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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Journalism
Sometimes it’s possible to glance at the pedigree of a potential Kentucky Derby (G1) contender and conclude with certainty they’re bred to shine racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Coal Battle
Sprints and miles are clearly within the wheelhouse of Coal Battle. But can he handle the testing 1 1/4-mile distance of the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1)?
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Myriad Love
A filly hasn’t contested the Kentucky Derby (G1) since Devil May Care finished 10th in 2010. That could potentially change in 2025.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Treaty of Rome wins for Brown
In a one-mile maiden special weight for juveniles at Aqueduct, Chad Brown’s second-time starter Treaty of Rome delivered victory as the favorite.
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Kentucky Derby Roundup: Poster stars in the Remsen
No fewer than five Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifiers are taking place in the U.S. and Japan this month. The first was contested last week, and three more are on the agenda this week.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Poster
After opening his career with a pair of turf wins, Poster switched to dirt and joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a triumph in the Remsen (G2).
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: First Resort
A pace-tracking victory in the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) suggests running long on dirt is First Resort’s true strong suit.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Barnes, Patch Adams impress
During closing week of the Churchill Downs fall meet, a bevy of promising maiden winners stamped their credentials as 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) threats.
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Kentucky Derby Roundup: First Resort joins the leaderboard
We’re closing in on a milestone: Wednesday marks 150 days until the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Baffert, Cox unveil new winners
Last week, Baffert and Cox saddled flashy debut winners with the potential to make noise on the 2024-25 Road to the Kentucky Derby.
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Kentucky Derby Roundup: Natural Rise wins the Cattleya Stakes
The Road to the Kentucky Derby is heating back up, and the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby is officially underway.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Natural Rise
A brief glance at Natural Rise’s pedigree suggests he’s cut out for success on turf rather than dirt. But dig deeper, and dirt influences become evident.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Guns Loaded wins for D’Angelo
Trainer Jose D’Angelo has yet to saddle a Kentucky Derby (G1) starter, but that may change in 2025. Guns Loaded looks like the type who can factor on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
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Kentucky Derby Roundup: Previewing the Cattleya Stakes
Let’s get up to speed on upcoming Kentucky Derby (G1) action and recount a few noteworthy developments from last week:
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Admiral Dennis wins second try
The week after the Breeders’ Cup tends to be a quiet one in U.S. horse racing. But “quiet” is relative; there’s never a dull moment where the Kentucky Derby (G1) is concerned.
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Kentucky Derby Roundup: Giocoso gets a win on grass
The first Saturday in May is 173 days away and it’s anyone’s guess which horses will visit the winner’s circle.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Thorpedo Anna's half McAfee wins; Speed King recalls Whitmore
Thorpedo Anna's half-brother McAfee wins on debut, and Speed King elicits comparisons to Whitmore in his unveiling for Ron Moquett.
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Kentucky Derby Roundup: Citizen Bull tops the leaderboard
Our Kentucky Derby Roundup series is kicking off exactly 180 days out from the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.
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Pool 1 of 2025 Kentucky Derby Future Wager offered ahead of Breeders' Cup
The first of six 2025 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) pools will be held this week, beginning at noon ET on Wednesday.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Another winner from a key race
Just how many Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders will emerge from a six-furlong maiden special weight contested on Aug. 24 at Saratoga?
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sovereignty
There was a time not too many years ago when a horse like Sovereignty might have been overlooked as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender because of his pedigree.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Cox, Dutrow send out winners
Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainers Brad Cox and Rick Dutrow both saddled winning juveniles last week.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Keewaydin impresses at Aqueduct
It’s increasingly apparent that a six-furlong maiden special weight contested on Aug. 24 at Saratoga was a key race with an above-average field.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Built, C K Wonder win at Keeneland
Did you know five of the last 15 Kentucky Derby (G1) winners raced as juveniles during the Keeneland fall meet?
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Chancer McPatrick
Chancer McPatrick ranks among the most accomplished two-year-olds of 2024 after winning the Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1).
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: East Avenue
A gate-to-wire victory by 5 1/4 lengths in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) launched East Avenue onto the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Citizen Bull
Citizen Bull joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a front-running success in the 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Chad Brown saddles two winners
Trainer Chad Brown has come close to winning the Kentucky Derby (G1), finishing second with Good Magic (2018) and Sierra Leone (2024). First prize has proven elusive, but that may change in 2025.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Optical stuns by 14 lengths
At Churchill Downs last Saturday, Keith Desormeaux’s Optical won a one-mile maiden special weight in a manner suggesting the Kentucky Derby (G1) is a viable goal.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Handsome Pants wins for McPeek
Can trainer Kenny McPeek win back-to-back Kentucky Derbys? He took a step in that direction when sending out Handsome Pants to win on debut at Churchill Downs.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Jonathan’s Way
Jonathan’s Way became the first horse to earn points on the 2024-25 Road to the Kentucky Derby when wiring the one-mile Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs.
