Trainer Todd Pletcher's four Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) hopefuls arrived at Churchill Downs at 2:30 Monday afternoon with the trainer following a few hours later. On Tuesday morning, it was back to work.
While an ill-timed illness knocked him out of consideration for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), the connections of stakes winner Gronkowski plan to point him to the Belmont Stakes (G1).
Now that the prep races are over, find out who is impressing Steve in the morning as the Derby grows nearer.
It is a richly symbolic journey that has come to be known, over the last 10 or so years, as The Walk.
Phoenix Thoroughbreds' Gronkowski has incurred a slight infection and will miss his scheduled start in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), his connections announced April 23.
Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Quip will bypass the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and point for the Preakness Stakes (G1) instead, trainer Rodolphe Brisset confirmed April 23.
Bobby Frankel crossed the mile chute at old Churchill Downs and wended his way into the stable area, looking for a twilight instant like the loneliest horse trainer in the world.
West Point Thoroughbreds has purchased an interest in Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) contender My Boy Jack.
In his first of two scheduled timed workouts for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), Ruis Racing's Bolt d'Oro flashed his speed immediately April 22 at Santa Anita Park.
With trainer Chad Brown watching from the Keeneland boxes, Good Magic gave the two-time Eclipse Award winner reason to stay loose and happy as the chestnut colt cruised through a four-furlong work in :48 flat April 21.
A pair of classy chestnuts trained by Bob Baffert put in important workouts at Santa Anita Park April 21 to prepare for their trip to Churchill Downs in May.
The first day of the special training time at Churchill Downs reserved for entrants in its two biggest races was busy April 21 with several turning in workouts for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) or Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Calumet Farm's graded stakes winner Bravazo breezed six furlongs in 1:15 2/5 April 20 at Churchill Downs in preparation for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) May 5.
Is it possible that it is the Irish-trained Mendelssohn who actually is the freak?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Charles Town Classic (G2) at Charles Town
G M B Racing's TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up Lone Sailor fired a bullet five-furlong move in :57 3/5 at Churchill Downs April 19 in preparation for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) May 5.
NFL star Rob Gronkowski partnered with the equine Gronkowski's owner to acquire a minority stake in the 3-year-old colt, who won the March 30 32rRed Burradon Stakes at Newcastle and secured an invitation to the first leg of the Triple Crown.
What this says, of course, (duh!) is that good horses run in Kentucky Derbys, and—Derby accomplishments or not, and industry woes or not—there are stunning purses to be won before and after, and even more spectacular opportunities at stud.
Joe Peacock's Sunland Derby (G3) winner Runaway Ghost will miss the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) because of a shin injury, trainer Todd Fincher said April 14.
Promises Fulfilled, winner of the March 3 Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner Coach Rocks both turned in maintenance moves for trainer Dale Romans April 14 at Churchill Downs.
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.
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).
Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1) winner Audible continued his preparation for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) when he worked a half-mile in a bullet :48.75 April 13 at Palm Beach Downs.
The Kentucky Historical Society April 12 will dedicate a historical marker outside 3012 South Third Street—Goose House—in honor of brothers Roscoe Goose and Carl Seay Goose, who in 1913 swept the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.
TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) runner-up Lone Sailor returned to the work tab April 11 at Churchill Downs with a half-mile breeze in :47 4/5, his first major tune-up in preparation for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
Bettors flock to favorites in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager
Four weeks in advance of the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I), lightly raced and unbeaten Santa Anita Derby winner Justify closed as a resounding 3-1 favorite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW).
Vino Rosso will carry momentum into the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) following his breakthrough victory April 7 in the $1 million Wood Memorial Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Champion Good Magic and his caretakers were in good order April 8, one day after his vindicating, 1 1/2-length victory in the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.
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 the weekend's respective prep races.
Mendelssohn's UAE Derby win pretty much means three of the 20 stalls come Derby day will be filled with horses trained outside the U.S.
Find out where Steve ranks UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn.
Ruis Racing's Medaglia d'Oro colt drew on even terms with a workmate in mid-stretch after he tracked about two lengths behind early, hit the wire in 1:01 1/5 in front by a neck, and surged into his gallop out with powerful strides.
Impressed as he was with Audible's performance in the $1 million Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1), Todd Pletcher was equally thrilled by how the colt bounced out of a powerful three-length victory that stamped him as a leading Triple Crown contender.
Both out early April 1 to beat the threat of rain, Quip completed his major preparations for the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G2) while Monomoy Girl put in her last work ahead of the Ashland Stakes (G1) coming up April 7 at Keeneland.
Baffert said something isn't quite right with the Street Sense colt, who last out edged Bolt d'Oro in the March 10 San Felipe Stakes (G2) but was disqualified to second for interference in late stretch.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien and owner MV Magnier discuss Mendelssohn's impressive victory in the UAE Derby and prospects for the Kentucky Derby. Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
Trainer Aidan O'Brien said Mendelssohn had questions to answer coming into the UAE Derby Sponsored By Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (G2) March 31 at Meydan.
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 heading into the weekend's prep races.
Should things go well for them in Dubai, trainer Aidan O'Brien's 3-year-olds are poised for an all-out assault on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
Aidan O’Brien talks about his entries for Dubai World Cup Day, including UAE Derby contenders Mendelssohn, Seahenge, and Threeandfourpence. Courtesy Dubai Racing Club
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
Two stakes horses from last weekend made this week's Derby Dozen.
The Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) headline a roster of 32 stakes races with total purses of $8.84 million scheduled for Churchill Downs' April 28-June 30 Spring Meet.
The Rebel winner makes an appearance on the Derby Dozen. Find out where Steve ranks Magnum Moon
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.
Champions Day will delight Kentucky Derby fans by celebrating the greatest moments in the sport's history and honoring its legendary jockeys and trainers.
Oddsmaker Mike Battaglia has made John Oxley's Ride a Comet and Hazit, who races for Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Coolmore partners, 5-1 co-favorites on the morning line for the $200,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) March 17 at Turfway Park.
Although the top spots remained the same, the busy racing weekend resulted in some new faces in the Derby Dozen.
If there was doubt about Enticed after the Holy Bull (G2), it was surely erased March 10, when he surged to a convincing 2 3/4-length win over longshot Old Time Revival in the one-mile Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack.
