I’ll Have Another trainer to be suspended after Belmont

Despite vigorously denying he gave one of his horses an illegal performance-enhancing mixture, trainer Doug O’Neill was suspended 45 days — a ban that won’t take effect until after his superstar colt, I’ll Have Another, tries to win the Triple Crown. After a nearly two-year …

Last Triple Crown jockey likes I’ll Have Another’s chances

For Triple Crown-winning jockey Steve Cauthen, 34 years ago seems like yesterday. And after watching I’ll Have Another’s victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, he thinks the Triple Crown drought might finally come to an end in the Belmont Stakes. “The colt has a …

I’ll Have Another will need another big effort in Belmont

NEW YORK — I’ll Have Another will face several familiar foes in his attempt to win the Belmont Stakes and become the first Triple Crown champion in 34 years. Among the 3-year-olds trying to play spoiler in the June 9 Belmont are Dullahan and Union …

I’ll Have Another wins Preakness

BALTIMORE — I’ll Have Another waited a little longer to catch Bodemeister in the stretch this time, and now that he has done it twice, it’s time for a Triple Crown try in the Belmont Stakes. With a breathtaking closing rush, the smooth-striding colt won …

Bob Baffert is cool with keeping a low profile during lead-up to Preakness

BALTIMORE — One good thing about losing the Kentucky Derby is that nobody wants much of your time for two solid weeks. Bob Baffert’s countdown still had 36 hours or so left to run Friday morning when the silver-tongued Hall of Fame trainer stepped outside …

Preakness favorite bodes well for ‘Another’ upset

BALTIMORE — Doug O’Neill could have been insulted. The Preakness odds had just been announced and the Kentucky Derby winner was second favorite behind a horse he ran down and defeated two weeks earlier. O’Neill smiled. He figured the handicapper at Pimilico Race Course was …

Kentucky Derby sets attendance, betting records

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Churchill Downs was a financial winner as Kentucky Derby week set more records for attendance and betting. Derby week earnings before taxes and other accounting measures increased about $4.5 million to $5.5 million compared with last year, The Courier-Journal reported. The total …

Coroner refuses to release autopsy on body found after Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Kent. — A Kentucky coroner says an autopsy revealed injuries on a body found in a barn at Churchill Downs just hours after the Kentucky Derby. But she refused to release more details. Jo-Ann Farmer, chief deputy coroner for Jefferson County, said Monday she …

Man found dead in barn at Churchill Downs after Kentucky Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — U.S. authorities plan to conduct an autopsy Monday for a man who was found dead in a barn at Churchill Downs hours after the Kentucky Derby. The victim, who worked at the track, was identified Sunday as 48-year-old Adan Fabian Perez, a …

Kentucky Derby notebook: Union Rags pinched at start, fails to be a factor

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Union Rags never had a chance after a brutal start in the Kentucky Derby. The Dixie Union colt ridden by Julien Leparoux was pinched back at the break and caught in-between rivals that cost him early position after being one of the …

Emotional Bob Baffert happy with second this time

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — No argument with the winning gang in the Kentucky Derby. How could there be? The horse, I’ll Have Another, once picked off the bargain rack for $35,000, and going out Saturday at 15-1. The jockey, 25-year-old Mario Gutierrez, never having ridden a …

I’ll Have Another rallies down stretch to win Kentucky Derby 138

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The biggest long shot of them all in the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby might have been the ­winning jockey.

A year ago, Mario Gutierrez, 25, of Vera Cruz, Mexico, was in British Columbia watching the most famous thoroughbred horse race …

New name, stakes race reflect Arlington’s international focus

If there’s one thing that Arlington Park chairman Dick Duchossois wants people to know about the five-month season that kicked off Friday, it’s that the racetrack is now known as Arlington International Racecourse. “We’re changing the name back,” Duchossois said. It might be because Duchossois …

Rosie Napravnik rides into history with victory in Kentucky Oaks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bursting from the gate hard, Believe You Can made believers out of everyone Friday in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks and truly made it ladies day at Churchill Downs when Rosie Napravnik made history as the first female jockey to win the …

Weather delays racing at Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The infield at Churchill Downs is being emptied because of a severe thunderstorm in the area, and racing has been delayed before the running of the Kentucky Oaks. Churchill Downs officials recommended that all infield patrons “calmly exit” and seek shelter because …