Atitlan makes it back-to-back graded stakes scores with a narrow victory in the $200,500 Charles Whittingham Stakes (G2T) May 3 at Santa Anita Park. Racing in midpack for most of the 1 1/4-mile journey, favored Atitlan advanced turning for home before overtaking Packs a Wahlop and holding sway over a closing Dicey Mo Chara at…
Sovereignty edged favored Journalism to take home the garland of roses in the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs May 3. The margin of victory was 1 1/2 lengths. Baeza was a neck behind Journalism in third. The son of leading sire Into Mischief is owned and bred by Godolphin, which won its first Kentucky Derby, and…
French import Earhart was the only starter in the May 3 Whimsical Stakes (G3) at Woodbine with fewer than 14 starts to her name. But after capturing the six-furlong contest in just her fourth start (3-0-1), perhaps it’s time to make room for the youth. Having won her first two starts by a combined 17 3/4…
A frantic stretch run took place in the $1 million Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) at Churchill Downs May 3 as nearly every member of the 10-horse field had a shot, but in the final sixteenth, it was Spirit of St Louis who emerged the best for jockey Manny Franco. Spirit of St Louis completed the 1…
Kopion pulled away mid-stretch to claim victory in the $1 million Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs. The daughter of Omaha Beach is owned by Spendthrift Farm and trained by Richard Mandella. Kopion, ch, 4/f Omaha Beach — Galloping Ami, by Victory Gallop Owner: Spendthrift Farm, LLC (Eric P. Gustavson) Breeder: Tall Oaks…
A strong 2-year-old season in 2024 that included a pair of graded scores was supposed to end with a glorious victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) for Zulu Kingdom . However, a rough trip in which he raced in tight quarters between horses led to disappointment for Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss, and Michael Caruso….
The Churchill Downs winner’s circle doubled as a happy film room for trainer Rohan Crichton and jockey Javier Castellano—both smiling—as they relived Macho Music ‘s May 3 wire-to-wire win in the $539,500 Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2). Castellano said the key was the first quarter where his plan was to get the lead unless another horse…
When Think Big showed a positive response to cutting back in distance and switching to turf, trainer Michael Stidham and Godolphin thought they had an opportunity to take advantage of their gelding’s youth in graded company. The theory proved correct as a second consecutive grade 2 win May 3 in the $569,600 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes…
With a relentless rally on the outside under Irad Ortiz Jr, Mindframe edged Nysos and Banishing to win a blanket photo in the May 3 Churchill Downs Stakes (G1). The winner ran seven furlongs over a sloppy track in 1:22.64, prevailing by a head in the $1 million sprint at Churchill Downs. Favored Nysos, making his…
In her seasonal debut, Simply in Front rallied to put her nose down in front at the wire to win the $740,670 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2T) May 3. The Eddie Kenneally-trained filly battled with Pin Up Betty in a thrilling stretch run to win by a neck. Coming off a five-month hiatus from…
