Kentucky Derby Preps: The Winners
The last few weeks have seen half a dozen Kentucky Derby preps, so let's take a look back at the races and the winners, and ahead to what's coming up. The Derby prep circuit takes place at a handful of racetracks: Aqueduct in ; Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs in Florida; Santa Anita in ...

Kentucky Derby 2012: Under the Radar - El Padrino
On a quiet Saratoga morning last July, champion trainer Todd Pletcher sent a pair of promising unraced juveniles to the gate over the hallowed main track. Both babies shared the “bullet” designation after completing their five-furlong workouts in 58.89 seconds.

Holy Highway starts journey to Kentucky Derby with Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs
By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent Friday, February 3, 2012 OLDSMAR — Trainer Derek Ryan has navigated the Triple Crown trail before. He is trying to do it with Holy Highway this time. Three years after saddling his only Kentucky Derby starter, Musket Man (third to Mine That Bird), Ryan is eager to see how Holy Highway performs today in the Grade III $250,000 Sam F. Davis, the first major prep ...

397 horses nominated to the Triple Crown [Kentucky Derby]
by Jessie Oswald 397 horses are now eligible for the Triple Crown series through the early nomination process. Only horses made eligible to the Triple Crown can compete in the Kentucky Derby (May 5th), Preakness Stakes (May 19th), or Belmont Stakes (June 11th). The Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 and will include four also eligibles this year. The Derby field is comprised of the horses ...

UPI Thoroughbred Racing Roundup
By ROBERT KIECKHEFER UPI Racing Writer Wrap-up of thoroughbred stakes action.

The road to the Kentucky Derby
VideoIn the mainstream sporting world, we’re talking end of the NBA lockout, NFL playoffs, BCS title game, and the NHL-leading New York Rangers.  (OK, maybe not that last one. But if you’re a Rangers’ season ticket holder, as I am, and used to years of mediocrity, you seize any opportunity [...]

Battle Hardened wins Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs
By Don Jensen, Times Correspondent Saturday, February 4, 2012 OLDSMAR — Battle Hardened proved to be battle-tested. A maiden starting in his first stakes, Battle Hardened entered the Kentucky Derby picture with a 1 1/4-length victory in the Grade III $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes in front of a crowd of 5,344 Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. A 3-year-old colt by 2009-10 North America-leading sire ...

Jockey Calvin Borel to return to Oaklawn in Feb.
Oaklawn Park says Kentucky Derby winner Calvin Borel (buh-REHL) is returning to Hot Springs next month.

All roads lead to Churchill Downs during Derby prep season
The 2012 edition of the road to the 138th Run for the Roses gets under way as we are fewer than 100 days from the Kentucky Derby. So what races should you watch for the emergence of this year's Derby champion?

Triple Crown nominations up dramatically from 2011
After a dip in early nominations to the Triple Crown last year, the numbers came roaring back this year, with 397 3-year-olds – led by champion 2-year-old colt Hansen - announced on Saturday as nominees to the 2012 Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.