Kentucky Derby News
February 13, 2017
Unique Bella leads the way on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks
Chanel’s Legacy closed out the Prep Season portion of the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series of points races in the Martha Washington Stakes on Saturday. That ended the 10-4-2-1 point contests (except for the April 9 Beaumont Stakes [G3]), with the...
Features February 13, 2017
Tales from the Crib: Irish War Cry
If there’s a watchword for Irish War Cry’s life story, it’s patience.
Not only is patience the governing philosophy of his owner/breeder, Isabelle de Tomaso, and his handlers along the way, but his dam’s as well.
The theme begins...
February 12, 2017
Chanel’s Legacy runs away with Martha Washington
Chanel’s Legacy was sent off the 13-1 third longest shot in Saturday’s $125,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park but ran like a favorite to easily score by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Alex Birzer.
The one-mile race closed out the...
February 12, 2017
McCraken rallies for track record in Sam F. Davis victory
Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC’s McCraken set a new track record of 1:42.45 for 1 1/16 miles at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday when rallying for a 1 1/2-length score in the $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) as the 3-2 favorite.
The Ian Wilkes pupil found...
February 9, 2017
Wild Shot's Stamina Question Could Be Answered With His Family
Saturday’s Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs features the return not only of the unbeaten McCracken but also the colt that pushed him hardest in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs last November, Wild Shot.
Stamina...
February 8, 2017
Martha Washington closes out Prep Season portion of Road to the Kentucky Oaks series
The Road to the Kentucky Oaks continues on Saturday when nine sophomore fillies line up in the $125,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
The one-mile contest may not be graded but is an important part of Oaklawn’s three-year-old filly preps...
February 8, 2017
McCraken returns in Sam F. Davis Stakes against eight rivals
McCraken will make his long-awaited return on Saturday when facing eight rivals in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs with regular rider Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard.
The 1 1/16-mile contest makes its debut this year on the Road to...
February 7, 2017
Lewis winner Royal Mo must show more to join upper echelon
Royal Mo kept moving forward while making his stakes and 3-year-old bow in the February 4 Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita, leading all the way in a 3 ½-length decision. But he must run faster to defeat better competition after generating a career-best...
Derby News February 7, 2017
Irish War Cry enters Derby leader board in Top 10
Classic Empire was always going to remain atop this week’s Kentucky Derby (G1) leader board regardless of his performance in last weekend’s Holy Bull (G2). However, the juvenile champion and early Derby favorite showed plenty of vulnerability...
February 7, 2017
El Areeb continues to impress in Withers
El Areeb posted a sharp 4 ¼-length tally in the February 4 Withers (G3), romping in a second consecutive Kentucky Derby qualifier on Aqueduct’s inner track. The gray colt hasn’t faced top company, but he’s looked the part registering...
