Kentucky Derby Day

Woodbine's 5th annual Derby Day Party will take place Saturday, May 4 and tickets are now on sale, the track announced via release Monday. The event will feature a livestream from Churchill Downs, food, fashion, and live racing on site highlighted by the GIII Whimsical S. Included with a ticket purchase are complimentary food and dessert stations as well as a mint julep in a solid copper cup. Derby-style attire is highly encouraged and there will be a "best dressed' contest, photo booth, and various other activities on the day....

Local 541, the racetrack employees union that includes Churchill Downs valets, has threatened this week to strike over a wage and contract dispute. A press release sent on behalf of the group Friday said that, "With less than 24 hours until the 147th Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs Incorporated failed to attend a meeting early this morning to, once and for all, finalize a contract with its valets and avoid major disruptions at the Derby. The governor and mediator were notified of the meeting last night; even still, the valets were...

J. Kirk and Judy Robison's Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) returns to one turn for the first time since winning the GI Champagne S. last October as the likely favorite in Saturday's GII Pat Day Mile beneath the Twin Spires. A $95,000 Keeneland September purchase, Jackie's Warrior is perfect in four starts up to a mile, having stamped himself as the leader of his generation with powerful front-running victories in the GII Saratoga Special S. and GI Hopeful S. ahead of a 5 1/2-length tally in the Champagne that made him...

Saturday's GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic brings together this country's best turf runners currently in training, and Robert and Lawana Low's Colonel Liam (Liam's Map) has an opportunity to cement his status at the top of the heap in a race with several winning chances. The $50,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $1.2-million OBS April breezer is four-for-five on the grass, his lone defeat coming at the hooves of Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}) when beaten a half-length into fourth in the Saratoga Derby last August. Given some rest following...

Several changes for the upcoming 2021 racing season at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino were approved by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission at its Tuesday meeting regarding race dates and wagering and takeout rules. Indiana Grand was initially set to hold live racing Saturday, May 1 during GI Kentucky Derby Day. However, due to uncertainty directly related to COVID-19, a request was submitted to the IHRC to reallocate that date to Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, which will become closing day for the 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing...

The easing of restrictions on indoor dining throughout New Jersey beginning Friday, Sept. 4, Monmouth Park will expand its indoor dining on a limited capacity, pending N.J. Racing Commission approval. The expanded dining venues will include: The William Hill Sports Bar, the first floor grandstand in front of the video board, the Patio Terrace Teletheater and available reserved group rooms. Dining areas will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Capacity for indoor dining will be restricted to 25% of the indoor dining area, as per Gov. Phil Murphy's Executive...

Monmouth Park will offer special dining packages that include guaranteed entry as part of the GI Kentucky Derby simulcast and live racing program Saturday, Sept. 5. Entry will be limited according to state-approved regulations for attendance capacity restrictions. Derby Day guaranteed entry tickets cost $10, with patrons receiving a $10 food voucher upon admittance. Parking and admission are free. A Derby Day Picnic Party will take place in the trackside picnic area. The package includes all-you-can-eat food and soft drink service from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Advanced reservations will...