Kentucky Derby News

Derby News February 25, 2021

The Derby Dispatch: Trio of Road to Kentucky Derby Races on Tap This Weekend Led by Fountain of Youth, Return of Champion Essential Quality in Southwest

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With just nine weeks remaining until the first Saturday in May, the Road to the Kentucky Derby will continue this weekend...

Features February 25, 2021

Tales from the Crib: Essential Quality

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s decades-long quest for the Kentucky Derby (G1) could reach fruition in 2021. His globally renowned Godolphin operation has more than just promising prospects on the trail. Leading the charge of Godolphin homebreds...

February 23, 2021

Jenny Pfanenstiel of Forme' Millinery Named A Featured Milliner of the 147 Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- February 23, 2021 – Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced that Master Milliner and owner of Louisville-based Formé Millinery Jenny Pfanenstiel has been named a Featured Milliner of the 147th Kentucky Derby presented...

February 23, 2021

Essential Quality, Jackie's Warrior rematch set in Southwest

Nearly two weeks after he was originally scheduled to commence his sophomore campaign on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, 2020 juvenile champion Essential Quality will finally get to run in, and Oaklawn Park will finally get to stage, the $750,000 Southwest...

Pedigree fun facts February 23, 2021

Pedigree fun facts: Risk Taking

Withers (G3) hero Risk Taking has a well-constructed pedigree, a rock-solid foundation to assure even the most conservative investor. Bred along a successful cross, he also sports a less common inbreeding pattern, one that he shares with a commanding...

February 23, 2021

Study Guide: 2021 John Battaglia Memorial

The $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park has long served as a local steppingstone toward the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), Turfway's signature race. But Friday's renewal of the John Battaglia is the most significant to date—for...

February 22, 2021

Casse has sophomores to beat in John Battaglia Memorial, Cincinnati Trophy

Turfway Park's acquisition by Churchill Downs has given the northern Kentucky track additional point-scoring races on both the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks series, beginning with Friday's $100,000 John Battaglia...

February 21, 2021

La Perouse powers to Japan Road leadership in Hyacinth

Triple Crown-nominated La Perouse was slow to begin in Sunday’s Hyacinth S. at Tokyo, but rolled late to take leadership of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Kazuo Fujisawa trainee banked 30 points, surpassing the winners of the first two...

February 19, 2021

Takeru Pegasus looks to take flight in Hyacinth

Takeru Pegasus nearly wired the first race on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Nov. 28 Cattleya Stakes, only to be run down late by Lemon Pop. Sunday’s Hyacinth Stakes is held over the same metric mile at Tokyo, and with no Lemon Pop in...

Horse Profile February 19, 2021

Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Rombauer

John Fradkin and Diane Fradkin’s homebred Rombauer earned 10 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his neck victory in the $101,350 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate on Feb. 13. The three-year-old colt negotiated...

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