentucky Derby.

WHO’S HOT

Fierceness is back, with a vengeance. The 2023 male juvenile champion scored a dazzling victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, winning by more than 13 lengths, earning a 110 Beyer Speed Figure, and reclaiming the role of early Kentucky Derby favorite. Derby Watch linemaker David Aragona lowered the price on Fierceness to 3-1.

Wed, 04/03/2024 - 11:09

Zedan seeks injunction to allow Muth to run in Kentucky Derby

Coady Photography
Muth, owned by Amr Zedan, wins the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby by two lengths at Oaklawn Park.

Amr Zedan, the owner of Arkansas Derby winner Muth, has filed a lawsuit against Churchill Downs Inc. seeking a temporary injunction that would allow his horse to run in this year’s Kentucky Derby despite a ban on the horse’s trainer, Bob Baffert, according to a press release issued by Zedan’s public-relations firm and a copy of the lawsuit.

Wed, 04/03/2024 - 09:48

Endlessly might be back in Kentucky Derby picture

Coady photo
Endlessly has never raced on dirt, and still might run in the American Turf on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

Endlessly is scheduled for his first workout over the Churchill Downs dirt track Friday or Saturday, although his Kentucky Derby status is uncertain. Endlessly has won five of six on turf and synthetic, including four stakes and a four-length victory March 23 in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park. Endlessly earned 100 Derby qualifying points.

Tue, 04/02/2024 - 15:40

Timberlake will not run in Kentucky Derby

Timberlake trains at OP March 27 2024
Coady Photography
The connections of Timberlake have decided not to proceed to the Kentucky Derby following the colt's fourth-place finish in the Arkansas Derby last weekend.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Timberlake will not advance to the Kentucky Derby following his fourth-place finish in the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby, trainer Brad Cox said Tuesday.

Timberlake was the favorite for last Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and set the pace to about the quarter pole before being overtaken by winner Muth. Timberlake was beaten 6 3/4 lengths and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 88. The start came one race after Timberlake won the Grade 2 Rebel at 1 1/16 miles in February at Oaklawn.

Tue, 04/02/2024 - 15:14

Le Dom Bro, Tapalo among nine late nominations to Triple Crown

Kentucky Derby sign March 19 2024
Coady Photography
Several late nominees to the Triple Crown are expected to run in Kentucky Derby preps this Saturday.

Le Dom Bro, runner-up in the Fountain of Youth Stakes on March 2, and Tapalo, runner-up in the El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 10, head a group of nine 3-year-olds who were made late nominees to the Triple Crown, it was announced Tuesday by Churchill Downs.

Mon, 04/01/2024 - 13:20

Just F Y I leads Ashland field in 3-year-old debut

Barbara D. Livingston
Just F Y I (right) will meet Jody's Pride in the Ashland, in a rematch of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Eclipse Award champion Just F Y I headlines a field of eight fillies as she makes her delayed 3-year-old debut in the Grade 1, $600,000 Ashland Stakes on Friday at Keeneland, opening day of the Lexington, Ky., track's spring meeting. 

The first of 16 cards for Keeneland's spring meet was drawn on Monday. The Ashland is one of three stakes on the 10-race card, with a first post of 1 p.m. Eastern. 

Sun, 03/31/2024 - 09:56

Elfriede Stronach, wife of Frank Stronach, dies at 80

Barbara D. Livingston
Elfriede “Frieda” Stronach was the co-founder of Stronach Stables and Adena Springs Farm with her husband, Frank.

Elfriede “Frieda” Stronach, the wife of prominent owner/breeder Frank Stronach, died March 25 at age 80 at her home in Aurora, Ontario, after battling illness.