America's Best Racing

How Horses Qualify for the Kentucky Derby: A Beginner’s Guide The road to this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve is nearly complete, but if you’re new to horse racing you may have some questions about how all of this works. Wonder no more, beca...

Did you know you have a better chance of winning an Oscar than scoring a victory in the #KentuckyDerby?

So, how do horses qualify for the Derby? Look no further, we have the answer right here ⬇️ loom.ly/vHcMPHk

Which 2025 Kentucky Oaks Entrants Should Excel on a Wet Track? The $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks May 2 at Churchill Downs is the most important dirt race of the year that is restricted to 3-year-old fillies and typically goes a long way toward determining t...

With rain in the forecast, @michaelcurry.bsky.social took a closer look at which fillies will excel on a wet track in the Kentucky Oaks 🌧️

Find out right here ⬇️ loom.ly/uHeRe58

2025 Kentucky Oaks Cheat Sheet The $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks is the premier dirt race for 3-year-old fillies in North America, a 1 1/8-mile test that goes a long way toward determining the  Eclipse Award in the division a...

I feel like I say this every year about the Kentucky Oaks, but this year it really feels like a strong group of 3-year-old fillies. Good Cheer is terrific but not a standout on figs and there and quite a few other really talented fillies. My Oaks Cheat Sheet at @americasbestracing.bsky.social 👇

Get to Know Griffin Johnson’s ‘A Stake in Stardom’ Kentucky Derby Contender Sandman Striking gray 3-year-old racehorse Sandman will be one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve May 3 at Churchill Downs. That alone means Sandman will be the subject of i...

I put together a story for @americasbestracing.bsky.social on Sandman last week taking a closer look at his pedigree and career development with comments from Terry Finley and Mark Casse and also some fun tidbits about his personality and a few video embeds.

Sixteen Things to Know About the Kentucky Derby The Kentucky Derby was first held in 1875 and ranks as the longest continuously held major sporting event in the United States.

Who’s the youngest jockey to ever win the #KentuckyDerby? 🏇

@michaelcurry.bsky.social has the answer—plus more fun Derby facts you might not know right here 👇

loom.ly/OrTO1Uc

An Early Look at the Probable Field for the 2025 Kentucky Derby With the final round of prep races for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve that awarded 100 points to the winner now in the books, the time has come to take a look at the cast of 3-year-o...

I put together an early look at the probable field (before defections) for the 2025 Kentucky Derby for @americasbestracing.bsky.social with the top contenders, international runners, wild cards, bubble horses, and more ... www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/20...

Key Takeaways from a Super Saturday of Kentucky Derby Preps and International Racing Tom Pedulla offers takeaways from major Kentucky Derby prep races held on each coast Saturday, the Santa Anita Derby in California and the 100th Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino ...

World-class racing took center stage this weekend, featuring the Dubai World Cup and key Derby prep races across the U.S.

Catch up on all the action you need to know right here ⬇️

www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/20...

Stars of Yesterday: Looking Back at Best Wood Memorial Winners New York’s road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve concludes this Saturday. Aqueduct will host the $750,000, Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino at 1 ⅛...

Bold Ruler, Seattle Slew, and Easy Goer are just some of the legends who won the Wood Memorial 🌟

Ahead of this weekend's #KentuckyDerby prep, we’re looking back at some of the greatest winners from the past. Which one is your favorite?
loom.ly/Vu-CzV0

Bombs Away With Borel: A $218 Shocker in 1993 Arkansas Derby Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel has engineered his share of upsets on the big stage, perhaps most famously guiding Mine That Bird to a stunning, rail-skimming 50.60-1 score in the slop in the 2009 Ke...

Jockey Calvin Borel was no stranger to upsets, but one in particular ranks right up there with the biggest shockers ever on the #KentuckyDerby trail.

@michaelcurry.bsky.social told the story of the $218 upset in the 1993 Arkansas Derby below.

www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/20...

Sovereignty looks like the one to beat, but outside post and new jockey could hurt his chances. Still looks like the most likely winner to me, but Tappan Street is eligible to take a big step forward. Get the scoop on all runners in my @americasbestracing.bsky.social Florida Derby Cheat Sheet ...

