Kentucky
Wood Memorial 2025: Can Grande help Todd Pletcher continue Kentucky Derby streak?
What’s With That? Betting superstitions at the Kentucky Derby
Courier Journal reporter Kirby Adams talks with Churchill Downs publicity manager Kevin Kerstein to answer your biggest Kentucky Derby questions.
Todd Pletcher has saddled at least one horse in the Kentucky Derby every year since 2004, but he’s running out of time to find a qualifier in 2025.
His best chance may come in Saturday’s $750,000, Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.
The Pletcher-trained Grande will be among the top contenders despite a light racing resume.
A son of Curlin, Grande is 2 for 2 in his career, with both races coming at Gulfstream Park. He most recently won a 1 1/8-mile allowance optional claiming race Feb. 27.
A $300,000 purchase at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Grande drew the No. 7 post position in a field of 12 for the Wood.
The Wood will offer 200 qualifying points toward the May 3 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, including 100 to the winner.
Pletcher has won the Kentucky Derby twice — 2010 with Super Saver and 2017 with Always Dreaming. He’s saddled a record 65 horses in the Derby since his first appearance in 2000.
Currently, Pletcher’s top horse on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, River Thames, ranks No. 28. River Thames is expected to run in Saturday’s Blue Grass at Keeneland.
Another top contender in the Wood will be Bob Baffert trainee Rodriguez, who enters off a third-place finish in the Grade 2 San Felipe on March 1 at Santa Anita Park.
The morning line for the Wood has not yet been announced.
This story will be updated.
Post time: TBA Saturday at Aqueduct in South Ozone Park, N.Y. Purse: $750,000. Grade: 2. Distance: 1 1/8 miles. TV: FOX. Kentucky Derby qualifying points: 100 for first place, 50 for second place, 25 for third place, 15 for fourth place, 10 for fifth place.
PP Horse, jockey, trainer, odds TBA
1. Rodriguez, Mike Smith, Bob Baffert
2. Captain Cook, Manny Franco, Rick Dutrow Jr.
3. Tiger Twenty Four, Javier Castellano, Bill Mott
4. My Mitole, Luis Rivera Jr., Carlos Martin
5. Sand Devil, Jose Lezcano, Linda Rice
6. Hill Road, Joel Rosario, Chad Brown
7. Grande, Dylan Davis, Todd Pletcher
8. Passion Rules, Kendrick Carmouche, Brad Cox
9. Bear Claw Necklace, Romero Maragh, Saffie Joseph Jr.
10. Mcafee, Eric Cancel, Rick Dutrow Jr.
11. Statesman, Samuel Marin, Shug McGaughey
12. Omaha Omaha, Raul Mena, Michael Gorham
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; follow on X @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
Last May, NBC Sports announced a partnership with Churchill Downs to present the Kentucky Derby on NBC and Peacock through 2032.
The extension includes multiplatform rights to the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Derby and Oaks Day programming, which will be presented on NBC, Peacock, USA Network and additional NBCU platforms.
You can stream the 2025 Kentucky Derby on Fubo and Peacock.
While not yet official, the post time for the 151st Kentucky Derby will be about 6:57 p.m. on Saturday, May 3.
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Kentucky
Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.
Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.
Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.
“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.
After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.
Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.
“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.
No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.
Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.
“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.
Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.
Copyright 2025 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County
GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.
“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.
According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.
NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.
Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.
Kentucky
Missing Kentucky girl found in Montgomery County after 2 month search – WTOP News
A 13-year-old Kentucky girl who had been missing since October was found in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Saturday.
A 13-year-old Kentucky girl who had been missing since October was found in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Saturday.
Montgomery County police said in a release Saturday afternoon that Wynter Wagoner, 13, was located in a Silver Spring home in the 12000 block of Dalewood Drive.
The Rockcastle Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post that Wagoner was last seen in Orlando, Kentucky, on Oct. 14.
Her father, Dusty Wagoner, had pleaded for her to reach out in the weeks leading up to her discovery. The family offered a $5,000 reward for any information that would lead to her safe return.
At an Oct. 22 news conference, officials said Wagoner was picked up early from school by her foster parents and when her parents went to check on her, they discovered she was gone.
Police and U.S. Marshals arrested 37-year-old Christian Alexander Delgado in connection with the case. The Rockcastle Sheriff’s Office is charging Delgado with kidnapping.
He’s awaiting extradition to Kentucky.
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