INSIDER
'Stepchild' of the Triple Crown? Debate lingers over restoring the prestige of the Preakness
Read full article: 'Stepchild' of the Triple Crown? Debate lingers over restoring the prestige of the PreaknessTalk of Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan not running in the Preakness raised questions about the second leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown, which has in recent years fallen on hard times.
Secretariat Triple Crown celebration at Belmont subdued by death and air quality
Read full article: Secretariat Triple Crown celebration at Belmont subdued by death and air qualityThis was supposed to be the year thoroughbred horse racing celebrated the 50th anniversary of Secretariat’s magnificent Triple Crown triumph.
Baffert back from ban, wins Preakness with National Treasure after another horse euthanized
Read full article: Baffert back from ban, wins Preakness with National Treasure after another horse euthanizedBob Baffert’s National Treasure has won the Preakness Stakes, hours after another of the Hall of Famer's horses was euthanized on the track with a racing injury.
Quiz: Is this a Kentucky Derby-winning horse, or a made-up name?
Read full article: Quiz: Is this a Kentucky Derby-winning horse, or a made-up name?There are two types of people who watch the Kentucky Derby: Those who bet money and want to win, and spectators who just want to admire the strange names given to the horses.
Mo.-based company hired to police drugs in US horse racing
Read full article: Mo.-based company hired to police drugs in US horse racingA deal for Drug Free Sport International to police medication in horse racing is in place two months before the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority takes effect.
Medina Spirit heads to Preakness, minus trainer Bob Baffert
Read full article: Medina Spirit heads to Preakness, minus trainer Bob BaffertKentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit is headed to Baltimore for the Preakness Stakes while trainer Bob Baffert says he won’t attend the race to avoid being a distraction in the wake of scrutiny following the colt’s failed postrace drug test.
Baffert mulling Medina Spirit's next step after Derby win
Read full article: Baffert mulling Medina Spirit's next step after Derby winAs Bob Baffert digests a record seventh Kentucky Derby win that even caught him off guard, the Hall of Fame trainer and Medina Spirit’s connections must determine whether the colt will turn around quickly for the Preakness on May 15.
Medina Spirit gives Baffert record 7th Kentucky Derby win
Read full article: Medina Spirit gives Baffert record 7th Kentucky Derby winMedina Spirit fought off three challengers in the stretch to win the Kentucky Derby, making Bob Baffert the winningest trainer in the race’s 147-year history with seven victories.
The Latest: Medina Spirit gives Baffert record 7th Derby win
Read full article: The Latest: Medina Spirit gives Baffert record 7th Derby winMedina Spirit has won the 147th Kentucky Derby by a half-length over Mandaloun to give Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a record seventh victory in the premier race for 3-year-olds.
Horse racing hopes for return to normal, with fans, in 2021
Read full article: Horse racing hopes for return to normal, with fans, in 2021John Velazquez, right, rides Authentic to win the Breeder's Cup Classic horse race at Keeneland Race Course, in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. Many of its best competitors performed at the top of their games on a record-breaking weekend, sparking high expectations for 2021. The sport just hopes that next year’s schedule returns to normal and that spectators can be in the grandstands enjoying the races. So, I miss the fans.”“I’ll be glad when everything gets back to normal and we have the fans back," he said. “We had a reason to smile again in horse racing and show off to people who were watching what a beautiful sport it is with the excitement and the nervousness," Baffert said.
Authentic goes wire-to-wire to win Breeders' Cup Classic
Read full article: Authentic goes wire-to-wire to win Breeders' Cup ClassicJohn Velazquez (9) rides Authentic to win the Breeder's Cup Classic horse race at Keeneland Race Course, in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)LEXINGTON, Ky. – From start to finish, Authentic left no doubt he was the horse to beat in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Her second Cup win in three years followed a big upset in the Mile by Order of Australia. Another Irish bred, Tarnawa, won the $4 million Breeders' Cup Turf immediately before the Classic with Colin Keane in Soumillon's place. The 18-1 choice saved his best for last as he stormed outside from near the rail in the stretch to win by 3¼ lengths and earn his first Breeders’ Cup win in four starts.
Improbable is 5-2 favorite for Breeders' Cup Classic
Read full article: Improbable is 5-2 favorite for Breeders' Cup Classic8 post position for the Breeders’ Cup Classic and is the 5-2 morning line favorite for the marquee race of the season-ending World Championships at Keeneland. Kentucky Derby champion Authentic, a Baffert pupil who held off Tiz the Law in a wire-to-wire victory at Churchill, will go off at 6-1 from the No. I can’t do any more for him.”Filly Swiss Skydiver, who won last month's Preakness against males and was a Classic pre-entry, opted to run against her own gender in Breeders' Cup Distaff over 1 1/8 miles. “She was 11 of 11 in the Breeders’ Cup in 2018," he said. 7 post for Breeders’ Cup Juvenile that cap Friday’s five-race feature card for 2-year-olds.
