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
Two ‘dangerous’ inmates escape Kentucky detention center, sparking multi-agency manhunt across region
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Two inmates described as “dangerous” escaped Friday evening from a Kentucky detention center, prompting a multi-agency manhunt, police said.
The Morehead Police Department warned the surrounding community that two inmates had “walked away” from the Rowan County Detention Center.
Investigators said multiple law enforcement agencies are actively searching for the escapees, with Kentucky State Police leading the investigation.
“These inmates should be considered dangerous,” police said, warning the community not to approach anyone suspicious or unfamiliar.
KENTUCKY DAD RAGES AFTER COURT-APPROVED RELEASE OF REPEAT OFFENDER LEADS TO FAMILY’S KIDNAPPING
Two inmates described as “dangerous” escaped from a Kentucky detention center, prompting a multi-agency manhunt. (Morehead Police Department)
One of the inmates was identified as Michael Fogleman, 29, who is described as 6 feet tall and 188 pounds.
He has short or closely shaved hair and a short beard along his jawline and chin, according to police.
The second inmate was identified as James Smallwood, 52, who is listed at 6 feet 1 inch tall and about 215 pounds.
MANHUNTS ACROSS AMERICA IN 2025: FIVE CASES THAT LEFT CITIES, CAMPUSES AND TOWNS ON EDGE
Michael Fogleman, 29, is one of two inmates who escaped from a Kentucky detention center, police said. (Morehead Police Department)
He is described as having a medium to stocky build with gray facial hair around the mouth and chin area.
Smallwood was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans and possibly a hat, police said.
James Smallwood, 52, is one of two inmates on the run after escaping from a Kentucky jail, authorities said. (Morehead Police Department)
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and call 911 immediately if they see anything suspicious or have information about the escapees.
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Law enforcement agencies are searching for two escaped inmates in Kentucky, authorities said. (Silas Walker/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service)
Investigators said they will provide more information as it becomes available.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kentucky State Police and Rowan County Detention Center for comment.
The Kentucky high school 2026 outdoor track and field season has been exceptional, especially the girls competition.
In particular, the sprints and horizontal jumps.
Long Jump Leaders Set the Pace
First, the long jump.
Christian Educational Consortium’s Jade Hartlage, a rising superstar of track and field in its totality, has the state’s leading jump, 19feet, 9 inches, set March 26. She is partially homeschooled and not eligible for in KHSAA postseason.
Hartlage’s mark is followed by Simon Kenton’s Alexis Howard (19-0, March 26). Howard is another standout athlete. She was selected as a 2025 All-State Honorable Mention in soccer. Howard won the 3A indoor title in early March, recording a mark of 18-7 1/4.
Howard, Svidal Among Top Contenders
Walden School senior Natalie Svidal sailed to an 18-4 1/2 mark at the Walden Small School Championships May 5. That ties her for third in the state with Taleigha Nash of Great Crossing High School.
Triple Jump Competition Tightens
In the triple jump, Howard is atop the performance list. She leapt 40-5, April 25.
However, Svidal is close. She recorded 40-2 1/4 this past week.
Multi-Sport Stars Making Impact
Teigh Yeast, yet another standout athlete, who helped George Rogers Clark win a state basketball title in March and is a Robert Morris University basketball commit, logged a 40-0 1/2 jump April 21. Yeast was last season’s 3A champion at 39-5.25.
How Kentucky Stacks Up Nationally
Perspective and context need to be applied here. Here’s how Kentucky compares nationally.
National Benchmarks Set the Bar
Parker Coes of Morton Ranch High School (Katy, Texas) has surpassed 21 feet twice in 2026. Abigail Mecklenburg of Linn-Mar High School (Marion, Iowa) is approaching the 21-foot threshold.
Coes’ marks were achieved in the early indoor season. The Texan has jumped 20-10 1/2 outdoors (April 3) but her last mark was 18-11 3/4, May 2.
Mecklenburg is yet to replicate her indoor marks outdoors.
The top outdoor jump so far in 2026 is 42-7.5, set by Daniela Hughes of Los Altos High School (Los Altos, California).
