Kentucky Derby News

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...

February 7, 2017

Irish War Cry earns major respect romping in Holy Bull

Irish War Cry easily defeated a pair of well-regarded rivals and posted an outstanding 102 BRIS Speed rating in the February 4 Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park, leading wire-to-wire in a 3 ¾-length decision.
It marked the first start in a Kentucky...

February 6, 2017

Unique Bella powers to Las Virgenes victory

Don Alberto Stable’s Unique Bella drew closer to the top of the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard on Sunday when romping by 8 3/4 lengths in the $196,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.
The one-mile race drew a field of five but only four...

February 5, 2017

Irish War Cry triumphs in Holy Bull

Isabelle de Tomaso’s homebred Irish War Cry led all the way home in Saturday’s $350,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park to move his record to a perfect three-for-three.
The chestnut colt grabbed command of the 1 1/16-mile affair soon...

February 5, 2017

Early Road to the Kentucky Oaks points races showcase talent

The 2017 portion of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks kicked off January 7 with the Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) going seven furlongs at Santa Anita Park. Two more points races followed in the coming weeks at Aqueduct and Fair Grounds.
Each contest awarded points...

Derby News February 4, 2017

Tequilita debuts on Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard with Forward Gal win

Tequilita earned her place on the Kentucky Oaks Leaderboard Saturday when turning back a game challenge from Grade 1 heroine Pretty City Dancer to take the $200,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park
The Dorothy Alexander Matz homebred was sent...

February 4, 2017

Royal Mo joins Kentucky Derby trail with front-running Robert Lewis victory

Royal Mo led wire-to-wire in Saturday’s $150,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita, posting a 3 ½-length victory under three-time Kentucky Derby winner Victor Espinoza. A front-running maiden scorer in his previous start, the 3-year-old...

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