KENTUCKY DERBY

NEW YORK — (AP) — Trainer Eric Reed says if there is anyone to blame for Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike's poor performance in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, just point the finger at him. The problem was Rich Strike didn't like being in the middle of the track. And I should probably have not tried to do what I did with him today.”Dawson didn't think there was any technical reason Rich Strike didn't run well. “He will always be the Kentucky Derby winner, they can’t take that away from us. We’re not done now.”Reed and Dawson said the immediate plans are to point Rich Strike to run in the Travers at Saratoga this summer.

Trainer Eric Reed says if there is anyone to blame for Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike's poor performance in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, just point the finger at him. The veteran trainer who orchestrated one of the greatest upsets in Derby history when Rich Strike won at odds of 80-1 last month, said he switched racing tactics in the final jewel of the Triple Crown and it backfired. Reed told jockey Sonny Leon to keep the 3-year-old colt off the rail — his favorite spot when racing — and then make one big move when the field of eight got near the stretch.

The race, which is a mile-and-a-half long and drew only eight horses this year, marked the end of the Triple Crown season.

When Rich Strike bolted into horse racing’s spotlight in a little over minute with his Kentucky Derby upset victory, he shared the stage with his handler, who has long toiled in the shadows constantly tending to the champion colt.

Fast Facts about the Belmont Stakes Fast Facts about the Belmont StakesWhile the Kentucky Derby winner will be in the mix on Saturday when the 154th Belmont Stakes is run, there is no Triple Crown on the line this year. Here is what we know about the Belmont Stakes:When is the 2022 Belmont Stakes? The Belmont Stakes is held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. What time is the Belmont Stakes? Here are the post positions and odds for the 2022 Belmont Stakes as of Tuesday:1.

Belmont Draw Horse Racing FILE -Rich Strike (21), with Sonny Leon aboard, wins the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is the third betting choice on the morning line for the Belmont Stakes, with Triple Crown newcomer We the People installed as the favorite. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) (Jeff Roberson)NEW YORK — (AP) — Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is the third betting choice on the morning line for the Belmont Stakes, with Triple Crown newcomer We the People installed as the favorite. Rich Strike opened at 7-2 odds and drew the fourth post position in a field of eight horses for the 1 1/2-mile third leg of the Triple Crown. Barber Road, who was sixth in the Derby, drew the outside eighth post at odds of 10-1. “He handled (the Preakness) really well, and he’s got to move a step forward again.”Skippylongstocking, who finished fifth in the Preakness, drew the second post.

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike is the third betting choice on the morning line for the Belmont Stakes.

AdvertisementThe royal box in the Queen’s Stand was strung with a garland of purple flowers, the queen’s racing colors. The monarch’s daughter, Princess Anne, a former Olympic equestrian, was there to represent the queen, but for most of the afternoon the balcony at Epsom Downs looked empty. The queen’s horses, in the end, did not compete, though some of her retired racers joined as part of a parade in her honor. The queen is a fanatical horserace owner, horse breeder, horse shower, horse rider. “The queen has been a gift to horse racing that is true,” said Patrick Johnston, an equine enthusiast.

Obit Sarah Ramsey Horse Racing FILE - Owners of Kentucky Derby entrant Oscar Nominated, Ken, right, and Sarah Ramsey, trade roses before the post position draw for the 142nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 4, 2016. Sarah, a leading thoroughbred breeder and owner, has died. She died Sunday at her home in Nicholasville, Kentucky, according to Churchill spokesman Darren Rogers, who was informed by Ken Ramsey. “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Sarah Kathern Ramsey,” Churchill Downs president Mike Anderson said Monday night. Perry Martin, who co-owned 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, poked fun at the Ramseys by naming a filly Not a Kitten.

Sarah Ramsey, a leading thoroughbred breeder and owner, has died.

Lion Grounds Cafe inside the Red Lion Area Senior High School teaches students business skills and serves the school community.

