Kentucky Derby

GRANDE (c, 4, Curlin--Journey Home {GSW, $225,997}, by War Front), unraced since a runner-up finish in last year's GII Wood Memorial in April and since the subject of a controversial day-before scratch in the GI Kentucky Derby, returned to the races Saturday for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole. Tabbed the 7-5 favorite racing with the addition of blinkers, Grande would have to deal with fellow comebacker Praetor (Into Mischief), himself unraced since a third in April's GIII Lexington Stakes for Chad Brown. Both drawn outside, the favorite opted...

Colonial Downs has revealed a new brand, logo, and digital presence ahead of the track's second Virginia Derby spring meet, which will be held Mar. 12-14. The Virginia Derby will be contested Mar. 14 and will offer Kentucky Derby qualifying points for the first time. "With a record number of race days, growing crowds and purses, a Kentucky Derby qualifier race, and some of the most passionate fans around, Virginia is stepping into the sport's global spotlight," said Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs. "This exciting...

Last year's GI Preakness S., GI Santa Anita Derby and GI NYRA Bets Haskell S. winner Journalism (Curlin), back in training with Michael McCarthy at Santa Anita since mid-January, is nearing a return to the worktab. Campaigned in partnership by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, breeder Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, and the Coolmore partners, the $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling concluded his brilliant sophomore season with a fourth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar Nov. 1. "Journalism has been back with Michael McCarthy...

Trainer Mark Casse joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to recap a big weekend with GIII Southwest Stakes winner Silent Tactic and fan-favorite filly Nitrogen. He also discusses the recent announcement of him being named chairman of OBS.

Following the defection of juvenile champion Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) from Kentucky Derby contention, GII Remsen Stakes winner Paladin (Gun Runner) has risen to the fore in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which launches Pool 4 on Friday, Feb. 13 and closes on Feb. 15. Installed the 8-1 individual favorite in the latest pool, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook T. Smith and Summer Wind Equine's representative is entered in Saturday's GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. "All Other 3-Year-Olds" not named within the...

Twinspires.com's Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge (KDBC), a live-money handicapping tournament, will feature an increased, guaranteed $300,000 prize pool May 2, while the $25,000 Kentucky Oaks Betting Challenge will debut May 1. The KDBC returns this year with the same $5,000 buy-in structure and the newly added KOBC will have a seeded cash prize pool of $25,000 and will award one KDBC seat for every 10 entries. "Championship Series" races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks will anchor weekly TwinSpires tournaments, which offer qualifying...

John Oxley's Silent Tactic (Tacitus) will likely make his next start in the Mar. 1 GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park following his upset victory in the GIII Southwest Stakes Friday in Arkansas, trainer Mark Casse confirmed. The Southwest was Casse's third consecutive victory in a Kentucky Derby qualifying race at Oaklawn, following last season's GI Arkansas Derby with Sandman (Tapit) and the Jan. 3 Smarty Jones Stakes with Strategic Risk (Noble Bird). Silent Tactic closed to finish second in the 1 1/16-mile Smarty Jones. "The thing, too, it wasn't...

Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures's Intrepido (Maximus Mischief), a game second in the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes Saturday at Santa Anita, could make his next start in the Mar. 7 GII San Felipe Stakes or could wait for the Apr. 4 GI Santa Anita Derby if he looks to have earned enough points to make the field for the GI Kentucky Derby without the extra start. "If we could have won [the Robert Lewis], then we could have coasted and wait for the Santa Anita Derby," trainer Jeff...

Tickets for Kentucky Derby Week and the entire Spring Meet at Churchill Downs Racetrack are set to go on sale Thursday at noon with an added day of racing to celebrate this year's Derby Week. For the first time since 2010, Churchill Downs will return its meet opener and kickoff to Derby Week to the afternoon rather than running at night under the lights as was the case from 2011-25, the track announced Wednesday. Post time for Opening Day powered by LG&E and KU will be Saturday, April 25, at...

Last week's news that juvenile champ and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) was off the GI Kentucky Derby trail because of bone bruising resulted in a No. 1 vacancy. I went right down to deadline trying to figure out which of the top three listed below should be the new kingpin. I felt I could have made a cogent case for any of them being No. 1. However, I also feel that from No. 4 on down right now it's a kaleidoscopic free-for-all to round...

Recently crowned champion 2-year-old and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) has been diagnosed with bone bruising and will be taken off the Kentucky Derby trail, owner Spendthrift Farm announced via press release Thursday. Trainer Todd Pletcher reported that Ted Noffey showed signs of discomfort following a recent breeze, prompting further evaluation. Ted Noffey worked four furlongs in :50.81 (24/27) at Palm Beach Downs Jan. 23. "Since his last breeze, he hasn't been moving as well as he normally does," Pletcher said. "Out of an abundance...

Hallmark Media and Churchill Downs have partnered on an all-new original movie called Kentucky Roses that will make its Hallmark Channel debut May 2 and stream the next day on Hallmark+, the media company and track said in a joint release on Wednesday. The movie, which was shot at Churchill and wrapped production last year, unfolds across two timelines--present day and 1932. Kentucky Roses stars Andrew Walker (Three Wisest Men) and Odette Annable (Supergirl, Walker), alongside Ally Ledford, Peyton Meyer, Brynn Thayer and Gregg Henry. The partnership continues in Hallmark...