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Kentucky Derby dynasties: Visualizing today's most successful bloodlines
The 150-year history of the Kentucky Derby is more than written records, photographs, crackly old broadcasts, race replays, and personal memories.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem March 25, 2024
Jason looks back at some of the big races from the weekend and some news off of the track.
Features
A Clean Start: The Evolution of the Kentucky Derby Starting Gate
In its 150 years, the Kentucky Derby has gone from a standing start to a barrier to the modern starting gate, a journey that shows the ever-evolving science of a clean start.
Kentucky Derby
Trackside: 2024 Louisiana Derby Weekend at Fair Grounds [VIDEO]
TwinSpires races to the track this weekend to bring you exclusive content surrounding this week's Louisiana Derby where 100 points are up for grabs on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Triple Crown
Jason Beem's Thursday Thoughts for Mar. 21, 2024
Jason discusses bringing some family members out to the races and visiting with a former Kentucky Derby winning jockey.
Features
Becoming Involved: Ownership and Investment in Racehorses
The thrill of winning drives every Thoroughbred racehorse owner. It can be a difficult journey, one filled with setbacks and anguish, but nothing beats the excitement and fulfillment when everything comes together.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Locked
After overcoming a wide trip to win the Breeders’ Futurity (G1), Locked ranks among the early favorites for the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1).
Pedigree
The Culinary Spectacle of the Kentucky Derby: A Feast of Tradition and Excitement
Join us as we delve into the captivating numbers that fuel the culinary spectacle at the Kentucky Derby — a celebration where tradition, flavor, and excitement come together in a manner unlike any other.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for March 18, 2024
Jason discusses this weekend's NHC tournament as well as some general thoughts on the event.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Cornishman, Quiet Wisdom strike
Could a Road to the Kentucky Derby foray be in the cards for Cornishman? It’s not inconceivable.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Timberlake
Can Timberlake become the third son of Into Mischief to win the Kentucky Derby (G1)? Only time will tell, but the bay colt is trending in the right direction.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Drum Roll Please
Drum Roll Please joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a third-place finish in the Remsen (G2), and a subsequent 3 3/4-length win in the Jerome S. at Aqueduct reiterates his emergence as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Ramjet
When Ramjet stormed home victorious by three lengths in the Hyacinth S. on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, he delivered on a pedigree geared top and bottom toward high-level success running long on dirt.
Pedigree
Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: Bets, Brawls, and Beefs at the 1911 Derby
In 1911, the famed Kentucky Derby was the scene of a racing drama with a cast of characters that included a Kentucky hardboot, a Chicago plunger, a classic-winning jockey, and a suspicious bit of cash.
Kentucky Derby
Oldest Horses in History That Lived to a Great Age
A sampling of notable Thoroughbreds over the past century that lived to the age of 33 or more
Features
20 fun and interesting facts about horses
Get to know the Equus caballus species better with these 20 fun and interesting facts about horses.
Features
What is a non-wagering event in horse racing?
Pari-mutuel betting is available on the vast majority of U.S. horse races, but a few different circumstances can turn races into non-wagering events.
Education
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Society Man wins on class drop
A trio of Triple Crown nominees broke their maidens last week, emerging as possible Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders eight weeks out from the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem March 11, 2024
Jason discusses some of the events from Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs as well as his favorite moment from the day.
Features
Evolving prize money helps drive horse racing’s economics
Purse money—the prize money awarded to the top finishers in any given race—helps power the economics of horse racing.
Features
Faded Glory: Forgotten Kentucky Derby Winners (Worth, 1912)
In Louisville, the big show went on as racing fans once again celebrated another Kentucky Derby, its victor a champion colt whose brief time on the racetrack left the sport wondering “what if?”
Kentucky Derby
Five of the biggest shocks in Kentucky Derby history
Unlike games of chance that you might encounter in a casino, the result of a Thoroughbred horse race is far from a random outcome event. That’s not to say that there aren’t inexplicable surprises from time to time. In its century and a half of longevity, the Kentucky Derby has seen its share.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree profile: Imagination
A tenacious victory in the San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita has stamped Imagination as a talented three-year-old worth following.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Be You breaks through
You might assume March is too late for a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner to break his maiden. That might be true for some horses, but it shouldn’t be an issue for Be You.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem March 4, 2024
Jason looks back at some of the events from a particularly unusual weekend of racing and looks ahead to the Tampa Bay Derby week.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Four winners running long
Reasoned Analysis failed to factor in two starts as a juvenile, but the Chad Brown trainee broke through in his three-year-old debut, emerging as a possible Kentucky Derby (G1) contender.
