Fri, 02/28/2020 - 14:06

Storm the Court likely to stay home for San Felipe, one of five March 7 stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Storm the Court, pictured training at Santa Anita on Oct. 25, will have his 3-year-old debut in the San Vicente Stakes.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Storm the Court, the champion 2-year-old male of 2019 who was fourth in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes on Feb. 9, is likely to start in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 7 at Santa Anita.

Trainer Peter Eurton and the partnership that owns the colt had considered races such as the Rebel Stakes on March 14 at Oaklawn Park, but Eurton said Friday that the $400,000 San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles has appeal.

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 11:26

Spa City jumping right into deep end in Tampa Bay Derby

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos
Spa City wins his debut on Feb. 8 at Gulfstream. He is heading to the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Spa City, winner of a highly rated maiden race on Feb. 8 at Gulfstream Park, is heading to stakes competition next, with the Tampa Bay Derby on March 7 his target. He had his final work for that race Friday morning here at the Palm Meadows training center, when he went five furlongs in 1:00.85 under exercise rider Rob Massey.

:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 Kentucky Derby contenders with comments from Jay Privman and Marty McGee

Fri, 02/28/2020 - 11:20

Mike Welsch’s Fountain of Youth 2020 picks and analysis

1. Chance It
2. As Seen on Tv
3. Dennis’ Moment

CHANCE IT couldn't be training better, but obviously the post-position draw is a major issue in a bulky lineup swelled by several who really have no right to be in this spot. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione will have to be at his absolute best if forced to work out a trip from this far out with such a short run to clubhouse turn.

Thu, 02/27/2020 - 15:36

Dennis' Moment ready to get back on track in Fountain of Youth

Barbara D. Livingston
Dennis' Moment will make his much-anticipated 3-year-old debut in Saturday's Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – As Dennis’ Moment galloped around the track the other morning at Gulfstream Park, neck bowed, eager to do more, a visitor with trainer Dale Romans remarked at how well his colt looked.

:: Fountain of Youth Day 2020: News, analysis, picks, past performances, and more

“Put that in there, so they know it’s not just me BSing,” Romans said.

Thu, 02/27/2020 - 13:20

Tiz the Law expected to resume workouts on Sunday or Monday

Barbara D. Livingston
Holy Bull Stakes winner Tiz the Law heads the first edition of Derby Watch.

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Tiz the Law, the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, missed a couple of works this month after he sprung a shoe, but should be back on the work tab no later than Monday, trainer Barclay Tagg said Thursday at the Palm Meadows training center, where he is based this winter.

:: DERBY WATCH: Top 20 Kentucky Derby contenders with comments from Jay Privman and Marty McGee

Thu, 02/27/2020 - 12:29

Stephen Foster gets purse boost and new date during Churchill Downs spring meet

Joe Labozzetta
Plans call for a hotel and casino to be built around the first turn at Churchill Downs.

The spring meet at Churchill Downs, which is, of course, highlighted by the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, will feature a new placement for the Stephen Foster Stakes and the creation of several new stakes, the Louisville track announced on Thursday.

In total, the 38-day spring meet will include 41 stakes worth a record $14 million. The meet runs from April 25 through June 27.

Wed, 02/26/2020 - 15:16

Kentucky Derby: Fountain of Youth an important first step for Joseph, Chance It

Ryan Thompson/Coglianese Photos
Chance It (above) is the first horse Saffie Joseph Jr. (right) has had on the Kentucky Derby trail.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – He was bitten early by the racing bug, so much so that, from a young age, training was all he ever wanted to do. He remembers marveling at the exploits of Cigar in the mid 1990s, and in the late 1990s was captivated by the American Triple Crown, seeing the same faces show up every year.

Wed, 02/26/2020 - 13:06

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chance It

Chance It

Currency Swap – Vagabon Diva, by Pleasantly Perfect

Bred in Florida by Bett Usher

Wed, 02/26/2020 - 13:00

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for Feb. 26, 2020

WHO’S HOT

Wed, 02/26/2020 - 10:16

Mine That Bird winner Sir Rick to return for Sunland Park Derby

Coady Photography
Sir Rick wins the Mine That Bird Derby by four lengths, earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 80.

Sir Rick is being pointed for the Grade 3, $700,000 Sunland Park Derby on March 22, trainer Robertino Diodoro said on Monday. The horse will enter the mile and an eighth race off a win in the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby, the local prep which was run Sunday.

The Sunland Derby offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a scale of 50-20-10-5.