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With the Kentucky Derby moved to Sept. 5, we’ll have to be creative with the Derby Dozen, although as of now the major preps will still be run, including all three grade 1 preps -- the Curlin Florida Derby, Santa Anita Derby, and Arkansas Derby. Whether the Belmont Stakes (G1) will remain on schedule and serve as the target race, it is too ...

COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, is for real. So, for a minute, let's deal with it. Local and state governments are trying their best to ''flatten the curve'' by stopping all gatherings of more than a few hundred people. The president just declared a national emergency. That means all major, and most minor, sporting events ...

It was an odd road to the 2002 Kentucky Derby (G1) for the two Derby Dominators, Bob Baffert and Wayne Lukas. Baffert and Lukas had seen one Derby hopeful after another fall by the wayside. It seemed apparent the two trainers who had paved so many new routes to Churchill Downs were heading smack into a dead end. Each day, they would ask each ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman If it seems like trainer Mike Maker wins the $250,000 Jeff Ruby Stakes (G3) every time he turns around, that's because—well—he pretty much does. Held at 1 1/8 miles of the synthetic Polytrack at Turfway Park, the Jeff Ruby has carved out its own little niche on the Road to ...

This is my Frankly Speaking column from today's (March 12) issue of BloodHorse Daily. If you haven't already downloaded the app or subscribed to the free BloodHorse Daily, you should.   I didn't get far into the California Horse Racing Board's assessment of the spike in Thoroughbred fatalities last year at Santa Anita Park before I ...

It wasn’t the coronavirus scare—Meydan’s “Super Saturday” program March 7 was run without patrons—or the cratering of global financial markets that rocked the world of Thoroughbred racing the morning of March 9. Instead, it was word that trainers Jorge Navarro and Jason Servis were among those listed in a 44-page indictment on doping-related ...

1 Tiz the Law Barclay Tagg Constitution—Tizfiz, by Tiznow He’s still hanging on to the top spot despite two months between races and battling a minor bruised foot. No one has matched his effort in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) or his speed ratings, so someone will have to step up big in the Curlin Florida Derby (G3). Layoff is of no concern ...

By J. Keeler Johnson (''Keelerman'') Twitter: @J_Keelerman The Road to the Kentucky Derby will take a few major turns this Saturday. Three important prep races are on the agenda, all offering 50 qualification points to their respective winners. The $400,000 San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita will be among the most anticipated events of ...