Michael Compton | 50 days ago
Post positions for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) were drawn Tuesday morning. The race drew a competitive field of 11, headed by morning line favorite Dreaming of Julia (3-1) and last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Beholder (7-2). The Kentucky Oaks field in position order and morning line odds: 1–Silsita, 20-1 2–Midnight Lucky, 9-2 3–Beholder, [...](Read more...)
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Michael Compton
Orb Works at Churchill Downs: Continues to Impress McGaughey
Michael Compton | 50 days ago
Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s Orb breezed four furlongs in :47.80 under exercise rider Jennifer Patterson Monday morning at Churchill Downs. Working in company, Orb broke off just behind stablemate Overwhelming before pulling even on the turn and drawing clear by several lengths through the stretch. The Florida Derby (GI) winner galloped out five [...](Read more...)
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Kentucky Oaks Contender Midnight Lucky Pleasing Baffert
Michael Compton | 51 days ago
Trainer Bob Baffert had good things to say about Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman’s Midnight Lucky Sunday after she breezed five furlongs in :59.60 with exercise rider Dana Barnes in the irons. Undefeated after two career starts, the gray filly prepped for Friday’s Oaks with the fourth fastest of 42 works at the [...](Read more...)
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Forty Tales Prevails in Derby Trial
Michael Compton | 52 days ago
Perretti Racing Stable’s Forty Tales held off Capo Bastone by a diminishing neck to win the 89th running of the $201,425 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs on April 27. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Forty Tales was the fourth of five winners on the night for jockey Joel Rosario. “When we turned for home, I asked [...](Read more...)
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Normandy Invasion Gets in Early Work at Churchill
Michael Compton | 52 days ago
Fox Hill Farms’ Wood Memorial (G1) runner-up Normandy Invasion tuned up for the Kentucky Derby with a five-furlong work in :59 at 5:45 a.m. Saturday. It was the second-fastest of 52 works at the distance. With rain in the forecast, trainer Chad Brown didn’t want to take any chances and sent the colt out to [...](Read more...)
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Verrazano Drills at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 52 days ago
At 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning there was a lot of weather checking going on at Todd Pletcher’s Churchill Downs barn. Pletcher and his staff were covering it all ways possible – using smart phones, computers, TVs. Finally, Pletcher went to the source of sources, working through Churchill Downs’ senior director of communications Darren Rogers to [...](Read more...)
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Orb Gallops at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 53 days ago
Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable’s Orb galloped 1½ miles under exercise rider Jennifer Patterson and visited the starting gate after the renovation break at Churchill Downs Friday morning. “He’s getting over the track great. He’s feeling good. I couldn’t be more satisfied,” trainer Shug McGaughey said. The Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby [...](Read more...)
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Itsmyluckyday Works at Calder Prior to Shipping to Kentucky
Michael Compton | 55 days ago
Kentucky Derby contender Itsmyluckyday worked four furlongs in :53 at Calder Race Course on Thursday morning prior to shipping to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby (G1). Second to Orb most recently in the Florida Derby (G1) and winner of the Holy ...
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Vyjack Gallops at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 57 days ago
Pick Six Racing’s Vyjack jogged to the finish line and then galloped 1 ½ miles under trainer Rudy Rodriguez after the renovation break at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morning. “He looked around a little bit at first but then settled in and went about his business. He was very good this morning,” Rodriguez told Churchill [...](Read more...)
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Borel Gets Acquainted With Revolutionary
Michael Compton | 58 days ago
Revolutionary breezed four furlongs in :48.80 and recorded fractions of :12.60, :24.80 and :37 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.20 and six furlongs in 1:15.20 with Calvin Borel in the irons on Sunday at Churchill Downs. Borel will be aboard Revolutionary on the First Saturday in May. “We wanted to get Calvin familiar with [...](Read more...)
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Verrazano Works at Churchill With Gary Stevens Up
Michael Compton | 58 days ago
Verrazano breezed five furlongs in 1:00.20 and recorded fractions of :13, :25.20 and :36.80 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.20, seven furlongs in 1:26.80 and a mile in 1:41.60 on Sunday at Churchill Downs. Guided in the work by Gary Stevens, Verrazano started one length back behind the workmate and they finished together. “We [...](Read more...)
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Orb Impresses McGaughey in Latest Work
Michael Compton | 59 days ago
Florida Derby (G1) victor Orb impressed trainer Shug McGaughey Sunday morning at Payson Park. The colt breezed five furlongs during a key workout for a scheduled start in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4. “This was the one we need to get behind us,” McGaughey shared with Gulfstream Park Publicity. “What I really wanted [...](Read more...)
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Winning Cause Cruises in Coolmore Lexington Stakes
Michael Compton | 59 days ago
Alto Racing’s Winning Cause won the 32nd running of the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland on Saturday. In addition to the $120,000 winner’s share, Winning Cause earned 20 points toward the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 4 at Churchill Downs. The Derby is limited to the top [...](Read more...)
