
Handle Declines on Kentucky Oaks Card
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.
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.
Just like the morning line suggested, bettors in the advance wagering have installed Big Brown as the favorite for Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Oaks/Derby daily double players make Big Brown favorite in Saturday's Derby.
Trainer Larry Jones scratched the filly Eight Belles from the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and then proceeded to win the race with Proud Spell.
Michael Cooper and Pamela Ziebarth's Kentucky homebred Tizdejavu made his sire, multiple champion Tiznow proud in posting a gate-to-wire victory as heavy rains continued in the May 2 Crown Royal American Turf (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs.
Steady rain and sloppy track conditions did nothing to dampen the fortunes of Stronach Stables and trainer Bobby Frankel when the 4-year-old homebred Giant Gizmo scored a come-from-behind victory in the $166,050 Alysheba Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, giving them their second graded stakes win on the May 2 card.
Hall of Fame trainer Frank Y. Whiteley Jr., 93, the trainer of Ruffian, died May 2.
Hall of Fame trainer Frank Yewell Whiteley Jr., the hard-nosed "Fox of Laurel" and conditioner of superstars Ruffian, Damascus, and Forego, died today in Camden, S.C.
Zayat Stables' Zee Zee zoomed to a front-running victory in the $168,600 Edgewood Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on a wet afternoon at Churchill Downs.
In a race named for Muhammed Ali's hometown, Ginger Punch delivers a knockout blow in easily taking the Louisville Stakes (gr. II) under the Twin Spires.
ReRun, the Thoroughbred adoption group, is having a Moneigh auction on Ebay that ends the day after the May 3 Kentucky Derby.
Tattersalls' second Guineas breeze-up sale in Newmarket, England, May 2 showed dramatic advances on the 2007 edition, helped by five six-figure lots.
This space will not focus too much on Big Brown or Colonel John. The comments and observations that follow are designed to help ferret out some elusive price horses, based on looks, works, and gallops.
Race favorite Mr. Nightlinger led from start to finish as he defeated seven rivals in the $100,000 Aegon Turf Sprint (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs May 2. Salute the Count checked in second, while Atticus Kristy came running late to grab third.
Final training moves and thoughts on Saturday's Kentucky Derby.
It's Oaks Day!
Declines in on-track wagering, a dispute with the New York Racing Association over signal fees, and horsemen's refusal to allow six major advance deposit wagering outlets to take its signal has led River Downs to cut purses 15%-18% effective May 8.
ReRun, the Thoroughbred adoption group, is offering a "Moneigh" auction on Ebay through May 4. The auction, titled "Old Timers and Legends," highlights pieces of equine-created artwork by Thoroughbred champions over the age of 20.
NetJets, Inc. announced May 2 that it will sponsor each jockey "running for the roses" at this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, held on Saturday, May 3, 2008.
Yesterday, a horse named Leigh McLovin ran second in her first start in a maiden special weight. That made us think of two things: McLovin...and McLovin.
The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission has proposed a rule whereby horses laid off for 180 days or more could be declared ineligible to be claimed.
With all of the contenders for Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) having undergone their final preparations, it was a relatively quiet day on the backside of Churchill Downs the morning of Friday, May 2.
Because of the dispute over simulcast fees and revenue, Calder Race Course will not offer wagering on the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), as well as all other races on the two programs.