Tag: 2019 Kentucky Derby

Maximum Security won 10 of his 14 races, including six in a row at one point. He retires with more than $12.4 million in career earnings and a wild career of ups and downs. (Image: Matthew Stockman/Getty)

Maximum Security Retires: Closes Book On Wild, Accomplished Career

Three days after finishing off the board for only the second time in his career, Maximum Security retired from racing. The Eclipse Award 3-year-old Champion of 2019 heads to Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud, where he’ll begin his stud career in 2021 standing for $20,000. The move comes after Maximum Security […]

A US appellate court upheld Maximum Security and rider Luis Saez's disqualification from last year's Kentucky Derby. (Image: Tom Pennington/Getty)

Appellate Court Upholds Maximum Security’s Derby Disqualification

On the cusp of the 2020 Kentucky Derby, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld a lower court decision validating Maximum Security’s disqualification in the 2019 Derby. In a unanimous 14-page decision handed down Friday, the three-judge appeals court upheld a November 2019 decision by a lower […]

Luis Saez flashes the number of victories he had in one day earlier this year. It also equals the number of days he's suspended after serving at 15-day suspension for reckless riding during last year's Kentucky Derby. (Image: Lauren King/Gulfstream Park

Luis Saez Ends Appeal, Starts Suspension From 2019 Kentucky Derby

After dropping his appeal, standout jockey Luis Saez began his 15-day suspension for his Kentucky Derby trip aboard Maximum Security that resulted in the horse’s disqualification. Saez, who leads North American jockeys with 132 wins this season, began his suspension Wednesday. It runs through June 3. His agent, former trainer […]

Maximum Security, seen here winning the 2019 Florida Derby, has only been beaten across the finish line once.

Maximum Security Seeks Redemption in $20 Million Saudi Cup

Maximum Security had a year most owners and trainers would run with, culminating in his coronation as the year’s 3-year-old Male Eclipse Award Champion. But everyone who saw Maximum Security run knew he didn’t get the maximum out of his considerable talent. That considerable talent, more than anything he did […]

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 […]

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 […]

Vennezulan-based Canonero II winning 1971 Kentucky Derby.(Image: Staten Island Advance/Irving Silverstein)

How the Kentucky Derby Became a Worldwide Horse Racing Event

Non-American horse racing interests have long coveted the greatest prize in US racing, the Kentucky Derby. The question of who has the fastest horse — in this instance a three-year-old — is many hundreds of years old and has no national boundaries. In 2012, a specific framework was created establishing […]

Anotherwtistafate impresses at Golden Gate on the Kentucky Derby Trail

Horses Moving Up or Moving Out in Kentucky Derby Points Chase

Mid-February remains a key time of year for Kentucky Derby hopefuls. Aspirants must soon be moving forward in any of the multitude of prep races, stepping up training to attain fitness for longer, more testing March and April Derby preps. Or, head for the exit ramp on the road to […]

Mark Casse send out his Wow horse, War of Will in Risen Star Stakes New Orleans.

Outside Draw Adding Intrigue to Derby Prep in New Orleans

Trainer Mark Casse’s War of Will is the likely favorite in Saturday’s $400,000 Risen Star Stakes, the major Kentucky Derby prep this week at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. But he’ll have to overcome an outside post position if he wants to visit the winner’s circle. The […]

Knicks Go, 5/2 on the morning line, is looking to rebound at Tampa Bay Downs. (Image: Keeneland/Coady Photography)

On the Derby Trail: Knicks Go No Slam Dunk at Tampa Bay Downs

History and a compelling field suggest that Saturday’s 1 1/16 mile $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs is a Kentucky Derby prep race not to be ignored. Despite often playing second fiddle to Gulfstream Park near Miami, Tampa Bay Downs is now an important feeder track for […]

Bob Baffert and 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify Garry Jones /AP

Future is Now for Kentucky Derby Bettors, Bob Baffert Leads the Way

Game Winner and Improbable, both from the stable of Bob Baffert, are expected to attract the most individual Kentucky Derby future book wagering action when the second phase of the popular bet opens Friday. Bettors also have an “all others” option covering any horse not listed by veteran linemaker Mike […]