Arkansas Derby, Apple Blossom Handicap, Coolmore Jenny Wiley, Maker's 46 Mile, Oaklawn Handicap, Fantasy, Count Fleet Sprint Handicap, Ben Ali, Stonestreet Lexington, Northern Spur, Bachelor, Thor's Echo Handicap, Giant's Causeway, and more.
Despite facing pressure from Quip on the front end and drifting out in the lane, Magnum Moon proved best in the April 14 Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park to remain unbeaten in four starts.
As the Road to the Kentucky Derby heats up, each week we will take a look at three things to watch from the 3-year-old division as they head into that weekend's respective prep races.
April 14 is the last call for those looking to earn a trip to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
The connections of four horses being considered for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) will be watching the season's final two Road to the Kentucky Derby points races closely April 14.
Less than a year after saddling his first starter, Rodolphe Brisset found himself in the remarkable position of conditioning a leading contender on the Road to the Kentucky Derby when his trainee Quip won the Tampa Bay Derby (G2).
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
In the last major prep race for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Magnum Moon will aim to keep touting himself to masses when he and Solomini face seven others in the April 14 $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1).
Graded stakes winner Quip will scratch from the April 7 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland and will instead head to Oaklawn Park for a start in the Arkansas Derby (G1) April 14, trainer Rodolphe Brisset said.
A strong six-furlong move in 1:13 1/5 by Justify April 2 at Santa Anita Park proved enough for trainer Bob Baffert to fully commit to having the son of Scat Daddy make his stakes debut in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1) April 7.
The "most likely and most logical spot" for Robert and Lawana Low's Magnum Moon is the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 14 at Oaklawn Park, trainer Todd Pletcher said following the unbeaten colt's impressive victory in the Rebel Stakes (G2).
Next-race plans are pending for My Boy Jack, who was to be flown to his Southern California base Feb. 21 following a dominant performance in the $500,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds Feb. 19 at Oaklawn Park.
Charles J. Cella, longtime president and chairman of the board of the Oaklawn Jockey Club, died Dec. 6 of complications from Parkinson's disease. According to his sons John and Louis Cella, Cella was at home in St. Louis, surrounded by family.
There is no doubt the greatness was there with Classic Empire. And there is no doubt it was confronted by enough obstacles to prevent it from fully surfacing. But it did on occasion manage to trickle out, to show the world what might have been.
Marker's 46 Mile, Coolmore Jenny Wiley, Arkansas Derby, Apple Blossom, Oaklawn Handicap, Stonestreet, Ben Ali, Appalachian, Fantasy, Los Angeles, Count Fleet Sprint Handicap, Lion City Handicap, Prix Vanteaux, Singapore Turf Club, Bachelor and more.
Trainer Miguel Hernandez said Conquest Mo Money came out of the Arkansas Derby (G1) well and that he and owner Tom McKenna will discuss whether to pay the $200,000 for a supplemental nomination to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
Instead of listening to outside noise, Mark Casse heeded what his champion charge was telling him. And when the rubber hit the road in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 15, the Hall of Fame finalist's instincts where proven dead-on accurate.
Classic Empire let his actions silence some of the doubts that had mounted since February when he surged past Conquest Mo Money and Malagacy in late stretch to capture the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. This week we have the final preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) at Oaklawn Park and Keeneland.
Just like 2015 with Far Right and Whitmore last year, trainer Ron Moquett is trying to get to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with only one candidate—Arkansas Derby (G1) contender Petrov.
At this point, handicappers can be excused for being a trifle gun-shy when it comes to evaluating this crop of 3-year-olds, simply because the most consistent thing about them has been their inconsistency.
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park.
This week's "Look Back" feature is a stakes report of the 1968 Arkansas Derby won by Nodouble, who would go on to earn a classic placing by finishing third in the Preakness Stakes.
Thanks to lack of the clarity on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, Classic Empire could bring the hype full circle back to him should the 8-5 morning-line favorite prevail in the Arkansas Derby against 11 others.
