INSIDER
Churchill Downs lifts suspension of trainer Bob Baffert following Medina Spirit's failed drug test
Read full article: Churchill Downs lifts suspension of trainer Bob Baffert following Medina Spirit's failed drug testChurchill Downs has rescinded its extended suspension of Bob Baffert, allowing the Hall of Fame trainer to resume racing his horses at the historic track and partner facilities after more than three years of banishment for a failed postrace drug test of 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit.
Kentucky Derby victory aboard Mystik Dan provides signature win for jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.
Read full article: Kentucky Derby victory aboard Mystik Dan provides signature win for jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. rode Mystik Dan to victory in the 150th Kentucky Derby to complete the most rewarding weekend of his career.
Kentucky Derby fans pack the track for the 150th Run for the Roses
Read full article: Kentucky Derby fans pack the track for the 150th Run for the RosesFans packed into Churchill Downs Saturday for the 150th Kentucky Derby, the longest continuously held sporting event in the country, and many said they felt the milestone made race day feel extra special this year.
Larry Demeritte is just the second Black trainer since 1951 to saddle a horse for the Kentucky Derby
Read full article: Larry Demeritte is just the second Black trainer since 1951 to saddle a horse for the Kentucky DerbyLarry Demeritte has run horses on Kentucky Derby day in the past, just never in the big race.
Breeders' Cup contender Practical Move dies after a gallop at Santa Anita. Arcangelo out of Classic
Read full article: Breeders' Cup contender Practical Move dies after a gallop at Santa Anita. Arcangelo out of ClassicA horse set to run in this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup has died after a gallop at Santa Anita.
Breeders' Cup Classic to pit Kentucky Derby and Belmont winners, with Bob Baffert entry, too
Read full article: Breeders' Cup Classic to pit Kentucky Derby and Belmont winners, with Bob Baffert entry, tooKentucky Derby winner Mage and Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo head a full field of 14 horses for the wide-open Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Panel finds no single factor in horse deaths at Churchill Downs. More screening is suggested
Read full article: Panel finds no single factor in horse deaths at Churchill Downs. More screening is suggestedA report from horse racing’s federally created oversight panel found no single cause of death among 12 horses at Churchill Downs this spring, but recommends further action and analysis to mitigate risk at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
Legal sports betting opens to fanfare in Kentucky; governor makes the first wager at Churchill Downs
Read full article: Legal sports betting opens to fanfare in Kentucky; governor makes the first wager at Churchill DownsKentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has placed a $20 bet to signal that legal sports wagering is off and running in the Bluegrass State.
Preakness officials say they're considering changing the timing of the second Triple Crown race
Read full article: Preakness officials say they're considering changing the timing of the second Triple Crown racePreakness officials say they are considering moving the second Triple Crown race back to four weeks after the Kentucky Derby instead of two weeks later.
Churchill Downs to improve track maintenance, veterinary resources for fall meet after horse deaths
Read full article: Churchill Downs to improve track maintenance, veterinary resources for fall meet after horse deathsChurchill Downs will implement safety measures for its September meet including new track surface maintenance equipment and additional monitoring and equine care following 12 horse deaths before and after the Kentucky Derby that spurred suspension of its spring meet.
Churchill Downs to resume racing at fall meet with no changes after horse deaths
Read full article: Churchill Downs to resume racing at fall meet with no changes after horse deathsRacing will resume at Churchill Downs in September, with no changes being made after a review of surfaces and safety protocols in the wake of 12 horse deaths.
Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, dies at 23
Read full article: Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, dies at 23Funny Cide, the “Gutsy Gelding” who became a fan favorite after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2003, has died from complications of colic.
Churchill Downs extends trainer Bob Baffert's ban through 2024
Read full article: Churchill Downs extends trainer Bob Baffert's ban through 2024Churchill Downs is extending trainer Bob Baffert's suspension through 2024 citing continued concerns regarding the threat to the safety and integrity of racing he poses.