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Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Bullard impresses in debut
For the fifth straight year, TwinSpires Edge presents the Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch series. Each week, we’ll highlight recent maiden winners with possible 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations.
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Stats and storylines for the 2024 Belmont Stakes
The 2024 Triple Crown concludes with a bang at Saratoga this Saturday. The 156th Belmont S. (G1), the final leg of the three-race series, has drawn a strong field of 10 horses.
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2024 Belmont Stakes: Which horses are bred to handle the distance?
Which of the Belmont S. (G1) entrants are bred to handle 1 1/4 miles? We’ve gone through the field and ranked the top five contenders based on pedigrees.
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2024 Belmont Stakes purse: How much prize money the winning jockey will earn
How much of the $2 million purse will the winning 2024 Belmont Stakes (G1) jockey receive? Let’s find out.
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2024 Belmont Stakes purse: How much prize money the winning owner and trainer will earn
In addition to the prestige of winning a Triple Crown race, there’s a lot of money on the line for the owner and trainer of the Belmont Stakes (G1) winner.
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Why I’m betting Tuscan Gold to win the Preakness Stakes
The 2024 Preakness (G1) at Pimlico is packed with accomplished horses. So why am I betting on #8 Tuscan Gold, one of only two horses in the field who has yet to win a stakes?
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Meet the jockeys and trainers of Preakness 149
Following the scratch of Muth, eight horses are slated to contest the 2024 Preakness (G1) at Pimlico. Seven trainers and eight jockeys will help those horses run to their full potential in the second leg of the Triple Crown.
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Betting the 2024 Preakness on different budgets
A seemingly wide-open field has assembled for the 2024 Preakness (G1) at Pimlico. A solid case can be made for many of the entrants to win the 1 3/16-mile race.
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The FREE Preakness Stakes 149 Betting Guide
Download the best Preakness Stakes betting guide available; expert picks, rich analysis and official odds
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Preakness: How do Derby alumni vs. new shooters compare?
For many years, the Preakness (G1) at Pimlico was dominated by horses exiting the Kentucky Derby (G1) two weeks prior. But trends are shifting, and now “new shooters” who did not compete in the Derby are winning the Preakness with regularity.
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Everything to know about the 2024 Preakness post positions
Post positions for the 2024 Preakness (G1) at Pimlico were drawn on Monday, with a nine-horse field slated to contest the second leg of the Triple Crown.
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How long are the three Triple Crown races?
The three races which make up the U.S. Triple Crown of Thoroughbred horse racing—the Kentucky Derby, Preakness S., and Belmont S.—each provide a test over a different distance at a different venue.
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Top 10 fastest Kentucky Derby times in history
From a legendary Triple Crown winner to a high-priced yearling who stole the heart of a Japanese racing enthusiast, here are the 10 horses with the fastest winning times in Kentucky Derby history.
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2024 Triple Crown odds: how favorites and field size impact each race
Like most U.S. betting outlets, you won’t find any single bets available on a horse to win the 2024 Triple Crown with TwinSpires. But you can bet on each individual race.
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Kentucky Derby Purse: How much prize money the winning owner and trainer will earn
The Kentucky Derby (G1) is the most coveted prize in U.S. horse racing. It can also be a lucrative endeavor for the owners and trainers of Kentucky Derby starters.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: West Saratoga
It’s only fitting that Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) runner-up West Saratoga won the one-mile Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs, the first leg of the 2023-24 Road to the Kentucky Derby. The gray colt is bred top and bottom for success in the spring classics.
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2024 Kentucky Derby News and Notes
2024 KENTUCKY DERBY LATEST NEWS, LIVE UPDATES, ANALYSIS, CONTENDERS & ODDS INFORMATION
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Heart That Wears the Crown: Seattle Slew
The 10th Triple Crown winner’s humble beginnings belied the deep talent inside this champion, a horse with strength and speed to spare and a heart that loved to run.
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The Heart that Wears the Crown: Secretariat
Fifty years and 31 lengths ago, Secretariat sailed into the history books as the ninth horse to win the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, our American Triple Crown.
