It has been a bizarre week in Louisville, and those that follow the sport are aware of all that has happened. And be it good or bad, thoroughbred racing takes the international spotlight Saturday at Churchill Downs. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the 149th Kentucky Derby while millions more watch the race on a national television broadcast in the U.S. and through other outlets … Continue reading Who Wins The Kentucky Derby ?
A week from tomorrow is the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby. But if you’ll allow the Daily Racing Blog a bit of hometown pride, we’d like to harken back to the 1918 edition of the Run For The Roses. EXTERMINATOR was the 30-1, long-shot Winner of the Derby 105 years ago. EXTERMINATOR was owned by Willis Sharpe Kilmer of Binghamton, who gained his wealth and notoriety selling Swamp … Continue reading Local Legend
The Kentucky Derby is ten days away. For the field of twenty 3-year-old Thoroughbreds competing, it is one of the most important moments of their lives and racing luck can make or break their Derby run literally right from the start. It’s called the luck of the draw for a reason. The Kentucky Derby has used a starting gate since 1930; and traditionally two of … Continue reading Post Positions Matter
The Kentucky Derby is less than three weeks away and while plenty can (and will) happen between now and May 6th, here are three story lines already in play at Churchill Downs. THE PLETCHER FACTOR The Hall of Famer has Won the Kentucky Derby twice, first with SUPER SAVER in 2010 and then ALWAYS DREAMING in 2017. Pletcher may very well have the top two … Continue reading Some Derby Subplots
The Kentucky Derby was first held in 1875 and ranks as the longest continuously held major sporting event in the United States. This year will mark the 149th edition of the Run For The Roses, which had been held on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs every year since 1946 before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the race in 2020 until September 5th. The rich history surrounding … Continue reading Derby Tidbits’
As the racing community celebrates the 50th anniversary of the greatness that was SECRETARIAT in his Triple Crown Winning season, it would be remiss not to talk about the beginning of the G.O.A.T’s racing career. Most of the fans in attendance at Aqueduct on July 4, 1972 probably had no idea that they had just witnessed the debut of one of the greatest horses who ever raced. … Continue reading SECRETARIAT’s Humble Start
The Kentucky Derby is the most-watched horse race of the year in the United States. It is widely considered one of the most important sporting events in the country, having grown to become much more than just a horse race since ARISTIDES Won the first edition in 1875. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 6th- the first Saturday in May. The … Continue reading Kentucky Derby 149
The Grade 2, $750,000 dollar Wood Memorial is Saturday at Aqueduct. The 1 1/8-mile race attracted a field of thirteen 3-year-olds who will compete for the 100-40-30-20-10 points that go to the top five eligible finishers. Here is a look at that field. 1. DREAMLIKE [ML 7-2] Trainer: Todd Pletcher. Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Was a $975,000 yearling purchase who did not make his first start until … Continue reading Who Delivers The Wood ?
For the most part, the $750,000 dollar, Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct has been a predictable race on the road to the Kentucky Derby. Case in point, 11 of the last 12 Winners have started at single-digit odds, including nine who offered odds less than 9-2. One reason why the Wood Memorial is so predictable is that it tends to be Won by similar horses … Continue reading Wood Winning Angles
The New York State road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby reaches its terminus Saturday. Aqueduct Park will host the Empire State’s premier Kentucky Derby prep race- the $750,000 dollar Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes. The race is contested at 1 ⅛ miles on the main track at the Queens facility. The Wood was a Grade 1 from 1973 to 1994, and again from 2002 to 2016. There … Continue reading The Wood Memorial