Which Upset Candidate Can Deny the Two Favorites in the 2025 Florida Derby? The Grade 1, $1 million Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa Saturday at Gulfstream Park offers the winner 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and guarantees a spot...

Wondering which upset candidate is worth betting in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park? 🤔

Ellis Starr shared his top picks and race analysis with us. Find out who he's backing here: loom.ly/CO4nvNk

2025 Florida Derby Cheat Sheet The Florida Derby has historically been the most important steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby with 25 3-year-olds who competed in the race going on to glory in the first jewel of the Triple Crown. Ma...

A record 25 3-year-olds prepped in the Florida Derby have gone on to win the roses! Could we see another this year? 🌹

Presented by Gulfstream Park, meet the field in Saturday's Florida Derby and find out everything you need to know in our Cheat Sheet. loom.ly/0wc3cbQ

When a $220 Louisiana Derby Winner Left the Fair Grounds Faithful Flabbergasted The biggest upset in the 111-year history of the Louisiana Derby was every bit a longshot. Hero of Order entered the 2012 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds with 13 races and only one victory on his résu...

Do you know about the biggest upset in Louisiana Derby history? Look no further than Hero of Order’s win in 2012 🤯

A $3,000 yearling purchase with just one prior win, trained by a little-known trainer from Russia, pulled off a Fair Grounds victory at 109-1! Relive the story ⬇️ loom.ly/itlhRY8

Instant Replay Gets Top Billing in Competitive Louisiana Derby The $1 million, Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby Saturday at Fair Grounds drew a fairly strong field of 10 3-year-olds vying for significant purse money and points on the Road to the Kentucky De...

The $1 million, Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds drew a field of 🔟 3-year-olds vying for points on the Road to the #KentuckyDerby.

Wondering who you should you bet on? Ellis Starr shared his top win contenders here: loom.ly/7wQ9has

Trifecta Strategy for Betting Good Cheer in the 2025 Fair Grounds Oaks If recent history is an indicator, the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks March 22 figures to be a key steppingstone to the Longines Kentucky Oaks.

Good Cheer is heading to the Fair Grounds Oaks with an undefeated record, looking to further secure her spot in the Kentucky Oaks 🌺

Wondering how to bet her? @michaelcurry.bsky.social shares how he's planning to use her in his trifecta here: loom.ly/erN867U

2025 Kentucky Derby Trail: Three Heating Up, Three Cooling Down for March 18 This feature provides a capsule look at three horses who are heating up on the Triple Crown trail and three horses whose chances for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve are not quite...

Triple Crown Trail Update 🏇🌹

Who's heating up and who's cooling down? Catch up on the latest list of #KentuckyDerby hopefuls with @michaelcurry.bsky.social. loom.ly/62JuPs4

Five Key Trends to Know Before Betting the 2025 Louisiana Derby Are you planning to bet Saturday’s $1 million, Grade 2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds? Reviewing the past 15 years of Louisiana Derby history can simplify your handicapping process. He...

Ready to win big playing the Louisiana Derby this Saturday at Fair Grounds? 💰

Get ahead of the game with these historical trends and insights from Keeler Johnson. loom.ly/rgET78A

Hands-On Trainer Ethan West Excited About Possible First Kentucky Derby Trip With Chunk of Gold Tom Pedulla is interviewing prominent owners, trainers and jockeys as they travel the Road to the $5 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Ethan West is living the Derby dream with Chunk of Gold! 💫🌹

From a $2,500 yearling to a serious contender, he shares more on his journey in the sport and what’s next on the Road to the #KentuckyDerby with Tom Pedulla ⬇️ loom.ly/K_aSWVo

Congratulations to Dan Piazza, the 26th different winner of the NTRA’s National Horseplayers Championship.
📷 @americasbestracing.bsky.social - edited

The Mighty Citation: ‘So Fast He Scared Me’ More than 75 years ago, Citation unleashed the greatest 3-year-old season in Thoroughbred racing. Blessed with genuine speed, staying power, and a seemingly endless desire to win, Citation inspired hi...

Citation won 19 of 20 races in 1948. He won at every distance, 10 different tracks, and seven different states. And did we mention took he won the Triple Crown?

@thesirbarton.bsky.social relives his career here ⬇️

www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/20...

