10 hours ago
Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Churchill Downs and the New York Racing ****** ociation Monday a new grouping of races for 3-year-olds that includes the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, but not the third leg of the existing Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, run in Maryland.
Churchill Downs and NYRA officials topped short of saying the six-race "Thoroughbred Championship Series" is designed to replace the historic Triple Crown. But with a $5 million bonus and longer ****** ing between the races, that would be the practical effect.
"This series is designed to showcase the sport's best 2-year-olds across a season-long championship, elevating our biggest events and creating the next generation of fans," David O'Rourke, the NYRA president and CEO, said Monday.
"By connecting these premier events through one championship, we're creating a season-long storyline that benefits the future of Thoroughbred racing," said Bill Carstanjen, the Churchill Downs Inc. CEO.
The series is to start with the Kentucky Derby on May 1 and follow with the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 5, the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs in July, the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga in late July or early August, the Travers at Saratoga in late August and a "Championship Race" in September at Churchill Downs.
#churchill #championship #series #Monday
Churchill Downs and NYRA officials topped short of saying the six-race "Thoroughbred Championship Series" is designed to replace the historic Triple Crown. But with a $5 million bonus and longer ****** ing between the races, that would be the practical effect.
"This series is designed to showcase the sport's best 2-year-olds across a season-long championship, elevating our biggest events and creating the next generation of fans," David O'Rourke, the NYRA president and CEO, said Monday.
"By connecting these premier events through one championship, we're creating a season-long storyline that benefits the future of Thoroughbred racing," said Bill Carstanjen, the Churchill Downs Inc. CEO.
The series is to start with the Kentucky Derby on May 1 and follow with the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 5, the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs in July, the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga in late July or early August, the Travers at Saratoga in late August and a "Championship Race" in September at Churchill Downs.
#churchill #championship #series #Monday
1 day ago
Over the last few years, the concept of winning the Triple Crown has been fading among horse racing's stakeholders.
On Monday, Churchill Downs Inc. and the New York Racing ****** ociation might have delivered its death blow.
In announcing a joint partnership for a six-race series beginning in 2027 with a $5 million bonus attached to the end of it, one entity was notably missing: The Preakness.
The six races will cover the Kentucky Derby on May 2; the Belmont Stakes on June 5; back to Churchill for the Matt Winn stakes in early July; the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes at Saratoga in late July/August; and then a newly created race to finish the series at Churchill in September.
As for the Preakness, the second jewel of the Triple Crown? Well, it still exists, but the traditional timing of the race — two weeks after the Kentucky Derby — has become incompatible with the way modern trainers manage their thoroughbreds. Golden Tempo and Sovereignty, the last two Derby winners, both skipped the Preakness, as did Rich Strike in 2022.
#churchill #preakness #last
On Monday, Churchill Downs Inc. and the New York Racing ****** ociation might have delivered its death blow.
In announcing a joint partnership for a six-race series beginning in 2027 with a $5 million bonus attached to the end of it, one entity was notably missing: The Preakness.
The six races will cover the Kentucky Derby on May 2; the Belmont Stakes on June 5; back to Churchill for the Matt Winn stakes in early July; the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes at Saratoga in late July/August; and then a newly created race to finish the series at Churchill in September.
As for the Preakness, the second jewel of the Triple Crown? Well, it still exists, but the traditional timing of the race — two weeks after the Kentucky Derby — has become incompatible with the way modern trainers manage their thoroughbreds. Golden Tempo and Sovereignty, the last two Derby winners, both skipped the Preakness, as did Rich Strike in 2022.
#churchill #preakness #last
12 days ago
Cornucopian is the morning line favorite for the Bing Crosby Stakes and is trained by bob Baffert
The Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar carries major significance as a "win and you're in" race for the Breeders' Cup. This means the winner receives an automatic entry into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland later this fall. The 81st running of this grade 1 event features a balanced nine horse field that is led by the Bob Baffert-trained Cornucopian. With every runner as Stakes placed (finished in top three) or a Stakes winner, this six-furlong dirt dash for $400,000 in cash promises to be very competitive. Named for one of the founding fathers of the Seaside Oval, the career crooner is surely smiling when he sees this lineup of talent. Last year, the California-bred Lovesick Blues shook up the world with a huge closing kick at odds of 18 to 1. Could another longshot sing in this edition of the Bing?...Let's take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. The horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. The Bing Crosby Stakes will be contested on July 25 and is carded as race 10 with an expected post time of 6:30 pm Pacific time.
