Horse Racing

9:31 AM ET ESPN News Services LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Maximum Security led the Kentucky Derby every step of the way except for the final one — into the winner’s circle. The colt became the first winner disqualified for interference in the Derby’s 145-year history, leading to an agonizing wait and an eventual, stunning reversal that

4:05 PM ET The Kentucky Derby is known for more than just horse racing. It’s also known for parties, fancy hats — and plenty of celebrities. The 2019 Derby is no different, with several pro athletes in attendance and featured on social media, including New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield

7:11 PM ET Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Serengeti Empress went wire-to-wire to win the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks by 1 3/4 lengths over Liora on Friday at Churchill Downs. The start featured a scary moment when Positive Spirit fell down and threw jockey Manny Franco after clipping another horse as the 14-horse field closed

8:14 PM ET Associated Press Serengeti Empress dispelled questions about her health and ability with a signature performance in the biggest race of her career. The filly went wire-to-wire to win the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks by 1 3/4 lengths over Liora on Friday at Churchill Downs. The start featured a scary moment when Positive

8:47 AM ET Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Triple Crown-winning jockey Mike Smith will ride in the Kentucky Derby after all. Race officials said Friday that Smith has picked up the mount on 30-1 shot Cutting Humor, trained by Todd Pletcher. The 53-year-old rider had been on the early 4-1 favorite, Omaha Beach, until that

7:56 AM ET Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Haikal won’t run in the Kentucky Derby because of an infection in his left front foot, reducing the field to 19 horses. Haikal joins early favorite Omaha Beach on the sidelines for Saturday’s race. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, Haikal was being treated for an abscess and didn’t

2:46 PM ET LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This year’s Kentucky Derby suddenly became wide open after morning-line favorite Omaha Beach was scratched on Wednesday with a breathing issue. Omaha Beach’s trainer, Richard Mandella, said it was a “bitter pill to swallow,” but they’ll move forward and address the issue with surgery on Thursday. Omaha Beach has

2:29 PM ET LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Trainer Richard Mandella said Omaha Beach, who was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on Wednesday, will have surgery at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital on Thursday to correct a breathing issue that forced him out of the race. Omaha Beach, who was the morning line favorite for the Derby,

7:00 PM ET ESPN News Services Morning-line favorite Omaha Beach has been scratched from Saturday’s Kentucky Derby because of a breathing problem, trainer Richard Mandella said Wednesday. “He was coughing, which made us suspicious, and we scoped him,” Mandella told reporters Wednesday night. “It’s not anything we can fix to have him run on Saturday,

12:31 PM ET Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Omaha Beach is the 4-1 early favorite for the Kentucky Derby after drawing the No. 12 post position. Bob Baffert-trained Game Winner is the 5-1 second choice from the No. 16 post in the 20-horse field that was drawn Tuesday for Saturday’s first leg of the Triple