Sun, 05/01/2022 - 18:23

Flightline continues recovery, points to Met Mile as next start

Benoit Photo
Flightline wins the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes in his most recent start.

ARCADIA, Calif. - The undefeated 4-year-old Flightline worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 at Santa Anita on Sunday, continuing preparation for his first start since late December in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park on June 11.

Flightline was exercised by trainer John Sadler’s assistant, the former jockey Juan Leyva. The workout was the fourth for Flightline, and first at five furlongs, since he returned to serious training following a brief rest in late winter when he was diagnosed with a strained hock.

Sun, 05/01/2022 - 18:11

Stilleto Boy, Express Train won't likely meet again until summer

Benoit Photo
Stilleto Boy se vino de punta a punta en el Californian Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Stilleto Boy and Express Train were first and second in Saturday’s Grade 2 Californian Stakes for older horses at Santa Anita. They may not meet again until the summer at Del Mar.

On Sunday, trainer Ed Moger Jr. said Stilleto Boy is scheduled to start in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita on May 30, while trainer John Shirreffs said Express Train is unlikely to run in that $400,000 race.

Stilleto Boy led throughout the four-runner Californian to win by 2 1/4 lengths over Express Train, who emerged from the race tired.

Sun, 05/01/2022 - 08:05

Kentucky Derby: Epicenter impresses in final five-furlong work

Barbara D. Livingston
Epicenter (right) works with Alejandro at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Epicenter, the Louisiana Derby winner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.21, according to Daily Racing Form's Mike Welsch, on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs in his final drill for the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Epicenter worked in company with Alejandro, a well-bred (Curlin-Rachel's Valentina) 4-year-old who owns one win and four seconds in nine starts. He was inside Alejandro throughout. Epicenter was keen early and was never asked for any effort whatsoever, appearing as if he's sitting on go for the Derby. The track was still wet from rain Saturday night.

Sat, 04/30/2022 - 13:42

Field of 12 set for Kentucky Juvenile Stakes

Coady Photography
Simply Super wins a maiden race on April 20 at Keeneland.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The stars of tomorrow take center stage on the eve of the biggest weekend at Churchill Downs, as a large field of 12 2-year-olds has been drawn for the $200,000 Kentucky Juvenile, the Thursday feature.

Sat, 04/30/2022 - 13:15

Epicenter going 'right way' heading into Kentucky Derby

Debra A. Roma
Epicenter gallops over the Churchill Downs main track on Saturday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Seems like all you hear about Kentucky Derby-wise a week out from the race is Zandon this, Zandon that. Okay, fair enough. Zandon won the Blue Grass Stakes with aplomb and has since trained with verve, culminating in an excellent Friday workout, his final Derby breeze.

This might be a good time to page back through our information-buzzing brains and try to recall a colt named Epicenter. Remember him?

Sat, 04/30/2022 - 12:54

Kentucky Oaks: Kathleen O. breezes half-mile in company

Barbara D. Livingston
Kathleen O. (left) is unable to get by Smokin' T during a half-mile drill in 48.05 seconds on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The undefeated Kathleen O., the potential favorite for next Friday’s $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks, had her first workout over the Churchill Downs main track Saturday morning, breezing a half-mile in 48.05 seconds, though she never did get by her workmate, the 3-year-old colt Smokin' T.

Kathleen O. was one of six prospective Oaks candidates – but certainly the most high profile one – to put in a work Saturday morning, six days out from the race that figures to draw a full field of 14.

Sat, 04/30/2022 - 12:27

Kentucky Derby: Crown Pride takes it easy

Debra A. Roma
Crown Pride trains Saturday morning with a gallop at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Crown Pride, Japan’s hope for the Kentucky Derby, had, by his standards, a relatively sedate morning of training Saturday. Crown Pride did his usual assortment of figure-eights and circles in the Churchill Downs chute before venturing onto the main dirt oval, where he galloped about 1 1/2 miles, according to rider and assistant trainer Masa Matsuda.

Sat, 04/30/2022 - 12:12

Kentucky Derby: Cox, Pletcher workers top busy Saturday morning at Churchill Downs

Barbara D. Livingston
Pioneer of Medina (left) and Charge It work a half-mile in 47.66 seconds on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Led by a trio of prospects from Kentucky Derby-winning trainers Brad Cox and Todd Pletcher, a total of 11 horses with designs on the Derby one week hence worked at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. They were part of a frenetic day of activity that included a drill at Keeneland for another Derby-winning trainer, a postponed work at Gulfstream, and works at both Belmont Park and Monmouth for horses who likely won’t end up running.

Sat, 04/30/2022 - 11:55

Carribean Caper scratches from Roxelana Stakes; field reduced to three starters

Coady Photography
Carribean Caper wins the Grade 3 Dogwood at Churchill Downs in her last start of 2021.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Roxelana Stakes, the opening-night feature of the spring meet at Churchill Downs on Saturday, is down to just three starters following the early scratches of Euphoric and the 8-5 morning-line favorite, Carribean Caper.

Trainer Al Stall Jr. said Carribean Caper “tied up” after Friday training, necessitating the filly be medicated for what equates to cramping in humans.

Sat, 04/30/2022 - 11:13

Keeneland sets wagering records at 2022 spring meet

Coady Photography
Keeneland handled a record $219,284,979 during its 15-day spring meet.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Wagering records were shattered at the 15-day spring meet that ended Friday at Keeneland, with more than $219 million in all-sources handle marking an all-time high.

Per-day purse payouts of $1,147,834 also were easily an all-time record.

This was the third straight meet for record handle at Keeneland. Total handle was $219,284,979, for a daily average of more than $14.6 million.

Gross handle surpasses the former record of $181 million bet during the 17-day fall meet last October. Handle was $164.7 million last spring.