A series of races designed to attract a horse from Europe in addition to the series of races similarly designed for a Japanese runner, which debuted last year, are among the highlights of the preps for the 2018 Kentucky Derby, which were announced on Thursday by Churchill Downs.
The annual showcase event at Turfway Park, the Spiral Stakes, has undergone a reduction in its point value toward Kentucky Derby eligibility and a major purse cut.
Kevin McFarland found himself back in the winner’s circle at a major tournament this past weekend, winning the Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge and netting more than $272,000 in the process.
A photographic look at how the Kentucky Derby unfolded from start to finish.
Despite unseasonably cool temperatures, the lack of a popular contender, and a quirky wet track, wagering on the Kentucky Derby and its supporting card at Churchill Downs on Saturday set records, with total betting surpassing $200 million for the first time on a North American race card, according to the race charts.
The World Championship of Handicapping qualifying season is officially underway. On Derby Day, five players won their $5,000 seats to the $1 million, no takeout WCH finals on tournaments.drf.com.
This observer needed a score or more of stop-and-start viewings to cobble together a very unofficial set of comments on the 143rd Kentucky Derby. The task was rendered even more daunting when at least half the field had become unrecognizable by the time they were wobbling through the stretch. How do those Equibase guys do it?
Though it was not one of the names on the laundry list of owners tied to Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming, the fingerprints of WinStar Farm could be seen all over the race's superfecta.
Bodemeister is the last favorite to lose in the Kentucky Derby. He has gotten revenge in a big way, with Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming in his first crop.
The myriad connections of the male line of 143rd Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming to the Kentucky Derby began 64 years ago, when his seventh-generation male-line ancestor Native Dancer finished second, beaten a head, by Dark Star in the 79th Derby.
