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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.
Kentucky Derby
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.
Racing
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.
Racing
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.
Racing
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.
Education
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.
Features
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.
Triple Crown
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.
Belmont Stakes
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.
Belmont Stakes
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.
Belmont Stakes
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.
Triple Crown
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.
Triple Crown
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.
Preakness Stakes
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.
Racing
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.
Preakness Stakes
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.
Kentucky Derby
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).
Preakness Stakes
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.
Racing
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
Analysis
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).
Preakness Stakes
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.
Pedigree
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?
Triple Crown
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.
Kentucky Derby
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!
Kentucky Derby
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.
International
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.
Kentucky Derby
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.
Kentucky Derby
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).
Kentucky Derby
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.
Kentucky Derby
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.
Kentucky Derby
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.
Kentucky Derby
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.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Mandarin Hero
Does Mandarin Hero have the breeding to shine racing 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Cyclone Mischief
Can Cyclone Mischief become the third son of Into Mischief to win the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
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.
Kentucky Derby
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.
Kentucky Derby
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).
Kentucky Derby
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.
Kentucky Derby
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.
Triple Crown
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.
Wagering
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.
Kentucky Derby
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.
Racing
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).
Kentucky Derby
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.
Racing
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.
Features
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.
Kentucky Derby
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.
Racing
Forte heavily favored in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 6
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has won the Kentucky Derby twice with Super Saver (2010) and Always Dreaming (2017). According to bettors, there’s a strong chance a third win is on the horizon.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Report – Speed rules in Louisiana, Japanese trio added to mix
Three of the eight major qualifiers in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series are in the books, and large fields are set for the $1.25 Arkansas Derby (G1) and $1 million Florida Derby (G1) this Saturday.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Continuar
A victory in the Cattleya S. and a third-place finish in the UAE Derby (G2) earned Continuar enough Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby qualification points to secure a berth in the 2023 Kentucky Derby.
Kentucky Derby
Catching My Eye: Louisiana Derby Day at Fair Grounds
Kingsbarns won the Louisiana Derby but does he have a shot in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Analysis
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Wild On Ice
An upset victory in the Sunland Park Derby (G3) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby propelled Wild On Ice into the spotlight. But does he have the pedigree to handle the Derby's 1 1/4-mile distance?
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Two Phil's
Although Two Phil’s has shown talent on dirt, he elevated his game to a new level when tackling a synthetic Tapeta track in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Kingsbarns
A gate-to-wire victory in the Louisiana Derby has launched Kingsbarns into the Kentucky Derby picture, and his pedigree suggests he’s well-suited to racing 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Derma Sotogake
It isn’t surprising to see UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake display both speed and stamina.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Asmussen duo shine
Six weeks out from the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1), a handful of up-and-coming three-year-olds delivered sharp performances to break their maidens.
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet: Sunland Park Derby 2023
A total of seven sophomores will travel nine furlongs on the dirt in Sunday’s $600,000 Sunland Park Derby (G3).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Report: Fields sets for opening round of major qualifiers
The spotlight shines on Kentucky Derby contenders over the next three weeks as the final round of prep races get underway.
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet: Jeff Ruby Steaks 2023
A well-matched field of 12 three-year-olds will travel 1 1/8 miles on the synthetic strip at Turfway Park in Saturday’s $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Sunland Park Derby
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Sunland Park Derby (G3) over 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Sunland Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Jeff Ruby Steaks
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) over 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta at Turfway Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Louisiana Derby
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Louisiana Derby over 1 3/16 miles on dirt at Fair Grounds in Louisiana.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2023 UAE Derby
Meet the horses running in the 2023 UAE Derby (G2) over 1,900 meters (about 1 3/16 miles) at Meydan in Dubai. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: First Mission, Promise Me a Ride impress for Cox
The 2022-23 Road to the Kentucky Derby has been productive for trainer Brad Cox.
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet: Louisiana Derby 2023
A strong field of 12 three-year-olds will travel 1 3/16 miles on the dirt at Fair Grounds in Saturday’s $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Tapit Trice
Victories in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and Blue Grass (G1) vaulted Tapit Trice into the Kentucky Derby picture.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: I Don't Get It, Major Blue prevail for Derby-winning trainers
You might assume that any horse competing against maiden special weight company in March is too far behind to qualify to the Kentucky Derby (G1) field. But that isn’t always the case.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Report: Stylish return performance for the champ
Champion juvenile male Forte came back impressively in the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park, one of four Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifiers offered on March 4, and the Todd Pletcher-trained colt will make his final prep in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on April 1.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Raise Cain
Violence picked up another possible Kentucky Derby (G1) contender when his son Raise Cain unleashed a giant rally from behind a fast pace to dominate Aqueduct’s Gotham (G3).
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Bo Cruz, Squire Creek romp at Fair Grounds
With only two months remaining until the Kentucky Derby, you might assume the weekly roster of impressive three-year-old maiden winners has been reduced to a trickle. But that’s simply not the case.
