Ascot Racecourse publicity reported April 29 that recent Memories Of Silver Stakes winner Laurelin has been entered in the Coronation Stakes (G1) at the Royal Ascot meeting in June. At this point in the process, that “entry” would be comparable to a nomination in the United States. The Coronation is a one-mile race for 3-year-old…
The improving Will Then , one of the rising stars in the Southern California female turf division, trades in the Golden State for the Kentucky bluegrass when she starts in the May 2 $600,000 Edgewood Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs. Friday’s Edgewood, a 1 1/16-mile turf test for sophomore fillies and one of six graded stakes races on…
She Feels Pretty , a three-time grade 1 victress, makes her 2025 and Churchill Downs debut May 2 in the $400,000 Modesty Stakes (G3T). She was last seen posting back-to-back triumphs in the American Oaks (G1T) at Santa Anita Park and the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland, the latter of which was…
Japan’s Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders Luxor Cafe and Admire Daytona continued their now familiar, extended acclimation exercises at Churchill Downs April 29 but they finally got down to business with both colts working five furlongs in their last major pre-Derby drills. While the American-based contenders have finished their speed work barring a late-week blowout, it is common for…
1. Sovereignty Owner/Trainer: Godolphin/Bill Mott Into Mischief —Crowned , by Bernardini Breeder: Godolphin (KY) The second favorite at 5-1 for the Kentucky Derby (G1), Sovereignty may be a late runner, but he has led from start to finish in the Derby Dozen rankings this year, with this week’s update bringing this feature to a close in 2025. The…
Voters in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association top 3-year-old poll agree that Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Journalism should be the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1) as the son of Curlin tops the final edition of that poll ahead of the year’s opening classic. The big change in the 3-year-old poll this…
Overachieving Coal Battle , a $70,000 purchase for Norman Stables at the Texas Thoroughbred Association summer yearling sale, has to be the greatest feel-good story of the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1). The dark bay or brown son of Coal Front is trained by 72-year-old Lonnie Briley and will be ridden by Juan Vargas, 43. Each will…
Prominent owner Mike Repole has generously pledged support to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance through a matching campaign throughout the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby (G1). In honor of Repole Stables’ Derby entrant, Grande , Repole will match donations up to $50,000, presenting a unique opportunity for the racing community and charitable donors to make a…
April 29, 2025 10:37 AM 2:12 Assistant trainer and exercise rider Bethany Taylor knew Coal Battle was going to work good April 28 in his final breeze for the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1). He lived up to her expectations going three furlongs in :36. …
With every race, every victory, every would-be challenger left chasing in vain, the target Thorpedo Anna has been carrying for the better part of a year swells another size—not that one would know it by the ease with which she shoulders the burden. Just twice in her career has another rival beaten the reigning Horse…
