Ken McPeek

Right to Party (Constitution), third beaten 9 lengths going six furlongs in his debut Dec. 13, went two better Saturday to break his maiden second time out. Relegated to the back after a bumpy beginning, the 5-2 second choice trailed the field up the long backstretch run in his first stretch out to the mile distance. Saving ground around the far turn and picking up momentum and positions, Right to Party hit the top of the lane and tipped out to close past late leader Dr. Sinatra (Speightstown), rallying to...

Liberty National (Maxfield), named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' following an impressive maiden victory on the Stars of Tomorrow II program at Churchill Downs Nov. 29, could make his next start in the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Dec. 20. A well-beaten sixth on debut for trainer Ken McPeek in a live maiden special weight at Keeneland Oct. 16, the Brookdale Racing, Inc. and Fern Circle Stables colorbearer took to two turns with aplomb at second asking with a 4 1/4-length, come-from-behind decision beneath the Twin...

Liberty National (c, 2, Maxfield--Virtuoso, by Awesome Again) became the fourth 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' for his freshman sire (by Street Sense) with an impressive performance at second asking around two turns at Churchill Downs Saturday afternoon. The 4-1 chance was bumped by a rival at the start and found a fantastic spot in a ground-saving sixth beneath Brian Hernandez, Jr. through a half mile in :48.57. Locked and loaded on the far turn, he was tipped out at the quarter pole and took off impressively down the...

1st-AQU, $85K, Msw, 2yo, f, 7f, 12:10 p.m. ET. POMERANCE (Curlin) brought $700,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling sale. Bred & owned by partners Jeff Drown and Don Rachel, the filly is out of MGSW Pomeroys Pistol (Pomeroy), who produced current sire Thousand Words (by Pioneerof the Nile) and Sweet Pistol (Smart Strike)--the dam of 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' & GISW Faiza (Girvin). The first-timer was sent to trainer Chad Brown. TJCIS PPS 10th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, 1m, 5:24 p.m. ET. An $800,000 buy during the Fasig-Tipton...

Kentucky Derby 150 winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) has officially been retired to stud, trainer Ken McPeek announced Friday. But fans will have one final chance to see the colt beneath the Twin Spires on Saturday when he parades in the paddock for the fourth race from approximately 2:05-2:30 p.m. EST. Owned by Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm, Mystik Dan will stand at Airdrie Stud in Midway, Ky., for $15,000. The 4-year-old retires with a record of 16-5-3-1 and earnings of more than $4.8...

GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) will not take part in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. The news was announced Saturday morning on social media by David Grening. Trainer Ken McPeek told Grening that "the reason they said was [he] responds to flexion left ankle." This is the second scratch from the McPeek barn in as many days with 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Blackout Time (Not This Time) scratching Friday from the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Mystik Dan will retire to Airdrie Stud for the 2026...

DEL MAR, CA - As Breeders' Cup hopefuls continue their final preparations in the early morning hours for racing on Friday and Saturday, the Del Mar paddock will transform into an auction ring for the second annual Keeneland Championship Sale on Wednesday evening. Last year, a share in Horse of the Year Flightline (by Tapit) was the headliner when it went for $2.5-million. Once again looking to create a high-energy atmosphere, Keeneland has put together a robust slate of offerings, which include fractional interests in three racehorses currently in-training--two are...

A horse by the name of Sovereignty (Into Mischief) showed up for last year's GIII Street Sense Stakes as a maiden and departed as one of the leaders of the division with a remarkable come-from-behind rally to break his maiden. It waits to be seen whether any of the seven juvenile signed on for Sunday's renewal can achieve similar heights, but--as always in this business--hope springs eternal. The single, most solid piece of form in the field belongs to Universe (Global Campaign), whose trainer Ken McPeek sent out King Fury...

2nd-KEE, 110K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 1:32 p.m. The 2-year-old half-brother to MGISW Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil), LEADING CHANGE (Gun Runner) was an $800,000 acquisition for Case Clay Thoroughbred Management from Keeneland September last year and makes his debut Thursday for trainer Brad Cox, who also trained his Kentucky Oaks-winning half-sister. First dam Starship Warpseed, who sadly passed away last year, has a perfect six-for-six strike rate of runners to winners with GSP Mojovation (Quality Road) and GSP 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Star of Wonder (Uncle Mo) also amongst Leading Change's...

Trainer Kenny McPeek doesn't know what happened to Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in Sunday's GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes at Keeneland, where she was a non-threatening fourth in one of the worst races of her career. He's checked her from head to toe and has not found anything wrong with her. Other than ruling out a start in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, McPeek isn't sure what is next for the 2024 Horse of the Year, but admitted that retirement is a possibility. "You have to consider retiring her," he said....

by Jill Williams & J.N. Campbell A spectacular Fall Stars Weekend both continues and concludes Sunday at Keeneland, highlighted by the GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' event for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff Nov. 1. While entries may seem sparse for such an historic race with a $650,000 purse, they pack a punch with the reigning Horse of the Year, Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), making her first start in front of the home crowd since her open daylight debut over this surface at this meet two...

Just like he did beneath the Twin Spires on the first Saturday in May in 2024, GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) shot up the rail once again to a dramatic victory in Saturday's GII Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs. With jockey Francisco Arrieta subbing for the sidelined Brian Hernandez, Jr., Mystik Dan raced in an inside fourth through an opening quarter in :23.45. Awaiting racing room on the far turn as 'TDN Rising Star' Disarm (Gun Runner) made a bold sweep for the lead, Mystik Dan finally found...