Horse Racing – Winnipeg Free Press

Bob Baffert, right, trainer of National Treasure, hugs jockey John Velazquez after their horse won the148th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Preakness winner National Treasure has final workout for Belmont Stakes

The Associated Press 2 minute read Updated: 3:45 PM CDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Preakness winner National Treasure breezed five furlongs on Monday in his final workout for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes this weekend.

Working on the main track at Belmont Park with exercise rider Erick Garcia aboard, National Treasure was timed in 59.55 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:11.20 and seven furlongs in 1:25.20. It was the second workout on the track for the Bob Baffert-trained colt, who also worked last Tuesday.

“He worked very well this morning,” said Jimmy Barnes, Baffert's top assistant. “It’s a big track and you can find yourself lost out there. Erick did an excellent job working him and now we’re just waiting for the race.”

National Treasure was fourth in the Santa Anita Derby before the Preakness on May 20.

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Fox Sports ready for challenge of doing Belmont Stakes for first time

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Fox Sports ready for challenge of doing Belmont Stakes for first time

Joe Reedy, The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 11:28 AM CDT

Even though Saturday's Belmont Stakes marks the first time Fox Sports has carried one of horse racing's Triple Crown events, the network has a history of covering the sport.

Fox has carried the New York Racing Association's summer meet from Saratoga Race Course since 2016 on FS1 and FS2. The relationship expanded to daily racing from Belmont and Saratoga in 2021 followed by an eight-year agreement starting this year to do the Belmont Stakes.

“It helps immensely,” Fox producer Pete Macheska said about the longstanding relationship with NYRA. “They've been great operating with us and helping us in our first year doing this race.”

Fox took over the Belmont from NBC, which had carried all three Triple Crown races since 2011. NBC still does the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

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Updated: 11:28 AM CDT

FILE - Jockey Mike Smith reacts after riding Taiba and winning the Malibu Stakes (Grade 1) race during opening day of the winter-spring meet at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., Monday, Dec. 26, 2022. Smith will be a commentator for Fox’s coverage of the 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes on June 10, 2023. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP, File)

A lot more give than take

George Williams 5 minute read Preview

A lot more give than take

George Williams 5 minute read Friday, Jun. 2, 2023

Trainer Marvin Buffalo of Day Star First Nation in Saskatchewan, and his wife Deb, won the first stakes race of the season at Assiniboia Downs with their Spitten Kitten on Tuesday night, creating a perfect segue into National Indigenous History Month, as if it were scripted.

Six-time leading trainer Tom Gardipy, Jr. from Beardy’s Cree Nation in Saskatchewan followed the same script, scoring a hat trick to move into a tie at the top of the trainer standings with Wendy Anderson and Lise Pruitt with four wins a piece. Gardipy teamed up with jockey Ronald Ali for his three wins, while Buffalo hired underrated jockey Sven Balroop to boot their big winner home.

A former champion apprentice in Trinidad, the 28-year-old Balroop won 11 races at Century Mile in Edmonton last year, but oddly couldn’t get noticed there. We’ve only seen him ride 15 horses here, and he’s looked dynamite on anything that had a chance — and some that didn’t. Balroop has won two races so far at the meeting, both for the Buffalos. Catch him on the odds board before he gets hot.

Marvin and Deb are already at that temperature. They’ve won two of three starts since arriving from Turf Paradise in Phoenix, Ariz., including the One and Only Overnight Stakes with Spitten Kitten, a three-year-old filly they bought for $2,500 as a yearling. Deb picked her out.

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Friday, Jun. 2, 2023

Outstanding start at Assiniboia Downs

George Williams 6 minute read Preview

Outstanding start at Assiniboia Downs

George Williams 6 minute read Friday, May. 26, 2023

The live racing season kicked off with a packed awards ceremony, two million-dollar wagering handles and a pair of hat tricks, but we also lost one of the best jockeys in the history of Manitoba racing.

Fans flocked to the track on opening Monday night and along with the folks on the interwebs they pumped $1,097,250 into the wagering pools. It was even better for bettors on Tuesday evening when punters pounded the pools with another $1,265,765.

These are incredible numbers for a small track in the middle of North America, and fans have grown accustomed to what appears to be business as usual, but it has taken tons of work over a period of many years by ASD CEO Darren Dunn, Vice-President of Finance and Gaming Sharon Gulyas, and their executive team, to make it happen.

