Latest news with #VirginiaDerby
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Making Claims: The Vibes Are Good In Virginia
Making Claims: The Vibes Are Good In Virginia originally appeared on Paulick Report. In 'Making Claims,' Paulick Report bloodstock editor Joe Nevills shares his opinions on the Thoroughbred industry from the breeding and sales arenas to the racing world and beyond. Take a look at the racing map, and you'll find a lot of states and tracks fighting for their lives right now. In Louisiana, Churchill Downs had a gun to the Fair Grounds' head as it negotiates its way into more favorable historical horse racing rules. In Florida, Gulfstream Park's days appear numbered, whether the final bell comes sooner or later. The Northern California circuit has been wiped off the face of the earth, and things aren't exactly rosy in the southern half of the state. Pimlico Race Course is about to face the wrecking ball in Maryland, and while plans call for long-term stability in the Baltimore area (at the cost of Laurel Park), a project of that magnitude often comes with a sense of fragility. Illinois is still recovering from the loss of Arlington Park, and Hawthorne Race Course has seen better days. I could keep going, but I'm sure you get the point. Advertisement With so many North American outposts struggling, it's fair to wonder if anyone out there has things going in the right direction. Yes, Virginia. There is a state with positive momentum. Through a combination of creative incentive programs, finding a niche on the crowded Mid-Atlantic racing calendar, and getting support from a deep roster of quality horsepeople, Virginia's upward trajectory is something worth noting as the July 9 opening day at Colonial Downs approaches. The Jockey Club State Fact Book shows the Virginia-bred foal crop hit its highest level in over a decade in 2023, the most recent year reported, and it's not hard to imagine that trend will continue in the foaling seasons that followed. The four biggest years for average earnings by a Virginia-bred runner since 2004 have been the past four racing seasons. On the racing side, the average purse per race in Old Dominion hit a record high in 2024, at $65,263. The state's 323 races last year was the most since 2012, Virginia's 1,516 starters was the most since 2010, and the purses exceeding $21 million was a record. Colonial Downs has already had a turn in the national spotlight this year, when it hosted the Virginia Derby as a Kentucky Derby prep for the first time in March, introducing some fans and bettors to the track for the first time. Two of the Virginia Derby starters - winner American Promise and runner-up Render Judgment - ran in the main event on the first Saturday in May. The seeds for the success that Virginia is enjoying today were planted during a dark period in the state's history. In 2016, the Virginia Thoroughbred Association introduced the Virginia-certified program, which rewarded developers of eligible horses with a 25 percent purse bonus for wins in open races throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Colonial Downs had been closed for two years when the program was introduced, and the incentive structure, requiring horses to spend at least six months in residence in Virginia prior to the end of their 2-year-old season, gave horsemen a reason to keep their horses within state lines and kept farms and training centers in business while they awaited whatever the future held. When Colonial Downs was revived for the 2019 racing season, the state already had an infrastructure and set of incentive programs in place to make make a running start into the next era of Virginia racing. In some ways, that next era looked like the previous one. Colonial Downs' signature is its turf surface - with its Secretariat Course stretching out to 1 1/8 miles, and holding the title as the widest turf course in North America. Over 80 percent of the races at Colonial Downs during the summer meet are held over one of its two turf courses, meaning horsepeople with turf-leaning runners are presented with a unique opportunity to get quality starts over grass that might not be as readily available elsewhere. Perhaps most of all, the vibes are just good in Virginia. I made my first visit to Colonial Downs in March for Virginia Derby week, and people seemed excited about the general direction of the state's industry at a level one rarely sees elsewhere these days. There's a generational depth of knowledge when it comes to horsemanship in Old Dominion that would be a crime to be left dormant. They care about the product they put on the ground in the foaling shed and on the racetrack, and what it says about their program at large. Not everyone thinks with that kind of big-picture mentality when it comes to their place in a greater ecosystem. That's why I think Virginia will manage to keep the momentum going for the long haul. The state's horsepeople have a median level of competency, both on the track and off, that ensures when they're given an opportunity like they were with HHR, they won't fumble it. Few entities survive without the good graces of someone else in a higher position of power, and with Colonial Downs being owned by CDI, Virginia is no different. But, strong leadership can help a program weather a lot of storms, and we've already seen that in action. We've seen Virginia survive in the darkness. Next month, we'll see how they can thrive with another season in the light. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Kentucky Derby 2025: Rain to change odds; here's the new favourite horses at Churchill Downs
