1979 stories by Steve Bittenbender
Kentucky Derby Once Again Breaks Betting Records for Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs produced yet another record-setting weekend as wagering on the Kentucky Derby card eclipsed a quarter-billion dollars for the first time. The total handle from Saturday’s 14-race card reached $250.9 million. Nearly two-thirds of that money was put...
OP-ED: In Making the Kentucky Derby Results Right, Horse Racing Still Gets It Wrong
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Derby, known as the greatest two minutes in sports, became the most confusing 22 minutes in sports Saturday. In the end, the right decision was made but something still feels wrong about the entire process that led...
65-1 Country House Wins Kentucky Derby Thanks to Disqualification
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In a historic decision, 65-1 shot Country House won Kentucky Derby 145 Saturday after stewards at Churchill Downs disqualified apparent winner Maximum Security for interference. The ruling gave trainer Bill Mott his first Derby win and second Triple Crown...
Kentucky Derby 145: Sorting the Contenders from the Pretenders in the Run for the Roses
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Derby isn’t your normal horse race. For starters, it brings up to 20 horses to the gate, more than double than what you see in most fields. Throwing that many horses – or 19 as are slated...
Serengeti Empress Wins Kentucky Oaks After Positive Spirit Falls at Start
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Serengeti Empress led wire-to-wire to claim the 145th Kentucky Oaks Friday at Churchill Downs, holding off 38-1 shot Liora down the stretch to win by a length and three-quarters. The Grade I stakes race for 3-year-old fillies was marred...
Hoof Issue Forces Haikal from Derby; Omaha Beach Undergoes Successful Procedure
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky Derby saw another defection to the field Friday morning as the connections to Haikal pulled the 3-year-old out of the race. The colt developed an abscess on his left front hoof earlier in the week, and trainer...
Churchill Downs Unveils New Pick 6 Tied to Kentucky Oaks, Derby Cards
As the Kentucky Derby approaches, Churchill Downs has introduced a new wager that ties the track’s six biggest races of the upcoming weekend. Bettors will have the chance on Friday to bet on the Oaks/Derby Pick 6, a unique take on the...
Entrapped Epiglottis Forces Favorite Omaha Beach Out of Kentucky Derby
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Omaha Beach, the morning line favorite for Saturday's Kentucky Derby, was scratched from the Triple Crown race the colt was diagnosed with an entrapped epiglottis. Churchill Downs made the announcement on Twitter Wednesday evening. Track officials said the discovery...
Omaha Beach Installed as Morning Line Favorite for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby
Arkansas Derby winner Omaha Beach was named the morning line favorite for 145th Kentucky Derby on Tuesday after the Richard Mandella-trained colt drew the No. 12 gate. The winner of his last three races, including two graded stakes, Omaha Beach received 4-1...
NY Gaming Commission Approves del Lago Plan to Cut Slots, Tables for Planned Sportsbook
The New York Gaming Commission paved the way for the del Lago Resort and Casino to begin work on its sportsbook. In a unanimous decision, the commission at its Monday meeting approved the casino’s request to reduce its slot machines and table...
