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KY Derby Points System Launches Sept. 29

The revamped "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series kicks off Sept. 29 with points awarded to the top four finishers in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge (Eng-II) at Newmarket and the FrontRunner Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park.

Little Mike, Silver Max Work for Engagements

Trainer Dale Romans sent Arlington Million (gr. IT) winner Little Mike and stablemate Silver Max through works at Churchill Downs Sept. 22, preparing the turf contenders for upcoming starts in New York and Kentucky.

2013 Kentucky Derby, Oaks Logos Unveiled

Churchill Downs has released the official logos for the 2013 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and has begun selling merchandise featuring the new logos.

Jockey Club Gold Cup Contenders, Others Work

It was a busy morning for top-tier workers in New York and Kentucky Sept. 15, as Ron the Greek, Flat Out, Atigun and Golden Ticket turned in upstate moves at Saratoga while Dullahan and Little Mike did the same at Churchill.

Codere Signs Alliance with United Tote

In a move to provide future expansion at tracks in Latin America, international gaming company Codere announced the signing of a strategic alliance agreement with United Tote Sept. 13.

KY Dates Requests Could Be Controversial

Churchill Downs could apply for live racing dates in September 2013, opening the door to what could be controversial discussions over the future makeup of the Kentucky Thoroughbred racing circuit.

Shackleford to Miss Forego

Multiple grade I winner Shackleford will not run in the $500,000 Forego Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course Sept. 1, trainer Dale Romans said the morning of the race.

Calder Begins Tropical Meet; Purses May Rise

Calder Casino & Race Course will open its annual Tropical Meet on Sept. 1, and over its 65 race days will have six graded stakes and 15 other stakes with purses of $100,000 or higher.

ROAP Certificate Program at Arlington Park

The inaugural certificate program offered by the Racing Officials Accreditation Program is scheduled for Sept. 28-29 at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Ill.

Kentucky Tries to Reduce Fatalities

The veterinary staff of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has added some additional protocols to its operations in an effort to cut down on the number of equine fatalities at the state's tracks.

Churchill Increases Kentucky Downs Investment

Churchill Downs Inc. has invested at least an additional $1 million in Kentucky Downs, the track in South Central Kentucky that has reaped millions in revenues from Instant Racing machines introduced last fall.

Reduced Clark 'Cap Heads Churchill Fall Meet

The Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) heads a schedule of 12 stakes races with total purses of $1.8 million set for the Oct. 28-Nov. 25 fall meet at Churchill Downs, but the purse will be reduced.

David Lehr New Churchill Track Superintendent

Churchill Downs has appointed David Lehr track superintendent and senior director of track surfaces, a post he will assume immediately.

'Mansion' Replaces Media Center at Churchill

A planned new venue at Churchill Downs will replace the area that has largely served as the track's media center since 2005, it was announced July 31.

Stealcase Works Way into Haskell Lineup

After working five furlongs July 22 at Saratoga Racecourse, John C. Oxley's Stealcase has been added to the field for the $1 million Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at Monmouth Park.

Hearing Set on Veitch's Appeal of Suspension

A Kentucky Circuit Court judge has scheduled a hearing on former chief Kentucky racing steward John Veitch's request for the court to reverse his one-year suspension stemming from the Life At Ten case.

Dullahan Remains on Course for Haskell

Trainer Dale Romans says Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) winner Dullahan remains right on schedule to make his next start in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) July 29.

Arlington Park Handle, Purses Spike

A number of initiatives, including a refocused marketeting plan and working with other Chicago area teams and companies, has led to a resurgence in business at Arlington Park, one of North America's most iconic racetracks.

Kentucky Reaping Benefits of Instant Racing

When Kentucky Downs conducts its short, all-turf meet in September, it will offer some of the most lucrative purses in the Bluegrass State this year, thanks to the success of Instant Racing.

Big Reward - by Evan Hammonds

Evansville, Ind., native lights up the Churchill Downs meeting with Guys Reward

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Injured Velazquez Continuing to Heal

Jockeys' Guild chairman John Velazquez announced July 9 that he is continuing to heal from a spill in June at Churchill Downs and expects to begin exercising horses in about a week.

Churchill Downs Spring Meet Handle Declines

After posting record wagering on this year's Kentucky Derby and Oaks, the 38-day spring meet at Churchill Downs ended with a 3.31% decline in total and average daily handle.

Economic Indicators: Healthy Gains in June

North American racing continues on its road to recovery from the economic downturn as pari-mutuel handle, purses, and race days all posted healthy gains for the month of June, according to Equibase.

Churchill Gives Nearly $200,000 to Charities

Churchill Downs has presented checks totaling nearly $200,000 to fundraising partners who joined the track in the celebrations of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) Friday, May 4, and the third annual "Taste of Derby" party May 3.

