Sat, 05/03/2025 - 10:51

Florida legislature adjourns without passing decoupling legislation

The Florida legislature wrapped up its 2025 session late Friday night without agreeing on any bills that would allow Gulfstream Park to decouple its racing and casino licenses, a victory for the legislation’s opponents despite the track’s uncertain future.

Fri, 05/02/2025 - 21:27

Kentucky Oaks Day handle down slightly but Oaks betting rises

Kentucky Oaks Day Storm May 2 2025
Ciara Bowen
A strong storm turned the Churchill main track from fast to sloppy between the ninth and 10th races on the 13-race Kentucky Oaks card.

Handle on the 13-race Kentucky Oaks card at Churchill Downs on Friday was $73.9 million, down 1.8 percent compared to the record handle for last year’s 13-race card, according to figures provided by Churchill Downs.

Fri, 05/02/2025 - 09:05

Kentucky Derby 2025: Grande scratched with cracked heel

Barbara D. Livingston
Grande finished second in the Wood Memorial with a troubled trip.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- It was Derby déjà vu all over again for Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher.

Grande, the Wood Memorial runner-up, was scratched from Saturday’s Kentucky Derby by Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation veterinarians due to a cracked heel on his right front foot.

It was two years ago that Repole-owned, Pletcher-trained Forte, the morning-line favorite for the Derby, was scratched the morning of the race. In 2011, Repole and Pletcher had to scratch favorite Uncle Mo the day before the race due to an intestinal issue.

Thu, 05/01/2025 - 17:36

Kentucky Derby 2025: Baeza into race after Rodriguez scratch

Barbara D. Livingston
Santa Anita Derby runner-up Baeza was the lone remaining also-eligible before drawing into the field.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rodriguez, the Grade 2 Wood Memorial winner and one of two Kentucky Derby entrants trained by Bob Baffert, has been scratched from the race due a slight bruise in his right front foot, his connections said Thursday afternoon. 

The scratch of Rodriguez opens a spot in the starting gate for Santa Anita Derby runner-up Baeza, who will be ridden by Flavien Prat. Prat was also named on Neoequos, the Florida Derby third-place finisher. Luis Saez has picked up the mount on that horse, according to Mark Cornett, part-owner of Neoequos. 

Thu, 05/01/2025 - 09:53

2025 Kentucky Derby Clocker: Final impressions of this year's field

Debra A. Roma
Journalism has shown plenty of energy in the morning since his final work on Sunday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Thursday was the final regular day of training at Churchill Downs prior to Oaks and Derby days, although the racetrack will be open, weather permitting, early Friday and Saturday mornings. It turned out to be another pretty routine morning, with Journalism and Sovereignty still standing out along with East Avenue, who made another strong appearance while galloping just a furlong or so behind Sovereignty.

Wed, 04/30/2025 - 13:57

Kentucky Derby Clocker: Putting the final touches on

Barbara D. Livingston
Second choice Sovereignty gallops Wednesday, continuing to look impressive in the morning.

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Wednesday, April 30

Weather: Cloudy
Track: Fast
Temperature: 62 degrees

Wed, 04/30/2025 - 12:38

Kentucky Derby 2025: First-time jockeys and trainers

Barbara D. Livingston
Nik Juarez, a 31-year-old jockey from Maryland, rides American Promise in this year’s Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Nik Juarez will ride in his first Kentucky Derby on Saturday when he climbs aboard American Promise. The guys around him know the ropes pretty well.

Wed, 04/30/2025 - 12:28

Kentucky Derby 2025: Hernandez trying for second straight Derby-Oaks double

Brian Hernandez Jr. after Kentucky Derby May 4 2024
Debra A. Roma
Brian Hernandez Jr. rides Take Charge Milady in this year’s Kentucky Oaks and Burnham Square in the Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It took nearly a year, but Brian Hernandez Jr. said it’s finally sunk in that he won the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby 24 hours apart last year.

When Hernandez rode Thorpedo Anna to an emphatic victory in the Oaks on May 3 and Mystik Dan to a nose score in the Derby the following day – both for trainer Kenny McPeek – he became the eighth jockey to pull off the feat in the 150-year history of both races. He was the first to do it since Calvin Borel won both in 2009.

Tue, 04/29/2025 - 14:01

Kentucky Derby 2025: Mott, Alvarado have special chemistry

Barbara D. Livingston
Hall of Famer Bill Mott looks to win his second Kentucky Derby title with Sovereignty.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – You conduct a phone interview with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. You ask a question. A second or two, nothing happens, that thick silence that cloaks a paused telephone conversation. Mott speaks. His answer is short, cursory. Another pause. Something more coming? You begin another query, gently prodding, but Mott has started talking again. He builds on his initial response. Pause. This time you wait. Mott resumes. The sentences expand. The door has opened.