Latest news with #151stKentuckyDerby
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Panthers WR Xavier Legette may be taking another sport by storm
Panthers WR Xavier Legette may be taking another sport by storm The legend of Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette continues to grow. On Wednesday, the second-year pass catcher attended Game 5 of the NHL's Eastern Conference Finals between the Florida Panthers and the hometown Carolina Hurricanes. Legette, thanks to Bleacher Report, was mic'd up for the occasion—and he did not disappoint. Check it out: Legette's fun-filled offseason also featured a stop at Churchill Downs, where he served as a correspondent for the NFL during the 151st Kentucky Derby. Needless to say, his lovable personality and passion for horses made him one of the stars in Louisville earlier this month. Oh, and he might have won over the crowd at the Lenovo Center as well . . . Unfortunately for Legette and the Caniacs, the Hurricanes dropped the game and the series in a 5-3 loss. But hey, at least some kind of Panther—albeit the one from Miami—came out with a win. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
The 9 Horses Competing in the 2025 Preakness Stakes
Sovereignty #18, ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado, pushes ahead of Journalism #8 to win the 151st ... More running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by) Nine horses have traveled to Maryland to celebrate the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 17, at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course. With two-thirds of the Preakness field fresh to the Triple Crown in 2025 not having run in the Kentucky Derby, only Journalism, Sandman and American Promise are familiar names for fans of the 151stKentucky Derby. The Preakness Stakes is the second race in horse racing's Triple Crown, coming just two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes. The race is contested on the dirt track of Pimlico. The 7:01 p.m. Eastern post time for the Preakness could have featured up to 14 3-year-olds, but this year's field is set at nine qualified horses. Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, though, isn't one of those thoroughbreds, with trainer Bill Mott skipping the Baltimore race in favor of additional rest time ahead of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in New York on June 7. The starting gate with the pack of eight horses during the 149th running of the Preakness Stakes at ... More Pimlico Race Course on May 18, 2024, in Baltimore. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) With the milestone year for the Preakness, it also marks the last race before Pimlico undergoes a major rebuild that will push at least the 2026 running of the Preakness to another track. But with all eyes on the 2025 running, let's explore the nine horses in the field in order of starting position. Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Flavien Prat Sire: Not This Time Odds: 6-1 Goal Oriented has only run two races. The horse has won them both, sure, but neither were a stakes race. The biggest win in the career of Goal Oriented was an allowance optional claiming race on May 3 at Churchill Downs. Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy Jockey: Umberto Rispoli Sire: Curlin Odds: 8-5 The favorite going into the Kentucky Derby, Journalism finished second, getting passed by Sovereignty on the sloppy track in Louisville. Journalism is again positioned as the favorite in a Triple Crown contest. Trainer: D. Waye Lukas Jockey: Nik Juarez Sire: Justify Odds: 15-1 The son of Triple Crown winner Justify was just 16th in the Kentucky Derby, but the crowded field may have hampered the horse's chances. Jockey Nik Juarez is a native of nearby Westminster, Maryland. Trainer: Jamie A. Osborne Jockey: Saffie Osborne Sire: Honor A.P. Odds: 12-1 Bred in the United Kingdom, but with his last five starts in Dubai, Heart of Honor has plenty of racing history already in his career. Trainer Jamie Osborne has his daughter, Saffie Osborne, as the jockey for the Preakness. LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 03: Burnham Square and Journalism head to the first turn during the 151st ... More running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 03, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by) Trainer: Michael E. Gorham Jockey: Raul Mena Sire: Improbable Odds: 20-1 Having won four of his last five races, Pay Billy isn't just a clever name in that the horse got into the field thanks to a $60,000 purchase earning him an automatic bid. While trainer Michael Gorham has won more than 1,400 races since starting his career in 1985, he's never had a horse run the Preakness. Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Sire: Maclean's Music Odds: 9-2 While qualified for the Kentucky Derby, River Thames was held out to give the horse more time to prepare for the Preakness. The horse also has the speed to keep up with Derby winner Sovereignty, getting edged by the winner in a March 1 race. Trainer Todd Pletcher, 0-10 at the Preakness, is looking for his first middle jewel of the Triple Crown. Trainer: Mark E. Casse Jockey: John Velazquez Sire: Tapit Odds: 4-1 The Arkansas Derby winner, who was bought for $1.2 million, placed seventh at the Kentucky Derby earlier in May. Now one of the favorites for the Preakness, the ownership group is hoping to play 'Enter Sandman,' the Metallica song the horse is named after, all night after the Preakness. Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen Jockey: Jose Ortiz Sire: American Pharoah Odds: 5-1 Son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, Clever Again has only raced three times. Still, the last two starts were impressive victories. Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh Jockey: Luis Saez Sire: Nyquist Odds: 20-1 Gosger's sire, Nyquist, was third in the 2016 Preakness, but this young racer will be making just his fourth start when he goes into the starting gate last at the Preakness. NBC has the rights to the Preakness and plans to air coverage during the day on Saturday, first on CNBC. Coverage switches to NBC and the company's Peacock streaming service at 4 p.m. Eastern, roughly three hours before the race.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Big heart, big lungs, powerful legs: What makes a champion racing horse
