All 75 blood samples pulled from horses entered on the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby cards at Churchill Downs on Friday and Saturday tested negative for blood-doping drugs and illegal peptides, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announced on Friday morning.
It’s a little-noted fact: The 2013 Kentucky Derby was a landmark edition in modern Derby history. Why? The horses that broke from posts 1 through 5 finished, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth, the best showing ever by inside-drawn horses in a 20-horse Derby field. Yes – ever.
Pablo Del Monte will not run Saturday as a drawn-in also-eligible in the 140th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, it was announced early Friday by the connections of the Florida-bred colt.
Saturday's Kentucky Derby will have a clear-cut favorite in California Chrome, the winner of four straight stakes by a total of 24 1/4 lengths. In my opinion, it’s basically a two-horse race between California Chrome and Wicked Strong.
Wicked Strong, Intense Holiday, and Danza are among the Kentucky Derby horses who have impressed Mike Welsch with their training leading up to the race.
When Kentucky Derby entrant General a Rod was sold for an undisclosed amount earlier this week, the names of the purchasers, Starlight Partners and Skychai Racing, may have surprised some.
Derby futures players holding tickets at 30-1 and 32-1 on California Chrome are among those with the best long-term wagering value on Kentucky Derby 140.
Though five owners and trainers in both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby have signed a pledge to make their veterinary records available, that does not guarantee that the records will be released.
As he did two days before winning the Wood Memorial, Wicked Strong blew out three furlongs Thursday, this time going in 36.78 seconds over the Churchill Downs main track, two days in advance of the Kentucky Derby.
This year’s Kentucky Derby, run for 140th time on Saturday, is proof that no matter how much money you spend, or how many horses you have, fate can reward anyone.
