Coaching Club Likely Next for Acorn Runner-Up Salty
The 1 1/8-mile Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) was tabbed by trainer Mark Casse as Salty's upcoming target following her five-furlong breeze in 1:00 1/5 at Churchill Downs July 7.
Churchill Downs
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Churchill Downs
Despite Late Night, Polk Enjoys Sunny Skies
The 2-year-old daughter of Animal Kingdom became the first stakes winner for her sire June 30 in the $100,000 Debutante Stakes around 10:30 p.m. EDT, and Normandy Farm owner Polk, also Sunny Skies' breeder, was on hand.
Haskell Likely Next for McCraken
Multiple graded stakes winner McCraken recorded a half-mile breeze in :49 3/5 at Churchill Downs July 1 in preparation for a likely start in the July 30 betfair.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park, trainer Ian Wilkes said.
Ten City Bests Copper Bullet in Bashford Manor
The $100,000 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) June 30 at Churchill Downs featured a pair of short-priced favorites and a pair of disparate trips.
Copper Bullet Out to Build Reputation in Bashford Manor
Just how far ahead of the curve Copper Bullet is will get a litmus test June 30 when the bay colt breaks from post 5 for the $100,000 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) on the closing night of the Churchill Downs spring/summer meeting.
Finley'sluckycharm Makes it Three in a Row in Chicago
Finley'sluckycharm extended her stakes winning streak to three in a row and picked up her second graded win when she ran gate to wire in the $100,000 Chicago Handicap (G3) June 24 at Churchill Downs.
The Player to Return on Churchill's Closing Night
The Player, unraced since he finished second in last year's Indiana Derby (G2), is slated to make his 4-year-old debut in the Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes on closing night of the Churchill Downs spring/summer meet June 30.
Finley'sluckycharm Highweight for Chicago Handicap
Carl Moore Management's female sprinter Finley'sluckycharm will attempt to remain unbeaten at Churchill Downs when she concedes 6-10 pounds to 12 rivals in the June 24 running of the Chicago Handicap (G3) for fillies and mares.
Father's Day Holds Special Place for Simms Team
For trainers Garry and Zack Simms, Father's Day holds a special meaning for the father-son team since Garry was diagnosed with cancer nearly eight years ago.
Asmussen Relishes Gun Runner's Foster Romp
Trainer Steve Asmussen was still beaming the morning of June 18 following Gun Runner's stellar seven-length victory in Saturday night's $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Sweeping Paddy Earns First Stakes Win in Regret
Sweeping Paddy tracked the early leaders before he launched a four-wide move in the stretch to take over and quickly drew away for a 3 1/2-length win over 5-2 favorite Proctor's Ledge in the $100,000 Regret Stakes (G3T) June 17 at Churchill Downs.
Gun Runner Powers to Easy Stephen Foster Win
In his first start since finishing second in the March 25 Dubai World Cup (G1), Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's Gun Runner drew off in the stretch for an easy victory in the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) June 17 at Churchill Downs.
Forever Unbridled Makes Triumphant Return
Running for the first time since a third behind Beholder and Songbird in the Nov. 4 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), the 5-year-old took down her rivals with a strong late rally in the $200,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap (G2).
Kasaqui Ends Six-Race Skid With Decisive Wise Dan Score
Unleashing a sustained rally entering the far turn, Kasaqui (ARG) carried that momentum to the finish to post a 2 3/4-length victory in the $200,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) June 17 on the turf at Churchill Downs.
McCraken Back to His Old Self in Matt Winn
The McCraken that inspires confidence from trainer Ian Wilkes is the one that showed up in the June 17 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, unleashing his typical kick after ranging up on the final turn en route to a 2 1/4-length triumph.
Stephen Foster Card Filled With Intriguing Longshots
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps three Saturday stakes races at Churchill Downs.
