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Inside the Kentucky Derby - Breeders' Cup Preview [PODCAST]
Darren and KK preview the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland. A win in the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland will vault a horse to the top of the standings.
Kentucky Derby
Pool 1 of Kentucky Derby Future Wager opens Nov. 1 with 40 betting interests
Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager opens Nov. 1 with 40 betting interests.
Kentucky Derby
Meet the 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile contenders
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson takes a horse-by-horse look at pre-entries for the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland, exploring the pros and cons of each contender.
Breeders Cup
Breeders' Cup Juvenile trends on the Road to the Kentucky Derby
Below we look at the last nine Juvenile winners, plus where they placed in Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races that followed and how they performed along the Triple Crown trail.
Kentucky Derby
Great Britain & Ireland: Spot plays for October 22
The Futurity Trophy (G1) is an important preview for next season’s Classics and part of the European Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby series.
International
Santa Anita: How to bet the American Pharoah Stakes
A total of eight juveniles will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Santa Anita dirt in Saturday’s $300,000 American Pharoah S. (G1). The Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” tilt will be led by four entrants from the mighty Bob Baffert barn.
Kentucky Derby
Keeneland: How to bet the Breeders' Futurity
An overflow field of 16 two-year-olds will vie in Saturday’s $600,000 Breeders’ Futurity S. (G1) at Keeneland.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Blazing Sevens, Curly Jack win on Road to Kentucky Derby
By siring the winners of the first two scoring races on the main Road to the Kentucky Derby, Good Magic has surged to the lead in the freshman sire standings.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Blazing Sevens
It’s no wonder why Blazing Sevens has enjoyed success running long on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The stretch-running Champagne S. (G1) winner has a strong pedigree for handling classic distances.
Kentucky Derby
How to bet the 2022 Lukas Classic Stakes
A compact, but accomplished, field of six will vie in Saturday’s $500,000 Lukas Classic S. (G2) at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Wagering
How to bet the 2022 Champagne Stakes
A field of six juveniles will travel one-mile on the Aqueduct main surface in Saturday’s $500,000 Champagne S.
Wagering
How to play the opening European Derby Road features
A week after the Iroquois (G3) began the main Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby, the European series begins this weekend. Two well-established juvenile features, one each in Ireland and England, begin the seven-race series.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Curly Jack
In 2018, reigning champion two-year-old male Good Magic ran a gallant second in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Perhaps Good Magic’s son Curly Jack can go one better in 2023.
Racing
First-crop sires: Good Magic's Vegas Magic eyes Del Mar Debutante
Since our initial profile of Good Magic in the freshman sires series, three of his early winners have furnished stakes updates, and several others are on the radar.
Racing
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Rich Strike
Once in a while, a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender comes along with a pedigree seemingly perfect for racing 1 1/4 miles on dirt. Such is the case with Rich Strike.
Kentucky Derby
First-crop sires: Girvin attracts attention
Represented by a pair of juvenile stakes winners, most notably 3 1/4-length Saratoga Special (G2) winner Damon’s Mound, Girvin is off to a fast start from his first crop.
Racing
First-Crop Sires: Expectations High For Mendelssohn
TwinSpires Edge voters have made it clear: they’d like Mendelssohn to be one of the first-crop sires that we focus on in 2022.
Features
First-Crop Sires 2022: Bolt d'Oro babies blossoming quickly
Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm and foaled in March 2015, Bolt d’Oro got off to a fast start as a two-year-old.
Features
First-Crop Sires 2022: Justify Makes a Bright Start
Writing the stallion marketing script for Justify’s first season in 2019 wouldn’t have been the toughest task in Thoroughbred breeding.
Features
First-crop sires: Good Magic has Hopeful candidate in Blazing Sevens
Good Magic checks multiple boxes for stud appeal. A $1 million yearling, by a Hall of Famer and from a productive family, he developed into a champion juvenile and Grade 1-winning classic performer at three.
Pedigree
Introducing the First-Crop Sires Series 2022: Choose a Sire for us to Follow
TwinSpires is bringing back the First-Crop Sires Series for 2022. Last year's series included Gun Runner and Arrogate, and this season, Justify tops our list to follow closely.
Pedigree
Saratoga: How to bet the 2022 Jim Dandy Stakes
A compact, but fantastic, field of four three-year-olds will go postward in the $600,000 Jim Dandy S. (G2) at Saratoga on Saturday.
Racing
Betting with, and against, Mandaloun in the Stephen Foster Stakes
A fantastic field of seven will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Churchill Downs main surface in Saturday’s lucrative $750,000 Stephen Foster S.
