#Winchell Thoroughbreds

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter, who came up just shy of Grade 1 glory twice this spring in the Triple Crown, secured both his first top-level victory and a place at the top of the sophomore division with an emphatic 5 1/4-length victory under Joel Rosario in the 153rd renewal of the 10-furlong Grade 1, $1.25 million…

The principal action for Kentucky Derby 148 occurred more than 2000 miles west of Churchill Downs Thursday morning as Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner Taiba worked six furlongs in 1:12.80. "It was very straight forward," trainer Tim Yakteen said. "He worked three-quarters from the five-eighth pole. It was a typical Taiba work and we accomplished what…

Bankit rolls home in the NYSSS Thunder Rumble (Chelsea Durand) By Mary Eddy - NYRA Press Office OZONE PARK, N.Y.- Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing's millionaire New York-bred Bankit added a seventh stakes score to his impressive resume when he stalked and pounced to an open-length victory in Sunday's $125000 NYSSS Thunder Rumble for…

Itis going to be one long Saturday for Ron Winchell. After flying from Las Vegas to Dubai early in the week, he will test his endurance by staying up until 3 a.m. on Sunday.That is what happens to an owner of three horses who are competing 8000 miles apart inraces worth more than $13 million. "I'mnot sure you can get me to fall asleep on this one,"…

When a heavy favorite enters any athletic contest, the best strategy can sometimes be to never let the underdog get into the game. Echo Zulu employed that exact game plan to perfection in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Friday at Del Mar, and all but guaranteed herself an Eclipse Award at the end of the year. The 2-year-old Gun Runner filly…

KY Derby Advance Wager #2 To Be Offered This Week (Forte / Coady Photography) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Fans will have their second of six opportunities to bet on the 149 running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) Thursday-Sunday where Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI)…

Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: Curly Jack May Set Them Straight In G2 KY Jockey Club (Curly Jack / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Michael McLaughlin's $300000 Iroquois Stakes (Grade III) winner Curly Jack headlines a field of nine 2-year-old colts that were entered in Saturday's 96 running of the $400000 Kentucky…

Despite a five-racing losing streak - not even a finish better than fourth during the past eight months - Tenfold was invited to run in Saturday's $3 million Pegasus World Cup. Even though he is one of the five 30-1 longest shots in the 12-horse field, the connections of the 5-year-old son of champion Curlin figured why not head to Gulfstream…

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter - born and raised in Bowling Green, Ky. - will attempt to cement his status as North America's best 3-year-old and stake a claim as Horse of the Year in Saturday's $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland Race Course. Epicenter is the 5-1 second choice in the morning line behind unbeaten sensation…

Breeders' Cup Notebook: A Look-In at Classic Contenders (Epicenter on Thursday morning at Keeneland / All Photos by Coady Photography) From the Breeders' Cup Media Team: Classic Look-In: Epicenter - Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter continues to thrive in his training as he had another strong gallop Thursday morning under Roberto Howell leading…

1 3/16ths (Dirt) Preakness Stakes (G1), $1 million, 3 (Saturday 21 May) The 147th running of the Preakness Stakes is on the clock... Now, that a Derby Champion was crowned last Saturday, it is time to turn our attention to Pimlico Race Course, which once again hosts the 2nd jewel in the Triple Crown. Entries will be taken... and as the field takes…

Epicenter - Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter continued to impress in his gallops as he went out shortly after 8 a.m. on Wednesday at Keeneland. The 3-year-old went 1 1/2 miles under regular exercise rider Roberto Howell. "He's just a fabulous horse," said trainer Steve Asmussen, who is seeking a third Longines Breeders' Cup Classic victory. "I…

Barese captures the Gander Feb. 12, 2022 at Aqueduct (Chelsea Durand) OZONE PARK, N.Y.- A total of 99 New York-breds are entered for a special 10-race card on Closing Day Sunday at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet to celebrate the best of New York for the annual Empire Showcase Day, featuring eight stakes races worth $1.6 million, topped by the…

A relatively quiet racing week is unfolding in the aftermath of last week's non-stop Breeders' Cup qualifying action. However, there are a couple of noteworthy maiden special weights for juveniles taking place over the Belmont at the Big A and Keeneland main tracks. One of the most expensive juveniles debuting this week is Extra Anejo for Steve…

The Race to the KY Derby Is On: A Look at the Various Roadtrips (Secret Oath / Photo by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Kentucky Derby fans across the world will be eyeing Hot Springs, Ark. on Saturday as outstanding 3-year-old filly Secret Oath, trained by 86-year-old Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, will take on the boys…

Reigning champion 2-year-old filly and'TDN Rising Star' Echo Zulu made it five stakes wins on Saturday for her sire Gun Runner with a dominant performance in the GIII Dogwood S. under the lights at Churchill Downs. Last seen tasting defeat for the first time when a tiring fourth behind Secret Oath (Arrogate) in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks over…

A quartet of stakes for three-year-olds, highlighted by the $275000 Dogwood (G3) at seven furlongs, were offered at Churchill Downs Saturday evening. Unraced since a fourth in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), champion two-year-old filly Echo Zulu got back in the win column with a sharp wire-to-wire tally in the Dogwood. The classy frontrunner has now won…

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, Ky. - Grade I winner Gunite, the odds-on 3-5 favorite, ran down front-running stakes- winner Conagher with a furlong to run and scored a three-length victory in Saturday night's second running of the $274500 Harrods Creek for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs. Winner of the Grade I Hopeful at 2, the Harrods Creek was Gunite's third sprint…

