Fri, 05/05/2023 - 11:40

Kentucky Derby: Japan tries to add another major international victory

Barbara D. Livingston

Derma Sotogake's ability to race on the pace or come from off it could come in handy in Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In the last two years, horses based in Japan have captured some of the biggest international prizes in Thoroughbred racing.

In 2021, at Del Mar, there were victories by March Lorraine and Loves Only You in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff and Filly and Mare Turf, respectively. This year, Panthalassa led a 1-3-4-5 finish by Japan horses in the $20 million Saudi Cup. Ushba Tesoro won the $12 million Dubai World Cup and Equinox was devastating winning the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic.

Fri, 05/05/2023 - 10:02

Kentucky Derby: Skinner scratched due to temperature

By David Grening

Debra A. Roma

Skinner, training Thursday at Churchill Downs, has been withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Skinner, the third-place finisher in the Santa Anita Derby, has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby due to an elevated temperature, according to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

Skinner became the fourth horse to scratch from the Derby in 24 hours, joining Practical Move, Lord Miles, and Continuar.

The Derby will be run, for now, with 19 horses.

According to the Churchill Downs media department, the last time four horses scratched from the Kentucky Derby was in 2015 when 22 horses were entered.

This story will be updated.

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 13:32

Kentucky Derby: Practical Move scratches; Cyclone Mischief gets into field

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Practical Move trains Thursday morning at Churchill Downs. He was withdrawn from the Kentucky Derby after spiking a temperature.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Practical Move, winner of the Santa Anita Derby and a major player in the Kentucky Derby, will have to scratch out of the race due to a temperature, trainer Tim Yakteen said Thursday afternoon.

“We spiked a temperature,” Yakteen said. “It started climbing right after training when we do our due diligence. He didn’t jump into the feed tub like he usually does. We temp our horses routinely, that’s when it was recognized.”

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 10:45

Racing rolled up with promotions at Emerald Downs

By Randy Goulding

Emerald Downs

Emerald Downs begins its 52-day meet on Saturday.

It will be business as usual when the 2023 live meet at Emerald Downs gets under way Saturday. Business as usual means promotions, promotions, and more promotions.

“Corgis, wiener dogs, bull dogs, T-Rexes, Family Fun Day, they are all back,” Emerald president Phil Ziegler said. “We have something planned every weekend. We try to make it fun. Whenever somebody shows up, it should be special for them.”

One of the most popular events is the T-Rex races, scheduled for Aug. 20.

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 10:21

Joseph granted permission to scratch horses from Thursday, Friday cards at Churchill

By Matt Hegarty

Barbara D. Livingston

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has scratched his entries on the Thursday and Friday cards at Churchill Downs.

Stewards at Churchill Downs have granted a request by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. to be allowed to scratch horses he trains from races at the track on Thursday and Friday, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission said. Joseph also said that he intends to ask for permission to scratch three horses on the Saturday card, though not his entrant in the Kentucky Derby.

Thu, 05/04/2023 - 09:45

Kentucky Derby: Team Illinois takes a shot with the horse nobody wanted – Two Phil's

By Marcus Hersh

Barbara D. Livingston

Phillip and Anthony Sagan, the breeders of Two Phil’s, wanted to sell him but “we couldn’t get anyone to show any interest.”

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For years, Arlington Park’s opening day coincided with Kentucky Oaks Day. Then COVID-19 struck, and Arlington didn’t begin a 2020 meeting until July. In 2021, the opener returned to the first Friday in May – a dark day, not a celebration. Churchill Downs Inc., Arlington’s owner, already had decided, strictly for financial reasons, to shed the track from its corporate portfolio. In May 2022, the massive Arlington grandstand, the vast tract of land upon which it rests, stood quiet as a remote Illinois prairie.

Wed, 05/03/2023 - 12:05

Kentucky Derby: Yakteen going by his own book preparing Practical Move, Reincarnate

By David Grening

Barbara Livingston

Practical Move has been given a light training regimen by Tim Yakteen leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – When it comes to Practical Move’s preparation for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, trainer Tim Yakteen is utilizing the less-is-more approach.

On Wednesday, three days out from Kentucky Derby 149, Practical Move simply jogged one mile around Churchill’s main track. It was at least the second time Practical Move just jogged after arriving from Southern California on Saturday.

Wed, 05/03/2023 - 11:40

Kentucky Derby: Connections of Hit Show looking for untainted win

By Nicole Russo

Barbara Livingston

The rail-drawn Hit Show is owned by Mary and Gary West and trained by Brad Cox.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Gary and Mary West watched their colors cross the line first at Churchill Downs, only to have roses literally taken out of their hands. Trainer Brad Cox experienced the opposite, as he saddled a colt to cross the line second in the Kentucky Derby, only to later be promoted to the victory.

Together, the owners and trainer team up in this Saturday’s running of the Derby with Hit Show, hoping for a first-place finish they can celebrate this time.

Tue, 05/02/2023 - 16:43

Apprentice jockey Mauro Cedillo hospitalized after spill

By Matt Hegarty

Mauro Cedillo, a 24-year-old apprentice jockey, remained in serious condition at a hospital in Cleveland on Tuesday afternoon, according to his agent, 24 hours after he was thrown from a horse at Thistledown racetrack.

Luis Quinones, his agent, said that the jockey remains on a ventilator to assist his breathing, but that the rider has movement in his legs. Doctors continue to conduct tests on the rider, and family and friends gathered at the Metro Health Center in Cleveland were awaiting the results of those tests.

Tue, 05/02/2023 - 13:40

Kentucky Derby: Forte brings Repole full circle

By David Grening

Repole,Mike.Viola,Vinnie background at GP April 1 2023

Barbara Livingston

Partners Mike Repole and Vine Viola (background) watch Forte's Florida Derby. They are hoping for a less nerve-racking win in the Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – On the eve of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, a downcast Mike Repole joined trainer Todd Pletcher on a podium in the press room at Churchill Downs to announce the scratch of Uncle Mo, the 2-year-old champion of 2010 and second choice on the morning line.

The signs were there all week that Uncle Mo, dealing with what would ultimately be diagnosed as a liver disorder, wouldn’t make the race, though his connections entered hoping for a miracle that didn’t come.

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