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Summer Front Best in Miami Mile at Calder
Michael Compton | 59 days ago
Waterford Stable’s Summer Front proved 1 ½ lengths best in the Grade 3 Miami Mile Handicap at Calder Casino & Race Course on Saturday. Ridden by Joe Bravo, Summer Front covered the eight-furlongs in 1:35.31 over a turf course listed as good. Starting from post one, Summer Front was always traveling comfortably along the hedge [...](Read more...)
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Derby Contender Itsmyluckyday Drills at Calder
Michael Compton | 62 days ago
Kentucky Derby hopeful Itsmyluckyday on Thursday put forth what is likely his penultimate workout before shipping to Louisville, Ky. for the Kentucky Derby. He covered one mile in 1:43.20 over a fast track at Calder. The Eddie Plesa, Jr.-trained colt is tentatively scheduled to breeze one more time before departing next week. “He is scheduled [...](Read more...)
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City Zip Filly Fastest at OBS Breeze Show
Michael Compton | 62 days ago
A City Zip filly consigned by Old South Farm, agent, sped an eighth in :9 3/5 to post the fastest work at the distance at Tuesday’s under tack show for the OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training. The chestnut filly, hip No. 252, is out of Danse Kongo, by Petionville, and is a half-sister [...](Read more...)
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Verrazano and Normandy Invasion Arrive at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 65 days ago
The Tex Sutton flight from New York transporting Wood Memorial (G1) winner Verrazano and runner-up Normandy Invasion arrived in Louisville, Ky. late Sunday afternoon. Verrazano, winner of the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) prior to capturing the Wood Memorial, is owned by Let’s Go Stable, Michael Tabor, Mr. and Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith. The [...](Read more...)
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Xavier Perez Bravely Handles ‘Wild Ride’ on Spicer Cub
Michael Compton | 65 days ago
It did not make SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays, but Spicer Cub’s eventful trip in Saturday’s 11th at Pimlico Race Course has gone viral and is generating interest outside of horse racing circles. The Mary Eppler trainee took the early lead but bolted midway on the far turn before jockey Xavier Perez was able to straighten [...](Read more...)
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Mylute Breezes at Churchill Downs
Michael Compton | 65 days ago
Mylute, runner-up to Revolutionary in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2), continued his preparations for the Kentucky Derby (GI) with a six-furlong breeze in 1:12.20 on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. Working under Shaun Bridgmohan in company with two other Tom Amoss trainees, Mylute (ranked No. 16 on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented [...](Read more...)
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Overanalyze Wins Arkansas Derby
Michael Compton | 66 days ago
Overanalyze stamped his ticket to Churchill Downs with a clear victory in Saturday’s Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. With Rafael Bejarano riding for trainer Todd Pletcher, Overanalyze made a sweeping move to the leaders, brushed with Frac Daddy in the stretch and went on to win by 4 ½ lengths over Frac Daddy. Carve [...](Read more...)
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Java’s War Gets Up in Final Strides to Win Blue Grass
Michael Compton | 66 days ago
Charles Fipke’s Java’s War overcame a slow start to catch Palace Malice in the final yards to win the 89th running of the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on Saturday. Java’s War won by a neck before a crowd of 37,161.Saturday’s attendance is the second largest in track history, surpassed only by [...](Read more...)
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Derby Contender Black Onyx Works at Churchill
Michael Compton | 67 days ago
Spiral Stakes (G3) winner Black Onyx breezed five furlongs in 1:00.60 on the fast main track at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning. Working on the outside of the Eddie Kenneally-trained duo of Golden Gulch and Gombey Dancer, Black Onyx recorded fracti...
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Chuck Liddell and Brad Penny Visit Santa Anita
Michael Compton | 67 days ago
Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell, left, and Brad Penny, former major league starting pitcher, were on hand at Santa Anita on Thursday, April 11. Penny’s homebred Tribal Syn, a 3-year-old California-bred filly by Tribal Rule, made her debut in the sixth race with jockey Tyler Baze, center, aboard. Penny owns the filly’s dam, [...](Read more...)
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Post Positions Drawn for Toyota Blue Grass Stakes
Michael Compton | 69 days ago
A full field of 14 horses plus one also-eligible passed the entry box Wednesday morning for Saturday’s 89th running of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. The 1 1/8-mile Toyota Blue Grass serves as a major steppingstone for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). The race offers 170 points [...](Read more...)
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Post Positions Drawn for Arkansas Derby
Michael Compton | 69 days ago
Post positions were drawn on Wednesday for Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park. Rebel runner-up Oxbow drew post position No. 10 and was installed as the 5-2 second choice. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, Oxbow will be ridden for the first time by jockey Gary Stevens. Overanalyze, who will break from post [...](Read more...)
