Horse Racing

History always remembers the Belmont Stakes winner -- in 2018 Justify completes the Triple Crown (Image:NYRA)

2019 Belmont Stakes Preview: Early Look at Triple Crown’s Last Leg

Can public interest in next Saturday’s 2019 Belmont Stakes approach this year’s controversial Kentucky Derby or the competitive excellence of the Preakness Stakes? Probably not. However, a ding-dong stretch duel between probable favorites, hometown hero Tacitus and War of Will, the Preakness winner, and an exemplary undercard of lucrative stakes […]

All smiles for Creme Fraiche, jockey Eddie Maple and trainer Woody Stephens after Belmont Stakes.

Commemorating Trainer Woody Stephens’ Belmont Stakes ‘Five Bagger’

The upcoming 1 ½ mile Belmont Stakes on June 8, the third jewel of Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, once again invokes recollections of what many believe is the sport’s greatest training accomplishment: Woody Stephens’ winning five straight Belmont Stakes. Younger horseplayers know the name, but might not recall the man and […]

Kaymarie Kreidel and Witch  Hunter make the "catch" after Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. (Image:

Meet the Heroic Outrider Who Made “The Catch” to Stop Runaway Horse at Pimlico

The skill and horsemanship of outrider Kaymarie Kreidel and her retired Thoroughbred Witch Hunter are key and unheralded components of Saturday’s stirring 144th renewal of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore. The race now headlines the resume of War of Will, but there’s more. When Bodexpress jumped at the start propelling […]

"Wow" horse War of Will scampers home a winner in 144th Preakness Stakes. (image:AP)

War of Will Shows What Coulda Been by Winning Preakness

War of Will is the gritty winner of the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes at historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. This is the first Preakness without the Kentucky Derby victor since 1996. The winner, under jockey Tyler Gaffalione, 24 and the youngest rider in the race, benefited from a dream […]

Improbable for trainer Bob Baffert 5/2 morning line favorite in Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico (Image: USA TODAY/ Sports)

Preakness Odds: Post Positions, Morning Lines Set for Jam-Packed Race

The historic 144th Preakness Stakes takes center stage Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. A highly competitive, full field of 13 three-year-olds is heading postward and, perhaps, at least for this day, might curtail the seemingly unending controversy that continues to engulf the 2019 Kentucky Derby. 2019 marks the first […]

Maximum Security in the pink colors sloshes home a winner in the 2019 Kentucky Derby only to be disqualified.

Maximum Security Owners File Lawsuit against Kentucky Horse Racing Officials

Calling the process that caused the disqualification of their Kentucky Derby winner Maximum Security “bizarre and unconstitutional,” owners Gary and Mary West, filed a federal lawsuit late Tuesday over the May 4 incident. The federal lawsuit filing is in U.S. District Court in Frankfort, Kentucky, and seeks to have the […]

Maximum Security with Luis Saez aboard crosses the Kentucky Derby finish line first but loses only to be de'd. (Image: AP)

Country House Joins Maximum Security in Bowing Out of Preakness Stakes

Country House, winner of the Kentucky Derby thanks to a controversial disqualification, is out of the Preakness Stakes. He joins Maximum Security, the disqualified horse, with both sets of connections electing not to run in the second leg of the Triple Crown on May 18, two Saturdays from now. The […]

Country House (saddle cloth #20) DQ winner of 145th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

Wild Kentucky Derby DQ Sends Longshot Country House to Winner’s Circle

Country House, a 65/1 long shot, is the stunning winner via disqualification of the 2019 Kentucky Derby in this, the 145th edition of the US’s most prestigious race. Former claimer Maximum Security at off odds of 9/2 crossed the finish line first over a sloppy racing surface. But, stewards, following […]

Kentucky Derby favorite Omaha Beach out of the race due to breathing issue.

Kentucky Derby Favorite Omaha Beach Scratched from Race

The opening favorite for the 145th Kentucky Derby, Omaha Beach, was a surprise scratch for Saturday’s Run for the Roses. The outstanding three-year-old was removed from the $3 million 1 1/4 mile race for three-year-olds late Wednesday, after trainer Richard Mandella and veterinarians discovered a concerning breathing problem. The Daily […]

The iconic twin spires overlooking Churchill Downs symbolize America's greatest race. (Image: Churchill Downs)

Omaha Beach, Baffert Trio Are the Kentucky Derby Favorites

Omaha Beach at 4/1 is now the morning line favorite for Saturday’s highly anticipated $3 million Kentucky Derby. It’s the 145th edition of the US’s most prestigious horse race. Barring any late scratches, the field is now set with Tuesday’s completion of this year’s post position draw. The Kentucky Derby is […]

Laurel Park jockeys display new tech riding crops before Thursday races. (Image: Laurel Park)

First Group of Jockeys Issued New Padded Whips at Laurel Park (VIDEO)

Technology could soon be changing the relationship between Thoroughbred horses and their riders, with the first widespread use of a new, padded riding whips at Laurel Park in Maryland. On Thursday, all the riders at the suburban Washington, DC, track used the new, cushioned riding crops for the first time […]

Bellafina a sparkling winner of the Chandelier Stakes Sept. 29 at Santa Anita. (Image: Breeders' Cup)

Bellafina: Hoping to Make Beautiful Music in Kentucky Oaks

All indications are pointing towards Bellafina as the post time favorite for the 2019 Kentucky Oaks on Friday May 3. The speedy three-year-old filly hails from the barn of upper-echelon, California-based conditioner Simon Callahan. The $1.25 million race, for three-year-old female runners, is the accompaniment to the 145th Kentucky Derby […]

Storm clouds gathering over Santa Anita Park.

Los Angeles County DA to Investigate Santa Anita Horse Deaths

A Los Angeles County task force will now formally examine the recent rash of equine fatalities at iconic Santa Anita Park. This from LA County District Attorney Jackie Lacey in a Tuesday media statement. Here’s the Lacey announcement in its entirety: “I have formed a task force of experienced deputy […]

Jockey Mike Smith and trainer Bob Baffert celebrating 2018 Kentucky Derby triumph. (Image:AP)

Prelims Done, These 20 Horses Qualified for the 2019 Kentucky Derby

The long and winding road to 2019 Kentucky Derby glory is nearing conclusion. Now, with the prep season at an end, the focus shifts to getting those horses that have made the grade all set for the biggest race of their lives. It’s less than three weeks to May 4, […]

Wet weather and a full house expected Saturday in Hot Springs.

Last Chance Saturday: Kentucky Derby Destiny at Stake

Omaha Beach and Improbable at Oaklawn Park and Anothertwistafate and Sueno at Keeneland are leading the way into the final weekend of Kentucky Derby prep races. Saturday marks the final day to earn points towards one of only 20 starting stalls for the race every owner, jockey and trainer covets. […]

Winx with jockey Hugh Bowman aboard calling it a career Saturday. (image: Mark Evans/Getty)

Winx’s Last Race: One of the Best Horses Ever Calling It a Career

Winx, generally regarded as one of the greatest equine athletes ever to look through a bridal, takes her final bow Saturday at Royal Randwick Racecourse, in suburban Sydney. The “mare beyond compare,” now age 7, is in search of a 33rd straight victory as a farewell celebration on her way […]