CHURCHILL DOWNS
Friday, April 26
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 51
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky – Fierceness was unquestionably the center of attention Friday morning at Churchill Downs, and the reigning juvenile champion certainly did not disappoint his ever-growing legion of supporters. He likely cemented his status as the Kentucky Derby favorite with an eye-catching work moments after the start of the special Derby-Oaks training session at 7:30 a.m.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For nearly a quarter of a century, the trainer-jockey team of Todd Pletcher and John Velazquez was arguably the most successful in racing. The duo combined to win 1,866 races – including a Kentucky Derby in 2017 with Always Dreaming and a Belmont Stakes with the filly Rags to Riches in 2007 – and more than $163 million in purse money.

In recent years, the two have found more of their success with other partners. But for Kentucky Derby 150, the band is back together.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It comes as no shock to Whit Beckman that the first time he has a horse as a trainer in the Kentucky Derby, two of his biggest impediments to success are Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown.

Before going out on his own in 2021, Beckman worked as an assistant to both Pletcher and Brown. He was a New York-based assistant to Pletcher when the now Hall of Fame trainer won his first Derby with Super Saver in 2010. Beckman worked for Brown when that trainer won his first Preakness with Cloud Computing in 2017.

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Thursday, April 25
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 45
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisiana Derby runner-up Honor Marie showed off a somewhat surprising turn of speed Thursday morning at Churchill Downs while at the same time kicking off what promises to be an extremely busy several days on the Kentucky Derby workout watch. Honor Marie completed five furlongs in a bullet 59.13 seconds under clear and crisp skies on a racetrack yielding relatively faster than usual times.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Glen Todd, Patrick Husbands, and Danny Vella are among the 2024 inductees into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

When looking beyond the obvious two horses – Fierceness and Sierra Leone – as potential winners of the Kentucky Derby, the Japanese-based Forever Young is top of mind among a lot of handicappers.

This colt’s undefeated record (5 for 5) and the ever-growing success of Japanese horses on the international stage could combine to make Forever Young the third betting choice in Derby 150 run on May 4 at Churchill Downs.

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Wednesday, April 24
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 54
Track: Fast