Derby week | Horse Racing Free Tips

For the first time, officials at Churchill Downs will open general admission access to the infield for the annual 'Thurby' presented by Old Forester. The day's events will feature live music from Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats as part of the celebration of music and Kentucky bourbon.

“We couldn't be more excited to expand our Derby Week entertainment with this infield music experience on Thurby,” said Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “As a day that has come to be celebrated as Kentucky's Day, we're confident this event will capture the interest of multiple generations and provide another way to make memories with friends and family leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats bring the ideal energy to kick off this new tradition with a sound that captures the spirit of Thurby.”

Gates open Thursday, May 5 at 11 a.m. ET, with the first race programmed for 12:45 p.m. ET. General admission tickets start at $29 and can be purchased here. The band will take the stage in the afternoon and entertain guests between races.

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It was a monumental Kentucky Derby week for jockey Florent Geroux whose seven victories, including four graded stakes wins, vaulted him to a tie atop the Churchill Downs jockey standings with Tyler Gaffalione as the 14-day meet resumed Thursday.

“This year has been rough for everyone in the world,” said Geroux, who notched five wins on Kentucky Oaks Day. “Just being here to have the Derby, even if it was in September, with no spectators, was amazing. Because at the beginning of the year, when everyone was staying at home, you thought that was pretty much impossible… it turned out to be an amazing week.”

Geroux's swift start to the September Meet included a 15-1 upset victory with Shedaresthedevil in the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI). In the race prior, the $500,000 La Troienne presented by Oak Grove Racing and Gaming (GI), Geroux bested seven rivals aboard champion Monomoy Girl. His day was capped off with a rail-skimming rally aboard Diamond Oops in the $250,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint presented by Sysco (GII).

“It was an amazing day but, at the end of the day, I wasn't pleased knowing Mundaye Call got beat in the Eight Belles as the even-money favorite,” Geroux said.

In total, Geroux's mounts banked $1,843,419 in purse money during the supercharged Kentucky Derby Week of races. Geroux and Gaffalione held a three-win cushion over Ricardo Santana Jr. in the riding standings. September Meet's defending champion, Corey Lanerie, scored a trio of wins on Kentucky Derby week.

In the trainer standings, Brad Cox won six races with 13 starters and held a two-win margin over Mike Maker. Albaugh Family Stables, G. Watts Humphrey Jr. and Lothenbach Stables are tied in the owner's race with two wins each.

Thursday's nine-race card at Churchill Downs had a first post of 12:45 p.m.

The post Geroux Hoping To Ride Momentum From ‘Amazing’ Derby Week To Churchill Riding Title appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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