LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Todd Pletcher watched the 2025 Kentucky Derby with family and friends from a hotel maybe 1 1/4 miles away from Churchill Downs. A participant in the race for 21 straight years – and a two-time winner – Pletcher’s lone Derby entrant, Grande, had been scratched the day before the race due to a cracked heel.

“It was a strange feeling, I guess,” said Pletcher, whose 65 Derby starters is a record. “You do the best you can to try and prepare them and get them there and sometimes it doesn’t work out.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Seth Klarman fancies himself a bit of a contrarian. It is a philosophy that has helped make him one of the most successful investors in America. It is a philosophy that has made him one of the most successful owners in Thoroughbred racing.

He was foaled on Feb. 3, 2017, two days before Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to a 34-28 win over Atlanta in the Super Bowl in Houston. He is the same age as the promising stallions Maxfield, Tiz the Law, Yaupon and Authentic, the 2020 Horse of the Year.

Those horses left the racetrack long ago.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – If a single race suffices to create a rivalry, then the fillies Cy Fair and Slay the Day renew theirs Thursday at Churchill in the Mamzelle Stakes.

Cy Fair landed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint to cap a highly successful 2-year-old campaign, but making her 3-year-old bow April 10 in the Limestone Stakes at Keeneland, Cy Fair could do no better than a competitive third as the even-money favorite.

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Monday, April 27
Weather: Cloudy
Temp. 56°
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Six Speed, Wonder Dean, and Danon Bourbon secured their respective spots in this year’s Kentucky Derby by earning points on the Japan and European/Middle East roads to the race. All three were in the spotlight Monday at Churchill Downs during the special training session reserved for Derby and Oaks horses at 7:15 a.m. after the renovation break.

Caldera will make his 4-year-old debut for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. in the seventh race Thursday at Gulfstream Park, a first-level allowance at a mile on dirt. Trained by the late D. Wayne Lukas in his first six career starts, the colt holds special meaning for Joseph, who hopes to do right by the legendary trainer.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Racing fans won’t have to wait long for another meeting between White Abarrio and Sovereignty.

White Abarrio, who beat Sovereignty by two lengths in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 18, has been confirmed to make his next start in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on June 27.

“It’s a Grade 1, it fits well timing-wise, a mile and an eighth, same distance, it works well for him,” Joseph said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The success of Japan-based horses in America and internationally, most notably that of 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Forever Young, has fueled thoughts that a Kentucky Derby may soon be within reach for a horse from the Land of the Rising Sun.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Glory Run is a first-time starter entered in the $250,000 Kentucky Juvenile on Wednesday at Churchill Downs. But that’s not so far out of left field. Six of the eight 2-year-olds entered for the five-furlong tilt are maidens, with the only two winners being Skara Brae and Waggley, part of the usual Wesley Ward contingent of early-season maiden runners at his Keeneland base.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Principal Anita will be powered by women on Thursday at Oaklawn Park, where she will attempt to win her division’s richest race, the $150,000 Natural State Breeders’ Stakes.

Trainer Tammy Hornsby has given the mount to Amanda Poston, who will be aboard for Laura Juels, wife of Principal Anita’s late breeder, Woody Juels, and Taylor Hornsby, the daughter of Tammy Hornsby.