Kudos to the Downs’ team for its fabulous work, which not only allows bettors to punt with both hands without changing the odds, but that has also been the main driver behind the resurgence of the local breeding industry. Not only are horse people buying better broodmares, they’re also buying higher-class racehorses to compete locally, and more of them.

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Friday, May. 26, 2023

Recent tragedies emphasize need for continued focus on horse health and safety

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Recent tragedies emphasize need for continued focus on horse health and safety

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Tuesday, May. 23, 2023

They’re off and running at Assiniboia Downs. As a new season of racing begins, we need to talk about technology — and tragedy — at the track.

It’s going to look a little different this year, with a couple of intriguing new bells and whistles on display that should up the stakes and make life a lot more interesting for those who have skin in the game.

GPS trackers will be attached to the saddle towel of every horse thanks to an ASD partnership with a Kentucky-based company. That means literally every trot will be monitored in real time, allowing for comprehensive data collection and advanced analytics the likes we’ve never seen around here.

It will also make for a more immersive viewing experience, whether watching in person, at home online or in a sportsbook around the world, with colourful displays showing you the exact race order every step of the way.

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Tuesday, May. 23, 2023

Another exciting season of thoroughbred racing kicks off Monday at Assiniboia Downs

George Williams 5 minute read Preview

Another exciting season of thoroughbred racing kicks off Monday at Assiniboia Downs

George Williams 5 minute read Friday, May. 19, 2023

And they’re off! Oops, sorry, we broke through the gate!

They’re not quite off yet, but they will be in two days, and dreams will spring from the starting gate the same way they always have since June 10, 1958, at Assiniboia Downs.

The 66th season of live horse racing goes to post at Assiniboia Downs on Victoria Day, Monday May 22, at 7:30 p.m. with 52 horses in seven races, followed by 50 more frisky equines in the same number of races on Tuesday evening.

The first two weeks of the 50-day meeting will feature live racing on Monday and Tuesday, which then switches to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until the final week of the meet on September 18 and 19.

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Friday, May. 19, 2023

Taxed wins Black-Eyed Susan at 11-1; Faiza finishes 3rd in 1st defeat

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Taxed wins Black-Eyed Susan at 11-1; Faiza finishes 3rd in 1st defeat

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, May. 19, 2023

BALTIMORE (AP) — Faiza was lurking just behind Hoosier Philly at the end of the second turn, and the unbeaten favorite appeared ready to press for the lead.

Turned out there was another horse that was about to leave both of them behind.

Taxed raced to an upset victory in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on Friday, closing strong for a convincing win over Hoosier Philly and Faiza. Claimed by owner Richard Bahde last year for $50,000, Taxed won this $300,000 race at Pimlico by 3 3/4 lengths over Hoosier Philly.

“I started out in the bull rings in Nebraska with $5,000 claimers and then I met (trainer Randy Morse) and he took me to a whole different level,” Bahde said. “We have had a lot of fun together.”

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Friday, May. 19, 2023

Triple Crown hopeful Mage heads to the Preakness with hundreds of owners cheering him on

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Triple Crown hopeful Mage heads to the Preakness with hundreds of owners cheering him on

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 4 minute read Thursday, May. 18, 2023

BALTIMORE (AP) — Mage winning the Kentucky Derby gave horse racing a welcome distraction.

After seven horses died at Churchill Downs over a span of 10 days, the sport got a winner with a unique story. No conglomerate owners, no big-name trainers. Mage is the first Derby winner with ties to Venezuela in more than half a century, and nearly 400 people can call themselves one of his co-owners.

Mage can make them all even happier if he can win the Preakness on Saturday and keep alive the chance for a Triple Crown.

“I had been working on this goal for many years,” trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr. said through an interpreter in his office at Pimlico on Thursday. "It would be a reward for our work and our sacrifices. And also, it would mean a lot to give back to all the people that have believed in me: my family, the owners and the people that have been involved with the horse.”

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Thursday, May. 18, 2023

Assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. walks Kentucky Derby winner Mage after a workout ahead of the 148th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Secretariat’s 1973 Triple Crown saw record times in each race. It took 39 years to become official

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Secretariat’s 1973 Triple Crown saw record times in each race. It took 39 years to become official

Noah Trister, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, May. 18, 2023

BALTIMORE (AP) — Calling Secretariat a Triple Crown winner actually might understate his dominance. The colt not only won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 1973 — he finished each in record time.