A significant challenge for the Bluegrass jumpers to surpass. But if there is a season for top-10 national rankings or records.
State Records Within Reach
With that said, the Kentucky state records are potentially breakable in the next two weeks. The current records are 20-4 (Maxine Graham, Fleming County High School, 1975) and 41-7 (Sophie Galloway, Marshall County High School, 2021).
Each has the speed and explosiveness to challenge those marks.
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The prices given are those indicated by state tax stamps required on all deeds. The addresses listed are those given for tax purposes. Because a tax bill may be sent to a business office or other location different from the property being transferred, some of the addresses listed may differ from the property that was transferred. Includes property square footage and date purchased.
Here are property transfers in Jefferson, Bullitt and Oldham counties, Kentucky from Oct. 20-26, 2025.
Jefferson County
40059
9407 CIVIC WAY, BROWN DAVID RYAN to HARRIS DYLAN | 2,641 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $640,000
7511 SMITHFIELD GREENE LN, POORKAY MEHDI to FLEITZ MARTHA JEANA | 3,200 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $610,000
5612 WOLF PEN TRCE, LAUER WATSON KATARINA to CHAN ABIGAIL SY | 4,976 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $835,000
5622 TIMBER CREEK CT, TORRES IRICH J to HUGHES THERESE SUSAN | 1,653 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $350,000
7808 GRENOBLE LN, BERNARD G ALAN to BENCH SUE | 3,732 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $515,000
40118
10713 ALBERTA DR, TATE JEFFREY L to SNYDER EBONI D | 1,200 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $245,000
2107 SMITH RD, AUBREY DEVIN SCOTT to MCCOY BRITTANY D | 2,880 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $390,000
40203
1909 GRIFFITHS AVE, TRINH RENTAL to NGUYEN DANG LIVING TRUST | 2,059 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $60,000
40205
2539 WOODCREEK RD, CODISPOTI JOSEPH to BRINK DAVID AARON JR | 2,687 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $499,000
40206
2804 BEXLEY CT, CHARLES SHEILA M to LOCKWOOD CRHISTOPHER J | 1,602 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $167,500
443 UNIVERSITY AVE, DONALDSON THOMAS REEDER to DUELL JOHN SCOTT | 2,472 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $469,000
40207
5307 INDIAN CREST RD, DEGOLIAN ROBERT R to COLLINS CHRISTINA MARIE | 5,280 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $625,000
5 WOODHILL RD, AUSTIN R THOMPSON to WOODHILL | 8,153 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $4,000,000
418 CHERRYWOOD RD, REINERT ROBERTA J to BRIZENDINE TODD | 3,203 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $408,310
40208
2935 S 3RD ST, CARMONA PROPERTIES LOUISVILLE to MOORE AUSTIN | 2,768 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $337,000
40211
923 S 40TH ST, PROPERTIES DC to VANGUARD ENTERPRISES CORP | 2,246 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $68,000
40213
4401 CAMPOBELLO ST, HESTER BARBARA A to WALDRIDGE TERESA GAIL | 960 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $165,000
40214
4127 S 2ND ST, MESO HOMES INVESTMENTS to FOLKINS KATHERINE MARIE ROSELLE | 3,375 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $250,000
9714 SECRETARIAT DR, THREE DS DEVELOPMENT to PADGETT BRENT MICHAEL | 3,916 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $64,000
5427 SOUTHVIEW DR, PROPERTY PRIME to QUEVEDO BEATRIZ MARTINEZ | 1,389 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $239,900
40215
1104 OLEANDA AVE, VENIA to THOMAS DAVID L | 720 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $130,000
