Our American racing expert Rachel Candelora can't wait for all of tonight's Classic action from Churchill Downs. Don't miss a thing from 1700(BST) live on Racing TV Extra! The Kentucky Derby has long been viewed as American’s most historic and storied race, but today's 149th renewal may take things one step further.
The scratching of five horses from the field in less than a 48 -our period is unheard of and with the late scratch of the long-time favourite Forte the door has now been left open for a sensational first win in the race by a Japanese-trained horse. Both of the Japanese runners have a great chance but for me #22 MANDARIN HERO, the bigger price of the pair, is the one for whom racing immortality awaits. I shall explain why I think so below.
In the absence of Forte, the horse who would have been my selection until his late absence, Todd Pletcher's remaining two runners are #5 TAPIT TRICE and #6 KINGSBARNS.
Tapit Trice has won four of his five career stars and is coming into the Derby off the back of a tenacious late charge to win the Grade One Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland, while Kingsbarns is a prefect three out of three after landing the Grade Two Louisiana Derby last time out at the Fair Grounds.
While Kingsbarns' lack of racing experience is a concern given only two of 148 winners of the Kentucky Derby have won with only three starts under their belt, the likes of Justify (2018) and Big Brown (2008) have recently shown that with the right handling this stat is not that important any more.
Pletcher has given Kingsbarns a much longer break than normal after his Louisiana Derby win and therefore he is coming here fresh, while he has also been noted as training well over the surface in the morning - often an overlooked clue going into the Derby. Kingsbarns appeals far more as an each-way prospect than Tapit Trice, his achilles heel being that he is a slow starter and that is something which has proved the downfall of so many fancied horses in the past.
"Japanese Juggernaut"
In recent years the “Japanese Juggernaut” has taken over global horse racing and this year’s Derby is no exception as Japan fields two of the 19 runners.
There have been four previous Japanese runners in the Derby with Master Fencer’s 6th in 2019 the best showing. At face value, Japan’s best chance is #17 DERMA SOTOGAKE who is coming in here off the back of a visually impressive and all-the-way 5½-length win the Group Two UAE Derby.
This son of US Champion Sprinter Mind Your Biscuits can make the running or sit off the pace and has been another of the talking horses in the morning at Churchill with his works, especially with his final work April 26 where he jumped off five lengths behind former Derby rival (now scratched) Continuar and finished well on top over five furlongs – a move that impressed the watchers, clockers, and even his trainer.
The other Japanese runner is #22 MANDARIN HERO, who will not get as much credit as he is warranted after being a reserve that only drew into the race on Thursday night. However, his connections opted to ship this dual stakes winner to the US earlier to take in a prep race where he finished a nose 2nd in the Grade One Santa Anita Derby, making a strong rally between rivals to just miss out and was possibly unlucky to not be awarded the race as he was bumped by the winner in mid-stretch. Due to last-minute defections he is the only Santa Anita Derby participant to take part in this race and he has the benefit of former Eclipse Award Champion Apprentice Kazushi Kimura aboard.
2023 Kentucky Derby verdict
I am really pleased that #22 Mandarin Hero has drawn into the field and think he is likely to be the value play on any ticket. The comparative lack of racing experience for #6 Kingsbarns doesn’t bother me as he was so visually impressive when winning at the Fair Grounds. #17 Derma Sotogake gets a lot of respect from me and earns a final place on my Derby shortlist.
And finally...
Ninety minutes before the Derby field goes to the gate, some of America’s top turf performers line up in the
Grade One Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic and #8
SANTIN bids to become the fourth dual winner of this race (in the last 15 years) having taken it by a neck twelve months ago.
Representing the Oaks-winning connections of trainer Brendan Walsh and jockey Tyler Gaffalione, he quickened up well to win a woefully slow-run renewal last year but then showed his versatility when winning a much quicker-run Grade One Arlington Million over course and distance in August.
He has not won since, but Churchill Downs appears to bring out the very best in him and a line can be put through his 4th placed finish in the Kentucky Cup Classic on the all-weather at Turfway Park, when he stumbled badly at the start and was never at the races.
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What's The Scoop throws away victory at Sandown!
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Jane Mangan joins Ruby, Lydia and Josh to look back on two frantic days of action from the 2026 Dublin Racing Festival including victories for Majborough, Fact To File, Talk The Talk and many more. Mark Walsh enjoyed some redemption with some massive successes weeks after finding out he was to lose his job for JP McManus, while Gordon Elliott also had reason to celebrate after Brighterdaysahead downed Lossiemouth.
Find out what the Road To Cheltenham team made of it all!
#racingtv #horseracing #roadtocheltenham #cheltenhamfestival
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Aamilah Aswat made turf history at Kempton Park when becoming the first female black jockey to ride a winner over jumps.
The 20-year-old partnered 9-1 chance Guchen to a length and a quarter success in the Best Odds Guaranteed Overnight At CopyBet Handicap Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs.
The same horse had provided Aswat with her first ever ride in public, also at Kempton Park, when finishing fifth in a similar contest back in November.
Speaking after her success today, Aswat said: “He gave me a great feeling all the way round and always felt like he had plenty left.
“It just feels amazing to get a winner and so soon as well. I am very thankful to all the connections – the owners and the two trainers. Guchen jumped really well and I was so happy with him.”
Speaking about her route to riding as a professional Jump jockey, Aswat added: “It has been rocky, but I have stuck with it and it has been so rewarding. Hopefully, there will be many more winners.
“If it wasn’t for the Ebony Horse Club, I wouldn’t have progressed in my race riding career so far. I am very thankful to them.”
#horseracing #equine #horses
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Doctor Steinberg maintained his perfect record over hurdles with a comprehensive victory in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Hot on the heels of wins at Galway and Navan, where he accounted for subsequent Grade Two winner Thedeviluno, the Willie Mullins-trained Doctor Dino gelding again demonstrated his liking for obstacles when galloping home eight lengths clear in the hands of Paul Townend.
Yeshil made the early running, but the 7-4 favourite took up the running two out and quickly put the race to bed, with Kazansky staying on for second.
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Fact To File bounced back to form to lift the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup, with stablemate Galopin Des Champs having to settle for a gallant third place in his bid to land the Leopardstown showpiece for the fourth year in a row.
A dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and victorious in the Dublin Racing Festival feature in each of the past three seasons, Galopin Des Champs was the 15-8 favourite to match the feat of another Willie Mullins-trained superstar in Florida Pearl, who claimed four renewals between 1999 and 2004.
The 10-year-old suffered his first defeat in eight starts over fences at Leopardstown when third in his bid for a third Savills Chase in late December, but as that was his belated seasonal reappearance improvement was expected under Paul Townend.
After tracking Savills Chase winner Affordale Fury for much of the way, Galopin Des Champs jumped to the front four fences from home – drawing a cheer from the crowd – but was quickly joined by Monty’s Star and Fact To File, who was bidding to put a disappointing run in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day behind him.
Another Mullins runner in Gaelic Warrior threw his hat into the ring from the home turn, but 9-2 shot Fact To File was travelling much the best under Mark Walsh and kept up the gallop to score by five lengths.
Gaelic Warrior was a clear second, with Galopin Des Champs narrowly beating Firefox to third to give the champion trainer a one-two-three. Reigning Cheltenham hero Inothewayurthinkin was tired faller at the last, but was able to walk away.
#horseracing #dublinracingfestival #horses
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