Kentucky Derby News

July 1, 2009

Churchill Downs' Night Racing Finale Set for Thursday at 6 p.m.; Holiday Laser Light Show Added to Entertainment

Last dance. Last chance.
Churchill Downs will kick-start the Fourth of July holiday weekend in style as the world’s most legendary racetrack winds down its 45-date Spring Meet with the final presentation of “Downs After Dark” on Thursday...

July 1, 2009

Defending Champion Thorn Song Faces Seven In Churchill Downs' Firecracker Handicap

Zayat Stables’ Thorn Song will attempt to become the first repeat winner of the $150,000-added Firecracker Handicap when he takes on seven rivals in the Grade II, one-mile turf race on Saturday’s Independence Day program at Churchill Downs.
The...

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...

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