Churchill Downs moves meet to Ellis Park to examine protocols following 12 horse deaths
Read full article: Churchill Downs moves meet to Ellis Park to examine protocols following 12 horse deathsChurchill Downs will suspend racing operations on Wednesday and move the remainder of its spring meet to Ellis Park to conduct a “top-to-bottom” review of safety and surface protocols in the wake of 12 horse fatalities the past month at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
Churchill Downs implements safety, performance standards to address recent spate of horse deaths
Read full article: Churchill Downs implements safety, performance standards to address recent spate of horse deathsHorse racing’s oversight authority and Churchill Downs have each announced additional safety and health initiatives in the wake of 12 recent deaths since late April at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
Horse dies after race at Churchill Downs, 9th recent fatality at home of Kentucky Derby
Read full article: Horse dies after race at Churchill Downs, 9th recent fatality at home of Kentucky DerbyA ninth horse has died after being injured following a race at Churchill Downs, making it the ninth fatality since late April at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
Baffert back from ban, wins Preakness with National Treasure after another horse euthanized
Read full article: Baffert back from ban, wins Preakness with National Treasure after another horse euthanizedBob Baffert’s National Treasure has won the Preakness Stakes, hours after another of the Hall of Famer's horses was euthanized on the track with a racing injury.
Far from Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby winner Mage's team settles into Preakness routine
Read full article: Far from Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby winner Mage's team settles into Preakness routineMage's team at the Preakness has settled into a stable routine at the Preakness after the horse's Kentucky Derby victory capped off a tumultuous stretch at Churchill Downs.
Horse dies at Churchill Downs, 8th recent fatality at home of Kentucky Derby
Read full article: Horse dies at Churchill Downs, 8th recent fatality at home of Kentucky DerbyA horse has died after a race at Churchill Downs, making it the eighth fatality in recent weeks at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the Preakness at Pimlico on May 20
Read full article: Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the Preakness at Pimlico on May 20Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the 148th Preakness following an encouraging workout at Churchill Downs, the horse’s connections said.
Kentucky Derby winner Mage is on track to run in the Preakness, pursue Triple Crown
Read full article: Kentucky Derby winner Mage is on track to run in the Preakness, pursue Triple CrownKentucky Derby winner Mage remains on track to run in the Preakness next week to continue a pursuit of horse racing’s first Triple Crown.
Forte placed on KY veterinary list, clouding Preakness plans
Read full article: Forte placed on KY veterinary list, clouding Preakness plansKentucky racing officials have placed scratched Kentucky Derby favorite Forte on a mandatory 14-day veterinary list that may require the colt to pass a soundness test in Maryland in order to race in the Preakness.
Churchill Downs suspends trainer Joseph after 2 horse deaths
Read full article: Churchill Downs suspends trainer Joseph after 2 horse deathsChurchill Downs has suspended trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. indefinitely and Lord Miles, who is trained by Joseph, has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby days after the sudden death of two of his horses at the track.
Quiz: Is this a Kentucky Derby-winning horse, or a made-up name?
Read full article: Quiz: Is this a Kentucky Derby-winning horse, or a made-up name?There are two types of people who watch the Kentucky Derby: Those who bet money and want to win, and spectators who just want to admire the strange names given to the horses.
Mo.-based company hired to police drugs in US horse racing
Read full article: Mo.-based company hired to police drugs in US horse racingA deal for Drug Free Sport International to police medication in horse racing is in place two months before the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority takes effect.
Baffert switches 4 Kentucky Derby hopefuls to other trainers
Read full article: Baffert switches 4 Kentucky Derby hopefuls to other trainersBob Baffert has transferred four of his promising 3-year-old colts to other trainers, which will allow them to earn qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby while the Hall of Fame trainer appeals his 90-day suspension.
Corniche wins Breeders' Cup Juvenile for embattled Baffert
Read full article: Corniche wins Breeders' Cup Juvenile for embattled BaffertCorniche won the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by 1 3/4 length at Del Mar, stamping the colt as the early favorite for next year’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, where his trainer, Bob Baffert, has been banned.
Medina Spirit drug test confirmed; Baffert suspended 2 years
Read full article: Medina Spirit drug test confirmed; Baffert suspended 2 yearsTrainer Bob Baffert has been suspended for two years by Churchill Downs after an additional drug test of Medina Spirit confirmed the presence of the steroid betamethasone in the Kentucky Derby winner's system.
