Popular Churchill Downs-based jockey Calvin Borel, who swept this year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) aboard Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird, respectively, will be honored at Churchill Downs Nov. 21-22 with a bobblehead giveaway, autograph session, roast and his very own drink special.
4 days ago
The official event logos for Kentucky Derby 136 and Kentucky Oaks 136 were released Sept. 29 by Churchill Downs Incorporated, and officially licensed apparel and gifts items featuring the new marks are now available for purchase at www.TheDerbyStore.com.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Serte Equine's Mine That Bird, winner of the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), turned in a sharp four-furlong work July 20 in his final major training move at Churchill Downs prior to his scheduled run in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) Aug. 1 at Mountaineer.
Monday, July 20, 2009
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.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission reported May 11 that testing associated with this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) has been completed and there were no medication violations.
Monday, May 11, 2009
The morning after it was announced that powerhouse filly Rachel Alexandra had been sold to Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables and Harold T. McCormick, trainer Hal Wiggins went about his business as usual, in spite of the empty stall where the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner used to reside.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
The best story of Kentucky Derby weekend was 7-year old Rachel Mattson and Kentucky Oaks winner Rachel Alexandra.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Dolphus C. Morrison and Lamantia, Blackburn & Needham/Betz Thoroughbreds will be $100,000 richer as a result of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) wins by Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird, respectively.
Monday, May 04, 2009
West Point Thoroughbreds' Justwhistledixie, the morning-line second choice in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), was scratched from the race due to a foot abscess.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Customers of TVG will be able to wager on the Churchill Downs spring meet beginning May 1, it was announced in the early evening of April 30. The limited-term deal also includes wagering on the 2009 Arlington Park meet and Calder Race Course meet through Oct. 31.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
In the opinion of her breeder and co-owner, Dolphus Morrison, Kentucky Oaks morning-line favorite Rachel Alexandra "could have been competitive" in the Run for the Roses, but he said he "didn't have a fleeting thought" of running her against the boys.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
For the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), Lukas has not one, not two, but three fillies that are looking to take the lilies from overwhelming favorite Rachel Alexandra...or at least get a whiff of them by checking in second, third, or even fourth.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds is looking forward to simply enjoying the ride in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). And even though the pressure will be high on his filly Justwhistledixie, who will try to measure up against the heavy morning line favorite Rachel Alexandra, Finley is refusing to let himself get anxious about something he can't control.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Prior to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) post position draw the morning of April 28, Mike Rutherford, owner/breeder of Flying Spur, and Michael Lauffer, co-owner of Rachel Alexandra, discussed the chances of their fillies in the 1 1/8-mile, $500,000 race May 1.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Two 3-year-olds with excellent turf form hope to leave behind mediocre efforts on dirt and synthetic surfaces in the $150,000 American Turf Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the grass May 1 at Churchill Downs. But the field is contentious from top to bottom.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
NBC Universal and various affiliated networks will cover the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) over a variety of different programming and platforms in the days leading up to the race Saturday.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
In the past 25 years the female stars of Thoroughbred racing have taken many different avenues to reach the stage of their greatest victory in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Though her work was a bit fast for his taste, trainer Hal Wiggins was more than satisfied when his filly Rachel Alexandra made it back to the barn in good shape after zipping through a half-mile in :46 2/5 at Churchill Downs the morning of April 27.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Under exercise rider Joanna Trout, Flying Spur worked four furlongs in :48.40 and was timed in 1:01.80 galloping out another furlong.
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Horse Racing Radio Network will broadcast live from Churchill Downs beginning April 29 and provide 14 1/2 hours of Kentucky Derby week coverage.
Monday, April 27, 2009
L and M Partner's Rachel Alexandra, who figures to be the favorite for the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), galloped a mile and a half under exercise rider Rudy Gallegos shortly before 7 a.m. April 25 at Churchill Downs.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contender Fitz Just Right's chances of capturing the lilies came to a halt when a chip was discovered in her right front ankle following a half-mile workout the morning of April 24 at Keeneland.
