INSIDER
Churchill Downs lifts suspension of trainer Bob Baffert following Medina Spirit's failed drug test
Read full article: Churchill Downs lifts suspension of trainer Bob Baffert following Medina Spirit's failed drug testChurchill Downs has rescinded its extended suspension of Bob Baffert, allowing the Hall of Fame trainer to resume racing his horses at the historic track and partner facilities after more than three years of banishment for a failed postrace drug test of 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit.
'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.
Uncertain plans for 150th Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, others leave questions for Preakness
Read full article: Uncertain plans for 150th Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, others leave questions for PreaknessThe second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown could be absent of 150th Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan and other contenders who contributed to the thrilling three-wide photo finish.
Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby by a nose in the closest 3-horse photo finish since 1947
Read full article: Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby by a nose in the closest 3-horse photo finish since 1947Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a dramatic three-horse photo finish, edging out Sierra Leone and Forever Young for the upset victory.
Larry Demeritte is just the second Black trainer since 1951 to saddle a horse for the Kentucky Derby
Read full article: Larry Demeritte is just the second Black trainer since 1951 to saddle a horse for the Kentucky DerbyLarry Demeritte has run horses on Kentucky Derby day in the past, just never in the big race.
The spate of racehorse deaths this year has Breeders' Cup under intense scrutiny
Read full article: The spate of racehorse deaths this year has Breeders' Cup under intense scrutinyAfter horse deaths marred this year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness, and two more occurred days ahead of the world championships, safety at the Breeders’ Cup is under intense scrutiny.
Breeders' Cup contender Practical Move dies after a gallop at Santa Anita. Arcangelo out of Classic
Read full article: Breeders' Cup contender Practical Move dies after a gallop at Santa Anita. Arcangelo out of ClassicA horse set to run in this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup has died after a gallop at Santa Anita.
Breeders' Cup Classic to pit Kentucky Derby and Belmont winners, with Bob Baffert entry, too
Read full article: Breeders' Cup Classic to pit Kentucky Derby and Belmont winners, with Bob Baffert entry, tooKentucky Derby winner Mage and Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo head a full field of 14 horses for the wide-open Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Horse racing groups introduce competing safety legislation they hope will replace HISA
Read full article: Horse racing groups introduce competing safety legislation they hope will replace HISAHorse racing groups are backing legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that they hope will replace the federal organization overseeing the sport for just a year.
Panel finds no single factor in horse deaths at Churchill Downs. More screening is suggested
Read full article: Panel finds no single factor in horse deaths at Churchill Downs. More screening is suggestedA report from horse racing’s federally created oversight panel found no single cause of death among 12 horses at Churchill Downs this spring, but recommends further action and analysis to mitigate risk at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
Preakness officials say they're considering changing the timing of the second Triple Crown race
Read full article: Preakness officials say they're considering changing the timing of the second Triple Crown racePreakness officials say they are considering moving the second Triple Crown race back to four weeks after the Kentucky Derby instead of two weeks later.
Churchill Downs to improve track maintenance, veterinary resources for fall meet after horse deaths
Read full article: Churchill Downs to improve track maintenance, veterinary resources for fall meet after horse deathsChurchill Downs will implement safety measures for its September meet including new track surface maintenance equipment and additional monitoring and equine care following 12 horse deaths before and after the Kentucky Derby that spurred suspension of its spring meet.
Churchill Downs to resume racing at fall meet with no changes after horse deaths
Read full article: Churchill Downs to resume racing at fall meet with no changes after horse deathsRacing will resume at Churchill Downs in September, with no changes being made after a review of surfaces and safety protocols in the wake of 12 horse deaths.
Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, dies at 23
Read full article: Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, dies at 23Funny Cide, the “Gutsy Gelding” who became a fan favorite after winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2003, has died from complications of colic.
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.
Churchill Downs moves meet to Ellis Park to examine protocols following 12 horse deaths
Read full article: Churchill Downs moves meet to Ellis Park to examine protocols following 12 horse deathsChurchill Downs will suspend racing operations on Wednesday and move the remainder of its spring meet to Ellis Park to conduct a “top-to-bottom” review of safety and surface protocols in the wake of 12 horse fatalities the past month at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
Churchill Downs implements safety, performance standards to address recent spate of horse deaths
Read full article: Churchill Downs implements safety, performance standards to address recent spate of horse deathsHorse racing’s oversight authority and Churchill Downs have each announced additional safety and health initiatives in the wake of 12 recent deaths since late April at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
Horse dies after race at Churchill Downs, 9th recent fatality at home of Kentucky Derby
Read full article: Horse dies after race at Churchill Downs, 9th recent fatality at home of Kentucky DerbyA ninth horse has died after being injured following a race at Churchill Downs, making it the ninth fatality since late April at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
Far from Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby winner Mage's team settles into Preakness routine
Read full article: Far from Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby winner Mage's team settles into Preakness routineMage's team at the Preakness has settled into a stable routine at the Preakness after the horse's Kentucky Derby victory capped off a tumultuous stretch at Churchill Downs.
Horse dies at Churchill Downs, 8th recent fatality at home of Kentucky Derby
Read full article: Horse dies at Churchill Downs, 8th recent fatality at home of Kentucky DerbyA horse has died after a race at Churchill Downs, making it the eighth fatality in recent weeks at the home of the Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the Preakness at Pimlico on May 20
Read full article: Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the Preakness at Pimlico on May 20Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the 148th Preakness following an encouraging workout at Churchill Downs, the horse’s connections said.
