Sat, 04/05/2025 - 20:16

Jockey Carmouche notches milestone with 4,000th win, tips hat to father and others who helped

Jim Sewastynowicz

Jockey Kendrick Carmouche celebrates with some of the hardcore fans who often scream the loudest when he wins a race after victory number 4,000.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Jockey Kendrick Carmouche became the 69th jockey in North America to win 4,000 career races when he guided Crimson Light to victory in Saturday’s eighth race at Aqueduct, a win that set off an unusual celebration.

After getting his picture taken in the winner’s circle, Carmouche ran over to the apron, jumped a small fence and took a photo with a few dozen of his hardcore fans who often scream the loudest when Carmouche wins a race.

Sat, 04/05/2025 - 15:37

NYRA, horsemen's association agree on compensation for canceled March 30 card at Aqueduct

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

The New York Racing Association has agreed to pay the managing owner of each horse that would have raced $2,500, and the trainer of each horse that would have raced $1,000 from the canceled March 30 card at Aqueduct.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - The New York Racing Association has agreed to a compensation package with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association for the horsemen impacted by the cancellation of the March 30 Aqueduct card due to unhealthy noise levels stemming from an auto and bike show in a nearby parking lot.

Thu, 04/03/2025 - 16:21

Trainer John Toscano Jr. dies at 80

By David Grening

Pat Lang Photos

Toscano Jr. (far right) guided a horse owned by two of his sons (also pictured) to victory over Birdstone in a key Kentucky Derby prep.

John Toscano Jr., a trainer primarily on the New York Racing Association circuit for 55 years, died Thursday in a Long Island hospital after fighting myriad illnesses. He was 80 years old.

Since 1979, according to Equibase, Toscano won 428 races from 4,381 starters. His horses earned $18,368,122 in purse money.

“He graduated St. John’s in 1966, and he went right to the track as a hotwalker, making $30 a week,” said John Toscano III, one of three sons Toscano had. “He loved the horses. Working for Jimmy Picou was his first job.”

Wed, 04/02/2025 - 13:04

Brown taking time with Praetor, pointing to Lexington

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Praetor could use the Lexington at Keeneland as a way to get to the Preakness Stakes.

Trainer Chad Brown believes Praetor could have a big 3-year-old season, he just doesn’t see the Kentucky Derby as part of it.

Praetor, who came off a lengthy layoff to win a first-level allowance at Gulfstream Park on March 9, will make his next start in the Grade 3, $400,000 Lexington Stakes at Keeeneland on April 12 with the potential of using that race as a stepping-stone to the Preakness on May 17.

Wed, 04/02/2025 - 12:57

Kentucky Derby 2025: Hernandez confident Barnes can go the distance

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Juan Hernandez believes Barnes will move forward from his two-turn debut in the San Felipe.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Juan Hernandez, the dominant rider in Southern California the last few years, will be seeking his first win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.

In three previous attempts, Hernandez’s mounts have finished fifth or sixth. The most disappointing of those was Forbidden Kingdom, who was last of six in 2022 as the even-money favorite.

On Saturday, Hernandez rides Barnes in the $500,000 race at 1 1/8 miles, a crucial prep for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3.

Wed, 04/02/2025 - 12:45

Kentucky Derby 2025: Qualifying points reduced for Santa Anita Derby

By Brad Free

Benoit Photo

In order to earn enough qualifying points to make the Kentucky Derby, Baeza needs to win Saturday's Santa Anita Derby.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Only five entered the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, the smallest Santa Anita Derby field since Brother Derek wired a five-runner field in 2006. That was before the Kentucky Derby points scheme was introduced. This year, Derby points guidelines erode the relevance of the Santa Anita Derby.

Wed, 04/02/2025 - 12:17

Kentucky Derby 2025: Dutrow cooking up return to sport's biggest stage

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Rick Dutrow, two years back from a 10-year suspension, is on the verge of a return to the Kentucky Derby, a race he won in 2008 with Big Brown.

ELMONT, N.Y. – On the walls of his office and in areas throughout his Belmont Park barn are photographs of some of the biggest victories in the career of trainer Rick Dutrow. There are Big Brown’s tour-de-force triumphs in the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness. There are winner’s circle photos of Kip Deville winning the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Mile and Benny the Bull the 2008 Dubai Golden Shaheen.

Wed, 04/02/2025 - 09:49

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 2, 2025

By Brad Free

Barbara D. Livingston

Tappan Street's victory in the Florida Derby vaulted him into a higher placing in the Derby Watch top 20, settling in as the third choice at 10-1.

WHO’S HOT

Tappan Street and Sandman won Grade 1 races March 29; their Derby Watch odds subsequently dropped. Tappan Street won the Florida Derby in just his third career start; Sandman took advantage of a blistering pace to win the Arkansas Derby. Tappan Street drops to 10-1, co-third choice. Sandman was lowered to 12-1 by Daily Racing Form linemaker David Aragona.

Tue, 04/01/2025 - 13:26

Journalism still favored in final Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool

By Matt Hegarty

Benoit Photo

Journalism is the favorite in a field of five in Saturday’s $500,000 Santa Anita Derby.

The final Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool will be held this weekend, but bettors should know right away to get their wagers in early, as the pool will close prior to the running of the three big stakes races on Saturday that will go a long way toward determining the favorites and the starting field for the May 3 Kentucky Derby.

Sun, 03/30/2025 - 20:28

Into Mischief filly key prospect in Lone Star's Texas 2-year-olds in training sale

By Mary Rampellini

Barbara D. Livingston

Into Mischief will have a filly as one of the top prospects at the Texas 2-year-olds in training sale beginning Wednesday.

A filly by Into Mischief and offspring from the first crops of By My Standards, No Parole, Tacitus and Yaupon are among the offerings at the Texas 2-year-olds in training sale April 2 at Lone Star Park.

The breeze show is Monday. It begins at 8 a.m. Central.

The catalog for the Wednesday sale features 100 young racing prospects. The auction will begin at 10 a.m. in the sales pavilion that has been renamed for the retiring Mary Ruyle in honor of her 36 years with the auction’s co-sponsor, the Texas Thoroughbred Association.

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