Horse Racing
Plans unclear for Derby winner Sovereignty, others with Preakness two weeks away
Sovereignty's Kentucky Derby victory in the muck at Churchill Downs sparked curiosity over whether the colt can build on his signature win over a possibly drier, faster surface on the Triple Crown trail.
Sovereignty wins Kentucky Derby, outdueling favorite Journalism in the slop
Sovereignty gave trainer Bill Mott a second Kentucky Derby victory. This time there was no doubt about it and no asterisk.
Rainy day makes for a soggy 151st Kentucky Derby
Rain made for a soggy 151st Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with the Churchill Downs dirt strip listed as sloppy and horse racing fans protecting their fancy hats and clothing with clear plastic ponchos.
Kentucky Derby could be a mudder’s delight with rain in the forecast
The Kentucky Derby is tough to win, with a huge field of stampeding horses and 150,000 screaming fans in the stands. Toss in a rainy forecast that could turn the Churchill Downs dirt strip into something resembling peanut butter and it gets trickier.
Kentucky Derby field reduced to 19 with scratch of Grande, leaving owner Mike Repole ‘shocked’
Grande has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby, reducing the field for Saturday's 151st edition to 19 horses.
Trainer Ian Wilkes seeks first Kentucky Derby win on his own with Burnham Square
Veteran trainer Ian Wilkes is thoroughly embracing the attention that Burnham Square has brought him as a Kentucky Derby starter. Even better, he is the points leader heading into Saturday's 151st running at Churchill Downs after entering the final big qualifying weekend on the margins.
Big hearts, immense lungs and powerful legs make a Kentucky Derby champion
Horses honed skills such as running, jumping and pulling as humans bred and trained them for various purposes over millennia. And the 151st Kentucky Derby will draw attention not only to the animals' skills, but also to concerns about their treatment and health.
What makes a Kentucky Derby champion? Big hearts, immense lungs and powerful legs
On a crisp, clear morning, a chestnut thoroughbred thundered down the dirt strip at Churchill Downs, his exercise rider leaning forward above the saddle. Other horse-and-rider pairs followed.
At 89, Lukas is up before dawn in pursuit of fifth Kentucky Derby win
D. Wayne Lukas is easy to spot before dawn at Churchill Downs. He is one of the few Kentucky Derby trainers atop a stable pony, escorting his horses to and from the track for their workouts.
Derby, Stakes winner Smarty Jones elected to Racing Hall of Fame
Twenty-one years after Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, the chestnut colt has been elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Grand National horse Celebre d’Allen died after developing respiratory infection
A severe respiratory infection is likely to have contributed to the death of Grand National runner Celebre d'Allen, according to the findings of the post-mortem released Thursday.
Grand National runner Celebre D’Allen dies after collapsing during the race
A horse that collapsed on the racecourse after running in the Grand National has died, the British Horseracing Authority confirmed on Tuesday.
Jockeys’ Guild partner with mental-health company to offer jockeys access to support and care
Horse racing's federal oversight agency and the Jockeys' Guild are collaborating on an initiative to support jockeys' well-being with access to mental-health care.
Germany’s first hobby horsing championship will gallop through Frankfurt
Germany's first hobby horsing championship will gallop through Frankfurt this weekend, with hundreds of young riders competing in time jumping, style jumping and dressage on their wooden stick horses.
17-year-old Australian mare Black Caviar, unbeaten in 25 career races, dies
Black Caviar, who was unbeaten in 25 career starts and won 15 Group 1 races and nearly 8 million Australian dollars (more than $5.3 million) in prize money, has died.
Churchill Downs lifts suspension of trainer Bob Baffert after more than three years
Churchill Downs has rescinded its extended suspension of Bob Baffert, allowing the Hall of Fame trainer to resume racing his horses at the historic track and partner facilities after more than three years of banishment for a failed drug test of 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit.
Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch returns for the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park
Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch and runner-up Mindframe are set to renew their rivalry when they return to racing for the $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday.
Belmont Park winter racing to take place on a synthetic surface when the track reopens in 2026
Winter racing at Belmont Park will take place exclusively on a synthetic surface when the New York track reopens in 2026, a move made with the hope of keeping horses and jockeys safer and improving year-round conditions when also running on dirt and turf.
Werth-owned horse Dornoch wins Belmont Stakes
Jayson Werth reached baseball's mountaintop when he won the World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. On Saturday, the Washington Nationals legend brought home another trophy when a horse he owns a stake in, Dornoch, won the Belmont Stakes.
Most OK with Belmont Stakes’ shorter length at Saratoga
This year, with the Belmont Stakes happening at Saratoga Race Course instead of Belmont Park, the shape of the track makes it implausible to run it at 1 1/2 miles, so it's being shortened to 1 1/4 miles - the same distance as the Kentucky Derby.
