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The Saturday Special – May 11

With the 150th Kentucky Derby in the books, it’s time to turn our attention to the Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville with Preakness 149 right around the corner. That’s right, the jumpers head to Tennessee for the spring’s biggest meet and we have all the picks and a preview right here. We’re a week out from … Read more

Here & There – May 6

Kentucky Derby 150 in the books – and the Oaks, too – and a spectacular showing for trainer Kenny McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. They swept, in case you missed either, with Thorpedo Anna in the Oaks and Mystik Dan in the Derby. We’re ready to close the book and turn the page if … Read more

Derby Thriller: Mystik Dan, team add to race’s rich history

They came for a horse race. Sure, they came for history and a party, too, but really it’s still about the race. All 156,710 strong that turned out and packed every corner of Churchill Downs from the infield grass to Millionaire’s Row. They partied. They imbibed. They danced. They chanted. All of that, all really … Read more

The Saturday Special – May 4

May 4. May the 4th. May the fourth be with you, and all that. Better yet, the 150th Kentucky Derby. That seems to have a better ring. Who’s ready? Our team for sure, we’ve got handicapping here on the site and another packed installment of The Saturday Special to prime the pump for the big … Read more

Thorpedo Anna goes all the way in Kentucky Oaks

Brian Hernandez Jr. walked onto the grounds of Churchill Downs Friday morning, cameraman in tow and following every move, and reached the door to the stairs leading the jockeys’ room. With no security nearby, Hernandez grabbed the handle, swung open the door and headed in, almost anonymously as the early arrivals filed in for the … Read more

Kentucky Derby Day stakes picks

Here we go, the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. America’s oldest continuously run sporting event always packs a punch and the 2024 renewal figures to follow suit with a loaded field featuring nearly all of the major prep winners. The gang is mostly all here, in Louisville, to soak up mint juleps, sing My … Read more

Twenty-five and counting

Walking through the entrance gates at Churchill Downs Friday felt in stark contrast to what it was like back on May 2, 1998. That day marked Kentucky Derby No. 1 and helped fulfill a personal goal to be on the scene of America’s greatest race. How it came about has been well told, especially so … Read more

Kentucky Oaks Day stakes picks

All the preliminaries are over. Say farewell to 502uesday, Champions Day and (aghast) Thurby. The big time starts Friday with the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. The stars will be out Friday, with a glistening undercard leading up to the 150th renewal of the Oaks. Worth $1.5 million and so much more, the Oaks attracted … Read more

The Saturday Special – April 27

A week out from the 150th Kentucky Derby and the signs of spring are everywhere from coast to coast. Especially so here in the Bluegrass, where trees are in full bloom and grass already in need of a significant cut. Kroger, Liquor Barn and Total Wine are stocked with all the necessities, whether it be … Read more

The Saturday Special – April 20

Here we go. Into the final countdown we go with phrases like “penultimate work” and “just what we wanted” thrown about as Kentucky Derby contenders go through their final paces at home or at Churchill Downs. We’re two weeks out from Kentucky Derby 150 and all eyes on Louisville. The Special rolls along, too, prepping … Read more