Kentucky Derby News

June 17, 2012

Ron the Greek Rallies for Grade I Stephen Foster Upset, Caps Huge Night for Mott Before 25,417

Ron the Greek, sixth in the early going, rallied along the rail in the stretch under jockey Jose Lezcano to grab the lead from heavily favored Wise Dan in the final strides to win the 31st running of the $437,200, Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap by a...

June 17, 2012

Humana Distaff Winner Groupie Doll Returns to Churchill Downs

Groupie Doll has resumed training at Churchill Downs following a brief vacation at trainer Buff Bradley’s Indian Ridge Farm in Frankfort after her record-breaking performance in the Humana Distaff (Grade I) beneath the Twin Spires on Kentucky Derby...

June 16, 2012

Heavily Favored Homerun Bertie Rolls in Feature

Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Homerun Berti entered the stretch of the Matt Winn Turf Course with a clear advantage and continued to increase his lead from there to win the $54,704 Friday feature at Churchill Downs by a widening 3 ¼ lengths over...

June 15, 2012

Leggio Expects Big Run from St. John's River in Fleur de Lis

Dede McGehee’s St. John’s River has run well in her two notable starts at Churchill Downs, and trainer Andy Leggio Jr. expects another top effort over the Louisville track from the 4-year-old bay daughter of Include in Saturday night’s...

June 14, 2012

Churchill Downs Refines 'Road to the Kentucky Derby', Oaks with Point System

In one of the most essential developments in the storied history of the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs Racetrack will abandon the graded stakes earnings criteria it has used since 1986 to determine which 20 horses get into the starting gate for the 1...

June 14, 2012

Lopresti Says Wise Dan is 'Spot On' for Stephen Foster

Wise Dan, the winner of last fall’s Clark Handicap (Grade I) at Churchill Downs who recently broke a track record at Keeneland in his 10 ½-length romp in the Ben Ali (GIII), was reported to be full of himself Thursday morning and trainer...

June 14, 2012

Some Dining, Seats Available for Saturday's 'Desert Oasis' 'Downs After Dark', J.D. Shelburne Set for Friday Happy Hours

The atmosphere of Churchill Downs and fashion choices by its racing fans will reflect the sights and sounds of the Middle East as the historic track is transformed into a “Desert Oasis” for the “Downs After Dark” Presented by Stella...

June 13, 2012

McPeek Looking for Top Effort from Rogue Romance in Foster

Catesby Clay’s Rogue Romance could be one of the longest shots on the board for the $400,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) on Saturday evening at Churchill Downs, but trainer Ken McPeek hopes for a top effort from his 4-year-old colt when...

June 13, 2012

Wise Dan, Alternation Head Accomplished Field of Nine for Saturday's Stephen Foster Handicap

Morton Fink’s homebred Wise Dan, winner of the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (Grade I) at Churchill Downs last fall, and Pin Oak Stable’s homebred Alternation, the top-rated horse in the latest NTRA poll off his narrow victory...

June 13, 2012

Champion Royal Delta, Hilltop Winner Coup, Peter Pan Runner-Up Right to Vote Top Trio of Graded Stakes on Stephen Foster Handicap Undercard

Royal Delta, champion 3-year-old filly of 2011; Right to Vote, runner-up to Mark Valeski in the Peter Pan (Grade II); and Hilltop winner Coup headline the entries for the trio of graded stakes to be run under the lights Saturday at Churchill Downs as...

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