Latest news with #KennyMcPeek
Forbes
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Thorpedo Anna Looks To Rebound In Fleur De Lis Stakes
Brian Hernandez Jr. reacts as he rides Thorpedo Anna to victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff horse ... More race in Del Mar, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna is back, and the $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis (G2) at Churchill Downs could be her redemption story—or a potential upset spot for sharp handicappers. This 1 1/8-mile race isn't just another stop on the calendar—it's a 'Win and You're In' for the 2025 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), offering major implications for both championship honors and your betting tickets. After a sensational 3-year-old campaign in 2024 that included wins in the Kentucky Oaks, Acorn, Coaching Club American Oaks, Cotillion, and a hard-fought triumph in the Breeders' Cup Distaff, Thorpedo Anna kicked off her 4-year-old season with authority. She romped in both the Azeri (G2) and Apple Blossom (G1) at Oaklawn, reinforcing her status as the division's queen. But then came the La Troienne (G1), where things went off script. Bumped repeatedly into the first turn, Thorpedo Anna lost all momentum and faded to seventh. Trainer Kenny McPeek and jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. have been vocal about the rough trip: 'She got pinballed going into that turn,' McPeek said. 'It looks like it took the breath out of her.' Still, connections are confident she'll bounce back Saturday with a clean trip and have taken their time bringing her back—nearly two months have passed since that race. Saturday's race will be a critical test. Bettors must weigh whether to trust her back class and excuses from the La Troienne or look elsewhere for value. Let's break down the rest of the five-horse field, in post position order: 1. Royal Spa (Prat/Brisset) 4-1: Winner of the Shawnee (G3) over this track. Tactical speed, steady progression, and Flavien Prat up make her an intriguing option if Thorpedo Anna stubs her toe again. Could be the value play. 2. Save Time (Ortiz Jr./Joseph Jr.) 20-1: A lightly raced filly with upside but making a massive class jump. With Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard, she's likely to take money—but will she be ready for this level? Questionable. 3. Thorpedo Anna (Hernandez/McPeek) 3-5: The champ. The one to beat. But the question remains: Can she rebound at short odds? She's the logical favorite, but not bulletproof. 4. Gin Gin (Jose Ortiz/Walsh) 7-2: Winner of the Doubledogdare (G3) at Keeneland and improving steadily. She's a stalker who could benefit if Thorpedo Anna and Royal Spa hook up early. Use underneath in exotics or consider as a win threat at a price. 5. Taxed (Bejarano/Morse) 9/2: The La Troienne (G1) runner-up could be flying under the radar. She already proved she can run well in this company and has value appeal if you're looking to beat the favorite. From a betting perspective, Thorpedo Anna is the one they'll have to run down, but value may lie with Royal Spa, especially if the pace turns honest early. Taxed looms as a strong exacta or trifecta key. But make no mistake, Thorpedo Anna should not lose this race and is a single in all exotics. This race not only stamps a ticket to the Breeders' Cup, but could also reshape the older filly & mare division—and your betting bankroll.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gulfstream Park: Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Could Exceed $150,000 Sunday
Gulfstream Park: Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Could Exceed $150,000 Sunday originally appeared on Paulick Report. Sunday's 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool is expected to grow to an estimated $150,000 Sunday at Gulfstream Park, where the popular multi-race wager went unsolved Saturday for the fourth racing day following a jackpot hit for $143,445.12. Advertisement The Rainbow 6 sequence will span Races 5-10, featuring the $70,000 Wildcat Red, a 1 1/18-mile overnight handicap for 3-year-olds and up, in Race 9. Relampago Verde, formerly trained by Kenny McPeek, is scheduled to make his first start for trainer Bobby DiBona, who has a solid record with new stable recruits. Sam Wilensky-trained Lure Him In, a consistent 10-race winner, appears to be the horse to beat. In the Rainbow 6, the carryover pool is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day's pool usually goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners, while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
03-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Render Judgment trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse
Render Judgment trainer, jockey, owner and more to know about 2025 Kentucky Derby horse Show Caption Hide Caption Kentucky Derby 2025 contender Render Judgment at Churchill Downs Derby contender Render Judgment is trained by Kenny McPeek and jockey Sheldon Russell is slated to ride during the 2025 Kentucky Derby. Render Judgment will enter the Kentucky Derby off a fifth-place finish in the Blue Grass at Keeneland Render Judgment is trained by Kenny McPeek, who won last year's Kentucky Derby with Mystik Dan Render Judgment is one of 20 horses expected to run in the 2025 Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs. Spots for the Run for the Roses are earned by gaining points through a series of Kentucky Derby prep races that began last September. The post-position draw for the Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, April 26. Post time for the Kentucky Derby is set for 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. Render Judgment will enter the Kentucky Derby off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 8 at Keeneland. He currently ranks 18th on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 39. Color: Bay. Bred in: Kentucky. Sire: Blame. Dam: Barbara Gordon, by Commissioner. Price tag: $310,000 at 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale. Owners: Baccari Racing Stable (Chris Baccari); Dream Walkin Farms (Tonni Covel); MJM Racing (Michael Mackin); Rocket Ship Racing (Brook T. Smith). First Derby for Baccari Racing Stable and Dream Walkin Farms. Mackin finished eighth with Smile Happy in 2022. Smith was a co-owner of Sierra Leone (second) in 2024. Trainer: Kenny McPeek. He's 1 for 10 in the Derby, winning with Mystik Dan in 2024. Jockey: Julien Leparoux. He's 0 for 14 in the Derby, best finishing coming with Classic Empire (fourth) in 2017. Record: 1-2-1 in seven starts. Career earnings: $250,672. Road to the Kentucky Derby points: 39 (No. 18). Last race: Fifth in Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 8 at Keeneland. Running style: Stalker. Notes: Trainer Kenny McPeek had planned to enter Render Judgment in an allowance race on Kentucky Derby Day but changed course after discussions with the horse's owners. … Render Judgment broke his maiden last October at Churchill Downs. He finished second — 7 ¾ lengths behind American Promise — in the Virginia Derby on March 15 at Colonial Downs. … The Kentucky Derby will mark Leparoux's first ride on Render Judgment. What they're saying: 'He's a nice horse, but he hasn't run the numbers that justify that he can win the Derby,' McPeek said. 'He's going to have to find a whole other level. But it is a horse race, and a lot can happen.' Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@ Follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ. More horse racing: American Pharoah, 10 years after Triple Crown run, enjoying life in Kentucky as stallion
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What horses are running in the Kentucky Oaks? Here's the latest on post positions, odds
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — 'Thorpedo Anna is still going strong at the 16th pole; she's got plenty left, and Brian Hernandez and Thorpedo Anna dominate the 150th Kentucky Oaks!' It's the stretch call that locked in a history-making year for horse trainer Kenny McPeek, accomplishing one of the greatest feats in thoroughbred racing, winning both the Kentucky Oaks and Derby for the first time since 1952. Kenny McPeek eyes another 'McDouble' Oaks, Derby sweep this year His pursuit of another doubleheader win begins on Friday, May 2, in the Kentucky Oaks with Take Charge Milady, the runner-up in the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland earlier this month. 'Well, we're dealing with this little abscess on her foot, and we've been trying a little of this and that to make sure it's right for Friday. I mean, we're going to be nip and tuck on all that,' McPeek told FOX 56. Here's a look at the field for the 151st Kentucky Oaks as of Thursday evening. Brad Cox's Good Cheer is the favorite in the 2025 running. She'll be coming out of gate 11 at 6-5 odds. Born to race: The Ortiz brothers reflect on their careers ahead of 151st Kentucky Derby What horses are running in the Kentucky Oaks? Here's the latest on post positions, odds Honoring the forgotten fillies: Derby mint juleps support retired mares at Our Mims Haven Other names to watch are the seventh horse, La Cara, who had a good showing at the Ashland Stakes in April at Keeneland, and Quietside, coming out of gate 14. Five G was scratched after Thursday's training session. Trainer George Weaver said he didn't like the way she looked on the track. Early On, 30-1, trained by Saffie Joseph. Simply Joking, 10-1, trained by D. Whitworth Beckman. Fondly, 30-1, trained by H. Graham Motion. Drexel Hill, 30-1, trained by D. Whitworth Beckman. Quickick, 30-1, trained by Thomas Amoss. Ballerina D'oro, 10-1, Chad Brown. La Cara, 6-1, trained by Mark Casse. Five G has scratched. Tenma, 12-1, trained by Bob Baffert. Take Charge Milady, 12-1, trained by Kenny McPeek. Good Cheer, 6-5, trained by Brad Cox. Anna's Promise, 30-1, trained by Carlos David. Bless the Broken, 30-1, trained by William Walden. Quietside, 8-1, trained by John Alexander Ortiz. Post time is at 5:51 p.m. Click here for a look at live odds for the 151st Kentucky Oaks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NBC Sports
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
Kentucky Derby 2025 preview: Render Judgment
Render Judgment, trained by Kenny McPeek and ridden by Julien Leparoux, is partially owned by Toby Keith, who died last year. But Drew Dinsick is not confident about the horse's chances to win the 151st Kentucky Derby.
