Claiborne Farm has won the Kentucky Derby only once in its century-plus history, when the star-crossed Swale carried its famous gold silks beneath the twin spires. But that doesn’t mean the farm hasn’t had ties to other Derby winners – or that the Hancock family’s influence isn’t all over this year’s race despite its lack of ownership.

“We have a lot of interest,” said farm president Walker Hancock, the great-grandson of Arthur B. Hancock, who founded Claiborne in 1910.

Tacitus
Tapit – Close Hatches, by First Defence
Bred in Kentucky by Juddmonte Farms

A long and winding road toward the 2019 Kentucky Derby is making its way toward the finish line. Only a handful of horses in the diverse group of horses preparing to line up for the classic have won multiple graded stakes this season. Tacitus was one of those. He finished as the leader by points in this season’s series of Kentucky Derby qualifying races, and sports one of the most regal pedigrees in this class.

Unmarked Bills, a half-brother to two Kentucky Derby starters, was a moderately-successful racehorse in his own right while never reaching an elite level. A week before this year’s Kentucky Derby, he’ll get his own chance for a turn in the spotlight in his second career as he starts at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, North America’s premier eventing competition.

Roadster
Quality Road - Ghost Dancing, by Silver Ghost
Bred in Kentucky by Stone Farm ($525,000 purchase by Speedway Stables at Keeneland September yearling sale)

Barbara Banke makes business decisions for Stonestreet Farm with the head and not the heart, carefully curating the youngsters produced by her star-studded broodmare band. But Banke has a special place in her heart for talented fillies.

She will look on with pride as two fillies bred by Stonestreet and sold in 2017 contest the Kentucky Oaks.

And meanwhile, an exciting filly she chose not to sell in 2018 is expected to carry the Stonestreet colors at the Royal Ascot meeting in June. 

Bucchero was named Indiana-bred horse of the year for the second time as the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, in conjunction with the Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development, held its annual awards banquet at Indiana Grand on Sunday.

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah got off to a perfect start with his highly anticipated first crop, as first starter Monarch of Egypt became his first winner Saturday at Naas in Ireland. That colt is now eyeing the Royal Ascot meeting in June – and could be one of a few to fly the flag for his young sire there, if the stars align.

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah is off to a perfect start with his highly anticipated first crop, as the young stallion's first starter, Monarch of Egypt, also became his first winner Saturday at Naas in Ireland.

Monarch of Egypt easily won the five-furlong maiden race under Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O'Brien, kicking clear in the stretch and staying on by open lengths despite greenly changing leads in the stretch and drifting in slightly once clear.

Stage Magic, whose two graded stakes winners last season included unbeaten Triple Crown winner Justify, has been named Kentucky's broodmare of the year for 2018.

The broodmare of the year award was among a number of honors picked up by those connected to Justify at the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's annual awards luncheon on Wednesday at Keeneland.

Omaha Beach
War Front – Charming, by Seeking the Gold
Bred in Kentucky by The Charming Syndicate

Top-flight racemare and broodmare Take Charge Lady had connections to the winners of both divisions of the Rebel Stakes last month at Oaklawn Park. Those winners are expected to meet in the Arkansas Derby on Saturday, as Omaha Beach ships back in from California to face Long Range Toddy in this final major Kentucky Derby prep.