Churchill Downs

The storylines of "Thurby" can oftentimes get lost in the hubbub of the ensuing weekend of racing at Churchill Downs, but for trainer John Hancock, the Thursday before this year's Kentucky Derby was a day he won't soon forget. Not feeling the greatest that afternoon, the veteran conditioner decided to stay back at the barn and let his family head to the paddock to saddle West Memorial (Caracaro) and Strummin (Flameaway) for the Kentucky Juvenile S. Meanwhile Hancock drove over to a spot on the backside where he had a...

4th-Churchill Downs, $123,820, Alw (NW2$X)/Opt. Clm ($80,000), 5-18, 3yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:45.88, ft, 1 1/2 lengths. DISARM (c, 4, Gun Runner--Easy Tap, by Tapit), a 'TDN Rising Star', was a major player on last year's Triple Crown trail, hitting the board in both the GII Louisiana Derby and the GIII Lexington S. before running fourth behind Mage (Good Magic) in the GI Kentucky Derby. Fourth again in the GII Jim Dandy S., he chased home champion 3-year-old male Arcangelo (Arrogate) to be second in the GI Travers S. in his...

8th-SA, $54K, Msw, 3-5yo, 1m, 8:09 p.m. ET. MAGNIFY (Justify), a 3-year-old colt, makes his debut for the Bob Baffert barn on Saturday. Out of champion 3-year-old filly and MGISW Stellar Wind (Curlin), the Magnier homebred is her second to make the races, but she has since produced a filly named In the Stars (Into Mischief), who was a $300,000 buy for G. Watts Humphrey Jr. at last year's Keeneland September Sale. The 2017 Keeneland November sales topper when she was taken home by M.V. Magnier for the lofty sum...

2nd-Churchill Downs, $116,625, Msw, 5-16, 2yo, 5f, :57.98, ft, 1 length. ENDURING SPIRIT (c, 2, Tiz the Law--Life Starts, by Into Mischief) was let go at odds of 16-1 with an educational debut run under his belt and became the first winner for his freshman sire (by Constitution) with a front-running success in Thursday's second race from Churchill Downs. Seventh after showing some early dash in his Apr. 10 unveiling over a sloppy Keeneland main track, the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate got drier underfoot conditions this time around and was...

Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), the champion of the GI Kentucky Oaks, returned to the Churchill Downs work tab Thursday with a half-mile breeze in :48 with jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. in the saddle, according to a track press release. Owned by Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks and Magdalena Racing, the filly began her training session soon after the track opened at 5:30 a.m. ET. Clocker John Nichols reported that the Kenny McPeek trainee covered an opening quarter-mile in :24 and continued her work past the wire, galloping out five...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the victory of Pipsy during the Belmont at the Big A meeting in New York. Pipsy Soars In New York  Pipsy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who races for Woodford Throughbreds, LLC, earned the first graded win of her career in the GIII Soaring Softly S. during Belmont's spring meeting at Aqueduct on Sunday (video). Trained by Will Walden, the filly is now three-for-four. The Noel Finegan-bred was a...

5th-Churchill Downs, $121,125, Msw, 5-10, 3yo/up, 1 1/8mT, 1:50.43, fm, 4 lengths. WEST HOLLYWOOD (c, 3, Uncle Mo--White Hot {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) began his career in Roger Varian's yard where he debuted in fourth place over the Polytrack at Kempton Park in early January. Making the switch stateside to Brad Cox, the dark bay with Lasix was a 7-2 shot here. The 3-year-old broke quickly and settled in behind the pacesetter heading into the first turn. Raring to take on the frontrunner, the colt was let loose around the...

Kenny McPeek's final decision on GI Kentucky Derby-winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents)'s Preakness appearance should come Saturday after training at Churchill Downs and post-discussion with the owners. The Derby hero went through a second day of galloping beneath the Twin Spires Friday morning under Robby Albarado and will likely pick up the pace Saturday morning. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. will have other mounts Preakness weekend and will be riding at Pimlico regardless of the final choice. "Another steady day, another good day. Robby was happy. [Mystik Dan] ate up. We'll discuss...

Tyler Gaffalione has been fined $2,500 for his ride aboard Sierra Leone in Saturday's Kentucky Derby "for touching a rival with his left hand", according to a ruling issued by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) Friday. Gaffalione's agent Matt Muzikar declined to comment on the ruling and said that Gaffalione has also decided to not comment on the situation. "After a hearing before the board of stewards, Tyler Gaffalione is hereby fined $2,500 for touching a rival with his left hand nearing the finish line while aboard Sierra Leone...

Albaugh Family Stable's Catching Freedom (Constitution) is being considered for a start in the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico a week from Saturday, Jason Loutsch, co-owner and racing manager for the operation, told the Pimlico media office. Settled far off the strong early pace of the GI Kentucky Derby by Flavien Prat, the $575,000 Keeneland September yearling made a long run into contention, sneaking through inside in upper stretch before staying on into fourth, beaten two lengths behind the three-horse photo. Loutsch said the GII Louisiana Derby winner, trained by...

Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' First Mission (Street Sense), impressive winner of the GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs May 3, will take the next logical step in the $1-million GI Stephen Foster S. beneath the Twin Spires Saturday, June 29. "He ran a huge race," trainer Brad Cox told the Churchill media office. "We're very proud of his effort, Down the lane, it seemed like he was getting stronger as he got closer to the wire." Favored at just over even-money in the 8 1/2-furlong Alysheba, the homebred sat handy...

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards. The nomination period concludes July 15. The awards, sponsored by Godolphin, in association with The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the Breeders' Cup, offers cash prizes totaling $122,000 to be presented to winners and two finalists in a total of seven categories, as well as monetary awards going to two runners-up. The awards are the Dr. J. David "Doc" Richardson Community Award, Katherine McKee Administration Award, Dedication to...