Racing
2022 Triple Crown Schedule: key dates, TV schedule and live stream
The 2022 Triple Crown, comprised of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont, spans a five-week period from early May through early June. But preparations for the series begin months earlier.
Racing
Important Belmont Stakes facts and figures
We look at some fast facts and figures about the Belmont Stakes, including records for fastest time, largest win margin, victories by a jockey, and the number of fillies who triumphed in the historic race.
Racing
Sire Profile: Gun Runner makes expected mark on Triple Crown
When Gun Runner made an impact in 2021 like few first-crop sires ever do, it seemed inevitable that his progeny would be serious players in the 2022 Triple Crown series.
Racing
How beaten Kentucky Derby favorites have fared as Preakness favorites
A post-World War II history of beaten Kentucky Derby favorites who were also the post-time favorite in the Preakness.
Racing
How Kentucky Derby longshot winners finish in the Preakness
We look at 10 of the longest shots to win the Kentucky Derby and how they fared in the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
Racing
TwinSpires user wins nearly $750,000 on Kentucky Derby Super High 5
One lucky Ashland, Kentucky native celebrated a monumental win on the Kentucky Derby Super High 5 that paid nearly $750,000.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Kentucky Derby wrap-up
After a memorable weekend at Churchill Downs, highlighted by a stunning upset in the Kentucky Derby (G1), the TwinSpires.com jury is back to recap all that went on.
Racing
Keen Ice stamina comes to fore with Rich Strike
With the Kentucky Derby triumph, Calumet Farm will be full of enthusiasm about Keen Ice’s stallion prospects.
Racing
From claim to fame, Rich Strike springs 80-1 Kentucky Derby upset
Sent off as the longest shot in the field at odds of 80-1, Rich Strike outran all expectations to post a stunning upset in Saturday’s 148th Kentucky Derby (G1).
Racing
Tipsheet: Kentucky Derby 2022
The field is set for the 148th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Racing
Bet Kentucky Derby 148 with experts, celebrities and influencers!
Bet Kentucky Derby 148 with celebrities and influencers!
Racing
Betting the 2022 Kentucky Derby on different budgets
Speed. It’s been the dominant factor in recent editions of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. But will Saturday’s renewal of the historic race produce a different outcome?
Racing
The Jury: Bets and fades for Kentucky Derby Day
The TwinSpires Jury is ready to put their opinions to the test on the biggest wagering day of the year.
Kentucky Derby
Hanson: Wagering strategy for Kentucky Derby Day
The primary plays on the afternoon will be in the Kentucky Derby itself, the Pick 4 that ends in the Derby, and a win play earlier on the card.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby Exotics Wagers
The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) looks like an excellent wagering opportunity, as it often does, with a wide-open field going postward at Churchill Downs on Saturday. I have a top-three for the race and will construct some plays with the trio being prominent at the finish.
Racing
How to make money with Zandon in the Kentucky Derby
The Chad Brown-conditioned #10 Zandon (3-1) has been installed as the morning line favorite for the 148th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1).
Racing
Kentucky Derby Betting Guide 148
Tipsheets, top picks, At a Glance reports from our authoritative handicappers, free for you!
Racing
Churchill Downs: How to bet the mandatory-payout $89,819 Derby City 6 carryover
Kentucky Derby (G1) day at Churchill Downs just got even better for bettors. The 20-cent Derby City 6 boasts an $89,819 carryover, and it’s slated for a mandatory dispersal on Saturday afternoon.
Racing
Kentucky Derby bets with an Epicenter
Considering form and the likely race pattern, I keep coming back to one horse that’s shown it all: Epicenter.
Racing
Tiz the Bomb: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Tiz the Bomb secured his Kentucky Derby berth by recording a convincing win in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park, registering top-notch 101 Brisnet Speed and 105 Late Pace ratings for the 2 1/4-length decision.
Racing
Simplification: Kentucky Derby contender profile
The bay Florida-bred colt settled nicely from off the pace before charging to a convincing win in the Fountain of Youth (G2).
Racing
Tawny Port: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Tawny Port confirmed himself as a Kentucky Derby participant when capturing the April 16 Lexington S. (G3), his first win on a dirt track.
Racing
How Future Wager backers may be feeling
People who bet on the Future Wagers now know whether the odds they got are better value than if they’d made the bets on raceday - if their bets are still alive.
Racing
Pioneer of Medina: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Pioneer of Medina barely made the 20-horse cut for the Kentucky Derby, qualifying by virtue of a fourth in the Risen Star (G2) and a third in the Louisiana Derby (G2) in his first two stakes outings.
