Wed, 04/09/2025 - 14:32

Kentucky Derby 2025: With qualifiers basically over, prospective field becomes clearer

Burnham Square during stretch run of Blue Grass at KEE April 8 2025
Coady Media
Burnham Square (above) and East Avenue made their way into the Kentucky Derby field by finishing one-two in Tuesday’s Blue Grass Stakes.

The results of Tuesday’s Blue Grass Stakes helped expand the Kentucky Derby bubble with three horses previously on the outside now safely in the body of the race and another who was safely in now out.

Add in the fact that two of the three horses who earned their way into the Kentucky Derby field via the Euro/Mideast series and Japan series are now confirmed to run and there figures to be some anxious moments in the days and weeks ahead for those looking to get into the field.

Wed, 04/09/2025 - 14:13

California-based rider Cedillo shifts circuits

Benoit Photo
Abel Cedillo has won a number of graded stakes in Southern California.

Jockey Abel Cedillo will be based at Oaklawn for the remainder of the meet, said Jay Fedor, who is now representing the rider.

Previously based in Southern California, Cedillo is a winner of more than 1,700 races for mount earnings in excess of $51 million. Cedillo has won a number of graded stakes in Southern California, including the Pacific Classic, the Awesome Again, and the Clement Hirsch.

Wed, 04/09/2025 - 14:11

Asmussen sits atop standings

Barbara D. Livingston
Steve Asmussen is the current leading trainer at the Oaklawn meet.

Steve Asmussen is the current leading trainer at the Oaklawn meet that runs through May 3. He has won 37 races through Thursday and leads his peers in stable earnings with $3.9 million. Ron Moquett ranks second in the standings with 28 wins and Kenny McPeek is third with 24.

Asmussen also enters the new week tied for leading owner at Oaklawn with End Zone Athletics. Each stable has won 10 races. Ruis Racing is next on the list with 9.

Wed, 04/09/2025 - 14:01

Runnin N Gunnin to start next in Black-Eyed Susan

Coady Media
Runnin N Gunnin is scheduled to make her next start in the Black-Eyed Susan.

Runnin N Gunnin, who won the Sunland Park Oaks, is scheduled to make her next start in the Grade 2, $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico, according to her trainer, Steve Asmussen. The 1 1/8-mile race is May 17.

Runnin N Gunnin last raced at Oaklawn on March 29, closing for third in the Grade 2 Fantasy behind winner Quietside and runner-up Simply Joking. The race serves as a stepping-stone to the Kentucky Oaks.

“She put in a solid run behind two exceptional fillies,” Asmussen said. “We’re going to wait for the Black-Eyed Susan with her.”

Wed, 04/09/2025 - 13:58

Clever Again set to step up off triple-digit Beyer

Coady Media
The Hot Springs was Clever Again's first start against winners.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Clever Again served notice that his future was bright late last month, when he won the $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes for 3-year-olds over Grade 1 winner Gaming at Oaklawn Park.

Clever Again was making his first start against winners and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 101. That’s tied for the highest number put up by a 3-year-old so far this meet, alongside a debut win from Cornucopian.

Clever Again has now won both of his starts at the meet, both at two turns.

Wed, 04/09/2025 - 13:54

Apprentice Gonzalez making a name for himself at Parx, Aqueduct

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos
Off a successful stint in Florida, jockey Melvis Gonzalez has kept that success going at Parx and Aqueduct so far this spring.

After a successful stint at Gulfstream Park, apprentice rider Melvis Gonzalez is quickly getting used to life at Parx Racing. Hustling between his home track and Aqueduct Racetrack this month, he has finished in the money in 12 of 20 starts with four wins, putting him on par with top jockeys in the region.

Since arriving in Pennsylvania in March, Gonzalez has worked hard to earn a positive reputation from local trainers. His job never stops. He is often one of the first people at the track in the morning and continues to earn more mounts on race days.

Wed, 04/09/2025 - 13:42

Bargain-priced Trikari can outrun his odds in Maker's Mark Mile; $211,733 pick six carryover

Coady Media
The morning line lists Trikari at 8-1, a generous price on a horse held in high regard by Graham Motion.

Trikari couldn’t quite handle top-level older horses in late September of his 3-year-old season. His connections will find out Friday at Keeneland if he can do so as an older horse himself when Trikari makes his 4-year-old debut in the Grade 1, $650,000 Maker’s Mark Mile.

Trikari faces eight rivals in the Maker’s Mark, among them two of the best older middle-distance turf horses in training, Carl Spackler and Integration. The Maker's Mark Mile is part of a $1 pick six sequence on Friday that begins with a carryover of $211,733. 

Wed, 04/09/2025 - 13:31

Apprentice Rodriguez set for U.S. debut after success in Puerto Rico

Seven-pound apprentice jockey Yan Rodriguez will make his stateside debut at Laurel Park on Friday after a promising start in Puerto Rico. The 18-year-old rider grew up around horses and now has a chance to make a mark on the industry that raised him.

As a child, Rodriguez traveled to New York with his father, who worked in trainer Chris Englehart’s barn at Finger Lakes Racetrack. Even at that young age, he began to discover the edges of a lifelong dream.

Wed, 04/09/2025 - 13:24

Quint's Brew has Nerud or Maryland Sprint up next

Jerry Dzierwinski
Quint's Brew, runner-up in the Carter, will start next in the John A. Nerud or Maryland Sprint.

Quint’s Brew, runner-up in the Grade 2 Carter at Aqueduct on Saturday, returned to Delaware Park this week, where he will soon begin working toward his next start. Trainer Ned Allard said that he is considering several stakes races and will likely bring him back next month.

“We won’t be running him back in less than 30 days, that’s for sure,” Allard said. “We’ve got a number of options and we’re taking it one step at a time.”