Thu, 04/30/2026 - 10:10

Kentucky Derby 2026: Like father, like son, the Motts both running for the roses

Bill Mott.Riley .Mott,Riley - on pony.Saratoga.ca but maybe not 1996

Barbara D. Livingston

Bill Mott has been son Riley’s role model his entire life. Bill has Chief Wallabee in the Derby. Riley has Incredibolt and Albus.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – When not wearing his old-school protective helmet while atop his stable pony, trainer Bill Mott can usually be seen sporting a New York Yankees baseball cap. On a recent morning on the Churchill Downs backstretch, Mott had a grayish cap emblazoned with a double-bordered green and white diamond, the stable symbol of his son Riley.

“I’m very proud of him,” said the elder Mott, whose own stable symbol is a singular bordered green and white diamond.

Thu, 04/30/2026 - 09:54

Kentucky Oaks: Bella Ballerina scratched, Resist gets in

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

Bella Ballerina was declared out of the Kentucky Oaks on Thursday morning with a minor injury, per trainer Brendan Walsh.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Oaks field that has morphed a good deal since entry day last Saturday took another twist on Thursday morning when Bella Ballerina was declared out with a minor injury, trainer Brendan Walsh said. The scratch allows all of the original also-eligibles to make the starting gate.

Walsh described Bella Ballerina's leg injury as just a "ding," and indicated the filly would not be out of action too long. Bella Ballerina trained Wednesday morning, but did not train Thursday morning.

Thu, 04/30/2026 - 09:07

2026 Kentucky Derby: Families of racing gather for a tradition like no other

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Gustavo Delgado and his son Gustavo Delgado Jr. teamed to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby with Mage. They’re back this year with The Puma.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Racing, perhaps more than any other sport, is about family. Working with horses isn’t as much a job as it is a way of life. The 24/7, 365-day nature of the profession makes it this way.

The theme of family, shared experiences or sense of loss, permeates throughout Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, the annual two-minute highlight for this industry that plays out for the 152nd time beneath the twin spires at Churchill Downs.

Thu, 04/30/2026 - 08:22

2026 Kentucky Derby: Fulleffort scratches, Ocelli draws in

By David Grening

Debra A. Roma

Fulleffort, winner of the Jeff Ruby Steaks, was one of three horses Brad Cox had entered for the Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Fulleffort, winner of the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks who appeared to be training superbly for his first start on dirt in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, will be scratched from the race due to a chip in his left hind ankle, trainer Brad Cox said Thursday.

His defection moves Ocelli into the field.

“Fulleffort had some pressure in his left hind ankle this morning. We took X-rays. He had a chip and he was off, so obviously he will not be running on Saturday,” Cox said.

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 15:35

Kentucky Derby 2026: Juan Hernandez has rich mounts topped by Derby debut aboard Potente

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Jockey Juan Hernandez will make his Kentucky Derby debut aboard Potente for trainer Bob Baffert.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Juan Hernandez has a massive collection of trophies and awards to show for his widespread success as a leading rider in California in recent years.

Hernandez has won 12 riding titles at Del Mar or Santa Anita since the summer of 2023, including the last four titles at the prestigious Del Mar summer meeting.

The goal this week is different - build a cache of mementoes from Churchill Downs.

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 12:47

Kentucky Oaks: My Miss Mo to scratch; Nycon will draw in

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

My Miss Mo was 20-1 on the Kentucky Oaks morning line.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – My Miss Mo will be scratched from Friday's Kentucky Oaks, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said early Wednesday afternoon.

Joseph said the filly, most recently second in the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks, is "not at the level she needs to be for the Oaks this week."

The scratch will allow Nycon, the second also-eligible, into the field, which has a maximum of 14 starters. Trainer Whit Beckman said Wednesday morning that he intends to run Nycon, second in the Busher and most recently fourth in the Grade 2 Gazelle.

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 11:54

Kentucky Derby 2026: Silent Tactic scratch a reminder of how unforgiving the trail is

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Silent Tactic was declared out of the Derby on Wednesday morning due to a bruised foot.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Winning the Kentucky Derby is extremely difficult. Just getting one to the starting gate on the first Saturday in May is nearly as hard.

Whether the defection happens in January, such as with champion Ted Noffey, or late March as was the case with Paladin, a horse isn’t in the Derby until he’s actually in the starting gate.

On Wednesday morning, just 81 hours before Kentucky Derby 152 was to go to post, trainer Mark Casse revealed that Silent Tactic will have to scratch from the race due to a bruised foot.

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 10:52

Kentucky Oaks: Bella Ballerina trying to keep up with older sister for Godolphin

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

Bella Ballerina is a half-sister to Pretty Mischievous, winner of the 2023 Kentucky Oaks.

Brendan Walsh knows what a Kentucky Oaks winner looks like. For three seasons he had champion Pretty Mischievous, winner of the 2023 filly classic, in his barn, and knew her every detail. He likes what he’s seen from Bella Ballerina as she prepares for the 2026 Oaks.

Tue, 04/28/2026 - 14:03

2026 Kentucky Derby Clocker: Danon Bourbon, Wonder Dean train hard for a second straight day

By Mike Welsch

Barbara D. Livingston

Long-winded Danon Bourbon open-galloped a mile in 1:52.09 at Churchill on Tuesday, almost four seconds faster than he did on Monday.

CHURCHILL DOWNS
Tuesday, April 28
Weather: Cloudy
Temp. 64
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It was déjà vu all over again on the Kentucky Derby front Tuesday at Churchill Downs with the two Japanese contenders, Danon Bourbon and Wonder Dean, the most active members of the prospective field during the special training window for Derby/Oaks horses for a second day in a row.

Tue, 04/28/2026 - 13:46

NBC’s Donna Barton Brothers to retire after Preakness

By Matt Hegarty

Jim Sewastynowicz

Donna Barton Brothers interviews trainer Brad Cox ahead of the 2024 Preakness at Pimlico.

Donna Barton Brothers, the former jockey who has been the ontrack reporter for NBC during its Kentucky Derby coverage for the past 26 years, will retire from the role after NBC’s Triple Crown coverage this year.

Barton Brothers, who collected 1,130 wins over an 11-year riding career, has been the only person to work on all 26 of NBC’s Derby broadcasts. The network took over from ABC in 2000.

Subscribe to Headlines