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 …

Jockey Robby Albarado arrested, loses Kentucky Oaks mount

Jockey Robby Albarado was arrested Friday on an assault charge for allegedly accosting a woman who says she was breaking up with him, resulting in the veteran rider losing his spot in the Kentucky Oaks later in the day.

Kentucky Derby odds are no easy pickings

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Longtime Kentucky Derby oddsmaker Mike Battaglia was tempted to flip a coin as he evaluated whether Bodemeister or Union Rags should be made the favorite for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. Even Wednesday’s luck of the draw didn’t provide much separation between the two …

Arlington Park set for opener

At almost the 11th hour, Arlington Park Racetrack and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association agreed to a new contract for the 2012 season, just in time for Arlington to open its 85th season Friday. Arlington Park general manager Tony Petrillo said Arlington officials met with …

For horse people, Churchill Downs is place to be

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The thing that matters most is that he is in the game. Optimizer, trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ record 45th Kentucky Derby mount, is a 50-1 shot to win the 138th Run for the Roses on Saturday at Churchill Downs, but you never …

Bodemeister named 4-1 favorite in hard-to-figure Kentucky Derby field

LOUISVILLE — In the race that hardly ever runs to form, Bodemeister was named the favorite for Saturday’s 138th annual Kentucky Derby and drew the cozy sixth post position. The horse named for Olympic skier Bode Miller — a generation and a species removed — …

Kentucky Derby not ready for night racing, yet

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Horse racing under lights with the twin spires aglow. That’s been the scene as Kentucky’s Churchill Downs racetrack has dabbled with night racing since 2009. The results at the Louisville track have been like hitting the exacta for surging attendance and betting. …