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem's Thursday Thoughts for Feb. 22, 2024
Jason shares some thoughts on this weekend's Rebel (G2), the Saudi Cup (G1), and also about the honoree of today's stakes race at Turf Paradise, the late Luke Kruytbosch.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Antiquarian scores for Pletcher
On Feb. 18, 2018, Justify won his debut in eye-catching fashion. Less than four months later he was a Triple Crown winner, proving late February isn’t too late for a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner to break his maiden.
Kentucky Derby
How Matt Winn Saved Kentucky Racing with Those Paris Machines
When fans’ ability to bet on the big race was threatened, Colonel Matt Winn went to great lengths to preserve that part of racing and save the Kentucky Derby in the process.
Features
Trackside: 2024 Risen Star Week at Fair Grounds [VIDEO]
TwinSpires is trackside all week from Fair Grounds as we talk with trainers, visit with horses and host barn tours. Our team of Abbey Huffman, Ashley Anderson and Blaise Bollman give you exclusive access to one of the main staging grounds of winter racing and Kentucky Derby hopefuls.
Triple Crown
Jason Beem's Thursday Thoughts Feb. 15, 2024
Jason shares some of this thoughts from the racing world including the Risen Star (G2) and Sunland Derby (G3), as well as some other random topics.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Winners in Florida and New York
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher continues to add to his roster of contenders for the 2024 Run for the Roses.
Kentucky Derby
Horse racing was Toby Keith’s passion, recalls Country Bro Stables partner
A passion for winning horse races brought Danny Caldwell and country music superstar Toby Keith together. That passion will keep them together for the time being in spirit.
Features
Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: A Man of Firsts
The 150 years of the Kentucky Derby features thousands of stories of both the horses and the people that have been a part of this American tradition. Some names, like Bradley, Calumet, and Whitney, are familiar to fans, but others, especially those part of its earliest years, are less recognizable but equally as important to its long history. One in particular was behind a list of Derby firsts, his horses notable not only for their time on the racetrack but also for their role in the race’s first decade.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Feb. 8, 2024
Jason discusses the Sam F. Davis (G3) and talks about how in race-calling you can try to prepare for what might happen, but you truly just never know.
Features
Pedigree profile: Nysos
After two blowout victories sprinting, it was no surprise to see Nysos dominate his two-turn debut, winning the one-mile Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) at Santa Anita by 7 1/2 lengths.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Well-bred Tuscan Gold romps
Only time will tell if Tuscan Gold has the talent to win the Kentucky Derby (G1). But there’s no doubt the bay colt has the pedigree to shine on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby
Faded Glory: The Kentucky Derby’s Forgotten Winners (Spokane, 1889)
Spokane’s turn in the Kentucky Derby brought down the house with its thrilling finish, a confrontation that started a rivalry and notched the Montana-bred’s name in the history books.
Features
Catching My Eye: Cox firster, Asmussen’s Guns A’blazing, Double DeVaux at Fair Grounds
A handful of runs on Saturday, Jan. 27 at Fair Grounds Race Course caught my eye.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Speak Easy is the talk of the town
One year after Kentucky Derby winner Mage won a Pegasus World Cup Day maiden race at Gulfstream Park, Speak Easy impressed in an identical maiden contest.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 29, 2024
Jason looks back at some of the weekend action, including another win by Didia, who continues to work her way up the ladder of the turf filly and mare division.
Features
Catching My Eye: Asmussen has two pointed for Risen Star
In the end, the Lecomte (G3) didn’t tell me much besides reinforcing a lesson I thought I had etched into my skull.
Kentucky Derby
Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: A Memorable Absence
In 1951, though, the black-and-white photo of Count Turf, flanked by his owner and others, is missing an important face, making this particular Derby one to remember for one unfortunate reason.
History
Seven older horses to follow in 2024
Let's look at several talented runners who could be poised for a bigger year in 2024.
Features
Faded Glory: The Kentucky Derby’s Forgotten Winners (Ben Ali, 1886)
In the century and a half of the Kentucky Derby lies forgotten tales of this great race. While the sport's spotlight often shines on the most celebrated champions, there are remarkable tales of victory that have faded into the recesses of time.
Education
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Hall of Fame is very fast
The equine Hall of Fame took a solid first step toward a place in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame when he smashed a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight on Saturday at Fair Grounds.
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 18, 2024
Jason looks ahead to this weekend's Silverbulletday S., discussing the story and chances of Oklahoma-bred Miss Code West.
Features
First-crop sires: Flameaway leads the way by stakes winners
Flameaway outperformed expectations in his first season at stud, topping all freshman sires by stakes winners in 2023. He registered a total of six stakes victories from a quartet of stakes-winning offspring.
