Tom Pedulla, of America’s Best Racing, offers takeaways from the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) May 3, the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks May 2, and other major developments during a memorable weekend of racing at iconic Churchill Downs. TEAM EFFORT History will record that Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott registered his second Kentucky Derby…
After a whirlwind week in horse racing where TV viewership of the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) reached its highest mark since 1989, upcoming coverage of the sport returns to a normal level—but only briefly as the 150th Preakness Stakes (G1) is just around the corner on May 17. A rundown, compiled by America’s Best Racing, of this week’s horse racing…
With Junior Alvarado in the saddle, Sovereignty “showed his stuff” winning the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) and giving his jockey his first win in a Triple Crown race. A panel of racing experts unanimously voted Alvarado Jockey of the Week April 28-May 4. The weekly honor recognizes jockeys for significant riding accomplishments and who are…
A field of 11 fillies and mares, led by grade 2 winners Gun Song and My Mane Squeeze , have been entered for the $200,000 Ruffian Stakes (G2) May 10 at Aqueduct Racetrack. Last year at age 3, Lewis R. Lee’s Gun Song competed in six graded races, winning the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) at Pimlico…
British trainer Jamie Osborne reported from his Lambourn stable May 6 that UAE Derby (G2) runner-up Heart of Honor is scheduled to ship to the United States May 8 to begin preparations for a start in the 150th Preakness Stakes (G1) May 17 at Pimlico Race Course. “He has to quarantine at Churchill. It’s a bit of…
This column highlights the performances of 2- and 3-year-old maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more…
Sovereignty , winner of the Kentucky Derby (G1), will not run in the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course. Instead, he will be pointed toward the Belmont Stakes (G1) June 7 at Saratoga Race Course. “We received a call today from trainer Bill Mott that Sovereignty will not be competing in the Preakness. Bill…
Long-time Monmouth Park executive John Heims, currently the track’s general manager and in-house counsel, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Virgil “Buddy” Raines Distinguished Achievement Award, it was announced today by Monmouth Park. The Raines Award, currently in its 30th year, is presented annually prior to Monmouth Park’s season opener. It honors men…
Goffs has announced Fitzwilliam Sports as a new title partner of the Goffs London Sale, joining returning title partner Privat 3 Money for this year’s event. On the eve of Royal Ascot every year, owners, international investors and influential figures in racing gather in the private gardens of Kensington Palace to view and purchase Royal…
For a ninth straight year, a total of $100,000 in bonus money is on the table for trainers that run a minimum of five horses in the 15 Thoroughbred stakes races during Preakness Stakes (G1) weekend, May 16 and 17, at Pimlico Race Course. The blockbuster weekend includes a total of 16 stakes, eight graded,…