After impressing with a strong workout, Rich Strike remains on track for the third leg of the Triple Crown. Trainer Eric Reed confirmed to The Associated Press on Sunday the plan is "absolutely" still to run Rich Strike in the Belmont. The plan is now for Rich Strike to stay at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, through the end of the month before traveling to New York. It took a horse being withdrawn from the Derby to get Rich Strike into the field just before the deadline. “He can definitely go longer.”Lukas-trained filly Secret Oath, who finished fourth in the Preakness, won't run in the Belmont.

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike remains on track to race in the Belmont Stakes on June 11.

Twelve hours before Early Voting won the Preakness, Kentucky Derby champion Rich Strike was back on the track at Churchill Downs to begin preparations for the Belmont Stakes. Trainer Eric Reed confirmed to The Associated Press on Sunday the plan is “absolutely” still to run Rich Strike in the Belmont.

APTOPIX Preakness Stakes Horse Race Jose Ortiz atop Early Voting wins the 147th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez)BALTIMORE — (AP) — Early Voting held off hard-charging favorite Epicenter to win the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, validating the decision to skip the Kentucky Derby and aim for the second leg of the Triple Crown. Early Voting stalked behind the leaders for much of the race before moving into the lead around the final turn. He finished 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Epicenter, who finished second like he did in the Derby. Early Voting, who went off at 5-1, gave trainer Chad Brown his second Preakness victory.

BALTIMORE — (AP) — Early Voting crossed the finish line first in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, which was run without Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike. Early Voter went off at 5-1. Favorite Epicenter made a hard charge up the rail to finish second. But Jose Ortiz guided Early Voting inside before the finish line well ahead of Epicenter, who was also second in the Derby. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Early Voting has won the Preakness Stakes, holding off a late challenge from fast-closing favorite Epicenter.

Fans are allowed back at the 2022 race for the first time since 2019.

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images /Getty Images)With the Kentucky Derby in the rearview mirror, fans will turn their eyes toward the second jewel in horse racing’s Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes. ET at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, where nine horses are set to run the 1 3/16-mile course. While the Preakness is the second race in the three races that make up the sport’s Triple Crown, there will not be a Triple Crown winner in 2022. Rich Strike, who was an 80-1 underdog when he won the 2022 Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, will be running in the 2022 Preakness. >>No Triple Crown for 2022: Rich Strike won’t run PreaknessEpicenter is currently listed as the odds-on favorite of winning the race with odds at 6-5.

Those in favor of the status quo point to the sport’s tradition and say it should be difficult to win the Triple Crown. “That’s what makes the Triple Crown interesting and makes it hard to do," said trainer Saffie Joseph, who is saddling Skippylongstocking in the Preakness. They’ve followed the same schedule since 1969, except in 2020 when the pandemic disrupted the order of the Triple Crown. “You would take away everything the Triple Crown is by changing the timing,” Casse said. Maybe it takes a year when there aren’t that many good horses so he can win the Triple Crown.

Kentucky Derby Horse Racing Kentucky Derby entrant Epicenter works out at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 5, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel)BALTIMORE — (AP) — Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter was set Monday as the 6-5 morning line favorite for the Preakness Stakes, which will be run without Rich Strike. 8 post, and fourth-place finisher Simplification are the only horses back for the Preakness from the Derby, which Rich Strike won with a furious charge down the stretch. Beyond Rich Strike, a handful of other horses expected to run in the Preakness were removed from the field before the draw.

Kentucky Derby runner-up Epicenter has been set as the morning line favorite for the Preakness.

Jan. 6 was our warning. We journalists have find new ways to convey to voters how much is at risk.

Rick Dawson, owner of Rich Strike and RED TR-Racing, said the horse will skip the next stop of the Triple Crown and get some rest before the third race in the series, the Belmont Stakes, in New York.

The horse's owner said they will use the time for Rich Strike to rest before the Belmont Stakes next month.