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The Heart that Wears the Crown: Citation
At his core, Citation was a horse who was serious about his job, relentless in grinding down his competition and unbending in the face of challenges. By the time he said goodbye to the racetrack, the eighth Triple Crown winner had made an indelible mark on the hearts of fans everywhere.
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The Heart That Wears the Crown: Assault
With a heart as big as Texas, Assault did not let his small size or disfigured hoof keep him from wearing a crown and sealing his place in racing history.
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The Heart That Wears the Crown: Count Fleet
Count Fleet swept into his classic season like no other. Virtually unbeatable at three, his trip through the three races was marked not by grinding stretch runs for the win but by the ease behind his victories, the clear joy he had in the running. The heart that wore the sixth Triple Crown was one that was both headstrong and ecstatic in one small brown package.
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Hanson: England gets its Triple Crown right, why can't we?
The drumbeats and clamoring for changes in spacing between the three Triple Crown events has gotten noticeably louder in recent weeks, the result of a disturbing trend this year in which there was little continuity in field composition.
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2023 Belmont Stakes winner: Arcangelo (7-1) wins the 155th Belmont Stakes
Jena Antonucci became the first female trainer to win a U.S. Triple Crown race when Arcangelo rallied up the rail under Javier Castellano to spring a 7-1 upset in the 2023 Belmont (G1) at Belmont Park.
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2023 Belmont Stakes: Which horses are bred to handle the distance?
Which horses in the 2023 Belmont (G1) field are most likely to handle the 1 1/2-mile distance? We’ve ranked the top five based on their breeding.
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Historical trends against National Treasure winning second classic in Belmont
The expected field for the $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1) on June 10 will include the winner of the Preakness (G1), but not the Kentucky Derby winner (G1) who ran in and lost the Preakness. This will be only the eighth such occurrence in the Belmont since 1953.
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Made for Hollywood: Secretariat and the 1973 Belmont Stakes
Among the fortunate 67,000-plus paid attendees at Belmont Park for Secretariat’s epic triumph was longtime Lexington, Ky., resident and industry contributor Rab Hagin.
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The Heart That Wears the Crown: Whirlaway
Whirlaway, the fifth Triple Crown winner, ignited the imaginations of those along for the ride on the cusp of war in 1941.
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2023 Preakness Stakes winner: National Treasure (5-2) wins the 148th Preakness
A slow pace in a small field helped National Treasure spring a gate-to-wire upset in the 148th Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico.
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Preakness: The best longshot to bet is Perform
If you’re a longshot player hoping to catch an upset in the second leg of the Triple Crown, there’s a viable option to pursue.
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Preakness: Which new shooters can beat Mage?
If Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage is going to add Saturday’s $1.25 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico to his roster of victories, he’ll have to defeat seven new shooters who skipped the Derby.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mage
It’s safe to say Mage hails from a family of Kentucky Derby veterans. His sire, grandsire, and dam sire all started in the Run for the Roses.
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Betting the 2023 Preakness on different budgets
Handicapping Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico should be considerably easier than handicapping the recently contested Kentucky Derby (G1).
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Six storylines for 2023 Preakness Stakes
The annual ritual of analyzing Kentucky Derby (G1) alumni versus new shooters in the Preakness (G1) has taken on a disproportionate twist in Saturday’s 148th running at Pimlico. Derby winner Mage is the only one advancing from the first Saturday in May to the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
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Brisnet Speed Rating report for 2023 Preakness
Only a couple of days remain until Monday’s post position draw for the 148th running of the $1.5 million Preakness at Pimlico on May 20. Let's examine Brisnet Speed ratings for the contenders
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Mage installed as 8-5 favorite in 2023 Preakness Stakes
Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage will meet seven rivals, all new shooters, in the 148th Preakness (G1).
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Pedigree notebook: Good Magic off to flying start as classic sire
Good Magic had the credentials to become an important sire on the Triple Crown trail. Even so, the champion son of Curlin has made quite an impact at his earliest opportunity, siring Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage in his very first crop.
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The Heart That Wears the Crown: War Admiral
Lofty expectations are laid upon the greats when they exit stage left to enter the next phase. When Man o’ War said goodbye to his life on the track, the focus then became on whether the 20th century’s greatest racehorse could produce another one like him. Whatever it was that made Big Red so dominant and so iconic had to be passed along to his progeny, but what would that look like?
