Wed, 12/16/2020 - 13:46

Outadore, Cowan move to dirt for Springboard Mile

Barbara D. Livingston
Outadore will make his dirt debut in Friday's $200,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park.

Outadore and Cowan will attempt to hit pay dirt Friday night when both Breeders’ Cup runners switch to the main track for the $200,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park.

And, the dirt offers more than just a sizable paycheck. The first four finishers in the Springboard Mile will earn Kentucky Derby eligibility points on a sliding scale of 10-4-2-1.

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 13:45

Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby: Remsen Stakes analysis

Barbara D. Livingston
Brrooklyn Strong (left) earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure for winning the Remsen over a slippy, sealed track.

Grade 2, $145,500 Remsen Stakes, 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct, Dec. 5, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Brooklyn Strong, by Wicked Strong
Trainer: Daniel Velazquez
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Owner: Mark Schwartz
Beyer Speed Figure: 93

Sun, 11/29/2020 - 13:25

Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby: Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes analysis

Coady Photo

Grade 2, $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Churchill Downs, Nov. 28, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Keepmeinmind, by Laoban
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
Jockey: David Cohen
Owner: Cypress Creek LLC and Arnold Bennewith
Beyer Speed Figure: 79

Mon, 11/23/2020 - 13:56

First pool of Kentucky Derby Future Wager begins Thursday

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The 23nd year of Churchill Downs offering parimutuel futures on the Kentucky Derby starts Thursday, when the first of five pools toward the 2021 Derby opens at noon Eastern.

Familiar parameters apply – 22 separately listed wagering interests, along with a mutuel field (No. 24) that has closed as the Pool 1 favorite every year since Churchill first unveiled the Kentucky Derby Future Wager in 1999. Also, a “filly-only” interest will be offered again as No. 23.

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 18:15

Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby: Champagne Stakes analysis

Barbara D. Livingston
Jackie's Warrior, with Joel Rosario up, wins the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park by 5 1/2 lengths.

Grade 1, $250,000 Champagne Stakes, one mile, Belmont Park, Oct. 10, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Jackie’s Warrior, by Maclean’s Music
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Owner: Kirk and Judy Robison
Beyer Speed Figure: 100

Thu, 11/19/2020 - 15:32

Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby: Breeders' Futurity analysis

Coady Photography
Essential Quality wins the Grade 1 Breeders' Futurity by 3 1/4 lengths at Keeneland.

Grade 1, $400,000 Breeders’ Futurity, 1 1/16 miles, Keeneland, Oct. 3, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Essential Quality, by Tapit
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Luis Saez
Owner: Godolphin LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 88

Tue, 11/17/2020 - 10:30

Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby: American Pharoah Stakes analysis

Emily Shields
Get Her Number wins the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita.

Grade 1, $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Santa Anita, Sept. 26, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Get Her Number, by Dialed In
Trainer: Peter Miller
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Owner: Gary Barber
Beyer Speed Figure: 84

Mon, 11/16/2020 - 16:30

Road to the 2021 Kentucky Derby: Iroquois Stakes analysis

Debra A. Roma
Sittin On Go, with Corey Lanerie up, wins the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Grade 3, $200,000 Iroquois Stakes, one mile, Churchill Downs, Sept. 5, 2020
(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Sittin On Go, by Brody’s Cause
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Corey Lanerie
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 84

Mon, 09/07/2020 - 13:20

Authentic's Kentucky Derby victory lays to rest any doubts about his sire, Into Mischief

Emily Shields
Authentic gives his sire, Into Mischief, his first Kentucky Derby winner.

Roses have thorns. About 20 minutes before Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, B. Wayne Hughes’s Spendthrift Farm co-owned two entrants – Authentic, by its reigning leading sire Into Mischief, and Thousand Words. Then, Thousand Words, whom Spendthrift partners on with Albaugh Family Stables, reared while being saddled and fell in the paddock, resulting in his late scratch.

Mon, 09/07/2020 - 11:50

Kentucky Derby handle, viewership down more than 50 percent

Debra A. Roma
Authentic holds off Tiz the Law to win the 146th Kentucky Derby.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Is the Kentucky Derby the Kentucky Derby if it is run four months after the first Saturday in May?

Handle and viewership numbers would say no.