Kentucky Derby Horse Racing Rich Strike, with Sonny Leon aboard, crosses the finish line to win the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson)Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will not run in the Preakness. Dawson said he and trainer Eric Reed agreed to stick with the initial plan for Rich Strike and rest him for five weeks. Rich Strike, at 80-1, was the biggest long shot to win the Derby in more than a century. The plan now is to have Rich Strike ready to run in the Belmont Stakes on June 11. With Rich Strike pointing to the Belmont, the Preakness appears to be a wide open race with horses back from the Derby, potentially including Zandon and fourth-place finisher Simplification.

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will not run in the Preakness.

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike not running in Preakness Stakes Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike will not be running in the Preakness Stakes on May 21. (NCD)All bets are off for a Triple Crown in 2022 as the owner of Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike has announced he won’t be running the next horse race. >>Previous coverage: Longshot Rich Strike wins 2022 Kentucky DerbyRich Strike had 81-1 odds of winning the Kentucky Derby and wasn’t originally listed among the horses until Ethereal Road pulled out of the race. However, if Rich Strike would have run the Preakness, the suspension would not have affected the race, the AP reported. The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race is scheduled for later in the day.

ESPN tried to corral Eric Reed, who trained long shot winner Rich Strike, about the sexist slur.

Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announces the results from Churchill Downs’ biggest weekend of horse racing.

Jockey Sonny Leon follows his Kentucky Derby win with a four-day suspension for a careless riding incident last month at Ohio's Thistledown.

NBC's live Derby coverage was seen by an average of 16 million people on the network and Peacock on Saturday. CBS dominated the ratings in prime-time last week, averaging 4.2 million with “NCIS” as the most popular show. ABC's “World News Tonight” won the evening news ratings race, averaging 7.8 million viewers. NBC's “NIghtly News” had 6.5 million viewers and the “CBS Evening News” had 4.6 million. “NCIS,” CBS, 7.27 million.

Did an 80-1 longshot really win the Kentucky Derby.

Footage of Rich Strike lashing out at another horse after his Kentucky Derby Saturday victory has gone viral. So what prompted the horse’s outburst? Here’s what one horse racing professional thinks happened.

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike bit at a guide pony after winning the race, prompting the outrider to punch the horse's face.

The veteran trainer and everybody around him partied long after the 80-1 long shot pulled off a monumental feat on Saturday. Once their heads clear, the next step will be decide whether Rich Strike's storybook journey continues at the 147th Preakness on May 21 in Baltimore. One trainer with options is D. Wayne Lukas, whose scratch of Ethereal Road on Friday ironically set in motion the series of events culminating in Rich Strike’s last-minute entry and ultimate victory. “Just getting in the Derby to me was like a win,” said Reed, who fell in the paddock and didn’t see Rich Strike’s finish. And having my dad beside me, that was the best part for me.”Now, the sport awaits what Rich Strike's team believes is best for him.

The celebration after Rich Strike’s stunning Kentucky Derby upset continued long into the night.

Rich Strike’s stunning Kentucky Derby upset has the sports world buzzing and led to a sleepless night of celebration that Eric Reed was still recovering from Sunday morning. Once their heads clear, the next step will be decide whether Rich Strike's storybook journey continues at the 147th Preakness on May 21 in Baltimore. Similar decisions await for some of the favorites Rich Strike chased down late with Sonny Leon aboard on the way to clocking 2:02.61 in the 1 1/4-mile Derby.

Former President Donald Trump was so late he only got to watch the Derby itself, but posed for photos with everyone who went to the event, one attendee told the Herald-Leader.

Rich Strike did both one better after his last-minute Derby entry, blowing past 80-1 odds and then Epicenter and Zandon in the stretch Saturday for one of the biggest upsets in Derby history. “We had a difficult post but I know the horse,” Leon said about Rich Strike’s No. Nobody saw Rich Strike coming, figuratively or literally. That opened the door for Rich Strike, who breezed five furlongs in 59.60 seconds at Churchill Downs on April 27 and just had to wait for an opportunity. Rich Strike demonstrated why with a run for the ages.

