Twin Spires

Hallmark Media And Churchill Downs Partner On Original Kentucky Roses Movie

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...

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Kentucky Derby 152 Mint Julep Glass And Artwork Revealed

Kentucky-based artist Grayson Reynolds has designed both the official Mint Julep Glass and "Art of the Kentucky Derby" for the 152nd running of the GI Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, Churchill Downs announced Wednesday. This year's glass features three horses racing at different strides surrounded by roses as a nod to the garland draped over all Derby winners. The names of every official Kentucky Derby champion--from Aristides in 1875 to Sovereignty in 2025--wraps around the back of the glass. Reynolds' official Derby 152 artwork showcases five Thoroughbreds charging from...

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Derby Winner Mystik Dan To Parade At Churchill Saturday

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...

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Bango, Churchill's Winningest Horse, Retires

8-year-old Bango (Congrats), Churchill Downs's winningest horse, has been retired, his connections announced on social media Friday. In a video posted to X, trainer Greg Foley said, "Mr. Churchill Downs has blessed Barn 11 in so many ways. Career has been just a testament to what horse racing is all about.  Thanks for everything Bango. Enjoy the next chapter." Retired with career earnings over $1,644,000, Bango raced 42 times, winning or placing in 24 of them. Nearly all of his starts came at Churchill Downs and he became their winningest...

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The Jones Legacy Lives On Beneath The Twin Spires

As you review the entries for the marquee races this weekend at Churchill Downs, namely the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks on Friday and the GI Kentucky Derby on Saturday, you'll notice a common name listed among the connections: Brereton C. Jones. Though many outside of the Thoroughbred industry will recognize the name as that of the former governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, for those within it, it's one that evokes immense pride and gratitude for a man who was a true stalwart of the sport. Sadly, Brereton--the founder and...

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Now Hear This Racing, 'Rising Star' Kaitlin Free Has Next

Florence, KY--"Okay, I'm coming!" said Kaitlin Free. Bursting into a small room sandwiched between the announcer's booth and Free's broadcast studio at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky, the Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) analyst was only halfway through applying her mascara and eyeliner, but that wasn't going to stop her from watching Flood Zone (Frosted) take the GII Gotham Stakes. With half her face on and the other 'au naturel,' Free's eyes were glued to the screen as she watched intently, offered an assessment as the field blazed for the far...

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Kentucky Derby Week, Spring Meet Tickets On Sale Thursday At Noon

Tickets for Kentucky Derby Week and the entire 43-day Spring Meet, which spans nine weeks from Apr. 26-June 29 at Churchill Downs, go on sale Thursday at noon (all times Eastern), the track said in a release on Wednesday. Tickets for the 151st Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby May 2-3 are available by clicking here or by calling (502) 636-4447. Churchill Downs also provides a secure, official resale marketplace to purchase Derby and Oaks tickets via the Churchill Downs Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange, which can be found here. Derby Week general...

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Artist Tyler Robertson Chosen For 2025 'Official Art Of The Kentucky Derby'

Churchill Downs Racetrack unveiled a painting by artist Tyler Robertson as the 2025 'Official Art of the Kentucky Derby', the company announced Monday. Louisville-based artist Robertson is known for his dynamic sporting art, bold colors and palette knife techniques to incorporate classical aesthetics and symbolism that add depth and narrative to his expressive style. Robertson's artwork for the 151st Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve celebrates the iconic image of horses running into the first turn with the historic Churchill Downs clubhouse and famous Twin Spires in the background. A...

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Kentucky Derby Museum Earns High Ranking On USA Today List

The Kentucky Derby Museum earned the number three spot as the Best Attraction for Sports Fans in USA Today's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards after breaking records this past year for attendance, the repository said in a Wednesday press release. Located at Churchill Downs, the Derby Museum finished behind Boise State's Blue Turf in Idaho, the top vote getter, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, who was the runner-up. Welcoming an all-time high of 258,382 guests during the fiscal year 2024, which spanned from Oct. 1, 2023,...

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Sunday Insights: Curlin Filly Set To Burn One Turn Under Spires

7th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1m, 3:50 p.m. ET. Exiting the chute on debut is CRIMSON SUN (Curlin) for Green Lantern Stables and trainer Eddie Kenneally. Acquired for $700,000 during Keeneland September, the filly is out of the winning Prospector's Moon (Malibu Moon), who Lauren and Rene Woolcott's Woodslane Farm picked up for $350,000 at the same auction back in 2013. The first-time starter counts as siblings full-sister GSP Malibu Curl and half-brother SW Oscar Eclipse (Oscar Performance). Her second dam produced the dam of MGSW Doctor Mounty (Street Sense)...

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La Cara Rolls Late To Capture Oaks Points In Pocahontas Stakes At Churchill

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse won 15 races out of 53 starts during the tough as nails Saratoga meet this season, which amounted to a 28% clip. One of those runners who got her picture taken was La Cara (Street Sense--Cara Caterina, by Bernardini). Off that performance, she rolled into Louisville for the GIII Pocahontas Stakes and won, which earned her 10 points on the path to next May's running of the GI Kentucky Oaks. In the first two starts of her career under the Twin Spires earlier this...

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36-Race Kentucky Derby Prep Schedule Released By Churchill Downs

The Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, the select races that will determine the preference list for the 151st Kentucky Derby, is out, Churchill Downs said in a press release on Friday. During a special meeting at Colonial Downs, the Virginia Derby--occupying a spot on the racing calendar that was previously void of any qualifying races on Saturday, Mar. 15--is the latest addition to the schedule. The race will award 105 points to the top five finishers including 50 points to the winner. As for the Road to the...

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