Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza is one of two riders to win the Kentucky Derby twice in the last decade. A chance for a third win for Espinoza at Churchill Downs on May 6 hinges on a measure of luck days before the runners reach the starting gate.
Espinoza is set to ride Skinner, the third-place finisher in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8, provided the colt can gain a berth in the 20-runner field.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The rapidly developing Merlazza could see graded stakes company in the near future after winning her third straight race in the $150,000 Valley of the Vapors on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
Trainer Brad Cox said the Grade 2, $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan on May 19 at Pimlico will be considered for Merlazza. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro is scheduled to ship to Churchill on Sunday.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Red Route One earned a Preakness Stakes berth with his win in the $200,000 Bath House Row on Saturday at Oaklawn, but whether he advances to the middle leg of the Triple Crown has yet to be determined, according to trainer Steve Asmussen.
“We’ll see how things shake out, whether he runs in the Preakness,” Asmussen said Sunday.
Asmussen noted Red Route One has common ownership ties with Disarm, who is being pointed to the Kentucky Derby. Both horses race for their breeder, Winchell Thoroughbreds.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark – Proxy, Last Samurai and Stilleto Boy, who were separated by about a head when finishing a respective first through third in the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap on Saturday, could all meet again at Churchill Downs.
The connections of all three horses said Sunday that the Grade 1, $1 million Stephen Foster at 1 1/8 miles July 1 is a logical target. It’s a 'Win and You’re In’ for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Thoroughbred racing in Maryland has come to a standstill due to a disagreement between horsemen and track management over the condition of the dirt racing surface at Laurel Park, according to officials on both sides.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Agent Dylan Fazio said he will be representing jockey David Cohen at the upcoming meet at Churchill Downs. Fazio is the agent for Isaac Castillo, who is headed to the same Kentucky track after the close of the Oaklawn Park meet May 6.
Fazio will begin representing Cohen on Monday.
“I like his work ethic,” Cohen said. “I think he’s an extremely intelligent and respectful young man - and a new era of agent, great with technology, savvy in the social media world. Everyone I’ve spoken to likes him. I know he’s coming to Kentucky.”
CHURCHILL DOWNS
Saturday, April 22
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 46
Track: Sloppy
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With trainers Todd Pletcher and Brad Cox working their plethora of potential Derby starters here Thursday and Friday and rain soaking the racetrack overnight, Saturday was a quiet one locally on the Kentucky Derby watch.
CHURCHILL DOWNS
Friday, April 21
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 68
Track: Fast
LOUISVILLE Ky. – After pretty much dodging the unprecedented heavy rains that inundated South Florida a week earlier to get in Forte’s previous work on schedule, trainer Todd Pletcher found himself watching the weather reports closely again this week in Louisville, hoping to be able to stay on course with the Derby favorite’s first local breeze penciled in for Friday at Churchill Downs.
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will present a traveling exhibit commemorating the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s Triple Crown throughout the spring and summer this year, in an itinerary that will include appearances at the three tracks hosting Triple Crown races, the museum announced on Wednesday.