The weather forecast for the Kentucky Derby 2025 has taken a turn, with AccuWeather now predicting a 71% chance of rain for the first Saturday in May. While early clouds may give way to some sun, scattered showers are still likely throughout the day. The National Weather Service echoes a similar outlook, calling for rain and unseasonably high temperatures. This change in weather has affected the odds for the race as well. Also Read: Kentucky Derby 2025 weather forecast: Will rain cancel the 151st race? Are umbrellas allowed inside facility? If you are looking to fine-tune your Kentucky Derby bets in light of the rainy forecast, it's worth considering which horses have experience running on wet tracks. Below is a list of contenders with proven performance in the mud or rain, organised by their program numbers and morning-line odds to help guide your wagering strategy, as reported by the Courier-Journal. Also Read: Kentucky Derby 2025: List of horses at Churchill Downs and how much they cost their owners Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr. Jockey: Luis Saez Neoequos has had a mixed record on sloppy tracks, making him a wildcard in wet conditions. In his debut last July at Gulfstream Park, he failed to finish after being bumped at the start and unseating his rider. However, he redeemed himself on January 23 at the same track, cruising to a 3½-length win in an allowance race run under similar rainy conditions. Trainer: Brad Cox Jockey: Luan Machado It took Final Gambit three chances to break his maiden, but it is to be noted that it did so in rainy conditions on February 15 on an all-weather track at Turfway Park. The Derby will be his first test on dirt, but assistant trainer Tessa Walden isn't worried. After his strong performance in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks, Walden expressed confidence as she said, 'He's got the maturity now to handle something different." Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas Jockey: Nik Juarez American Promise, the son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, picked up his first win on a muddy track at Oaklawn on December 29. Champion of the Virginia Derby has performed in rainy conditions only once other time in his nine-year career. On September 27, he ran the sloppy tracks at Churchill, where he came in eighth position. Trainer: Whit Beckman Jockey: Joe Ramos Flying Mohawk has seen wet conditions early in his career, but the Kentucky Derby will be his first attempt on dirt. He showed promise with a second-place finish on a firm turf track at Kentucky Downs on September 1, but struggled on a softer surface later that month, finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Pilgrim Stakes on yielding turf at Aqueduct. Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Publisher is set to become just the 13th maiden to run in the Kentucky Derby since 1937. Though he hasn't won yet, the son of Triple Crown champion American Pharoah has placed in five of his seven starts, including solid performances in tough conditions—finishing third on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs and second in the mud at Oaklawn. Trainer: Lonnie Briley Jockey: Juan Vargas Coal Battle, the first graded-stakes winner for trainer Briley in over 30 years, has shown strong form on wet tracks. He broke his maiden last July on a sloppy surface at Evangeline and kicked off a four-race winning streak in November with a 2½-length victory in the mud at Delta Downs.
USA Today
03-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
American Promise trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse
American Promise trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse Show Caption Hide Caption Watch Kentucky Derby 2025 contender American Promise train at Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby 2025 contender American Promise trains at Churchill Downs April 23. Trainer is D. Wayne Lukas. Jockey Nik Jaurez slated to ride. American Promise will enter the Kentucky Derby off a victory in the Virginia Derby on March 15 American Promise trainer D. Wayne Lukas has won the Kentucky Derby four times, most recently in 1999 American Promise is one of 20 horses expected to enter 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. American Promise will enter the Kentucky Derby off a victory in the Virginia Derby on March 15 at Colonial Downs. He currently ranks 14th on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 55. Color: Chestnut. Bred in: Kentucky. Sire: Justify. Dam: Tapella, by Tapit. Price tag: $750,000 at 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Owner: BC Stables (John Bellinger, Brian Coelho). They're 0 for 1 in the Derby, finishing 17th with Just Steel last year. Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas. He's 4 for 50 in the Derby, winning with Winning Colors (1988), Thunder Gulch (1995), Grindstone (1996) and Charismatic (1999). Jockey: Nik Juarez. First Derby. Record: 2-1-1 in nine starts. Career earnings: $444,874. Road to the Kentucky Derby points: 55 (No. 14). Last race: Won Virginia Derby on March 15 at Colonial Downs by 7 ¾ lengths over Render Judgment. Running style: Near the pace early. Notes: American Promise needed six races to break his maiden, finally doing so Dec. 29 at Oaklawn Park. That chase included three races at Churchill Downs, where American Promise finished eighth, second and fourth. He finished off the board in a pair of graded stakes earlier this year — seventh in the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn Park and fifth in the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds. … The 89-year-old Lukas had missed the Kentucky Derby every year from 2019-23 but broke the skid last year with Just Steel. … Sons of Justify did not fare well in last year's Kentucky Derby, with Just Steel finishing 17th and Just a Touch finishing 20th in the 20-horse field. What they're saying: 'He's maturing and doing so well that I think I can train him without subjecting him to another race,' Lukas said of the time off since winning the Virginia Derby. 'You never know how that race is going to go. You think it's going to move him forward, but it isn't a cinch. There are things that can happen.' Last May, NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032. The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms. You can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock. Post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. More horse racing: Set for second Kentucky Derby, St. Xavier grad Whit Beckman hopes for better racing luck Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@ Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ. This story was updated to add a gallery.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
D. Wayne Lukas is 89, wants to win a 5th Kentucky Derby
D. Wayne Lukas is easy to spot before dawn at Churchill Downs. He is one of the few Kentucky Derby trainers atop a stable pony, escorting his horses to and from the track for their workouts. At 89, he is the sport's elder statesman, a Hall of Famer with four Derby victories on a very lengthy resume. On Saturday, he will be chasing another with 30-1 shot American Promise. Pedestrian allegedly hit by drunken Fayette County teacher dies Big Lots stores reopening in Kentucky this week: Here's where Students sent to emergency room after Rockcastle County Schools bus crash Like the former basketball coach he is, Lukas isn't afraid to flip the playbook. American Promise went off the beaten path to earn his way to Kentucky with a win in the Virginia Derby. He's a son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. 'He looks exactly like him,' Lukas said. 'He's developing very good at the right time.' Lukas' last Derby win was in 1999 with Charismatic. He has entered 16 horses since and finished second in 2002 with Proud Citizen. He won the 2022 Kentucky Oaks for fillies. Last year, he won the Preakness and the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby. Since his first Derby try in 1981, Lukas has saddled the second-most entries at 50, exceeded only by his protégé, Todd Pletcher, who has 65. Pletcher also has a long-shot entry on Saturday with Grande at 20-1. Lexington eatery makes OpenTable's 'Top 100 Brunch Restaurants' in the US Study: Kentucky is the toughest state to own an EV in Study: It costs over $200K to raise a child over 18 years in Kentucky A promising 3-year-old in the barn come the first Saturday in May can put a spring in any trainer's step. Also invigorating Lukas are the deep-pocketed owners he has after his stock of good horses had gone way down. 'Our business the last six months has just taken off,' he said. He reminded his clientele that he will be 92 when the young horses they bought are ready to be trained at the racetrack. He suggested they might want to limit their purchases or send some to younger conditioners. They ignored him and bought 18 instead. Lukas isn't a complainer but he told John Bellinger, co-owner of American Promise, that his legs were tired. 'That's fine, don't worry about that,'' Bellinger responded. 'Just don't lose your mind.' Far from it, according to Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. He and Lukas teamed to win the Derby in 1988 with filly Winning Colors. D. Wayne Lukas is 89, wants to win a 5th Kentucky Derby What does it take to get a horse to Churchill Downs? Here's the horse racing lineup for the 2025 Kentucky Derby 'Wayne is known for how meticulous he is with everything that he does. That hasn't changed and it won't change,' Stevens said. 'He still rides out every morning. He can still tell a good horse. He's got a great eye. He picks all these horses out at the sales, their angles, their looks. He's still got it at 89.' That was evident at the auction where Lukas spotted American Promise. His old friend and rival Bob Baffert also had his eye on the colt since he had trained the sire, Justify. Noticing a contusion above one of the colt's knees, Baffert figured he could get him for a steal at $400,000. Not so fast. American Promise sold for $750,000. 'I went to see who bought this horse,' Baffert said. 'There he was — The Coach.' While others were thinking the colt had a bad knee, Lukas' gut told him otherwise. 'That was just a bump,' he said. 'It went down in a week.' Latest central Kentucky weather forecast One of Lukas' few concessions to age is a desire to limit his stable to 40 horses, the same number of stalls he has at Churchill Downs in the spring and at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas in the winter. 