Guys Reward Sparkles in Soggy Firecracker Win

Guys Reward, stalking three wide into the stretch on a soggy Churchill Downs turf course, drew clear approaching the furlong pole to win the closing night Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) by two lengths July 1.

Unbeaten Circle Unbroken Takes Bashford Manor

Circle Unbroken survived an objection after turning in a game performance in the $109,800 Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) to remain unbeaten June 30 at Churchill Downs.

Lanerie Wraps Up First Churchill Riding Title

After finishing second in the jockey standings in three of the last four racing meets at Churchill Downs, veteran Corey Lanerie has clinched his first local riding title to cap off a phenomenal spring stand.

Sellers Injures Shoulder in Churchill Fall

Jockey Shane Sellers was still experiencing pain in his right shoulder the morning after he was injured in a fall in the ninth race at Churchill Downs and taken to Norton Audubon Hospital in Louisville June 29.

Japan's Fukunaga Launches Summer Tour

Leading Japanese jockey Yuichi Fukunaga will ride the weekend of June 30-July 1 at Churchill Downs before launching a summer engagement at Southern California tracks.

Turallure Towers Over Firecracker Field

Four D Stable's homebred Turallure seeks his first win of 2012 in the $150,000 Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) July 1 at Churchill Downs, taking on five other older turf contenders as the 122-pound highweight.

Evening Cards for Remainder of Churchill Meet

Churchill Downs officials will adjust post times and race exclusively in the evening for the final three days of the 2012 spring meet due to looming near-record triple-digit heat in the forecast for Louisville.

Churchill Downs Cancels Racing for June 28

Churchill Downs has canceled live racing for June 28 because of predicted triple-digit temperatures.

Winner's Circle - Miles Ahead

There is some kind of solid connection among A. Stevens Miles Jr., his horses, and his hometown of Louisville.

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Blueeyesintherein Perfect in Debutante Stakes

Blueeyesintherein kept her young record a perfect two-for-two when she won the $112,200 Debutante Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs June 23, giving trainer Gary Simms a second consecutive Debutante score.

Haskell Targeted as Dullahan Returns to Work

Dullahan and Shackleford were among the stars from trainer Dale Romans' barn that posted published workouts at Churchill Downs June 23.

Tiz Wonderful Sires First Winner

Spendthrift Farm stallion Tiz Wonderful sired the first winner from his debut crop when 2-year-old filly Scammony earned an impressive debut victory in a $57,000 maiden special weight June 21 at Churchill Downs.

No Surgery on Collarbone for Jockey Velazquez

Velazquez will not require surgery on a broken right collarbone sustained in a June 16 riding accident at Churchill Downs, according to a medical update issued June 21 by the jockey's wife.

Wide Open Debutante at Churchill Lures 10

Eight of the 10 contestants in the Debutante Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs June 23 broke their maidens in their last start.

Jockey Velazquez Released from Hospital

Belmont Stakes-winning rider heads back to New York June 19 after suffering broken collarbone, traumatic blow to kidney at Churchill Downs in June 16 spill.

Talking Points - by Eric Mitchell

New Derby trail is better than the graded system, but there is room for improvement.

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Jockey Velazquez Breaks Collarbone in Spill

Jockey John Velazquez broke his right collarbone and will require surgery following a three-horse spill June 16 in the ninth race at Churchill Downs.

Royal Delta Cruises by 8 in Fleur de Lis

Royal Delta returns to the scene of her Breeders' Cup triumph last fall and wins the Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II) by eight lengths.

Ron the Greek Rides Rail to Foster Surprise

Ron the Greek, charging through the stretch along the inside, came from off the pace to nip odds-on favorite Wise Dan at the wire in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) under the lights at Churchill Downs June 16.

Neck 'n Neck Romps in Matt Winn

Neck 'n Neck came through with his second straight win at Churchill Downs when he captured the Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds by 7 1/4 lengths over Stealcase.

Centre Court Steps Up Game in Regret Stakes

The 3-2 favorite in a field of 11 3-year-old turf fillies, the bay daughter of Smart Strike got her first graded win.

Unlocking Winners: Night Racing at Churchill

Handicapping the all-stakes pick 4 at Churchill Downs.

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Master Rick Back to Two Turns in Matt Winn

Richard Davis' Master Rick, far back in the one-turn Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) in his last start May 12, returns to two turns at Churchill Downs June 16 in the $100,000 Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds.

KY Vets Develop Plan for At-Risk Racehorses

An increase in the number of fatal racing injuries in May led Kentucky regulatory veterinarians to devise ways to better identify at-risk horses.

Churchill Revamps Derby Qualifying System

Churchill Downs announced major changes in the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" and Kentucky Oaks June 14, with a points system that rewards top finishes in selected races from this fall through the 2013 edition of the classics.

Horsemen React to New Derby Qualifying System

Trainers and owners share mixed opinions on the points-based system that will be implemented this fall for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks in 2013, but all agree the newly-announced system could use some tweaking.