Kentucky Derby

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Derby's Forgotten Legacy: Black Jockeys

They once ruled the sport, until Jim Crow came along

(Newser) - When the Kentucky Derby gets under way today, not one black jockey will be in the race. Which isn't exactly news. But consider this: For the first Derby, in 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys were black. In fact, black jockeys—the first were slaves—thoroughly dominated the sport through...

Horse Racing Bubble Has Burst
 Horse Racing Bubble Has Burst 

Horse Racing Bubble Has Burst

Economy leaves Kentucky on losing end of bet

(Newser) - The Kentucky Derby is fast approaching, and normally that would mean a flurry of horses being purchased for generally outrageous sums. But not this year. Lending for horse racing has plummeted to $400 million this year, down from roughly $1 billion in 2007, and stud fees are way down, thanks...

Preakness Winner Rachel Alexandra Won't Run in Belmont

(Newser) - Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra will not run in the Belmont Stakes, opening the way for jockey Calvin Borel to return to Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in his quest for a personal Triple Crown. Co-owner Jess Jackson said today the filly "deserves a well-earned vacation."

Mine That Bird's Ex-Jockey Says Filly Will Smoke Him
 Mine That Bird's Ex-Jockey 
 Says Filly Will Smoke Him 
preakness stakes

Mine That Bird's Ex-Jockey Says Filly Will Smoke Him

(Newser) - Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird has no chance of beating the Preakness favorite, filly Rachel Alexandra, says her jockey Calvin Borel. Borel ought to know; he’s the one who rode Bird to victory, before jumping ship to Alexandra, the Daily News reports. “I don’t think he...

Triple Crown Bid Means Millions for Belmont
 Triple Crown Bid 
 Means Millions 
 for Belmont 



preakness stakes

Triple Crown Bid Means Millions for Belmont

(Newser) - The New York Racing Association has a lot riding on the outcome of tomorrow’s Preakness, Bloomberg reports. If Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird prevails, the resulting Triple Crown shot at Belmont could bring the association, which operates New York's three thoroughbred tracks, an extra $3 million in ticket,...

Mine That Bird May Skip Preakness

(Newser) - Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird may pass over the Preakness and aim for a strong Belmont Stakes run in June instead, the AP reports. "The Preakness tends to be a little more speed-biased and I don't know that that's going to fit our horse," said trainer Bennie...

Mine That Bird Pulls Off 50-1 Derby Shocker

3-year-old colt pulls off 50-to-1 longshot victory

(Newser) - Mine That Bird, a 50-1 longshot picked by none of horse racing's intelligentsia, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the 135-year history of the Kentucky Derby today, writes Ed McNamara of Newsday. The "disrespected little gelding" trailed the entire pack of 19 horses after 6 furlongs before...

Derby Favorite I Want Revenge Is Scratched

(Newser) - Kentucky Derby favorite I Want Revenge has been scratched because of an ankle injury, reports Newsday. The 3-year-old colt—the morning line had him at 3-1 odds to win today's race—showed soreness in his left front ankle after an early workout, said trainer Jeff Mullins. "We could tell...

You, Too, Can Pick a Winner
 You, Too, Can 
 Pick a Winner 
kentucky derby

You, Too, Can Pick a Winner

All you need is a buck and 3 key stats

(Newser) - Put down that mint julep: The Kentucky Derby is tomorrow, and you still don’t have a horse to bet on. But you do have a prayer, because Christina Settimi of Forbes, with help from horse racing expert Dean Keppler, outlines a winning strategy. With $118 million wagered, novices have...

Safety Remains in the Spotlight
 Safety Remains 
 in the Spotlight 
kentucky derby

Safety Remains in the Spotlight

(Newser) - A year after second-place finisher Eight Belles had to be euthanized following the Kentucky Derby, safety has improved—but the inherent dangers of horse racing remain immutable, MSNBC reports. The industry has altered the rules regarding steroids, whips, and horseshoes, "but the bottom line is, not a lot of...

