North America’s all-time winningest trainer, Steve Asmussen, discusses the final breezes of his Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders Publisher (four furlongs in :49) and Tiztastic (four furlongs in :50 2/5), as well as the pair drawing side-by-side in the starting gate in posts 13 and 14, respectively.
Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Oct. 22 a growth project called Victory Run, an exciting new structure on the first turn of the Churchill Downs racetrack between the First Turn Club and the Skye Terrace. Victory Run will replace uncovered, ground-level box seats and dated dining areas with a new premium hospitality and seating offering. This new…
After the Florida Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee passed Senate Bill 408, which seeks to decouple Thoroughbred racing from gaming in the state, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association said it’s not about to give up in its fight to stop the bill. “The Senate’s first of three committee stops showed that there’s more work…
It’s hard to overestimate the impact Queen Azteca ‘s UAE Oaks (G3) win had on jockey Carlos Lopez. It was huge for Chilean-born Lopez and his adopted homeland, the racing conglomerate of Scandinavia. The jockey has won nine Derbys and—in his words—”all the big races in Scandinavia,” but Queen Azteca’s reeling in of pacesetter Arigatou Gozaimasu by…
It was another great year for Haran Thoroughbreds. Once again, they soared to the top of the Thoroughbred owner standings to earn their second straight leading owner title for the 23rd season of racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Owned and operated by trainer John Haran, his ownership group under Haran Thoroughbreds won 38 races from 203…
Following a scary incident at the top of the stretch in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park March 22, trainer Thomas Drury Jr. was happy to report California Burrito emerged from the race in good order. “We’re so blessed that everything’s fine,” Drury Jr. said March 23. “The good news is, as of…
Official Kentucky Derby (G1) preps have concluded this spring, but not those for horses under consideration for the second leg of the Triple Crown: the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course. Two 1 1/8-mile dirt stakes April 19, the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park and the $200,000 Bathhouse Row Stakes at…
