Derby Notebook

Churchill Downs Inc. announced May 4 the indefinite suspension of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. until further notice.

Brad Cox sort of knows what it’s like to win what he says is the greatest race in America. But getting kissed up via disqualification nine months after the party’s over is not how any trainer grows up imagining it happening, if they dare to at all. 

The Road, presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan Farm

Derby Notebook

After two of his horses suffered sudden deaths during races on the first two days of the Churchill Downs spring meet, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has been forced to scratch all his entries including Lord Miles.

Trainer Brad Cox wouldn’t mind seeing the Kentucky Oaks (G1) play out as the morning-line oddsmaker sees it as Cox will send out 5-2 favorite Wet Paint and 4-1 second-choice Botanical into the 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-old fillies

Greg Wolf and Anthony Stabile look ahead to the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs

For those that ponied up $190,000 apiece for membership in Secretariat’s breeding syndicate, the period between the powerful chestnut’s loss in the April 21 Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) and the May 5 Kentucky Derby (G1) was gut-check time

Woodbine Entertainment May 4 announced the addition of long-time prominent Thoroughbred breeder Yvonne Schwabe and perennial leading Standardbred owner and breeder Brad Grant to committees for its board of directors.