Tue, 04/21/2026 - 09:35

Horseshoe Indianapolis reduces takeout on all daily double bets

Coady Media

The previous takeout for most of Horseshoe’s daily doubles was 21.5 percent.

Horseshoe Indianapolis in Shelbyville will reduce the takeout on all of its daily double wagers to 15 percent starting with its race card on Tuesday, the track has announced.

Horseshoe offers rolling daily doubles throughout its cards. The previous takeout for most of the track’s daily doubles was 21.5 percent.

At the start of its meet this year on April 7, Horseshoe reduced the takeout on its final daily double, which has a $5 minimum bet, to 15 percent. Track officials said that the response to the wager led to the decision to reduce the takeout for all the doubles.

Mon, 04/20/2026 - 18:22

Judge approves $20 million in financing for bankrupt Hawthorne

By Matt Hegarty

Four-Footed Fotos

Hawthorne filed for bankruptcy in February, claiming arrears on a $52 million loan secured by a mortgage on its 115-acre property.

A federal bankruptcy judge in Illinois on Monday approved up to $20 million in debtor-in-possession financing for Hawthorne Racecourse. However, the judge scheduled a hearing for next Tuesday to set a date for when the track must be sold if it is to continue operating as a racetrack.

Mon, 04/20/2026 - 16:04

Head-to-head, odd-even wagering on Churchill betting menu for spring meet

By Matt Hegarty

Barbara D. Livingston

Churchill is hoping that its odds-even and head-to-head wagers will attract more casual players.

Churchill Downs plans to offer head-to-head matchups and odd vs. even wagering during its upcoming 44-day spring meet, including on the May 1 Kentucky Oaks and May 2 Kentucky Derby cards, the track said on Monday.

Mon, 04/20/2026 - 15:12

Journalism in consideration for Met Mile after strong third in Oaklawn Handicap

By Mary Rampellini

Debra A. Roma

Journalism has earned Beyer Speed Figures of 106 in each of his last two races.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Journalism has emerged from his third-place finish in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap in excellent condition and will now get settled back into his routine at Santa Anita, trainer Michael McCarthy said.

The winner of last year’s Preakness was launching his season in Saturday’s blockbuster matchup that 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio captured by two lengths over 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Journalism, who earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 106.

Mon, 04/20/2026 - 14:37

Runaway Diva regains form for hot Hemingway

By Mike Welsch

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos

Before Saturday's triumph, Runaway Diva had won just once in her previous 11 starts dating back to September 2024.

Some eyebrows might have raised when Runaway Diva was assigned high weight of 123 pounds for Saturday’s $75,000 Mo Green overnight handicap. After all, the well-traveled mare was coming off an average-looking fourth-place finish in the Sandy Bottom Stakes five weeks ago at Colonial Downs and had won just once in her previous 11 starts dating back to September 2024.

Mon, 04/20/2026 - 14:28

Baffert pleased with Potente's work, will ship horse to Churchill on Wednesday

By David Grening

Coady Media

Potente, a son of Into Mischief, won the Grade 2 San Felipe from off the pace.

At Santa Anita on Monday, Potente, the Santa Anita Derby runner-up trained by Bob Baffert, was credited with a six-furlong workout in 1:13.40. Baffert said he put the filly Cash Call - last year's Grade 3 Summer Oaks winner - in front of Potente to give the horse a target.

“I was very happy with his work. He galloped out strong,” Baffert said. “He’s doing very well right now, looks healthy.”

Mon, 04/20/2026 - 14:23

Monster work puts Chief Wallabee in top-contender conversation

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

For the second straight week, Chief Wallabee worked in blinkers, equipment he will wear for the first time in a race in the Derby.

The NFL Draft begins Thursday night, and for weeks leading up to it, everyone is looking for tangible evidence of which player is the best fit for their team. The NFL Scouting Combine, held roughly two months out, plays a role in defining which college players move up or down the draft board.

The Kentucky Derby is May 2. A series of stakes races held globally over the course of several months help comprise the field for the race. Key workouts conducted in between those races and the Derby itself play a role in defining which horses move up or down handicappers’ boards.

Mon, 04/20/2026 - 13:13

Leparoux receives Woolf Award

By Steve Andersen

Julie Wright

Jockey Julien Leparoux had won 3,068 races in North America through Sunday and is currently based in Kentucky.

ARCADIA, Calif. – A gracious Julien Leparoux was honored at Santa Anita on Sunday with the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, which recognizes a rider’s accomplishments and personal character.

Leparoux was joined in the brief ceremony by fellow riders, including past recipients Mike Smith and Patrick Valenzuela, as well as friends and family.

The Woolf Award, which can be won once, is determined by a national vote by jockeys.

Mon, 04/20/2026 - 13:08

Record-setting Flightline colt joins Baffert's stable

By Steve Andersen

OBS Photos/Penelope P. Miller

An unnamed Flightline colt recently fetched a record-setting $10.5 million at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. 2-year-olds in training sale in Florida.

The Flightline colt purchased on Friday for $10.5 million at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. 2-year-olds in training sale in Florida arrived at Bob Baffert’s stable at Santa Anita on Saturday.

The unnamed colt will be owned by Amr Zedan, one of Baffert’s principal clients.

“He’s a specimen – a man among boys, really,” Baffert told Santa Anita publicity. “With his pedigree, you know why he cost so much.”

Mon, 04/20/2026 - 13:04

Ward joins Baffert's team as assistant trainer

By Steve Andersen

Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO

As a head trainer, Dan Ward has won 79 races since 2019. Of those, 76 wins have occurred since the summer of 2023.

Trainer Dan Ward is joining Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s Midwest team as an assistant in advance of the Churchill Downs meeting that begins Saturday.

Ward, who in the past has assisted two other Hall of Fame trainers in Bobby Frankel and Jerry Hollendorfer, has had a stable at Oaklawn Park this year that included Majestic Oops, winner of the Grade 2 Azeri Stakes in March.

Baffert is expected to have more than 30 horses at Churchill Downs this spring, including many of his leading runners. The stable is scheduled to travel from California to Kentucky this week.

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