Rivals believe Orb has Triple Crown potential

BALTIMORE — Everything’s a go for Orb.

The Kentucky Derby winner was in a playful mood the day before the Preakness, making faces for photographers between nibbles of grass outside his stall at Pimlico Race Course.

“He’s really settled in well. He seems to be …

Long-shot Oxbow upsets Orb in Preakness

BALTIMORE — Right from the start, a horse trained by one not so over-the-hill Hall of Famer and ridden by another took control of the Preakness. The result: A huge upset and the end of any hopes for a Triple Crown attempt at the ­Belmont …

2013 Kentucky Derby

Some of the lasting images of the 139th running of the Kentucky Derby won by Orb.

Orb shrugs off Churchill slop to uncork winning rally in Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Way back in the pack heading into the final turn, Orb was calm even if his ­jockey wasn’t. Then trainer Shug McGaughey’s bay colt picked up speed, churning through a sloppy track that resembled creamy peanut butter, and blew past rivals one-by-one. …

Orb wins Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Orb splashed through the slop to win the Kentucky Derby, coming from far back in the pack and giving Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey his first victory in the 3-year-old classic. When the field turned for home on the cool, overcast …

So many angles make this one dizzy Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A trainer flooding the field with five horses. A black jockey trying to make history, and a woman rider, too. Louisville coach Rick Pitino seeking a double — champions in racing and basketball. He’s sure in the right place. The 19-horse field …

Black Onyx scratched from Kentucky Derby

Long shot Black Onyx is a late scratch for the Kentucky Derby, leaving 19 horses to vie for the roses.

Co-owner Rick Pitino goes for Kentucky Derby win

Rick Pitino became a Hall of Famer and an NCAA champion on the same day. Now the Louisville basketball coach is positioned to become a Kentucky Derby-winning owner if Goldencents wins on Saturday.

Kentucky Derby will have full field of 20 horses

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Twenty-one horses have been entered for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, one more than the maximum field of 20. The entry box closed Wednesday morning, with the draw to determine post positions set for later in the afternoon. The field is limited to the …

Kentucky Derby: Top 10 picks

Doug O’Neill is gearing up for a Kentucky Derby repeat. A year after winning the Derby with I’ll Have Another, the trainer is going for another — this time with Goldencents.

Departing wins Illinois Derby

Race favorite Departing came on strong at the head of the stretch to win the Grade III $750,000 Illinois Derby by 3º lengths Saturday at Hawthorne Race Course. Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Departing ran 1 1/8 miles race in 1:50.78 on the fast track. …

Equine virus resurfaces at Hawthorne Race Course

An equine virus that has caused the deaths of at least four horses and forced a quarantine at Hawthorne Race Course might have claimed another horse last weekend. The latest case comes several weeks after the virus appeared to have run its course after manifesting …

Fort Larned’s Classic stunner tops upset-filled weekend in Breeders’ Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. — Bob Baffert got beat again in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. Bill Mott settled for half of a repeat sweep in the weekend’s two biggest races. The Hall of Fame trainers could only wince as 9-1 long shot Fort Larned won …

Bill Mott juiced about potential double double in Classic races

ARCADIA, Calif. — Bill Mott is in position to duplicate the ultimate daily double. The Hall of Fame trainer swept the $2 million Ladies’ Classic and $5 million Classic at last year’s Breeders’ Cup. He could do it again this weekend, with Royal Delta defending …

Going wire-to-wire, Little Mike captures the Arlington Million for the Vaccarezzas

Priscilla Vaccarezza was born in Chicago, grew up in Carol Stream and attended Glenbard North High School. But she never had been to Arlington Park until Saturday, when her horse Little Mike won the 30th running of the Arlington Million over British invader Afsare in …