Triple Crown | Horse Racing Free Tips

New Kentucky Derby Tickets Go On Sale Friday, March 26

New Kentucky Derby 147 ticket inventory options will go on sale to the general public this Friday, March 26, at noon (all times Eastern).

The new two-day Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby ticket options are uncovered reserved bleacher seating in the First Turn and uncovered reserved box seating for six in the Infield, which will be temporary structures that expand the perimeter of reserved seating opportunities. Additionally, there are a limited number of first floor grandstand and second floor grandstand reserved seats available for purchase.

This year, all reserved seats to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks include all-inclusive food, non-alcoholic beverages and alcoholic beverages. This change is intended to improve the guest experience by reducing the amount of time spent in line, eliminating the need for cash transactions for food and beverages and providing the opportunity to try a greater variety of food.

The 147^th runnings of the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks and $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve will be held on Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1, respectively.

As previously announced, Churchill Downs will continue to limit the number of reserved seats to 40 to 50 percent capacity and, up to 60 percent in certain private areas that allow for social distancing. If the circumstances surrounding COVID-19 continue to improve closer to the event date, Churchill Downs will consider the sale of additional reserved seats and general admission tickets in the Infield.

Tickets to Churchill Downs Racetrack for all Kentucky Derby Week events are on sale at www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets/2021-derby-week-tickets.

Guests with tickets who are unable to attend the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks or other events can utilize the Kentucky Derby Ticket Exchange, the official fan-to-fan resale marketplace and only authorized resale platform, to resell tickets. The Official Kentucky Derby Ticket Exchange allows guests to resell tickets, charge face value or above and guarantee authenticity through Ticketmaster verified tickets.

Notification of the availability of additional tickets to Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks will be made by way of email and social media. Fans are encouraged to subscribe to the Kentucky Derby's email distribution list online at https://www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets/newsletter-signup and follow @KentuckyDerby on social media to stay updated on if or when there are changes to ticket availability.

Those interested in attending Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks can also visit Derby Experiences, the Kentucky Derby's Official Experience Package Partner, to explore a variety of packages combining Derby and Oaks seats with access to exclusive lounges, VIP Fast Access passes, hotel and transportation accommodations and more. Information is available online at www.derbyexperiences.com/kentucky-derby-2021.

Churchill Downs ticket options are available for other popular Derby Week events: Opening Night presented by Budweiser (Saturday, April 24); Dawn at the Downs (Sunday, April 25 and Monday, April 26); Champions Day presented by TwinSpires (Tuesday, April 27); and Thurby presented by Old Forester (Thursday, April 29).

In addition to Kentucky Derby Week, tickets are on sale for the entire 2021 Spring Meet, which covers 38 dates from Saturday, April 24 through Saturday, June 26.

Notable Spring Meet events and dates include Twilight Thursdays (Thursdays, May 6-June 24); Mother's Day (Sunday, May 9); Preakness Stakes Simulcast (Saturday, May 15); Sunday Brunch (Sundays, May 16-June 20); Downs After Dark presented by Budweiser (Saturdays, May 22 and June 12); Stephen Foster Preview Day (Saturday, May 29); Memorial Day (Monday, May 31); Teacher Appreciation Day (Thursday, June 3); Belmont Stakes Simulcast (Saturday, June 5); Flag Day Observance (Sunday, June 13); Father's Day (Sunday, June 20); and Stephen Foster Day/Closing Day (Saturday, June 26).

Churchill Downs will continue to rely on proven health and safety protocols and operate within the guidance of state health officials as well as the CDC. Information regarding Churchill Downs' Health & Safety plan for Kentucky Derby 2021 can be found at www.kentuckyderby.com/tickets/ticket-options/updates.

The post New Kentucky Derby Tickets Go On Sale Friday, March 26 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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On Two Coasts, Greatest Honour And Spielberg Breeze Toward Florida Derby; Post Position Draw Wednesday

Spielberg breezed five furlongs Sunday morning at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., while tuning up for a scheduled start at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., in Saturday's $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farm at Xalapa.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the son of Union Rags was timed in 59.40 seconds, the second fastest clocking of 81 workouts recorded at the distance.

“He went well. He's very workmanlike and he's steady,” Baffert said. “He's doing well.”

Spielberg is slated to make his third 2021 start in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby, which has produced the winners of 60 Triple Crown events.

