Thu, 04/13/2023 - 15:22

Pimlico Special next race for Law Professor

Law Professor, trained by Rob Atras, wins the Excelsior at Aqueduct on April 1.
Chelsea Durand/NYRA
Law Professor, trained by Rob Atras, wins the Excelsior at Aqueduct on April 1.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Law Professor, dominant winner of the Excelsior Stakes at Aqueduct on April 1, is being pointed to the Grade 3, $250,000 Pimlico Special on May 19, trainer Rob Atras said Thursday.

Thu, 04/13/2023 - 13:00

Kentucky Derby: Mage to work this weekend

Mage returns after Florida Derby April 1 2023
Barbara Livingston
Despite breaking slowly, Mage looked like he was going to win in midstretch of the Florida Derby before Forte reeled him in.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Mage, runner-up despite a slow start and wide trip in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, will have the first of his three scheduled pre-Kentucky Derby workouts at Gulfstream Park this weekend, assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. said Thursday.

Thu, 04/13/2023 - 09:52

Gulfstream cancels Thursday and Friday cards

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. -- Gulfstream Park canceled live racing on Thursday and Friday in the wake of tropical-like storms and severe weather the Wednesday that flooded local streets as well as portions of the barn area. Simulcasting was also canceled here on Thursday.

There also were tornado warnings and the closure of schools throughout Broward County as well as Fort Lauderdale Airport. 

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 14:00

Turf Paradise being sold to real estate developer; racing not immediately threatened

Coady Photography
Turf Paradise, on the outskirts of Phoenix when it opened in 1956, is now centrally located in the city.

Turf Paradise, the Phoenix racetrack that has struggled financially and operationally over the past five years, is in the process of being sold to a California real estate developer who has partnered with a racetrack official with experience in operating historical horse-racing machines.

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 13:00

Brown has good chance to add to Jenny Wiley spoils with In Italian and Speak of the Devil

In Italian (above) and Speak of the Devil give Chad Brown a pair of aces in the Jenny Wiley on Saturday at Keeneland.
Barbara Livingston
In Italian (above) and Speak of the Devil give Chad Brown a pair of aces in the Jenny Wiley on Saturday at Keeneland.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Trainer Chad Brown will be looking to extend his dominance in the Grade 1, $600,000 Jenny Wiley when he is represented by the highly regarded Peter Brant pair of In Italian and Speak of the Devil among eight fillies and mares in the 1 1/16-mile turf race.

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 13:00

Kentucky Derby: Blazing Sevens decision will take time

Blazing Sevens trains at KEE Oct 29 2023
Barbara Livingston
Chad Brown wants to watch Blazing Sevens work before deciding on whether to start him in the Kentucky Derby.

The status of Blue Grass third-place finisher Blazing Sevens will be monitored quite closely by those on the outside of the Kentucky Derby picture looking in, but don’t expect a decision on that colt’s status for a few weeks.

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 13:00

Lexington might end up Preakness stepping-stone for Arabian Lion

Trainer Bob Baffert said he's running Arabian Lion in the Lexington Stakes on Saturday to give him one more chance going two turns.
Deb Roma
Trainer Bob Baffert said he's running Arabian Lion in the Lexington Stakes on Saturday to give him one more chance going two turns.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Lexington Stakes on Saturday often serves as a prep for the Preakness, not the Kentucky Derby. And that would most definitely apply in the case of Arabian Lion, one of 11 3-year-olds confirmed for the final qualifying race toward the May 6 Derby.

Arabian Lion, trained by Bob Baffert, lacks sufficient qualifying points for the Derby, helping to make that a moot point. But the May 20 Preakness remains in play, especially if the Justify colt runs big in the Grade 3, $400,000 Lexington at Keeneland.

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 11:37

No people or horses injured in Oaklawn barn fire

There were no injuries in a barn fire Tuesday night at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., according to a statement released by the track. The fire destroyed the north end of the Wild Again barn, and horses and staff from the area were safely relocated to other barns. The fire started shortly before 7 p.m., and as of Wednesday morning the cause of the fire is unknown.

Oaklawn released the following statement:

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 11:25

2023 Kentucky Derby: McPeek not in a hurry to decide about Sun Thunder

Sun Thunder wins maiden race at Op Dec 31 2022
Coady Photography
Sun Thunder wins a maiden race at Oaklawn Park in December. He has accumulated enough points to get into the Kentucky Derby.

Kenny McPeek can keep everybody else jammed up if he wants. There’s no looming timetable as to when the veteran trainer must decide whether Sun Thunder will be entered in the May 6 Kentucky Derby, and he can take pretty much all the time he needs.

Sun Thunder, a no-factor fourth by 6 1/2 lengths as a 13-1 shot last Saturday in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, is in the Derby if so desired. Owned by R.T. Racing Stable and Cypress Creek Equine, the son of uber-sire Into Mischief is 14th on the list of qualifiers with 54 points, safely above the 20-horse cutoff.

Wed, 04/12/2023 - 10:16

Horseshoe Indianapolis discontinues Jackpot Pick 6, adds low-takeout pick five

Coady Photography
Horseshoe Indianapolis's takeout on its pick five wager is 11.99 percent.

Horseshoe Indianapolis is dropping a progressive-style jackpot multi-race wager from its betting menu this year and will add an early pick 5, the track announced on Tuesday.