Forever Young 'Ready to Rumble' at Churchill Downs
The first of the Japanese Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders, Forever Young, arrived at Churchill Downs early in the morning April 13 and has begun to settle in over the dirt track he'll call home for the next three weeks.
Sharp-Working Fierceness Continues to Top Derby Dozen
Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.
Court Says It Will Rule on Zedan-CDI Case This Week
Declaring he understands the arguments, a Louisville, Ky., judge said he will issue a ruling this week on Amr Zedan's courtroom bid to force Churchill Downs to allow Arkansas Derby (G1) winner and Bob Baffert trainee Muth in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Clement Says Deterministic 'Unlikely' to Run in Derby
Trainer Christophe Clement said April 15 that Deterministic is "unlikely" to run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after a disappointing eighth-place finish as a 4-5 favorite in his last race, the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack.
NYRA Announces Purses for Belmont Stakes Festival
The New York Racing Association announced April 15 the lucrative purse schedule for the four-day 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course, slated for Thursday, June 6 through Sunday, June 9.
Now The Next In, Grand Mo the First Preps for KY Derby
Granpollo Stable's Grand Mo the First, who finished a distant third behind Fierceness in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1), was sent to the track April 14 for a five-furlong maintenance workout at Gulfstream Park.
Honor Marie Breezes 'The Right Way' For Derby
Several contenders for the Kentucky Derby (G1) had regular training sessions April 14 at Churchill Downs, including Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up Honor Marie and UAE Derby (G2) winner Forever Young.
No More Time Injured in Breeze, Out of Kentucky Derby
No More Time, winner of the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and runner-up in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3), is off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail after sustaining an injury at the end of his April 14 breeze at Palm Meadows Training Center.
Derby Contenders Work Over Churchill Downs Track
Among those working at Churchill Downs April 13 were Catching Freedom, Endlessly, Mystik Dan, and Common Defense.
Fierceness Holds Lead Over Sierra Leone in Derby Dozen
Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.
Sierra Leone Tops Fierceness in NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll
Not only did Sierra Leone's impressive turn of foot propel him to the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winners' circle, but also to the top of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's 3-year-old poll.
Churchill Downs Cites Anti-SLAPP Act Against Zedan Suit
Churchill Downs Inc. has cited Kentucky's anti-SLAPP statute in a motion to dismiss most portions of a lawsuit brought by prominent owner Amr Zedan that seeks to dismantle Churchill Downs' suspension of Bob Baffert from racing at its tracks.
Hades Attempts to Earn Kentucky Derby Spot in Lexington
The field for the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1) is almost set, but the 1 1/16-mile $400,000 Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland April 13 provides a final opportunity to make Derby dreams come true.
Resilience Brings Three Decades of Dedication to Derby
When Wood Memorial (G2) winner Resilience was a foal, he carried himself in the way that elite racehorses do; with a self-assured manner that showed he knew what was expected of a horse with his pedigree.
Honor Marie, Track Phantom Log First Derby Breezes
On a brisk Sunday morning at Churchill Downs April 7, Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up Honor Marie and fourth-place finisher Track Phantom returned to the work tab as they train towards the 150th running of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) May 4.
Stronghold Wins Battle With Imagination in SA Derby
Rick and Sharon Waller's homebred Stronghold prevails by a head in a test of wills against even-money favorite Imagination in the April 6 $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita Park. He has 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
No More Time Works Toward Potential Kentucky Derby Bid
Morplay Racing's No More Time breezed a half-mile April 6 at Palm Meadows Training Center in preparation for a planned start in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Brown, Gaffalione Savor Sierra Leone's Blue Grass Win
Chad Brown and Tyler Gaffalione discuss Sierra Leone's win in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland and why they are confident in their chance in next month's Kentucky Derby (G1).
Resilience Gets Mott Back in Kentucky Derby Picture
On the upcoming first Saturday in May, Bill Mott may get another crack at winning the Kentucky Derby (G1) in a more time-honored fashion after sending out Emily Bushnell and Ric Waldman's Resilience for a 2 1/4-length victory in the Wood Memorial.
Sierra Leone Runs Down Just a Touch to Win Blue Grass
Favored Sierra Leone did not want to load into the starting gate for the April 6 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. But once loaded, the talented colt had no reservations about racing, rallying from ninth to overhaul Just a Touch by 1 1/2 lengths.