Almost Famous breaks his maiden at Churchill Downs.
Photo: Reed Palmer/Churchill DownsTerry Hamilton's Heart to Heart is unbeaten in two turf starts at a mile this year and will bid for his first graded stakes win in the Jefferson Cup (gr. IIIT) Sept. 27 going that distance on the Churchill Downs lawn.
East Hall won the $300,000 Ohio Derby with a closing rush at Thistledown July 19, earning his first victory since a Nov. 24 allowance event at Gulfstream Park.
With a $300,000 purse, the 1 1/16-mile Ohio Derby has taken a step in the right direction in returning to the days when Lost Code, Broad Brush, Skip Away, Milwaukee Brew and Smarten graced the winner's circle.
A colt by Unbridled's Song was purchased by Chuck Sandford for $400,000 to be the top-priced offering during the first half of the yearling portion of the Fasig-Tipon Kentucky July sale in Lexington July 14.
Tapiture bounced back from his 15th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) in May with flair, scoring a convincing victory in the $109,400 Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III) June 14 at Churchill.
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Stephen Foster Handicap and Matt Winn Stakes. read blog
A pair of horses who earned graded stakes wins as juveniles will try to add to their resumes June 14 at Churchill Downs when Tapiture and Rise Up meet in the $100,000 Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III).
Susan Moulton's John Battaglia Memorial winner Solitary Ranger will attempt to become just the second horse to win that prep and the Spiral Stakes when he takes on 3-1 favorite Tamarando March 22 at Turfway Park.
With Cairo Prince and Honor Code sitting out the next leg of the Florida sophomore series on the road to the Kentucky Derby, the Feb. 22 Fountain of Youth attracted a strong 13-horse field led by Top Billing.
Almost Famous will make his next start in the Feb. 22 Fountain of Youth (gr. II); Honor Code returns to tab; Cairo Prince expected to breeze Feb. 15 while prepping for the Florida Derby (gr. I).
A stacked field of 3-year-olds are set to compete in the Holy Bull Stakes. Claire Novak and Frank Angst give their picks on who you need to watch and wager with in the race. watch video
Colt heads a stout field of 11 sophomore contenders in first start since Remsen for the 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull, a Jan. 25 event that drew the likes of undefeated Coup de Grace, Almost Famous, and Mr Speaker.
Dania Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) winner Mr Speaker breezed a half-mile at Payson Park the morning of Jan. 19 in preparation for a scheduled start in the upcoming $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.
While the finish figures to be more difficult to predict, on paper Almost Famous looks like he will be the early leader in the $150,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) Nov. 30 at Churchill Downs.
Besides giving thanks, eating turkey, and shopping this weekend, Churchill Downs hopes race fans find some time to think about next year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) contender Almost Famous worked three furlongs in :36 2/5 Nov. 21 at Churchill Downs, while Golden Rod (gr. II) candidate Canaryinacoalmine zipped five furlongs in 1:00 4/5.
| Trainer | Patrick B. Byrne |
|---|---|
| Jockey | Joseph Rocco, Jr. |
| Owner | Chuck and Maribeth Sandford LLC |
| Breeder | Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC |
| Almost Famous View Five-Cross Pedigree | Unbridled's Song | Unbridled |
| Trolley Song | ||
| Wild Gams | Forest Wildcat | |
| Diamonds and Legs |
| Sale / Hip | Type | Buyer | Consignor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEESEP2012 Hip 465 |
Yearling | Secure Investments | Warrendale Sales, agent for Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings | $75,000 |
| FTFFEB2013 Hip 85 |
Two-year-old | Charles Sandford | Secure Investments | $500,000 |
| Dortmund |
| Upstart |
| American Pharoah |
| Texas Red |
| Far Right |
| International Star |
| Itsaknockout |
| Rachel Alexandra |
| California Chrome |
| Far From Over |
