Tue, 04/23/2024 - 12:42

2024 Kentucky Derby: Dettori picks up mount on Society Man

Barbara D. Livingston

Frankie Dettori's only previous Derby mount was in 2000, when he rode China Visit to a sixth-place finish.

Frankie Dettori will ride Wood Memorial runner-up Society Man in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Danny Gargan said Tuesday.

This will be Dettori's first Derby mount since 2000, when he rode China Visit to a sixth-place finish in the Run for the Roses.

"I'm excited to have him," Gargan said. "He's riding great. I know it's a race he wants to be in and a race he wants to win."

Dettori typically rides in Europe at this time of year but, after postponing retirement at the end of last year, he moved his tack to America beginning last December.

Mon, 04/22/2024 - 12:10

Kentucky Derby: Fierceness, Sierra Leone arrive at Churchill

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Sierra Leone gallops over the Churchill track Monday morning.

Fierceness and Sierra Leone, the expected first two choices for the Kentucky Derby, arrived on the Churchill grounds about 16 hours apart.

Fierceness, the 2023 2-year-old champion and dominant Florida Derby winner, arrived about 4 a.m. following a van ride from his winter base at Palm Beach Downs.

Mon, 04/22/2024 - 12:10

Kentucky Derby: Jose Ortiz named to ride Catalytic

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Catalytic finished second, beaten 13 1/2 lengths, to Fierceness in the Florida Derby.

Jose Ortiz has been named to ride Florida Derby runner-up and Kentucky Derby longshot Catalytic, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said Monday.

Ortiz, whose best finish from eight Derby mounts is a second in 2018 aboard Good Magic, replaces Julien Leparoux, who rode Catalytic in the Florida Derby, where he was beaten 13 1/2 lengths by Fierceness.

Mon, 04/22/2024 - 12:10

Kentucky Derby: Mott goes back to the well with Resilience, Just F Y I

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Just F Y I got the last quarter-mile of her sparkling 59.86 five-furlong work in 23.71. Last week she worked a half in 50.

Just four days after Resilience and Just F Y I put in their first workouts over the Churchill Downs main track in preparation for their starts in the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, respectively, trainer Bill Mott sent the 3-year-olds out for their second workouts Monday morning on a clear, cool morning in Louisville.

“We didn’t do much the other day. I wanted to see a good work far enough out where it wasn’t going to compromise them but yet benefit them,” Mott said, explaining the quick turnaround.

Sat, 04/20/2024 - 15:24

Kentucky Derby: Stronghold 'full of energy' in final local work

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Stronghold secured his spot in the Kentucky Derby with a win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Santa Anita Derby winner Stronghold worked a half-mile in a quick 46.60 seconds on Saturday in advance of a flight to Kentucky on Tuesday for an intended start in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4.

Working behind stablemate Shady Tiger, a stakes winner against California-bred sprinters on April 6, Stronghold closed through the stretch to finish slightly in front. Antonio Fresu, who has ridden Stronghold in his last four starts, was aboard for the workout, the colt’s first since the win in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles on April 6.

Sat, 04/20/2024 - 14:47

2024 Kentucky Derby Clocker Report: Cox barn leads busy training session

By Mike Welsch

Barbara D. Livingston

Louisiana Derby winner Catching Freedom (left) worked five furlongs in 1:00.42 with stablemate and recent maiden winner Castlewarden.

Churchill Downs
Saturday, April 20
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 48
Track: Fast

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Saturday morning was a busy one under the Twin Spires, not only for potential Kentucky Derby starters but the general population as well. Seven Derby hopefuls got in what, for most, will be their penultimate works for the big event now just two weeks away as part of a clocker’s tab that included over 210 names when the final drill went in the books shortly before 10 a.m.

Sat, 04/20/2024 - 10:14

Kentucky Derby: Sierra Leone has first of two planned works

By Nicole Russo

Coady Photography

Sierra Leone (inside) worked four furlongs in 48.60 seconds, in company with recent maiden winner White Palomino.

Blue Grass Stakes winner Sierra Leone had his first of two planned works before the Kentucky Derby on Saturday morning at Keeneland, breezing four furlongs in 48.60 seconds.

Fri, 04/19/2024 - 15:14

Kentucky Derby: Zedan files appeal after temporary injunction is denied

By Matt Hegarty

Coady photo

Muth, winner of the Arkansas Derby, in ineligible for the Kentucky Derby due to a ban on trainer Bob Baffert by Churchill Downs Inc.

Amr Zedan, owner of Arkansas Derby winner Muth, has filed an appeal of a Kentucky Circuit Court ruling issued Thursday that denied his request for a temporary injunction against a ban by Churchill Downs of Muth’s trainer, Bob Baffert.

Fri, 04/19/2024 - 12:00

Fierceness continues to train like a powerhouse

By Mike Welsch

Barbara D. Livingston

Fierceness may have his final pre-Derby work at Palm Beach Downs because of expected wet weather in Louisville.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. – As far as trainer Todd Pletcher is concerned, the 2024 Kentucky Derby can’t get here soon enough – especially not after watching his Florida Derby winner and likely Kentucky Derby favorite Fierceness breeze an extremely impressive and very easy five furlongs in 1:00.35 early Friday morning at Palm Beach Downs.

Wed, 04/17/2024 - 10:45

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 17, 2024

By Brad Free

WHO’S HOT

Encino’s wire-to-wire victory in the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland earned him sufficient qualifying points to make the Kentucky Derby field following the defection of No More Time. The top 19 on the points list, in addition to Japan Road to the Derby points leader T O Password, gain a Derby berth.

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