Updates
Frac Daddy being pointed to allowance race
Frac Daddy. 16th in the Kentucky Derby in his last start, is being pointed to an allowance race, trainer Kenny McPeek said in Saturday's Churchill Downs press notes. The son of Scat Daddy breezed a half-mile in :47.20 Saturday morning at Churchill, the fastest work of 59 at the distance. Frac Daddy is 1 for 7 for his career and was runner-up in the Arkansas Derby. … [Read More...]
Flat Out, Discreet Dancer headline Met Mile entries
Entries for the Grade 1 $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap at one mile at Belmont Park for 3-year-olds and up Monday. 1. Cross Traffic (J. Velazquez/T. Pletcher) 2. Discreet Dancer (J. Castellano/T. Pletcher) 3. Mark Valeski (R. Napravnik/L. Jones) 4. Fort Loudon (J. Lezcano/Ni. Zito) 5. Swagger Jack (I. Ortiz/M. Wolfson) 6. Flat Out (J. Alvarado/B. Mott) 7. Sahara Sky … [Read More...]
Kauai Katie, Midnight Lucky headline Acorn Stakes entries
The Grade 1, $300,000 Acorn Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going a mile Monday at Belmont. 1. Kauai Katie (J. Velazquez/T. Pletcher) 2. Momentary Magic (L. Saez/H.J. Bond) 3. Let Me Entertain U (J. Ortiz/T. Albertrani) 4. Cue the Moon (J. Castellano/H.J. Bond) 5. Midnight Lucky (R. Napravnik/B. Baffert) 6. Close Hatches (J. Rosario/B. … [Read More...]
Man on track frightens horse at Maywood
An unidentified man ran onto the track during a harness race Thursday night at Maywood Park in Chicago, Illinois. According to video footage, Primrose Path and Summer Party were dueling in the turn when a man running across the track interferes with the race. The man appeared to avoid any contact with the horses and drivers. The incident spooked Summer Party, causing her to go off stride. … [Read More...]
Joao Moreira, Singapore’s top jockey, could be riding at Churchill Downs this weekend
Joao Moreira, Singapore's top jockey and a two-time Eclipse Award winner in his native Brazil, is slated to ride at Churchill Downs this weekend. Moreira was selected to ride Judy the Beauty in the Winning Colors on Monday for trainer Wesley Ward. Moreira was named to ride other Ward trainees, including 2-year-old She's Coal Fired on Thursday, but visa issues could cause a delay in his … [Read More...]
Beholder to take a rest
Beholder, runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks and last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies champion, will take a break according to Hollywood Park press notes. Trainer Richard Mandella said Beholder will take some time off at Julie Adair's farm. Mandella indicated everything is fine with the daughter of Henny Hughes, she just needs a rest. … [Read More...]
Verrazano headed to Monmouth Park
Verrazano, undefeated before his 14th place finish in the Kentucky Derby, will next race at Monmouth Park according to owner Let's Go Stables. LGS Racing reported that Verrazano will target the Grade 3 Pegasus Stakes at 1 1/16-miles on dirt on June 16. The son of More Than Ready, trained by Todd Pletcher, is slated to breeze this weekend. Verrazano stamped himself as one of the … [Read More...]
Lukas dispatches notion of rivalry with Baffert
In the heyday of horse racing in the 1990's, there existed a perception that top trainers Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas were embattled "rivals." Lukas threw water on that notion Sunday when being interviewed by Baltimore press at Pimlico about his win in Saturday's Preakness Stakes with Oxbow. “Over the years a lot of people thought that Baffert and I had a rivalry, when actually … [Read More...]
This Preakness belongs to Gary Stevens
Jockey's astute ride proved the answer for Oxbow By J.J. Hysell Amidst the despondency of Orb's loss and the feel good tale of two teamed-up veterans with Oxbow, there existed an even more intriguing aspect of Saturday's Preakness. Sure, the fact that jockey Gary Stevens has come back at age 50 to win a Triple Crown race is quite impressive. It's inspirational and also rare. Stevens … [Read More...]
D. Wayne Lukas: Preakness will be more of a jockey’s race
In today's Preakness notes, trainer D. Wayne Lukas - who has three contenders for the race in Oxbow, Will Take Charge and Titletown Five - discussed his selection of veteran jockeys for his entries. Gary Stevens, who has made a comeback at age 50, will be aboard Oxbow. Lukas switched out Jon Court, who rode Will Take Charge in the Kentucky Derby, for Mike Smith. He named Julien Leparoux for … [Read More...]
News
Preakness: A three-tiered approach by D. Wayne Lukas
By J.J. Hysell Trainer D. Wayne Lukas has won the Preakness five times, so he is quite adept at assessing the intricacies of the unique second jewel of the Triple Crown. Although Lukas arrives … [Read More...]
In the Money author tabs Derby exacta for The Courier-Journal
J.J. Hysell, author of In the Money, tabbed the Derby exacta of Orb and Golden Soul for The Courier-Journal in Louisville, … [Read More...]
Funny Cide and Mine That Bird at Churchill Downs
VIDEOS Mine That Bird https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfW9vTav6fo Funny … [Read More...]
Kentucky Derby winner Orb arrives at Belmont to train for Preakness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4teDFrkAESs Kentucky Derby winner Orb arrives at Belmont Park, where he will train before leaving for Pimlico, shipping on May 13 or 14. He’s not overcooked, … [Read More...]
Orb steals the show with top-notch work Monday
The talk of the backstretch Monday at Churchill Downs was Florida Derby winner Orb's pre-Kentucky Derby work for trainer Shug McGaughey. Orb went four furlongs in :47.80 under exercise rider … [Read More...]
Golden Soul just before his runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby
Orb with some pre-work attention from friends