Latest news with #RenderJudgment
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Toby Keith's 2025 Kentucky Derby Horse Carries on Late Singer's Legacy
Toby Keith's legacy will be on display at the 2025 Kentucky Derby. The late singer was the owner of Dream Walkin Farms, which partnered with other stables to train horses. Keith had a dream to get one of those horses into the Kentucky Derby, which will be achieved on Saturday when Render Judgment takes the track in Lexington. Advertisement As Baccari Racing Stable owner Chris Baccari told the Louisville Courier Journal, Keith's job was to name the horses that came through his stable. 'We had about 20-something of them, and he was quick to name them where I'm very slow at that,' Baccari said. Keith died in February 2024, close to two years after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. The singer was able to name Render Judgment before his passing, and the horse has now made a surprise entry into the Kentucky Derby. As the Courier Journal noted, the colt was originally not slated to run in the derby but an injury to Tappan Street on April 26 left an opening. Keith's family shared the news in a post on Instagram. 'It was Toby's dream….Render Judgment is going to the @kentuckyderby,' the Keith estate wrote. 'He worked so hard to finally have one there! Toby will have the best seat in the house to watch.' Advertisement Despite the late entry, Render Judgement fell near the middle of the Kentucky Derby pack with 15-to-1 odds early in the day on Saturday. Related: Simone Biles, Livvy Dunne Earn Huge 2025 Kentucky Derby Honor
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Decision on Toby Keith's Horse Revealed in 2025 Preakness Stakes Lineup
The late country singer Toby Keith always dreamed of getting one of his horses into the Kentucky Derby, and his stable achieved that dream earlier this month when Render Judgment was a late addition to the field. But horse racing and country music fans may not get to see the colt in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown. Advertisement Keith, who died in February 2024 after a battle with cancer, was the owner of Dream Walkin Farms and partnered with other stables to raise thoroughbreds. Keith's job was to name the horses, and he got to name Render Judgment before his passing last year. After Render Judgment competed in the Kentucky Derby, it appears there are no plans to take part in this weekend's big race. The Preakness Stakes published a list of nine contenders set to take part in Saturday's race, with Render Judgment not making the cut. Keith had stressed that the Kentucky Derby was his biggest goal, saying in a 2019 interview that it's one of the most difficult achievements in horse racing. Advertisement 'The derby's the one you want to win,' Keith said. 'That's the one that everyone wants to hang on their wall and say, 'I won the Kentucky Derby.' But God it's hard to get there.' The late country singer's family reveled in the Kentucky Derby bid, even if he couldn't see it himself. His daughter, Krystal Keith, told The Oklahoman that just making it into the race was a victory for the family. 'The fact that he had a horse make it to the derby is a huge win for our family in itself,' Krystal Keith said. 'And if he happens to win the derby, that would just be the cherry on top.' Toby Keith's horse fell short in the Kentucky Derby, finishing No. 17 in a field of 19 horses. Related: Toby Keith's 2025 Kentucky Derby Horse Carries on Late Singer's Legacy
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How much money does the winning jockey at the Kentucky Derby get?
(NEXSTAR) — For the 151st time, the gates will open at Churchill Downs on Saturday, promising yet another thrilling Kentucky Derby. While every horse and jockey pairing comes into the Derby with varying odds, they will all be vying for the illustrious blanket of red roses and its accompanying multi-million dollar purse. Journalism, the red-hot California thoroughbred, has carried the best odds in the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby, ranking as a 3-to-1 favorite. Among those with the less-favorable odds is country singer Toby Keith's horse, Render Judgment, who became a late entry after Florida Derby winner Tappan Street suffered an injury to his right foreleg. As of Thursday, Render Judgment's odds stand at 30-to-1. Odds aside, the prizes remain the same: the prestigious Derby trophy, the red roses, an entry into the history books, and, of course, a sizeable payout. How are jockey silks made for Kentucky Derby jockeys? Last year, Churchill Downs Inc., host of the stakes race, announced a guaranteed $5 million Kentucky Derby purse. It was a $2 million increase over the previous purse of $3 million, established in 2019. Unlike the payout at the Masters last month, the purse at the Kentucky Derby is not increasing this year. Like last year, the first-place finisher will get $3.1 million of the purse. The next four will also receive payouts: $1 million for second place, $500,000 for third, $250,000 for fourth, and $150,000 for fifth. But that payout goes to the horse's owner, not the jockey who led the horse to victory in the 2-minute-long race. Like caddies at the Masters, jockeys of top-finishing horses receive a portion of the Kentucky Derby prize their horse lands. Do you believe in luck? Why horseshoes are considered to be lucky in Kentucky Typically, that payout is about 10% of the prize money, multiple reports say. That means the first jockey across the line Saturday could pocket $310,000. However, as CNBC explains, roughly 30% of the jockey's winnings go toward their agent, valet, and taxes. That still outweighs the payouts the second- and third-place jockeys are in line for: $50,000 and $25,000, respectively. The remaining jockeys will profit far less. It's also possible that the winning jockey will be the same jockey as last year: Brian Hernandez Jr. He and Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a three-horse photo finish, despite their 18-1 odds. This year, Hernandez will be jockeying to get Burnham Square across the line first (with better odds, at 8-1). Should the jockey and their horse go on to complete the Triple Crown — which hasn't happened since 2018 — their winnings could total $550,000, before taxes and fees. Both the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes again have a purse of $2 million (unless increases are announced ahead of the mid-May and June runs, respectively), giving the winner a $1.2 million payout. If the jockey receives 10% of that, they could see a $120,000 prize before taxes and other fees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
