2025 Kentucky Derby

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It didn't take long for trainer Michael McCarthy to make the decision. After watching his long-striding colt Journalism (Curlin) gobble up the ground at Saratoga Race Course Sunday morning, McCarthy gave the thumbs up sign. Journalism is going to run in Saturday's 157th edition of the $2-million GI Belmont Stakes. "Based off what I saw here this morning, I would be hard-pressed to find a reason not to enter," McCarthy said after Journalism worked four furlongs in :47.54 on the main track with regular jockey Umberto...

After a historic weekend where Godolphin swept the worldwide classics, including a Kentucky Derby win with Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the colt's trainer Bill Mott appeared on the TDN Writers' Room podcast, presented by Keeneland, as the Gainesway Guest of the Week.

Umberto Rispoli has been riding in the U.S. for less than five years and the Italian-born talent has had to, among other things, convince trainers he could win on not only the turf but the dirt and that he belonged in one of the stronger riding colonies in the sport. It didn't take Rispoli long to establish himself as one of the best riders in California and now top trainers are after his services. Michael McCarthy belongs on the list has he has given the assignment to the 31-year-old jockey...

The connections of Baeza (McKinzie) have had a change of heart and will ship him to Churchill Downs after all. Though some believe Baeza, the runner-up in the GI Santa Anita Derby, is among the best 3-year-olds in the sport, he has only 37.5 Derby points. That puts him at 23rd on the list. Only 20 horses can start in the race. Had this been last year, Baeza would have made it in no problem. His second-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby would have earned him 50 points, which,...

For those willing to lay out seven figures for a horse at the sales there are no guarantees. Some turn out to be very good horses and some can't run a step. The same goes for horses bought for a few thousand dollars. That doesn't mean they can't run. Case in point: Chunk of Gold (Preservationist). He's now run second in both the GII Risen Star Stakes and the GII Louisiana Derby. That gives him 75 points, more than enough to qualify for the race. That couldn't have been anything...

Tickets for the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday, May 3 will go on sale to the public Thursday, Oct. 3 at noon ET. Two-day all-inclusive reserved tickets to the 151st Longines Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby available for purchase include the new $80-$90 million Starting Gate Courtyard renovation project that will feature new stadium-style seats, permanent upgraded concessions and wagering windows. Limited premium and luxury dining experiences in select areas --the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club and Club SI by Sports Illustrated which both...

An $80-$90 million renovation to the existing grandstand at Churchill Downs Racetrack that will update ticketed seating is scheduled to begin in August with completion planned in time for the 151st GI Kentucky Derby in May 2025, the track said in a Wednesday release. The renovation of the Grandstand Club will transform existing outdoor aluminum bleachers into a combination of 8,300 new seating varieties. Updated options will include covered and uncovered stadium-style seats as well as rail boxes along the dirt track's outer rail that will offer a "trackside" seating...