It just took 39 years for that part of his incredible sweep to become official.

When Secretariat won the Preakness a half-century ago, he was a star but not yet a legend. His 31-length romp in the Belmont was still to come, and although his back-to-front surge on the first turn at Pimlico was spectacular, the colt’s final time of 1 minute, 55 seconds wasn’t all that noteworthy. It was a second slower than the Preakness mark set two years earlier by Canonero II.

But the dispute over that time was only beginning, and it wasn’t until 2012 when Penny Chenery — Secretariat’s owner — finally succeeded in securing her horse’s Preakness record. She died in 2017 at age 95.

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Thursday, May. 18, 2023

FILE - In this May 19, 1973 file photo, Secretariat, with Ron Turcotte up, wins the 98th Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Calling Secretariat a mere Triple Crown winner probably understates his dominance. The colt with the nickname Big Red not only won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 1973 — he finished each in record time. (AP Photo/File)

As Triple Crown chase rolls on, horse racing at a crossroads after latest spate of deaths

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

As Triple Crown chase rolls on, horse racing at a crossroads after latest spate of deaths

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 6 minute read Wednesday, May. 17, 2023

BALTIMORE (AP) — Brad Cox sent 21 horses he trains to Churchill Downs in the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby and all came back from their races healthy with no problems.

Still, Cox is worried. Seven horses died in a span of 10 days at and around the famous track, thrusting horse racing into a familiar, negative spotlight during Triple Crown season. The sport, which by some measures is as popular as ever, is facing intense scrutiny over the health of its animal athletes.

“The sales are strong, and the purses are strong, people are still involved — hopefully we can keep it going,” Cox said this week while preparing for the Preakness. “I think people are doing a good job of trying to keep their horses sound, healthy, happy and performing well. That’s the main thing. I’ve got a lot of questions about Derby week and what all happened there.”

He's not alone. Industry leaders say racing is at a critical juncture, even though horse deaths are at their lowest number since they began being tracked, money is flowing and new national medication and anti-doping rules are set to take effect next week. The hope is to clean up the sport, making it fairer for those involved and perhaps more acceptable to skeptics.

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Wednesday, May. 17, 2023

Kentucky Derby winner Mage pauses as he is walked around the Stakes Barn before working out on the Pimlico track Tuesday morning, May 16, 2023, in Baltimore, in preparation for Saturday's Preakness Stakes horse race. (Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sun via AP)

Far from Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby winner Mage’s team settles into Preakness routine

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Far from Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby winner Mage’s team settles into Preakness routine

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 3 minute read Tuesday, May. 16, 2023

BALTIMORE (AP) — Preakness favorite Mage took to the track Tuesday for his most significant workout since winning the Kentucky Derby as his team focused on finding their routine following a spate of horse deaths at Churchill Downs that overshadowed the race.

The victory capped a tumultuous stretch in which seven horses died of various circumstances at the Louisville track over a 10-day span. A Derby contender was one of those fatalities, another was scratched and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. suspended for two deaths in his barn. Another horse died racing Sunday to make it a total of eight at Churchill Downs in under three weeks.

The $3 million Derby itself went off without incident May 6. Mage opened this week as the 8-5 favorite to win the Preakness in Baltimore on Saturday and keep alive the possibility of a Triple Crown champion while questions swirl about what happened in Kentucky.

Co-owner Ramiro Restrepo, assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado Jr. and his father have insisted their focus remains on Mage, who seems happy and healthy.

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Tuesday, May. 16, 2023

Javier Castellano, atop Mage, reacts in the winner's circle after winning the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Kentucky Derby winner Mage set as 8-5 morning line favorite for Preakness

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Kentucky Derby winner Mage set as 8-5 morning line favorite for Preakness

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 4 minute read Monday, May. 15, 2023

HALETHORPE, Md. (AP) — Kentucky Derby winner Mage is facing a fresh set of horses in the Preakness in a situation not seen in more than half a century, and he's the early favorite to beat them.

Mage was installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite at the post position draw Monday. He’s the only horse in the field of eight set to take part in the second race of the Triple Crown two weeks after running in the Derby.

It's the first Preakness since 1969 with just one Derby horse. Majestic Prince won each of those races 54 years ago, a feat Mage will try to duplicate.