Friday, April 24, 2009
L and M Partners' Rachel Alexandra continued to show her readiness for the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) by galloping a mile and a half under stout restraint from exercise rider Rudy Gallegos at Churchill Downs April 22.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Hooh Why, who won the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland April 4, remains at the Lexington track while co-owner Mark Hoffman decides where the filly will go next. Hoffman had planned to send Hooh Why to Churchill Downs to work April 19, but changed his mind because of heavy rains at the track that morning. Instead, he worked the filly April 20 at Keeneland, where she covered five furlongs in 1:00.20.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thomas Van Meter and Charles Kidder's Be Fair breezed five-eighths of a mile at Churchill Downs in a move that trainer D. Wayne Lukas described as "fantastic" the morning of April 20 over a track rated as sloppy with exercise rider Omar Golon up.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Stardom Bound, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2008, will have a new jockey when she attempts to get back on the winning track in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) in Eclipse Award winner Garrett Gomez.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Trainer Hal Wiggins was looking for an easy work April 16 at Churchill Downs for L & M Racing's Rachel Alexandra, the likely favorite for the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs May 1.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Rachel Alexandra, the probable $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) favorite who has dominated all three of her starts this season, will ship from Hot Springs, Ark. to Louisville, Ky. on April 8 to begin training at Churchill Downs, trainer Hal Wiggins said.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
She keeps winning so easily, it's difficult to gauge just how good Rachel Alexandra is. Her four rivals in the $245,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park didn't provide any answers April 5.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
The powerhouse duo of champion Stardom Bound and Rachel Alexandra figured to be the top stories in the only pool of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Oaks Future Wager of 2009, but it was rising star Justwhistledixie who stole the show and ended up as the favorite over that duo as four days of Oaks Future betting drew to a close Sunday evening.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The streaking Justwhistledixie continued to be a surprising favorite over the high-powered duo of reigning 2-year-old filly champion Stardom Bound and Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) winner Rachel Alexandra as Churchill Downs' 2009 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager headed into the last day of its four-day run.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The ESPN network has dropped its live coverage of the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs, but the race coverage will be shown on the Bravo network, which is owned by NBC.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Justwhistledixie, an easy winner of the Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park, was a surprise favorite over morning line choices Stardom Bound and Rachel Alexandra following the March 12 opening day of betting in Churchill Downs' 2009 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Churchill Downs, host of the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest breast cancer organization, have announced a partnership to raise funds to aid in breast cancer awareness and research.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
At the moment, trainer Hal Wiggins is resisting the temptation to seriously consider racing Rachel Alexandra against the boys. But, if the ultra-talented filly should put on another scintillating performance in the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) March 14, Higgins admits the plot would thicken.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Champion Stardom Bound, winner of five consecutive grade I stakes races, and rising star Rachel Alexandra, the heavy favorite for the March 14 $300,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) at Fair Grounds, are the narrowly separated top betting choices heading to this week's only pool of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
IEAH Stables, Paul Pompa Jr., Michael Dubb, and Golden Goose Enterprises' Stardom Bound, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2008 and winner of the Las Virgenes (gr. I) at Santa Anita in her 2009 debut, heads an impressive roster of 170 horses nominated to compete in the 135th running of the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), which will be run at Churchill Downs May 1.
Friday, February 27, 2009
With Kentucky Derby 135 only two months away, Churchill Downs has announced that online advance ticket sales for general admission and select reserved seats to the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and its companion event, the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), are now available for purchase at www.kentuckyderby.com/2009/tickets/buy.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Churchill Downs has unveiled a stakes schedule for its 2009 spring meet that is headed by the 135th renewals of the $2-million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). There will be 29 events with total purses of $7.575 million.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Don't tell Proud Spell's owner and breeder, Brereton C. Jones, that his bay filly isn't tough. Even though the daughter of Proud Citizen lacks size, Jones has seen plenty of evidence that she's one of the grittiest runners on the track today.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Dates for the three pools of Churchill Downs' 2009 Kentucky Derby and Oaks Future Wagers are set.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Lee Ann Shellman, who since 2003 has served as senior director of premium seating at Churchill Downs, is leaving the Kentucky racetrack. Her final day will be Dec. 31.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Churchill Downs Inc. for the first time has hired a marketing and communications company to promote the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), it was announced Dec. 16.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Churchill Downs is introducing a new experience called the "Infield Club" for the 135th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks (both gr. I) May 1 and 2, 2009, allowing fans the opportunity to enjoy the party atmosphere of the infield with an upgraded twist.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Churchill Downs racetrack announced Nov. 21 it will freeze most ticket prices for the 2009 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), allowing customers to purchase the majority of reserved seats and general admission at the same price levels offered in 2008.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Churchill Downs unveiled the official logos for Kentucky Derby 135 and its companion event, Kentucky Oaks 135, at the racetrack Nov. 1.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Not long after Curlin's majority owner Jess Jackson indicated the reigning Horse of the Year might show up at Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup after all, trainer Larry Jones stated that Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Proud Spell could be headed to California too. Jones, who previously said Proud Spell was unlikely for the Breeders' Cup, made the comments during a national media teleconference Sept. 16.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Perhaps feeling the effects of an ongoing dispute with horsemen over signal distribution, handle on the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) program was down about 7%, according to numbers released by the track.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Oaks/Derby daily double players make Big Brown favorite in Saturday's Derby.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Trainer Larry Jones scratched the filly Eight Belles from the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and then proceeded to win the race with Proud Spell.
Friday, May 02, 2008