Racing
Kilroy: Betting the Kentucky Derby Pick 6
Saturday's mandatory-payout, all-stakes, 20-cent Pick 6 that ends with the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs is as enticing to bet as it is to watch. Here's how to play the sequence:
Racing
Barber Road: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Barber Road will bring a late kick to the Kentucky Derby, rallying to finish second in the Arkansas Derby (G1), Southwest (G3), and Smarty Jones, and third in the Rebel (G2), all at Oaklawn Park.
Racing
Cyberknife: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Cyberknife has always been well-regarded by his connections, but he didn’t meet expectations early in his career.
Racing
Zozos: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Zozos punched his Kentucky Derby ticket in the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby (G2), finishing second to Epicenter by 2 1/2 lengths in his lone qualifying race.
Racing
Tipsheet: Kentucky Oaks 2022
An overflow field of 15 sophomore fillies will go postward in the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on Friday.
Racing
What is the Kentucky Oaks/Derby Double?
When the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) roll around, it’s common to hear handicappers discuss their plays for the “Oaks/Derby Double.” But have you ever wondered what this wager entails?
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast: May 5, 2022
Jason is joined by analyst/handicapper Jessica Paquette as they discuss all of the contenders in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Racing
Jason Beem's Thursday Column for May 5, 2022
Jason shares some of his favorite Kentucky Derby memories and gives his picks for this year's race.
Racing
When is the 2022 Kentucky Derby and where to watch it: TV schedule, post time, live stream
To get you ready for the most exciting two minutes in sports, read below to find out the date, post time, TV schedule, and more for the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Racing
Running Styles of 2022 Kentucky Derby Contenders
Race design is one of the most crucial aspects of handicapping. It begins with assessing a horse’s running style.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby by the numbers
To get you ready for the most exciting two minutes in sports, check out these fast facts and figures, as we break down the 2022 Kentucky Derby by the numbers.
Racing
Kentucky Derby 2022 Purse: How much prize money the winning jockey will earn
Just a portion of the $1.86 million purse for the Kentucky Derby winner will go to the jockey.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby contenders: foaling dates and Dosage Indexes
Kentucky Derby (G1) bettors who believe in the importance of the Dosage Index have nothing to fear in 2022. But birth date handicappers have an important question to ponder.
Racing
The best longshot to bet in the 2022 Kentucky Derby
In a seemingly wide-open edition of the Kentucky Derby, Charge It might indeed be the best longshot to keep an eye on.
Racing
Playing the Pick 4 that ends with the Kentucky Derby
An enticing sequence of graded stakes make up a fascinating Pick 4 opportunity on Saturday's Churchill Downs slate.
Racing
Kentucky Derby 148 Trainer's Dinner LIVE [VIDEO]
Tune in for one of the long standing traditions leading into the First Saturday every May, the Kentucky Derby trainer's dinner hosted by the KTA!
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Who we're watching in the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks
What horses do our experts most look forward to watching in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Kentucky Oaks (G1), and on Saturday's Derby undercard?
Racing
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby draw: Zandon pegged as 3-1 favorite; Epicenter in post 3
Blue Grass (G1) winner Zandon has been generating a lot of buzz going into Saturday’s Kentucky Derby (G1), and that steam made him the 3-1 morning-line favorite at the conclusion of Monday’s post position draw.
Racing
Nest installed 5-2 favorite in 14-filly Kentucky Oaks
Nest, dominating winner of the Ashland (G1), has been installed the 5-2 favorite for the 148th running of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on Friday.
Racing
White Abarrio: Kentucky Derby contender profile
White Abarrio will be the most accomplished Kentucky Derby (G1) runner from Florida, having recorded wins in the Florida Derby (G1) and Holy Bull (G3), and the gray Kentucky-bred colt ran well when making his two-turn debut in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs last fall.
Racing
Zandon: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Zandon exits an impressive win in the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland, closing last-to-first in the final three furlongs to score going away by 2 1/2 lengths.
Racing
Kentucky Derby and Oaks Roundup: May 2, 2022
The month of May is underway, and the first Saturday of the month is rapidly approaching. You know what that means: the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) are just around the corner.
Racing
Summer Is Tomorrow: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Summer Is Tomorrow carried his speed to a runner-up finish in the UAE Derby (G2), earning a Kentucky Derby (G1) berth in his first two-turn start.
Racing
Keeler Johnson's Top 5 contenders to watch for the 2022 Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby (G1) is less than one week away, and post positions are slated to be drawn in less than 24 hours. Here’s where I’m currently leaning with my top five contenders:
Racing
Ranking the major 2022 Kentucky Derby prep races
In advance of the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1), eight top-tier prep races were contested, each awarding 100 qualification points to the winner. But which ones will prove most influential?
