Blood-Horse

It appears as if 80 is the new 50 in Thoroughbred racing.

The connections of Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Journalism expressed relief after the anticipated Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite drew post 8 for the $5 million classic May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Public Assembly continued to thrive since being purchased and transferred to trainer Phil D'Amato with a rallying victory in the $100,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (G3T) April 26 at Santa Anita Park.

Kentucky Oaks (G1) morning-line favorite Good Cheer will begin her journey from post 11 when the undefeated daughter of Medaglia d'Oro faces an expected 13 other 3-year-old fillies in the 1 1/8-mile test May 2 at Churchill Downs.

The April 27 Prix Ganay (G1) at Longchamp is the first group 1 of the year in Europe, and it boasts some recent historical success as Waldgeist and Sottsass both took the 1 5/16-mile race the same year they won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1).

The connections of Baeza are hoping for some Rich Strike-like Kentucky Derby (G1) fortune.

With a damp track at Churchill Downs April 26, several Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders postponed their final breezes. However, five Kentucky Derby hopefuls stuck to the Saturday game plan, led by Burnham Square and Final Gambit.

Tenma, Anna's Promise, Ballerina d'Oro, and Fondly breezed April 26 at Churchill Downs in preparation for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Florida Derby (G1) winner Tappan Street is out of the May 3 Kentucky Derby after exiting an April 26 workout at Churchill Downs with a condylar fracture to his right front leg. The injury is not life-threatening, according to Brad Cox.

The dam to 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) victor Mage and 2024 participant Dornoch would get another shot at immortality if her McKinzie colt Baeza finds his way into the field for the first leg of the Triple Crown May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Normandy Coast, a 3-year-old colt by Omaha Beach who won the April 6 Palisades Stakes at Keeneland, sold for $355,000 to Steven Judy to lead the Keeneland April Horses of Racing Age Sale, held April 25 following the final race of the spring meet.

Brendan Walsh tied with Brad Cox for his first-ever Keeneland training title when Dixiana Farms' homebred Forever After All romped by nine lengths to score in the April 25 Bewitch Stakes (G3T) on closing day of the spring meet.

Last May, Joe Ramos was recovering from a near-fatal motorcycle accident, hoping to return to the job he loves and visualizing the places that racing could take him. A year later, this rising star is back in the saddle and dreaming of roses. 

The dynasty that is Gestut Schlenderhan, Germany's oldest stud farm that was founded in 1869, will be represented April 27 by Goliath in the QEII Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong.

With a suspension from Churchill Downs lifted, trainer Bob Baffert has two chances for a record-breaking seventh win in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1). The disqualification of Medina Spirit in 2021 for a medication infraction leaves Baffert with six.

Opening day at Finger Lakes, a rite of spring in the Finger Lakes region since 1962, is set for April 28. The 64th season of Thoroughbred action at "The Thumb" features 91 racing days through Nov. 26.

Several Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) contenders hit the work tab across Kentucky April 25 for their final breezes ahead of the May 2-3 races, including Grande and Chunk of Gold.

Equibase has enhanced the foreign past performance data with internal points of call information and short comments for the expected Japanese runners in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners president and founder Aron Wellman confirmed April 25 that Built will enter the May 3 Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) instead of the Kentucky Derby (G1), moving Neoequos into the Derby field.

Profiles compiled by America's Best Racing of 19 of the riders expected to compete in this year's classic.