Sun, 08/30/2020 - 15:46

Last year's freshman sires well represented in Kentucky Derby, Oaks

Barbara D. Livingston
Constitution was a leader in a key category on the Beyer Sire Performance Standings for 2022.

Last year's class of freshman sires was touted as stellar. Not only did the class have success with its 2-year-olds, with a pair of Breeders' Cup winners and several other Grade 1 winners sired by the group, but now, the following year, with several expected entrants in the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.

Three individual sires have first-crop representation in the Kentucky Derby, led by WinStar Farm’s Constitution, sire of race favorite Tiz the Law. Four other first-crop sires are expected to have runners in the Oaks.

Sun, 08/30/2020 - 15:29

Top Kentucky Derby entrants spoken for as stallions

Barbara D. Livingston
Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law worked five furlongs in 1:01.18 on Wednesday.

The Kentucky Derby is only a few days in the future. But for a few of the colts who will try to write their names in the history books this Saturday, part of their future is already secured. Several of the expected entrants in their Derby field are already spoken for as future stallions, led by favorite Tiz the Law, who will eventually join some of the biggest stars in modern history at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud.

Sun, 08/30/2020 - 13:11

Authentic shows top form in Kentucky Derby drill

Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
Authentic, winner of the Haskell, was pulled up during a workout on Monday due to an incident on the track. The work has been rescheduled for Tuesday.

DEL MAR, Calif. - There may be questions over whether Authentic can stretch his speed to 1 1/4 miles Saturday in the Kentucky Derby, but there is no question he's coming into the biggest test of his life as good as can be. This was confirmed Sunday morning at Del Mar when he completed his serious training for the Derby with a strong drill that capped off an excellent series since his victory in the Haskell.

Sat, 08/29/2020 - 17:32

Cough forces Shirl's Speight out of Kentucky Derby

Michael Burns
Shirl's Speight wins the Marine Stakes at Woodbine. Despite not having any Kentucky Derby qualifying points, he is assured a spot in the starting gate.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Owner Charles Fipke announced on his Twitter account Saturday that his unbeaten 3-year-old colt Shirl’s Speight will miss next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby due to a cough.

“Unfortunately, Shirl’s Speight has come up with a minor cough today and he will not be going to the Kentucky Derby. His health is our number one concern, and we’ll look forward to his next race.”

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2020: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

Sat, 08/29/2020 - 16:30

Kentucky Derby: Smith, Shirreffs feeling good after Honor A. P.'s final drill

Benoit Photo
Honor A. P., with Mike Smith riding, wins the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Honor A. P. is right where trainer John Shirreffs and jockey Mike Smith want him. In his final afternoon work here at Del Mar, his final work for the Kentucky Derby seven days hence, Honor A. P. worked a steady seven furlongs in 1:27.20, including a final quarter in 24.40 seconds, then galloped out a mile in 1:40.60.

“Really good,” Shirreffs said as Honor A. P. galloped back after the work. “I’m really happy. The only thing that could have gone wrong was to go too fast. He went nice and even all the way around.”

Sat, 08/29/2020 - 14:18

Pletcher confirms Money Moves for Kentucky Derby, Dr Post for Jim Dandy

Barbara D. Livingston
Dr Post (left) works five furlongs in company with Money Moves on Friday morning at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Todd Pletcher has confirmed plans for his 3-year-olds, with Money Moves going to next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and Dr Post, the Belmont Stakes runner-up, pointing to the Grade 2, $150,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga the same day.

Money Moves, who will be ridden by Javier Castellano, becomes the 18th confirmed starter for the Kentucky Derby. Money Moves, who has never run in a stakes race, has no qualifying points for the Derby, but points don’t matter if 20 horses or fewer are entered in the race.

Sat, 08/29/2020 - 09:41

Kentucky Derby: Tiz the Law beats the rain with fast five-furlong drill

Barbara D. Livingston
Tiz the Law works five furlongs in 58.96 seconds over a fast Saratoga main track on Saturday morning.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mother Nature fought the Law and the Law won.

Before the rain came Saturday morning in upstate New York, Tiz the Law completed his major preparation for next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby by working a fast five furlongs in 58.96 seconds over a fast Saratoga main track.

Fri, 08/28/2020 - 16:26

Kentucky Derby: Sole Volante to arrive at Churchill Sunday after sizzling work

Tom Keyser
The late-running Sole Volante (above) faces his speedy stablemate Ete Indien and Florida Derby runner-up Shivaree in an allowance race on Wednesday at Gulfstream Park.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sole Volante, whose last start resulted in a distant sixth-place finish in the June 20 Belmont Stakes, was scheduled to arrive by van Sunday at Churchill for the Kentucky Derby after sizzling five furlongs in 57.80 seconds over turf Friday at the Palm Meadows training center in south Florida.

:: Play the Kentucky Derby with DRF! Visit our Kentucky Derby shop for Packages, PPs, Betting Strategies, and more

Fri, 08/28/2020 - 16:26

Kentucky Derby: Foley barn optimistic after Major Fed's sharp work

Coady Photography
Major Fed worked five-eighths in 59 seconds Friday in his final Kentucky Derby prep.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Major Fed doesn’t figure to garner much wagering action when he goes postward Saturday in the 146th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, but that’s to be expected. The colt has won just once in six career starts, whereas the favorites, Tiz the Law and Art Collector, both are 4 for 4 on the year.

Fri, 08/28/2020 - 14:56

Kentucky Derby: Ny Traffic works sharp five furlongs with lengthy gallop-out

Barbara D. Livingston
Ny Traffic works five furlongs Friday at Saratoga in 59.40 seconds. He galloped out seven furlongs in 1:26.58.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Saffie Joseph said he couldn’t have been happier with the way Ny Traffic worked here Friday in his final serious drill before the Kentucky Derby. The Haskell runner-up went five furlongs in 59.40 seconds, completing his final three-eighths in 35.26 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.40 and easing up after seven-eighths in 1:26.58.

David Cohen was aboard for the work, although Paco Lopez has the mount in the Derby.