LEXINGTON — By the point he saddled Tawny Port for Saturday afternoon’s $400,000, Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, Brad Cox knew the horse was safely within the discipline for the Kentucky Derby.
However the Louisville coach nonetheless had a query concerning the horse’s means on a mud floor, as Tawny Port was a profitable 2-1-0 in three begins on the Tapeta floor at Turfway Park however had completed fifth in his solely begin on grime within the Grade 2 Risen Star at Honest Grounds.
Tawny Port answered with authority, making a four-wide transfer on the ultimate flip and profitable by a size over Main Basic to seal his spot as Cox’s third contender within the Could 7 Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.
“It’s been an excellent previous couple of weeks with our Derby horses and their preps,” Cox stated. “I wasn’t stunned this horse ran nicely immediately. These horses do appear to run nicely off artificial.”
Advertisement
Kentucky Derby horses:Take a look at the up to date factors standings after the Lexington
Ridden by Florent Geroux, Tawny Port lined the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.24 and paid $12.20 to win because the 5-1 second selection on the tote board. Main Basic completed second, 1 ½ lengths forward of favored In Due Time.
Tawny Port began the day ranked No. 20 on the Kentucky Derby factors record — the highest 20 qualify for the race — however moved up a spot when coach Doug O’Neill introduced Sunland Derby winner Gradual Down Andy was sick and would skip the Run for the Roses.
Cox heard the information however selected to maintain Tawny Port within the Lexington.
“We’d deliberate for it and ready him for it, and (proprietor) John Fort needed to run,” Cox stated. “It is a good race — a $400,000 graded stake for 3-year-olds at Keeneland. It’s an ideal race, and we’re very joyful to win it.”
Advertisement
Main Basic set the early fractions of 23.85 seconds for the quarter-mile, 48.01 seconds for the half-mile and 1:12.45 for 3 quarters as Strava — educated by Dallas Stewart and co-owned by former College of Louisville basketball coach Denny Crum — chased proper behind.
Geroux and Tawny Port started to select off horses getting into the far flip earlier than rallying down the stretch.
“I beloved the aggressive trip from the beginning,” Cox stated of Geroux. “Let him settle going up the bottom. Clearly continued to be somewhat huge going into the far flip. With the quick stretch right here, you possibly can’t get a horse stopped. It’s a must to have your momentum turning for residence, and Florent did an excellent job of that and gave him an ideal trip.”
In Due Time earned 4 qualifying factors for his third-place end and now ranks No. 22 on the factors record with 24. Fourth-place Ethereal Highway ranks No. 23 with 22 factors. Each would want defections to make the Kentucky Derby discipline.
“We’ll regroup and see what (the homeowners) say,” In Due Time coach Kelly Breen stated concerning the Derby.
Kentucky Derby 2022:Every little thing you might want to find out about this 12 months’s race
Advertisement
Cox has no such worries, as he has three horses headed for the Run for the Roses with Tawny Port, Arkansas Derby winner Cyberknife and Louisiana Derby runner-up Zozos. He acquired his first Derby victory final 12 months with Mandaloun, although it got here by default after first-across-the-line Medina Spirit was finally disqualified.
Tawny Port, a son of Pioneerof the Nile, entered the Lexington off a second-place end behind Tiz the Bomb within the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on April 2 at Turfway.
Geroux stated he inspired Cox to present the horse one other likelihood on grime after his fifth-place end within the Risen Star.
“Straight away I instructed Brad that was a sneaky good race,” Geroux stated. “I actually thought he completed with loads of vitality, and I’m glad Brad saved that in thoughts and gave him one other strive on the grime, particularly on the Derby. For my part, I feel he’s a horse that deserves an opportunity to start out within the Kentucky Derby.”
Cox stated Geroux is dedicated to Cyberknife for the Kentucky Derby and can affirm jockeys for Zozos and Tawny Port within the coming weeks.
Geroux stated “hopefully, I’ll decide the best one” earlier than being instructed Cox had confirmed his dedication to Cyberknife.
Advertisement
“He stated that?,” Geroux stated with amusing. “He’s a humorous horse to deal with to be trustworthy. I’d say Brad is sort of joyful I’m dedicated to him as a result of he is aware of he’s not the simplest to throw one other jockey on high of. …
“I’d say Brad is in an ideal spot. I’m in a great spot, too. Very joyful.”
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
2022-2023 financial transparency data released on Kentucky School Report Card
Kentucky residents can now see how much schools spend per student and other financial expenditures with a new update of the Kentucky Department of Education’s School Report Card, which was released May 23.
The information contained in the financial transparency section of the Kentucky School Report Card is from the 2022-2023 school year. It includes data on funding, grants, spending and taxes for each school district, as well as school-level spending per student. The financial data is released later than the rest of the Kentucky School Report Card to allow districts to use audited financial information in their calculations, which promotes greater accuracy of the district financial data.
School-level spending per student data is calculated by district staff; specific school-level questions regarding this data should be directed to districts.
Advertisement
Data alone cannot fully explain the financial situation of a district, so a financial narrative was once again included on the Financial Summary tab of the report card. This optional short narrative – 750 characters – gives parents, community members and researchers a better understanding of the district’s financial picture.
School, district and state financial data can be compared using the Kentucky School Report Card compare feature.
