GI Kentucky Derby winner

Acknowledging that Rich Strike (Keen Ice) will soon be "officially" retired," owner Rick Dawson said Thursday that he has been talking to stallion farms in both Kentucky and New York and hopes to strike a deal shortly so that his 2022 GI Kentucky Derby winner will be available for the upcoming breeding season. "The only reason I haven't officially announced his retirement is that I'm waiting to come to an agreement for stallion rights," Dawson said "Then I can do it all at once, make the announcement that he has...

Mystik Dan (Goldencents) has resumed under-tack training at Ken McPeek's Magdalena Farm in Lexington as the GI Kentucky Derby winner attempts to get back in form after he was last seen running eighth in the GI Belmont Stakes, according to a press release on Friday from Churchill Downs. Mystik Dan was training over the summer at Saratoga, but his conditioner opted to give the colt time following his Triple Crown campaign. "He looks fantastic. There's a whole lot of hind quarter back on him," McPeek said. "This is going to...

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. was selected as the 2024 Mike Venezia Memorial Award recipient, the New York Racing Association said in a press release on Wednesday. The Louisiana native was chosen by a committee comprised of members of the Venezia family, representatives of The Jockeys' Guild and retired Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore. Hernandez Jr. will be recognized at Saratoga Race Course on Friday, Aug. 23. The Mike Venezia Memorial Award is presented annually to a jockey who displays the extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship that personified Venezia, who died as...

Rich Strike (Keen Ice), who upset the GI Kentucky Derby at 80-1 in 2022, is set to join trainer Bill Mott, according to owner Rick Dawson. Rich Strike was last seen finishing fifth for his former trainer Eric Reed in the 2023 running of the GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs. "Richie visited Rood & Riddle this morning for his final ultrasound test," Dawson said in a Facebook post on Thursday. "All went as good as could be expected & better than expectations on several issues - our plan is...

Mage (Good Magic) recorded his first published workout since winning the GI Kentucky Derby when he breezed five furlongs in 1:07.20 at the Thoroughbred Center in Lexington Friday morning. His connections have yet to decide on his next start. "We gave him 17 days without a saddle or, obviously, going to the track, so he got a really big break," said co-owner Ramiro Restrepo. "He was kind of getting a bit bored and wanting to do something so it was time to get him rolling. He has been back on...

The 2000 GI Kentucky Derby Champion, Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr. Prospector) has passed at the age of 26-years-old, Coolmore America said in a release on their website early Wednesday morning. "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus who was euthanized at Ashford Stud yesterday due to the infirmities of old age," the organization said. Bred by Arthur Hancock and Bob and Janice McNair of Stonerside farm, 'Fu Peg' as he was affectionately known, was a $4 million yearling when purchased by Fusao...

Defending G1 Dubai World Cup hero Country Grammer (Tonalist) is one of over 1,600 entries, including 892 individual horses from 21 countries, entered in the $30.5-million Dubai World Cup night card. The featured event, sponsored by Emirates Airline, attracted 171 entries. Of the 24 Group or Grade 1 winners besides the Zedan Racing-owned and Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer, is the duo's three-time Grade I winner Taiba (Gun Runner). Joining them could be a pair of longshot headliners from last year; namely, GI Kentucky Derby champ Rich Strike (Keen Ice) and...

Second Crop sire Protonico (Giant's Causeway-Alpha Spirit, by A.P. Indy), standing at Castleton Lyons, will stand for $10,000 LFSN in 2022, up from $5,000 this season. From his initial crop, the dark bay is responsible for GI Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit, who is also among the leading candidates for Champion 3-year-old colt honors this season. Campaigned by Zedan Racing Stables, the Florida bred won this year's GI Awesome Again S., GIII Robert B. Lewis S. and Shared Belief S. Additionally, he finished runner up in GI Breeders' Cup Classic,...

Medina Spirit (Protonico) was supplemented, at a cost of $1,000, to Sunday's Shared Belief S., a one-mile event for 3-year-olds on the Del Mar main track. The $100,000 contest will be the first start for the colt since finishing third--beaten five lengths--by Rombauer in the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico May 15.  His victory in the May 1 GI Kentucky Derby victory remains in limbo pending a Kentucky Horse Racing Commission ruling. "I've entered him, he's running," Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said. "I figure I'll use this as...