Jockey Sonny Leon and trainer Eric Reed hit the ground running in every way imaginable for the Kentucky Derby.

While some social media users took issue with the outrider’s reaction, others responded that it was a reasonable response to a safety issue.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rich Strike, the longest shot in the 2022 Kentucky Derby, has won the 148th running at Churchill Downs. >> Read more trending newsBreaking News: In an upset, Rich Strike, the longest shot on the board at 80-1, won the 148th Kentucky Derby in front of the first full crowd at Churchill Downs since 2019. https://t.co/MFEtQ0LXfo — The New York Times (@nytimes) May 7, 2022Check back for more on this developing story. ©2022 Cox Media Group

Kentucky Derby Horse Racing Rich Strike (21), with Sonny Leon aboard, beats Epicenter (3), with Joel Rosario aboard, at the finish line to win the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) (Mark Humphrey)LOUISVILLE, Ky. — (AP) — Rich Strike came charging up the rail to overtake the leaders in the closing strides for a stunning 80-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby. Jockey Sonny Leon guided Rich Strike from well back in the 20-horse field to run by 4-1 favorite Epicenter and Zandon on Saturday at Churchill Downs. Rich Strike wasn’t even in the Derby field until Friday when Ethereal Road was scratched, making room for the colt trained by Eric Reed. Both Leon and Reed were in their first Derby. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Rich Strike came charging up the rail to overtake the leaders in the closing strides for a stunning 80-1 upset in the Kentucky Derby.

Anyone anticipating a return to normalcy in the Kentucky Derby got a dose of crazy Saturday when an 80-1 shot came charging up the rail to win at Churchill Downs. With favorite Epicenter and Zandon engaged in a duel at the front, Rich Strike stole the show with the second-biggest upset in the Derby's 148-year history. The chestnut colt beat 4-1 favorite Epicenter by three-quarters of a length.

Rich Strike emerged victorious among the 20 horses that competed in what is often described as "the most exciting two minutes in sports."

Former U.S. President Donald Trump attended the 2022 Kentucky Derby and made an appearance at a political fundraiser held at Churchill Downs.

This year, Churchill Downs hoped to again surpass 150,000, its pre-pandemic numbers.

Longshot and final entry Rich Strike has crossed the finish line first in the 148th Kentucky Derby, outracing favorite Epicenter and Zandon.

Kentucky Derby 5 fast facts The first Kentucky Derby was held in 1875. And for a Cincinnati Bengals cheerleader, a paddock proposal came as a complete surprise. >> Read more trending newsJustine Templin was at Churchill Downs on Friday with her boyfriend, Jack Kerby, on the eve of the 148th running of the Kentucky Derby, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported. >> Kentucky Derby 2022: When is it, which horses are running, what are the odds? She is also a data conversion supervisor at Reynolds and Reynolds in Cincinnati, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Kentucky Derby Horse Racing Kentucky Derby entrant Taiba works out at Churchill Downs Wednesday, May 4, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 7. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) (Charlie Riedel)Ah, the traditions of Kentucky Derby day. 1: A horse that starts on the rail can’t win the Derby. Unless you are at least 139 years old — we’re guessing that you aren’t — you’ve never seen a horse with just two career starts come to the Kentucky Derby and win.

The last three runnings of the Kentucky Derby have been anything but normal.

Churchill Downs says it is switching its strategy because online sports betting became too costly.

There are two types of people who watch the Kentucky Derby: Those who bet money and want to win, and spectators who just want to admire the strange names given to the horses.

What do you think of when you hear the words “Kentucky Derby?”

Kentucky Derby Previews LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MAY 05: Happy Jack during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 05, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky. >> Read more trending newsSaturday will see the running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The 2022 Kentucky Derby will be held on Saturday. Who is running in the Kentucky Derby? Mo Donegal, Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr., 10-12.