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Rafael Bejarano
The career of Rafael Bejarano can be roughly divided into three stages: his rise in Kentucky, his dominance in California, and his return to Kentucky.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Luis Saez
The rise of jockey Luis Saez has been meteoric. Ever since he started riding, Saez has been a force to reckon with.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Ricardo Santana
It’s safe to say Ricardo Santana is a jockey on the rise. The 29-year-old from Panama has made almost uninterrupted progress since September 2009.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby Jockey Profile: Julien Leparoux
Since the Eclipse Awards were created in 1971, only four jockeys have earned both the Outstanding Apprentice Jockey and Outstanding Jockey titles. The most recent is Julien Leparoux.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby Jockey Profile: John Velazquez
Across the long history of the Kentucky Derby (G1), only 11 jockeys have won the coveted race on three or more occasions. The latest to join the club is John Velazquez.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby Jockey Profile: Tyler Gaffalione
One of the hottest young jockeys in North America is Tyler Gaffalione. He's been on fire since riding his first race in 2014, rising steadily through the ranks to emerge as a national star.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Mike Smith
Ask any horse racing fan to compile a list of North America’s all-time greatest jockeys, and chances are Mike Smith will feature prominently in the rankings.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Jose Ortiz
If you’re looking for a jockey with a strong but unheralded record riding 1 1/4 miles on dirt—the conditions of the legendary Kentucky Derby (G1)—look no further than Jose Ortiz.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby Jockey Profile: Joel Rosario
Few North American jockeys have enjoyed greater or more sustained success over the last decade than Joel Rosario.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Irad Ortiz Jr.
There’s a reason why Irad Ortiz has won three Eclipse Awards for outstanding jockey. Simply put… he’s an outstanding jockey.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Florent Geroux
Normally, one doesn’t expect to see an apprentice jockey from France shift his tack to the U.S. and carve out a career riding elite dirt horses. Yet that’s exactly the path Florent Geroux has taken.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Flavien Prat
Quick quiz: which jockey (with a little help from track stewards) pulled off the second-biggest upset in the history of the Kentucky Derby?
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Corey Lanerie
The shortest path around a racetrack is the inside rail, and few jockeys have capitalized on this advantage as thoroughly as Corey Lanerie.
Racing
2022 Kentucky Derby jockey profile: Brian Hernandez
From standout apprentice to accomplished journeyman, Brian Hernandez has been as consistent a jockey as you’ll ever hope to find.
Racing
Taiba: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Following a smashing win in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Taiba will try to become the first three-year-old to win the Kentucky Derby in his third start since Leonatus in 1883.
Racing
Kentucky Derby Field 2022: A look at the jockeys
Below we look at each jockey named to ride in the current 20-horse field of the 2022 Kentucky Derby and highlight a few who could cross the finish line first on May 7 at Churchill Downs.
Racing
Messier: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Messier will bring excellent form to the Kentucky Derby, after recording a 15-length win in the Robert B. Lewis (G3) and a runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Racing
Happy Jack: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Happy Jack exits a pair of fast races, the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and San Felipe (G2), and he earned enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby by finishing a non-threatening third in both.
Racing
Smile Happy: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Smile Happy was favored among individual entrants in the first four Kentucky Derby Future Wagers.
Racing
Mo Donegal: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Mo Donegal utilized a tremendous late kick to win the Wood Memorial (G2), reeling in a classy loose-on-the-lead rival to prevail by a head, and the bay Kentucky-bred registered a whopping 111 Brisnet Speed and 121 Late Pace figure for the career-best effort.
Racing
Crown Pride: Kentucky Derby contender profile
The fourth Japanese horse to ship over the Kentucky Derby, UAE Derby (G2) hero Crown Pride is the country’s most formidable challenger to date.
Racing
The longest running sporting events in the U.S.
To understand just how long the Kentucky Derby has been a focal point in American culture, let's compare its unprecedented tenure to 10 of the longest-running major sporting events in the U.S.
Racing
Epicenter: Kentucky Derby contender profile
The probable Kentucky Derby favorite, Epicenter exits a pair of resounding wins in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds.
Racing
Classic Causeway: Kentucky Derby contender profile
Classic Causeway appeared well on his way to the Kentucky Derby when opening the year with a pair of convincing wins in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and Sam F. Davis (G3), but the speedy colt faltered when stretching out to 1 1/8 miles in the Florida Derby (G1).
Racing
Charge It: Kentucky Derby contender profile
A runaway wire-to-wire maiden winner the second time out in mid-February, Charge It switched tactics and stamped his Kentucky Derby ticket with a rallying second in the Florida Derby (G1).
Racing
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