“Everyone has their own agendas for the rest of the year and the schedule, what races they want to run in,” co-owner Ramiro Restrepo said. “All we can really control is our house. The horse is doing great, which is the most important thing. That gave us the green light to run, and whoever they line up in there is who we’ve got to race. That’s all we can focus on.”

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Monday, May. 15, 2023

Kentucky Derby winner Mage looks around after arriving at Pimlico Race Course early Sunday, May 14, 2023 to prepare for this weekend's Preakness Stakes. (Jerry Jackson/The Baltimore Sun via AP)

Questions linger about horse deaths in Kentucky with Preakness up next

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 6 minute read Preview

Questions linger about horse deaths in Kentucky with Preakness up next

Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press 6 minute read Saturday, May. 13, 2023

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and his wife, Alison, have been fielding messages from friends outside of horse racing about the spate of deaths at Churchill Downs leading up to and on Kentucky Derby day.

“They’re texting, ‘What’s going on?’” McGaughey said. “They don’t want to hear that (is happening), so that’s something we’re going to have to address.”

The Derby was the second most-watched sporting event of 2023 behind the Super Bowl. Viewers heard about the deaths of seven horses in 10 days at the track before watching Mage win the race. He's heading to Maryland to run in the Preakness Stakes, with the chance to win the Triple Crown. But the recent fatalities in Kentucky have created lingering questions for the sport and even for the trainers confident in their horses set to run May 20 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

“You’re not going to be perfect every time you run, but I do think it’s very concerning about what went on at Churchill that week,” said McGaughey, who will have his first Preakness starter since 2013. “I don’t know that we’ll ever get to the bottom of it. But seven deaths in a week and they had three at Keeneland (in Lexington) that made it 10 deaths that we know about in a month, and that’s too many. I don’t think it’s anything we should keep in the closet. I think we need to be very transparent about what’s going on.”

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Saturday, May. 13, 2023

Horses leave the starting gate during the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the Preakness at Pimlico on May 20

Gary B. Graves, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the Preakness at Pimlico on May 20

Gary B. Graves, The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, May. 12, 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the 148th Preakness following an encouraging workout at Churchill Downs, its co-owner said.

Mage galloped about 1 1/2 miles at a brisk pace with exercise rider J.J. Delgado aboard on a cloudy but mild Friday morning at the track. Co-owner and bloodstock agent Ramiro Restrepo said the chestnut colt was “thriving” with good energy levels after his latest training session since winning the 149th Derby, paving the way for the horse to enter the Triple Crown's second jewel at Pimlico in Baltimore.

“He’s had a magnificent week of training," Restrepo said with co-owner Chase Chamberlin, co-founder and racing director of partner CMNWLTH. "(Trainer) Gustavo Delgado (Jr.) was just really pleased and over the moon of how he’s come back. He’s shown all the positive signs. So, it’s on to Baltimore and crab cakes, here we come.”

Mage is coming off a one-length victory over Two Phil's in the Derby at 15-1 odds after charging into contention entering the stretch. The son of Good Magic and Puca by 2008 Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown earned a signature win after running second and fourth in the Florida Derby and Fountain of Youth, respectively. He didn't run as a 2-year-old but won his debut at Gulfstream by nearly four lengths.

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Friday, May. 12, 2023

Javier Castellano celebrates after riding Mage to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Trainer Todd Pletcher suspended 10 days after positive 2022 drug test involving Forte

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Trainer Todd Pletcher suspended 10 days after positive 2022 drug test involving Forte

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, May. 11, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has been suspended 10 days and fined as the result of a positive drug test last year involving Forte, who was scratched hours before the Kentucky Derby last weekend because of an injury.

Forte was disqualified after winning the Hopeful Stakes on Sept. 5, 2022, at Saratoga in upstate New York for testing positive for meloxicam, according to a ruling posted Thursday on the New York State Gaming Commission website.

The drug is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory that is not legal in racing. Pletcher also was fined $1,000. Forte’s owners, Mike Repole and Vincent Viola, forfeit the Hopeful’s first-place purse earnings of $165,000.

The ruling says Pletcher plans to appeal and a stay of the suspension has been granted, allowing him to work. However, the commission may terminate the stay if the hearing isn't completed within 90 days of the ruling.

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Thursday, May. 11, 2023

Kentucky Derby hopeful Forte works out at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 6. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Pretty Mischievous wins Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs

Gary B. Graves, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Pretty Mischievous wins Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs

Gary B. Graves, The Associated Press 4 minute read Friday, May. 5, 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — An equipment change helped Pretty Mischievous bounce back from a disappointing tuneup with a statement performance in the Kentucky Oaks.

