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KHRC Suspends Rick Dutrow 30 Days

In a rare decision, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has rejected it's stewards and hearing officer's recommendations and suspended trainer Rick Dutrow 30 days for a Clenbuterol positive that dates back to May 2, 2008.

Mine That Bird Looks 'Sharp' in Workout

Mine That Bird continued his progress toward the West Virginia Derby (gr. II) when he breezed four furlongs in :49 2/5 July 7 at Churchill Downs. The time was co-sixth fastest of the day among 66 horses working the distance over a fast track.

Borel No Longer Jockey for Mine That Bird

The storybook ride of Calvin Borel and Mine That Bird has come to an end, with the connections of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner now looking for a new jockey.

Mine That Bird in 'Easy' Half-Mile Breeze

In his first workout since finishing third in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), Mine That Bird went an easy half-mile in :51 at Churchill Downs on June 29 in preparation for his next start in the Aug. 1 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort. Jockey Calvin Borel was aboard for the breeze.

Evans Cites Benefits of Non-Racing Ventures

While Churchill Downs Incorporated will continue to focus on racing as its primary business, its ability to expand into more profitable ventures such as alternative gaming and concerts will be key to future growth.

Kentucky to Test Electronic Foal Paper System

In an effort to cut down on the number of scratches that occur because a horse's foal papers are not on file at a track where it is scheduled to run, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has approved a plan to test a system in which the papers are maintained electronically.

KY Commission Endorses Governor's VLT Plan

Citing threats to the state's racing and breeding industries from other states in which alternative gaming boosts purses and breeding programs, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission June 9 unanimously endorsed a plan for video lottery terminals at racetracks that was unveiled earlier in the day by Gov. Steve Beshear.

Darley Purchases Hot Sire Medaglia d'Oro

Medaglia d'Oro, the leading second-crop sire and one of the hottest sires in North America right now, has been purchased by Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation and has been relocated to Darley's farm near Lexington, it was announced June 5.

Lanzman Claims IEAH Breached Contract

David J. Lanzman Racing Stable has filed suit against IEAH Stables, claiming breach of contract in connection with IEAH's purchase of half-interest in I Want Revenge, the morning-line favorite for this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) who was scratched the day of the classic.

Goodrich on Board to Assist Team Borel

As hot jockey Calvin Borel rides a wave of media exposure, trainer-turned-money-manager Clint Goodrich is assisting him in sorting out appearance, book, and endorsement opportunities.

Borel: 'We're Going to Win' Belmont Stakes

An exuberant Calvin Borel expressed confidence that Mine That Bird will win the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) after working the diminutive gelding a half-mile in :50 on a warm, sunny June 1 morning at Churchill Downs.

Stewart Files Action Over Kentucky Suspension

Dr. Rodney Stewart, who was suspended five years by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for violating various medication violations including possession of cobra venom, has filed has filed an action in Franklin (Kentucky) Circuit Court.

It's a Bird Positive After Oaklawn Handicap

It's a Bird, winner of the Lone Star Handicap (gr. III) on Memorial Day, could lose the purse from his April 4 victory in the Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) as the result of a positive test for the prohibited substance naproxen, an anti-inflammatory medication.

It's a Bird Positive After Oaklawn Handicap

It's a Bird, winner of the Lone Star Handicap (gr. III) on Memorial Day, could lose the purse from his April 4 victory in the Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) as the result of a positive test for the prohibited substance naproxen, an anti-inflammatory medication.

Borel Works Mine That Bird; Mount Still Open

Jockey Calvin Borel, who is in the enviable position of being considered to ride the country's two best 3-year-olds in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), was aboard Monday, May 25 as Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird worked four furlongs in :51.

Rachel Alexandra Works; No Belmont Decision

Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexandra worked a half-mile in :50 1/5 over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs early May 25. Co-owner Jess Jackson explained that the filly is doing well but that no decision has been made over whether she will contest the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Preakness Filly Rachel Alexandra Works; No Belmont Decision

Preakness Stakes winner Rachel Alexandra worked a half-mile in :50 1/5 over a sloppy track at Churchill Downs early May 25. Co-owner Jess Jackson explained that the filly is doing well, but no decision has been made whether she will contest the June 6 Belmont Stakes.

