Churchill Downs
The gaming corporation that owns Arlington International Racecourse in suburban Chicago announced the signing of a $197.2-million purchase and sales agreement Wednesday that would sell the 326-acre crown jewel of Illinois racing to the Chicago Bears football team for the planned construction of a new stadium and mixed-use development. According to a Sept. 29 Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the firm anticipates a late 2022 or early 2023 closing of the deal. The announcement came four days after Arlington staged what were possibly the...
A public memorial for prominent Louisville surgeon, owner, breeder and regulator Dr. J. David "Doc" Richardson will be held at Churchill Downs on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. The celebration of life will be held in the Starting Gate Suites 4th Floor. Guests should enter Churchill Downs via the Executive Gate, which is located next to the Kentucky Derby Museum near the Barbaro horse statue. Saturday's sixth race, with an approximate post time of 3:18 p.m., will be dedicated to "Doc" and the "J. David 'Doc' Richardson...
'TDN Rising Star' Carribean Caper ran her record to five wins from as many starts with a first victory at the graded level in Saturday's GIII Dogwood S. at Churchill Downs. A midfield fourth through the opening exchanges, the $250,000 KEESEP grad was angled out into the clear with a bit less than a half-mile to race. Working her way into it nicely three wide approaching the quarter pole, Carribean Caper struck to the lead with a furlong and a half to go and sprinted home in complete command....
Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency HALF-SISTER TO ESSENTIAL QUALITY DEBUTS AT CHURCHILL 8th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 4:22 p.m. Brad Cox and Godolphin unveils a half-sister to their champion colt Essential Quality (Tapit) Sunday in FAMED (Uncle Mo). A Eclipse winner at two, Essential Quality has captured a quartet of Grade I races, most recently taking the GI Runhappy Travers S. Aug. 28. Their GSP dam Delightful Quality (Elusive Quality) is a half-sister to champion juvenile filly and dual Grade I winner Folklore (Tiznow). This is also the family...
Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency PLETCHER UNVEILS CURLIN FILLY 1st-BEL, $90K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:00 p.m. Repole Stable, Eclipse Thorougbreds and Michael House teamed up to acquire NEST (Curlin) for $350,000 at KEESEP and she debuts in this spot for trainer Todd Pletcher. Out of SW Marion Ravenwood (A.P. Indy), the bay is a full-sister to Grade I winner Idol and a half to SP Dr Jack (Pioneerof the Nile). TJCIS PPs PRICEY CURLIN COLT DEBUTS AT CHURCHILL 3rd-CD, $120K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:43 p.m. Juddmonte's $900,000...
'TDN Rising Star' Carribean Caper (Speightstown) looks to keep her perfect record in tact Saturday and score her first graded victory in Churchill's GIII Dogwood S. Donning cap and gown by eight lengths in her Fair Grounds unveiling Feb. 13, the $250,000 KEESEP acquisition captured a Keeneland optional claimer Apr. 2 and an Ellis Park test July 10. She passed her first black-type test with ease in the Audobon Oaks last out there Aug. 15. Li'l Tootsie (Tapiture) seeks her black-type badge in this event. Capturing a Churchill optional claimer...
The ninth race Saturday at Arlington is scheduled to go off at 6:12 p.m. Central Time and that will be it. Barring an 11th-hour miracle, the plug will be pulled by Churchill Downs and the wrecking ball will soon be on its way. Considered one of the most beautiful tracks in the world and an important part of American racing since opening in 1927, Arlington Park will run its last-ever card Saturday. On the racetrack, it figures to be a quiet afternoon. At the same track that has played host...
Bret Calhoun, trainer of this weekend's GIII Pocohantas-winning filly Hidden Connection, joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to discuss his star juvenile, give his take on the rise of the super trainer and more.
After 40 years, and standing seventh in the all-time Churchill Downs win list, it looks as though Greg Foley might just be getting the hang of this training game. Heading into the fall, he has already won more prizemoney than in any campaign since starting out in 1981: $2,335,202 and counting, from 33 winners at 19%. And the bases are loaded, too. For instance, the pair that condensed Foley's maturing momentum in finally becoming his first and then immediately his second Derby starters, Major Fed (Ghostzapper) and O Besos (Orb),...
The Week In Review, by Bill Finley The Breeders' Cup announced Saturday that it had begun a review process to determine whether or not trainer Bob Baffert will be allowed to compete in this year's championship event. The outcome of that review is pending. "The Breeders' Cup Board has commenced a review process as to whether Bob Baffert will be permitted to participate in this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships," read a statement from the Breeders' Cup. "The process will include an opportunity for Mr. Baffert to present his case...
Lloyd Madison Farms IV LLC's homebred filly Sconsin (Include) is on track for a second straight appearance in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint following her tough, half-length defeat of Bell's the One (Majesticperfection) in Saturday's Open Mind S. on the Downs After Dark program at Churchill. A pace-compromised fourth, just a half-length behind Bell's the One, in last year's Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland, Sconsin was winning for the second time in six starts this term, having taken the course-and-distance GIII Winning Colors S. by 3...
Major General took his record to two-for-two with a gutsy score in the GIII Iroquois S. at Churchill Downs Saturday, earning a spot in the gate for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The $420,000 KEESEP buy went gate to wire in his 6 1/2-panel unveiling at Saratoga Aug. 21 and was given a 9-2 chance for this step up in class. The bay raced off the rail in mid-pack as a pair of longshots battled through an opening quarter in :23.82. Moving into a joint fourth as the half went...