Baffert mulling Medina Spirit's next step after Derby win
Read full article: Baffert mulling Medina Spirit's next step after Derby winAs Bob Baffert digests a record seventh Kentucky Derby win that even caught him off guard, the Hall of Fame trainer and Medina Spirit’s connections must determine whether the colt will turn around quickly for the Preakness on May 15.
Medina Spirit gives Baffert record 7th Kentucky Derby win
Read full article: Medina Spirit gives Baffert record 7th Kentucky Derby winMedina Spirit fought off three challengers in the stretch to win the Kentucky Derby, making Bob Baffert the winningest trainer in the race’s 147-year history with seven victories.
The Latest: Medina Spirit gives Baffert record 7th Derby win
Read full article: The Latest: Medina Spirit gives Baffert record 7th Derby winMedina Spirit has won the 147th Kentucky Derby by a half-length over Mandaloun to give Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a record seventh victory in the premier race for 3-year-olds.
Morning Briefing May 1, 2021: Pontiac girl abducted in Tennessee reunited with family, how to watch the Kentucky Derby today, US and NATO forces begin final withdrawal from Afghanistan
Read full article: Morning Briefing May 1, 2021: Pontiac girl abducted in Tennessee reunited with family, how to watch the Kentucky Derby today, US and NATO forces begin final withdrawal from AfghanistanHere are this morning's top stories.
The Latest: Astros to allow 50% capacity for games in April
Read full article: The Latest: Astros to allow 50% capacity for games in AprilHouston hosts 14 games in April -- Oakland and Detroit visit for three each, the Los Angeles Angels and Seattle play four times. ___The Charlotte Hornets will allow approximately 5,000 fans to attend NBA home games beginning March 26 against Miami, or about 25% percent of the Spectrum Center’s seating capacity. That’s a 10% increase from the 3,000 fans that were allowed to attend home games beginning March 13. ___The Preakness will be run in front of a limited capacity of 10,000 fans at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 15. AdSince the pandemic was declared in March 2020, the Ad Council has mobilized the industry to launch a multi-pronged communications effort to combat COVID-19.
Improbable is 5-2 favorite for Breeders' Cup Classic
Read full article: Improbable is 5-2 favorite for Breeders' Cup Classic8 post position for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and is the 5-2 morning line favorite for the marquee race of the season-ending World Championships at Keeneland. Kentucky Derby champion Authentic, a Baffert pupil who held off Tiz the Law in a wire-to-wire victory at Churchill, will go off at 6-1 from the No. I can’t do any more for him.”Filly Swiss Skydiver, who won last month's Preakness against males and was a Classic pre-entry, opted to run against her own gender in Breeders' Cup Distaff over 1 1/8 miles. “She was 11 of 11 in the Breeders’ Cup in 2018," he said. 7 post for Breeders’ Cup Juvenile that cap Friday’s five-race feature card for 2-year-olds.
Another horse in Baffert’s stable draws a positive test
Read full article: Another horse in Baffert’s stable draws a positive test(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)A filly trained by two-time Triple Crown winner Bob Baffert has tested positive in a postrace drug test for the second time this year, making it the third positive test by a horse in Baffert’s stable in the last six months. He blamed the positive test on environmental contamination linked to a pain patch worn by assistant trainer Jim Barnes. Between her two positive tests, Gamine won the Acorn Stakes at Belmont and the Test Stakes at Saratoga, both in New York. The same day Gamine tested positive at Oaklawn, another Baffert horse also failed a postrace test. Charlatan, who won a division of the Arkansas Derby, also tested positive for lidocaine and was disqualified.
House approves bill to combat doping in horse racing
Read full article: House approves bill to combat doping in horse racingThe “Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act” comes after a series of doping scandals and a rash of horse fatalities in recent years. "Horse racing has long been woven into the fabric of American culture,'' Tonko said during House debate, citing storied names such as Secretariat and Man o' War that “stir the imagination of racing fans” around the world. The House bill would empower an independent Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority to set uniform, national standards for medication, track safety and testing of horses for performance-enhancing drugs, or PEDs. The legislation is supported by a range of groups, including The Jockey Club, the New York Racing Association and the Humane Society of the United States. “Horse racing is experiencing the most profound crisis in the long history of the sport.
