Kentucky Derby

No Triple Crown This Year: Oxbow Wins Preakness Stakes

Associated Press and Rick Howlett — Sat, 18 May 2013 22:45:14 +0000

Oxbow has won the Preakness, ruining Orb's bid to capture the Triple Crown.

Oxbow quickly grabbed the lead out of the starting gate. It was the sixth Preakness victory for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and 15th Triple Crown victory, most in horse racing history.

It was the third Preakness win for 50 year old jockey Gary Stevens, who returned to riding this year after seven years in retirement.

Orb is the Solid Favorite in Nine-Horse Preakness Field

Rick Howlett — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:34:43 +0000

Despite a less-than-ideal post position draw, Kentucky Derby winner Orb remains the solid favorite for tomorrow’s Preakness Stakes, the second leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown.

Orb is coming off a two-and-a-half length Derby victory and trainer Shug McGaughey says he “couldn’t be more pleased” with the colt’s workouts over the past two weeks.

Kentucky Derby Winner Orb Draws Rail Position for Preakess Stakes

Associated Press — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:09:55 +0000

Kentucky Derby winner Orb has drawn the rail in Saturday's Preakness and has been installed an overwhelming even-money favorite in the nine-horse race.

Orb will seek to keep alive his bid to become horse racing's first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. Orb won the Derby by 2½ lengths as the betting favorite. The brown colt is looking for his sixth straight victory as part of the smallest Preakness field since 2007.

Govenor Charlie, trained by Bob Baffert, was added to the list Wednesday for the 1 3/16th-mile race.

Images | Smaller Kentucky Derby Crowd Finds Fun in the Rain

Joseph Lord — Sun, 05 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

So, as forecasts predicted, it rained Saturday on the Kentucky Derby.

The rain—sometimes steady—led to Derby-goers packing under any shelter they could find. They stood idle in the grandstand and under awnings. In the infield, people strung tarps across portable potties. (Although, most people in the infield didn't seem to mind the rain at all.

Noise and Notes: The Decadent and Depraved Politics of Derby Weekend

Phillip M. Bailey — Sun, 05 May 2013 02:31:00 +0000

By now we know who won the 139^th Kentucky Derby, but there are still questions about other political horse races.

At this point Republican Mitch McConnell does have one official opponent—Owensboro Democrat Ed Marksberry—who is a little known contender in the 2014 U.S. Senate race.

Orb Wins Kentucky Derby 139

Joseph Lord — Sat, 04 May 2013 22:41:30 +0000

Running on a slopping Churchill Downs track, Orb beat 18 other horses to win Kentucky Derby 139.

Orb, ridden by Joel Rosario, started the race as the 5-1 favorite and caught up to the leaders as they approached the finish line.

Golden Soul placed and Revolutionary finished third. Orb was the early favorite after Wednesday's post position draw.

Orb gives veteran trainer Shug McGaughey his first Derby winner.

Frank X Walker on Black Jockeys From Isaac Murphy to Kevin Krigger

Gabe Bullard — Sat, 04 May 2013 15:00:00 +0000

In today's Kentucky Derby, jockey Kevin Krigger will have a chance to become the first African-American jockey to win the Derby since 1902. African-American jockeys were dominant in the Derby's formative years. Most of the jockeys in the first Derby were black, including the winner.

One of the most legendary African-American jockeys was Isaac Murphy. Murphy rode to victory in three Kentucky Derby races and is considered one of the best jockeys of all time. Murphy is the subject of a collection of poems by Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X. Walker.

A Black Jockey At The Kentucky Derby, Once Again

Gabe Bullard — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:53:26 +0000

The Kentucky Derby's 139th running is this weekend, and it will feature a sight that's been a rarity in the race for much of the past century — an African-American jockey.

"Everything that comes with the Derby right now for me is not the same as the majority of the other riders, or any other riders, because I'm the only African-American rider in the race," Kevin Krigger says.

Krigger was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but he's been racing in California.

Rain is Likely on Kentucky Derby Day (It's Rained on 46% of Them)

Joseph Lord — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:23:50 +0000

Update: The National Weather Service on Saturday morning says showers are still likely on Kentucky Derby day—mostly after 2 p.m. There's a 60-percent chance of showers during the day and an 80-percent chance of showers Saturday evening. The high temperature is expected to be near 64 degrees.

Earlier: Heading to the Kentucky Derby on Saturday? Be prepared to be rained on.

Mitch McConnell Releases New Ad Celebrating Kentucky Derby

Phillip M. Bailey — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:03:01 +0000

In a new online ad, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell says the annual Kentucky Derby demonstrates the focus and determination of the state he represents.

The spot is being released on the eve of the Triple Crown and is narrated by the GOP leader, who compares the horse race to the spirit of Kentuckians.

"The twin spires of Churchill Downs host the world's finest horses. But it's a race where the horses tell us as much about a people as they do about themselves. If you listen closely, you can hear the story of Kentucky in the thunder of their hooves. Each stride reflects the focus of a people determined to succeed," says McConnell.

Watch:

McConnell campaign manager Jesse Benton says it is the latest example their "commitment to being the most innovative Senate campaign in history."