Son of Maximum Security has three wins and a second-place finish in his last four starts. Dominated in the St. Matthews Stakes at Churchill Downs at this distance in his last start back on April 30. Could be a 100 proof player here and certainly a horse for your superfecta.
Hard-running son of Shancelot that has his pappy's speed and his grandpappy's (Hard Spun) guts. Has been in top 3 in 9 of 12 carer starts but has only found the winner's circle 3 times. Trainer has a knack for pulling off upsets, but this is a tall task. A horse to play across the board at a price and oh by the way, those three wins have all been at old Del Mar.
Highly competitive son of Ghostzapper has run in 11 Stakes races in 13 career starts at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile and a quarter. Was fourth in this race a year ago and finished a non-threatening fifth in his only start this year in the Bango Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 27. He has the experience against top competition and if the price is right is an across-the-board play. Put him on your exotic tickets.
#stakes #bing #three #cornucopian
The Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar carries major significance as a "win and you're in" race for the Breeders' Cup. This means the winner receives an automatic entry into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland later this fall. The 81st running of this grade 1 event features a balanced nine horse field that is led by the Bob Baffert-trained Cornucopian. With every runner as Stakes placed (finished in top three) or a Stakes winner, this six-furlong dirt dash for $400,000 in cash promises to be very competitive. Named for one of the founding fathers of the Seaside Oval, the career crooner is surely smiling when he sees this lineup of talent. Last year, the California-bred Lovesick Blues shook up the world with a huge closing kick at odds of 18 to 1. Could another longshot sing in this edition of the Bing?...Let's take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. The horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. The Bing Crosby Stakes will be contested on July 25 and is carded as race 10 with an expected post time of 6:30 pm Pacific time.
Son of Maximum Security has three wins and a second-place finish in his last four starts. Dominated in the St. Matthews Stakes at Churchill Downs at this distance in his last start back on April 30. Could be a 100 proof player here and certainly a horse for your superfecta.
Hard-running son of Shancelot that has his pappy's speed and his grandpappy's (Hard Spun) guts. Has been in top 3 in 9 of 12 carer starts but has only found the winner's circle 3 times. Trainer has a knack for pulling off upsets, but this is a tall task. A horse to play across the board at a price and oh by the way, those three wins have all been at old Del Mar.
Highly competitive son of Ghostzapper has run in 11 Stakes races in 13 career starts at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile and a quarter. Was fourth in this race a year ago and finished a non-threatening fifth in his only start this year in the Bango Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 27. He has the experience against top competition and if the price is right is an across-the-board play. Put him on your exotic tickets.
#stakes #bing #three #cornucopian
1 month ago
June 29 (UPI) -- Churchill Downs track announcer Travis Stone had it in a nutshell as the field turned into the stretch in Saturday's $2 million, Grade I Stephen Foster: "A World Cup winner, a Classic winner and a Derby winner, 1, 2, 3 with two furlongs to go."
All three had a chance, but it was the Dubai World Cup winner, Magnitude, who got the job done in the feature event in a big weekend of racing, with action all the way down to some early 2-year-old action under the Twin Spires.
Starting with ...
Classic
Saturday's Stephen Foster had three of the top older horses in training.
All three had a chance, but it was the Dubai World Cup winner, Magnitude, who got the job done in the feature event in a big weekend of racing, with action all the way down to some early 2-year-old action under the Twin Spires.
Starting with ...
Classic
Saturday's Stephen Foster had three of the top older horses in training.
