Horse Racing

Associated Press Apr 3, 2024, 05:21 PM ET Horse racing deaths in the United States increased slightly in 2023 from 2022, according to the annual report released Wednesday by the federally mandated agency that began regulating the sport two years ago. The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority reported 1.32 deaths per 1,000 starts last

ESPN News Services Apr 3, 2024, 02:44 PM ET Open Extended Reactions LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The owner of Arkansas Derby winner Muth has sued Churchill Downs Inc. and is seeking a temporary injunction against what it called the track’s “illegal” ban of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert that keeps the colt he trained from

Associated Press Mar 30, 2024, 03:01 PM ET Open Extended Reactions DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Laurel River rallied to win the $12 million Dubai World Cup by a record-setting 8 1/2 lengths on Saturday at Meydan Racecourse. Breaking from the far outside post in the field of 12, Laurel River and jockey Tadhg O’Shea

Associated Press Mar 15, 2024, 12:23 AM ET Open Extended Reactions ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A new plan to rebuild Baltimore’s storied but deteriorating Pimlico Race Course and transfer the track to state control is making a late charge down the stretch of Maryland’s legislative session. The measure, released Thursday with less than a month to

Associated Press Mar 4, 2024, 06:02 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Renovations to Belmont Park are expected to pave the way for the racetrack to host the Belmont Stakes in June 2026. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a construction timeline Monday that includes the $455 million project being fully completed by fall of that

Associated Press Feb 25, 2024, 10:44 PM ET Open Extended Reactions ORLANDO, Fla. — Confederate, who last year won 13 of 15 races and became the fastest 3-year-old pacer in history, was named 2023 Horse of the Year at the U.S. Harness Writers Association banquet Sunday. The colt received 112 of 129 votes. Confederate’s wins

Associated Press Feb 1, 2024, 03:09 PM ET Open Extended Reactions LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Churchill Downs will move the post draws for the 150th Kentucky Derby and Oaks to one full week before horse racing’s marquee event on May 4. The move is intended to provide better handicapping information for bettors and have entries onsite

Associated Press Jan 31, 2024, 02:24 PM ET CRAWFORD, N.Y. — A harness racing trainer in upstate New York was accused of striking a horse and fracturing its skull, requiring the animal to be euthanized, authorities said. Frederick Bourgault, 26, was arraigned Tuesday on two charges in connection with the death of a race horse

Associated Press Jan 28, 2024, 03:17 PM ET Open Extended Reactions HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Bob Baffert was the first trainer to win the Pegasus World Cup Invitational twice. And now, he’s the first to win it three times. National Treasure, the Preakness winner last year, dug deep in the stretch to win the 1⅛-mile

Associated Press Jan 25, 2024, 10:06 PM ET Open Extended Reactions PALM BEACH, Fla. — Cody’s Wish was named horse of the year at the 53rd annual Eclipse Awards and also earned older dirt male honors Thursday night. Belmont Stakes and Travers winner Arcangelo won as the nation’s top 3-year-old male. Hall of Famer Bill

Associated Press Jan 24, 2024, 05:40 PM ET Open Extended Reactions NEW YORK — The four-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival that will be held at Saratoga Race Course from June 6-9 will feature 23 stakes worth $10.1 million, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday. Nine of the stakes will run at different distances than

Associated Press Jan 22, 2024, 09:02 PM ET Open Extended Reactions LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert says on social media that he has asked attorneys to end his appeal of Medina Spirit’s disqualification as the 2021 Kentucky Derby winner after the now-deceased colt failed a postrace drug test that detected the

Jan 10, 2024, 02:43 PM ET Open Extended Reactions The 2024 Kentucky Derby will be the richest in history as the purse for the first jewel of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown has been raised 67% to a record $5 million guaranteed, Churchill Downs said Wednesday. The winner of the 1-1/4-mile race on May 4 will

Associated Press Dec 14, 2023, 06:08 AM ET ARCADIA, Calif. — John Shear, who began as an exercise rider and later worked in the paddock where he was run over by a horse while saving a child during a 67-year career at Santa Anita, has died. He was 102. Shear died of natural causes Tuesday

Associated Press Dec 6, 2023, 11:33 AM ET Open Extended Reactions The 2024 Belmont Stakes will be run at Saratoga Race Course, with the third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown shifting from Long Island to upstate New York because of the massive renovation of Belmont Park. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the move

Associated Press Nov 17, 2023, 03:47 PM ET Bobby Ussery, a Hall of Fame jockey who won the 1967 Kentucky Derby and then crossed the finish line first in the 1968 edition only to be disqualified days later, has died. He was 88. Ussery died Thursday of congestive heart failure at an assisted living facility

Associated Press Nov 16, 2023, 08:19 PM ET Open Extended Reactions LEXINGTON, Ky. — Rich Strike, upset winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby, won’t be on the sales block at Keeneland on Friday. Owner Rick Dawson posted on social media that he has revised his plan for the 4-year-old colt. “At this time, Rich Strike

Associated Press Nov 9, 2023, 02:29 PM ET Open Extended Reactions LEXINGTON, Ky. — Rich Strike, the upset winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby, has been retired after injuries kept him from returning to racing. The 4-year-old colt will be offered for sale as a stallion prospect. Keeneland announced Thursday that Rich Strike will be