Kentucky Derby | Heritage Sports

June

Mandaloun Rallies From Last to Take Pegasus

If you think nailing a Pick 6 is an arduous task, try predicting how racing luck is doled out. Take, for example, what happened June 13 in the $147,500 TVG.com Pegasus Stakes for 3-year-olds at Monmouth Park. Six weeks earlier, in the demolition derby known as the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Juddmonte Farm’s Mandaloun faced 18 rivals and had a pretty smooth trip at 26-1 odds in finishing second—for now. So, fast forward to Sunday, where Mandaloun was a 3-10 favorite over just four rivals in the Pegasus. Even with such a miniscule field, shortly after the starting gates opened, […]

May

Horse racing-Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit fails drug test

Trainer Bob Baffert, who won a record-setting seventh Kentucky Derby with Medina Spirit this month, on Sunday said the dark bay colt had failed a drug test. Baffert said a post-race sample provided by Medina Spirit had tested positive for 21 picograms of the anti-inflammatory drug betamethasone, over the legal limit in Kentucky racing. Medina Spirit, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, had secured a half-length triumph over Mandaloun in the 19-horse Kentucky Derby on May 1. Baffert’s camp were informed of the news by Kentucky officials on Saturday, but the 68-year-old denied giving the horse illegal substances and said the […]

April

2 contenders out of Ky. Derby field; 3 more in question

Even though the Kentucky Derby preps are done, the field is still not fully set. While undefeated Blue Grass Stakes (G2) winner Essential Quality leads a list of virtually certain starters, connections for no fewer than five horses left the door open to turning down invitations. An updated Kentucky Derby leaderboard released by Churchill Downs Monday afternoon specifies that neither Weyburn nor Proxy will be in the Derby starting gate. Horse Racing Nation reported earlier Monday that Weyburn was unlikely for the race after finishing fourth in the Wood Memorial (G2) last weekend. According to the new leaderboard, he is pointed to the May 8 Peter Pan […]

March

With ‘Phenomenal Workouts,’ Risen Star Winner Mandaloun Leads Louisiana Derby Field

Mention Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Mandaloun to trainer Brad Cox and the reaction is telling. And instantaneous. Cox is looking forward to showing the rest of the racing world what he’s thought all along—that Mandaloun is one serious 3-year-old—when he starts as a strong favorite in a sterling renewal of Saturday’s 108th running of the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Run at 1 3/16 miles, the Louisiana Derby will offer 170 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, on a 100-40-20-10 scale, and highlight a robust 14-race card that incorporates […]

March

‘Mild Sprain’ Pulls Senor Buscador Off Kentucky Derby Trail

Todd Fincher’s Senor Buscador is now off the Kentucky Derby Trail. After a key workout on Friday, by the next morning a mild sprain was discovered. According to Fincher, his colt will be taking time off, with the goal to comeback to racing at some point in the future. A couple days ago, as Ty Kennedy’s perspective went vertical, it then proceeded to accelerate along a horizontal trajectory. Such is the life of a jockey on-track. It is a series of beginnings and endings, but in between, there can be some incredible moments, as rider and Thoroughbred form a renewed alliance. Friday morning […]

February

Southwest, Bayakoa, Razorback Postponed Again

The Southwest Stakes (G3), Bayakoa Stakes (G3), and Razorback Handicap (G3) have again been postponed with Oaklawn Park cancelling live racing Feb. 18-21 due to the weather forecast. “Due to continued inclement weather predicted for the remainder of this week, Oaklawn, with the permission of the stewards, will cancel four days of racing this Thursday, Feb. 18 thru Sunday, Feb. 21. All 5 stakes move to the following week. More details will follow,” the Hot Springs, Ark., track tweeted the evening of Feb. 15. Rearranged dates for stakes races are expected to be revealed Feb. 16, according to Oaklawn spokesperson Jen Hoyt. […]

February

Medina Spirits wins Robert Lewis

In a performance even possibly more surreal than Authentic ‘s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) triumph, Medina Spirit upstaged Bob Baffert’s newly-minted Horse of the Year Jan. 30, staring defeat in the eye down the homestretch and refusing to blink, holding off two pursuers through the last quarter-mile to gain the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) in a stretch run for the ages at Santa Anita Park. Even Baffert thought he wasn’t going to win after Roman Centurian and Hot Rod Charlie hooked pacesetting Medina Spirit at the head of the stretch. As it was, Medina Spirit—who led virtually from the beginning after breaking from the rail—prevailed […]

November

Kevin Flanery retiring as president of Churchill Downs after 11 years

Churchill Downs says president Kevin Flanery will retire at the end of this year after 11 years in charge of the home of the Kentucky Derby. Flanery started as Churchill Downs Incorporated’s vice president of national public affairs in December 2005 before becoming the historic track’s 13th president in July 2009. He has overseen the expansion of suites and viewing areas and upgrades including the installation of permanent track lighting and construction of the Big Board video screen over the backstretch. Flanery stated in a release Wednesday that growing up in the track’s surrounding area provided an appreciation for what […]

September

Authentic outduels Tiz the Law in Derby upset

Authentic dueled with Tiz the Law in the final turn and upset the heavy favorite to conquest the 146th Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs. Ridden by John Velazquez, Authentic led from start to finish and won by 1¼ lengths, giving trainer Bob Baffert his record-tying sixth Derby champion. Authentic covered 1¼ mile in 2:00.61, the seventh-fastest time ever in the Derby, and paid $18.80 to win. He is the first wire-to-wire Derby winner since 2002, when War Emblem won for Baffert. Baffert tied Ben Jones for the most wins by a trainer. Along with Authentic and War Emblem, […]

September

Kentucky Derby: Art Collector out with minor foot ailment

Art Collector, the likely second wagering option Saturday in the 146th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, is out after suffering a minor foot ailment. The bombshell of bad news spread quickly Tuesday morning at Churchill and beyond, shortly after Art Collector did not appear on the track. A subsequent Churchill release stated trainer Tommy Drury reported “the colt nicked the bulb of his left front heel with a hind hoof while galloping Monday at Churchill” and that because of strict medication rules, the horse could not be treated with an anti-inflammatory so close to the race. Art Collector, bred and […]

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