Tom Law

A late addition, a runner who could give his trainer a record eighth victory in the race and a collection of 3-year-olds that doesn’t include the adjudged or disqualified Kentucky Derby winner make up the field for Saturday’s 144th edition of the Preakness Stakes.

Back in action after a one-week hiatus for all the goings on at Churchill Downs and another loaded edition of The Saturday Special to keep everyone busy the weekend between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes.

Before the cheers, before the jeers, before the groans and before the boos, Bill Mott walked through the tunnel on the horse path before stopping on a spot where the rubber pavers meet the racetrack at Churchill Downs.

Tom Amoss knows what people say, hears the commentary and even understands the labels and how they got there.

Rain, rain, go away. Feels like we echo the old nursery rhyme every year and of late we certainly do when it comes to Kentucky Derby Day.

Mark Casse slumped in his seat and put his head in his hands after hearing the words “one” and “War Of Will” come from the mouths of Ben Huffman and Dan Bork during Tuesday morning’s post-position draw for the 145the running of the Kentucky Derby.

Bob Baffert already keeps company with Ben Jones, the legendary late trainer for Calumet Farm who dominated racing for parts or all of the 1930s, ‘40s and 50s.

Kentucky Oaks Day used to be the day at the race for the proud citizens of Louisville. They’d get the chance to take off work or school, dress to the nines and enjoy all the sights and sounds of Churchill Downs. Many still do that but Oaks Day is a top tier day all its own now and certainly not your grandfather’s, or even father’s, Oaks Day.

Morning-line favorite Omaha Beach will be scratched from Saturday’s 145th running of the Kentucky Derby due to an entrapped epiglottis, Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella said late Wednesday afternoon.

Richard Mandella owns a spot in Racing’s Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs. At the induction ceremony back in 2001, the legendary Allen Jerkens introduced the then 50-year-old conditioner whose career began in 1974.