Wearing blinkers for the first time, the Brendan Walsh-trained filly took charge in the stretch and survived a late push by Gambling Girl to win the $1.25 million Oaks by a neck on Friday at Churchill Downs.

Pretty Mischievous started from the No. 14 outside post at 10-1 odds and stayed within sight of pacesetters Flying Connection and Defining Purpose through the far turn before making her move through the turn for home. Pretty Mischievous broke clear entering the stretch and kept charging even as Gambling Girl rallied from the outside, holding on for her fifth career win in seven starts and giving stable Godolphin its first win in the premier race for 3-year-old fillies.

Most appreciative was owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates. He's winless in 12 Kentucky Derby starts since 1999 and doesn’t have a colt in Saturday’s 149th Run for the Roses, though Essential Quality finished third in 2021 as the race favorite.

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Friday, May. 5, 2023

Pretty Mischievous (14), with Tyler Gaffalione aboard, past the finish line to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Oaks horse race at Churchill Downs Friday, May 5, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

19 horses to tangle in wide-open 149th Kentucky Derby

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

19 horses to tangle in wide-open 149th Kentucky Derby

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 4 minute read Friday, May. 5, 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The cast of characters for the 149th Kentucky Derby was rewritten in the days before the race. What didn't change: Forte is the early 3-1 favorite on Saturday in a seemingly wide-open field of 19 horses.

Four horses were scratched — Practical Move, Lord Miles, Continuar and Skinner — and three horses waiting on the also-eligible list moved into the field. They are Cyclone Mischief, Mandarin Hero and King Russell.

Last year's Derby was a stunner: 80-1 shot Rich Strike weaved his way through traffic and came rushing up the rail to win. NBC Sports' overhead replay of the race was viewed more than 36 million times.

A crowd of about 150,000 is expected to jam Churchill Downs to wager and watch the 1 1/4-mile Derby. Post time is 6:57 p.m. EDT.

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Friday, May. 5, 2023

A horse comes off the track after an early-morning workout at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 6. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kimura, Mandarin Hero draw into Kentucky Derby

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Kimura, Mandarin Hero draw into Kentucky Derby

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Thursday, May. 4, 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Woodbine jockey Kazushi Kimura will ride in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Kimura's horse, Mandarin Hero, drew into the field Thursday. The Japanese-trained horse secured post No. 22 for the opening crown of American racing's Triple Crown after Lord Miles was scratched.

"I am so excited to get this opportunity," Kimura said. "I hope it can be a memorable day for the connections, the horse and myself."

Mandarin Hero has registered two second-place finishes this year, the last coming in last month's Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. The horse has four wins and two second-place efforts in six career starts, having amassed more than US$386,000 in earnings.

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Thursday, May. 4, 2023

In a photo provided by Benoit Photo, Strand Beach's Paris Secret and jockey Kazushi Kimura, right, win the Grade III $100,000 Providencia Stakes Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Benoit Photo via AP

Churchill Downs suspends trainer Joseph after 2 horse deaths

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Churchill Downs suspends trainer Joseph after 2 horse deaths

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, May. 4, 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Churchill Downs suspended trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. indefinitely and Lord Miles, who is trained by Joseph, was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on Thursday, days after the sudden death of two of his horses at the track.

The suspension prohibits Joseph, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed by him, from entering horses in races or applying for stalls at all Churchill Downs Inc.-owned tracks.

The decision comes after the deaths of Parents Pride on Saturday and Chasing Artie on Tuesday. Both collapsed on the track and died after races.

“Given the unexplained sudden deaths, we have reasonable concerns about the condition of his horses, and decided to suspend him indefinitely until details are analyzed and understood,” Bill Mudd, CDI president and chief operating officer, said in a statement. “The safety of our equine and human athletes and integrity of our sport is our highest priority. We feel these measures are our duty and responsibility.”

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Thursday, May. 4, 2023

Kentucky Derby hopeful Verifying works out at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 6. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Forte, Derma Sotogake among Kentucky Derby horses to watch

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Forte, Derma Sotogake among Kentucky Derby horses to watch

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 4 minute read Friday, May. 5, 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Derby is up for grabs.

The starting gate will contain 19 horses vying to wear the garland of red roses.

