Fri, 04/25/2025 - 13:10

Kentucky Derby 2025: Repole, Pletcher feeling less pressure but still confident in Grande

Barbara D. Livingston

After having the morning-line favorite in the Kentucky Derby the last two years, Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher will send out underdog Grande in this year's Derby.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Owner Mike Repole is fond of saying that pressure is a privilege. For the last two years, Repole and trainer Todd Pletcher have had the privilege of having the favorite for the Kentucky Derby.

In 2023, Forte, the morning-line favorite, was scratched the morning of the race due to a foot issue. Last year, Fierceness finished 15th in the Derby.

This year, Repole and Pletcher are back in the Derby with Grande, the Grade 2 Wood Memorial runner-up who will likely be a mid-range price in the 20-horse Derby field on May 3.

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 11:43

Kentucky Derby 2025: On 10th anniversary, American Pharoah could become classic sire

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

American Pharoah has two sons, Luxor Cafe and Publisher, in this year's Kentucky Derby.

It took 53 seconds for the tickets to American Pharoah’s birthday party in February to sell out – less than half the amount of time it took him to win the Kentucky Derby.

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 11:26

Dollase recalls an earlier edition of Journalism

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Journalism, the 1990s vintage, wins the Khaled Stakes at Hollywood Park in 1995.

In the late winter of 1993, California trainer Wally Dollase walked to Don Warren’s barn at Santa Anita to inspect a 5-year-old gelding who had amassed six wins.

A private deal was reached for $50,000, the same value as the gelding’s latest claiming race. With that, Journalism wound up with owner Rick Stephen and Dollase.

This winter, another horse named Journalism has developed into the nation’s leading 3-year-old, winning three consecutive graded stakes since mid-December at Los Alamitos and Santa Anita in the buildup to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3.

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 08:56

Flunixin charge against Clement dropped

By Matt Hegarty

Barbara D. Livingston

Clement was charged with an overage of flunixin for a runner he had entered in last year's Masters Stakes at Presque Isle Downs.

An arbitrator has dismissed a controlled-medication charge against trainer Christophe Clement, citing “some doubt about the scientific reliability of the testing” of a sample that indicated an overage of flunixin, a regulated painkiller.

Thu, 04/24/2025 - 17:18

2024 Sovereign Awards: Patches O’Houlihan wins Horse of the Year; Attard ends Casse's streak

By Ron Gierkink

Michael Burns

Patches O'Houlihan was named Horse of the Year and champion male sprinter on Thursday near Toronto.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Top sprinter Patches O’Houlihan was voted Horse of the Year and Kevin Attard finally won for outstanding trainer during the 50th Sovereign Awards ceremony, which honored the 2024 Canadian champions on Thursday evening in suburban Toronto.

Thu, 04/24/2025 - 13:13

2025 Kentucky Derby Clocker: Owen Almighty, Built work as stamina test nears

By Mike Welsch

Barbara D. Livingston

Built worked five-eighths in 59.33 Thursday. He has a spot in the Derby field, but his connections may opt for the Pat Day Mile.

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Thursday, April 24
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 60
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A horse whose connections originally planned on bypassing the Kentucky Derby and a second whose status remains up in the air took center stage during training hours Thursday at Churchill Downs.

Thu, 04/24/2025 - 08:06

Smarty Jones leads seven new inductees into Racing Hall of Fame

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

In 2004 Smarty Jones became the first horse since Seattle Slew in 1977 to enter the Belmont Stakes undefeated, having won his previous eight starts, including the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

Twenty-one years after he captured two-thirds of the Triple Crown and in his first year on the ballot, Smarty Jones became a member of Thoroughbred racing’s Hall of Fame.

Wed, 04/23/2025 - 14:30

2025 Kentucky Derby Clocker: Journalism impresses in first local gallop

By Mike Welsch

Barbara D. Livingston

Journalism didn’t turn a hair galloping 1 1/8 miles Wednesday morning after arriving from California the prior afternoon.

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Wednesday, April 23
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 52
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Those with a penchant for siding against the Kentucky Derby favorite, no matter how formidable they might appear on paper, may find that idea a lot less appealing once having seen the enemy up close and personal after Journalism made his first local appearance during the special Derby/Oaks training window Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

Wed, 04/23/2025 - 12:57

Kentucky Derby 2025: Steadily improving Sandman still may not be fully focused

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Sandman comes into the Derby off his best race, a rallying 2 1/2-length victory in the Arkansas Derby.

It’s been four years since Mark Casse has started a horse in the Kentucky Derby. The Hall of Fame trainer has mixed emotions about having missed the big dance the last three years.

“It’s demanding,” Casse said of the road to the Derby. “It’s a lot of holding your breath. You don’t miss that part, but you do miss that part. Ultimately, I’m happy to be there.”

And be there with a contender.

Wed, 04/23/2025 - 11:11

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 25, 2025

By Brad Free

Barbara D. Livingston

Journalism's odds for the Kentucky Derby have been lowered to 5-2 by Daily Racing Form oddsmaker David Aragona.

WHO’S HOT

Journalism, early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, arrived Tuesday at Churchill Downs and will post his final pre-Derby work over the track. Before he left Santa Anita, Journalism worked an easy half-mile and galloped out an additional furlong on April 19. It was the colt’s first work since he won the Santa Anita Derby on April 5. For Journalism, what seems like light training is standard fare. Journalism has never worked beyond five furlongs. Journalism’s Derby Watch odds have been lowered to 5-2 by Daily Racing Form linemaker David Aragona.

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