Latest news with #AmericanPharoah
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Belmont Park will host the Breeders' Cup in 2027 after $455M renovation; Keeneland gets 2026
The Breeders' Cup World Championships are returning to New York in 2027 at the rebuilt Belmont Park, following a massive renovation project to revitalize one of the most important horse racing tracks in the country. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, along with officials from the Breeders' Cup and the New York Racing Association, announced Wednesday that the track on the edge of Queens and Nassau County on Long Island will stage the event in the fall two years from now. 'We wrote the Governor of New York a letter in 2023 that simply said, 'If you build it, we will come,'' Breeders' Cup Limited President and CEO Drew Fleming said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. 'And so we're very honored to keep our word and have a wonderful Breeders' Cup World Championships here in 2027 to showcase the new development and investment in Belmont Park to our fans from across the globe.' Keeneland in Lexington was revealed as the 2026 host. Belmont Park was last home to the Breeders' Cup in 2005, the fourth time in two decades after also being there in 1990,' 1995, and 2001. A goal of the $455 million teardown and reconstruction was to attract the major event. 'It was always part of the plan: We weren't going to redevelop Belmont Park without Breeders' Cup in mind, so it was always part of the initial goals,' NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke told the AP by phone. 'Getting the championships back to New York is big from an economic point of view, and probably one of the most important (things), if not the most important; it gives our trainers and horsemen a chance to compete on their home tracks. I think it's great. It's been over 20 years.' Kentucky Derby 151 winning jockey faces suspension, $62K fine: Here's why Godolphin Racing reflects on historic weekend at Churchill Downs Bob Baffert reflects on 10-year anniversary of American Pharoah winning Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown Hochul, in a statement, said the redevelopment is bringing thousands of jobs and $1 billion in long-term economic activity to Long Island. 'Thanks to the investments we are making at Belmont Park, the long-held dream of bringing the prestigious Breeders' Cup back to New York will soon be a reality,' Hochul said. The Breeders' Cup has been at a Kentucky or California track every year since 2008. Del Mar, outside San Diego, has it this year as a back-to-back host and for the fourth time since 2017. Santa Anita outside Los Angeles, Keeneland and Churchill Downs in Louisville — home of the Kentucky Derby — have become the regular sites for the two-day festival featuring the best thoroughbreds in the world and tens of millions of dollars' worth of races. It's shifting back to the Eastern time zone for the next two years. 'California is and has always been a wonderful spot to have the Breeders' Cup with Santa Anita Park and Del Mar, but one of the missions of the Breeders' Cup is to grow the sport and one of the ways we do this is hosting world championships at various venues across the United States,' Fleming said, adding that he expects the event to generate $100 million for the New York economy. While NYRA has not yet announced a location for the 2026 Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown is set to return to its old home by 2027 at the latest, after a multiyear stint at historic Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York during renovations. Crystal Rogers case: Steve Lawson's stepchildren, former coworkers testify on day 2 of trial Paducah man claims he was stabbed over lawn-mowing argument No damages reported after Owensboro BBQ restaurant fire With the Belmont at Belmont Park shifting back to an annual occurrence, it is possible the track known for greats like Secretariat and Seattle Slew rumbling down the stretch to the finish line with fans roaring might get back in a regular rotation. 'The best part about working for the Breeders' Cup is that nothing is off the table,' Fleming said. 'New York City has some of the finest accommodations and restaurants, and entertainment in the world, so it'd be a natural fit that we would be at Belmont Park frequently.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Preakness Stakes Winners
