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 football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
Time is of the essence if you’re Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats right now. With the transfer portal set to close in just a few days, chaos reigns as programs and players scramble to secure their next opportunities. Among the fray is Kentucky, which finds itself navigating a tumultuous landscape in search of elite talent. With many of the Top 25 players already committed, the urgency for the Wildcats to land a game-changing recruit has never been more at the forefront following this season.
One of Pope’s primary targets is Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman. The 6-foot-9 rising junior made waves during his time at Syracuse, averaging 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 47.4 percent from the field last season. His potential is undeniable; many experts predict Freeman will be a future first-round NBA draft pick, making him a coveted asset for any program.
Freeman’s recent visit to Kentucky has sparked much-needed hope. However, despite positive feedback from his trip, he left without making a commitment to join one of college basketball’s blue bloods. The competition is fierce. The question looms: Can Kentucky outmaneuver these schools and secure his commitment?
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Well, Friday morning, the Cats were able to outlast one of their deepest competitions for now in Connecticut. Freeman was set to make his way to see the Huskies, but he has since cancelled his Friday visit, per UConn Report (subscription required). Now it appears the Huskies officially have bowed out of the race. That’s one down, and just the Alabama Crimson Tide, it appears, stands in the way for Mark Pope and Kentucky.
Mark Pope faces additional pressure following the return of Rob Wright to BYU, leaving the Wildcats in a precarious position when it comes to key portal targets. They need to act swiftly to avoid being left without significant talent as the portal closes. Freeman’s skill set would not only bolster their roster but would also complement rising star Malachi Moreno, as Freeman would be the ideal fit for the power forward.
As the clock ticks down, all eyes are on Mark Pope and his ability to close this deal. The stakes are high, and for Kentucky, landing Donnie Freeman could be the key to turning chaos into triumph, but will they be able to close perhaps the deal amidst the age of transfer portal madness? Well, they are one step closer now, it appears.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky basketball closing in on a Donnie Freeman commitment?
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