Kentucky Derby News

John C. Oxley’s Classic Empire, the champion 2-year-old of 2016 and winner of the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I), heads an international roster of 418 3-year-old Thoroughbreds made eligible during the early nomination phase...

John C. Oxley’s Classic Empire (#3), winner of the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I) and the champion 2-year-old of 2016, is the individual favorite to win the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI),...

Fund for the Arts Kicks Off 2017 Campaign with Annual Arts Showcase Major Gift from Churchill Downs Ensures Cultural Pass Continues to Make Arts Accessible to Louisville Youth
LOUISVILLE, KY, JANUARY 10, 2017- Fund for the Arts today kicked off its 2017...

First Kentucky Artist to Create the Derby’s Officially Licensed Artwork
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016) – Churchill Downs today released the 2017 “Official Art of the Kentucky Derby” by award-winning American and Kentucky...

With the Kentucky Derby still 23 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of “All Other 3-Year-Olds” closed as the 6-5 favorite in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I) winner Classic Empire...

A front-running victory by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC’s and Three Chimneys Farm’s Gun Runner in the 142nd running of the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade I), the promise displayed by rising 2-year-olds in a pair of “Stars...

Whitham Thoroughbreds LLC’s unbeaten odds-on favorite McCraken unleashed a powerful run on the far turn under Brian Hernandez Jr. as he rallied from next-to-last in a field of 12 to catch Wild Shot in the final sixteenth of a mile and pulled away...

Coffeepot Stables’ homebred Farrell took command shortly after the start and led every step of the way to easily win Saturday’s 73rd running of the $200,000 Golden Rod (GII) at Churchill Downs by six lengths over 5-2 favorite Daddys Lil Darling.
Farrell,...

Trainer Ian Wilkes felt relieved on Sunday morning following his promising 2-year-old McCraken’s victory in the $200,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (Grade II) on Saturday evening, which made the son of Ghostzapper an undefeated 3-for-3.
“It’s...

Janis R. Whitham’s homebred Linda rated nicely in the early stages, rallied wide on the turn for home and used a powerful closing kick to outrun Grade I Del Mar Oaks champ Harmonize down the stretch and win Friday’s 26th running of the $200,000...