Tall Tales of the Track: Whose Horse Is He Anyway?

Sat Mar 22 2025Jennifer Kelly

Owning a racehorse is a point of pride for many a racing fan; owning one who wins stakes races and competes in classics like the Kentucky Derby takes that investment to another level. For one Derby contender, the story behind the name on his papers turned out to be one laden with controversy and intrigue.
Tall Tales of the Track: A Tale of Two Clydes

Wed Feb 26 2025Jennifer Kelly

Once upon a time in the rolling hills of the Kentucky Bluegrass, a little chestnut horse was born. What he lacked in stature, he made up for in talent and heart, especially on rainy days. Named for his equally diminutive trainer, Clyde Van Dusen put on a big show on the first Saturday in May and did his big sire proud with his Kentucky Derby win.
Horse Racing History: The Biggest Bets Ever Placed

Tue Feb 11 2025J. Keeler Johnson

The history of horse racing is filled with stories of bettors and horsemen who gambled big dollars in search of huge payoffs.
STUDY: Is the Kentucky Derby's Apollo Curse a negative or positive?

Fri Feb 07 2025J. Keeler Johnson

Is a lack of juvenile racing experience a detriment in the Kentucky Derby, or is the Apollo Curse a myth resulting from an insufficient sample size of horses?
Tall Tales of the Track: Donau Doesn’t Play

Sun Jan 19 2025Jennifer Kelly

Every Kentucky Derby winner leaves their mark on the race, a collection of 150 stories writing the history of this sporting institution. One particular winner, Donau, came to Louisville with a colorful background and an even more colorful personality, his tale one of a champion with an attitude all his own.
Likely Exchange: The little mare with outsized influence

Thu Jan 09 2025Vance Hanson

Who was Likely Exchange? In brief, a mare of hickory on the racetrack whose too short life as a producer nonetheless stretched in influence well into the 21st century.
Exploring Famous Racehorse Names and Their Meanings

Wed Jan 01 2025Vance Hanson

Scan the entries on a typical racecard and you'll see a wide assortment of ordinary nouns and phrases make up a significant portion of the names Thoroughbreds carry with them throughout their lives.
Tall Tales of the Track, Kentucky Derby Edition: One Horse, Two Women, and a Derby for the Show Me State

Sun Dec 15 2024Jennifer Kelly

Bred by Emma Holt Prather, Elwood came east from California to contest the Kentucky Derby for his owner Lasca Durnell, not only giving Missouri its lone rosy victor but also becoming the first bred and owned by women.
History's Top 10 Breeders' Cup Juvenile performances

Thu Oct 31 2024J. Keeler Johnson

Since its inaugural running in 1984, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) has produced many impressive winners and exciting editions.
History's Top 10 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint performances

Thu Oct 31 2024J. Keeler Johnson

The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) enjoyed its inaugural running in 2007. In the years since, the race has been a proving ground for the fleetest female racehorses in North America.
History's Top 10 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile performances

Thu Oct 31 2024J. Keeler Johnson

The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) is one of the younger Breeders’ Cup races, dating back to 2007. But the past 15 years have produced an impressive roster of winners.
History's Top 10 Breeders' Cup Sprint performances

Thu Oct 31 2024J. Keeler Johnson

Over the course of 38 editions, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) has produced a bevy of eye-catching winners. Let’s take a tour through history and rank the Top 10 best Breeders’ Cup Sprint performances.
Not Always the First Saturday in May: The Kentucky Derby’s Changing Calendar

Tue Oct 22 2024Jennifer Kelly

Through war, pandemic, and the ever-evolving sport of horse racing, the Run for the Roses has rolled with the punches, finally settling into its familiar place on our calendar.