Kentucky Derby

The connections of presumptive GI Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law (Constitution) called an audible Saturday morning when heavy rains pelted Saratoga, opting for a gallop (XBTV video) and moving a scheduled breeze for the treble Grade I winner to Sunday. But the inclement weather did not stop 'TDN Rising Star' Caracaro (Uncle Mo), as he posted a five-furlong move in 1:01.02 over the main track (XBTV video). It was the first serious piece of work for the bay colt since his distant runner-up effort to Tiz the Law in...

Victoria Ranch's King Guillermo (Uncle Mo) tuned up for the $3-million GI Kentucky Derby with a five-furlong drill that was clocked in :58.20 (see below), the quickest of 40 works at the distance. It was the second consecutive Churchill bullet for the strapping bay, who went the same distance in :59.40 (1/46) Aug. 15. With Miguel Mena in the irons, the GII Tampa Bay Derby upsetter broke off in :11.40 for the opening eighth of a mile, then was timed in subsequent splits of :23 (flat) (:11.60 interval), :34.80 (:11.80)...

Dr Post (Quality Road), who placed in both the GI Belmont S. and the GI TVG.com Haskell S. this summer, signaled his readiness for the GI Kentucky Derby Sept. 5 with a five-furlong move in 1:00.75 at Saratoga Friday. With temperatures in the mid-60s after the renovation break, Dr Post worked in company with Money Moves (Candy Ride {Arg}) over the fast main track for trainer Todd Pletcher. "It was a good work for him today," said Pletcher of the colorbearer for Vincent Viola's St. Elias Stable. "He galloped out...

Just nine days after unveiling plans to allow about 23,000 spectators to attend the running of the Sept. 5 GI Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs announced Friday that no fans will be allowed to attend the race. "We have made the difficult decision to hold this year's Kentucky Derby on Sept. 5 without fans," read a statement from the track. "Churchill Downs and all of our team members feel strongly that it is our collective responsibility as citizens of Louisville to do all we responsibly can to protect the health, safety...

It's not his fault. But the fact is that Maximum Security (New Year's Day) has become one of the most chronicled, most contentious Thoroughbreds of recent times. From a lawsuit over his disqualification at Churchill, to the scandal engulfing his former trainer, to his frozen Arabian treasures, to the merit (or otherwise) of his debut for a new barn, one way or another, this extraordinary creature cannot keep out of the headlines. If feeling mischievous, indeed, one might almost say that he will not be the only polarizing incumbent facing...

Saturday's GI Alabama S. romper Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) will contest the Sept. 4 GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, according to the New York Racing Association press department. Trainer Kenny McPeek indicated immediately after the Alabama that that would likely be the next spot for the Peter Callahan colorbearer, but hadn't at that time ruled out facing males in the GI Kentucky Derby. The GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, GIII Fantasy S. and GII Santa Anita Oaks winner and GII Toyota Blue Grass S. runner-up was doing well Sunday according to McPeek's assistant...

C R K Stable's GI Kentucky Derby contender Honor A. P. (Honor Code) worked five furlongs prior to the first race at Del Mar Saturday, covering the distance in :59.40 (4/96) with jockey Mike Smith in the irons. The dark bay sophomore clipped off fractions of  :23.80, :36.00 and :47.40 on a fast Del Mar track with trainer John Shirreffs watching the move from the frontside. Del Mar clocker Toby Turrell, who timed the move, caught Honor A.P. going six furlongs in 1:11.40, seven-eighths in 1:23.80 and a mile in...

Victoria Ranch's King Guillermo (Uncle Mo), off since a runner-up effort in the May 2 GI Arkansas Derby, worked a bullet five furlongs in :59.40  (1/46) Saturday morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for the Sept. 5 GI Kentucky Derby. With jockey Miguel Mena aboard, the bay colt worked through splits of :24.40, :36.80, and :48 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12. As he neared the wire, Mena had to navigate King Guillermo through a trio of slowing horses and directed the colt from the rail to the far...

Saratoga Race Course's jockey safety protocols and travel restrictions that were established July 14 will remain in place throughout the end of the meeting. It was announced earlier Friday morning that Churchill Downs will be requiring that all jockeys be in the state by Aug. 31 who will be riding in the GI Kentucky Derby. "The NYRA policy instituted on July 14 to address jockey travel and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 will remain in place through the end of the 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course," Pat McKenna,...

Reigning GI Kentucky Derby winner Country House (Lookin At Lucky-Quake Lake, by War Chant) has been secured for stud duty by John Phillips's Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. Country House will be participating in Darby Dan's "Share the Upside" program, and his fee for the 2021 season has been set at $7,500 S&N. "We are excited to stand Country House and to provide breeders the opportunity to breed to a Kentucky Derby winner through our "Share the Upside" program," said Ryan Norton, Darby Dan Farm's stallion director. "There is...

After originally floating plans that would have required any jockey intending to ride during the Sept. 1-5 meet that includes the GI Kentucky Derby to arrive in Kentucky by Aug. 24, Churchill Downs is now requiring that all jockeys be in the state by Aug. 31. The details were in a document distributed by Churchill officials to the Jockeys' Guild late Thursday. Many jockeys, particularly those who ride regularly in New York and California, were on the fence about riding in the Derby as, under the Aug. 24 guidelines, it...

GI Haskell Invitational S. runner-up NY Traffic (Cross Traffic) prepped for a probable start in the GI Kentucky Derby with a five-panel bullet in 1:00.38 (1/8) in company with GISW Math Wizard (Algorithms) on the main track at Saratoga Thursday. "Math Wizard is a good work horse and with Ny Traffic, we wanted something not speedy but more for endurance. It was a steady work, but next week will probably be his stiffest work," trainer Saffie Joseph said. NY Traffic was also second in the GII Louisiana Derby and GIII...