Humphrey Named Honor Guest for TCA Testimonial Dinner
Thoroughbred owner and breeder and current chairman of Churchill Downs Inc. G. Watts Humphrey Jr. will be Honor Guest at the Thoroughbred Club of America's 2017 testimonial dinner Sept. 29 at Keeneland Race Course.
Sophomore Fillies Look to Make the Grade in Regret
Sweeping Paddy and Proctor's Ledge are set to rematch June 17 at Churchill Downs in the $100,000 Regret Stakes Presented by Cox's Smokers Outlets (G3T) against a well-matched field of 12 3-year-old fillies.
Look Back: Street Cry Rolls to Stephen Foster Victory
This week is the race recap of 2002 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) won by Street Cry. The story, written by Lenny Shulman, carried the headline, "Street Song." The story ran in the June 22, 2002 issue of The Blood-Horse.
Forever Unbridled to Return in Fleur de Lis
Multiple grade 1 winner and last year's Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) third place finisher Forever Unbridled is scheduled to return after seven months in the $200,000 Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs June 17.
Pleuven Looks for Repeat in Wise Dan
Trainer Phil Sims would just as soon have the Turtle Bowl gelding keeps things simple on June 17 by duplicating the same effort in Saturday's $200,000 Wise Dan Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs that earned him the victory in the test one year ago.
McCraken Faces Short Field in Matt Winn at Churchill
McCraken, who went from highly thought of to an afterthought after losses in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), looks to get his confidence back in the Matt Winn Stakes.
Gun Runner Eyes Triumphant Homecoming in Stephen Foster
Gun Runner is set to make his first start since finishing second to champion Arrogate in the March 25 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), and looms as the overwhelming favorite in the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1).
Gun Runner Solid in Final Stephen Foster Move
Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys' Gun Runner put in a half-mile work June 12 in his final preparation for the June 17 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Belmont First Triple Crown Race Simulcast in Japan
While the scratch of Epicharis (JPN) impacted the amount of money wagered, the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 10 at Belmont Park still became the first United States classic simulcast into Japan.
Dona Bruja Runs Down Believe in Bertie in Mint Julep
Odds-on favorite Believe in Bertie did all of the work in the $100,000 Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap (G3), but was unable to hold off a late surge from Dona Bruja (ARG) in the final strides.
Believe in Bertie Looks to Rebound in Mint Julep
Klein Racing's homebred Believe in Bertie, first or second in 10 of 12 starts, tops the field of seven fillies and mares entered in the $100,000 Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap (G3T) June 10 at Churchill Downs.
Wide Trip No Issue for Limousine Liberal in Aristides
The already loaded male sprint division was further reinforced when Limousine Liberal overcame a four-wide trip throughout to post a 2 1/2-length win over Wilbo in the $100,000 Aristides Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs June 3.
Albarado Confirmed to Ride J Boys Echo in Belmont
Jockey Robby Albarado, who has been sidelined since April due to a leg fracture, will ride graded stakes winner J Boys Echo in the June 10 Belmont Stakes (G1), Jason Loutsch of owner Albaugh Family Stable confirmed June 3.
Albarado Set for Return From Leg Fracture
Jockey Robby Albarado, who has been sidelined with a fractured leg since April 23 at Keeneland, is named to ride horses on the June 8 eight-race card at Churchill Downs.
Classic Empire Turns in Final Move for Belmont Stakes
Dealing with curveballs has become the norm for Casse Racing where Classic Empire is concerned. In that respect, the champion colt's lone timed move in advance of the June 10 Belmont Stakes (G1) was business as usual.
After Record Derby Week, Churchill Increases Purses
Effective June 8, Churchill Downs will raise overnight race purse offerings 10% thanks to record Kentucky Derby week business levels.
Limousine Liberal Seeks Second Straight Stakes Score
Limousine Liberal, winner of the Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by TwinSpires.com (G2) May 6, will seek to back up that effort in the $100,000 Aristides Stakes (G3) June 3 at Churchill Downs.
