May 062025
 

May 3, 2025

Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve GI $5,000,000 3 Year Olds 1 1/4 miles

Rule Number 27

Never knowingly be serious.

Dr. Who

Under Pressure

Bloodhorse – America’s Best Racing – Tom Pedulla – Five Takeaways From Two Big Race Days at Churchill

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Steve Dennis – How Godolphin rewrote the form books of history with unprecedented double-double – led by Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty

Paulick Report – Frank Mitchell – Bloodlines Presented By Walmac Farm: Classic Success, Godolphin’s Presence Are Both Familiar In Kentucky Derby Winner Sovereigty’s Pedigree

Phil popped in to a couple of Edmonton area OTBs on Kentucky Derby Day. There were a couple more people than normal but most obvious was what was missing:

The Excitement.

The Atmosphere.

The Thrill of Victory.

The Agony of Defeat.

The free giveaways.

The Kentucky Derby food and drink specials with souvenir glasses.

The sounds of the Derby.

As the sage Bob Baird used to say: These guys couldn’t promote a temptress on a troopship.

Raino

The way they parade the horses is so special. I think the most moving thing I saw all day was the connections walking up the track in absolute chaos, some in dress shoes, some in gumboots, leading their horses through the mud, straight into the mounting yard. It was raw, it was real, and it only happens here in Kentucky. And boy, do they do it well.

The Thoroughbred Report – Gai Waterhouse – Gai’s Kentucky Derby blog: ‘This is the standard, and what a standard it is’

Horse Race Insider – John Pricci – DESPITE WEATHER, A WEEKEND OF GREAT PERFORMANCES; THROUGH AN OAKS-DERBY NOTEBOOK

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Ron Wood – Reflections on the Kentucky Derby: sharper Preakness test won’t be ideal for Sovereignty

TDN – NBC, Peacock Present the Most Watched Kentucky Derby Since 1989

TDN – Bill Finley – Alvarado Rewards Mott’s Loyalty With Winning Ride in Derby

Dance with the one who brung ya.

Save The Last Dance For Me

Then He Kissed Me

Chain of Fools

Singing In The Rain

Some Times Phil just gotta succumb to the Urge

Bloodhorse – Gregory A. Hall – Weather Can’t Rain on Kentucky Derby Handle Records

Sports Illustrated – Blake Silverman – Journalism’s Narrow Defeat at Kentucky Derby Led to Fans All Making the Same Joke

Sports Illustrated – Pat Forde – Sovereignty Trainer Bill Mott Relishes Second Kentucky Derby Triumph

New York Times – Joe Drape – Against the Odds, He Made Thoroughbred Racing a Viable Business

The Athletic – Richard Deitsch – How NBC handled the 2025 Kentucky Derby broadcast: ‘Sovereignty to rule!’

There’s no sugarcoating this one. There’s no solace to be found in the fact that this was a conference-final-level matchup, far from the typical first-round series. There’s no brushing it aside, writing it off, we’ll-get-em-next-time.

The Athletic – Mark Lazerus – Avalanche’s torturous collapse leaves plenty of questions: ‘It’s pretty shocking’

For The Win – Robert Zeglinski – A reminder that the Avalanche reportedly traded Mikko Rantanen over trivial amount of money

Another One Bites the Dust

Bloodhorse – Olivia Newman – ‘Simply’ Breeders Move to the Fore After Derby Day Win

Bloodhorse – Olivia Newman – Sovereignty Gives Into Mischief Third KY Derby Winner

Bloodhorse – Alicia Hughes – Mott Savors Winning Derby the Old-Fashioned Way

Paulick Report – Chelsea Hackbarth – ‘It’s More Than Even A Dream’: Sovereignty Reigns In Kentucky Derby

Sovereignty wins the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

Phil has a question:

How can CDI renovate the grandstand and still keep the twin spires in perspective for the iconic win photos.

