Horses under the care of trainer Bob Baffert are currently unable to earn qualifying points on the Road To The Kentucky Derby, and it seems there is a new regulation is in place for the 2023 edition. Last year, several promising Baffert-trained sophomores were transferred to other trainers (including Tim Yakteen) in early April, aiming for the final 100-point prep races that would gain entry … Continue reading Baffert Derby Saga
Churchill Downs Incorporated announced on Monday that Churchill Downs Racetrack has renewed its relationship Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon. The agreement ensures that Woodford Reserve will be the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby through 2027. Woodford Reserve has been the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby since 1999 and the presenting sponsor for the past four years. “We are thrilled to welcome back Woodford Reserve … Continue reading Kentucky Derby & Bourbon
As we previously wrote, it was in 2013 that the Kentucky Derby prep races were officially bundled under the banner of The Road To The Kentucky Derby. Otherwise referred to (fondly) as the Derby Trail. The introduction of the prep series has led to a much easier guideline for both horsemen and horse racing fans. The Derby Trail also allows for more focused promotion of hopefuls targeting … Continue reading Prep Season Schedule
In our previous column we wrote about Kentucky Derby Prep races and the point system used to gain entry in order to run on the first Saturday in May. Well, we forgot to mention the minor adjustments that were made to said system last September. Churchill Downs Racetrack officials made slight modifications to the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Points will now be awarded to … Continue reading Prep Amendments
As the two-year-old racing season concludes, the road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby is open and traffic will get a bit heavier as the Prep Races begin in earnest. If you’re new to horse racing you might have questions about how all of this works. Well wonder no more, the Daily Racing Blog is here to help. Here is a basic overview about qualifying for the Run for the Roses. … Continue reading 2023 Kentucky Derby (Never Too Early)
The 2022 horse racing season is coming to a close. There is certainly much to look back on, but for the sake of brevity and attention span, we’ll limit our trip down memory lane to a four race sprint. THE KENTUCKY DERBY: A horse acquired for a claiming tag is not supposed to go on to Win the Kentucky Derby. In fact, no one had done … Continue reading 2022 Racing In Review
On Friday afternoon the American Graded Stakes Committee released its list of graded stakes races for the for 2023 season. The list included five races that were downgraded from Grade I status to Grade II contests. Included in the downgrades were prestigious NYRA races for older dirt horses- the Woodward Stakes as well as the Cigar Mile will now be considered Grade II’s. Also dropping … Continue reading NYRA Downgrades
The Kentucky Derby is five months away. And while it is still too early to have any horses entered in the annual contest, it’s apparently not too soon to announce the Official Art of the Kentucky Derby. And yes, that’s a real thing. Last week Churchill Downs released the 2023 Official Art of the Kentucky Derby, which will be provided by renowned international artist, Romero Britto. … Continue reading The Art Of The Derby
The Daily Racing Blog wishes the incomparable Johnny Velazquez a belated Happy Birthday. The Hall Of Fame jockey celebrated his 51st lap around the solar track yesterday (Thanksgiving). A native of Puerto Rico, Johnny V as he’s affectionately known, is Thoroughbred racing’s all-time leading money Winning jockey, with career purse earnings of more than $446 million from 6,357 Wins. A Winner of three Kentucky Derbies, Velazquez has Won … Continue reading Belated Birthday Greetings
As teenagers, some/most youngsters tend to think the world is their oyster. Not so for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. He did not dream big as a youth. “I was 18 years old and hauling horses around in a two-horse trailer to the bush tracks,” recalled the native of Mobridge, South Dakota. “I never imagined training for anybody else other than myself.” As the son of a Veteran, … Continue reading Mr. Bill Mott
