This covers Monday 4/17 and Tuesday 4/18. From a Churchill Downs press release:
Classic Empire, last year's champion 2-year-old who won Saturday's Arkansas Derby (G1), arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday morning to prepare for the Grade I, $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 6. Classic Empire, who is expected to vie for favoritism in the Kentucky Derby after his half-length Arkansas Derby triumph, was bedded down in trainer Mark Casse's Barn 36 shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday's race was his first in 10 weeks. "It was incredibly rewarding to see Classic Empire return to his full potential," assistant trainer Norm Casse said. "It was extremely frustrating and challenging this winter with his antics but it means so much to our team that he returned the way he did."
The 3-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile owned by John C. Oxley has amassed $2,120,220 in earnings with a record of 7-5-0-1, which includes a win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) to close out his 2-year-old campaign. Classic Empire is expected to return to training Thursday or Friday at Churchill Downs.
Calumet Farm's Sunland Derby (G3) winner Hence breezed five furlongs in 1:00.40 Monday morning at Churchill Downs for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen in preparation for the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday, May 6. Hence breezed in company over the "fast" track at 6 a.m. with Local Hero (1:00.40) in fractions of :13, :25,40, :37 and :48.60, before galloping out three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.40 and seven furlongs in 1:27.
"It's very comforting to see Hence doing well again over the Churchill surface," Asmussen said. The 3-year-old son of Street Boss has a lifetime record of 6-2-1-1 with earnings of $462,601.
Kentucky Derby contender J Boys Echo recorded a half-mile move in :49.20 Monday morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Dale Romans, his first breeze since running fourth in the Blue Grass (G2) on April 8 at Keeneland. The 3-year-old colt by Mineshaft and winner of the March 4 Gotham (G3) began his workout at the three-furlong pole under Tammy Fox, who recorded splits of :12.20, :24.60 and :36.80.
"I think this is the best he's looked over the track," Romans said. "This morning we just wanted to get a solid maintenance breeze in him and we'll do something more serious next week." Following J Boys Echo's breeze Monday morning, trainer Dale Romans said the Gotham (G3) winner could breeze again Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. J Boys Echo has accrued $349,600 with a lifetime record of 6-2-1-1. He is stabled in Barn 4.
Janis Whitham's Blue Grass (G2) third-place finisher McCraken breezed a half-mile in :47.80 Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Ian Wilkes in preparation for the Grade I, $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 6. McCraken, who was ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., breezed over the "fast" track through splits of :12.60, :24.60 and :36.40 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00 and three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.40.
"He felt great," Hernandez said. "Once he was a little settled going to the pole, he worked great. His gallop-out was very nice and he's right back home at Churchill where he likes it."
"The main thing is I wanted to see him finish but finish without riding himself while doing it," Wilkes said. "I got everything I wanted to see today."
Last week, Hernandez chose to ride McCraken in the Kentucky Derby over Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Girvin. "It was a tough decision," Hernandez said. "It was like trying to decide which one of your kids to take on vacation and which one to stay at home."
"We've had a lot of success and it's been fun," Wilkes said. "Brian is a part of the team and he fits in well. He helps develop horses."
The 3-year-old son of Ghostzapper has a 5-4-0-1 record that includes victories in Churchill Downs' Street Sense Stakes and Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) as a juvenile. Wilkes has two more planned breezes for McCraken prior to the first Saturday in May with the next coming in six or seven days
The owners of Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Conquest Mo Money are scheduled to hold a 3 p.m. EDT news conference at Sunland Park to announce the future plans for the 3-year-old colt. Conquest Mo Money is not nominated to the Triple Crown and his owners Tom and Sandy McKenna of Judge Lanier Racing would have to pay a $200,000 late supplemental nomination to become eligible for the Kentucky Derby. Update: They announced he would skip the Kentucky Derby and train up to the Preakness.
Gazelle (G2) winner Miss Sky Warrior, trained by Kelly Breen, arrived yesterday afternoon in Barn 43 at Churchill Downs and is expected to train Wednesday around 7 a.m. to begin final preparations for the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Friday, May 5.
