Top Story
A sure sign that Derby season is almost here was installed Wednesday.
From
To
The Kentucky Derby picture didn’t just change over the weekend. It clarified.
Commandment broke his maiden last fall at Churchill Downs. He’ll soon be headed back there, looking for a much bigger victory. In a photo finish, Commandment won the Florida Derby on Saturday, completing a worst-to-first rally in the six-horse field and overtaking The Puma with the final bob of his head. It was the fourth consecutive win for Commandment, who had jockey Flavien Prat aboard on Saturday. Next up: the Kentucky Derby, the start of the Triple Crown series on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
Emerging Market galloped around the outside of four horses during the final three furlongs to win the $1 million Louisiana Derby by a head over Pavlovian on Saturday, earning the Chad Brown-trained horse enough Kentucky Derby qualifying points to enter the opening race of the Triple Crown. Emerging Market, now a winner both races he’s run, finished the 1 3/16-mile race distance in 1:55.18 and paid $6, $4 and $2.80. The Grade II victory also earned him 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Lecomte Stakes winner Golden Tempo finished third. Morning line favorite Chip Honcho ran near the front until the final turn before fading to fifth.
Incredibolt has won the Virginia Derby by four lengths and jumped to the top of the Kentucky Derby points race. At Colonial Downs, the colt won the 1 1/8-mile race under jockey Jaime Torres. He earned 50 qualifying points, leaving Incredibolt tied with Paladin for the top spot on the leaderboard. Trainer Riley Mott says he's feeling confident about reaching the Kentucky Derby. Incredibolt already owns two wins at Churchill Downs, where the Derby will be run on May 2. Grittiness was second and Confessional was third.
Keith Kaiser becomes a self appointed judge for the burger contest.
The Kentucky Derby is now less than two months away, and Churchill Downs is giving bettors another chance to try to pick the winner early.
Potente edged 67-1 shot Robusta by a head at the wire to win the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita. The colt gives trainer Bob Baffert another strong Kentucky Derby prospect. With Juan Hernandez aboard, Potente ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.92. Potente stays unbeaten after winning his debut last month. Baffert's other runner, the 4-5 favorite Brant, finished fifth. So Happy was third under 60-year-old Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith. The top five finishers earn qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby on May 2.
Time to grab those aprons as the finalists of the 2026 Derby Burger Challenge have been announced.
You have a chance to get in on all the action at Churchill Downs.