Kentucky Derby
In an era when it appears that no horse can run twice under the same moon, once again we're going to have plenty of relatively unexposed animals converging on the GI Kentucky Derby. That requires us to fall back on some secondary evidence, in pedigree and upbringing, to estimate what latent resources may be summoned to deal with the startling novelty of a 20-horse stampede. That's why the handicapping jury should heed the defense attorney for Litigate (Blame), despite a pedestrian 77 Beyer in the GIII Sam F. Davis S....
While no singular superstar emerged from this class numbering just 60, the top-to-bottom quality separates this class from its counterparts. MGISW Guarana (Ghostzapper) was the only 'TDN Rising Star' to win multiple Grade I events in 2019. She posted three consecutive victories that year, going straight from her maiden-breaking score at Keeneland to the GI Acorn S., where she defeated GI Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress (Alternation) and future Eclipse champion Ce Ce (Elusive Quality), and then to Saratoga's GI Coaching Club American Oaks. Second only to GISW Street Band...
The pari-mutuel field of "All Other 3-Year-olds" closed as the 2-1 favorite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager while champion 2-year-old Forte (Violence) was the 8-1 second choice. Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief), the lone filly in the individual betting interests, closed as the 11-1 third choice. Other horses who attracted interest from the bettors were: Tapit Trice (Tapit) (15-1); GII Kentucky Jockey Club and GIII Lecomte winner Instant Coffee (Bolt d'Oro) (22-1); Smarty Jones winner Victory Formation (Tapwrit) (23-1); and Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) (25-1)....
Gary and Mary West's Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) exited his 5 1/2-length victory in Saturday's GIII Withers S. in fine shape, according to Brad Cox's Belmont-based assistant trainer Dustin Dugas. "He looked good this morning," Dugas said. "He cooled out well yesterday and came back in good shape. He was at the front of the stall, and bright eyed this morning. We're happy with him and he was happy with himself." Hit Show's potential next starts include the Apr. 8 GII Wood Memorial. "He's always been a horse that...
'TDN Rising Star' Newgate (Into Mischief), the winner of last Saturday's GIII Robert B. Lewis S. at Santa Anita under Frankie Dettori, has been diagnosed with a minor hock issue that will prevent him from making a start in the GI Kentucky Derby. The news of the injury was announced on Twitter early Friday by Tom Ryan, the managing partner of one of the colt's owners, SF Racing LLC. "His prognosis to return is excellent," Ryan wrote. "We look forward to seeing him back this summer." Ryan also wrote that...
Saudi businessman Amr Zedan has been an owner only since 2017, but in that short period of time he has more than made his mark on the sport. His Medina Spirit (Protonico) crossed the wire first in the 2021 GI Kentucky Derby, his Taiba (Gun Runner) won three Grade I races last year and he has what may be this year's hottest 3-year-old colt in GIII Southwest S. winner Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo). We found out more about Zedan and his racing operation on this week's Thoroughbred Daily News Writers'...
Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's divisional champion and 'TDN Rising Star' Forte (Violence) leads a total of 369 3-year-olds eligible to compete in this year's Triple Crown series after the early nomination phase closed Saturday, Jan. 28. Each of the 369 sophomores, which are comprised of 367 colts and two fillies (Hoosier Philly [Into Mischief] and Julia Shining [Curlin]), were made eligible through a $600 payment and may compete in any leg of the Triple Crown series, pending other eligibility requirements. The early nominations included 57 more horses (18.2%)...
Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4 is set to open Friday and champion Forte (Violence) has been tabbed as the 8-1 individual betting favorite among the 39 individual betting interests plus the popular No. 40 option of "All Other 3-Year-Olds" who were not listed. Pool 4, which features $2 win and exacta wagering, opens Friday at noon EST and closes Sunday at 6 p.m. In total, there are 13 new betting interests in Pool 4: Determinedly (Cairo Prince), Eyeing Clover (Lookin at Lucky), First Defender (Quality Road), Frosted Departure (Frosted),...
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will host a special "Countdown to the Triple Crown" fund-raising event on Saturday. This event, scheduled exactly three months before the 2023 GI Kentucky Derby, will feature hundreds of silent auction items and an online auction of 10 unique items and experience packages to benefit the Museum. Guests can attend the event in person at the Museum from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. or bid on special packages online beginning at noon. To purchase tickets, visit here or call (518) 584-0400....
Tickets for Kentucky Derby Week and the entire 44-day Spring Meet at Churchill Downs go on sale Thursday, Feb. 2 at noon. The 149th Spring Meet spans nine weeks from Apr. 29-July 3. Among special events slated for this year's Derby week, Champions Day has moved to Wednesday, and this year's event will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's memorable Triple Crown sweep with a limited-edition print giveaway, an artist signing and a partnership with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. For more information or to buy...
Bob Baffert has certainly taken his lumps ever since it was discovered that Medina Spirit (Protonico) tested positive for a banned substance in the 2021 GI Kentucky Derby. He was hit with a 90-day suspension from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, the New York Racing Association banned him for a year and Churchill Downs banned him for two years. Though Baffert is still fighting the Churchill ban, in all likelihood, he will not be allowed to start a horse in this year's Derby, which would be the second straight year...
Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman's Havnameltdown set all the fractions and held stablemate and co-favorite Faustin at bay to the wire to win the GII San Vicente S. by 1 1 /2 lengths at Santa Anita Sunday. Off a tad awkwardly from his inside post, Havnameltdown recovered quickly to pull himself to the early lead and was in control after a quarter in :22.46, with longshot Man Child (Creative Cause), the lone non-Baffert runner in the four-horse field, in close attendance. The bay colt inched further clear entering...