#Mine That Bird

They will all dream on Saturday. Owners and trainers and jockeys of 20 thoroughbred horses will be hoping their prayers will be answered when the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby is done at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. One thing learned from the prior 144 editions of America's greatest horse race is that any horse entered has a shot to win…

March 30, 1970. Racing champion Secretariat was born. After Citation in 1948, Secretariat became the first U.S. Triple Crown winner in 25 years and became the stuff of legend. New York Post columnist Larry Merchant said: "Secretariat is the kind of Big Horse that makes grown men weep, even when they are flint-hearted bettors, even when he goes off…

Tiz the Law is the 6-5 morning line favorite for Saturday's 152nd running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. The Barclay Tagg-trained multiple Grade 1 winner will break from the eight post against nine competitors in the 1-1/8 mile test around one turn. Posts were drawn Wednesday. "It could have been worse. I was hoping to get five…

The first day of 2023 kicks off with a bang on the horse racing front. The $250000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park serves as a Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifier, awarding points for entry to the 2023 Derby on a 10-4-3-2-1 basis to the top five finishers. Held over one mile on dirt, the Smarty Jones has yet to…

The ball drops at Times Square, fireworks explode around the globe and North American Thoroughbreds celebrate their birthdays at midnight on Jan. 1. A few of the newly turned 3-year-olds waste no time starting their once-in-a-lifetime quest for the Kentucky Derby starting gate as Aqueduct rings in 2018 with the $150000 Jerome Stakes. On New Year's…

Anyone anticipating a return to normalcy in the Kentucky Derby got a dose of crazy Saturday when an 80-1 shot came charging up the rail to win at Churchill Downs. With favourite Epicenter and Zandon engaged in a duel at the front, Rich Strike stole the show with the second-biggest upset in the Derby's 148-year history. The chestnut colt beat 4-1…

The 2022 Belmont Stakes takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, on Saturday, June 11, 2022 (6/11/22). Fans can watch the event for free via a trial of fuboTV. Here's what you need to know: What: Belmont Stakes 2022 When: Saturday, June 11, 2022 Time: Post-time is 6:49 p.m. ET, with coverage on NBC beginning at 3 p.m. ET. Where: Belmont…

The post positions for the 2020 Kentucky Derby are set, and the entry list includes 18 horses for what's now the second leg of horse racing's annual Triple Crown. Yes, the Triple Crown races are being run out of their traditional order for the first time since the early 1930s, but the Kentucky Derby specifically is experiencing significant change…

Horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions betting on the action on a daily basis. However, research is a huge part of the sport, with bettors needing to put hours of work into finding winners and broadening their knowledge of racing, enjoying profitable horse betting promotions. But, one of the most enjoyable ways…

The 2022 Preakness Stakes may not feature the Kentucky Derby-winner Rich Strike in its field, but there are still plenty of interesting racehorses to keep an eye on. And among the most interesting may be Secret Oath. Secret Oath didn't run in the Kentucky Derby, so she may not be familiar to casual fans of horse racing. However, the filly has a…

Kentucky Derby Past Performances and statistical view at the Run for the Roses. Since 1940, a lot of talk has been placed on a Kentucky Derby hopeful's final start and where they will prep and how well the past performances were. The interest in this annual right of passage for the owners of each horses and for Kentucky Derby handicappers as well…

A former film student, Mary Dixon Reynolds, lists her top-rated horse racing films and documentaries. 1983 Before there were Winx and Black Caviar, Australians were transfixed by a big chestnut horse named Phar Lap. The horse reigned during the 1930s depression and gave the nation something its pride. Trainer Harry Telford, played beautifully by…

Down On Da Bayou blitzes her rivals in Thursday's UAE Oaks at Meydan, and now is headed for the Saudi Derby. Photo by Erika Rasmussen, courtesy of Dubai Racing Club Feb. 21 (UPI) Weekend horse racing features a dash of Kentucky Derby, Saudi Derby, Hong Kong Derby, Qatar Derby and even the Winter Derby with action from the Far East to the Middle…

As the dust settled on Rich Strike's improbable 81-1 victory in the 148th Kentucky Derby on Saturday, the question of who would challenge him in the Preakness Stakes on May 21 in Baltimore, Maryland began to make the rounds across the country. Rich Strike, a last-minute Derby entrant who got a dream trip under jockey Sonny Leon for trainer Eric…

Editor's note: An earlier version of this report included Giacomo among the Kentucky Derby winners who never had another win. Giacomo won the San Diego Handicap in 2006. The Kentucky Derby is the Holy Grail of racing, and this is the time of year when the frenzy peaks. The preps are over, the future bets are down, and the obsessive overanalyzing is…

Grab your favorite hat and a refreshing mint julep, because it's almost time for the 2022 Kentucky Derby. And if you're the gambling type, it's just about time to head toward the ticket window to place some bets on this year's field of horses. Per usual, 20 horses will be competing in the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Seasoned gamblers know that the race…

The most popular horse race in the world is fast-approaching as the 2021 Kentucky Derby is nearly upon us. Both viewing and betting interest figures to be high. It is legal to bet on the Kentucky Derby online in many states, many of which don't yet have legal online sports betting on other leagues and events. There are a variety of ways to bet on…

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most popular horse racing events in the calendar that attracts millions of people worldwide. The world's most prestigious horse race is also one of the most popular when it comes to betting. The wagers for this incredible event continue to rise every year. In 2019, the Kentucky Derby set the records across the board…

