Tue, 04/30/2024 - 12:20

Kentucky Derby: Japanese runners T O Password, Forever Young put in final works

T O Password (left) works with T O Saint Denis at CD 4-30-2024

Barbara D. Livingston

T O Password (left) works with Alyheba entrant T O Saint Denis on Tuesday at Churchill Downs. T O Password was timed in 1:00.06 with his final three furlongs in 35.82.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Jockey Kazushi Kimura has gotten acquainted with his Kentucky Derby mount T O Password the last couple of mornings at Churchill Downs. Tuesday was a better experience than Monday.

After nearly being unseated by T O Password during a routine gallop Monday morning when the horse spooked from something in the stretch, Kimura got a much better feeling from his Derby longshot when he guided him through a five-furlong move in 1:00.06 over Churchill’s main track.

Mon, 04/29/2024 - 15:35

2024 Kentucky Derby: Over time, Derby starting gate has become coveted possession

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

A new 20-horse starting gate for the Derby was introduced in 2020, replacing a barrier that included a six-horse auxiliary gate.

A place in the Kentucky Derby starting gate is a coveted dream. It also is one of the hardest places in racing to get into, despite a larger gate, literally, than other prestigious American races.

Mon, 04/29/2024 - 15:00

Kentucky Derby winner Black Gold offers story of triumph and tragedy

By Nicole Russo

Keeneland Library Meadors Collection

Black Gold, pictured in 1923, raced for Rosa Hoots, the first woman to be listed as both breeder and owner of a Kentucky Derby winner.

It’s a sad song.
It’s a sad tale, it’s a tragedy.
It’s a sad song.
We’re gonna sing it anyway.
– 2019 Tony Award-winning musical “Hadestown”

Black Gold’s story is tragic. The game little black horse died at Fair Grounds after breaking down in January 1928, racing through lameness and past his prime. It was a failure on the part of the humans in his life – and a coda to the tragedy in their own lives.

Mon, 04/29/2024 - 14:25

2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker: Routine day of gallops before the big event

By Mike Welsch

Barbara D. Livingston

Forever Young trains Monday, in advance of his final pre-Derby work on Wednesday.

CHURCHILL DOWNS

Weather: Clear

Temperature: 67 degrees

Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Monday proved to be a pretty quiet morning on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks watch with perhaps the most eventful moment taking place about 100 yards from the finish line where T O Password shied from a shadow on the track, nearly unseating his rider in the process while in the latter stages of his routine gallop.

Mon, 04/29/2024 - 14:15

Kentucky Derby: Joseph back a year after being banned during investigation

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Longshot Catalytic earned his way into the Kentucky Derby by finishing second to Fierceness in the Florida Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A year after he experienced the worst week of his professional life, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is back at Churchill Downs with a longshot chance in the Kentucky Derby.

Joseph is here with Catalytic, who earned his way into the Kentucky Derby by finishing second, albeit beaten 13 1/2 lengths by Fierceness, in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.

Even a last-place finish in the Derby would be better for Joseph than what he experienced in 2023.

Mon, 04/29/2024 - 12:00

Kentucky Derby: Uncertainty of vet exam conclusions add to stress of waiting for race day

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

A year ago, Todd Pletcher had Forte scratched on race-day morning by a Kentucky Racing Commission veterinarian.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Just about all the major workouts have been completed. The post positions have been assigned. For the connections of the 22 horses entered in Saturday’s 150th Kentucky Derby the waiting becomes the hardest part.

Adding to the anxiety and anticipation this week are the daily examinations of the horses being conducted by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission veterinarians led by Dr. Nick Smith, the commission’s chief veterinarian.

Sun, 04/28/2024 - 17:51

Orozco shows he's back with Lammas' victory in San Francisco Mile

By Steve Andersen

Vassar Photo

Jockey Irving Orozco rides Lammas to victory in the San Francisco Mile on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.

ALBANY, Calif. - When the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile was run at Golden Gate Fields in April 2023, jockey Irving Orozco was in a nearby hospital being treated for a punctured lung and bruised ribs sustained in a spill earlier that afternoon.

He did not ride again for four months.

When the San Francisco Mile was run for the final time on Saturday, Orozco was very much part of the action. He rode local hope Lammas to a well-timed upset from off the pace.

Sun, 04/28/2024 - 15:46

Golden Gate Fields cancels Friday card due to lack of entries

By Steve Andersen

Barbara D. Livingston

Golden Gate Fields will close permanently on June 9.

ALBANY, Calif. - Golden Gate Fields has canceled racing for Friday because of insufficient entries, track general manager David Duggan said on Sunday.

This will be the second time in three weeks the flagship Northern California track will not race on a Friday. Racing was canceled on April 19 because of a lack of entries.

Racing was held last Friday, although the program opened with fields of four and three runners in the first two races on a seven-race program.

Sun, 04/28/2024 - 13:35

2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker: Five Derby contenders go through final works

By Mike Welsch

Barbara D. Livingston

Catalytic goes through a final workout before the Kentucky Derby on Sunday at Churchill Downs.

CHURCHILL DOWNS
April 28, 2024

Weather: Clear
Track: Fast
Temperature: 68

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sunday offered a picture-perfect morning at Churchill Downs to pretty much close the book on the final major preparations for this year’s Kentucky Derby, with only the two Japanese invaders, Forever Young and T O Password, likely to record an official work in the days ahead.

Sun, 04/28/2024 - 12:48

2024 Kentucky Derby: Track Phantom work caps busy 12 hours for Asmussen

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Track Phantom, the Grade 3 Lecomte winner, worked five furlongs in 1:00.08 at Churchill Downs on Sunday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - It was a whirlwind, albeit successful, 12 hours for trainer Steve Asmussen.

On Saturday afternoon, Asmussen was at Oaklawn Park, where he watched Valentine Candy win the Bachelor Stakes, the 3-year-old’s fourth stakes win of the meet. Asmussen jumped in his car for the eight-hour drive to Churchill Downs during which time he was kept apprised of his stable winning four races at Lone Star Park in Texas and then a victory by Zeitlos in the Roxelana Stakes, the latter being the opening-night feature at Churchill Downs.

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