Kentucky Derby News
June 17, 2012
Champion Royal Delta Scores Jaw-Dropping Fleur de Lis Win
Besilu Stable’s Royal Delta, North America’s champion 3-year-old filly of 2011, returned to the scene of her greatest victory with a jaw-dropping, eight-length victory over Afleeting Lady in the $161,700 Fleur de Lis Handicap Presented by...
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...