LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Wonder Gadot was beaten a neck in the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds to start her season.
Two starts later, she lost by less than a length in the Fair Grounds Oaks.
Three weeks ago, she was edged by a nose in the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn.
Nevertheless, she persisted.
On Friday at Churchill Downs, Wonder Gadot finished second in the Kentucky Oaks, beaten a half-length by Monomoy Girl. Even after yet another close defeat, trainer Mark Casse said he was proud of her.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - There’s the usual betting smorgasbord available to bettors on the 14-race Saturday card, including these offerings: three 50-cent pick fives (races 3-7, 8-12, 10-14), four 50-cent pick fours (races 2-5, 5-8, 9-12, 11-14), a $2 Single 6 (races 7-12), and the familiar array of rolling doubles, pick threes, and vertical wagers, including a $1 super high five on the Derby (race 12).
Superfectas are normally available at 10-cent increments, but not on Oaks and Derby Days, when a $1 minimum is in effect.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Including the lone also-eligible, Blended Citizen, among the 21 entered in Kentucky Derby 144 there are six horses listed at 50-1 on the Churchill morning line. They are Firenze Fire, Lone Sailor, Bravazo, Instilled Regard, Combatant, and Blended Citizen. Seven more are pegged at 30-1.
The debate rages, therefore, as to which horse will wind up being the longest shot at post time. A highly informal poll taken this week among media wags landed on Bravazo, but only the international wagering audience has the final answer.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bettors with the foresight to back Mendelssohn in the first two pools of the 2018 Kentucky Derby Future Wager are among those sitting on the biggest overlays as the 144th Derby at Churchill Downs draws near.
The future wager consisted of four pools: Pool 1, Nov. 23-26; Pool 2, Feb. 9-11; Pool 3, March 9-11; and Pool 4, April 6-8. All pools consisted of 23 separately listed individual interests and a mutuel field, the 24th or “all others” entry.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Winning his first Kentucky Derby in 1997 fueled the desire of trainer Bob Baffert to do it again. He did it. Again. And again. And again.
Now a four-time winner of the Derby, Baffert will go for a high five on Saturday here at Churchill Downs when he sends out the favorite, Justify, and a longshot, Solomini, in the 144th Derby. Only one trainer, Ben Jones – who won the Derby six times – has more.
Chris McCarron, the retired Hall of Fame rider, has been hired as part of the executive team of Team Valor International, the international racing syndicate announced late Tuesday.
McCarron, who lives in Lexington, Ky., will focus on promoting Team Valor and its syndicate opportunities as a member of the executive team. The announcement of his hiring came as Team Valor was preparing three of its horses to run at Churchill Downs during Derby week.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Training hours at an American racetrack often feel like barely controlled chaos. But step inside the Todd Pletcher barn and chaos springs to order. His shed row, efficiently bedded with wood shavings, always remains clear. Open the door to an office with every object neatly arrayed and there Pletcher sits at his clutter-free desk.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Trainer Chad Brown will have plenty to keep him busy Saturday before he runs Good Magic in the $2 million Kentucky Derby.
Brown will have runners in as many as five of the six undercard stakes on the 14-horse program, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Eastern. His lineup could include Rushing Fall, the undefeated 3-year-old filly whom he entered back in the Grade 2, $300,000 American Turf for 3-year-olds after she drew post 11 in Friday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Edgewood for 3-year-old fillies.