Mike Langford has campaigned two millionaires, but it's a horse with $256,800 in earnings under the care of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen that the Jonesboro, Ark., owner calls his most talented runner to date.
Although L and N Racing didn't start its first horse until June 2015, the partnership has already hit a home run in Lookin At Lee, who was purchased for $70,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale.
WinStar Farm, China Horse Club, and SF Racing's undefeated One Liner is out indefinitely and will miss his planned start in the April 15 Arkansas Derby (G1) and is off the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) trail.
John Oxley's reigning juvenile champion Classic Empire turned in his final serious drill in advance of his expected run in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1), breezing an easy half-mile in :50 at Winding Oaks Farm in Ocala the morning of April 8.
John Oxley's reigning juvenile champion Classic Empire worked April 3 at Winding Oaks Farm in Ocala, Fla. in preparation for his anticipated start in the Arkansas Derby (G1) April 15 at Oaklawn Park.
Following a strong five-furlong work March 28 at Winding Oaks Farm near Ocala, Fla., the connections of Classic Empire set the Arksansas Derby (G1) as the next target for last year's champion juvenile male.
Uncontested will likely make his next start in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 15 at Oaklawn Park, co-owner Harry Rosenblum said Feb. 22.
Creator, the 3-year-old colt by Tapit who won the 2016 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and Arkansas Derby (gr. I), has been sold by WinStar Farm and Bobby Flay to the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association.
This week we take a closer look at Creator, winner of the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) on April 16 at Oaklawn Park.
Victor Espinoza has committed to ride Whitmore in the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), co-owner Harry Rosenblum said April 20.
A gray son of Tapit romped in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) April 16 at Oaklawn Park, but it wasn't the one many expected.
The Owners Concierge will be onsite to help Oaklawn provide hospitality to owners and their connections.
On April 9th the last two prep races for the 2016 Kentucky Derby will be held, and the field for the 142nd running of the "Run for the Roses" will be more-or-less established.
Claire Novak and Ellis Starr preview the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) featuring American Pioneer, Cupid, Whitmore, Creator, and Gettysburg. Includes a special offer for THS viewers. Sponsored by Equibase.
For trainer Ron Moquett, a win by Whitmore in the April 16 Arkansas Derby (gr. I) would be more than a successful step toward the first Saturday in May—it would mean reclaiming a hometown race that outside trainers have won the past four years.
Another year, another Arkansas Derby (gr. I) where trainer Bob Baffert has the favorite in the $1 million race at Oaklawn Park. This year, the choice is Rebel (gr. II) winner Cupid.
"When you have a horse like Mor Spirit and Cupid that could be competitive, there's a little hope, a little dream there," the trainer said. "But you still have to get there, just get in that gate."
Dazzling Gem, most recently third in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) will be entered in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) and is probable for the 1 1/8-mile race at Oaklawn Park, trainer Brad Cox said April 10.
The champion racemare remains on track for the April 16 Apple Blossom (gr. I), while Whitmore moved closer to his scheduled start in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) on the same day.
Under regular rider Luis Quinonez, the Mineshaft gelding went a half-mile in :48 4/5 April 1 at Oaklawn Park, his first work back since a troubled fifth in the March 19 Rebel Stakes (gr. II).
Pennsylvania-bred Tisdale, owned by Harlow Stables, won an entry-level allowance race March 26 at Oaklawn Park and could resurface in a stakes, perhaps the April 16 Arkansas Derby (gr. I).
Romping maiden winner, late Triple Crown nominee, could run April 16 in grade I.
The final three weeks of racing will at Oaklawn Park this season will feature the highest purses in its history, the Arkansas racetrack announced March 23.
Thirteen are probable for Oaklawn race, including Hopeful (gr. I) winner Ralis and Southwest (gr. III) victor Suddenbreakingnews.
Grade I winner Ralis will make his 3-year-old debut in the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) March 19 at Oaklawn Park, trainer Doug O'Neill said March 8.
Trainer Donnie Von Hemel said Pin Oak Stable's Synchrony will "more than likely" make his next start in the $500,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 15 at Oaklawn Park.
