Drosselmeyer just dandy in Breeders’ Cup Classic

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Just hours after he warned Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey “I was coming after him,” jockey Mike Smith on Saturday won his record-tying 15th Breeders’ Cup race in an astonishing come-from-behind charge — beating his ex-girlfriend in the process. Steering 14-1 Drosselmeyer …

Royal Delta crowns Bill Mott again at Breeders’ Cup

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bill Mott has the Breeders’ Cup touch. His Royal Delta defeated a stacked field Friday night to cap the first day of the richest weekend in horse racing with a going-away triumph in the $2  million Ladies Classic. The veteran trainer collected his …

Breeders’ Cup: Classic fave Uncle Mo comes back from the near-dead

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Horses only get one shot at the Kentucky Derby, but the Breeders’ Cup is Uncle Mo’s second chance at Churchill Downs months after his owner wondered if the 3-year-old would live this long, never mind run again. The favorite in May’s Run …

Police: Jockey Kent Desormeaux tried running over a cop ... with his Porsche

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Police in New York say jockey Kent Desormeaux, a three-time Kentucky Derby winner, tried to run over a traffic cop. Saratoga Springs police say the 41-year-old Desormeaux, of Weston, Fla., was in his 2003 Porsche at Saratoga Race Course about 6:30 …

Beverly D. continues to be bonanza for Schwartz

Martin Schwartz has gone through at least 12 trainers in 11 years. But he might finally have found the right one in Chad Brown. “Unlike most businessmen who come into the horse business, I listen to my advisers,” Schwartz said. “And when they fail, they …

Cape Blanco has Gio Ponti’s number at Arlington Million

There doesn’t seem to be a rivalry between Gio Ponti and Cape Blanco — at least not now after Cape Blanco beat Gio Ponti by 21/2 lengths for the second time this ­season in Saturday’s 29th running of the Grade I Arlington Million stakes race …

Arlington Park chairman hasn’t forgotten friends lost in WWII

Arlington Park chairman Dick Duchossois has seen the horrors of war; the birth of four children, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and the resurrection of his beloved Arlington Park from a fire 26 years ago.

Gio Ponti wants to be Millionaire again in 3rd start

All eyes will be on Gio Ponti on Saturday at the 29th running of the Arlington Million at Arlington Park. The 6-year-old is vying for a second victory in the prestigious race in his record-tying third Million start. Gio Ponti picked up the fifth post …

History packs irony for visiting Arlington jockey Corey Nakatani

Nationally known jockey Corey Nakatani thinks it’s ironic that his home racetrack — Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. — was the site of a relocation camp for Japanese-Americans during World War II. In fact, his father lived in the camp in 1942.

But that is …

Injury ends year for Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom

NEW YORK — Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom has a more serious leg injury that will require surgery, and the colt won’t race again this year. The colt’s ownership, Team Valor International, said in a statement Wednesday that a second set of X-rays has revealed …

Detached retina had Arlington Park track announcer John Dooley worried

John Dooley used social media to tell the world about his health ­problems. The track announcer at Arlington Park had just awakened from surgery to repair a detached retina when he went on Twitter and wrote that he had the surgery at Skokie Hospital. Dooley …

Ruler on Ice pulls huge upset to win Belmont Stakes

Ruler On Ice posted a huge upset in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, taking the lead from Preakness winner Shackleford in the sloppy stretch and winning the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Belmont looks like the Derby all over again

NEW YORK — Even without a Triple Crown on the line, the 143rd Belmont Stakes might indeed be the ‘‘Test of the Champion.’’ The final leg of the Triple Crown features not only the rubber match between Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner …

Animal Kingdom made 2-1 favorite in Belmont Stakes

NEW YORK — The 1-2 finishers in the Kentucky Derby are 1-2 on the morning line for the Belmont Stakes. Derby winner Animal Kingdom was made the 2-1 favorite for the ­final leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday, with Derby runner-up Nehro the second …

Shackleford edges Animal Kingdom to win Preakness

BALTIMORE — Shackleford was sweating profusely, bucking and kicking until six crewmen  finally shoved him into the No. 5 gate Saturday at the Preakness Stakes. One ton of horseflesh all but screamed, ‘‘Get me out of here.’’ Less than two minutes after the gate sprang …