2 months ago
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: Golden Tempo with Jose Ortiz up, wins the 158th running of the Belmont Stakes with with Commandment and John Velazquez up finishing second at Saratoga Race Course on June 06, 2026 in Saratoga Springs, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The thrilling Belmont Stakes win at Saratoga by Golden Tempo has placed the Kentucky Derby champion firmly atop Thoroughbred racing’s most publicized division. The Triple Crown series for three-year-olds garners more attention than other races, but as the sport builds towards the Breeders’ Cup in late October, there will be plenty of action throughout the summer as others look to take a shot at the horse that became the 13th runner to pull off the Derby-Belmont Double
Entering the Belmont Stakes, Golden Tempo had plenty of doubters. His dream worst-to-first trip in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 23-1 was thought to be a fluke that could not be duplicated against a smaller field. As a deep closer, trainer Cherie DeVaux’s darling was considered as too pace dependent to pull off another victory in a race that lacked early speed.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 02: Jockey Jose Ortiz of Golden Tempo celebrates with the Garland of Roses after winning the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Breaking from his outside post, that was said to be an obstacle by some, jockey Jose Ortiz calmly guided his mount over to the rail for another ground-saving trip in this mile and a quarter journey. Chasing much softer early fractions (23.96 opening quarter, 48.29 half mile) than he did in the Kentucky Derby, this son of Curlin was at the back, but much closer to the leaders in this nine-horse field. Rolling through traffic into the far turn the pace up front was not factor for a horse and jockey that moved as one. Unleashing his powerful closing kick down the lane, the Tempo turned out to be quite Golden as he flexed to the finish a length and a quarter ahead of a hard-trying Commandment. Cherie Devaux became the second female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes (Jena Antonucci 2023 Arcangelo) as she guided Golden Tempo to his third win in five starts this year and fourth victory in six career outings.
The thrilling Belmont Stakes win at Saratoga by Golden Tempo has placed the Kentucky Derby champion firmly atop Thoroughbred racing’s most publicized division. The Triple Crown series for three-year-olds garners more attention than other races, but as the sport builds towards the Breeders’ Cup in late October, there will be plenty of action throughout the summer as others look to take a shot at the horse that became the 13th runner to pull off the Derby-Belmont Double
Entering the Belmont Stakes, Golden Tempo had plenty of doubters. His dream worst-to-first trip in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 23-1 was thought to be a fluke that could not be duplicated against a smaller field. As a deep closer, trainer Cherie DeVaux’s darling was considered as too pace dependent to pull off another victory in a race that lacked early speed.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 02: Jockey Jose Ortiz of Golden Tempo celebrates with the Garland of Roses after winning the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 02, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Breaking from his outside post, that was said to be an obstacle by some, jockey Jose Ortiz calmly guided his mount over to the rail for another ground-saving trip in this mile and a quarter journey. Chasing much softer early fractions (23.96 opening quarter, 48.29 half mile) than he did in the Kentucky Derby, this son of Curlin was at the back, but much closer to the leaders in this nine-horse field. Rolling through traffic into the far turn the pace up front was not factor for a horse and jockey that moved as one. Unleashing his powerful closing kick down the lane, the Tempo turned out to be quite Golden as he flexed to the finish a length and a quarter ahead of a hard-trying Commandment. Cherie Devaux became the second female trainer to win the Belmont Stakes (Jena Antonucci 2023 Arcangelo) as she guided Golden Tempo to his third win in five starts this year and fourth victory in six career outings.
2 months ago
What time is the Belmont Stakes today? TV channel, post time, horses and more to watch 2026 Triple Crown race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The first weekend of June brings one last Triple Crown showcase for 3-year-old thoroughbreds in the Belmont Stakes.
While none of the entrants ran all three races this year, the Belmont field features the much-anticipated return of Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo.
However, the horse he edged out at Churchill Downs, Renegade, is the heavy betting favorite Saturday with 1-1 odds. Golden Tempo and fellow Derby horses Commandment and Chief Wallabee were all at 6-1 and cannot be counted out.
It should be an exciting race over a mile and a quarter at the Saratoga Race Course, which will host the Belmont for the third (and final) time before the event returns to its traditional home at Belmont Park after the completion of extensive renovations there.
The first weekend of June brings one last Triple Crown showcase for 3-year-old thoroughbreds in the Belmont Stakes.
While none of the entrants ran all three races this year, the Belmont field features the much-anticipated return of Kentucky Derby champion Golden Tempo.
However, the horse he edged out at Churchill Downs, Renegade, is the heavy betting favorite Saturday with 1-1 odds. Golden Tempo and fellow Derby horses Commandment and Chief Wallabee were all at 6-1 and cannot be counted out.
It should be an exciting race over a mile and a quarter at the Saratoga Race Course, which will host the Belmont for the third (and final) time before the event returns to its traditional home at Belmont Park after the completion of extensive renovations there.
