Sat, 05/06/2023 - 11:50

Pretty Mischievous comes out of Kentucky Oaks in great shape

Barbara D. Livingston

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione celebrates aboard Pretty Mischievous after her victory in the Kentucky Oaks.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It was business as usual at trainer Brendan Walsh's Churchill Downs barn on Saturday morning, with the trainer on horseback accompanying several sets to the track in the early, shortened training hours on Derby Day. But it wasn't quite usual in the shed row, with Pretty Mischievous relaxing in her stall behind her winning blanket of Kentucky Oaks lilies.

"I don't think so, no," Walsh said when asked if the victory, his first in the filly classic, was sinking in yet. "I think it will after the weekend. Pretty surreal."

Sat, 05/06/2023 - 09:11

Forte scratched from the Kentucky Derby

By David Grening

Julie Wright

Forte has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Forte, the favorite for Saturday’s 149th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, was scratched out of the race by Kentucky state veterinarians Saturday morning due to a minor bruise in his right front foot.

Forte had been dealing with a bruise since mid-week, but did not miss a day of training. On Friday, Forte had galloped with a three-quarter shoe, to, as trainer Todd Pletcher said, relieve pressure from the tender area.

Fri, 05/05/2023 - 20:48

Total handle on Kentucky Oaks card sets record at $74.9 million

By Matt Hegarty

Justin N. Lane

Attendance at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Oaks card was 106,381.

Total betting on the 13-race Kentucky Oaks card at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on Friday set a record of $74.9 million, according to Churchill Downs, a slight gain over the record of $74.6 million set last year. Wagering on the Oaks itself, however, was down 7.8 percent.

Fri, 05/05/2023 - 11:40

Kentucky Derby: Japan tries to add another major international victory

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Derma Sotogake's ability to race on the pace or come from off it could come in handy in Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In the last two years, horses based in Japan have captured some of the biggest international prizes in Thoroughbred racing.

In 2021, at Del Mar, there were victories by March Lorraine and Loves Only You in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Filly and Mare Turf, respectively. This year, Panthalassa led a 1-3-4-5 finish by Japan horses in the $20 million Saudi Cup. Ushba Tesoro won the $12 million Dubai World Cup and Equinox was devastating winning the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic.

Fri, 05/05/2023 - 10:02

Kentucky Derby: Skinner scratched due to temperature

By David Grening

Debra A. Roma

Skinner, training Thursday at Churchill Downs, has been withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Skinner, the third-place finisher in the Santa Anita Derby, has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby due to an elevated temperature, according to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Skinner became the fourth horse to scratch from the Derby in 24 hours, joining Practical Move, Lord Miles, and Continuar.

The Derby will be run, for now, with 19 horses.

According to the Churchill Downs media department, the last time four horses scratched from the Kentucky Derby was in 2015 when 22 horses were entered.

This story will be updated.

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 13:32

Kentucky Derby: Practical Move scratches; Cyclone Mischief gets into field

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Practical Move trains Thursday morning at Churchill Downs. He was withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby after spiking a temperature.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Practical Move, winner of the Santa Anita Derby and a major player in the Kentucky Derby, will have to scratch out of the race due to a temperature, trainer Tim Yakteen said Thursday afternoon.

“We spiked a temperature,” Yakteen said. “It started climbing right after training when we do our due diligence. He didn’t jump into the feed tub like he usually does. We temp our horses routinely, that’s when it was recognized.”

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 10:45

Racing rolled up with promotions at Emerald Downs

By Randy Goulding

Emerald Downs

Emerald Downs begins its 52-day meet on Saturday.

It will be business as usual when the 2023 live meet at Emerald Downs gets under way Saturday. Business as usual means promotions, promotions, and more promotions.

“Corgis, wiener dogs, bull dogs, T-Rexes, Family Fun Day, they are all back,” Emerald president Phil Ziegler said. “We have something planned every weekend. We try to make it fun. Whenever somebody shows up, it should be special for them.”

One of the most popular events is the T-Rex races, scheduled for Aug. 20.

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 10:21

Joseph granted permission to scratch horses from Thursday, Friday cards at Churchill

By Matt Hegarty

Barbara D. Livingston

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has scratched his entries on the Thursday and Friday cards at Churchill Downs.

Stewards at Churchill Downs have granted a request by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. to be allowed to scratch horses he trains from races at the track on Thursday and Friday, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission said. Joseph also said that he intends to ask for permission to scratch three horses on the Saturday card, though not his entrant in the Kentucky Derby.

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 09:45

Kentucky Derby: Team Illinois takes a shot with the horse nobody wanted – Two Phil's

By Marcus Hersh

Barbara D. Livingston

Phillip and Anthony Sagan, the breeders of Two Phil’s, wanted to sell him but “we couldn’t get anyone to show any interest.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For years, Arlington Park’s opening day coincided with Kentucky Oaks Day. Then COVID-19 struck, and Arlington didn’t begin a 2020 meeting until July. In 2021, the opener returned to the first Friday in May – a dark day, not a celebration. Churchill Downs Inc., Arlington’s owner, already had decided, strictly for financial reasons, to shed the track from its corporate portfolio. In May 2022, the massive Arlington grandstand, the vast tract of land upon which it rests, stood quiet as a remote Illinois prairie.

Wed, 05/03/2023 - 12:05

Kentucky Derby: Yakteen going by his own book preparing Practical Move, Reincarnate

By David Grening

Barbara Livingston

Practical Move has been given a light training regimen by Tim Yakteen leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – When it comes to Practical Move’s preparation for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, trainer Tim Yakteen is utilizing the less-is-more approach.

On Wednesday, three days out from Kentucky Derby 149, Practical Move simply jogged one mile around Churchill’s main track. It was at least the second time Practical Move just jogged after arriving from Southern California on Saturday.

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