Features
First-crop sires: Omaha Beach’s unbeaten Kopion on Kentucky Oaks trail
Omaha Beach ranked first among North American freshman sires, not by the official standard of progeny earnings in 2023, but by another metric that’s arguably more significant for his stud career: the number of stakes performers.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Pletcher saddles three winners
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher sent out a trio of possible 2024 Kentucky Derby contenders to break their maidens during the second week of January.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 15, 2024
Jason looks back at the weekend of racing as the season starts to pick up at Tampa Bay Downs.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Jan. 11, 2024
Jason discusses some thoughts on inquiries and disqualifications in racing and how they differ from other sports.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Ari’s Magic sparkles on debut
The first week of January produced a handful of noteworthy three-year-old maiden winners with possible Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Jan. 8, 2024
Jason looks back on the anniversary of his first race call, which happened 18 years ago today.
Features
2023 in review: Seven favorite races
An annual look back on notable races of the year can easily devolve into a laundry list of obligatory inclusions. For greater variety, I’d prefer to highlight my favorite performances that took place outside of the U.S. Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup festivities that are already well covered.
International
First-crop sires: Maximus Mischief ends 2023 in second place
The final racing results from 2023 are in, and Maximus Mischief ended the year as the second-leading first-crop sire in multiple categories.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Flashy winners close out 2023
During the closing days of 2023, a bevy of potential Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders posted flashy maiden victories from coast to coast.
Kentucky Derby
Best of Hanson: 2023 Anthology
In a break from recent years, the historically themed pieces I wrote during 2023 were all published at TwinSpires.com. Therefore, it makes sense that my ninth annual anthology would be available on the TwinSpires Edge, too.
History
First-crop sires: Next wave of prospects storming in for Omaha Beach
Since our last installment on juveniles to watch by Omaha Beach, the blueblood freshman sire has doubled his tally of winners to 22.
Pedigree
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Dec. 28, 2023
Jason discusses the topic of whether or not horse racing should run on Christmas or not.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Cox colts shine at Fair Grounds
A pair of 1 1/16-mile maiden special weights contested at Fair Grounds on Saturday could have 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) implications.
Kentucky Derby
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Dec. 21, 2023
Jason discusses some horse racing gift and holiday ideas in his weekly Thursday column.
Features
Remembering the champions we lost in 2023
Through Dec. 18, nine former Eclipse Award-winning Thoroughbreds are known to have died in 2023.
Features
First-crop sires: Stakes horses shine for Maximus Mischief
With two weeks left in 2023, Maximus Mischief is holding his own among the year’s leading first-crop sires.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Winners from coast to coast
All around the country, promising 2-year-olds posted sharp maiden victories last week, throwing their names in the ring as potential 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders.
Kentucky Derby
Pedigree profile: Wynstock
Stretching out in distance has worked wonders for Wynstock. After failing to factor in his first two starts sprinting, the chestnut colt has been unstoppable in two-turn races, dominating a one-mile maiden special weight before battling to victory in the 1 1/16-mile Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos.
Pedigree
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Dec. 14, 2023
Jason discusses what makes an "expert" in horse racing and what someone would have to do in their area of the sport to be considered one.
Racing Podcast
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Speed Runner runs to his name
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher already conditions Fierceness, the early favorite for the 2024 Run for the Roses. But Pletcher’s contingent of possible Derby contenders keeps getting deeper.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 11, 2023
Jason looks back at a race and a situation that came up nearing the finish of that race, and how it was a good reminder of just how unpredictable parts of our game can be.
Features
Tall Tales of the Track: When Fortune Smiled on Johnny
For one Hall of Fame jockey, fate intervened at the right moment to steer him toward the life that he dreamed of and a career that made him a vital part of racing's history.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column Dec. 7, 2023
Jason discusses setting post times and why it's important for tracks to be apart from their competition.
Features
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Dornoch
It’s safe to say that Dornoch has the pedigree of a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner. Because… he literally has the pedigree of a Kentucky Derby winner.
Pedigree
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: How talented is El Capi?
How talented is El Capi? It’s hard to say for certain. He was spectacular when debuting in a seven-furlong maiden special weight last Saturday at Aqueduct, but his performance was not without a caveat.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Dec. 4, 2023
Jason looks back at a very interesting running of the Remsen Stakes from Saturday.
Features
The Heart that Wears the Crown: Affirmed
But who was the lanky chestnut colt that came out on top, the one that followed Seattle Slew into history a scant 12 months after his own classic campaign? The combination of an easygoing disposition, a clever mind, and an iron will gave Affirmed everything he would need to turn away his challengers and become an immortal.
