Triple Crown

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American Pharoah Stakes, Santa Anita Park, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Kentucky Derby, Desert Gate, Intrepido, Plutarch, Civil Liberty, Balboa, Kristofferson, Baffert, O’Neill, Mullins, jockey, trainer, horse racing, ABR

2025 American Pharoah Stakes at a Glance

Saturday’s American Pharoah Stakes Presented by DK Horse for 2-year-olds is the final California qualifier for the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Golden State’s first prep race awarding points to next year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (10-5-3-2-1

Ack Ack Stakes, Churchill Downs, Most Wanted, Irad Ortiz, Brad Cox, Will Take It, Dallas Stewart, Surly Furious, This Is Uscar, Tumbarumba, Tyler Gaffalione, Indispensable, Three Technique, Who Day, horse racing, ABR

2025 Ack Ack Stakes at a Glance

Recently, the Ack Ack Stakes has become a highlight event of Churchill Downs’ short September meet along with the Lukas Classic Stakes and the track’s first two qualifying races for the following year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and Longines Kentucky Oaks.

Silver Charm: As Tenacious as They Come

There are a variety of reasons to explain why a long list of outstanding horses were thwarted in their bid to become the 12th Triple Crown champion.

Some are predictable; others are surprising.

Premature moves, exhausting paces, injuries, medications, and even a safety pin have all played a role in a drought that stood at 37 years until American Pharoah completed the sweep in 2015.

Spice Runner, Iroquois Stakes, Churchill Downs, Road to 2026 Kentucky Derby

Spice Runner Gets Up to Win Iroquois, First Step on Road to 2026 Kentucky Derby

Spice Runner, a full brother to multiple Grade 1 winning sprinter Gunite, is the early points leader on the Road to the 2026 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve.

Del Mar, juveniles, 2-year-olds, rookie, rankings, Brant, Desert Gate, Del Mar Futurity, Bob Baffert, trainer, Kristofferson, Zedan, Boyd, Intrepido, pedigree, speed figure, Kentucky Derby, horse racing, ABR

Rookie Rankings: Top Five 2-Year-Olds to Watch from Del Mar’s Summer Meet

The 2026 summer meet at Del Mar yielded an impressive roster of 2-year-olds who loom as serious contenders for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup and 2026 Triple Crown.

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