Tom Pedulla is interviewing prominent owners, trainers, and jockeys as they travel the Road to the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) May 3 at Churchill Downs. This week’s installment features Brian Hernandez Jr., who joined trainer Ken McPeek in completing the Kentucky Oaks (G1)–Kentucky Derby sweep last year with Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan . Thorpedo Anna…
A cool, calm, and collected Cabo Spirit entered the Santa Anita Park starting gate for the $101,000 American Stakes (G3T) April 20. When his competition decided to leave him alone on the lead, he made them pay late as he coasted to the wire in victory. Kretz Racing’s 6-year-old Pioneerof the Nile gelding has proven…
After a 10-year absence, veteran jockey Martin Garcia is headed back to the Kentucky Derby (G1). He is set to ride Citizen Bull , last year’s champion 2-year-old male, for trainer Bob Baffert in the 151st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs May 3. “It’s a dream come true,” said Garcia, a 40-year-old native of…
Top 3-year-olds Rodriguez and Baeza each had their final local works April 20 at Santa Anita Park prior to shipping to Churchill Downs. Rodriguez, who is ticketed for a start in the 151st Kentucky Derby (G1) May 3, worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 for trainer Bob Baffert. Baeza drilled in the company of stablemate Atitlan ,…
The catalog for the Hidaka Horse Breeders’ Association Training Sale at Sapporo Racecourse May 20 contains 103 juveniles, 13 more than last year’s catalog. Hip 7 is among the features in the catalog, a colt by Shadai Stallion Station’s first-crop sire Contrail, who entered stud in 2022. He is by Deep Impact , the 2020 Japanese…
Museum Mile swept by the favorite, previously undefeated Croix du Nord, in the closing strides to win the Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas, G1) by 1 1/2 lengths April 20 at Nakayama Racecourse. The first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown was the first grade 1 win for the Leontes colt. For jockey João…
Tampa Bay Downs jockey Hector Diaz Jr. suffered a dislocated left shoulder April 18 when he was unseated in the stretch run of the seventh race on the turf after his mount, 3-year-old filly Hidden Recipe , clipped heels with Mia Vita . Hidden Recipe finished the course riderless. Trainer Tim Hamm, who also owns the filly under his…
A day after Gin Gin lit up the toteboard at odds of 38-1 in the Doubledogdare Stakes (G3), Utah Beach delivered another healthy stakes payoff for the Keeneland crowd with an 11-1 upset victory in the $394,188 Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) April 19. While the betting public may not have expected the win, for the connections…
Richi is enjoying Southern California. The Chilean-bred mare has been “getting stronger and stronger” as she has acclimated according to trainer Bob Baffert. Richi proved that emphatically April 19 with an easy win in the $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. After a hard-fought second to fellow Baffert trainee Cavalieri in the March 8…
Godolphin homebred First Mission has always shown promise throughout his career, but after his strong victory in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 19 his connections are hopeful 2025 will be his breakout season. “We were looking forward to keeping him in training and maybe see if we can win a grade 1 down the road…