In his 2021 debut, the Kentucky-bred colt stumbled at the start of the Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita before finishing fourth behind Baffert-trained winner Medina Spirit. He then finished second Feb. 27 in the Southwest (G3) at Oaklawn Park behind unbeaten Essential Quality.

Spielberg had a productive six-race juvenile campaign, in which he finished second in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and third in the American Pharoah (G1) at Santa Anita before breaking his maiden in his fourth start. He went on to win the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) two starts later.

Javier Castellano has the mount on Spielberg, who is owned by SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Golconda Stables, Siena Farm LLC and Robert Masterson.

Greatest Honour Pleases McGaughey in Sunday Breeze
Courtlandt Farms' Greatest Honour tuned up for the Florida Derby with a half-mile breeze at Payson Park in Indiantown, Fla., on Sunday morning, pleasing his Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey.

“He's not a good work horse, but I thought this was a lot like his work before the Fountain of Youth, maybe better,” McGaughey said.

Greatest Honour, who is coming off an impressive off-the-pace win in the Feb. 27 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream, was timed in 50.40 seconds.

“I liked the way he worked. The other day, he went off a little quicker than I wanted,” McGaughey said. “I impressed upon [the rider] to just let him ease away from the pole and finish up strong, which he did. I got the last quarter in 13-and-change.”

The son of Tapit broke his maiden in his fourth career start December 26 at Gulfstream before capturing the Jan. 30 Holy Bull (G3) by 5 ¾ lengths and establishing himself as a prime Triple Crown candidate with a going-away 1 ½-length victory in the Fountain of Youth.

Also at Payson Park Sunday morning, Michael P. Shanley's Nova Rags breezed three furlongs in 38.60 seconds for the Florida Derby.

“His works have been very steady,” Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said. “He's worked well enough here at Payson Park and I think he's plenty fit.”

Nova Rags is coming off a second-place finish behind Mott stablemate Candy Man Can in the Sam F. Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, where the son of Union Rags won the seven-furlong Pasco by 2 ¾ lengths in his previous start.

At Gulfstream Park, Collaborate breezed five furlongs in 1:01.18 in preparation for making the leap from maiden company to a Grade 1 stakes in the Florida Derby. The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained son of Into Mischief worked in company with Queen Nekia, the winner of the Royal Delta (G3) in her most recent start, who was timed in 1:02.49.

“The first eighth he went off a little slow in 14-and-change and picked it up after that. He galloped out well for the next eighth after the wire,” Joseph said. “Overall, I'm very pleased with the work. I'm happy with him.”

Collaborate graduated by 12 ½ lengths under wraps Feb. 27 the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) undercard while completing a one-turn mile in 1:36.35.

Florida Derby Post Position Draw on Wednesday
Florida Derby Week kicks off Wednesday with the post-position draw for Saturday's $750,000 Curlin Florida Derby (G1) presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farm at Xalapa.

The draw will be simulcast on GulfstreamPark.com at 12:15 p.m. ET. The 70^th running of the 1 1/8-mile Derby, which has produced 45 starters to win a remarkable 60 Triple Crown events, is expected to draw Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) and Holy Bull (G3) winner Greatest Honour, multiple Grade 1 stakes-placed Spielberg, Known Agenda, Collaborate and Nova Rags.

Saturday's Derby Day program will have 10 stakes, six graded, worth nearly $2 million. Races include the $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and $200,000 Pan American (G2) presented by Rood & Riddle.

First-race post time for Saturday's 14-race Derby Day program is 11:30 a.m. Advanced wagering on Saturday's 14 races will be available Friday.

The Silks simulcasting room will open at 8 a.m. Saturday for ticketed patrons. The simulcast of eight races from Dubai, including the Dubai World Cup (G1) featuring Pegasus World Cup (G1) runner-up and South Florida-based Jesus' Team, is scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m.

Watch and wager on Gulfstream's races at https://1st.com/bet/ and Xpressbet.com

There will be live racing at Gulfstream Wednesday through Friday with first-race post time at 1:10 p.m. There will be a mandatory payout of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 Saturday on Florida Derby Day. The Championship Meet at Gulfstream concludes Sunday.

