Mon, 04/22/2024 - 13:10

2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker: Mott breezes Resilience, Just F Y I on four days' rest

Resilience works at CD April 22 2024
Barbara D. Livingston
Wood Memorial winner Resilience worked five furlongs in 1:01.55 on Monday at Churchill Downs and then galloped out a strong mile.

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Monday, April 22

Weather: Clear
Temperature: 38
Track: Fast

Sun, 04/21/2024 - 19:18

Phelps-Farley equestrian team makes debut at Defender Kentucky five-star this week

The Thoroughbred event horse Phelps and his longtime partner, rising U.S. event star Mia Farley, make their first run around the country's most well known three-day event, the Defender Kentucky five-star, this week at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Sun, 04/21/2024 - 17:24

Muth works five furlongs with eye on Preakness Stakes

Coady photo
Muth was given a 98 Beyer Speed Figure for the win in the Arkansas Derby on March 30.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Muth, a powerful winner of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on March 30, and Imagination, second by a neck in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 6, worked at Santa Anita on Sunday in advance of expected starts in the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 18 for trainer Bob Baffert.

Muth worked five furlongs in 1:00.20, while Imagination went a half-mile in 48 seconds.

Sun, 04/21/2024 - 17:13

Mr Fisk, after win in Californian, targets Hollywood Gold Cup

Benoit Photo
Mr Fisk was given a 97 Beyer Speed Figure for his win in the Californian Stakes on Saturday.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Several hours apart on Saturday, well-accomplished 4-year-olds trained by Bob Baffert were in action at Santa Anita. One is being prepared for a highly anticipated campaign in the second half of 2024, while the other is attempting to establish a meaningful role in the older male division.

On Saturday morning, Arabian Knight, winner of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar last September but unraced since a fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita in November, worked a half-mile in 50 seconds, his second workout of the year.

Sun, 04/21/2024 - 14:04

Kentucky Derby: Grand Mo the First joins field after Deterministic drops out

Barbara D. Livingston
Deterministic finished eighth in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 6.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - As expected, Deterministic will not run in the Kentucky Derby, his connections made official on Sunday, opening up a spot for Florida Derby third-place finisher Grand Mo the First.

Deterministic, who earned enough qualifying points to get into the Kentucky Derby by virtue of his victory in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes on March 2, finished eighth in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 6 with no apparent excuse.

Sun, 04/21/2024 - 12:47

2024 Kentucky Derby clocker report: Track Phantom lone Derby worker on Sunday

Barbara D. Livingston
Track Phantom will wear blinkers for the first in the May 5 Kentucky Derby, trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Churchill Downs
Sunday, April 21

Weather: Cloudy 
Track: Fast 
Temperature: 45 degrees

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -   Anybody wanting to see what little action there was on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks front Sunday at Churchill Downs needed to arrive early and would have been wise to have brought an extra jacket. The temperature was hovering in the mid-40s from the time the track opened at 5:15 a.m. until it closed for business following turf works nearly five hours later.

Sun, 04/21/2024 - 12:06

Manama Gold, winner of UAE Oaks, possible for Kentucky Oaks

Manama Gold's career journey has taken her from her birthplace in Louisiana to changing hands at sales in Kentucky and Florida, to the Middle East to begin her career – and now, to Churchill Downs, potentially for a major event.

Trainer Todd Pletcher told Churchill Downs publicity on Sunday that Manama Gold, who won the Group 3 UAE Oaks in her most recent outing, has been transferred to his care, and is “possible” to supplement to the Kentucky Oaks. The filly is scheduled to arrive at his Churchill Downs barn on Monday.

Sat, 04/20/2024 - 15:24

Kentucky Derby: Stronghold 'full of energy' in final local work

Benoit Photo
Stronghold secured his spot in the Kentucky Derby with a win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Santa Anita Derby winner Stronghold worked a half-mile in a quick 46.60 seconds on Saturday in advance of a flight to Kentucky on Tuesday for an intended start in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4.

Working behind stablemate Shady Tiger, a stakes winner against California-bred sprinters on April 6, Stronghold closed through the stretch to finish slightly in front. Antonio Fresu, who has ridden Stronghold in his last four starts, was aboard for the workout, the colt’s first since the win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles on April 6.

Sat, 04/20/2024 - 14:47

2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker Report: Cox barn leads busy training session

Barbara D. Livingston
Louisiana Derby winner Catching Freedom (left) worked five furlongs in 1:00.42 with stablemate and recent maiden winner Castlewarden.

Churchill Downs
Saturday, April 20

Weather: Clear
Temperature: 48 
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Saturday morning was a busy one under the Twin Spires, not only for potential Kentucky Derby starters but the general population as well. Seven Derby hopefuls got in what, for most, will be their penultimate works for the big event now just two weeks away as part of a clocker’s tab that included over 210 names when the final drill went in the books shortly before 10 a.m.

Sat, 04/20/2024 - 10:14

Kentucky Derby: Sierra Leone has first of two planned works

Coady Photography
Sierra Leone (inside) worked four furlongs in 48.60 seconds, in company with recent maiden winner White Palomino.

Blue Grass Stakes winner Sierra Leone had his first of two planned works before the Kentucky Derby on Saturday morning at Keeneland, breezing four furlongs in 48.60 seconds.