all in The Sport

If you are wondering why 14 3-year-olds are entered in Saturday’s Grade 3 DK Horse Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes at Kentucky Downs, there are 3.5 million reasons for Kentucky-breds. Each of them dollars. The Nashville Derby is one of the sport’s richest races and has attracted an overflow field of 14, with two also-eligible entrants.

Over the past several months, Sandman has taken a growing social media fanbase on a thrill ride stopping at some of horse racing’s biggest events including the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Todd Pletcher, winner of a record seven Eclipse Awards as the leading trainer in North America, learned invaluable lessons as a top assistant to Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas.

Trainer Derek Ryan was noncommittal about Book’em Danno’s participation in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, but he’s such a cool horse that he’s worth a closer look regardless of where he makes his final start of the 2025 season.

My, how times have changed. Fifteen years ago, Kentucky Downs was a quaint countryside turf-only racetrack within eyesight and earshot of I-65 on the Kentucky/Tennessee border featuring a main building that resembled an old Southern estate and sparse amenities. Now, drivers passing to and from the sister states behold a multifaceted, completely modern gambling and entertainment venue that draws scores of fun-seeking patrons through its doors year-round.

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