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2023 Kentucky Derby winner: Mage (15-1) wins the 149th Kentucky Derby
In a thrilling drive to the Churchill Downs finish line, 15-1 longshot Mage fought off all challengers to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) by one length.
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Betting Guide: Official Kentucky Derby 149 Betting Guides
In our Meet the Contenders edition, we focus on providing insight on each of the horses poised to start in the Kentucky Derby. Download this free betting guide below!
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Great Britain Preview: Little Big Bear can upset Auguste Rodin in 2000 Guineas
In all likelihood, Auguste Rodin will be a strong contender in the 2000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket. But I’m more interested in his stablemate Little Big Bear.
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Betting with, and against, Forte in the Kentucky Derby
The historic contest attracted a fantastic field full of excellent contenders for this edition of the tilt, but the clear one to beat is Champion #15 Forte (3-1) for conditioner Todd Pletcher.
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Catching My Eye: Mornings with the Kentucky Derby and Oaks Runners
Working on the Kentucky Derby notes team, I’ve been on the backside from the opening set at 5:15 a.m. until the final gallop at 10:00 a.m. every day for the last week.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: King Russell
One start after securing his initial victory, King Russell finished second in the Arkansas Derby (G1) to emerge as a contender for the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
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Reviewing the final workouts of Kentucky Derby contenders
As of Monday morning, with just hours remaining until the Kentucky Derby (G1) post position draw, the majority of the Derby contenders have completed their final pre-race workouts.
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How Kentucky Derby Future Wager backers might be feeling
With the Kentucky Derby (G1) rapidly approaching, many bettors are curious to know if they did the right thing with their respective future wager plays. A total of six pools were offered in advance of the Run for the Roses on May 6, and below is where things currently stand for the early punters.
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Kentucky Derby scratches that changed history
While a comprehensive list of Kentucky Derby scratches since 1875 is not possible, these four withdrawals perhaps were the most significant.
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Keeler Johnson's Top 5 contenders to watch for the 2023 Kentucky Derby
Less than two weeks out from the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1), here’s where I’m leaning with my top five Derby contenders.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mandarin Hero
Does Mandarin Hero have the breeding to shine racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby?
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Cyclone Mischief
Can Cyclone Mischief become the third son of Into Mischief to win the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Skinner
If Skinner's pedigree is any indication, racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby (G1) may bring about a career-best performance from the bay colt.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Disarm
The cross of Gun Runner with Tapit mares has already produced several high-level racehorses, including 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Disarm.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Sun Thunder
By picking up Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points in a quartet of prep races, Sun Thunder earned his ticket to the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Verifying
There are many well-bred horses slated to start in the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1), but few—if any—can boast as blueblood a pedigree as Blue Grass (G1) runner-up Verifying.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: First Mission
The Road to the Kentucky Derby wrapped up with the 1 1/16-mile Lexington (G3) at Keeneland, in which the beautifully bred First Mission battled up the inside to score a tenacious victory.
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Laurel Park: How to bet the 2023 Federico Tesio Stakes
A well-matched field of nine sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Laurel Park dirt oval in Saturday’s $125,000 Federico Tesio S.
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Kentucky Derby Report – Thrilling conclusion to major qualifiers
The Blue Grass (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1), and Wood Memorial (G2) concluded the eight major qualifiers in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, each race awarding points on a 100-40-30-20-10 basis to the top five finishers, and a 20-horse field has taken shape for Churchill Downs on May 6.
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Meet the Contenders: 2023 Lexington Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Lexington (G3) over 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
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10 interesting facts about American Pharoah, the legendary horse and Triple Crown winner
American Pharoah was the 12th Triple Crown winner, having broken a 37-year drought to win the famed trio of races in 2015.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Lord Miles
Few bettors expected Lord Miles to win the Wood Memorial (G2), but the pace-tracking colt defied expectations to prevail by a nose at 59-1, stamping his ticket to the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1).
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10 interesting facts about Justify, the legendary horse and Triple Crown winner
Justify is the 13th and most recent Triple Crown winner, having achieved his milestone in 2018 in remarkable circumstances. Below are 10 interesting facts about Justify.
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Catching My Eye: In Person at the Arkansas Derby
I walked the last block, taking in the Arkansas Derby Day crowd. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort was buzzing.
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Kentucky Derby Report – Forte rallies dramatically, Angel of Empire soars
Kentucky Derby favorite Forte saved his best for the stretch drive, and Angel of Empire continued his progression with an authoritative win.
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Meet the Contenders: 2023 Blue Grass Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Blue Grass (G1) over 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
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