Charismatic dead at age 21
Horse of the Year and dual classic winner Charismatic has died at the age of 21, Old Friends announced on Sunday. The popular chestnut was discovered early Sunday morning and veterinarian Dr. Bryan Waldridge was […]
Kentucky Derby
Classic Empire, not totally over hoof abscess, skipping Fountain of Youth
Champion two-year-old colt Classic Empire, found to have a right front hoof abscess after his subpar third in the Holy Bull (G2), won’t be ready in time for the March 4 Fountain of Youth (G2), […]
Epicharis earns Kentucky Derby invitation; Gold Dream gets BC Classic spot
Two days after their successful sire, Gold Allure, died unexpectedly, two of his sons burnished his legacy still more brightly with a significant Sunday double at Tokyo. His next budding star, unbeaten three-year-old Epicharis, captured […]
El Areeb records sharp half-mile, trainer mulling next start
Multiple Grade 3 hero El Areeb posted his first move on Saturday since taking the February 4 Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct by 4 1/4 lengths. The gray son of Exchange Rate breezed a half-mile […]
Uncontested tops baker’s dozen in Southwest
He has speed, an inside post, and as of Friday afternoon there’s a 90 percent chance of rain in the forecast. On paper, things could go swimmingly for Uncontested in the $500,000 Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn […]
Japanese-based Triple Crown hopes seek Derby points in Hyacinth
Sunday’s Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo will determine which three-year-old becomes the first ever to secure a Kentucky Derby (G1) berth in Japan. (Click here for free past performances for the Hyacinth.) Mont Saint Legame, the winner […]
A Day at the Races: Tampa Bay Downs Chicago Style
words & pictures by NICOLLE NEULIST Sam F. Davis Stakes weekend at Tampa Bay Downs has taken root as my winter tradition. I visited Oldsmar, Florida, for the first time last year during this same […]
Kentucky Derby Highlights Churchill Stakes Schedule That Includes Two Arlington Races
The $2-million Kentucky Derby is the highlight of a robust stakes offering for the upcoming spring-summer meeting at Churchill Downs. The meeting begins Saturday, April 29, and other key dates include the Kentucky Oaks on […]
Kentucky Derby Report February 8: Irish War Cry, El Areeb make a statement as Classic Empire falters
Irish War Cry upstaged 2-year-old champion Classic Empire in the Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park, establishing himself as a serious contender in his first Kentucky Derby qualifier. The Graham Motion-trained colt shot forward at […]
Evoking Afleet Alex, Funny Cide, and Real Quiet in the hopes of a Classic Empire rebound
While I searched for potential excuses for Classic Empire’s disappointing third-place finish at 2-to-5 in the Holy Bull Stakes my former Thoroughbred Times colleague Mike Curry (now of America’s Best Racing) offered hope: “Even the […]