LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Brad Cox, who trains one-fifth of the expected Kentucky Derby field, sent that strong hand out Saturday morning for their final breezes toward the race, now one week off, at Churchill Downs.

The most prominent of Cox’s four expected Derby entrants, Arkansas Derby winner Angel of Empire, worked in company with Louisiana Derby third-place finisher Jace’s Road during the training window reserved for Derby and Oaks hopefuls at 7:30 a.m., following the first morning renovation break.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Keeneland ended its 2023 spring meet Friday with record all-sources wagering handle and purse payouts, marking the fifth straight spring meet with a new handle record.

Total handle for a 15-day meet that began April 7 was $224,348,745, an increase of 2.3 percent over the previous record of $219.3 million set last spring. Per-day purses averaged nearly $1.2 million.

“A huge thanks to our fans, the community, and our horsemen who turned out in full force this spring to support Keeneland racing,” Keeneland president Shannon Arvin said in a prepared release.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - From the time Forte left the Keeneland winner’s circle following his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last November, everything has gone according to plan for the horse who will most likely be the favorite for next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

It's kind of scary, when trainer Todd Pletcher thinks about it.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Raise Cain turned in his final work for the Kentucky Derby on Thursday morning at Keeneland as trainer Ben Colebrook continues to weigh his jockey options for the colt.

Raise Cain, with Gerardo Corrales in the irons, worked in company with the unraced filly Merrily Rush, Luan Machado up, as they went a half-mile in 49 seconds on a fast main track.

Skinner, third in the Santa Anita Derby on April 8, gained a berth in the Kentucky Derby on May 6 after Wild On Ice sustained a fatal injury during training early Thursday at Churchill Downs.

Skinner will have a new rider in Juan Hernandez, who replaces Victor Espinoza.

"We thought a change would maybe shake things up a little bit," trainer John Shirreffs said Thursday. "Maybe Skinner was used to the way Victor was riding him. It might help to have a different rider."

STICKNEY, Ill. – Two Phil’s completed his major preparation for the May 6 Kentucky Derby working a smooth five furlongs at 7 a.m. Thursday at Hawthorne Racecourse.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Derby hopeful Wild On Ice was euthanized Thursday morning after suffering a catastrophic injury to his left hind leg at Churchill Downs in a pre-dawn workout intended to prepare him for the Derby on May 6.

Net income for Churchill Downs Inc. in the first quarter nearly quadrupled, boosted by recent casino acquisitions in Virginia, New York, and Iowa and the after-tax gains from the sale of Arlington Park outside of Chicago, according to financial statements released on Wednesday afternoon.

Net income for the first quarter was $155.7 million, compared to $42.1 million in the first quarter of last year, according to the financial statements. Churchill booked an $86.2 million after-tax gain on its $197.2 million sale of Arlington to the NFL’s Chicago Bears.