2 months ago
The front-running horses in the Kentucky Derby last month completed the first quarter-mile in under 23 seconds and a half-mile in under 47 seconds.
That blistering pace paved the way for Golden Tempo's last-to-first charge from the back of the pack to win by a neck. Five weeks later, the Cherie DeVaux-trained colt is among the top contenders in the 158th rendition of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, even if there does not appear to be as much early speed in the field.
That could mean jockey Jose Ortiz has to ride a much different race to close out the Triple Crown than the masterful way he did to start it, especially considering the stiff competition from morning line favorite and Derby runner-up Renegade, as well as others returning to the track who ran in that race at Churchill Downs on May 2.
“We just have to hope that a pace materializes with his running style,” DeVaux said. “If that does not happen, Jose is going to have to come up with plan B to where he just doesn’t give himself so much to do in the later stages of the race."
Ortiz and Golden Tempo blew by brother Irad and Renegade just before the finish line at the Derby, needing every bit of the 1 1/4 miles. With this being the third and final time the Belmont takes place at Saratoga in upstate New York, it is also 1 1/4 miles before reverting to 1 1/2 next year.
That blistering pace paved the way for Golden Tempo's last-to-first charge from the back of the pack to win by a neck. Five weeks later, the Cherie DeVaux-trained colt is among the top contenders in the 158th rendition of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, even if there does not appear to be as much early speed in the field.
That could mean jockey Jose Ortiz has to ride a much different race to close out the Triple Crown than the masterful way he did to start it, especially considering the stiff competition from morning line favorite and Derby runner-up Renegade, as well as others returning to the track who ran in that race at Churchill Downs on May 2.
“We just have to hope that a pace materializes with his running style,” DeVaux said. “If that does not happen, Jose is going to have to come up with plan B to where he just doesn’t give himself so much to do in the later stages of the race."
Ortiz and Golden Tempo blew by brother Irad and Renegade just before the finish line at the Derby, needing every bit of the 1 1/4 miles. With this being the third and final time the Belmont takes place at Saratoga in upstate New York, it is also 1 1/4 miles before reverting to 1 1/2 next year.
2 months ago
President Donald Trump questioned why former first lady Jill Biden and former President Joe Biden went to Waffle House after the infamous 2024 debate during an interview on Wednesday, after Jill recently revealed she worried that Joe was having a stroke on stage.
"People saw him before the debate, and he was fine," Trump began as "Pod Force One" host Miranda Devine noted that Jill and Joe went to a Waffle House in Georgia after the debate ended. "I wouldn't say it was Winston Churchill, but he was fine. He was all right."
"Yeah. I mean, so she said he had a stroke, but why would she bring him to a Waffle House if he had a stroke?" Trump added.
Liberal Cnn Anchor Lashes Out At Democrats' Deceit After Jill Biden's Admission About Joe's Debate Showing
Devine asked if first lady Melania Trump would have allowed him to go to a Waffle House if she thought he suffered a stroke, and Trump said, "even in good times, she wouldn't."
"People saw him before the debate, and he was fine," Trump began as "Pod Force One" host Miranda Devine noted that Jill and Joe went to a Waffle House in Georgia after the debate ended. "I wouldn't say it was Winston Churchill, but he was fine. He was all right."
"Yeah. I mean, so she said he had a stroke, but why would she bring him to a Waffle House if he had a stroke?" Trump added.
Liberal Cnn Anchor Lashes Out At Democrats' Deceit After Jill Biden's Admission About Joe's Debate Showing
Devine asked if first lady Melania Trump would have allowed him to go to a Waffle House if she thought he suffered a stroke, and Trump said, "even in good times, she wouldn't."
1 yr. ago
Sovereignty held off favorite Journalism on a wet day at Churchill Downs, with Baeza finishing third.
1 yr. ago
This weekend's
KentuckyDerby
is the most exciting two minutes in sports.
Last month, Churchill Downs paused a $1 billion scheduled track renovation due to #TrumpTariffs .
https://kentucky.com/sport...
https://kentucky.com/sport...
KentuckyDerby
is the most exciting two minutes in sports.
Last month, Churchill Downs paused a $1 billion scheduled track renovation due to #TrumpTariffs .
https://kentucky.com/sport...
https://kentucky.com/sport...
