Wed, 04/09/2014 - 14:19

California Chrome back training after Santa Anita Derby romp

Shigeki Kikkawa
California Chrome, who does all his training at Los Alamitos, earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure for his win in the Santa Anita Derby.

CYPRESS, Calif. – California Chrome jogged a mile Wednesday at Los Alamitos, his first day of training since a comprehensive win in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby last Saturday.

Judging by California Chrome’s behavior Wednesday, the Santa Anita Derby did not take its toll on the red-hot 3-year-old, who will make his next start May 3 in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

“He was full of himself,” trainer Art Sherman said. “He was ready to do something. He was bucking and playing. I was happy with the way he came out of the race.”

Wed, 04/09/2014 - 13:33

Kentucky Derby: Bayern taking next step toward defying history in Arkansas Derby

Shigeki Kikkawa
Bayern , a prime contender for Saturday's Arkansas Derby, did not make his career debut until Jan 4. No horse unraced at 2 has won the Kentucky Derby since 1882.

In 1882, the electric iron was patented, Jesse James was killed, and Apollo won the Kentucky Derby. The Derby was 8 years old. It turns the ripe old age of 140 this year, and in all the years since, no horse has equaled the feat of Apollo, who won the Derby after never racing at age 2.

DERBY WATCH: Top 20 list

Who's hot, who's not

Wed, 04/09/2014 - 12:10

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 9

Barbara D. Livingston
Bayern , a prime contender for Saturday's Arkansas Derby, has moved into the Derby Watch top 20.

WHO’S HOT

Wed, 04/09/2014 - 11:45

Bobby's Kitten a 3-1 morning-line favorite in overstuffed Blue Grass Stakes

Tom Keyser
Bobby's Kitten will run on Polytrack for the first time in Saturday's Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – An oversubscribed field of 3-year-olds has been entered for Saturday in the 90th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

Bobby’s Kitten, making his Polytrack debut after establishing himself as a standout on grass, has been listed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite after being assigned post 5 in the 1 1/8-mile race.

Fifteen were entered, although only as many as 14 can run. Divine Oath is the lone also-eligible as one of three entries for Todd Pletcher, who also is represented by Gala Award and Vinceremos.

Wed, 04/09/2014 - 11:44

Dick Jerardi: Time to complete Derby superfecta after California Chrome claims top spot

Benoit & Associates
California Chrome won the Santa Anita Derby on April 5 at Santa Anita.

California Chrome just made my Kentucky Derby superfecta play much less complicated.

After the San Felipe Stakes, when I went back and reviewed California Chrome’s entire record, looked at his recent races, and wrote about it, I decided, two months out, that California Chrome was my Derby horse. It was not just the 108 Beyer Speed Figure in the San Felipe, although that certainly got my attention. It was the way the horse was winning – speed on command, powerful strides, and wide margins.

Tue, 04/08/2014 - 14:57

Keeneland: Ramseys in position for big weekend

Barbara D. Livingston
Bobby's Kitten, winner of the Grade 3 Pilgrim, is the likely favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

A relatively slow start (1 for 7) to the spring meet can be easily forgotten by Ken Ramsey with a big upcoming weekend.

Ramsey, who with his wife, Sarah, more than doubled their own record for the most wins for an owner at a Keeneland meet with 25 last spring, not only will be looking to get a third horse into the May 3 Kentucky Derby but also is anxious to see his standout turf mare, Stephanie’s Kitten, in her 5-year-old debut.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

Tue, 04/08/2014 - 12:33

Santa Anita: California Chrome - from maiden-race loser to Kentucky Derby favorite

Barbara D. Livingston
California Chrome won the King Glorious in his final start at 2, becoming the last horse to win a stakes at Hollywood Park.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Almost a year ago, Santa Anita Derby winner California Chrome began to catch trainer Art Sherman’s attention.

California Chrome was ready to start in the first race for juveniles of the Hollywood Park spring-summer meeting. Going into the race, Sherman gave the colt the sort of mild compliment that a trainer with an unraced juvenile might express.

“He acts like he can run a little bit,” Sherman said last April 23, three days before the colt’s debut in the 4 1/2-furlong race for California-breds.

Tue, 04/08/2014 - 12:24

Kentucky Derby: Toast of New York will not travel to Churchill Downs

Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club
Toast of New York wins the UAE Derby by 2 1/2 lengths.

Trainer Jamie Osborne on Tuesday made official what he and owner Michael Buckley had insinuated for the past week: Toast of New York, the winner of the United Arab Emirates Derby, will not travel to the United States for the May 3 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 13:44

Keeneland: Pletcher out to boost Derby numbers with Blue Grass

Tom Keyser
Vinceremos, under Edgar Prado, scores a 12-1 upset in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Todd Pletcher confirmed Monday that he will have three starters in the Blue Grass Stakes as he tries to increase his numbers for the Kentucky Derby.

The Grade 1, $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes, the annual spring meet highlight at Keeneland, is expected to have a full field of 14 for its 90th running Saturday. Entries will be drawn Wednesday morning at a media breakfast that will be televised live on TVG from 11:30 a.m. to noon Eastern.

Mon, 04/07/2014 - 09:52

Oaklawn Park: Tapiture has final Arkansas Derby tune-up

Coady Photography
Southwest winner Tapiture will face at least seven rivals in Saturday's Arkansas Derby.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Tapiture breezed for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on Monday, going a half-mile in 50.80 seconds in the second set of workers at Oaklawn Park. He is one of the favorites for the mile and an eighth race that closes out the meet Saturday.

The track Monday was rated sloppy, and was sealed. It was a clear but damp morning, and temperatures were in the high 40s.