Derby Day Scene Setter
Claire Novak sets the scene for Kentucky Derby 140. Watch Video
Claire Novak
Kentucky Derby Preview: Bring it Home, Chrome
'We need heroes right now, and I'm hoping he's one of them.' -- Art Sherman, trainer of 5-2 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) favorite California Chrome.
Moonshine Mullin Springs Alysheba Upset
Champion Will Take Charge fizzled May 2 in the $342,000 Alysheba Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs, as former claimer Moonshine Mullin took a rail-skimming trip to victory.
Live Chat - Friday, May 2 at NOON EST
The transcript for today's chat is now available.
No Kentucky Derby for Pablo Del Monte
Pablo Del Monte, the also-eligible who got a chance to draw in to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) following the withdrawal of Rebel Stakes (gr. II) winner Hoppertunity, will not run in the classic.
That Handicapping Show: Kentucky Derby
Claire Novak and Frank Angst are at Churchill Downs to handicap the Kentucky Derby (gr. I). watch video
Kentucky Derby News Update for May 1, 2014
The scratch of Hoppertunity dominated the news for Thursday. The update includes comments from trainer Bob Baffert on Hoppertunity, and from trainer Wesley Ward on a possible start for Pablo Del Monte. Watch Video
Uncle Sigh Connections On Own With Veterans
Owner Chip McEwen will have several veterans with him May 3 at the Kentucky Derby, but Churchill Downs didn't help with their tickets or access.
Ky Derby 2014: Jimmy Jerkens on Wicked Strong
Trainer Jimmy Jerkens talks about Kentucky Derby contender Wicked Strong, who blew out down the lane May 1. Watch Video
Ky Derby 2014: Vince Wilfork on Wicked Strong
- By Claire Novak
New England Patriots star Vince Wilfork talks about his love for Boston and horse racing at the Kentucky Derby. Watch Video
For Derby Trainers, Memories Still Run Strong
They saw the potential of their futures played out in furious rallies, wire-to-wire rumbles, by the widest of margins and the slimmest of victories. Weeks like this bring back those memories.
Nine Await Wise Dan in Woodford Repeat Bid
Two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan didn't scare away many rivals as he attempts to take down a second edition of the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) May 3 at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby News Update for April 30, 2014
Claire Novak reports the news of the day, including gallops from California Chrome and Samraat, Medal Count, the official entries for the Kentucky Derby, and comments from Ron Turcotte. Watch Video
Turcotte Issues Statement Against Churchill
Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte, two-time Derby winner with Secretariat and Riva Ridge, issues April 30 statement: "This lack of basic consideration also applies to many others who helped shape Churchill Downs' history..."
Kentucky Derby: Mike Smith on Hoppertunity
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith comments on Kentucky Derby contender Hoppertunity. watch video
Test Dispute Takes Little Mike from Woodford
Multiple grade I winner won't run in May 3 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, it was revealed April 29, due to owner/trainer Carlo Vaccarezza's conflict with the KHRC and Churchill over out-of-competition testing.
Kentucky Derby News Update for April 29, 2014
Claire Novak reports on three new arrivals for the Kentucky Derby. Mike Maker and Joel Rosario comment on General a Rod, watch California Chrome jog on the track and Tom Proctor enters Please Explain. watch video
New Derby Arrivals Take to Track
California Chrome, Dance With Fate, and Samraat all took to the track April 29 at Churchill Downs, the morning after arriving in Louisville, Ky.
Kentucky Derby News Update for April 28, 2014
Claire Novak reports trackside from Churchill Downs on news for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Learn of the morning storms, works by Tapiture, Hoppertunity, and Ria Antonia. See footage of California Chrome unloading! watch video
California Chrome Arrives at Churchill Downs
He'd never been on an airplane before, so California Chrome didn't necessarily know how to get off one, either.
Baffert Horses Breeze in Weather Break
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert sent Hoppertunity through his final move for the Kentucky Derby and Ria Antonia through her prep for the Oaks on April 28, squeezing in the drills between downpours at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby News Upate for April 27, 2014
The BloodHorse.com News Update for Sunday April 27, 2014. Claire Novak provides insight on the stand out works, including times, and why Intense Holiday was the buzz of the track. Watch great video footage of these works. watch video
Vyjack Victorious Off the Bench at Aqueduct
Grade II winner Vyjack, at this time last year a contender on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), returned from a lengthy layoff April 27 to win a seven-furlong allowance at Aqueduct.
Ride On Curlin Turns in Maintenance Breeze
Trainer Billy Gowan supervised the final major preparations of Arkansas Derby (gr. I) runner-up Ride On Curlin on April 27, sending the Curlin colt through seven furlongs in 1:29 at Churchill Downs.
Venezuela Has Derby Hope in Wildcat Red
Something deserved by Garoffalo's family is the chance at watching a Derby run in person. But after decades spent in the industry in Venezuela, Jose Garoffalo Sr. will watch from home while his son chases history.
Purely Hot Powers to Whimsical Success
Purely Hot, a former claimer who once dared to look champion Groupie Doll in the eye, earned her first graded stakes victory and continued success for her new connections April 26 at Woodbine.
