Tue, 05/02/2023 - 09:10

Kentucky Derby: First-time participants have world of experience

Barbara Livingston

Jareth Loveberry locked up his first Kentucky Derby mount by guiding Two Phil's to victory in the Jeff Ruby Steaks for trainer Larry Rivelli, who will also be making his first Derby appearance.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The four first-time trainers with a horse expected to start in this year's Kentucky Derby have sent out well over 20,000 starters combined in races around the globe, according to Equineline statistics. The three jockeys set to ride their first Derby have taken a leg up more than 21,000 times.

But despite all their experiences, there’s nothing quite like this.

"This is it," said trainer Larry Rivelli, who will saddle Two Phil's as his first Kentucky Derby starter. "This is what we do this for. It's a dream come true."

Mon, 05/01/2023 - 15:17

Belmont renovation loan of $455M passed by New York legislature

By Matt Hegarty

Barbara D. Livingston

The New York Racing Association plans to tear down the existing Belmont Park grandstand and build a new grandstand one-fifth the size.

The New York Racing Association will receive a loan of $455 million to rebuild Belmont Park under bills that were passed by the state legislature late on Monday afternoon following negotiations between legislative leaders and Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The bills, part of a package of legislation authorizing elements of the state budget, are certain to be signed by Hochul over the next week. Legislative leaders and Hochul had given their support to the Belmont project prior to the bills being negotiated and passed.

Mon, 05/01/2023 - 13:50

Kentucky Derby: Vazquez gets biggest opportunity of career on Practical Move

By Steve Andersen

Ramon Vazquez-Practical Move after SA Derby April 8 2023

Benoit Photo

Ramon Vazquez has won the Santa Anita Derby, San Felipe, and Los Alamitos Futurity aboard Practical Move.

Ramon Vazquez has ridden Practical Move in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs many times in his mind.

“I can be in the middle of the pack,” he said over the weekend, envisioning the first run through the stretch. “I want to be out of trouble.”

On the backstretch, Practical Move will ideally be in a stalking position.

“I would like to be three or four lengths behind the speed and start moving up,” Vazquez said. “By the stretch, I hope to be on the lead. My dream is I win the race.”

Mon, 05/01/2023 - 13:40

Kentucky Derby: Desormeaux unwavering in belief he's doing right by Confidence Game

By Marcus Hersh

Deb Roma

Confidence Game works five furlongs in 59 seconds on Saturday at Churchill. The Kentucky Derby will be his first start in 10 weeks.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After starting a Kentucky Derby horse in 2016, 2017, and 2018, trainer Keith Desormeaux had to wait five years for his next Derby runner, Confidence Game.

Desormeaux, come Derby Day, will have waited 10 weeks to run Confidence Game back after the colt won the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. And even with the Derby still a week away, Desormeaux couldn’t wait for people to stop asking about the unusually long break between final prep and Derby start.

Mon, 05/01/2023 - 12:10

Belmont Park opens amid a period of transition

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

The grandstand at Belmont Park is expected to be reconstructed over the next several years.

Fans are not likely to notice much difference in the Belmont Park they left approximately 10 months ago, when the 2023 spring/summer meet opens Thursday for a 40-day run. But during the time away, a significant amount of work was done to start the process of a new Belmont that will come in the years ahead.

Sun, 04/30/2023 - 19:09

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, at 87, eagerly looks to the future

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

Secret Oath, winner of last year's Kentucky Oaks, will run in the La Troienne Stakes on Friday.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas doesn't have a candidate for this week's 3-year-old classics, but, as always, the legendary trainer is looking to the future.

In his Churchill Downs office before dawn on Saturday morning, the 87-year-old Lukas was looking forward to running last year's Kentucky Oaks winner, Secret Oath, in the Grade 1 La Troienne Stakes on Friday, and was excited to welcome this year's 2-year-olds into his barn this week.

Sun, 04/30/2023 - 19:03

New Churchill Downs paddock will be old paddock by 2024

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

Trainer Brad Cox knows Churchill Downs' current paddock is temporary, but he's not complaining.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The new-look Churchill Downs paddock shown to the world this weekend at the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks will, ultimately, be a temporary one. But Brad Cox, whose large Churchill Downs string includes four colts and three fillies whom he will lead over for this weekend's spring classics, would be just fine if it wasn't.

"I know it's just temporary, but I'd be fine if that was the permanent paddock," Cox said.

Sun, 04/30/2023 - 17:50

Country Grammer works half-mile for possible start in Hollywood Gold Cup

By Steve Andersen

Dubai Racing Club

Country Grammer has won 5 of 16 starts and has earned $14,897,300.

Country Grammer, who had mixed results in 10-figure stakes in the Middle East earlier this year, worked a half-mile in 47 seconds on Sunday for a possible start in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 29.

Trainer Bob Baffert said on Sunday that Country Grammer’s participation in the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles depends on how the 6-year-old works in coming weeks.

Sun, 04/30/2023 - 17:05

Prince Abu Dhabi not likely to hit road, trainer says

By Steve Andersen

Vassar Photo

Chase the Chaos won the El Camino Real in February, but could manage only eighth in the California Derby.

Prince Abu Dhabi remained unbeaten after four starts with a half-length win in Saturday’s $101,800 California Derby on the synthetic main track at Golden Gate Fields.

The win is unlikely to lead to a road trip for Prince Abu Dhabi. Trainer Blaine Wright said on Sunday that Prince Abu Dhabi will be strongly considered for the $75,000 Alcatraz Stakes at a mile on turf on May 28.

“There is a big benefit in running out of your own stall,” Wright said.

The Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on June 4 is less likely.

Sun, 04/30/2023 - 16:52

Shoemaker Mile, Poker Stakes could fit Balnikhov's agenda

By Steve Andersen

Vassar Photo

Balnikhov wins the San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

ARCADIA, Calif. - It may take a few days to finalize a short-term race goal for Balnikhov, who won the third stakes of his career in Saturday’s Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields.

The Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita on May 29 or the Grade 3 Poker Stakes at a mile on turf at Belmont Park on June 10 are possibilities for the 4-year-old Balnikhov, who is part of trainer Phil D’Amato’s deep team of turf milers.

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