Oaklawn Park’s media notes, headed by Kentucky-based trainer Brad Cox (Caddo River photo by Robert Yates): Powerful maiden winner Caddo River will make his stakes and two-turn debut in the $150,000 Smarty Jones for 3-year-olds Jan. 22 at Oaklawn, the colt’s trainer, Brad Cox, said Tuesday morning. The 1-mile Smarty Jones is Oaklawn’s first of four Kentucky Derby points races, […] Continue Reading
Claiming Crown can add to Maker’s banner season
National HBPA release (Grace Clark photo of Jakarta winning a $100,000 starter-allowance race that served as a prep for the Claiming Crown) Winding down the best season of his career and coming in off the Churchill Downs’ fall title, trainer Mike Maker looks to add to his record 17 victories when the 2020 Claiming Crown returns to Gulfstream Park on […] Continue Reading
KTO honors Asmussen with Warner Jones Award
Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners release (Coady Photography photo) LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020) — Steve Asmussen — who this year became Churchill Downs’ all-time win leader and only the second trainer to achieve 9,000 career victories — is the 2020 recipient of the Louisville-based Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners’ Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award. The award recognizes individuals […] Continue Reading
Bodexpress holds off Code of Honor to take G1 Clark
Churchill Downs stakes recap (Coady Photography photos) LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, Nov. 27, 2020) – Bodexpress, who made headlines as the riderless horse in the 2019 Preakness, is now a Grade I winner. The 4-year-old colt grabbed the lead with three-sixteenths of a mile to run and turned back a challenge from 8-5 favorite Code of Honor to win Friday’s 146th […] Continue Reading
Cox running 13 juveniles on Stars of Tomorrow II card
Today’s Churchill Downs media notes penned by Kevin Kerstein (Coady Photography photo of Ten Strike and Kueber Racing’s Kentucky Jockey Club contender Swill winning a maiden race): LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, Nov. 27, 2020) – Trainer Brad Cox’s Barn 22 on the Churchill Downs backstretch will be bustling with activity Saturday as 13 of his promising juveniles are scheduled to make […] Continue Reading
Longtime racetrack vet Oscar Swanstrom dies at 80
The following tribute to long-time racetrack veterinarian Dr. Oscar Swanstrom upon his passing also ran in the Shelbyville Sentinel-News and The Courier-Journal. Swanny, also known as “Any Vet,” which he proudly displayed on his license plate, will be greatly missed but our memories of our friend endure. Louisville – On Saturday, November 21, 2020, Oscar G. Swanstrom, DVM, MS, passed […] Continue Reading
McPeek shoots for 2yo stakes sweep (Simply Ravishing, King Fury)
Churchill Downs media notes (Coady Photography photo above of King Fury winning the Street Sense overnight stakes under Brian Hernandez Jr.) LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020) – Fresh off winning Thursday’s Grade 2 Falls City with Envoutante, trainer Kenny McPeek has 13 horses entered in Saturday’s “Stars of Tomorrow II” program at Churchill Downs and among his rising juveniles […] Continue Reading
McPeek’s ‘other’ filly Envoutante rolls in Falls City
Churchill Downs stakes recap (Coady Photography photos) LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020) – Three Chimneys Farm and Walking L Thoroughbreds’ 3-year-old filly Envoutante led every step of the way in a powerful six-length win over 4-5 favorite Bonny South in Thursday’s 105th running of the $200,000 Falls City (Grade II), the traditional Thanksgiving Day fixture for fillies and mares […] Continue Reading
Cox goes after fifth straight Fair Grounds training title
A Fair Grounds Race Course media release: New Orleans (November 23, 2020) – Fresh off a record-tying four wins at the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland earlier this month, trainer Brad Cox will look to parlay that success to his fifth straight Fair Grounds trainer’s title when the 149th meet kicks off Thanksgiving Day. Cox, who won 40 races last year […] Continue Reading
BC Juv third Keepmeinmind seeks first win in KY Jockey Club
Churchill Downs press release (Coady Photography photo of Keepmeinmind galloping at Keeneland in preparation for the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile): LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020) – Cypress Creek and Arnold Bennewith’s $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Grade I) third-place finisher Keepmeinmind will be in search of his first-career victory against a competitive field of nine 2-year-olds, which includes stakes winners […] Continue Reading