Thu, 04/20/2023 - 11:00

Woodbine returns looking the same, but with some new wrinkles

Michael Burns

The Queen's Plate, won last year by Moira (above), has been renamed the King's Plate with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the ascension of King Charles III.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine launches its 2023 season on Saturday with a meet that largely resembles the 2022 version.

Racing is scheduled for 133 days, ending Dec. 17. It will be conducted with a 1:10 p.m. post time on weekends until May 5, when Fridays will be added. Thursday racing begins May 25 with a 4:50 p.m. post time.

The stakes program will offer more than $17 million in purses, including 39 graded stakes, five Grade 1 events, and two $1 million fixtures, the King’s Plate and Woodbine Mile.

Thu, 04/20/2023 - 10:29

Kentucky Derby: Kingsbarns, Major Dude work 'textbook' five furlongs

By Nicole Russo

Coady Photography

Kingsbarns (left) works five furlongs in 1:00.80 on Thursday at Churchill Downs with Major Dude.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As the trainers of Kentucky Derby and Oaks hopefuls continued to monitor the coming April showers, Kingsbarns was the first of Todd Pletcher’s major prep winners to turn in his penultimate breeze toward the Run for the Roses on Thursday morning at Churchill Downs.

Wed, 04/19/2023 - 11:55

Kentucky Derby: Shirreffs training Skinner like he is in the field

By Brad Free

Practical Move-Mandarin Hero-Skinner SA Derby 4-8-2023

Benoit Photo

Skinner (No. 7) finished third by a half-length in the Santa Anita Derby behind Practical Move (inside) and Mandarin Hero.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Skinner bounced out of his Santa Anita Derby third-place finish in such good shape he has already returned to work. Just nine days after missing by a half-length in the Santa Anita Derby, Skinner worked a half-mile Monday to stay on target for the Kentucky Derby.

Only one problem. As of Wednesday morning, Skinner ranked 22nd on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 45 points. He needs two defections to make the field. For trainer John Shirreffs, who won the 2005 Derby with Giacomo, it is déjà vu all over again.

Wed, 04/19/2023 - 11:55

Mint Millions at Kentucky Downs to be worth $2 million

By Marty McGee

Coady Photography

Kentucky Downs will hold six $1 million stakes on its Sept. 9 card this year.

The huge purses at the boutique Kentucky Downs meet got even bigger this week when officials at the turf-only track in south-central Kentucky announced that the newly named Mint Millions will be a $2 million race during the seven-day meet, which runs Aug. 31 through Sept. 13.

The enhanced purse makes it the richest grass race in North America besides the Breeders’ Cup.

Wed, 04/19/2023 - 11:50

Kentucky Derby: Forte nears first Churchill workout

By Marty McGee

Derma Sotogake trains at CD April 11 2023

Coady Photography

The Japanese colt Derma Sotogake, shown training April 11, worked a half-mile for the Kentucky Derby on Wednesday at Churchill Downs.

Forte, the clear-cut favorite for the May 6 Kentucky Derby, has settled into a daily routine at Churchill Downs after arriving before dawn Monday following the long overnight van ride from trainer Todd Pletcher’s winter base at Palm Beach Downs in South Florida. The Florida Derby winner was sent through easy gallops Tuesday and Wednesday morning and was scheduled to be sent through his first Churchill workout Thursday or Friday, depending on weather.

Wed, 04/19/2023 - 11:50

Red Knight looks to pick up where he left off in Elkhorn Stakes

By Marty McGee

Barbara D. Livingston

The Elkhorn will be the first start for Red Knight (foreground) since winning the W.L. McKnight at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Mike Maker has become renowned for his work with older horses such as Red Knight, the 9-year-old gelding who figures among the top contenders Saturday at Keeneland in the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes.

“These older horses, they’re just like us,” Maker said with a laugh. “We don’t think we’re that old, do we? Man, I’m just 20.”

Tue, 04/18/2023 - 18:30

Clairiere likely for Ogden Phipps off Apple Blossom score

By Mary Rampellini

Coady photo

Clairiere (left) reels in Secret Oath in the shadow of the wire to win the Apple Blossom Handicap last Saturday at Oaklawn.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Clairiere will likely run next at Belmont Park following her dramatic win over Secret Oath in the Grade 1, $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap last Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said after the race that the Grade 1, $500,000 Ogden Phipps – which Clairiere won last year – was a logical goal. He reiterated that again Tuesday. The Phipps will be run on June 10. Clairiere has shipped from Oaklawn to Kentucky.

Tue, 04/18/2023 - 18:20

Count Fleet winner Skelly will run back on closing day of Oaklawn meet

By Mary Rampellini

Coady photo

Skelly wins the Count Fleet Handicap. He will run back in the Lake Hamilton Stakes on May 6.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Skelly will likely make one more appearance at the Oaklawn Park meet after winning his stakes debut last Saturday in the Grade 3, $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Tuesday that Skelly is a candidate for the $150,000 Lake Hamilton, a six-furlong race for 4-year-olds and up May 6. It’s a new race on the stakes calendar and it comes on the final date of the season.

Mon, 04/17/2023 - 15:09

Will Rogers cancels this week's races due to track contamination

By Mary Rampellini

Will Rogers Downs Photo

In a statement, will Rogers Downs said a section of its track had been contaminated due to a tractor fire last week.

Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., has canceled racing from Monday through Wednesday due to a small area of the track surface that was contaminated, according to a statement provided to Daily Racing Form.

The statement reads: “Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs crews worked throughout the weekend to repair a small section of the track that was contaminated during a tractor fire late last week. In an effort to further optimize track conditions, live racing this week has been canceled.”

Will Rogers had stakes races scheduled for both Monday and Tuesday.

Mon, 04/17/2023 - 15:04

Stilleto Boy, Proxy meet again in Oaklawn Handicap

By Mary Rampellini

Benoit Photo

Stilleto Boy holds off the onrushing Proxy in the Santa Anita Handicap on March 4.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Stilleto Boy and Proxy, who were separated by a neck when first and second in the Santa Anita Handicap, get a rematch Saturday in the Grade 2, $1 million Oaklawn Handicap.

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