A son of a butcher turned business magnate, Joseph E. Widener was a visionary architect of modern American racing, known for transforming Hialeah Park into a world-class destination and leading Belmont Park through a pivotal era of elegance.
As a titan of the sport and a dedicated preservationist, he combined his passion for fine art with a commitment to racing’s aesthetic and structural integrity. His lasting legacy remains in the pedigrees of the sport’s athletes as well as his tireless efforts to elevate the social and cultural prestige of the American turf.
Mike Curry offers takeaways from a frenetic weekend of Longines Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifying races from coast to coast.
As a son of champion sprinter Runhappy, So Happy wasn't supposed to be able to get the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Grade 1 $500,000 Santa Anita Derby, but he did, winning the race by 2 3/4 lengths.
Riley Mott trainee Albus won New York's definitive prep race for the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, drawing clear in the stretch to post a 1 1/4-length victory over fast-closing 38-1 shot Right to Party in the Grade 2
