Horse Racing News

Uncle Mo will not run in Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

Uncle Mo's status for the Kentucky Derby will be known by Friday morning, after the colt's owner, trainer and veterinarian study his bloodwork and decide whether he'll enter the Run for the Roses on Saturday.

The fine performances of one-two finishers Unrivaled Belle and Blind Luck in the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic seemingly pointed toward their dominance in the filly and mare ranks this year.

Although Arienza has come quite far in just a handful of starts in the past two months, her trainer, Dan Peitz, thought it wise to bypass the Kentucky Oaks on Friday at Churchill Downs and instead run her on the undercard in the Grade 3 Eight Belles.

For a Grade 3 event, Friday's $300,000 Alysheba came up a pretty tough spot. Anybody who doesn't agree with that assessment need only ask trainer Chris Block, who will send out the likely favorite, two-time Grade 1 winner Giant Oak.

Dialed In was assigned post 8 in a full field of 20 3-year-olds entered to run Saturday in the 137th running of the $2 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Morning line odds had yet to be assigned by track linemaker Mike Battaglia.

If Unrivaled Belle is to record a repeat victory in the Grade, $300,000 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs, she will again have to defeat a Kentucky Oaks winner and reigning champion to do so.

Joyful Victory, runaway winner of Oaklawn Park's Grade 2 Fantasy and Grade 3 Honeybee in her past two starts, tops a stellar cast of 13 fillies entered in Friday's 137th running of the $1 million Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

Toby's Corner, who upset juvenile champion Uncle Mo in the Resorts Casino New York Wood Memorial, has been withdrawn from the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.

Grade 3 Louisiana Derby winner Pants On Fire showed his affinity for the off track at Churchill Downs on May 1 when the Jump Start colt breezed four furlongs in :47 4/5.