Horse Racing News

J P's Gusto on Tuesday joined The Factor as horses who were not expected to run in the Kentucky Derby and whose connections finally made that news official.

The Factor, who disappointed as the heavy favorite in the Arkansas Derby in his last start, on Tuesday morning was officially withdrawn from consideration for the May 7 Kentucky Derby, co-owner George Bolton said.

The 6-year-old gelding won the Grade 2 Arcadia Mile at Santa Anita on April 9 by leading throughout and essentially repeated the effort in Sunday's $150,000 Inglewood Handicap at Hollywood Park.

After consulting with trainer Bob Baffert, owner Ahmed Zayat said April 24 that Zayat Stables' Jaycito will not run in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.

Exhi furthered his stature as a Polytrack specialist when returning from a layoff of more than six months to lead all the way Saturday in the Grade 3, $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland.

For a race lacking in depth with only five starters, Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 Texas Mile at Lone Star Park was never lacking in excitement.

As he watched the Jerome unfold on television from his home in south Florida and saw Justin Phillip range outside of his 3-year-old Adios Charlie, trainer and part-owner Stanley Hough was going to be happy if his horse could hang on for second.

In keeping with the twists and turns of the Kentucky Derby trail this spring, Saturday's Lexington at Keeneland served up another upset, as Ken and Sarah Ramsey's homebred Derby Kitten surged past the entire field to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths.

Winter Memories proved good enough off the winter break when wearing down longshot Dos Lunas to prevail as an odds-on favorite Thursday in the Grade 3, $100,000 Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland.

Jess Jackson, owner of the Stonestreet Stables that campaigned Horses of the Year Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, died at home in Geyserville, Calif., on Thursday.