RICH STRIKE is back at Churchill Downs, where he etched his way into history earlier this year on the first Saturday in May. Saturday he will run in the $500,000 dollar Lukas Classic Stakes. The 1 1/8 miles race is named in honor of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. RICH STRIKE who has not hit the board in his two starts since the Run … Continue reading Can Rich Strike Again ?
The name is back and the purse is restored but, otherwise, the renewal of the Arlington Million (G1), this Saturday bears little resemblance to the event that ushered in the era of seven-figure Thoroughbred purses. The most obvious change is the venue. Arlington International Racecourse where JOHN HENRY famously defeated THE BART in the inaugural Million in 1981, is no more. Churchill Downs Inc., which owns the … Continue reading The Arlington Million
The Daily Racing Blog would be remiss if it didn’t wish a Happy (belated) Birthday to Binghamton’s own Kentucky Derby Winner EXTERMINATOR. Old Bones (a nickname attributed to his rather bony appearance) was born on May 30th, 1915. It was 104 years ago that EXTERMINATOR brought Kentucky Derby glory back to his home town as a 30-1 upset Winner in the Run For The Roses. … Continue reading Happy Birthday EXTERMINATOR
The outcome of the Kentucky Derby was, (how to be kind?) highly improbable. But, to quote Al Michaels announcing a certain hockey game; “DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?!” An 80-1 shot named RICH STRIKE, Won the GI Kentucky Derby Saturday at Churchill Downs. But how, in the name of SECRETARIAT, did he do it? RICH STRIKE certainly benefitted from a pace meltdown, ran the race … Continue reading A Ride For The Ages
Here is the 2nd half of the 2022 Kentucky Derby field which includes the late scratch of ETHEREAL ROAD and his replacement. 11. PIONEER OF MEDINA [ML 30-1] Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Jockey: Joe Bravo. He was 3rd in the Louisiana Derby after pressing the pace, which is promising, but without a Stakes Win to his credit, he is just another longshot here chasing the connections Derby … Continue reading He Shoots, He Scores!
The road to the 2022 Kentucky Derby began on September 18th, 2021, and ended on April 16th, 2022. All told, there were 37 prep races that carried qualifying points. During the points era, Derby results have become remarkably consistent. After success in the 100-point prep races, Derby Winners usually raced as part of the early pace, getting clear of traffic problems that are so common farther … Continue reading Derby Field- First 10
Post Positions were drawn, and Morning line odds were assigned at Churchill Downs Monday afternoon for the 2022 edition of the Kentucky Derby. Here then is a preliminary look at the field: 1. MO DONEGAL [ML 10-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Top Speed Figure: 103 2. HAPPY JACK [ML 30-1 Jockey: Rafael Bejarano. Trainer: Doug O’Neil. Top Speed Figure: 98 3. EPICENTER [ML 7-2] Jockey: … Continue reading The Derby Field
As well as being the most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby can also be the most profitable 120 seconds for bettors who are able to pinpoint the correct runners to fill out a Trifecta or Superfecta. In 2021, a $1 trifecta of MEDINA SPIRIT (12-1), MANDALOUN (26-1) and HOT ROD CHARLIE (5-1) paid $1,696.90. The 2-1 favorite, ESSENTIAL QUALITY running 4th resulted in … Continue reading Money To Be Made
The Kentucky Derby is 10 day away. Looking at past trends is one way to put this year’s edition into historical context. It can lead to eye-opening information, or it can be fool’s gold. Trends are often coincidental or muddied by live runners with terrible trips. But if the data pool is big enough, anecdotal information can illuminate a pattern worth knowing. To wit: NEW YORK … Continue reading Empirical Derby Data
The Kentucky Derby is not only the most anticipated, most watched Thoroughbred race in the world but an essential part of American sports culture. The memories made with each Run For The Roses over the passage of time become legend, not only to day-to-day followers of horse racing but to the general public. While the most memorable Derby’s usually involve a heavily-favored horse Winning and thus etching … Continue reading Kentucky Derby Upsets