The Day After: Still Raving About Rachel

One day after combining to win the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I), trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Calvin Borel were enthusiastic in their praise of the Rachel Alexandra.

Owner Jackson: It's Not About the Sexes

Horse owner and breeder Jess Jackson said May 13 that entering super filly Rachel Alexandra against males in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) is not a battle of the sexes but rather a sporting gesture designed to have the best horses racing against each other.

Churchill Dates Cut Approved; 'Crisis' Cited

Amid considerable discussion about a quickly developing crisis facing the state's racing industry, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission May 12 approved a request from Churchill Downs to eliminate seven racing dates from the current spring meet.

Friesan Fire Given Green Light for Preakness

Following a workout at Pimlico Racecourse on Tuesday, May 12, trainer Larry Jones reported that Friesan Fire is fit and ready for the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Kentucky Derby Winner Mine That Bird Breezes

Trainer Chip Woolley, who had said Mine That Bird would not have a workout prior to the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), called an audible and breezed the son of Birdstone at Churchill Downs on the morning of May 11.

Derby Overnight TV Rating: Best in 17 Years

NBC Sports' coverage of Mine That Bird's upset victory in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) earned a 10.2 overnight rating and 22 share during the 6-7 p.m. ET hour when the race was presented, according to data provided May 4 from Nielsen Media Research.

The Morning After: Basking in the Derby Glow

On a cool, wet May 3 morning in the barn area of Churchill Downs, the owners and trainer of Mine That Bird were basking in the limelight while still trying to absorb what had transpired the previous day when the 3-year-old gelding posted a stunning 6 3/4-length victory over Pioneerof the Nile in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Kentucky Derby Day Dawns Wet and Cool

Kentucky Derby day 135 dawned with a steady, sometimes heavy rain, and a temperature of 53 degrees in Louisville, Ky., on the morning of May 2.

Bullsbay Rides Rail for Alysheba Win

Bullsbay, a 5-year-old son of Tiznow, benefitted from a rail-skimming ride by Jeremy Rose to wear down Cool Coal Man and win the grade III Alysheba Stakes on the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 1 at Churchill Downs.

Square Eddie Out of Kentucky Derby

J. Paul Reddam's Square Eddie will not run in Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainer Doug O'Neill told The Blood-Horse early April 28.

Flying Private Works; Lukas Comfortable

D. Wayne Lukas, the dean of Kentucky Derby trainers with four winners from 42 previous starters, expressed confidence in Flying Private following the colt's four-furlong work in :47 2/5 April 27.

Pletcher Pleased With Works; Decision Tuesday

Trainer Todd Pletcher reported he was pleased with the April 27 workouts by three of his possible starters in the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), and said a decision on which would actually start in the classic would be made April 28.

Hold Me Back Shines in KY Derby Workout

As the sun rose over Churchill Downs April 26, WinStar Farm's Hold Me Back posted a solid workout as he continues to prepare for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Godolphin's Desert Party on Track for Derby

Desert Party was the second of two Godolphin Racing horses on the track at Churchill Downs April 25 to complete his works for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and his :59 3/5 timing for five furlongs was second only behind stablemate Regal Ransom's bullet work of :59 1/5.

Regal Ransom Zips Over Churchill Surface

Godolphin Racing's Regal Ransom showed his affinity for the Churchill Downs surface when the 3-year-old son of Distorted Humor zipped five furlongs in a bullet :59 1/5 April 25 in his final preparation for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Musket Man Continues Progress Toward Derby

Illinois Derby (gr. II) winner Musket Man continued his progress toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with a six-furlong workout in 1:14 4/5 at Churchill Downs April 25.

