LOUISVILLE, Ky. – When favorites win the Kentucky Derby, they invariably become even bigger favorites two weeks later in the Preakness. Recent Derby-winning favorites such as Fusaichi Pegasus, Smarty Jones, and Big Brown all became odds-on choices at Pimlico on the heels of unsurprising victories at Churchill Downs.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Barry Irwin, president of the Team Valor International syndicate that owns Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, did not back away from some controversial comments he made following Saturday’s race, but said he was not referencing former trainers Wayne Catalano or Todd Pletcher when he made them.

Interviewed by NBC Sports' Bob Neumeier on his way to the Churchill Downs winner’s circle, Irwin was asked why he moved all of Team Valor’s horses to trainer Graham Motion, whom Irwin hired late last year.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – Say one thing for trainer Tammy Domenosky: She is not shy.

Given the state of racing, regional relocation is a dicey proposition for a trainer these days, but Domenosky left her comfort zone at Canterbury Park two seasons ago to branch out into Chicago. In the space of a year, Domenosky became firmly established on this circuit, scoring 17 wins last summer at Arlington, and 17 more last fall at Hawthorne. This winter, she went to Gulfstream Park for the first time and managed to keep her head above water, winning seven races.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Three extra days and the prospect of facing a nondescript field for $100,000 are why trainer Greg Sacco is bringing Freud’s Honor up from New Jersey for Wednesday’s Times Square Division of the New York Stallion Stakes at Belmont Park.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Oil Painting, with a tightener under her girth, should be primed and ready for Wednesday’s Woodbine feature, a second-level optional claimer for fillies and mares.

Oil Painting, a beautifully bred daughter of Distorted Humor and stakes winner Handpainted, ran in several stakes last year while still a maiden. She was third behind Resentless and Roan Inish in the Fury Stakes in May and went on to finish a distant fourth in the Woodbine Oaks, which was won by Roan Inish.

LOUISVILLE,  Ky. - Animal Kingdom returned $64.40 for a $2 win bet in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, the only time the colt was listed as a separate wagering interest during the three parimutuel futures pools offered annually by Churchill Downs.

Animal Kingdom was part of the mutuel field in the first two pools, offered Feb. 18-20 and March 11-13, before emerging as a Derby contender by winning the March 26 Vinery Spiral at Turfway Park and being listed separately when Pool 3 was offered April 1-3.

ELMONT, N.Y. – It isn’t often when a $60,000 stakes race can upstage one that is worth $100,000, but such is the case Wednesday at Belmont Park, where there is a rare midweek stakes doubleheader.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Animal Kingdom ruled over 18 other 3-year-olds in the Kentucky Derby here Saturday, and it looks like he’ll face another large field in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on May 21. But the composition of the two fields will be in stark contrast as no more than four of the 18 horses Animal Kingdom defeated in the 137th Derby are likely to come back for the second leg of the Triple Crown.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Bear’s Chill confirmed his position as the hottest horse in the local 3-year-old division with his front-running win in this past Saturday’s seven-furlong Queenston Stakes.

“I loved his race,” said Reade Baker, who trains Bear’s Chill for the Bear Stable of Danny Dion. “I loved his first quarter, and he galloped out well.”

With regular rider Emile Ramsammy in the irons, the imposing Bear’s Chill led through an opening quarter-mile in 23.51 seconds and continued with ground-devouring strides en route to a 2 1/2-length victory.

Page Springs, a dominant 13 1/4-length winner of her debut at Turf Paradise on April 22, had no trouble backing up that huge win as the 2-year-old daughter of Rocky Bar easily captured the $54,914 ATBA Sales Stakes on Sunday, the closing-day feature at the Phoenix track.