Dick Downey

Kentucky

@BloodHorse contributor. Seasonal Kentucky Derby website. Treasurer & website adm'r of @NTWAB. Hall of Fame, Eclipse Awards & NTRA weekly poll voter.

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Articles

Daily Derby Update: May 4, 2025

1 week ago | thedowneyprofile.com | Dick Downey

DAILY DERBY UPDATEMay 4, 2025SOVEREIGNTY - Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott drew a crowd Sunday morning at Barn 19 as he and Godolphin’s director of bloodstock Michael Banahan reviewed the previous day’s proceedings at Churchill Downs. Their Godolphin charge had run the race of his brief career on a sloppy Churchill Downs strip to come away a length and a half winner in the $5 million Kentucky Derby in front of 147,406 cheering fans and tens of millions of television viewers across the world.
Monday, April 28, 2025

2 weeks ago | thedowneyprofile.com | Dick Downey

DAILY DERBY UPDATEApril 29, 2025ADMIRE DAYTONA – UAE Derby (GII) winner Admire Daytona warmed up in the one-mile chute, then had a light training session on the track prior to schooling in the paddock. Trainer Yukihiro Kato was expected to arrive Monday afternoon and the colt could breeze Tuesday.
Kentucky Derby Field

2 weeks ago | thedowneyprofile.com | Dick Downey

KENTUCKY DERBY 151 PRESUMPTIVE ENTRIES May 3, 3025 $5,000,000 guaranteed Maximum field of 20 POST POSITION DRAW SATURDAY APPROXIMATELY 7:25 ET BETWEEN RACES 5 and 6 AT CHURCHILL DOWNS ADMIRE DAYTONA (JPN) Derby Points: Euro/UAE Road Earnings: $672,047 Jockey: Christophe Lemaire Trainer: Yukihiro Kato Owner: Junko Kondo Breeder: Northern Racing Foal Date: March 17, 2022 Auction Price(s): JRHA Yearling 2022 $480,276 Last race: Second G2 UAE Derby AMERICAN PROMISE (KY) Derby Points: 55 Earnings:...
Daily Derby Update: April 26, 2025

2 weeks ago | thedowneyprofile.com | Dick Downey

DAILY DERBY UPDATEApril 26, 2025Burnham Square topped a list of five Kentucky Derby hopefuls with timed workouts Saturday morning at Churchill Downs under three track conditions. However, one of the five, Tappan Street, will not be participating in Kentucky Derby 151. The Brad Cox trainee exited his five-furlong work in :59.60 with a right foreleg injury.
Court Dismisses 'Toe Grab' Suit From 2022 Lukas Classic

4 weeks ago | bloodhorse.com | Dick Downey

A lawsuit filed seeking damages after Rich Strike finished second behind Hot Rod Charlie in the 2022 Lukas Classic (G2) at Churchill Downs was dismissed this week by Jefferson Circuit Court in Louisville, Ky.The dismissal order filed April 14 kept intact Hot Rod Charlie's head victory.
PTHA Lawsuit Nearing Jury Trial

1 month ago | bloodhorse.com | Dick Downey

A lawsuit seeking the removal of seven board members of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association has been set for trial. A court petition filed in September by board president Robert Hutt and John Julia, a board member, alleged financial improprieties and self-dealing among prior leadership of the PTHA, particularly former president Sal DeBunda, who left office in 2022 after being defeated in an election by Hutt.
Vaccarezza Malpractice Claim Against Baker Hits Barrier

1 month ago | bloodhorse.com | Dick Downey

After more than 10 years, Carlo Vaccarezza and his wife look likely to lose a $1.06 million veterinary malpractice claim against Dr. Vince Baker after a recently concluded retrial in Los Angeles Superior Court. The court's decision is not final, but a March 21 tentative ruling issued by Judge Gail Killefer finds the Vaccarezzas failed to meet their burden of proving Baker's malpractice led to monetary damages.
Wong Suit Against HISA Dismissed in Louisiana

1 month ago | bloodhorse.com | Dick Downey

An attempt by trainer Jonathan Wong to challenge in a Louisiana federal court sanctions that arose in Indiana was denied. The sanctions were issued by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. The order dismissing Wong's lawsuit was issued by federal court judge Terry Doughty, who in 2022 abruptly enjoined HISA and the Federal Trade Commission from implementing rules in Louisiana and West Virginia.
LA Supreme Court Strikes Down State's HHR Gaming

1 month ago | bloodhorse.com | Dick Downey

Ruling against the interests of four race tracks, the Supreme Court of Louisiana declared unconstitutional a statute legalizing historical horse racing machines without first requiring local voter approval. Lawsuits challenging gaming on HHR using devices that visually resemble slot machines were brought by local voters and residents against entities that own Delta Downs, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Louisiana Downs, and Evangeline Downs.
March 1 Gotham Stakes, Fountain of Youth Stakes, San Felipe Stakes

2 months ago | thedowneyprofile.com | Dick Downey

Kentucky Derby Road: March 1 Fountain of Youth Stakes, San Felipe Stakes, Gotham StakesCoolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes , 1 1/16 Mile at Gulfstream ParkSovereignty (3-1) came from back of the pack to nail River Thames (2-1) by a neck on the wire in the G2 Fountain of Youth, timed in 1:43.12. River Thames attended the early pace of 23.12, 47.07 and 1:10.68 set by Neoquos (14-1) before taking over in upper stretch to lead almost to the finish.