Kentucky Derby News
February 6, 2021
Risk Taking pays dividends in Withers
Risk Taking utilized a big late kick to earn his first points toward a Kentucky Derby berth, closing boldly to take Saturday’s $250,000 at Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct. After recording a maiden victory over the track in mid-December, the Medaglia...
Pedigree fun facts February 6, 2021
Pedigree fun facts: Medina Spirit
When Medina Spirit dug in gamely to withstand all comers in the Jan. 30 Robert B. Lewis (G3), he was expressing tenacity reminiscent of grandsire Giant’s Causeway – and a more distant ancestor, Wild Again.
Medina Spirit’s pedigree isn’t...
February 4, 2021
Kalypso heads Las Virgenes; Feeling Mischief, Gulf Coast seek Oaks points in Suncoast
Kalypso picked up 10 points toward a Kentucky Oaks berth with an easy win in the Jan. 3 Santa Ynez S. (G2), and the Bob Baffert-trained filly will seek her second straight qualifier in the $200,000 Las Virgenes S. (G3) at Santa Anita.
The $150,000 Suncoast...
Expert picks February 4, 2021
Expert Pick of the Week: Withers Stakes
A strong field of nine sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Aqueduct dirt in Saturday’s $250,000 Withers S. (G3). The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby event will reward the top-four finishers with points on a 10-4-2-1 basis toward the...
February 4, 2021
Champion Essential Quality Tops 326 Early Triple Crown Nominees
Led by 2-year-old champion and two-time Grade I winner Essential Quality, a total of 326 3-year-old Thoroughbreds were made eligible to compete in this year’s Triple Crown during the early nomination phase, which closed Jan. 23.
Each of the 326...
February 3, 2021
Capo Kane tops nine in Withers
Jerome S. winner Capo Kane will seek his second consecutive Kentucky Derby qualifier when he lines up against eight challengers in Saturday’s $250,000 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct.
The 1 1/8-mile Withers will award points on a 10-4-2-1 scale as...
February 3, 2021
Dozen Derby prospects entered in Sam F. Davis
The 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby series hits the west coast of Florida on Saturday when a full field lines up in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. The 1 1/16-mile test will award Derby qualifying points of 10-4-2-1 to the top four...
Pedigree fun facts February 1, 2021
Pedigree fun facts: Greatest Honour
As a Tapit colt out of a half-sister to two Belmont S. (G1) winners, Greatest Honour has the third jewel of the Triple Crown written all over him. So it’s highly encouraging that he’s burst onto the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with a stellar...
January 31, 2021
Medina Spirit all heart in Robert B. Lewis
After expending energy to set a strong pace on a deep, demanding track at Santa Anita, Medina Spirit had a right to succumb in Saturday’s $100,500 Robert B. Lewis S. (G3). Instead, the Bob Baffert trainee was lion-hearted as he fended off challenges...
Horse Profile January 31, 2021
Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Greatest Honour
Courtlandt Farms’ homebred Greatest Honour picked up 10 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series following his 5 3/4-length victory in the $200,000 Holy Bull S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 30. Piloted by Jose Ortiz,...