Kentucky Derby First Female Producer Horse Racing FILE - John Velazquez rides Medina Spirit across the finish line to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 1, 2021. The Kentucky Derby television broadcast will be produced by a woman for the first time in the 148-year-old history of the race. Lindsay Schanzer on Thursday, April 21, 2022, will be named senior producer of NBC Sports’ Derby coverage and oversee the network’s horse racing production. — (AP) — A deal for Drug Free Sport International to police medication in horse racing was announced Tuesday, two months before the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority takes effect. The anti-doping and medication rules aren’t expected to begin until Jan. 1, 2023, leaving the 38 states where horse racing occurs in charge for now.

A deal for Drug Free Sport International to police medication in horse racing is in place two months before the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority takes effect.

Kentucky Derby Back To Normal Horse Racing Spectators look on as horses approach the finish of a race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., Saturday, April 30, 2022. After the COVID-postponed 2020 race was run on Labor Day without spectators and went off last May with limited capacity, the Kentucky Derby could go off with full capacity at Churchill Downs. (AP Photo/Gary Graves) (GG)LOUISVILLE, Ky. — (AP) — Zandon and filly Nest are the morning-line favorites for the 148th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, respectively, at Churchill Downs, which will host both marquee races at full capacity for the first time since 2019. Epicenter was initially expected to be the Derby favorite following consecutive graded stakes wins, including the Louisiana Derby in March. The Kentucky Derby field with jockey and odds from the rail out:1.

WAVE's Kent Taylor tells us why he's going with Epicenter and the other horses in his Kentucky Derby trifecta.

Zandon and filly Nest are the morning-line favorites for the 148th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

Triple Crown Lookahead Horse Racing FILE - Jockey Mike Smith talks with trainer Bob Baffert after winning the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill Downs, Friday, May 3, 2019, in Louisville, Ky. The Kentucky Derby leads off the first Triple Crown season in decades without the chance of Bob Baffert officially winning one or more of the three races. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File) (Gregory Payan)The Kentucky Derby leads off the first Triple Crown season in decades without the chance of Bob Baffert officially winning one or more of the three races. Baffert-trained Justify won it on the way to sweeping the Triple Crown in 2018 after racing just three times before the first Saturday in May. Crown Pride would be the first Japan-based horse to win any Triple Crown race.

The Kentucky Derby leads off the first Triple Crown season in decades without the chance of Bob Baffert officially winning one or more of the three races.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas thought Bob Baffert was in trouble in fighting suspensions from Kentucky stewards and Churchill Downs.

Kentucky Derby First Female Producer Horse Racing FILE - John Velazquez rides Medina Spirit across the finish line to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., May 1, 2021. The Kentucky Derby television broadcast will be produced by a woman for the first time in the 148-year-old history of the race. Lindsay Schanzer on Thursday, April 21, 2022, will be named senior producer of NBC Sports’ Derby coverage and oversee the network’s horse racing production. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File) (Jeff Roberson)The Kentucky Derby television broadcast will be produced by a woman for the first time in the 148-year-old history of the race. Lindsay Schanzer is the new senior producer for NBC Sports’ Derby coverage, overseeing the network’s horse racing production.

The Kentucky Derby television broadcast will be produced by a woman for the first time in the 148-year-old history of the race.

Trainer Steve Asmussen tells Daily Racing Form Midnight Bourbon died after "an acute gastrointestinal situation."

— (AP) — Cyberknife won the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday in the richest prep race for the Kentucky Derby. Secret Oath, the filly trained by 86-year-old Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, paid $2.80 to show. He has been sanctioned stemming from the disqualification of Medina Spirit, who finished first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. Trained by Brad Cox, Cyberknife won his previous race Feb. 19 at the Fair Grounds. The colt finished sixth in his only other stakes race on Jan. 22 in Louisiana,Copyright 2022 The Associated Press.

Kentucky’s racing director has denied Bob Baffert’s request to stay his suspension by stewards in their ruling that also disqualified Medina Spirit as Kentucky Derby winner.

Medina Spirit has been stripped of the victory in last year’s Kentucky Derby and Mandaloun has been declared the winner in a ruling by state racing stewards.