2025 — Journalism 2024 — Seize the Grey 2023 — National Treasure 2022 — Early Voting 2021 — Rombauer 2020 — Swiss Skydiver 2019 — War of Will 2018 — Justify 2017 — Cloud Computing 2016 — Exaggerator 2015 — American Pharoah 2014 — California Chrome 2013 — Oxbow 2012 — I'll Have Another 2011 — Shackleford 2010 — Lookin at Lucky 2009 — Rachel Alexandra 2008 — Big Brown 2007 — Curlin 2006 — Bernardini 2005 — Afleet Alex 2004 — Smarty Jones 2003 — Funny Cide 2002 — War Emblem 2001 — Point Given 2000 — Red Bullet 1999 — Charismatic 1998 — Real Quiet 1997 — Silver Charm 1996 — Louis Quatorze 1995 — Timber Country 1994 — Tabasco Cat 1993 — Prairie Bayou 1992 — Pine Bluff 1991 — Hansel 1990 — Summer Squall 1989 — Sunday Silence 1988 — Risen Star 1987 — Alysheba 1986 — Snow Chief 1985 — Tank's Prospect 1984 — Gate Dancer 1983 — Deputed Testamony 1982 — Aloma's Ruler 1981 — Pleasant Colony 1980 — Codex 1979 — Spectacular Bid 1978 — Affirmed 1977 — Seattle Slew 1976 — Elocutionist 1975 — Master Derby 1974 — Little Current 1973 — Secretariat 1972 — Bee Bee Bee 1971 — Canonero II 1970 — Personality 1969 — Majestic Prince 1968 — Forward Pass 1967 — Damascus 1966 — Kauai King 1965 — Tom Rolfe 1964 — Northern Dancer 1963 — Candy Spots 1962 — Greek Money 1961 — Carry Back 1960 — Bally Ache 1959 — Royal Orbit 1958 — Tim Tam 1957 — Bold Ruler 1956 — Fabius 1955 — Nashua 1954 — Hasty Road 1953 — Native Dancer 1952 — Blue Man 1951 — Bold 1950 — Hill Prince 1949 — Capot 1948 — Citation 1947 — Faultless 1946 — Assault 1945 — Polynesian 1944 — Pensive 1943 — Count Fleet 1942 — Alsab 1941 — Whirlaway 1940 — Bimelech 1939 — Challedon 1938 — Dauber 1937 — War Admiral 1936 — Bold Venture 1935 — Omaha 1934 — High Quest 1933 — Head Play 1932 — Burgoo King 1931 — Mate 1930 — Gallant Fox 1929 — Dr. Freeland 1928 — Victorian 1927 — Bostonian 1926 — Display 1925 — Coventry 1924 — Nellie Morse 1923 — Vigil 1922 — Pillory 1921 — Broomspun 1920 — Man o' War 1919 — Sir Barton 1918 — War Cloud and Jack Hare, Jr. 1917 — Kalitan 1916 — Damrosch 1915 — Rhine Maiden 1914 — Holiday 1913 — Buskin 1912 — Colonel Holloway 1911 — Watervale 1910 — Lay Master 1909 — Effendi 1908 — Royal Tourist 1907 — Don Enrique 1906 — Whimsical 1905 — Cairngorm 1904 — Bryn Mawr 1903 — Flocarline 1902 — Old England 1901 — The Parader 1900 — Hindus 1899 — Half Time 1898 — Sly Fox 1897 — Paul Kauver 1896 — Margrave 1895 — Belmar 1894 — Assignee 1893-91 — No Races Held 1890 — Montague 1889 — Buddhist 1888 — Refund 1887 — Dubine 1886 — The Bard 1885 — Tecumseh 1884 — Knight of Ellerslie 1883 — Jacobus 1882 — Vanguard 1881 — Saunterer 1880 — Grenada 1879 — Harold 1878 — Duke of Magenta 1877 — Cloverbrook 1876 — Shirley 1875 — Tom Ochiltree 1874 — Culpepper 1873 — Survivor
Fast Company
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Fast Company
11 reasons why racehorses end up with such weird names
When a friend and I began investing in thoroughbreds in 2018, it wasn't fantasies of running in the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness Stakes that excited us most. It was naming the racehorses. We'd seen California Chrome and American Pharoah etch their names in the sports lexicon. And while producing a horse of that caliber was a longshot, just the prospect of the announcer yelling, 'Here comes [name we chose] down the stretch!' was unexpectedly thrilling. This weekend's Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, features some elite thoroughbreds, and even some better names. Journalism, the favorite, has arguably the best name in the field. American Promise has obvious American Pharoah vibes and was sired by 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify—another iconic moniker. On name alone, I'd put my money on Sandman. And while betting on the horse with the best name is the equivalent of my 10-year-old daughter rooting for the Miami Dolphins because their uniforms are pretty, for a niche sport that becomes the center of the sports world for six weeks in the spring, sometimes the name is all we've got. For owners to choose a name worth rooting for, there are some tricks—and rules—to follow. The Basics All racehorses are given the birth date of January 1 of the year they were born, regardless of their actual birthday. Then, the clock starts ticking. Owners must give their horses an official, registered name by February of their second year, or face late registration fees from horse racing's administrative hub, The Jockey Club. Before receiving their official monikers, these nameless thoroughbreds are typically referred to by combinations of their sire and dam's names (their father and mother) along with a description. For instance, the horse As Time Goes By was previously known as 'bay mare by American Pharoah out of Take Charge Lady.' Sometimes they go by just the dam's name and the birth year—'2020 chestnut gelding out