Maggie Wolfendale and Andy Serling preview the Kentucky Oaks & Kentucky Derby.

Knowing he competes in a sport of emotional peaks and valleys that sometimes delivers those extremes in the shortest of time spans (say 22 minutes apart) jockey Luis Saez embraces the stability of family and faith as he pursues racing’s heights. 

Todd Pletcher, who has mastered the Road to the Kentucky Derby like no trainer in history, has only added to that legacy in 2021; although going into the final round of Derby points races there was no guarantee he would have a starter in the field.

Frankie Dettori captured the moment perfectly as he slipped his saddle from the back of Stradivarius after a heartwarming victory in the Sagaro Stakes (G3) April 28 at Ascot.

Luis Saez, the jockey for Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Essential Quality, talks about his mount, his agent Kiaran McLaughlin, and how he moved forward after his Kentucky Derby ride on Maximum Security in 2019.

Hat Creek Racing’s Averly Jane roared past pacesetting Bohemian Frost at the sixteenth pole en route to a 3 1/4-length victory in the $150,000 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes April 28 at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Chad Brown enters the $1 million Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) May 1 at Churchill Downs with two chances to claim the race for the third straight year.

With the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) back in their rightful place on the racing calendar at Churchill Downs, it’s worth taking stock of the sale histories of each contender.

Jane Lyon, owner of Summer Wind Farm, announced April 26 the loss of Lil Indy, the dam of multiple grade 1 winner and 2019 champion 3-year-old colt Maximum Security. Lil Indy was 14.

European trainers have expressed deep frustration at safety changes made to the Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1), which they believe will “lessen” the race by making it “nigh-on impossible” for international horses to compete in the contest.