Hungry Island Wins Churchill Distaff Turf Mile
Emory Hamilton’s homebred Hungry Island collared Tapitsfly at the eighth pole and then drew off to win the 27th running of the $223,400 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Presented by American Commercial Lines (Grade II) by a length on Saturday afternoon at Churchill Downs.
Shackleford Outduels Amazombie to Win the Churchill Downs
Michael Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge’s homebred Shackleford outdueled Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade I) winner Amazombie in a dazzling stretch duel to win the 78th running of the $441,600 Churchill Downs Presented by Navistar (GI) by a length on Saturday afternoon.
Great Attack Late to Win Twin Spires Turf Sprint
Houyhnhnm Stable’s Great Attack surged past favored Bridgetown in deep stretch to win the 18th running of the $150,350 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Presented by GE Appliances (Grade III) by a three-quarters of a length, the first of six stakes on the Kentucky Derby Day card.
Kentucky Oaks 138 Barn Notes
BELIEVE YOU CAN – Brereton Jones’ homebred Kentucky Oaks heroine Believe You Can came out of the race in great shape, trainer Larry Jones said while accepting congratulations at his barn early on Kentucky Derby Day.
Kentucky Derby 138 Barn Notes (5.3.2012)
ALPHA – Godolphin Stable’s Bernardini colt Alpha, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, went to the track Thursday morning for what is a routine piece of exercise under rider Rob Massey.
Bodemeister, Union Rags Vie for Favoritism in Kentucky Derby 138
Zayat Stables LLC and Southern Equine Stables’ Bodemeister, the smashing 9 ½-length winner of the Arkansas Derby (Grade I) in his most recent start, and Chadds Ford Stable’s Union Rags, winner of the Champagne (GI) and two other graded stakes, head an overflow field of 21 entered Wednesday for Saturday’s 138th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI).
Kentucky Derby 138 Post Draw Quotes
ALPHA (Post position 11, morning line 15-1) – Kiaran McLaughlin (trainer) – “We’re first in the gate. But he’s been great. It’s just going to make me more nervous. He’s fine. It’s a good position in gate, No. 11. It’s just that he has to load first. We didn’t really want that. It’s OK. We can’t do anything about it. He’s been great.
Kentucky Oaks 138 Barn Notes (5.2.2012)
AMIE’S DINI – Co-owner Mike Walker said the Fantasy Stakes (GII) runner-up Amie’s Dini had an easy jog this morning after the renovation break and will school in the paddock during Thursday’s program at Churchill Downs. The $3,000 sales purchase drew post 13 of 14 for the Oaks.
Kentucky Derby 138 Barn Notes (5.2.2012)
ALPHA – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin confirmed that Godolphin Stable’s Alpha will be ridden by jockey Rajiv Maragh in the Kentucky Derby. Maragh was aboard for the Bernardini colt’s sharp work (:59.40 for five furlongs) at Belmont Park on Saturday.
Get Stormy, Sassy Image Eye Derby Day Grade I Repeats On Star-Studded Kentucky Derby Day Undercard
LOUISVILLE, KY (Wednesday, May 2, 2012) – Defending Grade I Derby Day winners from 2011, Get Stormy and Sassy Image, plus the 1-2 finishers from last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (GI), Musical Romance and Switch, top the list of marquee names that will be featured Saturday in races leading up to the 138th running of the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum!
Mark Valeski Withdrawn from Derby Consideration; Pletcher Duo, Take Charge Indy Arrive for Derby 138
Godolphin Stable’s Alpha visited the track at Churchill Downs for the first time this year on Tuesday morning when he galloped approximately 1 3/8 miles under exercise rider Rob Massey.
Mark Valeski Drills Bullet Five-Eighths; Creative Cause, Liaison, Asmussen Duo Work Toward Derby 138
Godolphin Stable’s Alpha had a very light exercise at Belmont Park Monday morning before being shipped by plane to Churchill Downs. He is scheduled to arrive at the track between 5 and 6 p.m.
Bodemeister Works Five-Eighths in :59.60; On the Bubble Optimizer Breezes Under Court
Godolphin Stable’s Alpha had a quiet morning at Belmont Park Sunday, a day after working five furlongs on the training track.
26,527 Watch Hierro Take The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial on Opening Night
– Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Hierro rallied four wide in the stretch to run down favored Paynter to win 88th running of the $232,600 The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (Grade III) by 1 ½ lengths before a crowd of 26,527 on Opening Night presented by Stella Artois and Finlandia Vodka.
Union Rags Tops Busy Day of Derby Works at Churchill Downs
Godolphin Stable’s Alpha breezed five furlongs on the training track at Belmont Park in :59.40 under jockey Rajiv Maragh.
Working in company with stablemate Steele Road, the Bernardini colt was timed in splits of :11.60, :23.20 and :47. The Wood Memorial (Grade I) runner-up galloped out a sixth furlong in 1:15.
I'll Have Another Works at Hollywood Park; Saturday Drills Possible for Hansen, Union Rags, Dullahan
Godolphin Racing’s Alpha galloped 1¼ miles at Belmont Park Friday morning.
Take Charge Indy Works at Palm Meadows; Union Rags Arrives for Derby Bid
Godolphin Racing’s Alpha, second in his most recent start in the Wood Memorial (Grade I), is scheduled to work Saturday at Belmont Park according to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
Alpha is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Monday.
Paynter, Undefeated Bourbon Courage Headline Field of 11 for Opening Night The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial
Zayat Stables LLC’s Paynter, who finished fourth in the Santa Anita Derby (Grade I) in just his second start, and the undefeated Bourbon Courage headline a field of 11 entered Wednesday for the 88th running of the $200,000-added The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (GIII).
Nineteen Chefs Confirmed for Third Annual 'Taste of Derby' on Thursday, May 3
The hottest new Kentucky Derby party continues to heat up as 19 top international chefs announce their menu offerings and wine pairings for the third annual Taste of Derby – the Official Kentucky Derby Party of Churchill Downs.
Liaison Works Six Furlongs; Isn't He Clever Withdrawn from Derby Consideration
Arnold Zetcher LLC’s Liaison worked six furlongs in 1:12.80 over a track labeled as “good” under Shaun Bridgmohan after the renovation break on a sunny and mild Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs.