'We've run the red light on that,' he said. 'We're up to about 52 or 53 now.' Lukas told his fifth wife, Laurie, that given his age the couple might want to buy a few horses of their own for fun and send them to someone else to train. That plan also went awry. 'I bought four or five and we now have 11 racehorses,' he said. 'We got some really nice colts.' In other words, don't expect Lukas to ride off into retirement anytime soon. 'I always thought he would have been a great commissioner of racing, a great spokesperson, because he's so smart, speaks well,' Baffert said. 'He knows the ins and outs and he still plays at that high level.' Lukas and Baffert — who owns a record-tying six — have the most victories of any trainer in this year's race. Nine of the trainers are in the Derby for the first or second time. 'There's no how-to book,' Lukas said. 'Those younger guys are going to make mistakes just like we all did. They'll all learn, especially in this race.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NBC Sports
29-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
D. Wayne Lukas is 89 and wants to win a 5th Kentucky Derby. He's up before dawn in pursuit of it
D. Wayne Lukas is easy to spot before dawn at Churchill Downs. He is one of the few Kentucky Derby trainers atop a stable pony, escorting his horses to and from the track for their workouts. At 89, he is the sport's elder statesman, a Hall of Famer with four Derby victories on a very lengthy résumé. On Saturday, he will be chasing another with 30-1 shot American Promise. Like the former basketball coach he is, Lukas isn't afraid to flip the playbook. American Promise went off the beaten path to earn his way to Kentucky with a win in the Virginia Derby. He's a son of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify. 'He looks exactly like him,' Lukas said. 'He's developing very good at the right time.' Lukas' last Derby win was in 1999 with Charismatic. He has entered 16 horses since and finished second in 2002 with Proud Citizen. He won the 2022 Kentucky Oaks for fillies. Last year, he won the Preakness and the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby. Since his first Derby try in 1981, Lukas has saddled the second-most entries at 50, exceeded only by his protégé, Todd Pletcher, who has 65. Pletcher also has a long-shot entry on Saturday with Grande at 20-1. A promising 3-year-old in the barn come the first Saturday in May can put a spring in any trainer's step. Also invigorating Lukas are the deep-pocketed owners he has after his stock of good horses had gone way down. 'Our business the last six months has just taken off,' he said. He reminded his clientele that he will be 92 when the young horses they bought are ready to be trained at the racetrack. He suggested they might want to limit their purchases or send some to younger conditioners. They ignored him and bought 18 instead. Lukas isn't a complainer but he told John Bellinger, co-owner of American Promise, that his legs were tired. 'That's fine, don't worry about that,'' Bellinger responded. 'Just don't lose your mind.' Far from it, according to Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. He and Lukas teamed to win the Derby in 1988 with filly Winning Colors. 'Wayne is known for how meticulous he is with everything that he does. That hasn't changed and it won't change,' Stevens said. 'He still rides out every morning. He can still tell a good horse. He's got a great eye. He picks all these horses out at the sales, their angles, their looks. He's still got it at 89.' That was evident at the auction where Lukas spotted American Promise. His old friend and rival Bob Baffert also had his eye on the colt since he had trained the sire, Justify. Noticing a contusion above one of the colt's knees, Baffert figured he could get him for a steal at $400,000. Not so fast. American Promise sold for $750,000. 'I went to see who bought this horse,' Baffert said. 'There he was — The Coach.' While others were thinking the colt had a bad knee, Lukas' gut told him otherwise. 'That was just a bump,' he said. 'It went down in a week.' One of Lukas' few concessions to age is a desire to limit his stable to 40 horses, the same number of stalls he has at Churchill Downs in the spring and at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas in the winter. 'We've run the red light on that,' he said. 'We're up to about 52 or 53 now.' Lukas told his fifth wife, Laurie, that given his age the couple might want to buy a few horses of their own for fun and send them to someone else to train. That plan also went awry. 'I bought four or five and we now have 11 racehorses,' he said. 'We got some really nice colts.' In other words, don't expect Lukas to ride off into retirement anytime soon. 'I always thought he would have been a great commissioner of racing, a great spokesperson, because he's so smart, speaks well,' Baffert said. 'He knows the ins and outs and he still plays at that high level.' Lukas and Baffert — who owns a record-tying six — have the most victories of any trainer in this year's race. Nine of the trainers are in the Derby for the first or second time. 'There's no how-to book,' Lukas said. 'Those younger guys are going to make mistakes just like we all did. They'll all learn, especially in this race.'
