Latest Kentucky Derby News

Catching Freedom wins $1 million Louisiana Derby, qualifies for the Kentucky Derby

Mar. 23, 2024 20:06 PM EDT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Catching Freedom stormed from last to first to win the $1 million Louisiana Derby by nearly a length on Saturday, earning the Brad Cox-trained horse enough Kentucky Derby qualifying points to enter the opening race of the Triple Crown. Catching Freedom trailed...

Imagination wins San Felipe, gives Baffert 1-2 finish after trainer scratches odds-on favorite Nysos

Mar. 03, 2024 19:11 PM EST

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Imagination won the $300,000 San Felipe Stake by a head at Santa Anita on Sunday, giving trainer Bob Baffert a 1-2 finish and his record ninth win in the Kentucky Derby prep after he scratched odds-on favorite Nysos. All of Baffert's 3-year-old colts are...

Dornoch runs away to win Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park

Mar. 02, 2024 18:44 PM EST

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Dornoch ran into the Kentucky Derby mix on Saturday, winning the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park as the overwhelming favorite. The win comes with 50 Kentucky Derby standings points, which typically is enough for a horse to...

Nysos wins Robert Lewis Stakes, but gets no Kentucky Derby qualifying points because of Baffert ban

Feb. 03, 2024 19:33 PM EST

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Nysos romped to a 7 1/2-length victory in the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Saturday, giving trainer Bob Baffert his sixth consecutive victory in the race for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita. Ridden by Flavien Prat, Nysos ran a mile in 1:36.65 and is unbeaten...

Churchill Downs moves Kentucky Derby post draw ahead one week before historic 150th running on May 4

Feb. 01, 2024 16:36 PM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Churchill Downs will move the post draws for the 150th Kentucky Derby and Oaks to one full week before horse racing’s marquee event on May 4, a switch intended to provide better handicapping information for bettors and have entries on site earlier. Darren...

Trainer Bob Baffert asks to end appeal of DQ of Medina Spirit for failed drug test at Kentucky Derby

Jan. 22, 2024 20:48 PM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert says on social media that he has asked attorneys to end his appeal of Medina Spirit's disqualification as 2021 Kentucky Derby winner after the now-deceased colt failed a postrace drug test that detected the steroid betamethasone in his...

Kentucky Derby purse raised to $5 million for 150th race in May

Jan. 10, 2024 14:44 PM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Derby purse has been raised to $5 million for the 150th edition in May. The increase of $2 million was announced Wednesday by Churchill Downs. The 1 1/4-mile race will be May 4. This year’s winner will receive $3.1 million. The...