Chad Brown

Distance test, passed, but pump the breaks on the Belmont talk, at least for now, according to trainer Chad Brown. A recent maiden graduate facing more seasoned competition, Growth Equity (Nyquist) made the jump from winner to graded winner with aplomb in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes, but while he has an expenses-paid spot in the final jewel of the Triple Crown, his conditioner is not entirely set on sending him to Saratoga. "I'll talk to Seth [Klarman, owner Klaravich Stables]," said Brown after the race. "Talking to Flavien [Prat],...

In theory, we're in the lull between Kentucky Derby and Preakness excitement, but the Belmont Big A meeting will host a chance for a spot in New York's marquee event in June as colts assemble Saturday for the GIII Peter Pan Stakes. Chad Brown is no stranger to jumping a talented maiden winner straight into the graded ranks, and that's what he's doing with Growth Equity (Nyquist) for owner Klaravich Stables. The colt kicked off his career last July in Saratoga with a runner-up effort against a field which yielded...

City Girl, whose career was interrupted by a nearly two-year absence, earned her second straight win and first graded triumph in the GIII Beaugay Stakes at Aqueduct Sunday. The bay mare, sent off at 7-2, contested the early pace with longshot Mo Fox Givin, but was taken in hand and let that rival go down the backstretch. The field bunched up behind her as Mo Fox Givin completed the half-mile in :48.90. Laurelin was first to overake the pacesetter, but City Girl tipped out three wide for clear sailing between...

Douglas Scharbauer and Three Chimneys Farm's Always a Runner (Gun Runner), who delivered a decisive performance Friday night under the lights at Churchill Downs to win the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, will ship to Saratoga and prepare for a summer campaign according to Chad Brown. The trainer said the filly will target the major Grade I races for 3-year-old fillies upstate. The GI Coaching Club Oaks at nine furlongs on the dirt is slated to run July 25. "These big races, with big fields, you have to have plans A,...

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. picked up the first Grade I of Kentucky Derby day Saturday as 7-1 shot R Disaster (Awesome Slew) caught a flyer from the gate and took the field gate to wire under Tyler Gaffalione. Never off the board in 15 prior starts, the Florida-bred entered off a third when caught on the lead in the seven-furlong GI Madison Stakes at Keeneland  Apr. 6, her first try at the top level. Clearly a mare who takes her racetrack with her, she's continued to post increasing Beyer Speed...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - On one of the morning works shows leading up to the GI Kentucky Oaks, trainer Chad Brown was asked if his unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Always a Runner (Gun Runner) was, perhaps, flying into the race under the radar. "When I work her tomorrow, they'll be talking about her," he said confidently. Everybody will still be talking about her after the first Friday in May now, too. Always a Runner made it a perfect three-for-three with a powerful, come-from-behind, 1 1/4-length victory in the...

The early pace may've been modest, but that closing kick commanded the headlines. All eyes were on her French stablemate, but Kathynmarissa (American Pharoah) made it known that the lady of the lawn on Kentucky Oaks day was her as she rolled by them all to win the GIII Modesty Stakes. After a fruitful 3-year-old season in 2024 where she was off the board only once in eight starts, and where she collected elite black-type when second in the GI American Oaks to eventual Eclipse champion She Feel Pretty (Karakontie...

Directive (Gun Runner), now with the experience of a start under her belt, made the most of her second start against an over-matched field of experienced maidens. Second going 6 1/2 furlongs on the local track Apr. 3, Thursday's 1-5 favorite had to contend with a muddy track but took advantage of her early speed to keep her face clean while largely left alone through fractions of :23.08 and :46.20. 18-1 longshot Moonlit (Daredevil), the other second-time starter in the field, did well to keep pace into the stretch but...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Who's been making the best impression during training hours heading into the 152nd Kentucky Derby? Our boots on the ground and Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack reveals his top five favorite workouts recorded from the field of 20 beneath the Twin Spires. 1) CHIEF WALLABEE April 20, 2026 | 5F | 1:00.00 (2/11) This is the move that everyone is still talking about. Sporting blinkers for the second straight breeze (he'll wear them for the first time in the Derby), 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Chief...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A 7:22 a.m. announcement over the PA system on the Churchill Downs backstretch welcomed Kentucky Oaks/Derby runners as well as Kentucky Derby winners to the track for a special 15-minute training window on a humid and overcast Tuesday morning. With the surface in terrific condition and officially listed as fast despite torrential, late-night thunderstorms, last year's Kentucky Derby winner and physically imposing Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief) showed this year's class how it's done with a powerful gallop to get things started. His Bill Mott-trained...

Jockey Manny Franco and trainer Linda Rice were the respective leaders of the jockey and trainer standings at the conclusion of this year's Aqueduct winter meet, and they repeated by topping the Aqueduct spring meet, which ran from Apr. 2-26. Franco, 31, earned 22 wins to land his fourth riding title at the Aqueduct spring meet, adding to wins in 2019 and 2023-24. The native of Carolina, Puerto Rico posted an overall record of 103-22-28-16, good for a win rate of 21.36% and in-the-money rate of 64.08% with $1,518,315 in...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Sandtrap at Aqueduct. Lope De Vega Fillies Capture Aqueduct Affairs Named a TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard in her Salisbury debut for Ralph Beckett in September of 2024, Sandtrap (Lope De Vega) made her American bow a winning one at Aqueduct on April 18 (video). Trained by Chad Brown, the daughter of Zindaya (More Than Ready) races for Bridlewood Farm. Bred by...