Winning filly: Swiss Skydiver beats Authentic in Preakness
Read full article: Winning filly: Swiss Skydiver beats Authentic in Preakness"She’s just such a special filly," said trainer Kenny McPeek, who won the Preakness for the first time for his second Triple Crown race victory. “I had an opportunity,” said Albarado, who won his second Preakness after 2007 aboard Curlin. Swiss Skydiver was the first filly to run in the Preakness since 2014, when Ria Antonia finished last. “That’s a good filly,” said Authentic and Thousand Words trainer Bob Baffert, who was denied a record-breaking eighth Preakness victory. Swiss Skydiver made it so each Triple Crown race in 2020 had a different winner.
House approves bill to combat doping in horse racing
Read full article: House approves bill to combat doping in horse racingThe “Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act” comes after a series of doping scandals and a rash of horse fatalities in recent years. "Horse racing has long been woven into the fabric of American culture,'' Tonko said during House debate, citing storied names such as Secretariat and Man o' War that “stir the imagination of racing fans” around the world. The House bill would empower an independent Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority to set uniform, national standards for medication, track safety and testing of horses for performance-enhancing drugs, or PEDs. The legislation is supported by a range of groups, including The Jockey Club, the New York Racing Association and the Humane Society of the United States. “Horse racing is experiencing the most profound crisis in the long history of the sport.
Authentic's future could include rematch against Tiz the Law
Read full article: Authentic's future could include rematch against Tiz the LawBob Bafferts latest star achieved that by blowing past Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law to win going away Saturday at Churchill Downs. Though Authentic shattered hopes for a Triple Crown winner this year, he raised questions about what hell do for an encore, which could include a possible rematch against Tiz the Law at the Preakness in Baltimore on Oct. 3. There figures to be other well-rested horses to contend with, though Baffert touted Tiz the Law as a formidable foe at Pimlico Race Course. But those options are for later, and Baffert is happy that Authentic emerged from the Derby in good shape. Right now, at the end of the day Tiz the Law is still going to be tough.
Authentic wins Ky. Derby, gives Baffert tying 6th victory
Read full article: Authentic wins Ky. Derby, gives Baffert tying 6th victoryAuthentic won by 1 1/4 lengths without the usual crowd of 150,000 on hand at Churchill Downs because of the coronavirus pandemic. The bay colt ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.61 under John Velazquez, who earned his third Derby victory. Sent off at 3-5 as the biggest Derby favorite in 31 years, Tiz the Law stalked Authentic on the outside before challenging at the top of the stretch. Yes! Baffert shouted in the paddock, where he watched the race on the video screen. Tiz the Law had already won the Belmont, the kickoff to the reconfigured Triple Crown that was run in June at a shorter distance.
Long shot Shedaresthedevil pulls off upset in Kentucky Oaks
Read full article: Long shot Shedaresthedevil pulls off upset in Kentucky OaksFlorent Geroux rides Shedaresthedevil, second left, and John Velazquez rides Gamine, right, going into the first turn during the 146th running of the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, Friday, Sept. 4, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)LOUISVILLE, Ky. Long shot Shedaresthedevil won the Kentucky Oaks in record time, overtaking favorite Gamine at the top of the stretch and holding off Swiss Skydiver for a 1 1/2-length victory Friday in the 146th Kentucky Oaks for fillies at Churchill Downs. 7 post, staying within reach of the heavily favored Gamine before coming on near the final turn and gaining the lead entering the stretch. Once ahead, she turned it up more with Florent Geroux aboard, pulling away from Swiss Skydiver and rolling to victory in the $1.25 million marquee event. Swiss Skydiver, who started along the rail, returned $3.80 and $2.60. Postponed from May along with the Kentucky Derby because of coronavirus concerns, the Oaks went off on a hot, sunny day without spectators.
Tiz the Law draws No. 8 post as early 6-5 Belmont favorite
Read full article: Tiz the Law draws No. 8 post as early 6-5 Belmont favoriteIt wasn't quite the post position trainer Barclay Tagg wanted for Tiz the Law. Still, it wasn't far off for the colt who on Wednesday was made the early 6-5 favorite for the Belmont Stakes. Tagg was hoping the Florida Derby winner would land anywhere between spots 5 to 7 in the starting gate for Saturday's beginning of the reconfigured Triple Crown series. Tiz the Law drew the No. He likes this track, so I'm glad to be back on it.Instead of concluding the Triple Crown, the Belmont is kicking off the series.