Kentucky Derby hopefuls are gathering Saturday in Florida, New York and Kentucky. The mission: test their speed, stamina and heart attempting to earn a spot in the Derby starting gate on May 4. A fourth key prep, the $500,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita remains on hold as track […]
Santa Anita Horse Deaths Puzzle Track Investigators, Racing Stakeholders
Twenty-one equine fatalities in less than three months at Santa Anita Park have forced an indefinite suspension of all racing and training activities. As officials try to determine if they’re looking at a statistical anomaly, deteriorating track conditions in the face of unprecedented rain and cold, or something else, the […]
Code of Honor Digs in as Derby Contender with $400K Fountain of Youth Win
Code of Honor is forging ahead towards the Kentucky Derby after showing high energy in winning the historic $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Jockey John Velasquez, breaking from the inside post, allowed Code of Honor ($21.00-$8.60-$5.40) to establish position fifth at the rail. Settling his mount […]
Winx Winks at History, Aussie Champion Wins Again
Australian race mare Winx continues revamping the record book, posting her 31st straight triumph in the Chipping Norton Stakes Saturday afternoon at Royal Randwick near Sydney. The now eight-year-old champion is ever nearer to retirement after just two more races faced a field of six others, but one comprising five […]
Kentucky Derby Hopes Spring From Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream
Just who will sip from the Fountain of Youth? The legend of a spring that supposedly restores the vitality and vigor of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters may be a myth, but the horse race Saturday at Gulfstream Park, near Miami, is quite real. All eyes will be […]
Must See TV: Streaking Winx Tries For 31 Straight
The champion Australian race mare Winx, drawing ever nearer to her final career start in mid-April, is attempting a record 31st straight visit to the winners circle later this week. Winx loads into the starting gate late Friday – Saturday afternoon in Australia at Royal Randwick in suburban Sydney – […]
Plans for New NY Islanders Arena at Belmont Park Put on Ice
A delay is now likely in the start of the massive development project co-joining hockey and horse racing at New York’s Belmont Park. New York Arena Partners, the developers behind the $1.18 billion project, were forecasting a May groundbreaking in hopes the NHL’s New York Islanders would be making the […]
How the Kentucky Derby Became a Worldwide Horse Racing Event
Non-American horse racing interests have long coveted the greatest prize in US racing, the Kentucky Derby. The question of who has the fastest horse — in this instance a three-year-old — is many hundreds of years old and has no national boundaries. In 2012, a specific framework was created establishing […]
Horses Moving Up or Moving Out in Kentucky Derby Points Chase
Mid-February remains a key time of year for Kentucky Derby hopefuls. Aspirants must soon be moving forward in any of the multitude of prep races, stepping up training to attain fitness for longer, more testing March and April Derby preps. Or, head for the exit ramp on the road to […]
Oi Oi Oi! Winx Notches 30th Win in a Row Down Under
The “Down-Under Wonder†Winx gave her fans what they wanted to see Saturday, notching her astounding 30th straight win. Her victory by two lengths in the 7/8 mile Apollo Stakes on the turf came at odds of 1/9 at her home track Royal Randwick in suburban Sydney. And once again the […]
Seeking Kentucky Derby Glory Presidents’ Day Weekend
Don’t overlook two additional preps Presidents’ Day Weekend as hopefuls pursue a place in the Kentucky Derby winners’ circle. Complementing the $400,000 Risen Star at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans are the $100,000 El Camino Real Derby Saturday at Golden Gate Fields near San Francisco and the $500,000 Southwest […]
Winx Puts 29-Race Winning Streak on the Line at Royal Randwick
Winx, the first lady of horse racing, puts her 29-race winning streak on the line Saturday in the Apollo Stakes at Royal Randwick near Sydney. Post time in the US is 11:50 pm ET Friday. TVG is telecasting the race live. The Aussie-based daughter of Street Cry is expected to […]
Outside Draw Adding Intrigue to Derby Prep in New Orleans
Trainer Mark Casse’s War of Will is the likely favorite in Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star Stakes, the major Kentucky Derby prep this week at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. But he’ll have to overcome an outside post position if he wants to visit the winner’s circle. The […]
Eyes on the Prize: Well Defined Scores Big at Tampa Bay Derby Prep with Wire-to-Wire Win
At 7/1 under jockey Pablo Morales, Well Defined burst to the lead Saturday and never looked back to win the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes, a major Kentucky Derby prep at Tampa Bay Downs. Veteran trainer Kathleen O’Connell made sure the Florida-bred, gelded son of With Distinction was forced to follow […]
On the Derby Trail: Knicks Go No Slam Dunk at Tampa Bay Downs
History and a compelling field suggest that Saturday’s 1 1/16 mile $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs is a Kentucky Derby prep race not to be ignored. Despite often playing second fiddle to Gulfstream Park near Miami, Tampa Bay Downs is now an important feeder track for […]
Future is Now for Kentucky Derby Bettors, Bob Baffert Leads the Way
Game Winner and Improbable, both from the stable of Bob Baffert, are expected to attract the most individual Kentucky Derby future book wagering action when the second phase of the popular bet opens Friday. Bettors also have an “all others†option covering any horse not listed by veteran linemaker Mike […]
Harvey Wallbanger Leaves Bettors Tipsy in Holy Bull
Harvey Wallbanger, namesake of the popular 1970s cocktail and a nearly 30/1 long shot, set off explosive payoffs Saturday by pulling off a huge upset at the $350,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The Kentucky Derby aspirant keyed a $1101.70 one dollar exacta on top of Everfast, the Dale […]
Kentucky Derby Hopefuls Taking ‘Holy Bull’ by the Horns
Race fans and bettors from coast-to-coast continue to be on the lookout for breakthrough performances on the road to the 2019 Kentucky Derby, with eyes on horses like Maximus Mischief and Mihos, two of the expected favorites in the Saturday’s $350,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Florida. Other significant […]
City of Light Closes Career with Dominating Pegasus Win, Hidden Scroll Steals Thunder with Maiden Score
City of Light — $5.80–$4.30–$3.00 –  lit up a dreary, rainy South Florida Saturday in commanding style, dispatching eleven rivals in the $9 million Pegasus World Cup. His final time was 1:34.35 for the one mile and one eighth over a surface labeled sloppy (sealed). However, it was Hidden Scroll […]
No Surprise: Triple Crown Winner Justify Named 2018 Horse of the Year at Eclipse Awards
Triple Crown conqueror Justify is the Eclipse Award-winning Horse of the Year for 2018. The announcement was made at the annual awards dinner Thursday night at the Eclipse Awards Banquet at Gulfstream Park near Miami. honoring the now-retired, chestnut son of Scat Daddy. Just as he had often done on the […]