The New York Times racing writer Joe Drape shocked the horse racing universe with documentation proving that 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify failed a drug test after winning the Santa Anita Derby. That victory earned Justify enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby. Justify went on to win the Kentucky Derby but the Times story illustrates how the horse should have been disqualified from claiming the Santa Anita victory, thus opening a Derby slot for someone else's horse. Justify was found to have scopolamine in is system, a banned substance known to aid breathing and heart acceleration. Many in the California racing business are aware that scopolamine can get into hay through "environmental contamination." Trainer Bob Baffert was made aware of the
Tag: belmont stakes
Kentucky: the win, place, and show me state
The high holy season in Kentucky is upon us with thoroughbred racing underway at Keeneland thru April 29th. Churchill Downs opens the next day and leads us to the 142nd Kentucky Derby on May 7th. They're off! Keeneland paddock, April 15, 2016 another perfect day for win, place, or show Doug O'Neill, center, is the trainer of Kentucky Derby favorite Nyquist. Neither Tom or I bet on Doug O'Neill's 2012 Derby winner I'll Have Another so we won't miss a chance to ride another O'Neill victory run at this year's Greatest Two Minutes in Sports. Watch I'll Have Another race past 2012 favorite Bodemeister below. If 2016 reveals another superstar like last year's American Pharoah, don't be shocked if his
American Pharoah preps for a long-needed Triple Crown win
PRESS RELEASE: Zayat Stables' Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner American Pharoah breezed four furlongs in :48 on a fast track under Martin Garcia at 8:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Ky. The Bob Baffert-trained 3-year-old will attempt to become horse racing's 12th Triple Crown winner - and first since Affirmed in 1978 - in the 147th running of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (Grade I) on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Belmont Park. Splits for the workout were :12.20, :24 and :35.80. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:00.40 and three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.20. Credit: Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography Do you think horses mind when everyone else watches them bathe? Go Pharoah!