Sun, 05/12/2024 - 12:56

Catching Freedom definite for Preakness Stakes, Cox says

Debra A. Roma

Cathching Freedom won the Louisiana Derby in March and the Smarty Jones in January.

Catching Freedom, the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby winner who finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby on May 4, will make his next start in Saturday’s $2 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, trainer Brad Cox said Sunday.

Cox, who typically doesn’t run his Derby starters back in the Preakness, said Catching Freedom came out of the Derby in good shape and that he has been happy with the way the horse has galloped this week at Churchill Downs. The horse will ship to Baltimore by van following training on Monday.

Sat, 05/11/2024 - 12:48

McPeek confirms Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan for Preakness

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Trainer Ken McPeek has confirmed Kentucky Derby Mystik Dan for next weekend's Preakness at Pimlico.

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan will run in the $2 million Preakness Stakes next Saturday at Pimlico, trainer Ken McPeek confirmed Saturday.

Mystik Dan was scheduled to arrive at Pimlico by mid-afternoon Sunday after leaving Churchill Downs by van at 5 a.m. Sunday, McPeek said. Mystik Dan will be accompanied on the trip by fellow 3-year-old Gould’s Gold, who is being pointed to the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard.

Fri, 05/10/2024 - 16:52

Gaffalione fined $2,500 by Kentucky stewards for Kentucky Derby ride

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione, aboard Sierra Leone (left), was fined $2,500 for touching Forever Young (right) in the stretch of the Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission fined jockey Tyler Gaffalione $2,500 “for touching a rival with his left hand” near the finish of the Kentucky Derby, according to a ruling posted on the KHRC’s website Friday afternoon.

Fri, 05/10/2024 - 14:10

Preakness: Muth, Imagination work in company; ship east on Tuesday

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Bob Baffert was happy with Muth and Imagination’s final Preakness drills and feels “good about putting them on a plane.”

Muth and Imagination, potentially the top two betting favorites for the $2 million Preakness Stakes on May 18, put in their final workouts for the race Friday at Santa Anita going six furlongs in company in 1:11.80, according to the Santa Anita clockers.

Bob Baffert, the trainer of both horses, said the two were basically together from the time the work began at the five-furlong pole. The two horses also worked together last Saturday, covering the same distance in 1:11.40.

Thu, 05/09/2024 - 16:59

Horse racing 'gold rush' coming to Wyoming

By Matt Hegarty

Emily Shields

Wyoming Downs was recently bought by the owners of Kentucky Downs and the Clairvest Group.

There’s a new gold rush in Wyoming, and it’s centered on the state’s horse racing industry.

Thu, 05/09/2024 - 14:36

2024 Preakness Stakes: Tuscan Gold scratches out of Peter Pan to join field

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Tuscan Gold will try to become the third Preakness winner for trainer Chad Brown.

Tuscan Gold, the third-place finisher in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, was to scratch from Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct and will run in the $2 million Preakness Stakes on May 18 at Pimlico, trainer Chad Brown said Thursday.

Tyler Gaffalione will ride Tuscan Gold in the Preakness.

Wed, 05/08/2024 - 13:55

Preakness: Mystik Dan jogs, gallops; Uncle Heavy, Mugatu join field

By David Grening

Mystik Dan (foreground) wins Kentucky Derby May 4 2024

Barbara D. Livingston

In his first day of training since winning the Kentucky Derby, Mystik Dan jogged a mile and galloped a mile at Churchill Downs on Wednesday.

Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan returned to the track Wednesday at Churchill Downs, jogging a mile and galloping a mile, but trainer Kenny McPeek reiterated his stance that he will wait several more days before deciding whether or not to send him to Baltimore for the $2 million Preakness on May 18.

McPeek said Mystik Dan walked for three days before returning to the track, which typically is what McPeek does with his horses after a race. McPeek said “all good” when asked how Mystik Dan appears to be doing. “He’s staying in the feed tub, nothing’s out of place.”

Tue, 05/07/2024 - 16:54

Preakness: Mugatu confirmed for race; Bravo has mount

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Mugatu was excluded from the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Jeff Engler chose the Preakness over the Peter Pan at Aqueduct and the the Long Branch at Monmouth Park.

Mugatu, who entered the Kentucky Derby but failed to draw in from the also-eligible list, will make his next start in the $2 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 18, trainer Jeff Engler said Tuesday afternoon. Joe Bravo will ride.

Mon, 05/06/2024 - 13:10

Preakness: Baffert may have top two choices; field remains work in progress

By David Grening

Coady Photography

Muth, shown winning the Arkansas Derby by two lengths, is the expected Preakness favorite. Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan finished third in the Arkansas Derby, beaten 6 1/4 lengths.

Bob Baffert wants the lead-up to the $2 million Preakness to be about Kenny McPeek, the trainer of Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan.

“He’s the man of the hour and he should be,” said Baffert, while also acknowledging McPeek’s victory in Friday’s Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna. “It’s all about McPeek.”

When it comes to the Preakness, however, it’s typically all about Bob. Last year, Baffert won his record eighth Preakness when National Treasure fended off Blazing Sevens to win the middle jewel of the Triple Crown by a head.

Mon, 05/06/2024 - 12:02

NYRA partners with Monmouth on TV content, sponsorship

By Matt Hegarty

Barbara D. Livingston

The NYRA produced "America's Day at the Races" will show races live from Monmouth Park.

The New York Racing Association and Monmouth Park in New Jersey have reached an agreement that will result in expanded coverage for Monmouth’s races on “America’s Day at the Races,” the NYRA production that airs on Fox Sports, the two companies announced on Monday.

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