Fri, 04/13/2018 - 14:20

Audible impresses in first work since Florida Derby

Barbara D. Livingston
Florida Derby winner Audible breezed a half-mile in 48.74 seconds Friday morning at Palm Beach Downs.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Audible, working for the first time since his impressive victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby 13 days earlier, breezed an easy half-mile in 48.74 seconds Friday morning at Palm Beach Downs. Audible was one of two of trainer Todd Pletcher’s four potential Kentucky Derby starters to work at the training center Friday along with Louisiana Derby winner Noble Indy.

Thu, 04/12/2018 - 14:40

King: Lightly raced Telekinesis has edge in Lexington Stakes

Amanda Hodges Weir/Hodges Photography
Telekinesis, shown winning his maiden Feb. 9, will make his stakes debut in the Lexington Stakes.

The promise Telekinesis displayed this winter at Fair Grounds makes him a leading contender in Saturday’s Grade 3 Lexington at Keeneland, and strikes against two of his principal rivals add to his wagering appeal.

Thu, 04/12/2018 - 13:50

Magnum Moon the big gun in contentious Arkansas Derby

Barbara D. Livingston
Grade 2 Rebel Stakes winner Magnum Moon, trained by Todd Pletcher, likely will be favored Saturday in the Arkansas Derby.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Magnum Moon can head into the Kentucky Derby undefeated if he clears one more hurdle Saturday in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn.

The competition will be keen.

Thu, 04/12/2018 - 12:26

Greyvitos, My Boy Jack pursue Kentucky Derby berths in Lexington Stakes

Benoit & Associates
Greyvitos earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure for his win in the Bob Hope Stakes.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A couple of final tweaks to the Kentucky Derby field could be forthcoming Saturday at Keeneland when a field of 12 3-year-olds goes postward in the 37th running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Lexington Stakes.

The Lexington and the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn are the last two races in which horses can earn qualifying points toward the 144th Kentucky Derby on May 5, but only two Lexington starters, both in from California, stand a realistic chance at making the final cut. The points offering for the Lexington is 20-8-4-2 for the first four finishers.

Wed, 04/11/2018 - 20:05

Road to the 2018 Kentucky Derby: Blue Grass Stakes analysis

Coady Photography
Good Magic edged clear under Jose Ortiz to win the Blue Grass by 1 1/2 lengths.

Grade 2, $1 million Blue Grass Stakes, 1 1/8 miles, Keeneland, April 7, 2018
(100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)

Winner: Good Magic, by Curlin
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Owner: e Five Racing Thoroughbreds and Stonestreet Stables, LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 95

Wed, 04/11/2018 - 15:16

Magnum Moon, Solomini rematch in Arkansas Derby

Barbara D. Livingston
Magnum Moon, under Luis Saez, wins the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Magnum Moon and Solomini, the first- and second-place finishers in the $900,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 17, drew side by side for their rematch in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby.

:: Kentucky Derby advance PPs are now available!

Wed, 04/11/2018 - 14:56

Lone Sailor drills for Kentucky Derby

Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography
Lone Sailor (No. 8) was most recently second in the Louisiana Derby.

Lone Sailor had his first breeze since finishing second in the Louisiana Derby when he went a half-mile in 47.80 seconds before dawn Wednesday over a fast Churchill Downs track. James Graham, who has the mount for the Kentucky Derby, was aboard.

“He’s always been a very good work horse,” said Tom Amoss, who trains Lone Sailor for GMB Racing. “He was in hand and showed good extension of stride and all the things you’re looking for in an important work like this.”

Wed, 04/11/2018 - 14:06

Derby Watch: Halcyon days for loaded Pletcher barn

Barbara D. Livingston
Grade 2 Rebel Stakes winner Magnum Moon, trained by Todd Pletcher, likely will be favored Saturday in the Arkansas Derby.

Except for the college basketball teams at Villanova and Notre Dame, no one has had a better spring than trainer Todd Pletcher, who has shrewdly plotted the placement of his 3-year-olds to knock off three of the biggest final-round Kentucky Derby preps in this country and will seek a fourth on Saturday in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby with Magnum Moon.

Wed, 04/11/2018 - 12:10

Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Magnum Moon

Barbara D. Livingston
Magnum Moon earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn on Saturday.

Magnum Moon
Malibu Moon–Dazzling Song, by Unbridled’s Song

Bred in Kentucky by Ramona S. Bass LLC ($380,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Robert and Lawana Low)

Wed, 04/11/2018 - 11:30

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 11, 2018

Shigeki Kikkawa
The 107 Beyer Speed Figure Justify earned in the Santa Anita Derby helped Scat Daddy advance in the Beyer Sire Performance Standings.

WHO’S HOT