Kentucky Derby News
July 15, 2016
California Diamond shines in Santa Anita Juvenile
California Diamond rallied to edge more fancied rivals on Santa Anita’s closing weekend, scoring by three-quarters of a length in the $125,000 Santa Anita Juvenile on July 9. Overlooked as the 6-1 fifth choice among six contestants, the California-bred...
July 14, 2016
The wait is over thanks to Landaluce winner
A pair of stakes last Saturday showcased a couple of nice two-year-old fillies, so that’s where this week’s juvenile filly report begins.
Santa Anita Park’s Landaluce Stakes has proven a good spot to test the young lasses, and THEONEWEWAITEDFOR...
July 8, 2016
Silver Mission heads Pletcher brigade so far
Seven-time Eclipse Award winner Todd Pletcher will wait until the upcoming Saratoga meet to unveil a large contingent of 2-year-olds, but the 2009 Kentucky Derby-winning trainer has already sent out some promising youngsters on the East Coast.
Silver...
July 7, 2016
Thirstforlife, Bitumen merit recognition as well as the exciting Classic Empire
The Bashford Manor (G3) for 2-year-olds was part of Churchill Downs’ closing day last Saturday and my colleague Kellie Reilly has already highlighted the winner, Classic Empire, in a recent piece on sire Pioneerofthenile, who is best known for producing...
July 4, 2016
American Pharoah’s sire has exciting 2017 Derby prospect in Classic Empire
After John C. Oxley’s Classic Empire recovered from a sluggish start to catch the brilliantly fast Recruiting Ready in Saturday night’s Bashford Manor (G3) at Churchill Downs, the 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1) buzz was off and running.
That’s...
July 4, 2016
Ever So Clever races into Kentucky Oaks conversation
Ever So Clever pretty much walked out of the gate in the 4TH race at Churchill Downs on Friday, but exploded with a powerful run in the stretch to score a pulling off 7 1/4-length victory under jockey Ricardo Santana Jr.
That, coupled with the nice 86...
July 4, 2016
American Pharoah’s sire has exciting 2017 Derby prospect in Classic Empire
After John C. Oxley’s Classic Empire recovered from a sluggish start to catch the brilliantly fast Recruiting Ready in Saturday night’s Bashford Manor (G3) at Churchill Downs, the 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1) buzz was off and running.
That’s...
July 1, 2016
Secret House, Silver Assault establish themselves as 2-year-olds to watch out west
It’s never too early to be scouting Kentucky Derby contenders. In Southern California, maiden races begin in the spring and two of the last three Kentucky Derby winners had already started by this point on the calendar, with California Chrome debuting...
July 1, 2016
Bashford Manor a precursor of Kentucky Derby success in its early years
Churchill Downs' Spring Meet comes to a close Saturday with the $100,000 Bashford Manor (G3), a six-furlong race for juveniles, being the night's feature.
Named for a neighborhood in Louisville, which in the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
June 27, 2016
Keep an eye on Bode’s Dream, Tricky One for the 2017 Kentucky Oaks
The two-year-old action is starting to heat up so now is a good time to look forward to the 2017 Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Whether next year’s Oaks queen has already put hoof to track or is waiting for an opportunity to shine at Saratoga,...