TDN – Steve Sherack – Racing Royalty: Sovereignty Completes Historic Weekend for Godolphin in Kentucky Derby

Bloodhorse -Byron King – Sovereignty Outlasts Journalism to Win Kentucky Derby

TDN – ‘Good’-olhpin! Sovereignty Completes Oaks/Derby Double For Sheikh Mohammed

Sympathy For the Devil

Paulick Report – 2025 Kentucky Derby Day In Photos: Damp Weather, But Not Dampened Spirits

The Ringer – Danny Chau – Gregg Popovich Has Always Been More Than a Coach

Bloodhorse – Racing Post – James Stevens – Godolphin’s Ruling Court Reigns in Two Thousand Guineas

The Kentucky Derby is the undisputed crown jewel of a sport that has been diminishing in national notice for decades now, but it can stand in line on that. Kids just don’t go to the track anymore, which is a shame because it remains a great place for young people to learn to smoke cigarettes and leave the butts in someone else’s beer. The only real lure for fans outside Churchill Downs is the occasional Derby party, which is also the only time anyone drinks a mint julep. It’s an industry that screams old folks’ amusement.

Defector – Are You Sure You Want To Bet On Journalism

Paulick Report – Explanations And Excuses: 2025 Kentucky Derby Jockeys React To Race Aftermath

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Jay Hovdey – ‘Enough pathos to choke a beggar’ – liberties are taken but star-studded movie helps sustain a Kentucky Derby legend

TDN – Spirit of St Louis, Franco ‘Fly’ Home To Take the Turf Classic

Paulick Report – Natalie Ross – Spirit Of St. Louis Up Just In Time For Turf Classic Victory

Paulick Report – Ray Paulick Report – Ray Paulick – Kopion Powers To Derby City Distaff Victory For Mandella, Kimura

Bloodhorse – Simply in Front Gets Nose in Front in Distaff Turf Mile

Bloodhorse – Alicia Hughes – Kopion Rallies to Catch Hope Road in Derby City Distaff

Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – Zulu Kingdom Conquers American Turf

Bloodhorse – Molly Rollins – Mindframe Up in Time in Churchill Downs Stakes Thriller

Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – Think Big Proves Big Division Threat in Turf Sprint Win

Bloodhorse – Gregory A. Hall – Macho Music Hits Right Notes in Pat Day Mile Romp

TDN – ‘Rising Star’ Patch Adams Is Party Of One In Optional Claimer At Churchill

Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – In Heat of Derby Battle, Alvarado Exceeds Crop Limit

Street Fighting Man


May 2, 2025

Longines Kentucky Oaks GI $1,500,000 3 Year Old Fillies 1 1/8 miles

To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection.

Henri Poincaré

Good Vibrations

Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – Acorn ‘Could be In Play’ for KY Oaks Winner Good Cheer

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Good Cheer Fills Void of Sidelined Barnmate Immersive

Bloodhorse – Gregory A. Hall – Attendance, Handle on KY Oaks Card Decline in Rain

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Thorpedo Anna to Receive Check-Up After La Troienne Dud

Doctor, Doctor

Bloodhorse – Good Cheer Stays Undefeated With Kentucky Oaks Win

Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – Look Forward Earns Emotional Victory in Eight Belles

Bloodhorse – Gregory A. Hall – She Feels Pretty Romps in Modesty Stakes

TDN – Bucchero Filly Queen Maxima Flies Home In Unbridled Sidney

TDN – Look Forward Looks East, Conquers the Eight Belles as Severe Weather Delays Oaks Card

Bloodhorse – Alicia Hughes – Raging Sea Storms to Victory in La Troienne

Bloodhorse – Molly Rollins – Nitrogen Asserts Dominance in Edgewood Score

The Ringer – Danny Chan – Gregg Popovich Has Always Been More Than a Coach

ESPN – Shams Charania – Gregg Popovich done coaching Spurs; Mitch Johnson takes over

Phil has a question:

Why do some organizations exude class and some crASSHOLES.

SportsNet – Emily Sadler – Rumour roundup: Canucks’ coaching search filled with question marks

Phil has a question:

What size broom does the new Canucks coach need.

Haitian Divorce

ESPN – Marc Raimondi – NFL fines Falcons, DC Jeff Ulbrich over Shedeur Sanders prank call

Phil has a question:

Have you ever heard such a lame prank call.

How many of you called the corner grocer asking is they had Robin Hood in a Bag.

Robin Hood® 00 Style Pizza Flour


Phil M. Stockmen

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.