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Krigger Aims for Derby History on Goldencents

Propped up inside jockey Kevin Krigger's locker at Churchill Downs is a photo dating back more than a century. Staring back at him is Jimmy Winkfield, the last black jockey to win the Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby - Rick Pitino and Goldencents

Rick Pitino comments on the backside of Churchill Downs about his Kentucky Derby contender Goldencents.

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Rick's Roll: Everything's Coming Up Roses

From the pages of The Blood-Horse, Lenny Shulman profiles 2-time NCAA champion Rick Pitino, co-owner of Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) entrant Goldencents.

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O'Neill Returns in Search of Another Derby

With last year's Kentucky Derby victory of I'll Have Another still fresh in their minds, members of Team O'Neill were back at Churchill Downs the morning of April 28 in search of a repeat performance with Goldencents.

Goldencents Surprises in Santa Anita Derby

Goldencents was on top of his game April 6, turning back even-money choice Flashback to capture the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and handing trainer Doug O'Neill consecutive wins in the important West Coast test.

Goldencents Runs True for Sham Stakes Triumph

Odds-on favorite Goldencents got his start on the Triple Crown trail off to a solid start with a 1 1/2-length victory in the $100,000 Sham Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 5 at Santa Anita Park.

Goldencents' Season Gets Started for O'Neill

The Triple Crown season at Santa Anita Park begins Jan. 5 with the Sham Stakes (gr. III) led by Goldencents, recent winner of the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III) and runner-up in the Champagne Stakes (gr. I).

Breeders' Cup to Honor Eight Celebrity Fans

Ambassadors include Bobby Flay, Bo Derek, Elizabeth Banks, Toby Keith, Jim Rome, Joe Torre, Laure Bell Bundy, Rick Pitino, Rob Dyrdek, and Wes Welker.

The Groom Is Red, Yankee Victor Die

The Groom Is Red and Yankee Victor, both grade I winners in New York, died in the Republic of Korea.

Buffalo Man to New Zealand

Graded stakes winner Buffalo Man has been sold to stand at Totara Park Stud near Whangarei, New Zealand.

Ky Derby Trail: Is Pyro Really Too Slow?

Despite being ranked No. 1 or 2 on just about every Derby poll, Pyro, for some reason, has been branded by many a slow horse and simply the best of a bad lot. Yes, the pace in his two starts this year has been slow, and his final times have not exactly set the Fair Grounds teletimer aflame, but is this horse really as slow as many of the experts say he is?

Appleton: Buffalo Man Gets it Done

The 4-year-old El Prado colt stalked the pace and wore down the leader Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

Buffalo Man Hopes to Regain Form

Though making just his second start since February, Ontario-bred Buffalo Man could be the one to beat in the $100,000 Discovery Handicap (gr. III) Nov. 24 at Aqueduct.

Eight Inducted into Hall of Fame Aug. 6

Eight legendary figures from the Thoroughbred industry were inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Aug. 6, as University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino gave the keynote address at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion.

Racing Celebs to Raise Money for Backside Education

Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel and trainer Carl Nafzger are among the celebrity bartenders who will take part in a fundraising event supporting the Backside Learning Center and the Race for Education to be held at the Kentucky Derby Museum next to Churchill Downs following the running of the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) Saturday.

Derby Museum Hosts Benefit 'Happy Hour' June 16 at Churchill Downs

The Equine Wellness Foundation will present a post-race "Happy Hour" following the June 16 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) in support of the Klein Family Learning Center and The Race for Education, the Kentucky Derby Museum announced June 7.

Buffalo Man Takes Another Step Toward Triple Crown in OBS Championship

Triple Crown nominee Buffalo Man scored by 1 1/2 lengths in the $100,000 colt and gelding division of the OBS Championship Stakes Monday in Central Florida.

Buffalo Man, After Bad Draw, to Skip Risen Star

Trainer Cam Gambolati said Spectacular Bid Stakes winner Buffalo Man would stay in Florida for Monday's $100,000 OBS Championship in Ocala rather than travel to New Orleans for Saturday's $300,000 Risen Star (gr. III) at Fair Grounds.

Buffalo Man Prevails in Spectacular Bid

Buffalo Man kicked off his 3-year-old season successfully at Gulfstream Park Sunday, taking the lead at the top of the stretch and prevailing by one length in the $77,750 Spectacular Bid.

A P Valentine Represented by First Winner

Grade I winner A P Valentine was represented by his first winner Sunday when Higgie, a 2-year-old filly, broke her maiden at first asking in Monmouth Park's first race.

Undefeated River's Prayer Faces Eight in Landaluce

Unbeaten River's Prayer, a 3 1/2-length winner of the June 4 Cinderella Stakes as the odds-on favorite, figures to draw heavy support again on Saturday when facing eight rival 2-year-old fillies in Hollywood Park's $100,000 Landaluce Stakes at six furlongs.

Better Talk Now Added to River City Lineup

Better Talk Now, winner of the Knickerbocker (gr. II) at Aqueduct last time out, has arrived at Churchill Downs to run in Sunday's $150,000-added River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-olds and up.

Della Francesca Takes Belmont BC 'Cap; Volponi Still Winless

Volponi needed a victory Saturday, but his connections weren't counting on having to beat 16-1 Della Francesca in the $209,600 Belmont Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IIT).

It's Awesome Baby for Vitale, Pitino

Awesome Baby, making his first start for owners Dick Vitale, the voice of college basketball on ESPN, and Rick Pitino, coach of the University of Louisville's men's basketball team, won his debut in a maiden special weight race for 2-year-olds at Calder Race Course Friday.

Halory Hunter Arrives at McMahon of Saratoga

Grade II winner Halory Hunter (Jade Hunter -- Halory, by Halo) arrived at Joe and Anne McMahon's McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds on Feb. 12 to stand the 2003 breeding season.

Moon Solitaire, Dr. Kashnikow Duel in River City

Gainsborough Farm's Moon Solitaire, a European import who has exceeded expectations this year while competing against many of the finest turf horses in North America, faces defending winner Dr. Kashnikow and 10 other rivals in the $150,000-added River City Handicap (gr. III) Sunday at Churchill Downs.

Churchill Downs Race Report: Fall Hues

The motif was unmistakably red at Churchill Downs for the 28th running of the Cardinal Handicap (gr. IIIT) Nov. 10. Besides the bird of that color, University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino, the state's most famous Cardinal, was on hand signing autographs for the faithful. The color scheme didn't last for the race's finish, however, when the familiar hue of Claiborne Farm's orange flashed across the wire on the back of its homebred filly Watch.

Blue Grass Winner Halory Hunter Moving to Iowa

Halory Hunter, who won the 1998 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. II) for the Celtic Pride Stable of basketball coach Rick Pitino, is being moved for the 2002 breeding season from William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Ky., to Wade and Fred Feuring's Rockin River Ranch in Winterset, Iowa.

The Sporting World Converges at Churchill

The Derby scene Thursday: Coach Rick Pitino cast as "owner" Pitino...NFL hopes Congaree goes long...Darby vs. Derby.

Zito Eyes Schedule for A P Valentine; Florida Derby Out

Almost immediately after A P Valentine's third-place finish in an allowance race Feb. 17, trainer Nick Zito began having second thoughts about running him in the Florida Derby. Now that he's officially ruled it out, it's time for him to begin making alternate plans.