Tag Archives: Churchill Downs

Escape Artist: Quick Opened Up 3 At 1/8 Pole for Win By 5 | Upcoming Race:Churchill Downs May 18, 2024

Three year old ridgling for Mike McCarthy tried the first allowance condition on Sunday at a mile on the turf for sophomores. Off as the even money choice in a field of 7, he broke OK and sat 2nd into the clubhouse turn. He laid 2nd down the back side just 2 lengths behind the […]

Kentucky Derby 2023 Report: A final look

By Jarrod Horak After Kentucky Derby 2023 post positions were drawn on Monday, we had a 20-horse field with a trio of also-eligibles. As I reported yesterday, Practical Move, Lord Miles, and Continuar dropped out of the race, and Cyclone Mischief, Mandarin Hero, and King Russell drew in.  On Friday, word came down that Skinner […]

Kentucky Oaks 2023 Report: Top Pick

By Jarrod Horak The Kentucky Oaks 2023 field is set and there have been no changes since post positions were drawn earlier this week. Wet Paint is the deserving morning line favorite. She won the Martha Washington, Honeybee, and Fantasy Stakes from off the pace in her last three starts at Oaklawn. She is fine […]

Virasana: Looks Like Stakes Material | Upcoming Race:Churchill Downs May 18, 2024

Three year old filly for Peter Eurton made start #2 on Sunday in a maiden special weight event at ¾ on the main. Off at 12/1 in a field of just six, she made the running quickly under Maldonado and engaged early through quick splits of 21.85 and 44.67. She put the other speed away […]

Kentucky Derby 2023 Report: Kingsbarns Rules

By Jarrod Horak Todd Pletcher trainees dominated the Kentucky Derby 2023 points races in March. First it was Forte in the Fountain of Youth on March 4, and Tapit Trice made his case in the Tampa Bay Derby a week later. On March 25, it was Kingsbarns and Flavien Prat wiring the field in the […]

Kentucky Oaks 2023 Report: Southlawn Shines

By Jarrod Horak Southlawn seemingly came out of nowhere and is suddenly prominent player on the road to Kentucky Oaks 2023. The daughter of Pioneerof the Nile was just 1-for-5 last year. She romped in her optional claiming return at Fair Grounds on Feb. 17, and stormed home from off the pace in a strong […]

Kentucky Oaks 2023 Report: February Surprises

By Jarrod Horak There were plenty of surprises in recent Kentucky Oaks 2023 prep races. Champion juvenile filly Wonder Wheel lost her first start of the year by a neck in the Suncoast Stakes, and Todd Pletcher’s well-bred filly Julia Shining landed the show in that same race. Highly regarded Tom Amoss trainee Hoosier Philly […]

Escape Artist: A Good Versatile Winner From 8 – 9 Furlongs | Upcoming Race:Churchill Downs May 18, 2024

Three year old colt for Mike McCarthy made start #2 on Saturday at 9 furlongs on the grass in a maiden special weight. Off as the 5/2 choice in a field of 11, he broke well under Johnny V and laid 3rd into the clubhouse turn just 3 lengths back of the leaders. He stayed […]

Kentucky Derby 2023 Report: Leaderboard Update

By Jarrod Horak The ten juvenile points races on the road to Kentucky Derby 2023 have all been completed, and Forte is likely to be the juvenile male champ after Grade 1 victories in the Hopeful, Breeders’ Futurity, and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The latter race was deep with Cave Rock landing the place and National […]

Kentucky Oaks 2023 Report: Leaderboard Update

By Jarrod Horak The first nine Kentucky Oaks 2023 points races are in the books. Wonder Wheel won two big Grade 1 races at Keeneland, the Alcibiades and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, and she will almost certainly be named the juvenile filly champion. Honorable mention goes to sharp Golden Rod winner Hoosier Philly, and promising […]