Horse Racing News

Last year, at age 2, Hot Dixie Chick won the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga. Buckleupbuttercup? She won a $30,000 maiden-claimer.

Before Saturday's Grade 1, $300,000 Humana Distaff, California invader Mona De Momma had never raced on dirt, much less a sloppy track - yet it was never apparent in her Humana performance.

Tom McCarthy, the local school principal turned owner and trainer, could not turn last year's Kentucky Derby into a storybook finish with his lone horse, General Quarters, but he returned a year later and won the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic.

Rain pummeled Churchill Downs early Saturday, turning the historic track into a soggy mess for the Kentucky Derby, the latest wild card in a week full of them.

Score another one for the Giant Killer.

Advance wagering into the 136th Kentucky Derby suggests the race could produce the longest-priced favorite in Derby history, with Super Saver being the 7-1 choice after $340,544 was bet into the win pool Friday.

All 20 Kentucky Derby starters were on the grounds Thursday and being fine-tuned for what their connections hope will prove to be a winning run Saturday.

In the last couple of years, Czechers has been sent to Turf Paradise to win two stakes.

Layoffs and pace are central handicapping issues in Saturday's Beaugay and Fort Marcy, a pair of Grade 3, $100,000 stakes scheduled, respectively, for the inner and Widener turf courses at 1 1/16 miles.

Informed Decision won the Vinery Madison Stakes at Keeneland in her 2009 debut, and three weeks later won the Humana Distaff Handicap on Derby Day.