Fri, 04/18/2025 - 13:01

Kentucky Derby 2025: American Promise drills seven furlongs from the gate

Coady Media

American Promise was timed in 1:25.20 from the gate on Friday following splits of 22.00, 45.80, 57.80, and six furlongs in 1:11.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Virginia Derby winner American Promise had a major work Friday morning at his Oaklawn Park base as he continues preparations for the Kentucky Derby.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said last week the horse would have his final work at Churchill Downs.

American Promise on Friday worked seven furlongs from the gate in 1:25.20. The track was fast on a sunny morning with temperatures in the high 60s. American Promise worked in the first set after the renovation break, about 9:10 a.m. Central.

Fri, 04/18/2025 - 12:57

Kentucky Derby 2025: Tappan Street just cruising in five-furlong work

By Mike Welsch

Barbara D. Livingston

Tappan Street turned in his second sharp workout at Payson Park on Friday since winning the Florida Derby for trainer Brad Cox.

INDIANTOWN, Fla. – Trainer Brad Cox’s decision to keep Florida Derby winner Tappan Street at his newly adopted winter home of Payson Park an extra couple of weeks to prepare for his upcoming start in the Kentucky Derby continues to pay dividends.

On Friday, Tappan Street turned in a second strong work over the Payson Park strip since his 1 1/4-length victory over Sovereignty in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 29 at Gulfstream Park, breezing five furlongs in 1:02.20 in company with stablemate Rapture.

Wed, 04/16/2025 - 13:38

Kentucky Derby 2025: Chunk of Gold a one in a million horse

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Chris Melton bought Kentucky Derby hopeful Chunk of Gold at a fall yearling sale for $2,500.

This week, at the 2-year-old-in-training sale in Ocala, Fla., millions of dollars will be spent on horses by people dreaming of getting to the Kentucky Derby.

Chris Melton found a Derby horse for $2,500.

Melton may no longer own a piece of the 3-year-old Chunk of Gold, runner-up in the Louisiana Derby and Risen Star Stakes this winter at Fair Grounds, but he will have a story to tell should Chunk of Gold pull an upset in Kentucky Derby 151 at Churchill Downs on May 3.

Wed, 04/16/2025 - 12:46

Kentucky Derby 2025: After team huddle, Owen Almighty rejoins field

By David Grening

Tom Keyser

Trainer Brian Lynch has expressed concerns about Owen Almighty getting 1 1/4 miles.

Owen Almighty, the Tampa Bay Derby winner who finished in a dead heat for sixth in the Blue Grass Stakes on April 8, is back in the field for the 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3, his connections said Wednesday.

“We’re going to give it a shot,” said Hunter Rankin, president of Flying Dutchmen Breeding and Racing, the racing operation of Travis Boersma. “He’s earned a spot, we’re going to use it and take a shot as long as he’s doing well going into the race.”

Wed, 04/16/2025 - 11:10

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 18, 2025

By Brad Free

Tom Keyser

Owen Almighty was unplaced in the Blue Grass after winning the Tampa Bay Derby.

WHO’S HOT

Except for the curious case of Owen Almighty, it was a relatively quiet week for Kentucky Derby aspirants. Some 24 horses remain under consideration according to Churchill Downs, including Journalism, the 3-1 early favorite on the Daily Racing Form Derby Watch Top 20 odds line by David Aragona.

Tue, 04/15/2025 - 12:10

River Thames to skip Kentucky Derby, point to Preakness

By David Grening

River Thames at Palm Beach Downs in March 2025

Susie Raisher

River Thames has raced four times this year and Elliott Walden of WinStar Farm said the Maclean's Music colt will benefit from having two extra weeks to train before the Preakness.

River Thames, most recently third in the Blue Grass Stakes, will bypass the Kentucky Derby and point to the Preakness on May 17, Elliott Walden, president of WinStar Farm, which co-owns the colt, said Tuesday.

Mon, 04/14/2025 - 10:10

West Virginia legalizes fixed-odds betting on horse races

By Matt Hegarty

Coady Media

West Virginia is now the third state, along with New Jersey and Colorado, to authorize fixed-odds horse wagering.

The West Virginia Legislature has passed a bill legalizing fixed-odds wagering on horse and greyhound races, becoming the third state to authorize the practice.

According to legislative records, the bill passed out of the State Senate on Saturday after being amended on Friday in the House. Under the bill, West Virginia racetracks will be able to offer fixed-odds betting on their races with the consent of groups representing trainers and owners. Five percent of the “adjusted gross” revenue from the betting will go towards purses at the tracks.

Sun, 04/13/2025 - 17:12

Extra Anejo points to Churchill Downs Stakes for next start

By Marcus Hersh

Coady

Extra Anejo won his first stakes race, the Commonwealth, on April 8 at Keeneland.

Extra Anejo having finally won his first stakes race, the Grade 3 Commonwealth on April 8 at Keeneland, he’ll try to win another next month at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Extra Anejo, off his 1 1/2-length tally in the seven-furlong Commonwealth, will be pointed to the Grade 1, $1 million Churchill Downs Stakes on May 3. Another good showing there could lead to the $1 million Metropolitan Handicap on June 5 at Saratoga.

Sun, 04/13/2025 - 16:54

Brown surprised by no inquiry on Choisya's victory over Excellent Truth in Jenny Wiley

By Marcus Hersh

Coady

Excellent Truth (1) finishes second to Choisya (2) in Saturday's Jenny Wiley at Keeneland.

Weep not for Chad Brown, a multiple Eclipse Award-winning trainer whose starters, dating to his career debut in 2007, have earned nearly $310 million in purses, and who, barring the unforeseen, has many good years still ahead of him. Nor is it necessary to shed a tear for John Stewart’s Resolute Racing. Stewart, a private equity baron, owns more than 200 Thoroughbreds.

Sun, 04/13/2025 - 16:37

Jockey Boyce thrown from horse during post parade at Laurel

By Patrick Moquin

Coady

Jockey Forest Boyce is considered day to day following Sunday's mishap during the post parade of the first race at Laurel.

Jockey Forest Boyce was transported to a medical center after she was thrown from a horse during the post parade of the first race at Laurel Park on Sunday.

Tests revealed no severe injuries.

Boyce was riding 3-year-old gelding Z Bogdan during the post parade of the first race when the first-time starter reared up and fell on top of her before running off loose around the track. Medical staff tended to Boyce while outriders worked to contain Z Bogdan, leading to a slight delay.

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