Wed, 04/19/2023 - 11:20

2023 Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 19, 2023

WHO’S HOT

Disarm finished third with a 90 Beyer in the Lexington Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland. The performance was not remarkable, but it was good enough. The Louisiana Derby runner-up needed a third-place finish or higher in the Lexington to earn at least six points and make the Derby field with 46 points or more. Mission accomplished. Disarm makes the cut, as trainer Steve Asmussen seeks his first Kentucky Derby victory with his 25th Derby starter. Disarm is 30-1 by Derby Watch linemaker David Aragona.

WHO’S NOT

Wed, 04/19/2023 - 10:55

Some Kentucky Derby hopefuls now setting their sights on Preakness

By Nicole Russo

Coady photo

First Mission will be among those pointing to the Preakness. He stood out winning the Lexington Stakes, and earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure.

There is life after the Kentucky Derby. Whoever wears the roses in less than three weeks at Churchill Downs will have new foes awaiting them in Baltimore, as the field for the May 20 Preakness Stakes is already beginning to take shape, with some late bloomers and those who may miss the Derby for various reasons already targeting the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

Wed, 04/19/2023 - 10:00

Amoss gets 15-day suspension for drug positive

By Matt Hegarty

Coady Photography

Tom Amoss was sanctioned for the drug Solatol, which is used to treat arrhythmias in humans.

Tom Amoss, the Midwest-based trainer, will serve a 15-day suspension after one of his horses tested positive for a drug that is used to treat heart arrhythmias in humans after a win in a race at Horseshoe Indianapolis last fall, according to a ruling posted by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission.

Amoss began serving the suspension on April 15. It will run through April 29, according to the ruling.

Tue, 04/18/2023 - 10:40

Castellano to ride Raise Cain in Kentucky Derby

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Raise Cain made the Kentucky Derby field by virtue of this win in the Gotham Stakes. He was ridden in that race by Jose Lezcano, who is now injured.

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Javier Castellano will ride Raise Cain in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Ben Colebrook said Tuesday.

Mon, 04/17/2023 - 09:31

Canadian Hall of Fame nominees announced

By Ron Gierkink

Michael Burns

Five-time sprint champion Pink Lloyd was one of the horses nominated to the Canadian Hall of Fame.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Glenn Sikura, Irwin Driedger, Pink Lloyd, and Formal Gold are among the 2023 nominees for induction into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

A 20-person election committee for each breed, Thoroughbred and Standardbred, will determine the one individual to be inducted in each of four categories for that breed, with the results to be announced on April 26. The classes of 2022 and 2023 will be formally inducted on Aug. 9.

The Thoroughbred builder ballot is comprised of Glenn Sikura, Glen Todd, and Sam Lima.

Sun, 04/16/2023 - 17:35

Two Phil's goes five furlongs in Kentucky Derby drill at Hawthorne

By Marcus Hersh

Two Phil's wins Jeff Ruby Steaks at TP March 25 2023

Coady Photography

Two Phil's won the Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 25 in his last start.

Two Phil’s, impressive winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks over the Tapeta surface at Turfway Park, had a major dirt tune-up for the Kentucky Derby on Sunday morning at Hawthorne Racecourse.

Working in company with his Larry Rivelli-trained stablemate Smokin Richie, Two Phil’s was clocked in 1:00 for five furlongs and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13, Rivelli said.

“It was awesome. He sat a couple lengths off the other horse and at the top of the lane just ran by him. I didn’t think he was going to get by him that easy, but he did,” Rivelli said.

Sun, 04/16/2023 - 13:18

Mage works five furlongs in Kentucky Derby prep

By Mike Welsch

Mage returns after Florida Derby April 1 2023

Barbara Livingston

Mage was runner-up in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on April 1.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Mage has already come a long way in a short time, having progressed from a debut maiden victory on Jan. 28 to a second-place finish in the $1 million Florida Derby just nine weeks later while earning a spot in the 2023 Kentucky Derby in the process. The relatively inexperienced but extremely talented 3-year-old showed no signs of regressing from those efforts when he breezed a very easy and impressive five furlongs in 1:01.09 on Sunday at Gulfstream Park.

Sat, 04/15/2023 - 13:13

Love Reigns likely off to England, Lady Hollywood staying in Kentucky

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

Love Reigns won the Limestone Stakes at Keeneland on Friday.

Stablemates Love Reigns and Lady Hollywood will likely make their next starts on opposite sides of the Atlantic after finishing one-two in Friday’s $250,000 Limestone Stakes at Keeneland.

Love Reigns, who rallied up the inside to best Lady Hollywood by half a length, is likely to join trainer Wesley Ward's contingent for the renowned Royal Ascot meeting in England, targeting a race against older males in the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes on June 20.

Sat, 04/15/2023 - 12:12

Angel of Empire works half-mile for Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

By Nicole Russo

Coady photo

Angel of Empire works outside of Tapit's Conquest Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.

Arkansas Derby winner Angel of Empire was among trainer Brad Cox’s workers as he turned in the first of three likely Kentucky Derby works on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs. The colt was credited with a half-mile in 48.20 seconds.

Thu, 04/13/2023 - 21:04

2022 Sovereign Awards: Moira named Canadian Horse of the Year

By Ron Gierkink

Emily Shields

Moira, winner of the Queen's Plate, was named the 2022 Canadian Horse of the Year.

VAUGHAN, Ontario – Queen’s Plate winner Moira was crowned Canadian Horse of the Year and Mark Casse won his 12th straight outstanding trainer award at the 2022 Sovereign Awards ceremony Thursday at the Universal Eventspace.

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