Favorites Forte, Tapit Trice Breeze Toward KY Derby.Pletcher Trainees Sharp in Kentucky Derby BreezesĪ successful lead-up to the Kentucky Derby (G1) for trainer Todd Pletcher, in which the Hall of Famer won five qualifying prep races in March and April with his 3-year-olds, appears to be going just as auspiciously with their training preparation.Meet the Jockeys of the 2023 Kentucky DerbyĬheck out the profiles of this year's jockeys with mounts in the Kentucky Derby (G1).Godolphin's Matareya took command at the top of the lane and fended off bids from Wicked Halo and an unlucky Goodnight Olive to win the $750,000 Derby City Distaff (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs. Godolphin Show Goes On With Matareya in Derby City.Sol Kumin has enjoyed success buying into percentages of some top horses over the years, but his Head of Plains Partners picked up a grade 2 win May 6 at Churchill Downs with Fluffy Socks, who couldn't be more thoroughly Kumin's own. Kumin's Fluffy Socks Takes Churchill Distaff Turf Mile.Up to the Mark Rallies to Win Turf ClassicĪfter the scratch of Kentucky Derby (G1) morning-line favorite Forte earlier in the day, Up to the Mark scores in the May 6 $1 million Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) at Churchill Downs for the same connections Repole Stable and trainer Todd Pletcher.Rodeo Creek Racing's grade 1 winner Blazing Sevens breezed five furlongs over the Belmont Park main track in his final serious move for the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course. Blazing Sevens Posts Final Drill Ahead of Preakness.Rallying from last under Irad Ortiz Jr., Red Knight pulled away late to take the $600,000 Man o' War Stakes (G1T) May 13 at Belmont Park. 9-Year-Old Red Knight Rallies to Take Man o' War.Right after Courtlandt Farm's Never Explain captured the $200,000 Dinner Party Stakes (G3T), trainer Shug McGaughey was uncertain about the next start for the son of Street Sense. Never Explain Springs 15-1 Upset in Dinner Party.

The oldest rider in this year's Preakness at 51 years young showed why he is still sought after by Bob Baffert and other top trainers, completing a career Triple Crown in the process.

Velazquez At Last Adds Preakness to Expansive Resume.

Popular veterans Bankit and City Man each prevailed by a narrow margin May 29 on a special 10-race all state-bred card that featured six high-caliber stakes to celebrate Memorial Day Monday's annual Big Apple Showcase Day at Belmont Park.

Popular NY-Breds Bankit, City Man Score at Belmont Park.

Spendthrift Farm's Major Dude, a one-time Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful and among the nation's top 3-year-old turf horses, invades Penn National Race Course June 2 for the $400,000 Penn Mile (G2T). While this year's Belmont Stakes (G1) doesn't feature any horses that appear to be on the level of Secretariat, who completed a Triple Crown sweep in this race 50 years ago, a Belmont win means a place in racing history for both horse and rider.

Meet the Jockeys for the 2023 Belmont Stakes.In Italian made short work of her four rivals in the $485,000 Just a Game Stakes (G1T) June 9 at Belmont Park and strolled home a 3 3/4-length winner of the one-mile turf race. In Italian Dominates Just a Game Stakes.

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