TwinSpires Headquarters Relocating to Louisville
Churchill Downs Inc. announced May 30 that it will relocate the TwinSpires headquarters to Louisville from Mountain View, Calif., creating more than 70 high-tech jobs in Kentucky.
Gun Runner Breezes for Stephen Foster
Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farm's grade 1 winner Gun Runner breezed five furlongs in :59 4/5 May 29 at Churchill Downs in preparation for a probable start in the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) June 17.
Finley'sluckycharm Romps in Winning Colors
Finley'sluckycharm broke sharply and never looked back as she romped by 5 1/2 lengths to score her first graded stakes win, the $100,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs May 27.
Weekend Stakes Rundown: Gold Cup Day
- By BloodHorse Staff
- Thoroughbred Racing, International, Midwest Region, Southwest Region, West Region, Kentucky
Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes races in North America. This week a pair of grade 1 races at Santa Anita Park and graded stakes at six other racetracks.
Finley'sluckycharm Seeks Graded Glory in Winning Colors
Carl Moore Management's sprinter Finley'sluckycharm will put her unbeaten record at Churchill Downs on the line May 27 as she attempts to land her first graded stakes in the $100,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) against seven other fillies and mares.
McCraken Back on Work Tab After Derby Disappointment
Janis Whitham's homebred McCraken put in his first timed move since running eighth in the first leg of the Triple Crown, going an easy half-mile in :49 4/5 at Churchill Downs the morning of May 23.
Walkabout, Some in Tieme Win Churchill Stakes
Janis Whitham homebred Walkabout secured her first stakes win when she rallied from ninth place and 15 1/2 lengths back under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. to secure a neck victory in the $100,000 Matron Stakes (G3) May 20 at Churchill Downs.
Curlin's Approval Favored in Relocated Matron Stakes
Already a winner of two graded stakes wins this season, Curlin's Approval will try for a third against an expected dozen other fillies and mares in the $100,000 Matron Stakes (G3) May 20 at Churchill Downs.
Bullards Alley Seeks Repeat in Louisville Handicap
A dozen long-winded turf runners will go 1 1/2 miles in the Louisville Handicap over the Churchill Downs lawn, with Danish Dynaformer holding a recency and class edge over warriors Twilight Eclipse and Kaigun.
Lookin At Lee, Hence in Final Preakness Moves
Lookin At Lee, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) runner-up, and stablemate Hence turned in their final works for the Preakness Stakes (G1) the morning of May 15 at Churchill Downs.
Lukas: Preakness is Right Path for Gunnevera
D. Wayne Lukas assured the connections of Gunnevera they made the right call in making plans to send the chestnut colt to Baltimore following his seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
Master Plan on Schedule for Peter Pan Stakes
Master Plan, an also-eligible Derby horse who didn't make the field, put in a half-mile breeze the day after in preparation for the Peter Pan Stakes.
The Week in Photos 5/9/2017
Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, Woodford Reserve Turf Classic, La Troienne, Humana Distaff, American Turf, Eight Belles, Alysheba, Churchill Downs, Churchill Distaff Turf Mile, Sheepshead Bay, Twin Spires Turf Sprint, Edgewood, Pat Day Mile and more.
Topped by Always Dreaming, Preakness Field Taking Shape
Impressive Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands winner (G1) Always Dreaming will head to historic Pimlico Race Course for the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, the 142nd Preakness Stakes (G1) May 20.
Churchill Buying Property Near its Louisville Track
Churchill Downs Inc. has bought property surrounding Churchill Downs racetrack at an unprecedented pace recently, a Louisville television station's website reported May 7.
Always Dreaming in Good Order After Derby Triumph
Trainer Todd Pletcher stated all was well with newly minted Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Always Dreaming the morning after the colt's stirring triumph in the first leg of the Triple Crown.
Post Kentucky Derby News Update
Claire Novak updates us on Kentucky Derby runners Always Dreaming, Lookin At Lee, Battle of Midway, Classic Empire, and more.
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