G3 Dogwood Stakes: Echo Zulu Returns in Style (Echo Zulu / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Champion filly Echo Zulu broke alertly from the rail and used her tactical speed to wire the field of five 3-year-old fillies in Saturday night's 47 running of the $274000 Dogwood Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs by a…

Harrods Creek Stakes: Gunite Fires On All Cylinders (Gunite wins the Harrods Creek Stakes at Churchill Downs on Saturday night / Photo by Holly M. Smith) From the Churhcill Downs Media Team: Grade I winner Gunite, the odds-on 3-5 favorite, ran down front-running stakes-winner Conagher with a furlong to run and scored a three-length victory in…

LOUISVILLE, Ky.- Champion filly Echo Zulu broke alertly from the rail and used her tactical speed to wire the field of five 3-year-old fillies in Saturday night's 47th running of the $274000 Dogwood Stakes (Grade III) at Churchill Downs by a widening 5 ¼ lengths over Grade I-placed Tarabi. Campaigned by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen for…

Champion filly Echo Zulu broke alertly from the rail and used her tactical speed to wire the field of five 3-year-old fillies in Saturday night's 47 running of the $274000 Dogwood Stakes (Grade 3) at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., by a widening 5 ¼ lengths over Grade 1-placed Tarabi. Campaigned by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen for owners…

No Decision Yet on Whether Team Asmussen Will Run Both Echo Zulu & Wicked Halo in G3 Dogwood Stakes (Wicked Halo / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Winchell Thoroughbreds' racing manager David Fiske reported Friday morning that "no decision has been made at this time" if stablemates Echo Zulu and Wicked Halo will both…

Gunite Ready to Fire in Saturday Night's Harrods Creek Stakes (Gunite / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churchill Downs Media Team: Winchell Thoroughbreds' Grade I-winning sprinter Gunite will meet Patricia's Hope and Mark Farrar's speedy Conagher for the third time as the headliners in Saturday night's second running of the $275000 Harrods…

New players, get your first win-type wager on a single horse in any race at any track risk-free up to $200 with TVG: Bet the Derby! (Edited Press Release) C2 Racing Stable and La Milagrosa Stable's White Abarrio made his first appearance on the Churchill Downs racetrack since last November when he jogged the of morning May 3 over the sloppy…

Churchill Downs' Barn Notes: Echo Zulu Returns in Saturday's G3 Dogwood Stakes (Echo Zulu / Photos by Holly M. Smith) From the Churhcill Downs Media Team: L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' three-time Grade I-winning filly Echo Zulu will make her first start since finishing fourth in this year's $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade…

L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' three-time Grade 1-winning filly Echo Zulu will make her first start since finishing fourth in this year's $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) when she goes to post as the likely favorite in Saturday night's 42nd running of the $275000 Dogwood (G3) at Churchill Downs. The seven-furlong Dogwood…

LEXINGTON, KY (Feb. 24, 2022) - L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' champion Echo Zulu, who capped off a perfect 2021 campaign with a victory in the NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Del Mar, and Dawn and Ike Thrash's Turnerloose, winner of the Rachel Alexandra (G2) last Saturday at Fair Grounds in her dirt debut, headline the…

Lothenbach Stables' Bell's the One will meet her rival Sconsin for the eighth time Saturday in the $300000 Open Mind Stakes at Churchill Downs, and trainer Neil Pessin hopes she can avenge her defeat from last year's race. Bell's the One got the better of Sconsin by 2 1/2 lengths in the Lady Tak one month ago. In last year's Open Mind, Bell's the…

On Saturday, September 17, nine two-year-old colts will stretch out to 1 1/16 miles in the Iroquois Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. The event holds two designations: it is a challenge event for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and also the first prep race for the 2022 Kentucky Derby, offering points on a 10-4-2-1 scale to the top four finishers.

The 2023 Kentucky Derby trail begins Saturday at the track that will host that event next May. Echo Again (2-1) is the morning-line favorite for the Grade 3, $300000 Iroquois Stakes. Post time from Churchill Downs is 4:55 p.m. EDT, with FS2 showing the 1 1/16-mile race for 2-year-olds. The Iroquois kicks off the series of points-paying preps toward…

Modern Games, shown winning the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, returns to North America for Saturday's Grade I Ricoh Woodbine Mile. Photo by Alex Evers, EclipseSportswire, courtesy of Breeders' Cup Sept. 16 (UPI) -- Racing moves back to Churchill Downs and Aqueduct this weekend, but the main focus is north of the border, where Woodbine stages an…

Epicenter: easy winner of the Travers Stakes Connections of Epicenter described a dominant victory in the Travers Stakes as "everything you hope for" after the Kentucky Derby runner-up produced a scintillating performance to strike at Grade 1 level for the first time. A record crowd of 49672 watched the Steve Asmussen-trained colt, sent off an…

SARATOGA SPRINGS-Gunite and jockey Tyler Gaffalione recovered from a stumbling start and some bumping in the home stretch before staying on to score a neck victory in the 30th running of the $200000, Grade II Amsterdam Stakes, Saratoga's Sunday feature. The win for the 3-year-old colt was the third graded stakes victory in two days for trainer…

The question everyone wants to know in Saturday's $400000 Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) in New Orleans, La.: what will 2021 juvenile filly champion Echo Zulu do for an encore in 2022? Since hitting the racetrack last summer at Saratoga, the Gun Runner filly has been everything and more for her owners, L & N Racing and Winchell…