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Goldencents Wins Santa Anita Derby
Michael Compton | 73 days ago
Trainer Doug O’Neill is headed back to the Kentucky Derby, and this time, Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino is along for the ride. O-Neill-trained Goldencents, co-owned by Pitino, won the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) over even-money favorite Flashback by 1¼ lengths on Saturday not long before Pitino’s team rallied to beat Wichita State 72-68 [...](Read more...)
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Verrazano Stays Perfect in Winning Wood Memorial
Michael Compton | 73 days ago
Verrazano held off a fast-closing Normandy Invasion to win the Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct on Saturday to remain undefeated in four career starts. Tracking pedestrian fractions of :24.89 and :49.62 set by long shot Chrisandthecapper, Verrazano assumed command at will. Vyjack took a run at him at the head of the lane as Normandy [...](Read more...)
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Close Hatches Sharp in Gazelle Victory
Michael Compton | 73 days ago
Close Hatches turned back a stern test from the more experienced Princess of Sylmar at the head of the lane and went on to a sharp victory in the Grade 2 Gazelle at Aqueduct on Saturday.Ridden by Joel Rosario, the daughter of First Defence burst out of...
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Krigger Rides Four Winners at Santa Anita on Friday
Michael Compton | 74 days ago
Jockey Kevin Krigger and Leandro Mora, assistant to trainer Doug O’Neill, are all smiles as Krigger wins four races in-a-row at Santa Anita on Friday. Krigger won Friday’s sixth race aboard A Thousand Aces (pictured) for trainer Doug O’Neill, who also recorded his fourth win on the day—three of them in combination with Krigger. The [...](Read more...)
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Churchill Downs Honors University of Louisville B-Ball Teams
Michael Compton | 75 days ago
Churchill Downs is in the spirit for this weekend’s Final Four appearances by the University of Louisville’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. The legendary racetrack’s iconic Twin Spires that sit atop the grandstand will be cast in a red glow throughout the remainder of the NCAA tournaments to honor its U of L neighbors. The [...](Read more...)
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Dixie Union Filly Breezes in :9 4/5 at Keeneland Under Tack Show
Michael Compton | 75 days ago
Dixie Blossom breezed an eighth of a mile in :9.4 – the fastest time of the day at that distance – to highlight Thursday’s breeze show in advance of the Keeneland’s April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale on Monday. The filly, hip No. 78, by Dixie Union out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Lemon Blossom [...](Read more...)
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Rosario Returns to Gulfstream Park After Big Day in Dubai
Michael Compton | 76 days ago
Joel Rosario returned to Gulfstream Park to ride on Wednesday’s program, but the 28-year-old jockey hasn’t come back to earth after riding Animal Kingdom to victory in the $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. “It was really a special moment for me and something I’ll remember for my whole life,” Rosario told Gulfstream [...](Read more...)
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Verrazano Works at Palm Meadows Ahead of Wood Memorial
Michael Compton | 80 days ago
Undefeated Verrazano worked five furlongs in 1:01.17 Sunday morning at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida. The work completed the colt’s major preparations for an expected start in Saturday’s $1 million Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack. With Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez aboard for the work, Verrazano was sent in company with Discreet [...](Read more...)
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Orb Wins Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park
Michael Compton | 80 days ago
Orb engaged Itsmyluckyday in the stretch of Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) and drew clear late to post a 2 ¾-length victory in the colors of Stuart Janney III. Trained by Shug McGaughey and ridden by John Velazquez, Orb raced in fifth during the early stages of the 1 1/8-mile fixture. He raced into [...](Read more...)
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Revolutionary Best in Louisiana Derby
Michael Compton | 80 days ago
Revolutionary closed from last to take down top prize in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds on Saturday. WinStar’s son of War Pass made a sweeping, five-wide move around the far turn under Javier Castellano and dueled through the stretch with Mylute and Shaun Bridgmohan. At one point, it appeared Mylute had [...](Read more...)
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Animal Kingdom Dazzling in Dubai World Cup Win
Michael Compton | 80 days ago
Leroidesanimaux’s Animal Kingdom produced a scintillating performance to defeat the best horses in the World on Saturday, simply dominating the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1). Ridden by Joel Rosario, Animal Kingdom won the world’s richest race with relative ease. Rosario steered Animal Kingdom to loom outside two-time American champion filly Royal Delta, who had [...](Read more...)
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Shea Shea Breaks His Own Course Record at Meydan
Michael Compton | 81 days ago
South African-bred sprinter Shea Shea broke his own course record in winning the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Saturday. The victory could set the stage for a possible clash with World Champion sprinter Black Caviar later in the year. The win also completed a double on World Cup night for trainer Mike [...](Read more...)