The exclusive training period for Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders at Churchill Downs begins Saturday from 8:30-8:45 a.m., and will be streamed live on KentuckyDerby.com. Kentucky Derby prospects expected to breeze are Girvin for trainer Joe Sharp, and State of Honor for trainer Mark Casse. Kentucky Oaks contenders that could work include Salty for Casse and Farrell for trainer Wayne Catalano. Fast and Accurate is scheduled to breeze Saturday at Trackside Louisville, Churchill Downs' satellite training center located five miles from the home of the Derby.
2017 Triple Crown quick links:
Tapwrit wins the 2017 Belmont Stakes (G1) - Tapwrit ran down favorite and pacesetter Irish War Cry to win the 2017 Belmont Stakes (G1) by 2 lengths on Saturday with one-eyed Patch finishing third. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Belmont Undercard Stakes Results - There were nine other stakes on the 2017 Belmont undercard, including the Manhattan Handicap (G1), Just a Game Stakes (G1), Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Acorn Stakes (G1), and Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) won by Ascend, Antonoe, Mor Spirit, Abel Tasman, and Songbird. Plus a world record was set by Disco Partner in the Jaipur Invitational Stakes (G3). Get the results, charts, and photos for all nine here.
2017 Belmont Festival Friday Stakes Results - Friday at Belmont Park had 5 stakes races: the True North (G2) won by Roy H, the New York Stakes (G2) won by Hawksmoor, the Belmont Gold Cup Invitational (G3) won by Red Cardinal, the Bed o'Roses Invitational (G3) won by By the Moon, and the Tremont Stakes won by He Hate Me. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Intercontinental (G3), Wonder Again (G3), and Astoria Stakes - The Belmont Stakes Festival kicked off on Thursday with three stakes races, the Intercontinental (G3) won by Mississippi Delta, the Wonder Again Stakes (G3) won by New Money Honey, and the Astoria Stakes won by I Still Miss You. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Thursday Belmont Photos - Check out photos of 10 of the Belmont Stakes horses from Thursday morning at Belmont Park along with Songbird, Cloud Computing, Mor Spirit, and Abel Tasman.
Cloud Computing wins the Preakness (G1) - Cloud Computing pressed the pace and got up to win the 2017 Preakness (G1) by a head over Classic Empire with Senior Investment third. Favorite Always Dreaming faded to 8th. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Preakness Undercard Stakes Results - There were 7 other stakes on Preakness day, highlighted by the Dixie Stakes (G2) on the turf won by World Approval, the Gallorette (G3) won by Cambodia, and the Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3) won by Whitmore. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 7 races here.
Black-Eyed Susan Day Results - Actress broke her maiden in the mud to win the 2017 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) at Pimlico on Friday. There were 6 other stakes on the card including the Pimlico Special (G3) won by Shaman Ghost, the Allaire Dupont Distaff (G3) won by Terra Promessa, and the Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) won by Vertical Oak. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 7 races here.
Thursday Preakness Photos - Two photos each and comments for all 10 Preakness horses from Thursday morning at Pimlico. Everyone galloped today since training ends early Friday.
2017 Alibi Breakfast - The traditional Alibi Breakfast was held on Thursday May 18, before the 142nd running of the Preakness Stakes. Connections of some of the 10 Preakness entrants were on hand to swap stories about their horse as well as watch the presentation of the annual awards.
2017 Preakness Entries - A field of 10 was entered for the 142nd Preakness on Saturday, with Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming drawing post 4 as the 4-5 favorite. Classic Empire is second choice at 3-1 from post 5. Get the horses, posts, odds, and free past performances here.
Wednesday Preakness Photos - Two photos each and comments for all the Preakness horses from Wednesday afternoon at Pimlico, except Multiplier who arrived late yesterday.
Tuesday Preakness Photos - Photos and comments for seven of the Preakness horses from Tuesday afternoon at Pimlico, including Always Dreaming, Classic Empire, and five others who arrived today.
Analyzing the top Preakness Contenders - Our annual analysis of the contenders to see who best matches the profile of a Preakness winner. The tie for top pick is a bit of a surprise this year.