Noel’s Weekend Winners: A Visit to Virginia for March Stop on Kentucky Derby Trail Welcome to Noel Michaels’ Weekend Winners, the place to go for weekend best bets and spot plays from veteran handicapper and tournament-play pioneer Noel Michaels. Check back every week for a couple o...

Who are the best bets to cash in on at Colonial Downs this weekend?

The Virginia Derby takes center stage as a new #KentuckyDerby prep! Get Noel’s top picks 👇

loom.ly/HbKnGAY

We all know what happened from there. It was Riggs who led the effort to revitalize Pimlico in the early 20th century & returned the Preakness to Pimlico after relocating (we presume) to NY from 1890 to 1904.

Read more at @americasbestracing.bsky.social!

www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/20...

2025 Virginia Derby at a Glance The Virginia Derby was added to the Road to the Kentucky Derby slate of qualifying races for 2025 and shifted from a late-summer turf staple on the Colonial Downs racing calendar to a March prep for t...

For the first time, the Virginia Derby will be run as a #KentuckyDerby qualifying race and shifts from turf to dirt at Colonial Downs.

Take a closer look at the field with Bob Ehalt. loom.ly/KRhSuuI

Catching Up With Recent Eclipse Award-Winning Apprentice Jockeys Being an apprentice jockey is an enormous challenge – try learning a physically and mentally strenuous sport ride by ride while also adhering to a strict diet and exercise regimen. At the same time, m...

The Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey is one of the most prestigious honors a rider can earn early in their career, but what happens after they lose the “bug”?

Find out where the past five winners are now ⬇️
www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/20...

Making Money Betting Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna in Azeri Stakes It’s both exciting for fans and healthy for the sport of horse racing when the reigning Horse of the Year remains in training for the following season, and last year’s queen Thorpedo Anna returns for ...

How can you make money betting Thorpedo Anna in the Azeri Stakes Saturday at Oaklawn PArk?

Look no further, @michaelcurry.bsky.social has the answer below 👀 loom.ly/Tqx5wRY

2025 Kentucky Derby Trail: Three Heating Up, Three Cooling Down for March 4 This feature provides a capsule look at three horses who are heating up on the Triple Crown trail and three horses whose chances for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve are not quite...

I feel pretty strongly that we saw the 2025 Kentucky Derby winner last weekend. My Derby Top 2 right now are 1) Journalism and 2) Sovereignty. Latest three heating up, three cooling down at @americasbestracing.bsky.social

Penny Chenery: The Woman Who Saved Meadow Stable The letters meant so much to Penny Chenery, breeder and owner of 1973 Triple Crown champion Secretariat. They were written by ambitious girls from coast to coast, telling her she served as a role mode...

Penny Chenery was more than just the woman behind Secretariat—she was a trailblazer who shattered barriers and transformed horse racing with her vision and love for the sport.

Tom Pedulla looks back on her legacy ⬇️

www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/20...

Cancer Survivor Sean Flanagan Savoring Kentucky Derby Opportunity With Chancer McPatrick Tom Pedulla is interviewing prominent owners, trainers and jockeys as they travel the Road to the 151st Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Sean Flanagan was given two years to live after a cancer diagnosis in 2019. Now cancer-free, he dares to dream of #KentuckyDerby glory with Chancer McPatrick. 🏇💫

Tom Pedulla’s caught up with him in this Q&A and discussed his journey, resilience, and hopes for the future. ⬇️ loom.ly/gOfOW78

2025 Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles: Fountain of Youth Stakes Winner Sovereignty Welcome to Kentucky Derby Prospect Profiles, where we take a look each week at a recent winner on the Road to the Derby schedule of races that offer qualifying points to the 1 ¼-mile classic race May ...

Sovereignty won the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park and secured 5️⃣0️⃣ more points on the Road to the #KentuckyDerby, bringing his total to 60.

Could he be a serious contender for the first Saturday in May? loom.ly/0Q2Po4M

Charlsie Cantey: A Pioneer in Horse Racing Media Charlsie Cantey never sought to break ground as the first female racing broadcaster. She never fancied herself as the pioneering type. It just sort of happened. Cantey was among a handful of women exe...

Charlsie Cantey never planned to become the first female racing broadcaster, but fate had its way. Her 30-year broadcasting career paved the way for women throughout the industry.

Learn more about her career here: loom.ly/X7b-s04