On a crisp, clear morning, a chestnut thoroughbred thundered down the dirt strip at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky in the United States, his exercise rider leaning forward above the saddle. Other horse-and-rider pairs followed. Dr Will Farmer looked down from a viewing point, admiring the speed and agility of the 450kg animals. The Kentucky Derby took place here recently, shining a global spotlight on equine athleticism. It's the subject of a growing body of research that cites a constellation of characteristics: big hearts, immense lung capacity, robust musculoskeletal systems and long, thin legs – all of which helped horses survive in the wild. 'It goes back to the roots: They are an animal of prey,' said Farmer, a veterinarian and equine medical director at Churchill Downs. 'That's how they got away from being eaten.' Horses honed skills such as running, jumping and pulling as humans bred and trained them for various purposes over millennia. And the 151st Derby – horse racing's most-watched event – will draw attention not only to the animals' skills, but also to concerns about their treatment and health. Advocates have long raised concerns about deaths and injuries – calls that were amplified two years ago, when 12 horses died at Churchill Downs. The thoroughbred horse Sovereignty crossing the finish line to win the 151st Kentucky Derby recently. —/AFP Big, strong heart There's no doubt that war, agriculture and societies have been transformed by the human-horse relationship. 'Horses allowed us to circumvent our own biological limitations as a species,' said Timothy Winegard, a historian at Colorado Mesa University and author of a recent book, The Horse. 'We combined our brains with the horses' size, strength, stamina and speed to form the most unstoppable animal coalition.' A horse's heart and lungs are the source of its extraordinary power. The heart averages 4.5kg-5.4kg, or about 1% of the animal's body weight, compared with 0.5% for the typical human heart. Secretariat, the storied horse that won the Triple Crown in 1973, was found after his death to have a heart weighing more than 9kg. Horse hearts are built for exertion. The average horse can go from a resting heart rate of about 34 beats per minute to 220 or 240 while racing – faster than a human heart during maximum exertion. 'One thing that's really unique about horses is that they have an incredible capacity to move blood around their bodies – their heart rate can go really high and still be safe,' said University of Connecticut researcher Sarah Reed, editor-in-chief of the journal, Animal Frontiers. They also have a lung capacity of 60 litres – 10 times that of humans. 'That massive lung field allows for oxygen to transfer from the air into their blood, which is vitally important for sustaining aerobic energy,' Farmer said. The average horse has a lung capacity that is 10 times that of a human. — AP It's biology Recent research in the journal Science found that a genetic mutation enables horses to avoid negative side effects of super high energy production. 'Horses are great athletes because they can deliver a lot of oxygen to their muscles – way more than an elite human can – and by elite human, I mean Olympic athlete,' said Gianni Castiglione, the study's co-author. 'They have a bigger tank of gas and they have a more efficient engine ... and this mutation is contributing to both of those things.' Other aspects of a horse's biology enhance its abilities. Horses store extra red blood cells in their spleens. These cells are released to carry even more oxygen around the body during intense exertion. 'Adrenaline when exercising causes the spleen to release extra red blood cells into circulation,' veterinarian Hilary Clayton said. 'What horses are doing is essentially 'blood doping' themselves.' Meanwhile, horses' brains allow them to process sensory information and react quickly. That's despite having frontal lobes, parts of the brain used for thought and planning that are proportionally smaller than those in humans. 'Brainwise, they're designed with a real desire to play and run independent of any fear,' said Dr. Scott Bailey, a veterinarian at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky. The place is a thoroughbred breeding farm where Secretariat is buried. Horses are also able to focus intently, which 'is really important for an athlete'. Bone structure and musculature also help. The ligaments and tendons in their hind legs act like springs, Farmer said, helping propel them forward. Like other large prey animals, he added, they have 'long, thin legs that are meant to run'. Legs for days The adaptations that make horses faster also predispose them to injury, Reed said. Their skinny legs absorb the impact of each stride, she said, and over time the repetitive stress of racing and training can lead to deformation of tendons and ligaments. In 2023, deaths occurred not only at Churchill Downs, but other major racing venues, affecting public perceptions of the sport and sparking changes. Reviews found no single cause for the deaths. But for 2024, Churchill Downs upgraded equipment used on its dirt surface and added an equine safety and integrity veterinarian. In its annual report, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority noted the steps being taken to reduce injuries and fatalities – expanded veterinary protocols, pre-race inspections and uniform medication oversight. And, it said, the rate of deaths at authority-accredited tracks dropped in 2024, by 27%. Experts say a healthy, safe environment brings out the best in a horse – but they still don't know what makes certain horses standouts at the race track. 