Most of the 3-year-olds will be running 1 1/4 miles for the first time on Saturday. Besides the distance, the traffic-choked conditions typically eliminate half the field in the opening quarter-mile.

Here are some horses to watch: FORTE

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Friday, May. 5, 2023

Kentucky Derby entrant Angel of Empire works out at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Louisville, Ky. The 149th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 6. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Practical Move out of Kentucky Derby with high temperature

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Practical Move out of Kentucky Derby with high temperature

The Associated Press 2 minute read Thursday, May. 4, 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Practical Move won’t run in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday because of an elevated temperature. Japanese horse Continuar also is out.

The scratches were announced Thursday.

Practical Move, the Santa Anita Derby winner, galloped in the morning and practiced standing in the starting gate.

Trainer Tim Yakteen told The Associated Press via text message that Practical Move's temperature began to rise around 11 a.m.

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Thursday, May. 4, 2023

Horse racing poised for new antidoping, medication rules

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Horse racing poised for new antidoping, medication rules

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 5 minute read Thursday, May. 4, 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Horse racing’s new antidoping and medication control program has stumbled out of the starting gate, delayed multiple times for nearly a year amid lawsuits by those opposing the new rules and frustration from those eager for national uniform standards in the sport.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) took effect on July 1, 2022, with two major components: racetrack safety and antidoping and medication control.

The safety rules, including limits on how many times a jockey can whip a horse, began last year. Still, they have not prevented horse deaths. Four horses died in five days at Churchill Downs in the days leading up to the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

The Antidoping and Medication Control (ADMC) program was supposed to start at the same time as the safety program.

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Thursday, May. 4, 2023

Churchill Downs investigates 4 horse deaths ahead of Derby

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Churchill Downs investigates 4 horse deaths ahead of Derby

The Associated Press 3 minute read Wednesday, May. 3, 2023

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The death of four horses at Churchill Downs over a span of five days has overshadowed preparations for the Kentucky Derby.

Two horses trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. collapsed on the track and died over the past week. Two other horses also died as either a result of racing or training, including Derby entrant Wild On Ice.

Joseph is set to saddle Lord Miles in the first jewel of the Triple Crown on Saturday. But he has said he’s unsure of plans after the two deaths from his barn.

Churchill Downs Racetrack, in a statement Wednesday, expressed concern over the deaths and said officials would press for answers.

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Wednesday, May. 3, 2023

Triple Crown winner Secretariat still dominant 50 years on

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Triple Crown winner Secretariat still dominant 50 years on

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 5 minute read Wednesday, May. 3, 2023

Secretariat had an unusually large heart, an engine that propelled him to a Triple Crown sweep 50 years ago. The colt nicknamed Big Red remains the heartbeat of an industry that has yet to see such dominance on and off the track replicated.

His name recognition, even among those who don’t follow sports, is still strong 34 years after his death, and eight of his descendants will run in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, including early 3-1 favorite Forte.

“He’s still the bar to me,” said Bob Baffert, who trained Triple Crown winners American Pharoah in 2015 and Justify in 2018. “I still ask strangers, ‘Who’s the best horse you ever heard of?’ and I’m hoping they say Pharoah. They say Secretariat."

Secretariat won the Derby, Preakness and Belmont in record times that still stand, and ended a 25-year Triple Crown drought.

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Wednesday, May. 3, 2023

FILE - Jockey Ron Turcotte walks Secretariat towards the winners circle after they captured the Triple Crown by winning the Belmont Stakes before a crowd of 70,000 fans at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., June 9, 1973. (AP Photo/File)

Why Bob Baffert won’t be at Kentucky Derby 2nd year in a row

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Why Bob Baffert won’t be at Kentucky Derby 2nd year in a row

Beth Harris, The Associated Press 5 minute read Tuesday, May. 2, 2023

The Kentucky Derby is a tradition that's never been canceled.

Postponed once by World War II and again by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, America's greatest race has rolled on since 1875.

At Churchill Downs on Saturday, 20 horses will compete to wear the garland of red roses in the 149th edition. But the race will again be without the sport's best known and hugely successful figure for nearly three decades.

Bob Baffert trained American Pharoah to the first Triple Crown sweep in 37 years in 2015. He repeated the feat with Justify in 2018. In all, the white-haired trainer has won 16 Triple Crown races. Yet Baffert is still serving a two-year suspension from Churchill Downs.

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Tuesday, May. 2, 2023

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