GI Blue Grass Stakes
It's not every day that the GI Toyota Blue Grass winner reinvents himself as a marathon turf specialist, but Burnham Square (Liam's Map) has done just that in the GII Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland Saturday afternoon. Last year's victor of the aforementioned Kentucky Derby prep race, the Ian Wilkes trainee performed well enough over the main track after running sixth in the GI Kentucky Derby, but had not returned to the winner's enclosure until this race. He hit the board in the GIII Matt Winn Stakes across town at Churchill,...
The biggest news about the GI Kentucky Derby trail last week had nothing to do with the current crop of contenders, because with all of the points-awarding, nine-furlong preps having been run four weeks before America's most historic and important horse race, the lead-up to the Triple Crown season essentially goes into "sleep mode" for the middle part of April. But that could change for 2027. According to news first reported Apr. 7 by Mary Rampellini of Daily Racing Form (DRF), Oaklawn Park management is considering a schedule tweak that...
The Puma (Essential Quality) returned to his base at Gulfstream Park early Sunday morning after his win a day earlier in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby, and his connections reported that he came out of the race in good order. Though no firm plans have been made regarding his future schedule, Gustavo Delgado Jr., who is the assistant trainer to and son of trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr., said the GI April 4 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland is one option the team is definitely considering. "We're still undecided," the younger...
Though she had risen rapidly through the ranks to become one of the sport's top trainers, Cherie DeVaux has yet to start a horse in the GI Kentucky Derby. That may soon be about to change. DeVaux unleashed one of the more impressive 3-year-old winners of the year last week at the Fair Grounds when her Reagan's Honor (Honor A.P.) destroyed a field of older horses to win an allowance at the Fair Grounds by 6 3/4-lengths. The colt earned a Beyer figure of 96. "I was obviously very impressed...
The reigning Horse of the Year 'TDN Rising Star' MGISW Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) has emerged from her tour de force in Saturday's GII Azeri Stakes, and is on track for an anticipated start in the GI Apple Blossom Apr. 12 at Oaklawn Park. Having emerged from her seasonal bow in said local prep for the Grade I marquee race for older fillies and mares, she will return to Fair Grounds early this week where trainer Kenny McPeek said she will train this month and 'maybe' into April before returning...
GI Blue Grass Stakes winner Zandon (Upstart) sired his first reported foal when a filly was born late Monday, January 20th at KatieRich Farms in Midway, KY, according to a press release on social media by Spendthrift Farm. Bred by Rattner Bloodstock LLC, the bay filly with a thin white blaze on her face hails from the Champali mare I Love Nola. "Nice, healthy filly," said Dan Ratner. "She has great leg and a big motor. We're excited." Zandon, who covered 158 mares in his first book in 2024, is...