Kentucky Derby winner Mage is on track to run in the Preakness, pursue Triple Crown
Read full article: Kentucky Derby winner Mage is on track to run in the Preakness, pursue Triple CrownKentucky Derby winner Mage remains on track to run in the Preakness next week to continue a pursuit of horse racing’s first Triple Crown.
Forte placed on KY veterinary list, clouding Preakness plans
Read full article: Forte placed on KY veterinary list, clouding Preakness plansKentucky racing officials have placed scratched Kentucky Derby favorite Forte on a mandatory 14-day veterinary list that may require the colt to pass a soundness test in Maryland in order to race in the Preakness.
Mage wins star-crossed Kentucky Derby amid 7th death
Read full article: Mage wins star-crossed Kentucky Derby amid 7th deathTwo more horses died in the hours before 15-1 shot Mage won the Kentucky Derby by a length, making it seven in all and casting a shadow over the 149th edition of the world's most famous race.
Churchill Downs suspends trainer Joseph after 2 horse deaths
Read full article: Churchill Downs suspends trainer Joseph after 2 horse deathsChurchill Downs has suspended trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. indefinitely and Lord Miles, who is trained by Joseph, has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby days after the sudden death of two of his horses at the track.
Forte is 3-1 favorite for Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Read full article: Forte is 3-1 favorite for Kentucky Derby at Churchill DownsTodd Pletcher-trained colt Forte and Brad Cox's filly Wet Paint are the morning line favorites respectively for the 149th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.
Rich Strike highlights horse racing's lack of diversity
Read full article: Rich Strike highlights horse racing's lack of diversityWhen Rich Strike bolted into horse racing’s spotlight in a little over minute with his Kentucky Derby upset victory, he shared the stage with his handler, who has long toiled in the shadows constantly tending to the champion colt.
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.
Baffert denied stay of suspension by Kentucky commission
Read full article: Baffert denied stay of suspension by Kentucky commissionKentucky’s racing director has denied Bob Baffert’s request to stay his suspension by stewards in their ruling that also disqualified Medina Spirit as Kentucky Derby winner.
Derby winner Medina Spirit collapses, dies in California
Read full article: Derby winner Medina Spirit collapses, dies in CaliforniaThe 3-year-old colt whose Kentucky Derby victory in May came under scrutiny because of a positive drug test has collapsed and died after a workout at Santa Anita in Southern California.
Ointment led to Medina Spirit's failed test after Ky Derby
Read full article: Ointment led to Medina Spirit's failed test after Ky DerbyAn attorney for trainer Bob Baffert says split-sample urine testing of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit has shown that a steroid present in the colt’s system came from a topical ointment and not an injection.
Judge questions treatment of suspended horse trainer Baffert
Read full article: Judge questions treatment of suspended horse trainer BaffertA New York federal judge seems sympathetic to horse trainer Bob Baffert's claims that his May suspension by the New York Racing Association was unconstitutional after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test.
Medina Spirit drug test confirmed; Baffert suspended 2 years
Read full article: Medina Spirit drug test confirmed; Baffert suspended 2 yearsTrainer Bob Baffert has been suspended for two years by Churchill Downs after an additional drug test of Medina Spirit confirmed the presence of the steroid betamethasone in the Kentucky Derby winner's system.
New York suspends Bob Baffert pending Kentucky Derby probe
Read full article: New York suspends Bob Baffert pending Kentucky Derby probeBob Baffert has been temporarily suspended from entering horses at New York racetracks pending an investigation of the failed drug test by Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit.
Analysis: Picking Medina Spirit in Preakness is a shaky play
Read full article: Analysis: Picking Medina Spirit in Preakness is a shaky playThe conversation this week should be about how Medina Spirit ran a sensational race at the Kentucky Derby, raving about how the horse’s rags-to-riches story is just the type of feel-good tale that the world needs in some brutally difficult times.
Preakness allows Medina Spirit to enter with extra testing
Read full article: Preakness allows Medina Spirit to enter with extra testingThe Preakness is allowing Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit to enter Saturday's race subject to additional testing and monitoring following the colt’s failed drug test after the Derby.
Baffert: Antifungal meds given to Medina Spirit had steroid
Read full article: Baffert: Antifungal meds given to Medina Spirit had steroidTrainer Bob Baffert says Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit was treated with an antifungal ointment containing the steroid betamethasone that may have caused the horse to fail a postrace drug test.
EXPLAINER: Derby winner's failed test latest in horse doping
Read full article: EXPLAINER: Derby winner's failed test latest in horse dopingKentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit's failed postrace drug test has put doping horses back in the spotlight when the sport would rather have the focus on the Triple Crown.
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.
Rock Your World rocks win in Santa Anita Derby; Baffert 2nd
Read full article: Rock Your World rocks win in Santa Anita Derby; Baffert 2ndRock Your World won the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby by 4 1/4 lengths over 4-5 favorite Medina Spirit, preventing Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert from earning his 10th win in the West Coast’s prep for the Kentucky Derby.
Viola's Known Agenda prevails in Florida Derby at Gulfstream
Read full article: Viola's Known Agenda prevails in Florida Derby at GulfstreamAnd he also owns Known Agenda, who is now well on his way to the Kentucky Derby. Known Agenda ran away from the field in the Florida Derby on Saturday, and might keep on going all the way to Churchill Downs to start the Triple Crown season. Pletcher won the Florida Derby for the sixth time, and Known Agenda covered the 1 1/8 miles on the dirt in 1 minutes, 49.45 seconds. Known Agenda was gone. Soup and Sandwich picked up 40 Derby standings points, and Greatest Honour got 20.
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.