'That's the million-dollar question,' Bailey said. 'Every thoroughbred owner is trying to match the genetics of the parents in order to make the horse with the greatest chance of winning.' Breeding is only part of the equation, experts said; nurture, training and the horse-rider relationship also factor in. Each time a horse emerges seemingly out of nowhere to win the Kentucky Derby, Farmer is reminded of this. 'You don't have to be this star-studded bred horse that cost a million dollars at sale to come and win and be a great runner,' he said, raising his voice slightly above the din of galloping hooves. 'There are a lot of great horses.' – AP
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alvarado banned and fined $62,000 for overuse of whip in Kentucky Derby win
Junior Alvarado, who rode Sovereignty to victory at last weekend's Kentucky Derby, has been fined and banned for overuse of his whip during the race. The jockey was found to have used the whip 'more than the permitted amount' the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) said on Saturday. Under HISA regulations, jockeys are allowed to strike their horse six times during a race; Alvarado used the whip on Sovereignty eight times. It was his second such offense in the last 180 days, meaning his fine was doubled to $62,000 – 20% of his winnings from the Kentucky Derby. Related: Sovereignty overtakes Journalism down stretch to win 151st Kentucky Derby Alvarado was also banned for two Kentucky racing days, on 29 and 30 May. The jockey can appeal his punishment, but has yet to make a statement. The 38-year-old Alvarado rode Sovereignty to a thrilling victory in last weekend's race, pulling away from the heavy favorite Journalism down the final stretch. Sovereignty will not compete in this month's Preakness Stakes, the second leg of US horse racing's Triple Crown.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Famed Colt Revolver "Black Beauty" Brings $1.6M at Auction
It is the 2nd highest price ever achieved for a Colt Single Action Army BEDFORD, Texas, May 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 3, most eyes were on the "running of the roses" for the 151st Kentucky Derby, but in the world of fine and historic arms collecting, they were watching a horse of a different color. A Colt Single Action Army revolver, well-known to collectors as "Black Beauty" realized $1.6 million during Rock Island Auction Company's (RIAC) May Premier Auction. It marks the second-highest price achieved for the model. Black Beauty served as flagship of the May 2-4 event that realized a total of $28 million. What makes a revolver worth $1.6 million? Black Beauty has a combination of qualities that fine arms collectors find highly desirable. First, it's a Colt Single Action Army, a model internationally recognized for its role in the American Frontier, as well as countless Hollywood movies. The model is a perennial "blue chip" favorite among elite collectors. Second, is its artistry. The revolver was embellished by Master Engraver Louis D. Nimschke, perhaps the most celebrated 19th century American engraver. Considered the artist's masterpiece, it was created at the peak of his career. His lavish designs and generous gold inlays – a scarcely seen feature - made this revolver a suitable presentation piece in 1888 for Mexican President Manuel González Flores. Last, even after 130 years, the revolver's condition remains excellent. While real estate investors often tout "location," in the world of fine arms it's "Condition, condition, condition," and Black Beauty has it in abundance. Watch it cross the podium. "If this was a painting, it would be hanging in the National Gallery," stated RIAC President Kevin Hogan. "Without question, it is the finest example of the most iconic, American-made firearm. They get no better. We've enjoyed Black Beauty immensely, and it's been an absolute pleasure to bring to auction. It's the kind you never forget." The revolver is also indicative of the fine arms market at large. The auction was RIAC's third highest grossing sale, and also saw the highest average sale price per lot in the company's 30+ years in business. Other highlights in the three-day auction included a pair of J. Purdey & Sons shotguns engraved by Master Philippe Grifnée which brought $411,250, and a silver plated, factory engraved Henry rifle from the Civil War era that realized the same price. About Rock Island Auction Company:Rock Island Auction Company is the world's no. 1 firearms auction company, and has been since 2003. Founded in 1993 by CEO Patrick Hogan, RIAC's current Bedford, Texas venue has become the world selling headquarters for fine and historic arms, hosting all the company's in-person auctions. Led by President Kevin Hogan, the company lives by its mission statement to "Elevate firearms collecting. Sell with Passion." Best known for selling headline-grabbing arms, the company's multiple auction formats cater to collectors of every experience level. For more information, please visit or call contact: Joel Kolander, (309) 797-1500 or jkolander@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Rock Island Auction Company Sign in to access your portfolio
