BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Churchill Trainers React to June 22 Tornado

On June 23 workers began the task of accounting for all the horses under their care and cleaning up damage caused by a tornado the night before at Churchill Downs.

Injured Archarcharch Retired, Owner Says

Owner Bob Yagos said Archarcharch has been retired from racing after fracturing his left front leg during the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Annual Derby Trainers' Dinner a Big Hit

Jinks Fires, Kathy Ritvo, and the duo of Todd Pletcher and Mike Repole were among the highlights at the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' trainers' dinner, an annual event held on the Tuesday leading up to the Derby.

Archarcharch's Gallop Goes Down as a Workout

Trainer Jinks Fires sent the Arkansas Derby winner to the track at Churchill Downs on the morning of May 3 for what he described as a strong gallop.

Archarcharch Sizzles Five Panels at Churchill

Arkansas Derby (gr. I) winner Archarcharch blitzed through his final Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) work on Friday, April 29 at Churchill Downs.

Podcast: Talkin' Horses with Jinks Fires

Jinks Fires answers questions about Archarcharch, Jon Court, the Derby, and more.

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Archarcharch, Nehro Heading for Louisville

Archarcharch and Nehro, first and second, respectively in the $1 million Arkansas Derby April 16, are both destined for the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 7, according to their connections.

Ky. Derby Featured Profile: Archarcharch

Next stop Louisville for the Arkansas Derby winner.

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Longshot Archarcharch Wins Arkansas Derby

The parade of longshots to win major Kentucky Derby trail prep races continued April 16 when Archarcharch came from off the pace to win the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park.

Ky. Derby Trail: Fallen Arches

Archarcharch, a contender despite dropping off Future Wager.

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Archarcharch Gets Back to Work

Southwest Stakes (gr. III) winner Archarcharch posted his first workout since finishing third in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) March 29 at Oaklawn Park.

Rebel Contenders Show Up on Oaklawn Work Tab

With just under two weeks until the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II), several leading contenders based at Oaklawn Park posted workouts March 6.

Rebel Likely Next for Top Southwest Finishers

Two days after a rough running of the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park on Presidents' Day, connections for the top four finishers are making tentative plans to join the next dance in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II).

Spotsgone Tries to Repeat in Hanshin Cup

This time one year ago, Robert Yagos' Spotsgone was sent off at odds of 81-1 in the $100,000 Hanshin Cup Handicap (gr. III). In the 2008 edition to be held May 24 at Arlington Park, the son of Bright Launch was installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Of course, the drastic change in odds may have a little something to do with Spotsgone lighting up the toteboard with a $165 mutual in last year's edition.

Fires Wires Hanshin Cup With 81-1 Spotsgone

Robert Yagos' Spotsgone broke on the lead for Hall of Fame jockey Earlie Fires and never looked back en route to a 2 1/4-length victory over 6-5 favorite Lewis Michael in the $100,000 Hanshin Cup (gr. III) on Saturday at Arlington Park.

First U.S. Winner for Officer at Churchill Downs

Officer was represented by his first winner in the United States on May 21 at Churchill Downs when his first-crop 2-year-old colt Run Alex Run defeated a $46,500 maiden special field.

Friends, Colleagues Reflect on Harthill's Life

When Dr. Alex "Doc" Harthill died July 16 at a Louisville, Ky. hospice of complications from pneumonia and a stroke at age 80, it marked the end of an era in veterinary medicine at Churchill Downs. Some of those within the racing community who knew him best reflect on Harthill's career.

Wildcat Shoes Retired With Sesamoid Injury

Patricia Blass' homebred Wildcat Shoes, who set a Churchill Downs track record at five furlongs in his last start, has been retired with a sesamoid injury, trainer William "Jinks" Fires said Wednesday.