Fri, 03/17/2023 - 13:48

Forte has first work for Florida Derby

Barbara D. Livingston

Fountain of Youth winner Forte worked a half-mile Friday at Palm Beach Downs in 50.72.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Forte, the early favorite for the May 6 Kentucky Derby, had his first breeze since winning the Fountain of Youth Stakes when he went an easy half-mile Friday in 50.72 seconds with regular rider Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard at Palm Beach Downs.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said he was very happy with how Forte has fared since his 4 1/2-length triumph at Gulfstream Park in the March 4 Fountain of Youth, which marked his first start since the colt clinched a divisional Eclipse Award by winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in early November.

Fri, 03/17/2023 - 13:26

Sano works his top 3-year-olds

By Mike Welsch

Coady Photography

Congruent, trained by Antonio Sano, wins the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Antonio Sano sent out Simplification to finish fourth in the 2022 Kentucky Derby, and he is hoping to be back in Louisville on the first Saturday in May again this year. Sano has two potential Derby starters in Congruent and Il Miracolo, both of whom worked five furlongs here Friday in preparation for respective upcoming starts in the Jeff Ruby Stakes March 25 at Turfway and the Florida Derby on April 1 at Gulfstream.

Wed, 03/15/2023 - 16:54

Brave Emperor earns Kentucky Derby points in stakes win at Kempton

By Steve Andersen

Brave Emperor fought off two rivals in the final sixteenth to win for the fifth time in his seventh start in the $72,600 Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes at Kempton Park near London on Wednesday.

Wed, 03/15/2023 - 13:15

I Don't Get It will jump from maiden win into the Kentucky Derby mix

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

I Don't Get It wins a maiden race with an 87 Beyer last Saturday at Santa Anita.

By the time I’ll Have Another and Nyquist reached mid-March of their 3-year-old seasons, they were already stakes winners on their way to wins in the Kentucky Derby for owners Paul and Zillah Reddam and trainer Doug O’Neill.

If the same partnership has a runner in this year’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 6, they will do so with a colt prepared in a different manner.

Wed, 03/15/2023 - 13:00

Blazing Sevens will try to regain form in Wood Memorial

By David Grening

Debra A. Roma

Blazing Sevens is being pointed to the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on April 8 at Aqueduct.

Blazing Sevens, who finished eighth in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park on March 4, will look to rebound and potentially earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby by running in the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 8, trainer Chad Brown confirmed Wednesday.

Brown said Blazing Sevens is tentatively scheduled to van from Payson Park in Florida to New York on Sunday following a workout over the weekend.

Wed, 03/15/2023 - 13:00

Japanese 3-year-old Mandarin Hero plots unusual route to Kentucky Derby

By Nicole Russo

Although Japan offers a series of Kentucky Derby points races, Japanese-bred Triple Crown nominee Mandarin Hero is eyeing the spring classic from a different route, and is coming from Japan for next month’s Santa Anita Derby.

Wed, 03/15/2023 - 12:50

2023 Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Angel of Empire

By Nicole Russo

Lou Hodges Jr.

Angel of Empire (above) is a son of Classic Empire, the 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner and champion 2-year-old male.

Angel of Empire

Classic Empire – Armony’s Angel, by To Honor and Serve

Bred in Pennsylvania by Forgotten Land Investment and Black Diamond Equine ($70,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Albaugh Family Stable)

Wed, 03/15/2023 - 11:45

2023 Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 15, 2023

By David Aragona

WHO’S HOT

Depending on who you ask, Tampa Bay Derby winner Tapit Trice either cemented his status as a top Derby contender or exposed himself as lacking the mental fortitude for a 20-horse Derby stampede. His Derby Watch odds of 10-1 reflect those mixed reactions to Saturday’s victory. Derby Watch favorite Forte’s odds dropped from 4-1 to 3-1 following the defection of the horse many viewed to be his main rival. Gotham runner-up Slip Mahoney, who barely missed the cut last week, takes this week’s extra spot, listed at 50-1.

Wed, 03/15/2023 - 11:45

2023 Kentucky Derby: Pletcher controlling the game seven weeks out

By Marcus Hersh

Tapit Trice.Tampa Bay Derby.March 11 2023

Tom Keyser

Tapit Trice’s strong finish to win the Tampa Bay Derby stamped him as a serious Derby contender.

There have been many years Todd Pletcher spent March and April moving 3-year-olds all over the chessboard. This year, Pletcher has fewer pawns in the game. But he has the reigning king stabled at his winter base, the Palm Beach Downs training center in Florida, and another piece that showed his power this past weekend.

Wed, 03/15/2023 - 10:35

Jeff Ruby overflowing with nominations, expected to draw big field

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

Major Dude, a multiple graded stakes winner on turf, will try to win the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on Tapeta.

An overflow field is appearing likely for the Grade 3, $700,000 Jeff Ruby, Turfway’s major Kentucky Derby prep, on March 25.

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