Kentucky Derby News

February 13, 2017

Unique Bella leads the way on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks

Chanel’s Legacy closed out the Prep Season portion of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races in the Martha Washington Stakes on Saturday. That ended the 10-4-2-1 point contests (except for the April 9 Beaumont Stakes [G3]), with the...

Features February 13, 2017

Tales from the Crib: Irish War Cry

If there’s a watchword for Irish War Cry’s life story, it’s patience.
Not only is patience the governing philosophy of his owner/breeder, Isabelle de Tomaso, and his handlers along the way, but his dam’s as well.
The theme begins...

February 12, 2017

Chanel’s Legacy runs away with Martha Washington

Chanel’s Legacy was sent off the 13-1 third longest shot in Saturday’s $125,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park but ran like a favorite to easily score by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Alex Birzer.
The one-mile race closed out the...

February 12, 2017

McCraken rallies for track record in Sam F. Davis victory

Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC’s McCraken set a new track record of 1:42.45 for 1 1/16 miles at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday when rallying for a 1 1/2-length score in the $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) as the 3-2 favorite.
The Ian Wilkes pupil found...

February 9, 2017

Wild Shot's Stamina Question Could Be Answered With His Family

Saturday’s Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs features the return not only of the unbeaten McCracken but also the colt that pushed him hardest in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs last November, Wild Shot.
Stamina...

February 8, 2017

Martha Washington closes out Prep Season portion of Road to the Kentucky Oaks series

The Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues on Saturday when nine sophomore fillies line up in the $125,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
The one-mile contest may not be graded but is an important part of Oaklawn’s three-year-old filly preps...

February 8, 2017

McCraken returns in Sam F. Davis Stakes against eight rivals

McCraken will make his long-awaited return on Saturday when facing eight rivals in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs with regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard.
The 1 1/16-mile contest makes its debut this year on the Road to...

February 7, 2017

Lewis winner Royal Mo must show more to join upper echelon

Royal Mo kept moving forward while making his stakes and 3-year-old bow in the February 4 Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita, leading all the way in a 3 ½-length decision. But he must run faster to defeat better competition after generating a career-best...

Derby News February 7, 2017

Irish War Cry enters Derby leader board in Top 10

Classic Empire was always going to remain atop this week’s Kentucky Derby (G1) leader board regardless of his performance in last weekend’s Holy Bull (G2). However, the juvenile champion and early Derby favorite showed plenty of vulnerability...

February 7, 2017

El Areeb continues to impress in Withers

El Areeb posted a sharp 4 ¼-length tally in the February 4 Withers (G3), romping in a second consecutive Kentucky Derby qualifier on Aqueduct’s inner track. The gray colt hasn’t faced top company, but he’s looked the part registering...

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