Kentucky Derby News

February 5, 2012

397 Nominees to Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown

Champion 2-year-old Hansen and Union Rags, separated by a head in a thrilling 1-2 finish in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I), and unbeaten Algorithms, who stepped into the spotlight with a five-length win over the champion in the...

January 18, 2012

Churchill Downs Sets Dates for 2012 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks Future Wager Pools

Churchill Downs has set the dates for its trio of three-day betting pools for its 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (“KDFW”) and a single pool for the historic track’s Kentucky Oaks Future Wager (“KOFW”).
Dates for the pools...

January 13, 2012

Kentucky Derby & Oaks, First Nighttime Stephen Foster Head 2012 Spring Stakes Schedule

Headed by the 138th runnings of the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) and the $1 million-guaranteed Kentucky Oaks (GI), Churchill Downs’ schedule of stakes races for its April 28-July 1 Spring Meet will feature...

January 5, 2012

Veteran Trainer, Former Jockey Mitch Shirota Dies at 78

Veteran trainer and retired jockey Mitch Shirota, whose training career spanned more than three decades and included stakes triumphs in the Grade I Top Flight at Aqueduct and a memorable Kentucky Derby Day stakes win at Churchill Downs, died early Wednesday,...

December 23, 2011

Memorial Service for Julian 'Buck' Wheat Set for Dec. 28 at Churchill Downs

A memorial service for Julian Logan “Buck” Wheat, the longtime director of Horsemen’s Relations and the unofficial “Mayor of the Backside” at Churchill Downs, will be held at the home of the Kentucky Derby on Wednesday, Dec....

December 21, 2011

Julian 'Buck' Wheat, Churchill Downs' 'Mayor of the Backside', Dies at 78

Julian Logan “Buck” Wheat, Churchill Downs’ Director of Horsemen’s Relations long known as the “Mayor of the Backside” at the home of the Kentucky Derby, died Wednesday afternoon of complications from injuries suffered...

December 17, 2011

Churchill Downs to Permit Also-Eligible Entrants for Derby, Oaks Beginning in 2012

Churchill Downs will permit four also-eligible entrants to the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I), America’s greatest race, and the $1 million guaranteed Kentucky Oaks (GI), the nation’s premier race for...

November 28, 2011

Churchill Downs Closes Memorable Fall Meet Highlighted by Breeders' Cup, Clark 'Cap; But Field Sizes Decline

Churchill Downs concluded the 122nd Fall Meet in its 137-year history on Sunday, Nov 27 during which rainy weather failed to dim the highlights of a memorable 21-day racing session highlighted by a record eighth visit by the Breeders’ Cup World...

November 27, 2011

On Fire Baby Rolls In Golden Rod, Caps Churchill Fall Stakes Sweep

Anita Cauley’s homebred On Fire Baby became only the seventh filly to sweep Churchill Downs’ fall stakes for 2-year-old fillies when she broke fastest from the gate and never looked back en route to a 6 1/4-length victory over Goldrush Girl...

November 27, 2011

Gemologist Sparkles for WinStar, Pletcher in Kentucky Jockey Club

The only time five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Kenny Troutt’s WinStar Farm won the Kentucky Jockey Club with Super Saver, they won the Kentucky Derby the following spring. They hope to duplicate that feat again May...

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