Horse Racing

8:46 PM ET Associated Press ARCADIA, Calif. — The California Horse Racing Board has amended proposed changes to rules governing how jockeys may use riding crops in races, while The Jockeys’ Guild continues to press its case that the crops are necessary for control of a racehorse. Triple Crown-winning jockey Mike Smith told the racing

6:20 PM ET Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County’s top prosecutor says she has formed a task force to investigate 23 horse deaths at Santa Anita Park between December and March. District Attorney Jackie Lacey said Tuesday the task force of prosecutors and peace officers will “determine whether unlawful conduct or conditions affected

10:08 PM ET Associated Press Omaha Beach moved ahead early before holding off favored Improbable to win the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby by a length Saturday at Oaklawn Park, earning 100 points and vaulting himself into second place on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. After entering the day 19th in the standings with 37.5 points, the

8:37 PM ET Associated Press BALTIMORE — The northern grandstand at Pimlico Race Course has significantly deteriorated and will be closed for the Preakness in May. The Stronach Group said Saturday that the northern grandstand adjacent to the clubhouse is the oldest section of seating at 125 years. Its capacity of 6,670 fans is no

5:00 AM ET Tiger Roll — the winner of the last two Grand Nationals — is a long shot to run the race next year, according to the horse’s owner Michael O’Leary. The 4-1 favourite became the first horse since Red Rum in 1974 to win back-to-back Grand Nationals when he cruised to victory at

8:44 PM ET Associated Press ARCADIA, Calif. — Roadster defeated Game Winner by a half-length to win the $1 million Santa Anita Derby, giving trainer Bob Baffert a 1-2 finish and the possibility of three horses in the Kentucky Derby. His other standout, Improbable, is set to run in the Arkansas Derby next weekend. Ridden

7:27 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Tacitus has won the $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, earning 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. Ridden by Jose Ortiz, Tacitus ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.23 on Saturday. The 5-2 wagering favorite paid $7.20, $4.70 and $3. Tacitus rallied from 10 lengths back to win

4:44 PM ET ESPN Chalk The 2019 Kentucky Derby takes place Saturday, May 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, kicking off the Triple Crown races. We’ll keep this page updated as the 145th running of the Derby approaches. Odds as of April 4. 2019 Kentucky Derby odds Horse Odds Game Winner 5-1 Improbable 7-1

7:55 PM ET Arms Runner became the 23rd horse to die at Santa Anita since the start of racing season on Dec. 26 after falling on the dirt crossover portion of the track Sunday. Arms Runner was competing in the $100,000 San Simeon Stakes, the feature race of the day, when he appeared to injure

7:42 PM ET Associated Press HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — Maximum Security bolted from the gate and never got caught, going wire-to-wire to win the Florida Derby on Saturday and earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Unbeaten in four career starts, Maximum Security won easily and held off 70-1 long shot Bodexpress — a maiden