Kentucky Derby News

June 30, 2009

Unbeatens Backtalk, Brassy Boy Head Friday's 108th Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs

Gold Mark Farm’s Backtalk, an impressive debut winner, and Millsap Stables’ homebred Brassy Boy, unbeaten in two career starts, head a field of nine 2-year-olds entered for  Friday’s 108th running of the Bashford Manor (Grade III)...

June 29, 2009

Kentucky Derby Winner Mine That Bird Breezes Half-Mile in First Work Since Belmont Stakes

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) winner Mine That Bird worked a half-mile in :51 over a fast track Monday morning at Churchill Downs in his first serious training move since a third-place finish to Summer Bird in the Belmont Stakes (GI)...

June 28, 2009

BARN NOTES (6.28.09) -- Debutante Winner Saratoga-Bound as Lukas Eyes Debutante-Bashford Sweep; Mine That Bird Works Monday

LUKAS HALFWAY HOME TO DEBUTANTE-BASHFORD MANOR DOUBLE – Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has now won the Debutante Stakes (GIII) a record seven times and also holds the Bashford Manor (GIII) record with five wins, but he has never swept Churchill...

June 28, 2009

St Joe Notches Second Straight Win With Romp in Sunday Feature

Silverton Hill’s St Joe took command leaving the backstretch and cruised to a 3 ½-length victory over Garifine in Sunday’s $51,780 feature race at Churchill Downs.
Ridden by Julien Leparoux, St. Joe quickly moved past Eaton’s...

June 27, 2009

Karama Wins Friday Night Feature Before 27,623 'Downs After Dark' Fans

Malih Al Basti Racing Stable’s Karama proved best by a head after a stretch-long duel over Taurus the Bull to win Friday’s featured $43,810 Desert Light Purse for 3-year-olds on the second “Downs After Dark” program before 27,623...

June 27, 2009

BARN NOTES (6.27.09) -- Theriot Ready To Return to Racing / Bashford Manor Field Takes Shape / Summer Bird To Visit Churchill

THERIOT EAGER TO RETURN TO THE RACES ON MONDAY – Jockey Jamie Theriot will resume riding on Monday at Indiana Downs following the conclusion of a 30-day suspension stemming from a May 23 incident at Arlington Park.
    “The...

June 27, 2009

Decelerator Gives Hall of Fame Trainer D. Wayne Lukas A Record Seventh Victory in Grade III Debutante Stakes

Westrock Stables’ Decelerator prevailed by a neck over Wild Forest Cat to win Saturday’s 109th running of the $111,300 Debutante Stakes (Grade III) for 2-year-old fillies and give trainer Hall of Fame trainer  D. Wayne Lukas his record...

June 26, 2009

Cheap Beer, Short Lines Promised for Friday Night's Encore of Downs After Dark

Churchill Downs officials have assured customers of cheap beer and short lines when night racing returns to the Louisville racetrack on Friday at 6 p.m. (all times Eastern).
Last week’s debut of “Downs After Dark” – three special...

June 26, 2009

BARN NOTES (6.26.09) -- Familiar Path for Our Tekela Rose / Gallegos Adds to A.M. Resume / Cash Refund Out

OUR TEKELA ROSE FOLLOWS IN FAMILIAR FOOTSTEPS – A year ago, trainer Hal Wiggins introduced Kentucky Oaks (GI) and Preakness (GI) winner Rachel Alexandra to the racing public with a runner-up effort in the $100,000-added Debutante Stakes (Grade III).
   ...

June 25, 2009

BARN NOTES (6.25.09) -- Foley Closing On 300 CD Wins / Defending Winner Thorn Song Tops Firecracker Nominations

LIFELONG RACETRACKER FOLEY ON CUSP OF CHURCHILL MILESTONE – The question brought a chuckle from trainer Greg Foley.
“The first time my dad brought me to the race track? I guess I was 3 or 4,” the 51-year-old Foley said. “When I...

FOLLOW FOR UPDATES AND EXCLUSIVES

Missed something? Catch up on past Churchill Downs news