of Sunrise Glow.' Kind of like how COVID-19 got its name, or how scientists would name a newly discovered planet. Owners must submit six different name options to The Jockey Club for consideration, each of which must follow the club's specific rules. The Science Racehorse naming follows strict guidelines. Before Twitter, horse racing featured the original character limit. Names cannot exceed 18 characters, including spaces and punctuation. This explains compact names like Shutthefrontdoor and Keepmeinmind. Additionally, names are limited to seven syllables, with 2003 Kentucky Derby contender Atswhatimtalkinbout pushing character, syllable, and pronunciation limits to the extreme. Using initials is also prohibited, as are numbers—unless spelled out, as exhibited by 1988 Derby runner-up Forty Niner. Horse-related terms like filly, colt, mare, and stallion are also forbidden, as are official course and race titles. Names with obvious commercial value are also immediately rejected. Nobody wants to see a horse named Coca-Cola or TikTok leading the field down the stretch. The art Uniqueness is nonnegotiable. No horse can share a name with another currently racing or one that has raced or bred in the previous 10 years. For stallions, the name protection extends to 15 years after they've stopped breeding, while winners of Grade 1 stakes races—the highest echelon of the sport—are protected for 25 years. And just like sports teams retire jersey numbers, names like Secretariat, Man o' War, and Seattle Slew are forever on the restricted list and can never be reused. To check a name's availability, owners can verify it against the Jockey Club registry. Personal names are also tricky. A horse cannot be named after a famous person or someone who's been dead for less than 50 years without written permission from them or their family. I learned this firsthand when I tried to name one of our horses Mookie Blaylock as an ode to Pearl Jam, which the band used as its original name before changing it, and was informed I needed permission, which wasn't worth the trouble. One of the most famous stories of a celebrity-named horse came in 1991, when then-First Lady Barbara Bush gave her written consent to the owner of a filly out of Kentucky to use her name, but the horse made only two starts and earned just $102 in winnings. Finally, the Jockey Club strictly prohibits vulgar, obscene, or offensive names. Previously rejected names include Ben Dover and Sofa King Fast, though occasionally, some—like Hoof Hearted —slip past the censors. The craft Casual and seasonal horse racing enthusiasts remember names like California Chrome and Smarty Jones, both Derby winners. But who remembers Orb, or Mage? Both also won the Derby, but their names don't inspire, so they're largely forgotten. To craft a unique, memorable name that bettors want to root for, many owners look to their horse's physical characteristics. A foal with a distinctive scar might earn a boxing-related name like Haymaker, turning an imperfection into a memorable identity. The most common tradition is incorporating the parents' names, like a nominal family tree, as 2023 Derby contender Tapit Trice did when it combined sire Tapit with dam Danzatrice (Italian for ballerina), creating a name that honors both bloodlines. The biggest breeders have more sophisticated racehorse naming strategies. Susan Magnier, who names the racehorses at Coolmore in the UK, reserves grand names for their most promising colts. The name Camelot was stored in her diary for nearly 10 years before a worthy horse emerged. That horse went on to win six of the 10 races he started across Ireland and Great Britain in 2011–13, doing the moniker justice. From Bananas on Fire to Sandman My partner and I had four horses to name. One name I've already forgotten, as it was given to a forgettable horse. Another we dubbed Artillery—strong, singular, and assertive. A third we named Queen Karma. We liked the implied royalty combined with the mysticism and alliteration. But the name that caught the attention of bettors and emerged as the best in the stable was Bananas on Fire, a nod to our favorite beer from a local Lake Oswego brewery. Hardly Secretariat or Seabiscuit, but it was fun. Which is where many owners land. While there's no Bananas on Fire in this weekend's Preakness, we do have Journalism. We have River Thames, Goal Oriented, and Pay Billy. Sovereignty, another strong name, won the Derby but won't be running the Preakness, so there's no shot at a Triple Crown this year. So if we're going on name alone, even with Journalism locked in as the favorite, I'll still put my money on the best name in the field.