Godolphin's First Resort will scratch from the $175,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes Feb. 22 at Turfway Park after exiting a workout earlier this week with stiffness in his left hind leg, according to trainer Eoin Harty.

Elliott Walden joined the Feb. 17 BloodHorse Monday podcast to discuss John Hancock and other WinStar Farm Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders, top stallion Constitution, WinStar's new stallions for 2025, and more.

The Road presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan Farm.

Though three Japanese-trained 3-year-olds traveled to Saudi Arabia to compete Feb. 22 in the $1.5 million Saudi Derby (G3), a cast of 10 promising 3-year-olds remained behind in Japan to contest the Feb. 23 Hyacinth Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse.

As Churchill Downs Inc. officials detailed the latest facility upgrade plans for Churchill Downs—the most extensive to date—CEO Bill Carstanjen noted an interesting circular dynamic that occurs relative to the television audience.

The Saudi Derby (G3) has promising candidates from Japan, Dubai, and the United Stakes, all looking to establish an international reputation in the race that vaulted Forever Young to acclaim in 2024.

For the fourth consecutive week, 2-year-old champion Citizen Bull has maintained his top spot in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old Poll Feb. 19.

The Rebel Stakes along with other races from Oaklawn, Aqueduct, and Tampa Bay Downs airs on "America's Day at the Races." Oaklawn coverage will also be available on FanDuel TV.

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.

The $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2), a race that offers Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale, has been pushed back from Feb. 22 to Feb. 23 due to winter weather expected Feb. 18-19.

The highs and lows of racing were on full display this week after Magnitude, the dominant 9 3/4-length winner of the Feb. 15 Risen Star Stakes (G2), was declared off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with an ankle chip Feb. 18.

When Robbie Norman dispatched his two trainers, Lonnie Briley and Jayde (J.J.) Gelner, to each select a horse for him at the 2023 Texas Thoroughbred Association Yearling Sale, he never imagined the daily double would prove to be so rewarding.

During the Feb. 17 edition of the BloodHorse Monday podcast, WinStar Farm president, CEO, and racing manager Elliott Walden outlined plans for Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls John Hancock, Tappan Street, River Thames, and Patch Adams.

On the Feb. 17 episode of BloodHorse Monday, Louie Rabaut and Sean Collins recap the Risen Start Stakes (G2) on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, WinStar's Elliott Walden discusses John Hancock, and BloodHorse's Eric Mitchell previews new stallions.

Ethan West has spent years quietly building his training career. On Feb. 15, the 32-year-old horseman found himself on the national stage for the first time as Chunk of Gold finished a hard-fought second in the $500,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2).

With the Kentucky Derby (G1) 11 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of "All Other 3-Year-olds" closed as the 9-2 favorite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and San Vicente Stakes (G2) winner Barnes was the 8-1 second choice.

Although he was finally out of the shadows of his stablemates, Getaway Car's extraction of the Sunland Park Derby's $400,000 purse proved no easy feat Feb. 16 as he held off a hard-trying Caldera in a thrilling photo finish.

The top two finishers of the Springboard Mile, Coal Battle and Speed King, rematch in the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 22 after each winning one of Oaklawn Park's Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races.

Grade 2-winning 3-year-old Journalism and fellow sophomores Bullard and Madaket Road, who were both entered in the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park Feb. 22, were among 229 horses to record timed workouts Feb. 16 at Santa Anita Park.

Hustled to the lead by Ben Curtis, Magnitude led from start to finish and scored by 9 3/4 lengths in the $500,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds.