Tag: Triple Crown

Andrew and Rania Warren's Raise Cain began his major preparation for an expected run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) by working five furlongs in 1:03.40 Thursday morning at Keeneland over a fast track.

With regular work rider Isael Garcia aboard for trainer Ben Colebrook, Raise Cain produced fractions of :13.60, :26.80, :38.60, :51.40, 1:03.40 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.80. (Click here for a video of the work.)

“Nice and easy … finished well and galloped out well. Just what you're looking for,” Colebrook said. “He started out slow and then finished well.”

A Keeneland sales graduate who won the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct prior to finishing fifth in Keeneland's Toyota Blue Grass (G1), Raise Cain will be ridden in the Kentucky Derby by Javier Castellano.

Colebrook, who will be saddling his first Kentucky Derby starter, plans to work Raise Cain next Thursday or Friday depending on weather.

Raise Cain will complete the Keeneland segment of his Kentucky Derby preparation Monday, May 1. He will train here in the morning before vanning to Churchill Downs.

The post Derby Work: Raise Cain Completes ‘Nice And Easy’ Five Furlongs At Keeneland appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Hiroyuki Asanuma's UAE Derby (Grade 2) winner Derma Sotogake (JPN) recorded his first published workout at Churchill Downs on Wednesday morning with a :49.60 half-mile move in preparation for the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) on Saturday, May 6.

With exercise rider Masatoshi Segawa in the saddle, Derma Sotogake went through his routine 25-minute warm up in the one-mile chute prior to beginning his work. The son of Mind Your Biscuits exited the chute and began galloping around the six-furlong pole. Derma Sotogake started to easily pick up his momentum around the three-furlong pole and worked through fractions of :13 and :37.20, according to Churchill Downs clocker John Nichols.

“I am really happy with how he moved today,” Segawa said. “He felt great. We didn't want to go too fast today so I had to keep a strong hold on him throughout and even then he performed brilliantly. Now I can start to get really excited about Derby Day.”

Derma Sotogake is stabled in Quarantine Barn 1 next to fellow Kentucky Derby contender Continuar (JPN). Trained by Yoshito Yahagi and owned by Lion Race Horse Co. Ltd., Continuar had his most serious training to date Tuesday at Churchill Downs when he picked up his gallop around the seven-eighths pole to about the three-eighths pole. The training was slower than a published workout but noticeably faster than a routine gallop.

Derma Sotogake and Continuar have been stabled at Churchill Downs for two weeks and several of their connections plan to travel to the U.S. during Kentucky Derby Week.

TRAINERS WATCHING WEATHER FOR WEEKEND WORKS – There are 13 Kentucky Derby contenders on-site at Churchill Downs and several trainers are keeping an eye on the local forecast before they plan their penultimate works.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher's trio of Forte, Kingsbarns and Tapit Trice could work either Thursday or Friday morning. Pletcher was at Churchill Downs on Tuesday and plans to stay through the Derby.

Trainer Brad Cox reported his trio of Angel of Empire, Hit Show and Verifying would all work this weekend. Like Pletcher, Cox is also monitoring the forecast and, as of Wednesday, stated they could work Friday or Saturday.

Keith Desormeaux stated Confidence Game would work back Saturday.

Other Kentucky Derby contenders due to work at Churchill Downs this weekend include Rocket Can and Sun Thunder.

The post ‘Now I Can Start To Get Really Excited About Derby Day’: Japan’s Derma Sotogake Clocks First Breeze At Churchill appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Churchill Downs Racetrack has unveiled new details that kick off an exciting yearlong celebration of the 150^th Run for the Roses®, a remarkable milestone for the longest continually-run sporting event in the United States. The Kentucky Derby has run annually since 1875 through World Wars and pandemics. A wide range of celebrations and fan experiences will be announced throughout the months leading up to the momentous race in 2024, beginning today with the details of new guest experiences, ticket offerings, merchandise and the unveiling of the official logo of Kentucky Derby 150.

“150 years of tradition, hospitality and the best horse racing in the world takes center stage as the Kentucky Derby celebrates an extraordinary achievement,” said Mike Anderson, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “To honor the significance of the anniversary, the rich history of the Derby and its place in our culture, we are excited to unveil new and enhanced guest experiences for decades to come.”

New Guest Experiences

Churchill Downs is releasing several new guest experiences for Kentucky Derby 150, creating added amenities that will enhance the experience for nearly every guest who enters the gates of the historic racetrack. Improvements will include new breathtaking views of the Twin Spires, more social areas and exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities. The centerpiece is the full, transformative redevelopment and bold new design of the nearly $200 million Paddock renovation that will more than double the size of the walking ring for the horses, create approximately 3,600 new seats and 3,250 new standing room tickets and deliver new premium club spaces, dining tables and rail boxes. Each new viewing area will offer exclusive vantage points and premium experiences, most notably the iconic Twin Spires, which will serve as more of a focal point and allow guests to be closer than ever before.

“As we plan to celebrate our 150^th anniversary in the year ahead, we are thrilled to debut new world-class hospitality opportunities to enjoy Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby,” said Sarah Contardo, Vice President of Sales and Strategy of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “This transformative project will elevate the experiences for all of our fans.”

New Luxury Dining and Outdoor Experiences

Two new luxury dining clubs and an outdoor luxury dining experience will debut for the 150^th Kentucky Derby, creating a unique experience with unparalleled views of both the new paddock area and the racetrack.

• The Woodford Reserve Paddock Club and Paddock Club Enclosure: A new and exclusive equine-focused experience in the heart of the action. Both areas include special paddock access through a private tunnel, a curated dining experience, a dedicated concierge team, a private betting parlor, and trackside race viewing. Both areas also feature tables with views of the paddock runway and saddling stalls. 

• 1895 Club and 1895 Enclosure: Located on the west side of the paddock runway, this new club focuses on a behind-the-scenes equine experience with a view of the paddock runway and saddling stalls.

• Spires Terrace and Suites: For the first time, Churchill Downs will have an outdoor luxury dining experience with a dedicated concierge team and a curated dining experience nestled under the iconic Twin Spires, which includes an unprecedented 360-degree view of both the racetrack and paddock.

Upgraded Outdoor Dining Experiences

New premium covered outdoor dining offerings will create the addition of more than 2,600 dining seats onsite and will celebrate the rich history and tradition of Churchill Downs with unprecedented views of the Paddock, Twin Spires and racetrack. Enhancements include the creation of three outdoor balcony experiences: the Silks Balcony and Loge, Plaza Balcony and Loge and the Triple Crown Balcony. Additional spaces include: The Paddock Overlook, the Champions Balcony & Loge, and an expanded Turf Club Balcony.

For more information about purchasing Kentucky Derby 150 tickets, please visit www.derby150.com.

“In addition to the guest enhancements, we are excited to introduce the Kentucky Derby to fans who've never before experienced the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports® with new programs and product offerings,” said Casey Ramage, Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships for Churchill Downs Racetrack. “Working closely with our partners, we are developing a mix of merchandise, activities and on site and off-site experiences to mark this monumental occasion, and invite fans around the world to join in the celebration and be a part of history.”

“Derby of a Lifetime” Experience

To celebrate the extraordinary occasion of 150 years of thrills, Churchill Downs is also announcing the chance for fans to win a “Derby of a Lifetime” Experience. The chance to win a trip to the “Derby of a Lifetime” will be hosted online through Jan. 31, 2024, and will offer Derby fans the opportunity to win the ultimate Derby experience: VIP Kentucky Derby 150 tickets, Taste of Derby Tickets, a Derby Weekend Hotel Stay, Full Airfare and Ground Transportation, an exclusive vineyard vines apparel line, designer headwear fit for the Derby, and exclusive visits to the Paddock, Stable Area and the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet Experience.

To sign up for The Derby of a Lifetime Experience, please visit derby150.com/derbyofalifetime. To learn additional details about the renovations to Churchill Downs or to download the new official logo of the 150^th Kentucky Derby, please visit www.derby150.com.

150^th Derby Collection

To honor the historical significance of the 150^th anniversary and the role fashion has played over the decades, the Kentucky Derby will be launching a series of apparel and merchandise offerings to commemorate the 150^th anniversary. These collections include:

• 150 Capsule Collection: Pieces from this collection include a cashmere line and exclusive, limited-edition Kentucky Derby 150 accessories that celebrate the rich history of this event.
• 1875 Collection: Vintage-inspired apparel based on historical artifacts from event logos, posters, pins, tickets, and programs.
• Icon Collection: High-end merchandise inspired by the iconic Kentucky Derby horseshoe and rose.

Other Kentucky Derby 150 features will include a Derby documentary, a 150^th-anniversary book, and expanded merchandise distribution with partners including Dicks Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy. Additional elements of the 150 Collection will be released throughout the year leading up to the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

About the Kentucky Derby

The $3 million Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 1/4-mile race for three-year-olds is the longest continually-held major sporting event in North America and the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown series. Also known as, “The Run for the Roses®” and “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®,” the Kentucky Derby is the most attended horserace in the nation. The 149^th Kentucky Derby will take place on May 6, 2023. For more information, please visit www.KentuckyDerby.com.

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