The 3-year-old colt whose Kentucky Derby victory in May came under scrutiny because of a positive drug test has collapsed and died after a workout at Santa Anita in Southern California.

An attorney for trainer Bob Baffert says split-sample urine testing of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit has shown that a steroid present in the colt’s system came from a topical ointment and not an injection.

The Breeders' Cup Classic features a loaded field with impressive resumes.

Knicks Go is the early 5-2 favorite for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic this weekend at Del Mar.

A New York federal judge seems sympathetic to horse trainer Bob Baffert's claims that his May suspension by the New York Racing Association was unconstitutional after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test.

The Triple Crown again featured three different winners in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont.

Favorite Essential Quality won the Belmont Stakes to give trainer Brad Cox his first win in a Triple Crown race.

Trainer Bob Baffert has been suspended for two years by Churchill Downs after an additional drug test of Medina Spirit confirmed the presence of the steroid betamethasone in the Kentucky Derby winner's system.

Essential Quality has been set as a 2-1 favorite for the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.

Bob Baffert has been temporarily suspended from entering horses at New York racetracks pending an investigation of the failed drug test by Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit.

Rombauer sprung an upset to win the Preakness Stakes at odds of 11-1.

Rombauer has given trainer Michael McCarthy his first Triple Crown victory by winning the 146th running of the Preakness as an 11-1 shot.

The conversation this week should be about how Medina Spirit ran a sensational race at the Kentucky Derby, raving about how the horse’s rags-to-riches story is just the type of feel-good tale that the world needs in some brutally difficult times.

Some fans are back at the Preakness to witness another run at a Triple Crown.

Bob Baffert not physically being present at the Preakness isn't keeping his shadow from hanging over the race and the Triple Crown.

For five years, a bill that would place the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency in charge of fighting illicit drug use in horse racing went nowhere in Congress.

The Preakness is allowing Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit to enter Saturday's race subject to additional testing and monitoring following the colt’s failed drug test after the Derby.

Trainer Bob Baffert says Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit was treated with an antifungal ointment containing the steroid betamethasone that may have caused the horse to fail a postrace drug test.

Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit's failed postrace drug test has put doping horses back in the spotlight when the sport would rather have the focus on the Triple Crown.

Medina Spirit’s victory in the Kentucky Derby is in serious jeopardy because of a failed postrace drug test.

Two sports events last week, the Kentucky Derby and first round of the NFL draft, pulled in more television viewers than the Academy Awards less than two weeks earlier.

The Belmont Stakes will limit attendance to 11,000 spectators for the third leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown series.

As Bob Baffert digests a record seventh Kentucky Derby win that even caught him off guard, the Hall of Fame trainer and Medina Spirit’s connections must determine whether the colt will turn around quickly for the Preakness on May 15.

Medina Spirit fought off three challengers in the stretch to win the Kentucky Derby, making Bob Baffert the winningest trainer in the race’s 147-year history with seven victories.

Medina Spirit has won the 147th Kentucky Derby by a half-length over Mandaloun to give Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a record seventh victory in the premier race for 3-year-olds.

The Kentucky Derby is back in its traditional spot on the sports calendar — the first Saturday in May.

Essential Quality is the 2-1 morning line favorite and will start from the No. 14 post for the 147th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Rock Your World won the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby by 4 1/4 lengths over 4-5 favorite Medina Spirit, preventing Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert from earning his 10th win in the West Coast’s prep for the Kentucky Derby.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Known Agenda owner Vincent Viola kept asking trainer Todd Pletcher the same question over the last few days. “Do you think we really have a shot in the Florida Derby?" Known Agenda ran away from the field in the Florida Derby on Saturday, and might keep on going all the way to Churchill Downs to start the Triple Crown season. Pletcher won the Florida Derby for a record sixth time, and Known Agenda covered the 1 1/8 miles on the dirt in 1 minutes, 49.45 seconds. Viola had to be talked out of a plan to send Known Agenda to the Santa Anita Derby, simply because he didn't think the horse was ready for the Florida Derby.