Authentic's future could include rematch against Tiz the Law
Read full article: Authentic's future could include rematch against Tiz the LawBob Bafferts latest star achieved that by blowing past Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law to win going away Saturday at Churchill Downs. Though Authentic shattered hopes for a Triple Crown winner this year, he raised questions about what hell do for an encore, which could include a possible rematch against Tiz the Law at the Preakness in Baltimore on Oct. 3. There figures to be other well-rested horses to contend with, though Baffert touted Tiz the Law as a formidable foe at Pimlico Race Course. But those options are for later, and Baffert is happy that Authentic emerged from the Derby in good shape. Right now, at the end of the day Tiz the Law is still going to be tough.
The Latest: A Kentucky Derby with no fans and a big favorite
Read full article: The Latest: A Kentucky Derby with no fans and a big favoriteKentucky Derby entry Thousand Words runs during an early morning workout at Churchill Downs, Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. The Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5th. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The Latest: A Kentucky Derby with no fans and a big favorite
Read full article: The Latest: A Kentucky Derby with no fans and a big favoriteHorses run during a race before the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)LOUISVILLE, Ky. The Latest on the 146th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs (all times EDT):12:30 p.m. Early races have gone off at sunny Churchill Downs in the lead-up to the 146th Kentucky Derby, set to begin without spectators beneath the Twin Spires and with protests against social injustice expected to take place nearby. Tiz the Law enters the $3 million race as the 3-5 morning line favorite for the 16-horse field with odds likely to rise by the scheduled 7:02 p.m. post time. The colt won the Belmont Stakes and can become the first Derby winner from the No. Hes surrounded on the outside in the 1 mile-race by Honor A. P. (5-1, No.
'Worst Derby Ever': A T-shirt slogan sums up 2020 woes
Read full article: 'Worst Derby Ever': A T-shirt slogan sums up 2020 woesMilitary Police, working as security, stand in empty stands before the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)LOUISVILLE, Ky. The Churchill Downs stands are empty and the wagering windows closed. The 146th Kentucky Derby is a surreal distillation of the crises facing the county in 2020. The race, usually in May, is four months late because of the coronavirus pandemic. Wanda Martin lives across from the backside of Churchill Downs. Worst derby ever.
Authentic wins Ky. Derby, gives Baffert tying 6th victory
Read full article: Authentic wins Ky. Derby, gives Baffert tying 6th victoryAuthentic won by 1 1/4 lengths without the usual crowd of 150,000 on hand at Churchill Downs because of the coronavirus pandemic. The bay colt ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.61 under John Velazquez, who earned his third Derby victory. Sent off at 3-5 as the biggest Derby favorite in 31 years, Tiz the Law stalked Authentic on the outside before challenging at the top of the stretch. Yes! Baffert shouted in the paddock, where he watched the race on the video screen. Tiz the Law had already won the Belmont, the kickoff to the reconfigured Triple Crown that was run in June at a shorter distance.
Tiz the Law is a big favorite in a Derby unlike any other
Read full article: Tiz the Law is a big favorite in a Derby unlike any otherKentucky Derby entry Tiz the Law runs during a workout at Churchill Downs, Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. The Kentucky Derby still has horses Tiz the Law is the biggest favorite in 31 years but just about everything else makes the 146th edition unlike any other. Quietude cant hurt, said Barclay Tagg, trainer of 3-5 favorite Tiz the Law. Tiz the Law won the Travers by 5 1/2 lengths over the same distance at Saratoga a month ago. A win by Tiz the Law would make Tagg the oldest trainer to win a Derby at age 82.
Long shot Shedaresthedevil pulls off upset in Kentucky Oaks
Read full article: Long shot Shedaresthedevil pulls off upset in Kentucky OaksFlorent Geroux rides Shedaresthedevil, second left, and John Velazquez rides Gamine, right, going into the first turn during the 146th running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)LOUISVILLE, Ky. Long shot Shedaresthedevil won the Kentucky Oaks in record time, overtaking favorite Gamine at the top of the stretch and holding off Swiss Skydiver for a 1 1/2-length victory Friday in the 146th Kentucky Oaks for fillies at Churchill Downs. 7 post, staying within reach of the heavily favored Gamine before coming on near the final turn and gaining the lead entering the stretch. Once ahead, she turned it up more with Florent Geroux aboard, pulling away from Swiss Skydiver and rolling to victory in the $1.25 million marquee event. Swiss Skydiver, who started along the rail, returned $3.80 and $2.60. Postponed from May along with the Kentucky Derby because of coronavirus concerns, the Oaks went off on a hot, sunny day without spectators.