Preakness Weather Forecasts - up to 15 days in advance. Looks good for now and hopefully it will be drier than the Derby!
Preakness Entry Rules - the field is limited to 14 starters, here is how they determine the order of preference if more than that enter.
Preakness Infield - After the massive tightening of the rules which resulted in a huge drop in attendance in 2009, things have relaxed slightly and you can buy a special "all you can drink beer" Mug Club ticket now.
Preakness Traditions - Black-eyed Susans to the winner, the Woodlawn Vase trophy, the Alibi Breakfast, painting the weather vane, and more.
Always Dreaming romps in the 2017 Kentucky Derby (G1) - Favorite Always Dreaming led most of the way to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 2 3/4 lengths in the slop at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Longshots Lookin at Lee and Battle of Midway finished second and third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Kentucky Derby Undercard Stakes Results - There were 6 other stakes on the card today with the Derby, including the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) won by Divisidero, the Humana Distaff (G1) won by Paulassilverlining, the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (G2) won by Roca Rojo, the Churchill Downs Stakes (G2) won by Limousine Liberal, the American Turf (G2) won by Arklow, and the Pat Day Mile (G3) won by Wild Shot. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Abel Tasman wins the 2017 Kentucky Oaks (G1) - Abel Tasman came from last early on to win the Kentucky Oaks (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths in the slop at Churchill Downs on Friday. Daddys Lil Darling was second and Lockdown was 3rd while favorite Paradise Woods faded to 11th. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Kentucky Oaks Undercard Stakes Results - There were 5 other stakes on the card today with the Oaks, including the La Troienne (G1) won by Big World, the Alysheba (G2) won by Bird Song, the Eight Belles (G2) won by Benner Island, the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G3) won by Green Mask, and the Edgewood Stakes (G3) won by La Coronel. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
2017 Kentucky Derby Track Notes
Classic Empire, last year's champion 2-year-old who won Saturday's Arkansas Derby (G1), arrived at Churchill Downs on Monday morning to prepare for the Grade I, $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 6. Classic Empire, who is expected to vie for favoritism in the Kentucky Derby after his half-length Arkansas Derby triumph, was bedded down in trainer Mark Casse's Barn 36 shortly after 10 a.m. Saturday's race was his first in 10 weeks. "It was incredibly rewarding to see Classic Empire return to his full potential," assistant trainer Norm Casse said. "It was extremely frustrating and challenging this winter with his antics but it means so much to our team that he returned the way he did."
Calumet Farm's Sunland Derby (G3) winner Hence breezed five furlongs in 1:00.40 Monday morning at Churchill Downs for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen in preparation for the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday, May 6. Hence breezed in company over the "fast" track at 6 a.m. with Local Hero (1:00.40) in fractions of :13, :25,40, :37 and :48.60, before galloping out three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.40 and seven furlongs in 1:27.
Kentucky Derby contender J Boys Echo recorded a half-mile move in :49.20 Monday morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Dale Romans, his first breeze since running fourth in the Blue Grass (G2) on April 8 at Keeneland. The 3-year-old colt by Mineshaft and winner of the March 4 Gotham (G3) began his workout at the three-furlong pole under Tammy Fox, who recorded splits of :12.20, :24.60 and :36.80.
Janis Whitham's Blue Grass (G2) third-place finisher McCraken breezed a half-mile in :47.80 Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs for trainer Ian Wilkes in preparation for the Grade I, $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 6. McCraken, who was ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., breezed over the "fast" track through splits of :12.60, :24.60 and :36.40 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00 and three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.40.
The owners of Arkansas Derby (G1) runner-up Conquest Mo Money are scheduled to hold a 3 p.m. EDT news conference at Sunland Park to announce the future plans for the 3-year-old colt. Conquest Mo Money is not nominated to the Triple Crown and his owners Tom and Sandy McKenna of Judge Lanier Racing would have to pay a $200,000 late supplemental nomination to become eligible for the Kentucky Derby. Update: They announced he would skip the Kentucky Derby and train up to the Preakness.
