Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Who's been making the best physical impression in the mornings heading into the GI Kentucky Derby? Our boots on the ground and Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack reveals his top three favorite workouts recorded from the scratched-down field of 19 beneath the Twin Spires. 1) JOURNALISM April 27, 2025 | 5F | 1:01.40 (18/22) Not only does Journalism (Curlin) have the best form heading into the first Saturday in May. The physically imposing 3-1 morning-line favorite also posted the most visually impressive local breeze of the field,...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, white cowboy hat, shades and all, leading the charge aboard his stable pony, Thursday's exclusive 15-minute training session for GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks entrants was off and running on another partly cloudy and warm, humid morning at Churchill Downs. The 89-year-old, four-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer was accompanying Virginia Derby hero American Promise (Justify), who will become his 51st starter in Saturday's Run for the Roses. Doesn't get much better than that. Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}), an enticing 30-1...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A year after recording a historic double with Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the GI Kentucky Oaks and Mystik Dan (Goldencents) in the GI Kentucky Derby, jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. is coming back for more. The native of Lafayette, Louisiana will pilot the stretch-running GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner Burnham Square (Liam's Map), a live contender for trainer Ian Wilkes in Saturday's Kentucky Derby, and the Kenny McPeek-trained GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes runner-up Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy) in Friday's Kentucky Oaks. The aforementioned...

Steve Kornacki is more than the political junkie who, for years, has had a way of explaining things when it comes to elections that help make everything make sense. He does so by turning statistics into an easy-to-understand formula and displaying his findings on an interactive map that is known as the big board. But Kornacki sometimes needs a break from politics, and he has found one in horse racing. It's been his passion since his uncle started taking him to the harness races at Scarborough Downs in Maine. He...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Bob Baffert stood in front of Barn 33--covered once again with green-and-white plaques celebrating his six GI Kentucky Derby winners and three GI Kentucky Oaks winners-- and held court with the media and posed for pictures with fans on a humid Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs. Following a well-documented, three-year suspension following the medication disqualification of Medina Spirit in the 2021 Kentucky Derby, it was business as usual for the Hall of Fame trainer, who will make his highly anticipated return beneath the Twin Spires this weekend...

NBC Racing analyst Steve Kornacki joins the TDN Writers' Room's Kentucky Derby Show. Plus, our hosts participate in a Derby-Oaks draft.

The field for the GI Kentucky Derby, ranked in "likeliest winner" order. 1) JOURNALISM (c, Curlin--Mopotism, by Uncle Mo). O-Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, LaPenta, Robert V., Magnier, Mrs. John, Smith, Derrick and Tabor, Michael B.; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime record: GISW, 5-4-0-1, $638,880. Last start: WON Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. Journalism is the legitimate and deserving favorite. He checks many of the Derby desirability boxes by being a big, long-striding...

Bee Buck, a freelance photographer for Churchill Downs who has shot six Kentucky Derbies and two Breeders' Cups, is the guest on this week's Boundless podcast, hosted by jockey and veterinarian Ferrin Peterson. Buck describes how she was a horse-crazy kid who got her start photographing polo matches. A former art history student, she said that the study of classic proportions has helped her to frame her photos and understand what she wants to shoot. "I crave constructive criticism," she said. "If I don't have constructive criticism that's coming to...

Justin Curran, assistant trainer to Michael McCarthy, has described the Kentucky Derby as "the holy grail" and said Journalism (Curlin) winning the first leg of the American Triple Crown would complete a long-held ambition of being associated with a winner of the great race.  The Irish native, who spent time working with Dermot Weld and Todd Pletcher before joining McCarthy seven years ago, has been around some genuine top-notchers but freely admits that Journalism is close to entering that elite bracket.  Journalism has mopped up some of the key Kentucky...

Owner Mike Repole will match donations made to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance throughout the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby, the TAA said Tuesday. The campaign, made in honor of Repole Stables Derby entrant Grande (Curlin), will match donations up to $50,000 through May 4. "Every Thoroughbred athlete deserves an enjoyable and quality retirement. I am honored to support Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and their mission of accredited aftercare," said Repole. "I encourage others to join me in making a charitable donation during one of the most anticipated weeks of...

The third annual Blue Jeans, Boots and Bulls Derby Eve Charity event, hosted by the Barn Door Grill & Bar, will benefit Old Friends, the organization announced Tuesday. Held Friday, May 2 from 5:30-11:30 p.m. at The Bluegrass Stockyards in partnership with the Coaches for Kids Foundation, the event will also benefit The University of Kentucky Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Timbers Grateful Companions. It will include a silent auction, a Derby horse calcutta and a live auction along with live music and a buffet dinner. "Blue...

Longtime horseman Ralph Kinder, owner of Alliance Bloodstock, passed away last week at his home in Paris, Kentucky. He was 67. "Sad to share my beloved dad tragically passed Thursday morning from a heart attack while on the farm in Kentucky," Kinder's son Baron reported in a Facebook post. "I am mostly still at a loss for words, but ask for you all to pray with me that he makes himself home in spirit with all of our loved ones who've gone before us. I'm sure they're having a big...