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Gentildonna Carrying Japan’s Hopes in Dubai Sheema Classic
Michael Compton | 81 days ago
A small but select field of 11, headed by Japanese star Gentildonna (JPN), is set for the Dubai Sheema Classic on Saturday at Dubai. Shaping up as the one to beat since becoming the first 3-year-old filly to win the Japan Cup in November, Gentildonna is reported by her trainer, Sei Ishizaka, to be in [...](Read more...)
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Field Set for Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park
Michael Compton | 83 days ago
Stuart Janney III’s Orb emerged as an ascending star in this year’s crop of Triple Crown prospects after winning the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 23. Orb faces his biggest challenge yet for trainer Shug McGaughey in Saturday’s $1 million Besilu Stables Florida Derby (G1) when he will meet nine [...](Read more...)
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Post Positions Drawn for Dubai World Cup
Michael Compton | 84 days ago
Post positions were drawn Wednesday morning for Saturday’s $10 million Dubai World Cup. Following are reactions from the draw. Treasure Beach (Mike de Kock/Christophe Soumillon) Gate 1 Alex Cole, Racing Manager to part owner, Fitri Hay said: “We didn’t want a double-figure draw so that 9 stall 1 was the only choice really. It’s not [...](Read more...)
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Animal Kingdom Works at Meydan Ahead of World Cup
Michael Compton | 84 days ago
Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) contender Animal Kingdom turned in a workout Tuesday morning at Meydan ahead of Saturday’s $10 million World Cup. Meydan track notes from Dubai Racing Club: Royal Delta – Displaying some of the personality that trainer Bill Mott has described as “sassy,” two-time American champion Royal Delta reared as she jogged past [...](Read more...)
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Royal Delta, Animal Kingdom Gallop at Meydan
Michael Compton | 86 days ago
Royal Delta and Animal Kingdom galloped at Meydan Monday morning in preparation for Saturday’s $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1). Monday track notes from Dubai Racing Club: Royal Delta – Royal Delta galloped once around Meydan and visited the starting gate as part of the typical routine trainer Bill Mott follows with his runners before [...](Read more...)
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Governor Charlie Sets Track Record in Sunland Derby Win
Michael Compton | 86 days ago
Governor Charlie turned back eight rivals in winning Sunday’s $800,000 Sunland Derby at Sunland Park in track record time. Ridden by Martin Garcia, Governor Charlie stalked the early pace, vied three wide around the far turn of the 1 1/8-mile test and drew clear in the lane. The son of Midnight Lute crossed the wire [...](Read more...)
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Black Onyx Upsets Spiral Stakes Field
Michael Compton | 87 days ago
Black Onyx ran his rivals off their feet and ran himself into the Kentucky Derby (G1) starting gate with an upset victory in Saturday’s $550,000 Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Racing Spiral Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park. Ridden by Joe Bravo, Black Onyx defeated Uncaptured by 1 ½ lengths while covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.98 [...](Read more...)
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Uncaptured Installed as Spiral Stakes Favorite
Michael Compton | 90 days ago
Uncaptured (pictured at rail) was installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite when entries were drawn on Wednesday for Saturday’s Spiral Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park. Trained in Ocala by Mark Casse, Uncaptured will be making his first start since November when he captured the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs for owner [...](Read more...)
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D. Wayne Lukas Sweeps Rebel Stakes
Michael Compton | 94 days ago
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas is back on the Kentucky Derby trail in a big way this year after saddling the top two finishers of the Rebel Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Oaklawn Park. In a driving finish, the Lukas trained Will Take Charge at odds of 28-1 drove p...
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Joyful Victory Gets First Grade 1 Victory
Michael Compton | 94 days ago
With consummate ease at even money, Joyful Victory became racing’s newest millionaire on Saturday with an easy win in the Santa Margarita Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita. With Rosie Napravnik aboard Joyful Victory dominated her rivals, cruising to a four-length victory while covering 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.53. “She broke sharp,” said Napravnik, America’s leading [...](Read more...)
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War Academy Impressive at Santa Anita
Michael Compton | 95 days ago
Expect to see War Academy in an upcoming Kentucky Derby prep race. With a breathtaking allowance score going 1 1/16 miles on Friday at Santa Anita, War Academy is trying to join the fray for this year’s Kentucky Derby. In only his third start and in his first try around two turns, 4-5 favorite War [...](Read more...)
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Verrazano Moves Into Tie Atop Road to Kentucky Derby Standings
Michael Compton | 99 days ago
With his dominating three-length victory in Saturday’s, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2), Verrazano earned 50 points in the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” point standings. The 50 points vaulted Verrazano into a first-place tie and virtually assuring himself a spot in the Run for the Roses on May 4 at Churchill Downs. Ive Struck a [...](Read more...)
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