#Rocket Express

The Week in Review by T.D. Thornton The annual Claiming Crown races were two weeks ago. But a surprise black-type feast for blue-collar campaigners took place over Thanksgiving weekend, when horses once claimed for tags as low as $10000 and $16000 ran away with three of five stakes at Laurel Park, and an 8-year-old gelding bought last year for…

Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Kentucky-based horses ably defended their home turf in the weekend Claiming Crown series at Churchill Downs, while 2-year-olds, some still eyeing a shot at next year's big races, were at work at tracks from coast to coast. Del Mar swung back into operation, and Woodbine and Churchill Downs had rich stakes offerings. On the…

Notes & Quotes From the Claiming Crown Jewel (& More): Keystone Field (Keystone Field / All Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Keystone Field, owned by Kirk Wycoff's Three Diamonds Farm, swept past early leaders Benevengo and Frosted Grace leaving the final turn and determinedly turned back a late charge by 2-1…

When trainer Tom Van Berg won two Claiming Crown races Saturday with his first horses in that series, most racing regulars made the connection to his father, the late Hall-of-Fame conditioner Jack Van Berg. But a link to another family legacy in that series might not have been as apparent: John Timothy Kirby, 25, who also saddled his first Claiming…

One week after racing's biggest stars contested the Breeders' Cup, the sport's hard knockers are featured Saturday under the Twin Spires. Intrepid Heart is the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the 2022 running of the $175000 Claiming Crown Jewel. Post time from Churchill Downs is 5:35 p.m. EST, with the race shown on FS2. The Claiming Crown features…

Beverly Park wins a starter allowance June 18 at Churchill Downs (Coady Photography) Kentucky HBPA Press Release LOUISVILLE, Ky.- For those lamenting that horses today don't run enough, meet Beverly Park. If ever there was a horse that the Claiming Crown was meant to showcase it's the 5-year-old Beverly Park, who runs in the $100000 Claiming Crown…

For those lamenting that horses today don't run enough, meet Beverly Park. If ever there was a horse that the Claiming Crown was meant to showcase it's the 5-year-old Beverly Park, who runs in the $100000 Claiming Crown Ready's Rocket Express in Saturday's eighth race at Churchill Downs. Blue collar? Check. Work horse? Check. Helping to fill…

Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: Sconsin Returns in Sunday's Dream Supreme Stakes (Sconsin / Photos by Coady Photography) From the Churhcill Downs Media Team: Lloyd Madison Farm's growing broodmare band will add another member to their roster with their homebred Sconsin, who has a date with 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner in a few months. The…

Set Piece Is Set to Return to Churchill Downs in Sunday's G3 River City (Set Piece / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Juddmonte's multiple graded stakes winner Set Piece (GB) leads an oversubscribed cast of 14 horses that were entered in Sunday's $300000 River City (Grade III) at Churchill Downs. Sunday's featured…

Churchill Downs Press Release/Edited LOUISVILLE, Ky.- A total of 95 of some of the nation's top claiming-level horses, including seven also-eligible entries, have been entered in Saturday's 24th annual Claiming Crown Championship Series, which will be staged beneath Churchill Downs' historic Twin Spires in Louisville, Ky. for the first time. The…

There's a reason we're the #1 trusted source for premium racing picks & info. A total of 95 of some of the nation's top claiming-level horses, including seven also-eligible entries, have been entered in Saturday's 24 annual Claiming Crown Championship Series, which will be staged beneath Churchill Downs' historic Twin Spires in Louisville, Ky. for…