Chad Brown

Muth Favored To Give Baffert A Ninth Win In the Preakness

In the few days after Mystik Dan (Goldencents) pulled an 18-1 upset in the GI Kentucky Derby, there was the real possibility that none of the 20 horses that competed in the first leg of the Triple Crown would press on to Saturday's GI Preakness S. By Sunday afternoon, any such concerns had abated--the Derby winner had been confirmed by trainer Ken McPeek and Derby fourth Catching Freedom (Constitution) was also given the green light by Brad Cox, joining a field that had already included two each from Hall of...

[ Read More ]
Cairo Prince Colt Unmatched Wisdom Smart on Debut at the Big A

7th-Belmont The Big A, $90,000, Msw, 5-10, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:35.57, my, 6 1/4 lengths. UNMATCHED WISDOM (c, 3, Cairo Prince--Glide On By, by Pure Prize), a $25,000 KEESEP yearling turned $450,000 OBSMAR breezer, kicked off his career with a sharp debut score going a one-turn mile in the Aqueduct mud. Overlooked at 6-1, he forced the issue from an outside second through early fractions of :23.26 and :46.53. He turned up the heat on the far turn, kicked for home as the one to catch and had 6 1/4 lengths...

[ Read More ]
Peter Pan Field Scratched Down To Half-Dozen

The field for Saturday's GIII Peter Pan S. at Aqueduct has been reduced from eight to six, with the connections of both 'TDN Rising Star' Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) and Lonesome Boy (Nationhood) opting for other age-restricted spots. Daily Racing Form's David Grening was first to report the news. William Lawrence, Walmac Farm and Stonestreet Stables' Tuscan Gold is being rerouted for next Saturday's GI Preakness S., trainer Chad Brown confirmed to the Form. The $600,000 Keeneland September yearling was fourth to stablemate and recent GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Sierra...

[ Read More ]
Controversy Swirls Over Derby Non-Inquiry, But Affected Connections Aren't Disputing Officiating

Two days after an exciting three-way photo for the win in the GI Kentucky Derby, public speculation continued to simmer about the roughly-run stretch battle between the second- and third-place finishers. It's the second time in five years that the stewards at Churchill Downs are being openly questioned over why they didn't announce an inquiry to let the public know they were actively investigating a potential infraction in America's most important and historic horse race. But despite the mild controversy that is largely playing out online and on social media,...

[ Read More ]
Preakness Possibles Line Up

With the leading GI Kentucky Derby runners looking likely to skip the May 18 GI Preakness S., a wave of non-Derby starters are lining up for the second leg of the Triple Crown. Trainer Bob Baffert, whose horses were banned from the Derby, confirmed GI Arkansas Derby winner Muth (Good Magic) and stablemate Imagination (Into Mischief), who won the GII San Felipe S. before finishing a narrow runner-up behind Stronghold (Ghostzapper) in the GI Santa Anita Derby last time out, are both expected for the Preakness. The duo breezed in...

[ Read More ]
Wowed by Derby Win, McPeek Won't Commit to Preakness with Mystik Dan

Asked to sum up his victory with Mystik Dan (Goldencents) in Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby, trainer Ken McPeek succinctly said, "Wow," Sunday morning on the Churchill Downs backside. An 18-1 outsider, Mystik Dan just held on to a nose victory after a rail-skimming trip under Brian Hernandez, Jr. "Brian Hernandez gave him the ride," a joyous but sleep-deprived McPeek said. "Look, he doesn't win the race without the job Brian did." For his part, Hernandez was appreciative of McPeek's faith in him. "I was fortunate to ride for Kenny," said...

[ Read More ]
Program Trading Denies Naval Power In Turf Classic Nailbiter

Program Trading (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) gave Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown a fourth winner of the GI Old Forester Turf Classic S. in the last six years, fighting his way past Godolphin's Naval Power (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the shadow of the winning post for a dramatic victory. A 4-1 chance making his 4-year-old debut and first start since narrowly defeating Webslinger (Constitution) in last year's GI Hollywood Derby, Program Trading left there running, and when Never Surprised (Constitution) rolled up to lead and when...

[ Read More ]
Night of Thunder Filly Dynamic Pricing Gives Brown First Edgewood Score

It's hard to believe there are any graded stakes on the grass that have not been won by a 3-year-old filly from the barn of Chad Brown, but entering Friday's action, that was remarkably the case. Klaravich Stables' Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) managed to put pay to that anomalous statistic with a fast-finishing victory in the GII Edgewood S. at a soggy Churchill Downs. Let go at odds of nearly 9-1--a healthy mutuel for any Brown runner--the €170,000 Tattersalls October yearling acquisition broke well enough from gate...

[ Read More ]
Ready For Some Magic In Derby 150

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Weeks and months of preparation, with a healthy dose of good luck, are complete. A full field of 20 will line up for the 150th anniversary renewal of the GI Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Much of the pre-race hype has revolved around the defending juvenile champion Fierceness (City of Light). A runaway winner in the GI Florida Derby in his latest start, the 'TDN Rising Star' has been training like a beast, signaling he is ready to do big things come Derby day. His trainer, Todd...

[ Read More ]
Carl Spackler a Game Winner in Opening Verse Return

'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), winner of last summer's GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. Aug. 11 and GIII Saranac S. Sept. 1, picked up right where he left off despite a wide trip in Thursday's Opening Verse S. at Churchill Downs. The 9-5 favorite was a three-wide fifth around the first turn and set his sights on the top two entering the far turn. He made his move while three deep at the top of the stretch and fought his way...

[ Read More ]
Brown Looking to Close the Circle in the Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, KY--Chad Brown certainly knows how to win. He wins with favorites, and he wins with longshots. Although these days, more of his horses likely fall in the former category rather than the latter. However, despite all the trips to the winner's circle throughout his 17-year career--and there have been many--the Kentucky Derby has eluded him. In seven prior attempts, Brown recorded his best finish with Good Magic in 2018. And while the first jewel in the American Triple Crown hasn't always been Brown's main objective, it certainly is beginning...

[ Read More ]
Fan-Fueled Wednesday at Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, KY--What a difference a day makes. The activity on the backside only a day ago offered a hint that something big was encroaching, however, Wednesday dawned with an explosion of activity straight out of the gate. Masses piled onto the barn area to watch the morning workouts, reminding me just how different Churchill Downs is Derby week when compared to almost any other racetrack in the United States. Fans are given a tremendous amount of access, creating an atmosphere that is difficult to compare most other venues. Trying to...

[ Read More ]
X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.