Kentucky Derby News

Derby News April 14, 2017

Arkansas Derby Headlines Final Weekend on Road to Kentucky Derby

The Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by TwinSpires.com concludes Saturday with the $1 million Arkansas Derby (Grade I), which will help finalize the preference list for the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) on Saturday,...

April 14, 2017

Ever So Clever captures Fantasy, final points race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks

Clearview Stable’s Ever So Clever proved best by 1 3/4 lengths on Friday at Oaklawn Park in the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3), the final points race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series.
The win awarded the Steve Asmussen trainee 100 points toward...

Features April 13, 2017

Tales from the Crib: Irap

“When he got hooked in the lane, I thought for sure that Practical Joke was going by him. But that Silken Cat was so tough, and it came out in him.”
Thus Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Farm saw the influence of Irap’s mother, Canadian...

April 12, 2017

Superstar Harry Connick, Jr. To Sing National Anthem at the 143rd Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 12, 2017 – Churchill Downs Racetrack today announced that multi-platinum recording artist Harry Connick, Jr. will sing our national anthem at the 143rd Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 6, 2017.
The...

April 12, 2017

Fantasy wraps up Road to the Kentucky Oaks series

A dozen sophomore fillies will line up on Friday for their chance at the final 170 points being offered toward a starting berth for the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (G1).
The $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) rounds out the 2017 Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of...

Derby News April 12, 2017

Field of 10 entered in Lexington at Keeneland

Saturday’s $200,000 Lexington Stakes (G3) is only worth 10-4-2-1 points toward a starting berth in the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1), but that was enough to attract a field of 10 for the 1 1/16-mile Keeneland contest.
Included in the group are Senior...

April 12, 2017

Juvenile champ Classic Empire returns in Arkansas Derby

A week after no clear standout emerged from three important Kentucky Derby (G1) preps, the door is open for reigning juvenile champion Classic Empire to re-emerge as the horse to beat on the first Saturday in May. First, the colt will need to confirm...

April 11, 2017

Gormley changes tactics, bounces back in Santa Anita Derby

Gormley raced on the front end in his first three wins but after getting burnt chasing the pace in the San Felipe (G2) on March 11, the 3-year-old switched to a reserved run style in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1). The change in tactics resulted...

April 11, 2017

Irish War Cry returns to Kentucky Derby spotlight

Irish War Cry’s roller-coaster ride to the Kentucky Derby hit a high mark in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) as he rolled to a 3 1/2-length decision at Aqueduct. After a puzzling clunker in the March 4 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park,...

April 11, 2017

McCraken Settles in to Prepare for Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

Janis Whitham’s McCraken arrived at trainer Ian Wilkes’ Barn 26 at Churchill Downs Monday morning following a third-place finish in Saturday’s Blue Grass (Grade II) at Keeneland, and all systems are go for the 3-year-old son of Ghostzapper...

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