Horse Racing

A full house and a full field expected in Saturday's Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland. (Image: Keeneland Racecourse)

Major Kentucky Derby Preps Deciding Who Goes, Who Stays Home

An eye-popping field of Kentucky Derby hopefuls are contesting the $1 million Blue Grass Stakes Saturday at Kentucky’s historic Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington. And, it’s just one of a trifecta of Derby preps, the best group seen yet on the road to glory in Louisville, the first Saturday in May […]

Plus Que Parfait (red cap) sweet in UAE Derby. Image: (Virendra Saklani/Gulf News)

Walsh’s Genius Move Rewards Smart Horseplayers

Smart horseplayers know very well that giving all horses in a race equal consideration is the wise thing to do – a handicapping principle clearly on display Saturday. That’s when two easily overlooked Kentucky Derby hopefuls – Plus Que Parfait for Brendan Walsh and Maximum Security for Jason Servis – were […]

1979 Florida Derby victor Spectacular Bid certifies his greatness in  1979 Kentucky Derby (Image: Sports illustrated)

Tick, Tick, Tick: Time Running Out for Kentucky Derby Wannabes

Final exam time arrives Saturday for Kentucky Derby hopefuls in Florida and 7,827 miles away in Dubai. In these two far-flung locations, contenders are intent on proving they’ll have what it takes to enter the Derby starting gate on May 4, a scant five weeks away. At Gulfstream Park, near Miami, […]

Winx picking 'em up and laying 'em down to win 32nd straight

Winx ‘Puts Them All to the Sword’ as Racing’s Sure Thing

Novice horseplayers learn early on that when it comes to betting the ponies there are no real certainties. But now, Winx the incredible Australian race mare is displaying that when she sets foot on the turf, perhaps, she’s a sure winner after all. This week, in the most recent in […]

War of Will wows fans winning the Risen Star Stakes in New Orleans. (Image: Hodges Photography)

Kentucky Derby Contenders or Pretenders: Testing Courage on Road to Louisville

War of Will tries to make it three for three Saturday on the Louisiana path to the Kentucky Derby. He’s the unquestioned heavy favorite in the Louisiana Derby, the highlight of the winter racing season in New Orleans. But, it’s Anothertwistafate for trainer Blaine Wright, who’s garnering just a bit […]

Omaha Beach-red cap-slugging it out with Game Winner at Oaklawn Park. (Image: Coady Photography)

Horse Racing: Baffert Duo Both Settle for Second Place in Rebel Stakes Split Divisions

The last person any race fan expects to see contracting “seconditis” is Hall-of-Fame trainer Bob Baffert. But that’s just what happened to both his leading Kentucky Derby contenders, Improbable (2/5 on the odds board) and Game Winner (the public’s 1/2 favorite) Saturday at Oaklawn Park. The Baffert duo, re-routed from […]

And they'e off. Racing to resume at Santa Anita on March 29. (Image: AP)

California Horse Racing Stakeholders Agree to Revise Medication, Whipping Rules

Santa Anita Park, the iconic Southern California racetrack plagued by a horrifying series of equine fatalities, is setting March 29 as its “re-opening” day. A dispute over new medication rules between horse owners and track management had been threatening the future of the track, near Los Angeles. There’s been no […]

Uncertainty reigns at Santa Anita Park.
Image: (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Dark Days Linger at Santa Anita, Another Fatality Prompts More Changes

A pall remains over Thoroughbred racing in Southern California and is continuing to intensify. This, in the aftermath of a 22nd fatal breakdown early Thursday at Santa Anita Park. Princess Lili B, a lightly raced, 3-year-old maiden filly, snapped both front legs at the end of a half-mile workout on the […]

Heavy equipment renovating the racing surface at Santa Anita Park. (Image: AP/Damian Dovarganes)

Racing to Return to Santa Anita in March, 21 Dead Horses Still a Mystery

Racing is set to resume March 22 at Santa Anita, Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer for the owner, The Stronach Group (TSG), confirmed Sunday morning. When horses do enter the starting gate, it will end a two-week break prompted by a series of equine fatalities at the historic racetrack in […]

Hot favorite Somelikeithotbrown under Tyler Gaffalione flashing home an easy winner in Kentucky Derby prep at Turfway Park. Image: (Coady Photography/Turfway Park)

Kentucky Derby Preps: Two Favorites Falter, Somelikeithotbrown Delights

Three major Kentucky Derby preps Saturday saw two heavily hyped favorites fail to get to the winners’ circle. The third prep, at Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky, produced an impressive winner in Somelikeithotbrown for trainer Mike Maker. A fourth key prep Saturday, the $500,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita […]

Win Win Win expected favorite in Tampa Bay Derby. (Image: SV Photography)

Derby Fever Spiking, Hopefuls Test Mettle in Florida, New York, Kentucky

Kentucky Derby hopefuls are gathering Saturday in Florida, New York and Kentucky. The mission: test their speed, stamina and heart attempting to earn a spot in the Derby starting gate on May 4. A fourth key prep, the $500,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita remains on hold as track […]

High tech equipment to be used to solve the mystery of equine deaths at Santa Anita (Image: racingtv.com)

Santa Anita Horse Deaths Puzzle Track Investigators, Racing Stakeholders

Twenty-one equine fatalities in less than three months at Santa Anita Park have forced an indefinite suspension of all racing and training activities. As officials try to determine if they’re looking at a statistical anomaly, deteriorating track conditions in the face of unprecedented rain and cold, or something else, the […]

Code of Honor winning Fountain of Youth stamps himself strong Kentucky Derby contender. (Image: Gulfstream Park)

Code of Honor Digs in as Derby Contender with $400K Fountain of Youth Win

Code of Honor is forging ahead towards the Kentucky Derby after showing high energy in winning the historic $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Jockey John Velasquez, breaking from the inside post, allowed Code of Honor ($21.00-$8.60-$5.40) to establish position fifth at the rail. Settling his mount […]

Winx (white bridle) flashes finishing speed to win 31st straight. (Image: Weekend Australian)

Winx Winks at History, Aussie Champion Wins Again

Australian race mare Winx continues revamping the record book, posting her 31st straight triumph in the Chipping Norton Stakes Saturday afternoon at Royal Randwick near Sydney. The now eight-year-old champion is ever nearer to retirement after just two more races faced a field of six others, but one comprising five […]

Trainer Bill Mott hoping stay on Kentucky Derby trail with Hidden Scroll. (Image: Coady Photography)

Kentucky Derby Hopes Spring From Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream

Just who will sip from the Fountain of Youth? The legend of a spring that supposedly restores the vitality and vigor of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters may be a myth, but the horse race Saturday at Gulfstream Park, near Miami, is quite real. All eyes will be […]