April 23 Hearing Set In Dutrow Case

A hearing has been scheduled for April 23 into trainer Rick Dutrow's appeal of a 15-day suspension from Kentucky stewards after his horse, Salute the Count, allegedly tested positive for an excessive amount of clenbuterol following a stakes race at Churchill Downs on May 2, 2008.

Charles Town Suspends Official, Jockeys

The clerk of scales and seven jockeys at Charles Town Races & Slots have been suspended and fined as a result of an investigation into riders competing with incorrect weight.

Stewart's Five-Year Suspension Upheld

A hearing officer has ruled that the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission acted properly when it handed a five-year suspension to veterinarian Dr. Rodney Stewart after cobra venom and other prohibited substances were found in a barn and in his truck at Keeneland in June 2007.

Racing Cutbacks at Two Kentucky Tracks

Facing the harsh realities posed by a weak economy and stiff competition from racetracks in nearby states with more lucrative purses boosted by alternative gaming, two Kentucky tracks April 7 received permission to cut their live race dates this year.

KHRC Panel Approves Helmet Regulation

A committee of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has approved a proposed regulation that would mandate safety helmets be worn by all licensed personnel--including exercise riders and trainers during morning training times--at all of the state's tracks.

Hooh Why Stuns Stardom Bound in Ashland

Stardom Bound, seeking her sixth consecutive grade I victory, was stunned by 24-1 shot Hooh Why in the $400,000 Ashland Stakes April 4 at Keeneland.

'Slight' Leg Injury Sidelines Beethoven

Trainer John Ward said Wednesday, March 25, that Beethoven had sustained a slight injury to his left front leg and will "be on sidelines for short period."

Heart Ashley Zips to Cicada Victory

Zayat Stable's Heart Ashley took the lead out of the gate and never looked back as the 3-year-old daughter of Lion Heart ran away with the $107,300 Cicada Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack on March 14.

Don't Forget Gil Turns Tables in Oaks

Alan Brodsky's Don't Forget Gil turned the tables on her two main rivals by drawing off to a convincing victory in the March 14 Florida Oaks (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs.

Catastrophic Injuries Spike at Turfway

After going a month with no fatalities, Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky was the site of five catastrophic injuries during an eight-day period in February, according to state veterinarian Bryce Peckham, DVM.

During his monthly report March 10 to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, Peckham said the fatalities occurred between Feb. 13 and Feb. 21...

Catastrophic Injuries Spike at Turfway

After going a month with no fatalities, Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky was the site of five catastrophic injuries during an eight-day period in February, according to state veterinarian Dr. Bryce Peckham.

Kentucky Racing Industry 'at Risk'

Representatives of two Kentucky Thoroughbred tracks said they will be forced to reduce racing dates due to declining economic conditions, with the owner of Ellis Park saying his track would not race in 2010 unless alternative gaming is legalized in the Bluegrass State.

Mulligan Listed as Critical but Stable

Mike Mulligan, a leading consignor at horse sales who was injured in a fall March 3, was listed in critical but stable condition at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida March 5.

Consignor Mulligan Hospitalized

Mike Mulligan, whose Leprechaun Racing sold the second-highest priced horse at the Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale of 2-year-olds in training March 3, was in the intensive care unit at Memorial General Hospital in Hollywood, Fla., the following day as a result of injuries he suffered in a fall.

Sky Mesa Back at Three Chimneys Farm

Sky Mesa, the 9-year-old stallion who had two operations related to a bout of colic, arrived back at Three Chimneys Farm Feb. 25 from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington and is on schedule to return to breeding around March 20.

Sky Mesa Undergoes Surgery for Colic

Sky Mesa, whose son General Quarters entered the Triple Crown picture with an upset victory in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) on Feb. 14, has been taken out of service after undergoing surgery for colic over the weekend. Colic is acute abdominal pain.

Godolphin Horses 1-2 in Dubai Prep

The Godolphin Racing duo of Desert Party and Vineyard Haven finished first and second Feb. 12 in the Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-III) at Nad al Sheba in Dubai as both colts continued on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).