After so many things went right for Rich Strike to win the Kentucky Derby, he'll likely need even more good fortune at the Belmont Stakes with so much stacked against him. Rich Strike won't go off at odds of more than 80-1 this time, but even after bypassing the Preakness to run in the final leg of the Triple Crown, he's not expected to be the…

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images. Pictured: Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, with jockey Sonny Leon in the irons, at Churchill Downs. Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, who became the second-biggest longshot to win the race in its 148-year history, will skip the Preakness Stakes on May 21, owner Rick Dawson announced Thursday via press release. That means…

Looking at the early odds for the $1 million Preakness Stakes, the biggest questions surround the Bob Baffert runners. How low will Medina Spirit's odds be? And will the other Baffert runner, Concert Tour, who was more highly regarded by many in the runup to the Kentucky Derby, be favored? Looking back at the last 10 Preakness runnings that…

Beauty Generation, shown during morning track work Thursday, is one of many headliners on the Champions Day program Sunday at Hong Kong's Sha Tin Racecourse. Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club April 24 (UPI) -- With much of the world's horse racing still out of action because of the coronavirus, Hong Kong steps up this weekend with a trio of…

Rich Strike pulled a huge upset during the 2022 Kentucky Derby by winning against 80-1 odds. The 3-year-old thoroughbred, along with Venezuelan jockey Sonny Leon, became the second biggest longshot to win in the 148-year history of the event. There had not been a bigger upset in over 100 years. Here is a full list of the 10 Kentucky Derby winners…

Starring Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Taylor, this 1944 film tells the story of a young girl from a small town in England who wins a special gelding in a raffle and decides to take him all the way to the famed Grand National steeplechase. Based on the 1935 novel of the same name by Enid Bagnold, National Velvet is a heartwarming and bittersweet…

The mood around Woodbine Racetrack last week was subdued with the news that long-time thoroughbred owner Hugh Galbraith had passed away. Affectionately known to his friends around the track as "Hyper Hughie," Galbraith owned horses for years and was best remembered for his partnership with Derek Ball and trainer Dave Cotey. That partnership owned…

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The 80-to-1 upset by Rich Strike in Saturday's Kentucky Derby is undoubtedly one of the biggest shocks horse racing has seen in a long time. And the odds only tell part of the story. Rich Strike appears to be the first Derby winner ever purchased through a claim, which is essentially a type of race where every horse is for sale at…

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Get your finest suits, your fascinators and your mint juleps ready, because this year's edition of the Kentucky Derby is going to be a fun one. On Friday's Locked On Today podcast, longtime horse racing expert, writer and analyst Dick Jerardi joined host Peter Bukowski to talk about the storylines heading into the 148th edition of…

Rich Strike, a horse only included in the race due to a late scratching, came charging up the rail to overtake the leaders in the closing strides for a stunning upset in the Kentucky Derby. The 148th running of the famous race saw one of the biggest outsiders to ever finish first, with Rich Strike paying $163.60 on course and a whopping $254 with…

I spent the last few seconds of the 2022 Kentucky Derby in shock as 80-1 longshot Rich Strike ran down favored Epicenter at the wire. Rich Strike practically bounced around after the race, biting at his lead pony and looking like he could do the whole thing all over again. Meanwhile I was almost scratching my head in disbelief. Weird things happen…

Lost in all the talk about Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, and the Derby futures was the dominating performance by Quality Road in last Saturday's G1-Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park. The Beyer figure came up 121 (revised down a point after an initial 122), and other performance ratings (Thoro-Graph, Ragozin, etc.) all came up with numbers that met or…

At80-1, Rich Strike was not the longest shot ever to win the Kentucky Derby, buthe was the one whose shocking victory resonated the fastest. Theonly bigger betting surprise to win the race was Donerail, who carried odds of91-1 in 1913. Not only was that before the internet made communications fasterthan the blink of an eye, it was more than a…

After so many things went right for Rich Strike in winning the Kentucky Derby, he'll likely need even more good fortune at the Belmont Stakes, with so much stacked against him. Rich Strike won't go off at odds of more than 80-1 this time, but even after bypassing the Preakness Stakes to run in the final leg of the Triple Crown, he's not expected to…

The most unusual Triple Crown horse racing season in history will finally continue Saturday, Sept. 5 (7:01 p.m. ET post time, NBC) with the 2020 Kentucky Derby. The first jewel was postponed from the first Saturday in May, which now makes it the second jewel. Tiz The Law, which cruised to victory at the Belmont Stakes on June 20 and followed that…

G2 Lukas Classic Preview: Rich Strike Could Hit It Big Again This Saturday (Rich Strike / Photo by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Saturday's G2, $500000 Lukas Classic is shaping up to be one of the more competitive races in North America this year. Grade I winners Happy Saver and Hot Rod Charlie are among the nominated…

LOUISVILLE - This is what the Kentucky Derby does: It rises, it falls. It elevates, it diminishes. It rewards, it punishes. It welcomes storylines but does not make promises; it exists outside the whims and wants of bureaucrats and rulers. It pays homage only to the result. This is also what the Derby does: It makes us laugh, cry, cringe. It makes…

There is no greater indicator of the shock value of Mine That Bird's 2009 Kentucky Derby win than the race commentary, when NBC's Tom Durkin failed to spot the mud-splattered horse's advance up the rails until the very last moments. The story of Mine That Bird's 50/1 success is one of the Kentucky Derby's true rags to riches tales, as he was bought…