For comprehensive instructions for how to access and navigate the Kentucky School Report Card, refer to the Kentucky School Report Card help page.
The Kentucky Wildcats are one of college basketball’s blue blood programs, but will have an almost entirely new look next season. After 15 memorable seasons, John Calipari left Lexington to take the head coaching job at Arkansas. The Wildcats hired Mark Pope, a former standout guard on Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team, away from BYU to replace Calipari. Pope was tasked with building an entirely new Kentucky basketball roster and has managed to hit the ground running. The bulk of the new 2024 Kentucky basketball recruiting class followed Calipari to Arkansas, but Pope was still able to add a pair of in-state high school recruits to his Kentucky basketball lineup.
The Wildcats have hit the Spring Transfer Portal hard and continue to be in contact with multiple available players. If you love the Wildcats, or just want the latest roster updates and college basketball transfer portal news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at CatsPause, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Kentucky.
The team of insiders at CatsPause.com are providing up-to-the-minute scoop on the latest intel surrounding the Kentucky basketball coaching transition and roster changes. CatsPause has built a solid reputation over its 20+ years covering the Wildcats, and has deep-rooted sources inside and around the Kentucky athletic department. And right now, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up.
The team at CatsPause has full coverage of who is coming and who is going on the Kentucky basketball roster. Head to CatsPause now to see all the insider info.
Advertisement
Kentucky basketball roster departures
No sooner had Calipari departed Kentucky that a number of Wildcats from last year’s roster were on the move as well. Aaron Bradshaw was the first to commit to a new team when he joined the Ohio State Buckeyes, while Zvonimir Ivisic became the first player from last season to follow Calipari to Arkansas. Calipari is also reportedly encouraging Bradshaw’s high school teammate, D.J. Wagner, to join the Razorbacks.
The transfer portal isn’t the only reason the Wildcats roster will look different next season. Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell, who were two of Kentucky’s top scorers last season, are both graduating. Meanwhile, Justin Edwards, Rob Dillingham and Ugonna Onyenso have all declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. There is also movement within the recruiting class, so Pope’s roster is clearly far from solidified for the 2024-25 season. Join CatsPause to see the latest on all of Kentucky’s roster changes.
Kentucky basketball news, roster
Pope has already added eight transfer players, giving Kentucky the No. 5 transfer class in the country, according to 247Sports. One of the Wildcats’ first additions was former Oklahoma State center Brandon Garrison, who was ranked as a five-star prospect in the Class of 2023, to get things started. The 6-foot-11, 245-pound big man averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game during his freshman season, and will give the Wildcats a physically imposing presence in the paint.
Pope also added a pair of potential instant impact guards in former Dayton sharpshooter Koby Brea and for San Diego State point guard Lamont Butler Jr.. Brea developed into one of the premier long-range shooters in college basketball. In 2023-24, Brea connected on 49.8% of his 3-point attempts and averaged 11.1 points per game. He should fit seamlessly into Pope’s fast-paced offense that is heavily reliant on 3-point shooting. Butler was a key piece in the Aztecs’ run to the national championship game in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Join CatsPause to get the latest on all of Kentucky’s roster additions.
How to get insider Kentucky basketball roster updates
Pope could also be bringing at least one big-time BYU player with him, so be sure to join CatsPause to see who that is and get the rest of the insider roster news.
Advertisement
Who are the top names Kentucky basketball is pursuing under coach Mark Pope, and what former BYU player could land in Lexington? Go to CatsPause to see their insider information, all from a team of reporters with years of experience covering the Wildcats, and find out. And reminder, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual VIP membership*, so subscribe now before it’s too late.
*Terms: This offer is only available for new members who sign up for a CatsPause annual subscription. After the first year, subscription will re-bill on an annual basis at the regular rate. 247Sports.com reserves the right to alter or cancel this promotion at any time. Please write support@247sports.com with any questions you may have.
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Memorial Day weekend is quickly approaching, with many planning to drive to their long weekend destinations, and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife discussed the importance of sharing the road with some of the state’s furrier friends.
Thomas Young, Green River Regional Coordinator for the department said there’s no shortage of critters that could be on the roadways this summer.
“So you’ve got many species reproducing; young fawns, turkey, poults, young squirrels, rabbits, you name it.”
Young said the animals of bigger concern are foxes, turtles and deer.
Advertisement
“So if you can just slow down, if at all possible, give the animal enough time to get across the roadway,” Young said. “That’s probably the best scenario, is just give them some space and give them some time.”
Young says if you can safely do so, it’s ok to move turtles from one side of the road to the other, but it’s important to remember they need to remain outdoors.
“Certain species, you’ve got to have permits, especially if you are going to try to keep those animals. You would have to check our regulations in terms of what you can and cannot possess in the state of Kentucky as well. So that’s a legal thing and a moral thing as well.
Young’s biggest tip for seeing wildlife on the road is to be sure to take it all in.
“It’s just a great time to just sort of sit back and observe. Be careful, slow down, and anticipate. I always tell my kids, they’re new young drivers now, anticipate what’s out in front of you. But in general, just enjoy the wildlife that we’ve been blessed with in the state.”
Advertisement
For more information and resources regarding wildlife in the state, visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website.
Kentucky residents can now see how much schools spend per student and other financial expenditures with a new update of the Kentucky Department of Education’s School Report Card, which was released May 23.
