WHO’S HOT

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Just about every person who trains racehorses will tell you that when they meet someone not familiar with racing and their profession comes up in conversation, the first question they’re asked is, “Have you ever won the Kentucky Derby?”

Brad Cox said he’s not sure how to answer that.

“It would take five minutes to explain,” he said this week. “I’m not sure I’d say yes.”

Churchill Downs Inc. on Tuesday filed a response to a federal lawsuit from Bob Baffert that defends the company’s decision to ban the trainer and urges the court to deny a motion by Baffert to suspend the ban on an emergency basis.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario -- Retired Woodbine trainer John MacKenzie has passed away in Ontario at age 82.

MacKenzie was best known for conditioning grass expert Crown Attorney, who won five stakes in the late 1990s, including the Grade 2 Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Grade 2 King Edward, and the Singspiel.

Crown Attorney went on to sire Grade 1 Woodbine Mile victor Rahy’s Attorney and Halton Stakes winner Bug’s Boy.

MacKenzie’s other stakes winners were Jilin, Classic Wonder, Mitchellville, Sunshine Journey, and Twinkle Creek.

The Kentucky Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that requires penny breakage on winning payouts and subjects all pari-mutuel wagers on races at the state’s tracks to a 1.5 percent tax.

The Senate passed the bill, which had already been approved in the House, by a vote of 33-1, with one abstention. The bill was heavily supported by the racing industry and is expected to be signed by Gov. Andy Beshear.

Canadian Hall of Fame owner Eugene Melnyk, who also owned the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League, died Monday at age 62.

A statement from his family on the Senators website said that Melnyk, who underwent a liver transplant in 2015, died "after an illness he faced with determination and courage."

Glen Todd, an owner, trainer, breeder, publisher, OTB operator, and all-around benefactor of horse racing in British Columbia, Canada, died on Saturday, according to a social-media post by his home racetrack. Todd was 75.

Todd, whose parents met at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver in 1939, was involved in the sport for more than 50 years in multiple roles, often at the same time. He owned and trained hundreds of horses while simultaneously providing guidance to the British Columbia racing and breeding industries.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Jockey Ramon Vazquez, currently fourth in the standings at Oaklawn Park, will begin riding at Santa Anita on April 8, his agent, Bill Castle, said over the weekend.

Vazquez will arrive in time to ride the Santa Anita Derby program on April 9, a day with seven stakes worth a combined $1.95 million.

“We’re 100 percent committed,” Castle said. “We’re looking forward to it.”

Through Sunday, Vazquez ranked 18th in the nation with mounts that had earned $2.1 million. Vazquez had won 30 races from 213 mounts this year.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Secret Oath has kept her Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas beaming all meet at Oaklawn Park with her performances, and there was more to be joyful about Sunday when she drew post 6 for Saturday's Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby.

“They always give me exactly what I want,” joked Lukas, 86.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The female dirt division in California lost significant strength with the retirement of two top mares who last time out scored the biggest wins of their career for trainer Bob Baffert – distance specialist As Time Goes By and sprinter Merneith.

Baffert said Saturday both 5-year-olds by American Pharaoh have retired to become broodmares. As Time Goes By scored her first Grade 1 victory in the Beholder Mile early this month; Merneith crushed the Grade 2 Santa Monica with a 108 Beyer Figure in February.