Tue, 04/25/2017 - 12:04

Clocker: Lockdown works for Kentucky Oaks

Barbara D. Livingston
Lockdown (right), with Jo Lawson aboard, works five furlongs with stablemate Elate on Tuesday at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kentucky Oaks-bound Lockdown was the lone Kentucky Oaks or Kentucky Derby worker at Churchill Downs on Tuesday, going five furlongs in 59.59 in company with her Grade 3-placed stablemate Elate after the renovation break. Elate, who was pulled up and vanned off as the even-money favorite in the Grade 1 Ashland in her previous start, was actually the stronger of the Bill Mott-trained duo of 3-year-old fillies at the wire, making up a length on Lockdown, who was under some pressure to finish nearest the rail.

Mon, 04/24/2017 - 15:10

In Derby, Fast and Accurate running to bring sire home

Coady Photography
Fast and Accurate wins his graded stakes debut in the Spiral last Saturday.

Kendall Hansen has only one shot to win the Kentucky Derby with a son of his namesake stallion, and there is more on the line with Fast and Accurate’s performance than the Hansen name.

Mon, 04/24/2017 - 15:00

Albarado undergoes surgery for broken leg

Coady Photography
Robby Albarado will now be represented by Ronnie Ebanks.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Veteran jockey Robby Albarado underwent surgery Monday at University of Kentucky Hospital for a compound lower-leg fracture he suffered when thrown from his mount several strides out of the starting gate during the eighth race Sunday at Keeneland.

The setback will sideline Albarado for an undetermined period and will force him to miss his ride on J Boys Echo in the 143rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Mon, 04/24/2017 - 14:06

Derby clocker: McCraken's breeze pleases Wilkes

Barbara D. Livingston
McCraken, under Brian Hernandez, works five furlongs and gallops out strongly on Monday at Churchill Downs.

 

Churchill Downs

Track: Fast

Weather: Clear

Temp.: 55

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After McCraken suffered his first defeat in five career starts when he finished third as the 8-5 favorite in the Blue Grass Stakes earlier this month, trainer Ian Wilkes was looking for a sign here Monday that McCraken was indeed moving in the right direction in the second and most serious of his three works leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

Mon, 04/24/2017 - 13:08

Geroux gets mount on Hence in Kentucky Derby

Barbara D. Livingston
Hence (outside), who worked five furlongs Monday at Churchill, will have Florent Geroux aboard for the Kentucky Derby.

Hence, winner of the Sunland Derby in his last start, will be ridden by Florent Geroux in the Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs, trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday.

Hence is son of Street Boss who has won twice in six starts. He is owned by the Calumet Farm of Brad Kelley.

Hence worked five furlongs in 1:00 on Monday morning at Churchill Downs, his third work since the Sunland Derby. He is scheduled for one more work prior to the Kentucky Derby.

Geroux has never ridden Hence in a race before. Sunland-based Alfredo Juarez Jr. rode Hence in the Sunland Derby.

Sun, 04/23/2017 - 18:17

Fractured ankle will prevent Albarado from riding J Boys Echo in Kentucky Derby

Coady Photography
Robby Albarado will now be represented by Ronnie Ebanks.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Robby Albarado fractured his left ankle when thrown from his mount several strides out of the starting gate during the eighth race Sunday at Keeneland and will be forced to miss his upcoming ride in the Kentucky Derby with J Boys Echo.

Albarado was injured when his mount, Chiltern Street, broke awkwardly from the inside post in the 5 1/2-furlong turf allowance. Albarado fell off to the right side of his mount, landing feet first. No other horses or jockeys were involved.

Sun, 04/23/2017 - 17:13

Shirreffs gets Royal Mo ready in case he makes Kentucky Derby field

Barbara D. Livingston
Royal Mo worked six furlongs in 1:14.80 on Saturday while tuning up for a probable start in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Without a guaranteed berth for the Kentucky Derby on May 6, there is no certainty Royal Mo will be sent to Churchill Downs next weekend. That has not kept trainer John Shirreffs from preparing the colt in the event a spot develops in coming days.

Shirreffs and owners Jerry and Ann Moss already have a starter with Gormley, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby on April 8. Royal Mo was third in that race, beaten a length.

Sat, 04/22/2017 - 13:50

Battalion Runner works for Derby, Cloud Computing for Preakness

Barbara D. Livingston
Battalion Runner (left) won in his first attempt at two turns last Saturday.

ELMONT, N.Y. – Battalion Runner and Cloud Computing, the second- and third-place finishers behind Irish War Cry in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 8, both put in workouts Saturday over the training track at Belmont Park in preparation for different Triple Crown races.

Sat, 04/22/2017 - 13:04

Gormley, Battle of Midway drill for Kentucky Derby

Shigeki Kikkawa
Gormley wins the Santa Anita Derby on April 8. Battle of Midway (inside) finishes second and Royal Mo (13) finishes third.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Gormley and Battle of Midway, the first two finishers in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8, worked independently at Santa Anita on Saturday in advance of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6.

Gormley, trained by John Shirreffs, worked six furlongs in 1:15.80 in company with stablemate Oregon.

Battle of Midway, trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, also worked in company and was timed in 1:00.60 for five furlongs.

Fri, 04/21/2017 - 14:58

Bode Miller joins ownership group of Fast and Accurate

Coady Photography
Fast and Accurate wins his graded stakes debut in the Spiral last Saturday.

Bode Miller, an Olympic gold medalist in alpine skiing, is like all those who participate in that sport: a risk taker. Now, Miller is participating in another high-risk endeavor, horse racing, buying a small interest in Spiral Stakes winner Fast and Accurate ahead of the May 6 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.