BloodHorse.com

International Star winning the Louisiana Derby. - Order This PhotoPhoto by Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges When 2-to-1 favorite International Star edged Stanford by a neck in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) March 28, he would prove to be the longest shot to win any of this season’s biggest Triple Crown prep races. Looking at the six U.S. races this ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') @J_Keelerman Let the waiting begin! With the last of the Kentucky Derby prep races having been run, and with nearly three weeks remaining until the first Saturday in May, there’s not much to do except wait for the big race to arrive. …Unless, of course, you’re a handicapper, and in that case, the fun is ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') @J_Keelerman We have waited months for this day—the day when the last of the Kentucky Derby prep races will be run, the last Derby qualification points will be distributed, and the field for the 141th renewal of the ''Run for the Roses'' will be more-or-less established. On April 11th, the Road to the ...

1 American Pharoah Bob Baffert Pioneerof the Nile—Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman With all the huge performances this week, does his body of work, running style, and pedigree combined warrant the No. 1 spot? Probably not. But is he freaky good with superstar potential? He very well could be. And that is why he has to remain on top, at ...

Can the Texas Thoroughbred industry take any more bad news? After an 18-year commitment, the Fasig-Tipton sales company announced it would cease conducting auctions in the Lone Star State. The Kentucky-based auction house used to hold three auctions annually, but those were reduced to two about four years ago. The 2-year-olds in training sale, ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') @J_Keelerman Dortmund! Carpe Diem! Frosted! These three colts, all well-regarded Kentucky Derby contenders as early as last fall, did nothing to dispel that belief when they swept the three Derby preps across the country last Saturday, stamping themselves among the favorites for the Run for the ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') @J_Keelerman Get ready, folks! We’re about to pass the eighth pole on the road to the Kentucky Derby! Only five official prep races remain on the schedule, and three of them—all worth 100 qualification points to their winners—will be run this Saturday. Among the starters are such well-regarded contenders as ...