Sat, 04/29/2023 - 08:54

Keeneland closes 2023 spring meet with record all-sources handle

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Keeneland ended its 2023 spring meet Friday with record all-sources wagering handle and purse payouts, marking the fifth straight spring meet with a new handle record.

Total handle for a 15-day meet that began April 7 was $224,348,745, an increase of 2.3 percent over the previous record of $219.3 million set last spring. Per-day purses averaged nearly $1.2 million.

“A huge thanks to our fans, the community, and our horsemen who turned out in full force this spring to support Keeneland racing,” Keeneland president Shannon Arvin said in a prepared release.

Sat, 04/29/2023 - 08:20

Kentucky Derby: Forte, Tapit Trice complete final drills

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Forte, with Irad Ortiz Jr. up, works a half-mile in 50.09 seconds on Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - From the time Forte left the Keeneland winner’s circle following his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November, everything has gone according to plan for the horse who will most likely be the favorite for next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

It's kind of scary, when trainer Todd Pletcher thinks about it.

Fri, 04/28/2023 - 14:00

Victory in allowance race might send Ultimate Gamble to Preakness

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Ultimate Gamble, winning an April 1 maiden race, runs in an allowance race Sunday. If he wins, he might be pointed to the Preakness.

The 3-year-old colt Ultimate Gamble began April with a win in a maiden race at Santa Anita. He may end the month as a candidate the Preakness Stakes.

Ultimate Gamble runs in an allowance race against older horses on Sunday at Santa Anita. If he wins, Ultimate Gamble might run next in the Preakness on May 20 at Pimlico.

“He could come in for the Preakness,” co-owner Tim Cohen said Friday. “It’s not out of the question.”

Fri, 04/28/2023 - 13:30

Yakteen pair of Practical Move, Reincarnate put in fast works for Kentucky Derby

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move (right) worked five furlongs in 59.60 on Friday at Santa Anita.

Practical Move, the leading 3-year-old in California, and Reincarnate, third in two graded stakes in Arkansas this year, worked quickly Friday at Santa Anita for trainer Tim Yakteen in advance of scheduled starts in the Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs.

Practical Move, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8, worked five furlongs in 59.60 seconds under exercise rider Baltazar Contreras, while Reincarnate worked a half-mile in 46.40 under jockey Drayden Van Dyke. Reincarnate’s work was the fastest of the morning at the distance.

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 12:34

Kentucky Derby: Raise Cain gets final work; jockey still to be determined

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

Raise Cain, winner of the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes, will ship to Churchill Downs on Monday.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Raise Cain turned in his final work for the Kentucky Derby on Thursday morning at Keeneland as trainer Ben Colebrook continues to weigh his jockey options for the colt.

Raise Cain, with Gerardo Corrales in the irons, worked in company with the unraced filly Merrily Rush, Luan Machado up, as they went a half-mile in 49 seconds on a fast main track.

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 12:14

Skinner gains Kentucky Derby berth; Juan Hernandez gets mount

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Skinner will be ridden by Juan Hernandez in the Kentucky Derby.

Skinner, third in the Santa Anita Derby on April 8, gained a berth in the Kentucky Derby on May 6 after Wild On Ice sustained a fatal injury during training early Thursday at Churchill Downs.

Skinner will have a new rider in Juan Hernandez, who replaces Victor Espinoza.

"We thought a change would maybe shake things up a little bit," trainer John Shirreffs said Thursday. "Maybe Skinner was used to the way Victor was riding him. It might help to have a different rider."

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 09:49

Kentucky Derby: Two Phil’s cruises through five-furlong drill at Hawthorne

By Marcus Hersh

Two Phil's wins Jeff Ruby Steaks at TP March 25 2023

Coady Photography

Two Phil's wins the Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park with a 101 Beyer Speed Figure.

STICKNEY, Ill. – Two Phil’s completed his major preparation for the May 6 Kentucky Derby working a smooth five furlongs at 7 a.m. Thursday at Hawthorne Racecourse.

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 08:42

Kentucky Derby: Wild On Ice euthanized after training injury

By Marty McGee

Barbara D. Livingston

Wild On Ice, pictured Monday morning at Churchill Downs, was euthanized after an injury Thursday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Derby hopeful Wild On Ice was euthanized Thursday morning after suffering a catastrophic injury to his left hind leg at Churchill Downs in a pre-dawn workout intended to prepare him for the Derby on May 6.

Wed, 04/26/2023 - 16:43

Churchill Downs Inc. first-quarter revenue spikes to $155 million

By Matt Hegarty

Barbara Livingston

Churchill Downs Inc. made an after tax profit of $86.2 million on its sale of Arlington Park to the Chicago Bears.

Net income for Churchill Downs Inc. in the first quarter nearly quadrupled, boosted by recent casino acquisitions in Virginia, New York, and Iowa and the after-tax gains from the sale of Arlington Park outside of Chicago, according to financial statements released on Wednesday afternoon.

Net income for the first quarter was $155.7 million, compared to $42.1 million in the first quarter of last year, according to the financial statements. Churchill booked an $86.2 million after-tax gain on its $197.2 million sale of Arlington to the NFL’s Chicago Bears.

Wed, 04/26/2023 - 16:26

Apprentice Mathilda Burnham goes from horse shows to the big show

By Steve Andersen

As recently as earlier this month, Mathilda Burnham split her time between exercising horses for trainer Peter Miller at San Luis Rey Downs in Southern California and participating in horse shows.

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