I Want Revenge Is Early Derby Fave

(Newser) - I Want Revenge has been made the early 3-1 favorite for Saturday's Kentucky Derby, with Pioneerof the Nile and Dunkirk sharing second-favorite status in the full field of 20 horses. I Want Revenge, coming off eye-catching victories on dirt in the Gotham Stakes and Wood Memorial at New York's Aqueduct,...

Crazy Colt Triggers Churchill Downs Tragedy

Filly slammed by runaway at Churchhill Downs dies from shock

(Newser) - A colt who went bonkers during a workout at Churchill Downs threw his jockey then slammed into a filly who had to be put down because of her injuries, reports Horse and Hound. Several hopefuls for the upcoming Kentucky Derby were on the track, but none was injured. "The...

Barbaro Statue Awaits Ky. Derby Fans

His ashes lie below memorial

(Newser) - A bronze statue of the late Barbaro charging mid-air toward his 2006 Kentucky Derby victory has been completed in advance of next week's 135th Derby, the Courier-Journal reports. Buried below the sculpture are the ashes of the beloved colt, who was euthanized two years ago after struggling to recover from...

Derby-Winning Filly Dead at 31
 Derby-Winning Filly Dead at 31 

Derby-Winning Filly Dead at 31

Genuine Risk only filly to finish in top 3 of all Triple Crown races

(Newser) - Genuine Risk, one of only three fillies to win the Kentucky Derby, died this morning in Virginia. She was 31. The 1980 Derby winner died peacefully after eating a hearty breakfast and being turned out in her paddock, said an administrator at Newstead Farm, adding that the chestnut mare had...

Big Brown's Owner Scraps Steroids

Says his stable will no longer use them; calls on others to do the same

(Newser) - The owners of Big Brown say they will no longer give their horses steroids and called on others in the industry to do the same, the New York Times reports. The near Triple Crown winner drew scrutiny and some criticism when trainer Rick Dutrow admitted injecting the horse—legally—with...

Big Brown, Big Favorite: Inside Post, 2-5 Belmont Odds

Trainer confident he'll win the Triple Crown

(Newser) - Big Brown drew the inside post for Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, meaning he'll run closest to the rail as he tries to become the first horse in 20 years to win the Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner is the heavy favorite, with 2-5 odds. The horse given...

Big Brown Back on Track
 Big Brown Back on Track 

Big Brown Back on Track

Belmont fave does 9 furlongs easily after hoof crack sidelined him

(Newser) - Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown looked to be on the mend from his foot injury yesterday, making his longest practice run yet at the Belmont track. The Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner galloped 1 1/8 mile under the careful supervision of an exercise rider, ESPN reports. A crack in his...

Sweet Spot May Be Big Brown's Key

White dot may hold answer to amazing colt's victories

(Newser) - There is something unique about Big Brown, and it’s not just his decimation of the fields at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. It's a silver-dollar sized white spot at the top of his left front leg. “Some good horses have something about them that's totally different from...

Just How Big is Big Brown?
 Just How Big is Big Brown? 

Just How Big is Big Brown?

The colt may be one of the best ever, or the field may just be weak

(Newser) - With Big Brown on the brink of being the first to snag horse racing's Triple Crown in three decades, some are wondering if the colt is really untouchable—or whether he's just the best of a mediocre field. The Belmont Stakes, on June 7, might help answer that question, the...

Big Brown Wins at Preakness
 Big Brown Wins at Preakness 

Big Brown Wins at Preakness

Favorite improves bid for horse racing's Triple Crown

(Newser) - Big Brown continued his assault on the Triple Crown today by winning the 133rd Preakness, running away from the rest of the 12-horse field at Pimlico Race Course. With the victory, the powerful bay colt becomes the 30th horse in thoroughbred history to head to the Belmont Stakes with the...

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