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bob Baffert reflects on 10-year anniversary of American Pharoah winning Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — 10 years ago, American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby and captivated the sports world for the five following weeks in horse racing. Sovereignty outduels 3-1 favorite Journalism in stretch to win 151st Kentucky Derby in the slop 'I wish I had him here this week, would make my job a lot easier,' trainer Bob Baffert said days before the Kentucky Derby. Baffert was already one of the great horse trainers in thoroughbred racing before American Pharoah finished first under the Twin Spires, but when he won the 2nd and 3rd jewels, he was forever etched in history with one of the greatest horses to ever live. 'We knew coming in here that we had a really strong game, I had him and Dortmund, I felt a lot of pressure because I knew it was my race to lose, when Pharoah won the 2nd leg I felt really good about winning the Triple Crown because he was that kind of horse,' Baffert said. Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty skipping Preakness Fast forward three years and Baffert launched himself into 'GOAT' territory aboard Justify, the 13th Triple Crown winner in history. 'It's one of those things where everything's gotta go right, you gotta get the right trip, a lot of luck but American Pharoah… I love Silver Charm he's my first Derby winner but you look back on all these horses on here just reminds you of how fortunate and lucky we were to be able to train all of these great horses,' Baffert said. Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998, War Emblem in 2002, American Pharoah in 2015, Justify in 2018, Authentic in 2020; six Derby wins tied him with 'Plain Ben' Jones. Horse named after Kentucky Wildcat eyes Churchill Downs after Keeneland debut He broke the record in 2021 with Medina Spirit, until he didn't, when his three year old colt tested positive for a banned substance after the race and was disqualified. Baffert was banned by Churchill Downs for three years and just made his long-awaited return to the Kentucky Derby. 'I'm glad to see everybody because it's like a village back here and everybody's watching everybody so and it's nice to see these signs back up that was the best part,' Baffert said, referring to all the Derby winner signs he has posted on his barn. He had hoped to add more signs on his Barn 33 this year with two Derby contenders in Rodriguez and Citizen Bull. Rodriguez scratched earlier in the week and Citizen Bull finished 15th despite leading for part of the race early on. Rodriguez scratched from Kentucky Derby due to foot bruise 'Citizen Bull he came back after he won the Breeders Cup I backed off on him came back won a prep race and I went easy on him he probably could have.. and he's a big strong muscular horse,' Baffert said. Despite falling short this year, Baffert could still get plenty of opportunities in future years to return to the Churchill Downs winner's circle, a place that some people in this sport hope he never sees again. That comes with the territory for a guy that has seen the peaks of success and the valleys of controversy. He served his time, completing a suspension at the hands of Churchill Downs Incorporated that he once said was unfair and later took accountability for. He said winning again wouldn't be revenge, saying he does not care about breaking the record again. 'I don't worry about it, you know I didn't even know I broke the record until I broke it, I really don't think about records I just hope to be there with a good horse and you hope the horse shows up and runs his race,' Baffert said. Kentucky Derby 151 brings fans from all over the map to celebrate Rodriguez is expected to be one of the favorites in the Preakness Stakes on May 17, if he runs. He and Citizen Bull could both have opportunities to shine in their three-year-old seasons. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
USA Today
03-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is Bob Baffert? What to know of six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer
Who is Bob Baffert? What to know of six-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Show Caption Hide Caption Kentucky Derby 2025: Baffert's return, and Journalism is the horse to watch Previewing the 151st Kentucky Derby, focusing on Journalism's chances and Bob Baffert's return. Bob Baffert is back at Churchill Downs. It's the biggest storyline Saturday ahead of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky, as the embattled trainer makes his return for the first time in three years. A win on Saturday with Citizen Bull would give him 17 wins at Triple Crown race tracks. It would also put him in a class by himself with seven Kentucky Derby victories, which would be the most all-time by a trainer. Baffert originally had two horses running in the derby, but Rodriguez was scratched from the field on Thursday. Here's what you need to know on Baffert ahead of the Kentucky Derby: REQUIRED READING: Bob Baffert had horse racing's problems dumped on his reputation. It wasn't fair. Who is Bob Baffert? Bob Baffert is a Hall of Fame horse racing trainer and one of the most well-known and recognizable figures in the sport. As noted by his profile page at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, he hails from Nogales, Arizona and comes from a horse training family: His father bred quarter horses on their cattle ranch. He briefly spent time as a jockey before getting into horse training, which came after earning a degree in animal sciences and racetrack management from the University of Arizona. REQUIRED READING: Why is the Kentucky Derby 2025 field at 19 horses? Rodriguez, Grande scratched When American Pharoah became the 12th horse to win the Triple Crown in 2015, Baffert became just the 11th Triple Crown trainer in history. When Justify pulled off the Triple Crown in 2018, Baffert elevated his resume to another level: He joined James 'Sunny Jim' Fitzsimmons as the only trainers to train two Triple Crown-winning horses. Baffert is also at the center of a controversial three-year suspension from Churchill Downs after one of his horses, Medina Spirit, tested positive in a post-race drug test following a win in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Baffert's winning horses in Triple Crown races Triple Crown American Pharoah (2015) Justify (2018) Kentucky Derby Silver Charm (1997) Real Quiet (1998) War Emblem (2002) American Pharoah (2015) Justify (2018) Authentic (2020) Medina Spirit (2021)* * title was stripped in February 2022 and does not count toward Baffert's Kentucky Derby win total REQUIRED READING: Kentucky Derby 2025: Purse winnings, latest odds and favorites for 151st race Preakness Stakes Silver Charm (1997) Real Quiet (1998) Point Given (2001) War Emblem (2002) Lookin At Lucky (2010) American Pharoah (2015) Justify (2018) National Treasure (2023) Belmont Stakes Point Given (2001) American Pharoah (2015) Justify (2018) REQUIRED READING: What are the horses' numbers in the 2025 Kentucky Derby? Bob Baffert ban, explained Baffert was suspended from 2022 to 2024 by Churchill Downs after his 2021 Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, tested positive for corticosteroid betamethasone in a post-race drug test. The suspension of Baffert by Churchill Downs Incorporated was originally for two years, but the parent company of Churchill Downs added an extra year to it following a failed lawsuit attempt by Baffert in 2022. The reason for its escalation was because Baffert continued to "peddle a false narrative" on Medina Spirit's drug test results, according to Churchill Downs Incorporated. It wasn't until July 2024 that Baffert dropped his suit. Churchill Downs Incorporated then dropped Baffert's suspension and reinstated him. How old is Bob Baffert? Bob Baffert is 72 years old. He will turn 73 in January 2026. REQUIRED READING: Kentucky Derby winners: History of winning horses at Churchill Downs since 1875 How many times has Bob Baffert won the Kentucky Derby? In his 31 years as a horse trainer, Baffert has trained six Kentucky Derby-winning horses, which ties him for the most wins in the race's history with Ben Jones. Medina Spirit would have been his seventh Kentucky Derby-winning horse, but Churchill Downs Incorporated revoked that title during the three-year suspension. Here's a list of the horses Baffert has trained that went on to win the Kentucky Derby: 1997: Silver Charm Silver Charm 1998: Real Quiet Real Quiet 2002: War Emblem War Emblem 2015: American Pharoah * American Pharoah * 2018: Justify * Justify * 2020: Authentic * Denotes Triple Crown winner REQUIRED READING: How likely is Bob Baffert to win another Kentucky Derby? Updated odds Bob Baffert Kentucky Derby 2025 horse Baffert is the trainer of Citizen Bull, who is running in the 151st edition of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday out of the No. 1 post position. There were originally suppose to be two Baffert-trained horses in the field, but Rodriguez was scratched from the race due to a foot bruise. Citizen Bull is considered long shot to win the Kentucky Derby at 14-1 odds. Citizen Bull is 4-0-1 in six starts.