From Derby DQ to doping, a chaotic year in horse racing
Read full article: From Derby DQ to doping, a chaotic year in horse racingWhat happened next set horse racing off on a year-long odyssey of chaos. From a historic DQ to doping, lawsuits to a global pandemic, and then a Triple Crown turned upside down. What happened next set horse racing off on a yearlong odyssey of chaos: from a historic DQ to doping, from lawsuits to a pandemic, and now a Triple Crown turned upside down. Instead of leading off on the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby shifted to Labor Day weekend. Who would have ever thought youd run the Kentucky Derby with no fans? Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith said.
Ahead of Kentucky Derby, worker shortage looms for trainers
Read full article: Ahead of Kentucky Derby, worker shortage looms for trainersThe Trump administrations immigration squeeze and the hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic threaten to leave the horse racing industry short of workers, racing officials warn as they prepare for a reconfigured Kentucky Derby. Pea argues that H-2B visa workers have less legal protection than their American counterparts. Low pay is part of the problem, contends Elisabeth Jensen, the executive vice president of the Kentucky Equine Education Project, an organization that supports the state's horse industry. To accommodate the number of horses with a limited supply of workers, trainers have to work with fewer horses. Laurie Mays, a project manager at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, is in charge of developing a local workforce for the horse industry.
Coronavirus forces changes for Kentucky Derby jockeys
Read full article: Coronavirus forces changes for Kentucky Derby jockeys(AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File)Jockeys riding in the rescheduled 146th Kentucky Derby have to arrive by Monday and then quarantine upon returning to their home tracks, just one of many changes forced by the coronavirus pandemic. Initially, Churchill Downs had proposed an arrival date of Aug. 24 -- nearly two weeks before the Derby on Sept. 5. Smith will bolster his trip to the Derby with a riding assignment the following weekend at Kentucky Downs near the Tennessee border. Smith will be joined by some other Derby jockeys. Their coronavirus tests from Churchill Downs will be honored at the southern Kentucky track.
Country House win in 2019 Derby upheld by appeals court
Read full article: Country House win in 2019 Derby upheld by appeals courtLOUISVILLE, Ky. A federal appeals court has upheld the decision by Churchill Downs stewards that made Country House the winner of the 2019 Kentucky Derby. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati on Friday affirmed a U.S. District Court decision to dismiss a lawsuit by Gary and Mary West, who own Maximum Security. The Wests sued the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, its executive director, members and stewards after the race in May 2019. The Wests sought to reverse the track stewards decision, contending it violated their rights to due process. Maximum Security won the Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 22.
Kentucky Derby, Oaks will run with limitations on spectators
Read full article: Kentucky Derby, Oaks will run with limitations on spectators(AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)LOUISVILLE, Ky. Churchill Downs officials have gotten their wish, announcing Thursday that when the rescheduled Kentucky Derby is run in September there will be spectators in the stands just more spread out than usual. The historic track got the go-ahead to run the Derby and Oaks this fall with spectators under strict guidelines to limit crowd density for the marquee Triple Crown race that annually attracts more than 150,000. Andy Beshear and local health officials, Churchill Downs will reduce capacity in general admission, outdoor reserved seating, premium dining and suites. Attendance obviously will be lower this year with new health protocols, and Churchill Downs president Kevin Flanery isn't thinking about numbers. Churchill Downs will announce information on tickets and seating in the coming days.
Many struggling in horse racing hope return brings lifeline
Read full article: Many struggling in horse racing hope return brings lifelineFILE - In this May 7, 2020 file photo the sun rises over the track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Horse racing is in a state of transition at a time usually reserved for Triple Crown season. There is some light at the end of the tunnel as tracks including Churchill Downs in Kentucky are getting back to live racing without fans. Were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, hopefully, Maryland-based owner and trainer Linda Gaudet said from Louisville, Kentucky, where shes preparing for racing to return Saturday at Churchill Downs. Like other businesses, it will happen gradually and on a case-by-case basis, with people like Gaudet hoping horse racing will eventually get back on its feet.