Three days after finishing off the board for only the second time in his career, Maximum Security retired from racing. The Eclipse Award 3-year-old Champion of 2019 heads to Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud, where he’ll begin his stud career in 2021 standing for $20,000. The move comes after Maximum Security […]
Tag: 2019 Kentucky Derby
Appellate Court Upholds Maximum Security’s Derby Disqualification
On the cusp of the 2020 Kentucky Derby, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld a lower court decision validating Maximum Security’s disqualification in the 2019 Derby. In a unanimous 14-page decision handed down Friday, the three-judge appeals court upheld a November 2019 decision by a lower […]
Luis Saez Ends Appeal, Starts Suspension From 2019 Kentucky Derby
After dropping his appeal, standout jockey Luis Saez began his 15-day suspension for his Kentucky Derby trip aboard Maximum Security that resulted in the horse’s disqualification. Saez, who leads North American jockeys with 132 wins this season, began his suspension Wednesday. It runs through June 3. His agent, former trainer […]
Maximum Security Seeks Redemption in $20 Million Saudi Cup
Maximum Security had a year most owners and trainers would run with, culminating in his coronation as the year’s 3-year-old Male Eclipse Award Champion. But everyone who saw Maximum Security run knew he didn’t get the maximum out of his considerable talent. That considerable talent, more than anything he did […]
Wild Kentucky Derby DQ Sends Longshot Country House to Winner’s Circle
Country House, a 65/1 long shot, is the stunning winner via disqualification of the 2019 Kentucky Derby in this, the 145th edition of the US’s most prestigious race. Former claimer Maximum Security at off odds of 9/2 crossed the finish line first over a sloppy racing surface. But, stewards, following […]
Kentucky Derby Favorite Omaha Beach Scratched from Race
The opening favorite for the 145th Kentucky Derby, Omaha Beach, was a surprise scratch for Saturday’s Run for the Roses. The outstanding three-year-old was removed from the $3 million 1 1/4 mile race for three-year-olds late Wednesday, after trainer Richard Mandella and veterinarians discovered a concerning breathing problem. The Daily […]
Omaha Beach, Baffert Trio Are the Kentucky Derby Favorites
Omaha Beach at 4/1 is now the morning line favorite for Saturday’s highly anticipated $3 million Kentucky Derby. It’s the 145th edition of the US’s most prestigious horse race. Barring any late scratches, the field is now set with Tuesday’s completion of this year’s post position draw. The Kentucky Derby is […]
Who Are the Top Kentucky Derby Contenders? Prep Race Puzzle Baffles Bettors
Weekend results in the two major Kentucky Derby preps have horseplayers scratching their heads. Getting a clear read on just which horses are the major contenders in this year’s Run for the Roses is proving to be a difficult riddle to solve. As race fans from around the world are […]
Kentucky Derby Contenders or Pretenders: Testing Courage on Road to Louisville
War of Will tries to make it three for three Saturday on the Louisiana path to the Kentucky Derby. He’s the unquestioned heavy favorite in the Louisiana Derby, the highlight of the winter racing season in New Orleans. But, it’s Anothertwistafate for trainer Blaine Wright, who’s garnering just a bit […]
Horse Racing: Baffert Duo Both Settle for Second Place in Rebel Stakes Split Divisions
The last person any race fan expects to see contracting “seconditis†is Hall-of-Fame trainer Bob Baffert. But that’s just what happened to both his leading Kentucky Derby contenders, Improbable (2/5 on the odds board) and Game Winner (the public’s 1/2 favorite) Saturday at Oaklawn Park. The Baffert duo, re-routed from […]
Hog Heaven? Bob Baffert Shifting Sights to Oaklawn Park for Kentucky Derby Hopefuls
Horses from the barn of dual Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert always feel right at home in Arkansas at Oaklawn Park. The Hall-of Fame conditioner is known for a dry wit, a bright shock of white hair and, of course, scooping up cash by winning big races. His home base […]
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 […]
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 […]