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Mandaloun schooling at Churchill Downs on Oaks Day.
Galloping and jogging over a track listed as good dominated the morning activity on the day before the 147th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1).
BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA, SAINTHOOD – Trainer Todd Pletcher put the finishing touches on his Derby colts Friday morning, getting the quartet out early for final gallops prior to their Saturday date with destiny in the form of a mile and a quarter.
Three of his charges were among the first horses on the track, ambling over from Barn 42 and going through the six-furlong gap at 5:15 for mile and a quarter gallops. Known Agenda had his regular exercise rider, Hector Ramos, in the tack; Dynamic One was partnered by Carlos Perez Quevedo, and Sainthood had old buddy Amelia Green aboard.
Kentucky Derby: Kendrick Carmouche looks to become the first Black jockey to win in over a century By: CNN
By Ben Morse and Jill Martin, CNN
(CNN) The 2021 Kentucky Derby is here and the fans, who can this time watch on site, are excited.
However, the historic race on Saturday will provide an opportunity for a few individuals to break barriers and create their own little bit history.
The Derby, which is run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, is the first race in horse racing s coveted Triple Crown, which also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
With fans and flowery hats, Derby is back at old home in May
Essential Quality is a 2-1 favorite as the race returns to its regular spot on the schedule.
By Beth HarrisAssociated Press
Charlie Riedel/Associated Press
LOUISVILLE, Ky. The bourbon is flowing again, flowery hats and humans are on the scene and 20 horses are ready to run the most chaotic race of their lives. After being disrupted by a pandemic, the Kentucky Derby is back with many of its traditions intact.
KENTUCKY DERBY
WHERE: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
FAVORITE: Essential Quality, 2-1
TELEVISION: NBC
America’s longest continuously held sporting event returns to its traditional spot on the calendar the first Saturday in May. The 147th edition comes less than eight months after it was run without spectators last September because of COVID-19, making it the shortest time between Derbies in history.
A Look Back At Mary Hirsch, Who Opened The Door For Female Trainers At Derby Sponsored by:
Mary Hirsch holding a horse named Jack Horner, with Max Hirsch looking on
When Vicki Oliver takes Hidden Stash to the saddling paddock on Saturday, she ll join a select group of trainers in Kentucky Derby history. Oliver will be the first female trainer to start a Derby runner in six years, and only the 17
th in the race s 147-year history. In interviews on the subject, Oliver has made it clear she s not ultra-keen on the female trainer angle – after all, horses don t spend much time fretting about the anatomy of their owners, trainers, or riders, and true horsemanship isn t ordained by chromosomes. In fact, the very first female trainer who blazed a trail for Oliver and others may have felt very much the same way.
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Brooklyn Strong at Churchill Downs
Mark Schwartz s Brooklyn Strong made his first appearance on the track at Churchill Downs Thursday morning, galloping a mile and a half over sloppy conditions caused by heavy overnight rains.
Steady rain was forecast all morning, but other than a few sprinkles during training hours everyone got their morning activity done before the precipitation began at 9:15.
BOURBONIC, DYNAMIC ONE, KNOWN AGENDA, SAINTHOOD – Trainer Todd Pletcher had weather concerns Thursday morning with a sizable rain storm projected to reappear at Churchill Downs in the 7 a.m. hour. So rather than wait for the 7:30-7:45 Derby/Oaks special training period as he had been doing in previous days with his Derby foursome, he got them going early.