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Practical Move
Practical Move joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby with an upset victory in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) at Los Alamitos, but does he have the pedigree to thrive in the Kentucky Derby (G1)?
Kentucky Derby
The Heart that Wears the Crown: Gallant Fox
Gallant Fox’s victories in the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes were the first to come with the name “Triple Crown,” as those intervening years saw the three races enter the sport’s consciousness with that sobriquet attached.
Triple Crown
Meet the Contenders: 2023 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 John Battaglia Memorial S. over 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta at Turfway Park. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Gotham Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Gotham S. (G3) over one mile at Aqueduct. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Fountain of Youth S. (G2), plus a pro, con and rating of their potential.
Wagering
Meet the Contenders: 2023 San Felipe Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 San Felipe S. (G2), plus a pro, con and rating of their potential.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Report: Rebel upset precedes flurry of early March preps
March opens with a bang for Kentucky Derby contenders, as four qualifiers in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series will be held on March 4
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet: 2023 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes
An overflow field of 14 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Turfway Park All-Weather surface in Saturday’s $125,000 John Battaglia Memorial S.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 San Felipe Stakes
A fantastic field of 11 three-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Santa Anita dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 San Felipe S. (G2).
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Gotham Stakes
An overflow field of 15 three-year-olds will run one-mile on the Aqueduct main strip on Saturday in the $300,000 Gotham S. (G3).
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 Fountain of Youth Stakes
A strong field of 10 three-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2).
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Triple Crown nominee Summer Cause breaks through
The Kentucky Derby (G1) is barely more than two months away, but Triple Crown nominees are still busy breaking their maidens and emerging as possible Run for the Roses contenders.
Kentucky Derby
Meet The Contenders: 2023 Rebel Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Rebel Stakes, plus a pro, con and rating of their potential.
Analysis
Kentucky Derby Report: Late runners step up in Risen Star
Angel of Empire and Sun Thunder jumped into the Kentucky Derby picture with a 1-2 finish in Saturday’s Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, rallying from far back in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier.
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet: 2023 Rebel Stakes
A total of 11 three-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Oaklawn Park dirt in Saturday’s lucrative $1 million Rebel S. (G3).
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Bishops Bay, Heroic Move impress for Cox
Winning the Kentucky Derby (much less the Triple Crown) off a February debut isn’t easy, but Bishops Bay may have the talent to take a shot.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the Contenders: 2023 Risen Star Stakes
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Risen Star Stakes, plus a pro, con and rating of their potential.
Wagering
Derby Report – Stakes debuters continue to strike in Davis, Withers; Risen Star gets big field
Hit Show and Litigate became the latest first-time stakes performers to win a qualifier, jumping on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with respective wins in the Withers (G3) and Sam F. Davis (G3) on Feb. 11.
Racing
Tipsheet: 2023 Risen Star Stakes
A huge field of 14 sophomores will run 1 1/8 miles on the Fair Grounds dirt surface in the $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) on Saturday.
Wagering
The Heart That Wears the Crown: Sir Barton
Thoroughbreds are fast and powerful athletes and the most elite are the ones whose names become a part of our collective consciousness, but, like familiar faces like Tom Brady and Michael Jordan, they were living, breathing beings who interacted with the world around them and left a distinct impression on those who cared for them.
Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Skinner, Arthur's Ride impress
You might assume February is too late for a future Kentucky Derby (G1) winner to be scoring their maiden victory. That’s true most of the time, but not always.
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet: 2023 Sam F. Davis Stakes
A full field of 12 sophomores will travel 1 1/16 miles over the Tampa Bay Downs dirt surface in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis S. (G3) on Saturday.
Wagering
Tipsheet: 2023 El Camino Real Derby
An octet of sophomores will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Golden Gate Fields All-Weather surface in Saturday’s $100,000 El Camino Real Derby.
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Report: Southwest flash, Cyclone set for Holy Bull
The second of four Kentucky Derby qualifiers at Oaklawn Park, the Jan. 28 Southwest (G3) featured the return of Arabian Knight, a spectacular wire-to-wire maiden winner on the Breeders’ Cup Saturday undercard in his career debut.
Kentucky Derby
Tipsheet: 2023 Holy Bull Stakes
An octet of three-year-olds will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream Park dirt in Saturday’s $250,000 Holy Bull S. (G3).
Wagering
Kentucky Derby Report: Lecomte big test for Instant Coffee
Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Instant Coffee is one of 11 individuals listed for trainer Brad Cox in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, and his performance in Saturday’s Lecomte (G3) at Fair Grounds will determine his closing odds.
Kentucky Derby
Todd Pletcher had a trio of three-year-old maiden winners on Saturday. (NYRA/Coglianese Photography)
Kentucky Derby Maiden Watch: Kingsbarns, Cuvier, Clubhouse win for Pletcher
Two-time Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning trainer Todd Pletcher knows how to prepare a January maiden winner for success on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Derby
2022 in Review: Bull's 10 Best Races of the year
As of this moment, these are the 10 races I enjoyed watching most in 2022.
Features