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Kentucky Derby Week kicks off Saturday night as Churchill Downs opens its 43-day Spring Meet.

Kentucky Derby Day features 14 races, including seven stakes contests, with a betting menu that includes six Pick 5s, five Pick 4s and a mandatory payout in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot.

 

In 2024:

• The Pick 5 ending in the Kentucky Derby handled $4.4 million and returned $188,958.
• The Pick 4 ending in the Kentucky Derby handled $3.2 million and paid $18,300.
• The Derby City 6 Jackpot handled $2.3 million, with a payout of $345,074.

Kentucky Oaks Day also delivers a full lineup of wagering with five Pick 5s and four Pick 4s. Two-day bets also begin on Friday, including:

• The 50-cent Oaks/Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic/Kentucky Derby Pick 3 (2024 handle $686,061; payout $432).
• The $1 two-day Pick 6 (2024 handle $508,919; payout $81,109), tying together six Grade I races across both days with a mandatory payout and 15% takeout.

 

The races for the two-day Pick 6 will be finalized on entry day (Saturday, Apr. 26), with seven potential Grade I events eligible for inclusion, including Friday's $1 million Fasig-Tipton La Troienne and $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks; and Saturday's $1 million Churchill Downs presented by Ford, $1 million Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery, $1 million American Turf, the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic and the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

Additional wagers for Derby Week include:

• The $1 minimum Oaks/Derby Double (2024 handle $3 million; payout $118).
• The 50-cent All Dirt Pick 5 (2024 handle $409,571; payout $87,025).
• The $3 All 3-Year-Old Pick 3 (2024 handle $359,603; payout $18,207).
• Superfectas will be offered at a $1 minimum on Oaks and Derby Days and 10 cents on all other days.

For the full wagering menu and list of daily post times, click here.

The post Wagering Lineup Announced for Kentucky Derby Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Who were the five fastest maidens based on the Beyer Speed figures this week? We count them down.

5. SWEET SCORECARD, IND 4/16 – 5 1/2 furlongs

Beyer Speed Figure: 84 (No Video Replay Available)
(f, 3, Vekoma–Sweet Halory, by Hold Me Back)
O-514 Racing LLC, B-Glenn Sorgenstein WC Racing Inc; T-Tim Eggleston, J-J. D. Ramos

Not sure what's the most interesting aspect: that she was 8/1 in the program but hammered down to 1/2 favoritism, that she had been outrun by an average of 12 1/4 lengths in three previous starts yet cruised home here by 15 1/2, that she obliterated her previous career-high Beyer by 40 points, or that no one put up $12,500 to claim the Vekoma filly even though she was such a white-hot favorite on the board. She didn't beat much, but did it emphatically.

4. VIBE, GP 4/19 – 1 mile

Beyer Speed Figure: 85 Video Replay
(c, 3, Into Mischief–Nonna Mia, by Empire Maker)
O-Repole Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables, Woodford Racing, Lane's End Racing and Patrick K. McGee, B-Repole Stable, T-Todd Pletcher, J-Emisael Jaramillo

At $3 million, Vibe was 2023 Keeneland September's sale topper–and the third-highest-priced yearling of that year. A setback at Saratoga last summer fouled up the Kentucky Derby dream, and he was well-beaten when he finally got to the races in March. But extra distance and a new set of blinkers was the right prescription for his second start, and suddenly the vibes are positive again.

3. CLICQUOT, KEE 4/17 – about 7 furlongs

Beyer Speed Figure: 86 Video Replay
(f, 3, Quality Road–Royal Obsession, by Tapit)
O-X-Men Racing IV, Madaket Stables and SF Racing, B-Don Alberto, T-Brendan Walsh, J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.

A scorching pace didn't help her when 6th at even-money in her debut at Gulfstream, but the Veuve was flowing after this six-length frontrunning romp. And she didn't seem to appreciate Irad's left-handed whacks, so she might be smart, too. She's another potentially good one bred by Don Alberto, which is seemingly everywhere nowadays.

2. STRATEGIC FOCUS, AQU 4/19  – 1 mile

Beyer Speed Figure: 90 Video Replay
(c, 3, Gun Runner–Curlin's Mistress, by Curlin)
O-Klaravich Stables, B-Alter's Racing Stables, Inc., T-Chad Brown, J-Dylan Davis

Is Seth Klarman ever going to run out of cool investment names? This first-timer was next-last on the backstretch and widest around the turn–never a good recipe for dirt success–but still outkicked a strong field that included entry mate Duration. Here's a nice parlay: breeder Happy Alter bought the 4th dam for $500 at OBS in 1994 and sold Strategic Focus at Keeneland for $500,000.