The post On Two Coasts, Greatest Honour And Spielberg Breeze Toward Florida Derby; Post Position Draw Wednesday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Louisiana Derby Aftermath: Hot Rod Charlie Back to California; Mandaloun May Run In Lexington

The dust has settled after a thrilling 14-race card Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, with the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and Oaks (G2) in the rearview mirror. Both the local Derby and Oaks offered 100-40-20-10 qualifying points for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, and the April 30 Longines Kentucky Oaks, and several of the top finishers emerged with both races firmly on their calendar.

The connections for several of the major players had a chance to sleep on the results, evaluate how their respective horses came out their races, and plot a path to Churchill Downs. Fair Grounds media caught up with several trainers Sunday morning to get their thoughts moving forward.

Louisiana Derby:
Doug O'Neill, trainer, Hot Rod Charlie (Leandro Mora was trainer of record in Louisiana Derby) (1^st): Charlie looked great this morning. He flies back to California on Tuesday. I love the spacing (six weeks) leading up to the Kentucky Derby. It's ideal. He's proven to travel well. I'm very proud of my nephew Patrick (with Boat Racing). He's a real good young man and I'm very excited for him and all of the owners.

Scott Blasi, assistant trainer to Steve Asmussen, Midnight Bourbon (2^nd): Big effort and he's another horse (like Clairiere) that's just going to continue to improve. I don't think distance will be an issue with him and the timing, back to the Derby, off this series here, there will be plenty of time to freshen up and run his best race. We'll train here for a week and ship a week from Sunday (the 28^th).

Greg Foley, trainer, O Besos (3^rd): We all want to go forward after yesterday. The only question we had was the distance, and he answered that pretty good. He galloped out past the winner. We've got 25 (derby qualifying) points. If we got second, we wouldn't have to think about it, but now we have to hope we get in. we just have to wait and see. I don't want to run him back (before the Derby). I don't think it will affect our training. He's a dead-fit horse. We'll get hi back home next week (to Churchill Downs) and we'll just wait and see. If it gets us in, great, if it doesn't, oh well, we'll go from there. I'd like to try and get in the big one and hopefully that will get it done. At least we're not wondering any more (about the distance).

Mike Stidham, trainer, Proxy (4^th): He came back in good condition. I will discuss it with the Godolphin team and decide which direction we go in next.

Brad Cox, trainer, Mandaloun (6^th as the 6-5 favorite): We couldn't come up with any reasons for the dull performance. We'll get him back to Kentucky, see how he trains, and then go from there. I've thought about it, but I think right now I'll probably nominate him to the Lexington (G3, April 10 at Keeneland) and we'll see. He was done at the half-mile pole, so I don't think the distance was the reason (he was so dull). He ran out of horse fairly quickly. He handled everything in the paddock, so to show up and get beat by those horses we had run so well against, that was obviously disappointing. He's not that bad. We were the favorite. It's almost like you'd like to see a reason or an excuse but we aren't seeing it yet. The six weeks (to the Derby) is almost a blessing. I don't think it's a bad thing. We'll see how he trains. I'm not going to change too much with him. He bounced out of it in good shape, scoped good, no issues. He'll probably go to Churchill at some point later this week.

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With Life Is Good Out, McCarthy May Keep Rombauer Home For Santa Anita Derby

Trainer Michael McCarthy said he is opting towards staying in southern California with John and Diane Fradkin's Rombauer, who was under consideration for the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World casino on April 3.

Currently at No. 17 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, Rombauer was a close second in last year's Grade 1 American Pharoah at Santa Anita where he earned four Kentucky Derby qualifying points. He picked up ten more qualifying points with a last out victory in the El Camino Real Derby on February 13 over the Golden Gate Fields synthetic.

The defection of unbeaten Kentucky Derby trail standout Life Is Good made the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, held on the same day as the Wood Memorial, a more viable option for the son of Twirling Candy.

“I'd say the Wood is a second choice,” McCarthy said. “We're just going to monitor what's happening out here. Both races are in play but I'm leaning more toward staying out here.”

A debut winner on turf and a stakes winner on synthetic, Rombauer is still in search of his first career victory on dirt. He worked five-eighths in :59.20 Saturday on the Santa Anita main track.

Bred in Kentucky by his owners, Rombauer is out of the Cowboy Cal mare Cashmere – a half-sister to multiple stakes-winning millionaire California Flag and California-bred champion Cambiocorsa.

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