Itsmyluckyday Returns a Winner at Gulfstream
Itsmyluckyday, runner-up in the 2013 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and winner of the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) early in his 3-year-old season, rolled to an authoritative victory April 26 in a minor stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Sadler Sends Candy Boy to Final Derby Drill
California trainer John Sadler sent Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) winner Candy Boy through his final major preparations for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) April 26 at Churchill Downs.
That Handicapping Show: Derby Trial Stakes
Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the Derby Trial Stakes that may hold a few Preakness contenders. Claire picked the winner of the Illinois Derby last week. watch video
Cairo Prince Scheduled for Ankle Surgery
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reports that Miller Lite Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) winner Cairo Prince is slated to undergo surgery April 25 in Lexington and could return for a late summer/early autumn campaign.
Baffert Duo Has Derby Trial as Backup Plan
As usual, trainer Bob Baffert has the racing world hanging on his every move leading up to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), even as he enters horses in the April 26 Derby Trial (gr. III).
Bourbon Lane Launches Pasture at Old Friends
Bourbon Lane Stable, the national racing partnership based in Lexington, has established a retirement pasture for its horses at Old Friends, the country's premier Thoroughbred retirement care facility.
Dynamic Impact Nabs 'Hawk in Illinois Derby
Dynamic Impact continued trainer Mark Casse's big spring April 19, edging 2-5 favorite Midnight Hawk by the narrowest of noses in the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II) at Hawthorne Race Course.
Mr Speaker Takes Down Coolmore Lexington
Phipps Stables' homebred Mr Speaker took to the Polytrack like a fish to water April 19, skipping home in the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. III) in his first try on the synthetic stuff.
Frac Daddy Powers Home in Ben Ali
Magic City Thoroughbred Partners' Frac Daddy returned to Keeneland and returned to winning ways April 19, taking the $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes (gr. III) at the Lexington oval.
Reddam's Bond Holder Succumbs to Laminitis
Reddam Racing's Bond Holder, at one time a contender on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has lost his battle with laminitis, according to an April 19 announcement by trainer Doug O'Neill.
Sisterly Love Scores Doubledogdare Upset
Gary Barber's Sisterly Love became the first two-time winner of the current Keeneland spring meeting and did so at the expense of multiple grade I winner Emollient when she took home the April 18 Doubledogdare (gr. III).
That Handicapping Show: Illinois Derby
Claire Novak and Frank Angst preview the Illinois Derby and the Charles Town Classic. Watch Video
Midnight Hawk Brings Illinois Derby Intrigue
Given the colt's Chicago connections, it's not surprising Bob Baffert would send Midnight Hawk to the April 19 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne. As for his plans from there on out, you'll have to read between the lines.
Divine Oath Heads Coolmore Lexington
Let's Go Stable's undefeated Divine Oath will make his stakes debut April 19 in the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington (gr. III) at Keeneland after failing to draw in to the Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I).
Emollient Back at Keeneland in Doubledogdare
Juddmonte homebred, 2-for-2 at Keeneland after notching double grade I wins at the Lexington oval, finds softer spot April 18 in $100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (gr. III).
Dance With Fate Provides Blue Grass Twist
In the final Polytrack edition of the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), a California shipper who has shown extremely good form over synthetic surfaces found his way home.
Will Take Charge Survives Oaklawn Inquiry
Willis Horton's Will Take Charge notched his first victory of the season in the $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) April 12 at Oaklawn Park, surviving multiple claims of foul and a lengthy inquiry.
Marchman Wires 'Em in Shakertown Dash
Martin Racing Stable's Marchman wasn't highly regarded in the $100,000 Shakertown Stakes (gr. IIIT), but his 23-1 odds didn't keep him from the winner's circle April 12 at Keeneland.
Wise Dan Doing Well After Season Debut
Charlie LoPresti reported Morton Fink's homebred son of Wiseman's Ferry was "doing fine this morning and ate up everything last night," after coming off the bench to defend his title in the April 11 Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT).
Close Hatches Secures Apple Blossom Victory
Defeating four older fillies and mares, Juddmonte Farms' Close Hatches secured her third grade I with a front-running performance in the $588,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) April 11 at Oaklawn Park.
That Handicapping Show: Blue Grass Stakes
Claire Novak and Frank Angst are on location at Keeneland this week to handicap the Blue Grass Stakes and Arkansas Derby. watch video
All Blue Grass (Almost) All the Time
The focus has shifted at Keeneland, as it usually does during the second week of April, to the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) and the Kentucky Derby hopefuls who will emerge from that event. read blog
Bobby's Kitten Favored in Blue Grass Stakes
The $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) drew an overflow field for its 90th renewal to be run April 12 at Keeneland, with Ken and Sarah Ramsey's homebred Bobby's Kitten favored at 3-1 from post 5.
Will Take Charge, Moreno Rematch at Oaklawn
Will Take Charge won the 3-year-old championship, but speedster Moreno was surprisingly right there with him in the summer months before going to the sidelines after the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
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