03-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Render Judgment trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse
Render Judgment trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse Show Caption Hide Caption Kentucky Derby 2025 contender Render Judgment at Churchill Downs Derby contender Render Judgment is trained by Kenny McPeek and jockey Sheldon Russell is slated to ride during the 2025 Kentucky Derby. Render Judgment will enter the Kentucky Derby off a fifth-place finish in the Blue Grass at Keeneland Render Judgment is trained by Kenny McPeek, who won last year's Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan Render Judgment is one of 20 horses expected to run in the 2025 Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs. Spots for the Run for the Roses are earned by gaining points through a series of Kentucky Derby prep races that began last September. The post-position draw for the Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, April 26. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Render Judgment will enter the Kentucky Derby off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 8 at Keeneland. He currently ranks 18th on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 39. Color: Bay. Bred in: Kentucky. Sire: Blame. Dam: Barbara Gordon, by Commissioner. Price tag: $310,000 at 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale. Owners: Baccari Racing Stable (Chris Baccari); Dream Walkin Farms (Tonni Covel); MJM Racing (Michael Mackin); Rocket Ship Racing (Brook T. Smith). First Derby for Baccari Racing Stable and Dream Walkin Farms. Mackin finished eighth with Smile Happy in 2022. Smith was a co-owner of Sierra Leone (second) in 2024. Trainer: Kenny McPeek. He's 1 for 10 in the Derby, winning with Mystik Dan in 2024. Jockey: Julien Leparoux. He's 0 for 14 in the Derby, best finishing coming with Classic Empire (fourth) in 2017. Record: 1-2-1 in seven starts. Career earnings: $250,672. Road to the Kentucky Derby points: 39 (No. 18). Last race: Fifth in Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 8 at Keeneland. Running style: Stalker. Notes: Trainer Kenny McPeek had planned to enter Render Judgment in an allowance race on Kentucky Derby Day but changed course after discussions with the horse's owners. … Render Judgment broke his maiden last October at Churchill Downs. He finished second — 7 ¾ lengths behind American Promise — in the Virginia Derby on March 15 at Colonial Downs. … The Kentucky Derby will mark Leparoux's first ride on Render Judgment. What they're saying: 'He's a nice horse, but he hasn't run the numbers that justify that he can win the Derby,' McPeek said. 'He's going to have to find a whole other level. But it is a horse race, and a lot can happen.' Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@ Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ. More horse racing: American Pharoah, 10 years after Triple Crown run, enjoying life in Kentucky as stallion
Fox News
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Toby Keith's Kentucky Derby dream becomes reality a year after country star's death
Toby Keith's dream has come true a little more than a year after the country icon died at 62. At the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Keith's Dream Walkin' Farms will debut its first thoroughbred horse in the derby. The country singer started his racing operation in 2001. Keith's official Instagram account made the announcement on April 27. "It was Toby's dream. Render Judgment is going to the Kentucky Derby," the post read. "He worked so hard to finally have one there! Toby will have the best seat in the house to watch." Included was a set of photos of Render Judgment in action. According to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital, Render Judgment placed 21st on April 26, one spot short of an automatic placement in the Kentucky Derby. "It was Toby's dream. Render Judgment is going to the Kentucky Derby." However, horse Tappan Street had to drop out of the Run for Roses and Render Judgment was bumped up. On Friday, Keith's horse trainer, Kenny McPeek, was a guest on "Fox & Friends First" and spoke about Keith's love for horse racing. WATCH: LATE TOBY KEITH'S KENTUCKY DERBY DREAM COMES TRUE AS HIS HORSE IS SET TO COMPETE "Well some say Toby loved thoroughbred horse racing more than he did music, which is really saying a lot, right?" he said. McPeek first met Keith at the races over 20 years ago in Louisiana. "He was always a lot of fun, and he's sorely missed in the horse racing industry," he said. In 2019, Keith told the Kentucky Derby Connections that the Kentucky Derby is the race "you want to win." "Yeah, that's the one that everybody wants to hang on their wall, saying, 'I won the Kentucky Derby.' But God, it's hard to get there … [the] horse racing business is (frustrating but) dream more. Everything's rolling the dice. The next one is, too. And it's exciting. You got to live on the edge a little bit," he concluded. Keith operated Dream Walkin' Farms for more than three decades, and now his family has taken over the 330-acre facility in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, according to the press release. On Feb. 5, 2024, Keith's family announced his death in a statement posted to his website and social media accounts. "Toby Keith passed away peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time," the statement read. Keith revealed in June 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. The Oklahoma-based country music star was best known for his 1993 hit song, "Should've Been a Cowboy." His breakout hit was played 3 million times on radio stations and became the most-played country song of the 1990s. Among his 20 No. 1 Billboard hits were "How Do You Like Me Now?!," "As Good As I Once Was," "My List" and "Beer for My Horses," a duet with Willie Nelson. His 2002 song, "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," showcased his patriotism after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Keith, however, didn't just use the idea of American patriotism in his songs. He gave his support to the American military, going on 11 USO tours to visit and play for troops serving overseas. He also wrote about his support for the men and women in America's military with his 2003 hit, "American Soldier." Keith helped raise millions for charity over his career, including building a home in Oklahoma City for kids and their families battling cancer. The singer also played at events for Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, the latter giving him a National Medal of the Arts in 2021. Keith is survived by his wife, Tricia, three children and four grandchildren.
