Hence faces eight in Iowa Derby
Although ineffective against the best of his peers in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1), Hence can return to winning ways Friday night at Prairie Meadows in the $200,000 Iowa Derby (G3). A homebred […]
Ian Wilkes
McCraken rebounds nicely in Matt Winn
After a troubled eighth in the Kentucky Derby, McCraken returned to the win column in Saturday’s $100,000 Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs. He towered over the competition as the 1-5 favorite and connections hope […]
Walkabout, Some in Tieme upset Matron, Louisville ‘Cap at Churchill Downs
While Saturday saw the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the 142nd Preakness Stakes (G1), attracting most of the attention at Pimlico in Baltimore, Churchill Downs provided graded action that was worth watching. First up, […]
Kentucky Derby 143 Trainer Quotes
Todd Pletcher, Always Dreaming (1st), Tapwrit (sixth), Patch (14th) (A very emotional Todd Pletcher shedding tears of joy) “I knew we had a big shot with this horse and I was hoping it would happen. […]
Bird Song, son of Kentucky Oaks winner, pulls mild upset in Alysheba
Bird Song rode the prevailing speed bias to victory in the $400,000 Alysheba (G2) at Churchill Downs on Friday’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard while providing a fitting tribute to his dam, champion Bird Town, who […]
McCraken, Asmussen posse drill for Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Five Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls turned in works at Churchill Downs on Monday. McCraken drilled for Ian Wilkes, while Steve Asmussen sent out his quartet of Hence, Untrapped, and “bubble” horses Lookin at Lee and […]
McCraken gets in first of three pre-Derby Churchill works
Multiple graded stakes winner McCraken, who suffered his first career defeat in the Blue Grass (G2) on April 8 when finishing third, worked over the fast Churchill Downs main track Tuesday morning in advance of […]
McCraken favored at 7-5 in seven-horse Blue Grass
Unbeaten from four starts, McCraken will face his toughest test yet when he lines up for Saturday’s $1 million Blue Grass (G2) at Keeneland. The early Kentucky Derby favorite will face six rivals, including three […]
McCraken keeps rolling in final Blue Grass move
At Keeneland on Sunday, unbeaten Kentucky Derby (G1) contender McCraken turned in his final work for Saturday’s Blue Grass S. (G2). Under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., who just arrived after an overnight drive from New […]
McCraken works six furlongs for Blue Grass
Undefeated Kentucky Derby (G1) contender McCraken took another step toward an intended start in the April 8 Blue Grass (G2), working over the Keeneland main track on Monday for trainer Ian Wilkes. Breaking four lengths […]