It’s never too early. Kentucky Derby fever starts minutes after Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Winner crosses the finish line. Between now and the actual Run For The Roses horseplayers worldwide are looking for the diamond in the rough, which could lead to a life-changing Winning payoff the first Saturday in May. That said, here are a few ways in which to identify Derby contenders that are … Continue reading Derby Dreaming
MEDINA SPIRIT, the controversial Winner of this year’s Kentucky Derby, died of an apparent heart attack following a five-furlong workout Monday morning at Santa Anita Park. The incident happened after the horse completed a five-furlong workout in 1:01.40. The breeze took place at about 7:45 Pacific Time. California Horse Racing Board Equine Medical Director Jeff Blea said there were signs of trouble near the conclusion of … Continue reading MEDINA SPIRIT Dies
Today Churchill Downs released the 2022 Official Art of the Kentucky Derby by Kentucky artist Aimee Griffith. This is the sixth year in a row that Churchill Downs has, fittingly, tapped a Kentucky artist for this honor. Griffith, who was born and raised in Bardstown and resides in Lexington, utilizes watercolor as her primary medium because of the luminosity, the gradients and unexpected nature of … Continue reading 2022 Kentucky Derby Art
The 38th Breeders’ Cup Championships are set for November 5-6 at Del Mar Race Course. Ever since the late John Gaines’ vision became a reality back in 1984 with the inaugural Breeders’ Cup at Hollywood Park, the event has brought together the best of the best in the horse world to compete in a group of races that offer both money (huge purses) and prestige (influencing the year-end Eclipse … Continue reading Breeders’ Cup Is Special
On Monday we talked about this years Breeders’ Cup Championships, and how the end-of-year event rotates each season to different iconic racing venues. This year being Del Mar. So this begs the question- why hasn’t the oldest race course in America ever hosted this extravaganza? That’s right, Saratoga has never been home to the Breeders’ Cup. The charm, beauty and the atmosphere at The Spa … Continue reading Breeders’ Cup At Saratoga?
The Bob Baffert catalog of disaster added another item Friday, when the New York Racing Association charged him with detrimental conduct. A September 27th video hearing will give Baffert, a two-time Triple Crown-Winning trainer, his chance to refute the charges. If the charges hold, Baffert’s rights to train horses or enter races at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course would be either suspended … Continue reading LIAR
He broke into the thoroughbred racing business working as an assistant (1989-95) to legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Since hanging out his own training shingle, Todd Pletcher has Won 60 individual meet trainer titles as well as Winning 708 Graded Stakes, including 166 Grade 1’s. The 53-year-old Pletcher holds records for career earnings ($405,791,977) and Eclipse Awards and ranks 7th in Wins (5,118). He’s Won … Continue reading Pletcher Makes Hall Of Fame
Bob Baffert is becoming (or already is) horse racing’s version of Lance Armstrong. Lie. Deny. Distract. Rinse and Repeat. In the distraction portion of Baffert’s strategy he is now suing the New York Racing Association in federal court in an attempt to end his indefinite suspension. The suspension was levied after MEDINA SPIRIT tested positive on a routine drug test following the Kentucky Derby. Baffert’s … Continue reading Baffert = Lance Armstrong
The Belmont Stakes is Saturday, June 5th. Trainer Bob Baffert had not committed any horses to run in the third leg of the Triple Crown. He did however consider entering other horses in his barn in various races on the card that day. But not so fast Baffy. The New York Racing Association has stepped in to quell the idea of any Baffert horses running … Continue reading New York Racing Association Sends A Message
Kentucky Derby Winner MEDINA SPIRIT failed a postrace drug test. The colt’s blood sample was found to be in violation of the state’s medication protocols for racehorses. Trainer Bob Baffert said his horse tested positive for the steroid betamethasone. Rules in the state of Kentucky limits the use of the steroid to 14 days or more before a race. Any level of detection on race … Continue reading Derby Disqualification ?