Features
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Nov. 30, 2023
Jason discusses the momentum of Turfway Park and talks about some examples of tracks in the last 20 years who caught big waves of momentum among players and fans.
Features
First-crop sires: Winners keep coming for Maximus Mischief
Maximus Mischief picked up his third black-type stakes winner on Nov. 22 when Carmelina stormed to a runaway victory in the $100,000 Shamrock Rose S. at Penn National.
Pedigree
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: Nov. 29, 2023
Jason opens the show looking ahead to Turfway Park's opening night. Then we welcome in Turfway Park's Director of Racing and Racing Secretary Tyler Picklesimer to the show to talk about the season, the growth at Turfway, its history, and more!
Racing Podcast
Is Equinox the best racehorse in the world?
Is Equinox the best racehorse in the world? He certainly looked the part when delivering a blowout victory in the Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse last Sunday.
International
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 27, 2023
Jason looks back at the opening weekend at Tampa Bay Downs and discusses some of the highs and lows of the weekend.
Features
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 20, 2023
Jason looks back at his favorite performance from the weekend and looks ahead to Tampa Bay Downs opening up on Wednesday!
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Carbone finishes fast in debut
The week before Thanksgiving is typically a quiet one as far as stakes racing goes. But Carbone made enough noise for five stakes horses when he smashed his debut on Sunday at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
First-Crop Sires: Flameaway making a mark on turf
Flameaway’s first crop started strong this spring/summer, placing him among the top five freshman sires based on progeny earnings, and the eight-year-old stallion remains prominent.
Pedigree
The Churchill Downs match still in doubt after a century
Match racing in the United States has a spotty history, but one of the few that (mostly) lived up to the hype occurred 100 years ago this week at Churchill Downs.
History
First-Crop Sires: Fillies continue to shine for Mitole
Since our first installment regarding the first-crop runners by Mitole over the summer, the former champion sprinter has been represented by two stakes winners and several other maiden winners of note.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Nash dominates for Godolphin
Possible Road to the Kentucky Derby contenders were out in abundance on Sunday afternoon at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: Maximus Mischief is riding a hot streak
After siring only two winners between the middle of September and the middle of October, first-crop sire Maximus Mischief is on fire again, regaining the momentum that made him the leading sire by progeny earnings through much of summer and early fall.
Pedigree
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 13, 2023
Jason discusses some of the racing from the weekend and the changes of the racing season.
Features
Tall Tales of the Track: The Ups and Downs of Tango Shandy
The slip of a saddle at an inopportune time, like the middle of the Dubai World Cup in the case of California Chrome, can become a challenge even greater than the 1,000-pound animals running alongside. In one particular jump race nearly 40 years ago, a slip of a saddle and the question of a foot caused a horse, his rider, and his trainer enough consternation to last a lifetime.
Dubai World Cup
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Nov. 9, 2023
Jason discusses the passing of Cody Dorman and the importance of the emotional connections that come into our lives because of racing.
Features
Kentucky Derby glory a longshot for major juvenile winners
The lopsided win by Fierceness in last week's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) has put the colt in the position of early favorite to repeat that success in the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs next May.
Kentucky Derby
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem Nov. 6, 2023
Jason looks back at the Breeders' Cup weekend and discusses some things he liked and disliked about the two-day event.
Features
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Knightsbridge impresses
While most racing fans were watching the Breeders’ Cup, a trio of Saturday maiden special weights at tracks around the U.S. produced eye-catching winners with possible 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations.
Kentucky Derby
Scully: Longshot watch for 2023 Breeders’ Cup
Longshots play a role in every Breeders’ Cup. In 2022, Caravel recorded the biggest upset, returning an $87.78 win mutuel ($2) after leading all the way in the Turf Sprint (G1), and horses leaving the starting gate at 10-1 odds or higher produced 15 top-three finishes over the two-day, 14-race program.
Breeders Cup
Scully: Pick 3 plays on Breeders’ Cup Saturday
The Breeders’ Cup Saturday betting menu offers horseplayers plenty of options, and I will look to leverage my strongest opinions in the nine-race sequence in horizontal and vertical wagers.
Breeders Cup
Scully: Singling Tamara in Breeders’ Cup Friday Pick 5
The Future Stars Friday program features five Breeders’ Cup races for two-year-olds at Santa Anita, and the Juvenile Fillies (G1) will spotlight the probable biggest favorite of the two-day event, Tamara.
Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup Barn Tour: Kelsey Danner
Trainer Kelsey Danner is enjoying her first trip to Santa Anita for one special reason: her Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) contender Shards.
Breeders Cup
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for Nov. 2, 2023
Jason discusses his thoughts on this year's Breeders' Cup Classic and some other opinions on Saturday's big card.
Features
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