1. NEVADA BEACH, SA 4/19  – 1 mile

Beyer Speed Figure: 90 Video Replay
(c, 3, Omaha Beach–Morrow Cove, by Yes It's True)
O-Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, B-Paul Tackett Revocable Trust, Phil Tackett Estate & Christy Tackett, T-Bob Baffert, J-Juan Hernandez

Let's see…a 3-year-old wins sharply on debut and runs a big Beyer, you check the PPs, and yep, it's another Baffert. In fact, this was the 30th maiden graduate sent out by Baffert from his Class of 2022, and more may be in the pipeline. Nevada Beach ran down pacesetter Rank, who probably deserved to win since in his 11 starts he has also come up against Journalism, Citizen Bull, Rodriguez, Baeza, Gaming and Getaway Car, some more than once.

The post The Five Fastest Maidens For the Week of April 14-20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The R.A.C.E. Fund online auction–featuring halters from champions, farm tours, and other memorabilia to bid on–is set to go May 9, the group announced Monday evening.

Kicked off with an online auction on eBay beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST and ending May 16, the non-profit's annual fund drive looks to raise money which will be used to help Thoroughbreds in need of retirement and rescue from slaughter. All proceeds from this auction will go toward that goal.

Featured items include halters of champions like fan-favorite California Chrome; Serena's Song; Essential Quality; Mandaloun; and City of Light. There will also be donated items from photographer Christopher Hoff's private collection including signed photographs, a 1973 Secretariat Kentucky Derby program; 1978 Affirmed and Alydar program, etc.

Other offerings will comprise of a VIP farm tour donated by Three Chimneys; horseshoes worn by Seize the Grey from Gainesway; and a War Front horseshoe plaque from Claiborne Farm.

“We have some very exciting and amazing auction items again this year. We would like to especially thank volunteer Roxanne Campbell for her dedication and tireless efforts as well as Claiborne, Darley, Denali Stud, Gainesway, Juddmonte, Lane's End, Taylor Made, Three Chimneys, and Christopher Hoff for their generous support by donating such valuable items of racing champions to help us raise funds,” said Marlene Murray, president of the R.A.C.E. Fund.

More information can be found here.

The post California Chrome, Serena’s Song Halters Highlight Myriad Items Available in R.A.C.E. Fund Online Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority released an Equine Health Advisory after their findings suggest horses in early stages of training or those returning from an extended layoff may be at higher risk for fatal proximal forelimb fractures.

Grade 2-winning filly Non Compliant suffered a catastrophic breakdown during training April 17 at Los Alamitos Race Course according to California Horse Racing Board records.

Brian Hernandez Jr., who joined trainer Ken McPeek in completing the  Kentucky Oaks (G1)–Kentucky Derby sweep last year with Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan, is back again with mounts in the marquee events.

A cool, calm, and collected Cabo Spirit entered the Santa Anita starting gate for the $101,000 American Stakes (G3T) April 20. When his competition decided to leave him alone on the lead, he made them pay late as he coasted to the wire in victory.

After a 10-year absence, veteran jockey Martin Garcia is headed back to the Kentucky Derby (G1). He is set to ride Citizen Bull, last year's champion 2-year-old male, for trainer Bob Baffert in the 151st Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs May 3.

Top 3-year-olds Rodriguez and Baeza each had their final local works April 20 at Santa Anita Park prior to shipping to Churchill Downs.

It appears that the Hawkes team has another stallion prospect on their hands in the form of Nepotism, who on April 19 laid his claim to being the best juvenile colt around with an awe-inspiring late run to win the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Randwick.

Museum Mile swept by the previously undefeated favorite, Croix du Nord, in the closing strides to win the Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas, G1) April 20 at Nakayama Racecourse.

Godolphin homebred First Mission has always shown plenty of promise throughout his career, but after his strong victory in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 19, his connections are hopeful 2025 will be his breakout season.

Chilean-bred Richi has acclimated well for trainer Bob Baffert, "getting stronger and stronger," he said, and she proved it emphatically with an easy win in the Santa Maria Stakes (G2) April 19 at Santa Anita Park.

The new Maryland Jockey Club set a handle record of $5,536,944 the April 19 "Preakness Preview Day" program at Laurel Park. 

A day after Gin Gin lit up the toteboard at odds of 38-1 in the Doubledogdare Stakes (G3), Utah Beach delivered another healthy stakes payoff for the Keeneland crowd with an 11-1 upset victory in the $394,188 Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) April 19.

Lexington residents traveling down Versailles Road to Keeneland see neighboring Calumet Farm on their way, and they have seen the farm's impact on the sport at the historic track just as much in recent days.

Local hope Pay Billy could be on to the May 17 Preakness Stakes (G1) after scoring a workmanlike victory in the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes April 19 at Laurel Park.

Professor Gordon Jones died April 18, only four days after his 95th birthday.

Tampa Bay Downs jockey Hector Rafael Diaz Jr., suffered a dislocated left shoulder April 18 when he was unseated in the stretch run of the seventh race on the turf after his mount, 3-year-old filly Hidden Recipe, clipped heels with Mia Vita.

Coming off a third-place finish in the Louisiana Derby (G2), Instant Replay outclassed his five rivals to capture the $200,000 Bathhouse Row Stakes April 19 at Oaklawn Park.