John Velazquez

Johnny V Gives Channel Cat ‘Purrfect’ Ride in Man o’ War

ELMONT, NY – Providing an encore for a Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby sweep is a tall order, but Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez was up to the challenge, piloting Channel Cat to the lead at…

Kentucky Derby

Medina Spirit Gives Baffert 7th Kentucky Derby Win

LOUISVILLE, KY – Medina Spirit fought back after briefly relinquishing the lead to Mandaloun in the stretch to post a half-length to win the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) presented by Woodford Reserve before a crowd of 51,838. This was Bob Baffert’s record setting 7th Kentucky Derby win and 4th… Read More

Race Recaps

Gamine Becomes a Millionaire with Derby City Distaff Victory

LOUISVILLE, KY (Saturday, May 1, 2021)– Champion sprinter Gamine went to the front and then repulsed a challenge from Sconsin to win the 35th running of the $500,000 Derby City Distaff (G1) presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery for fillies and mares to give trainer Bob Baffert a record 220th Grade I victory and to become racings newest millionaire.… Read More

Race Recaps

Malathaat Marvelous in Kentucky Oaks

LOUISVILLE, KY – Shadwell Stable’s marvelous Malathaat overtook Search Results in mid-stretch and kept that game rival at bay to win Friday’s $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs. Malathaat got bumped several times from either side after she broke from post 10 under John Velazquez as the 5/2… Read More

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Kentucky Oaks

Beautiful Gift Nails Moraz In Santa Ysabel

ARCADIA, CA – Baoma Corporation homebred Beautiful Gift flew late in the stretch to nail Moraz in the shadow of the wire and win Sunday’s $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. Moraz, the only runner not trained by Bob Baffert, tracked the 3/5 favorite Kalypso early in… Read More

Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby Contenders Pedigree Analysis: Proxy

With the Kentucky Derby (G1) less than 6 weeks away, I’m back for my second year of analyzing some of the top contenders’ pedigrees. This week’s subject: Proxy A Godolphin homebred with a career record of 5-2-3-0 and $187,700 earned so far, he’s yet to win a Kentucky Derby (G1) prep… Read More

Race Recaps

Favored Counterparty Risk Wins Endeavour

OLDSMAR, FL – Klaravich Stables’ Counterparty Risk won as the 4/5 favorite in Saturday’s $175,000 Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. Counterparty Risk broke from post 5 under John Velazquez and raced in fourth with a ground-saving trip that she used to drive through an opening that pacesetter No… Read More

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Race Recaps

Pacific Gale Bombs Inside Information

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Winless since October 2018, Tobey Morton’s Pacific Gale flew home easily to bomb the tote at 16/1 in Saturday’s $200,000 Inside Information Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. Breaking from post 6 under John Velazquez, Pacific Gale sat off the pace and out in the clear while the 2/1… Read More

Race Recaps

Mucho Unusual Rebounds Strongly in Frankel

ARCADIA, CA – George Krikorian homebred Mucho Unusual rebounded strongly from a 12th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), winning Sunday’s $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. Mucho Unusual broke from the far outside post under John Velazquez as the 5/2 co-favorite and… Read More

Kentucky Oaks

Malathaat Much the Best in Demoiselle

OZONE PARK, NY – Despite looking lost in the far turn, Shadwell Stable’s Malathaat proved to be much the best as she powered her way to victory in Saturday’s $150,000 Demoiselle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. Malathaat was sent from the rail as the 2/5 heavy favorite under John Velazquez and… Read More