Kentucky
Kentucky Derby: Albaugh looks to have its best chance yet
Some owners invest heavily and chase the Kentucky Derby dream for a lifetime without ever experiencing the electricity of competing on the first Saturday in May. In stark contrast, Albaugh Family Stables is getting there with remarkable regularity.
Catching Freedom is set to be the eighth Derby starter since 2016 for the Iowa-based operation, one that stands apart from other major players by keeping its numbers relatively small and bucking the current trend by generally avoiding partnerships.
Racing manager Jason Loutsch, son-in-law to 74-year-old family patriarch Dennis Albaugh, reflected on the start of the run with Brody’s Cause in 2016 and J Boys Echo in 2017. “The first couple of years, I was thinking, ‘We’re the luckiest ever. How can we be so lucky?’ But as I look back at it, a lot of credit goes to our team and our system,” Loutsch said.
They are open to other sales, but they concentrate most of their effort on Fasig-Tipton’s sale of select yearlings each August in Saratoga and Keeneland’s September yearling sale. As soon as those catalogs become available, Loutsch and boyhood friend Ryan Pezzetti go to work on the pedigree side with a laser focus on colts who have the bloodlines to handle two turns.
As for the system they employ, that always will remain a family secret. In discussing the evaluation of each prospect en route to the annual purchase of 12 to 15 yearlings, Loutsch would say only, “there are hoops we need to get through.” Their willingness to be painstaking as they evaluate hundreds of yearlings is no secret.
“We prepare for months before the sales. We’re the first to get there and the last to leave the sales,” the racing manager said. “We work hard. I can’t thank our team enough for all of the hard work they put into it.”
Barry Berkelhammer, who plays a key role as their bloodstock agent, describes the evaluation of yearlings as an “art form.”
“Obviously, to get to the first Saturday in May you have to win some races to qualify,” he noted. “So you have to have 2-year-olds that have got some precocious nature about them.”
Angel of Empire serves as a prime example of the thoroughness of Albaugh’s approach. The Pennsylvania-bred son of Classic Empire was purchased for a relatively modest $70,000 at the Keeneland September sale.
With the scratch of 2-year-old champion Forte, the Arkansas Derby winner went off as the favorite in last year’s Derby and ran an impressive race, missing by a length and a half to upstart Mage for Albaugh’s strongest finish.
Dennis Albaugh’s affinity for Constitution led them to step out while going it alone for Catching Freedom. They went to $575,000 to secure him at Keeneland’s September yearling sale and eventually turned him over to Brad Cox, a Louisville native who has won the Eclipse Award twice as North America’s top trainer.
Catching Freedom stamped himself as one of the ones to beat when he staged a prolonged rally for jockey Flavien Prat to defeat Honor Marie by one length in the March 23 Louisiana Derby (G2). In handling the 1 3/16-mile contest with aplomb, he earned his third victory in five starts and hiked his earnings to $877,350.
Catching Freedom might be the 3-year-old that breaks through for Albaugh. “Any time you win a prep race like the Louisiana Derby, you go in with a lot of confidence because you beat quality, quality horses,” Loutsch said. “He’s done really well since the Louisiana Derby, so it’s really exciting.”
Catching Freedom showed his readiness for the biggest race of his life when he zipped five furlongs in 59.2 seconds April 27 at Churchill Downs. He ranked second of 58 workers at the distance in his final Derby drill.
Loutsch expects the Kentucky Derby to play out very differently from what transpired in Louisiana, where Catching Freedom was left with much to do. “I think we’re going to break a lot sharper than we did in the Louisiana Derby. That wasn’t the plan to stay that far back,” he said. “I think he will sit mid-pack. Hopefully, we’ll get a clear run. When he’s asked to go, I think he’ll make a big run.”
As for the critical question of whether Catching Freedom can last the testing mile and a quarter, Loutsch said, “that is one thing we don’t have to worry about.”
Albaugh is that sure of its system and its process.
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
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Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
- Use fireworks outdoors.
- Obey local laws.
- Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
- Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
- Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
- Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
- Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
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