920 STANLEY AVE, NUMBER CRUNCHERS to BOCALANDRO MICHAEL L RAMOS | 1,092 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $190,000
40216
5603 ARVIS DR, LEISTER ANDREW A to NEWKIRK LARRY W | 2,050 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $245,000
4603 MELVIN DR, WELLS JUANITA to ORTIZ YAIDELIN HERNANDEZ | 2,100 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $237,000
1580 SADIE LN, FRANCO REDIFREDO to TAMAYO LUIS RIVERA | 1,107 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $203,000
3000 ROCKAWAY DR, GEAN JOHNNY BRYANT ESTATE to AL SHATHER MOE R | 2,100 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $150,000
40218
3516 LISBON LN, THOROUGHBRED AQUISITIONS to GILPATRICK CHRISTOPHER | 925 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $230,000
5435 BANNON CROSSINGS DR, GREEN KAREN J R to BAKHODIR ALIYEV | 1,700 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $250,000
40219
4800 FAMOUS WAY, SINCHURI JAMUNA to SUBEDI MITRA LAL | 2,726 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $270,000
7915 JUDGE BLVD, SERRANO FRANK SAMPEDRO to MORFA YUCIMIN CASAS | 2,134 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $250,000
40220
6129 ARLONE CT, DIAZ GEILER LLOPIZ to PADRON LEODEL MIRANDA | 1,125 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $245,000
3008 BOAIRES LN, JONES LINDA LEE M to GEHLHAUSEN TIMOTHY LOUIS | 1,134 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $225,000
3014 TALISMAN RD, BARRETT CLAY to VEGA ALEXANDER | 2,508 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $290,000
40222
1714 ORMSBY LN, MARY ELIZABETH ATHERTON LIVING TRUST to CORLEY BRIAN | 2,700 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $290,000
40223
2600 ANCHOR WAY, COLLINS CHRISTINA M to BROWN DAVID RYAN | 4,980 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $1,050,000
40241
2942 GOOSE CREEK RD, BROWN CATHLEEN G to SEGUNDINO SHARON | 3,038 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $345,000
7611 BEECHSPRING FARM BLVD, OWEN DAVID HAYS to KASDAN MORTON L | 7,884 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $1,240,000
4412 SUSSEX CT, HAEFFELE WAYNE A to MARTINEZ RAFAEL MORALES | 2,238 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $240,000
9206 FELSMERE CIR, DEVON BANK to DAFALLA SHAZA BASBAR | 3,615 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $530,000
7010 CREEKTON DR, PATEL KETAN to KULKARNI YOGESH S | 4,977 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $860,000
4708 SUNNY MEADOW CT, CORNETT JOHN WALLACE JR to HILL CONNOR DALE | 1,256 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $328,600
40245
2911 MEADOW FARMS PL, HAYDEN RICHARD L to HAYDEN RICHARD L | 4,832 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $789,000
13815 FOREST BEND CIR, JEWELL MELISSA A to WILHOIT JEFFREY | 2,904 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $415,000
115 WATERSTONE WAY, CHEATHAM STEPHEN D to MATTHEWS STANLEY | 4,240 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $645,000
40291
9218 WELLINGTON HILL CT, PEARSON PAULA to KHAREL GOPI LAL | 4,013 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $415,900
8313 FAIRMOUNT RD, PULTE HOMES OF OHIO to GANBAATAR GANTULGA | 3,028 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | 10/21/2025 | $407,990
13317 CAIN LN, HILLNER GREGORY P to DUNCAN DAVID | 4,124 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $420,000
115 WATERSTONE WAY, CHEATHAM STEPHEN D to MATTHEWS STANLEY | 4,240 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $645,000
40299
3417 ETHELWOOD DR, FOR SALE REAL ESTATE to BENCOMO PROPERTIES | 1,406 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $173,000
Bullitt County
40047
163 HERITAGE WAY, GEPHART GERARD ANTHONY & SUSAN DARLENE to GEPHART GERARD ANTHONY & SUSAN DARLENE | 3,618 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $440,000
460 RIVER CLIFF DR, CHAPMAN MICHAEL TODD to GRIDER JAMES L JR | 1,410 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $385,000
405 LINCOLN DR, SMITH JERID R to JERID R SMITH LIVING TRUST | 1,296 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $310,000
966 ALPAR LN, BOURBON TRAIL HOMES to COOMES KAREN & CALVIN & MCGRATH NICOLE & AARON | 2,42 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $220,000
392 WINCHESTER DR, ELDER JOHN T to GIBSON KELLI L & SAMUEL R | 1,100 q ft | 10/22/2025 | $210,000
218 LAKEWOOD DR, VICKERY GEOFFREY & PAULETTE to VICKERY FAMILY IRREVOCABLE TRUST | 3,388 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $320,000
589 FLATLICK RD, OWEN ELIZABETH to GATROST THEODORE J & ATROST THEODORE JR & TRICIA | 1,115 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $175,000
234 LONDON SQUARE, EMPIRE PROPERTIES 1332 to SEBATWARE ERIC & NYAMAHORO NYAGANZA | 2,227 sq ft| 10/24/2025 | $444,800
153 ELDER GLEN CT, PAYNE DAVID A & JANICE K to PAYNE FAMILY TRUST | 1,975 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $355,000
688 TWIN OAKS DR, LENTZ CHARLES JOSEPH to LENTZ FAMILY TRUST | 3,008 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $225,316
40109
2337 CORAL RIDGE RD, CAHILL ROSETTA & CAHILL LARRY E JR to CAHILL ROSETTA | 2,986 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $187,919
1271 CABIN CREEK DR, OWEN-RUMMAGE LINDA L & RUMMAGE ANTHONY K to ANTHONY & LINDA RUMMAGE LIVING TRUST | 1,834 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $251,748
40150
151 DIANE CT, CDF BUILDERS INC to KREBS SHELBY R | 1,345 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $294,569
3427 HORSEFLY HOLLOW RD, MAUERMANN KAREN ANN to KAM CAPITAL ENTERPRISE | 816 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $91,900
40165
468 WINDING CREEK DR, FUGATE ELEANOR L to REEDY AARON J & ADRIANNE R | 3,880 sq ft |10/21/2025 | $480,000
358 WESTSIDE DR, MAY BRANDON S to CHAPMAN MICHAEL T & KRISTEN L | 2,025 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $385,000
227 PRYOR VALLEY RD, HODGES ROBERT GARY & MATSON TIARRA B to HODGES ROBERT GARY & MATSON TIARRA B | 1,150 sq ft |10/21/2025 | $100,980
225 PRYOR VALLEY RD, HODGES ROBERT GARY & MATSON TIARRA B to HODGES ROBERT GARY & MATSON TIARRA B | 1,000 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $70,000
127 DAYFLOWER CT, FISCHER HOMES LOUISVILLE to HERZOG HEATHER A & MCGAUGH DUSTY L | 2,852 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $439,990
232 VILLA LN, ALEXANDER KATHY L to KATHY ALEXANDER REVOCABLE TRUST | 1,009 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $140,035
193 PARE CT, DYER THOMAS & PAULA to STEPHENSON ROBERT L & DANA S | 3,268 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $540,000
126 LAKES EDGE DR, LONNY RAY CONSTRUCTION INC to HAGER SIERRA & KEETON CODY | 1,203 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $258,000
177 WHITE RUN RD, SETACCIOLI PROPERTIES to BUCKNER KYLE WILSON & CELESTE NICOLE | 1,701 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $122,000
40229
12205 DULCIE CT, THRELKEL BRIAN to BEST KELLY B | 1,208 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $239,000
Oldham County
40014
6105 BRENTWOOD DR, TJM CUSTOM HOMES to SCEARCE EMILY H | 2,342 sq ft | 10/22/2025 | $795,000
5314 BROOKSWOOD RD, SCHUMM CHRISTOPHER L & HERNANDEZ NID to ONSUM KEITH WALTER & RACHEL YESENIA | 2,216 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $595,000
7492 EDITH WAY, GONDA STEPHEN & LORA to STEPHEN & LORA GONDA LIVING TRUST | 2,998 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $1,053,300
7414 KAVANAUGH RD, OLIVER KEVIN DRUE to MCBROOM JOSHUA DYLAN & SARAH ALINE | 1,741 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $325,000
5311 LEE AVE, RL HOME SERVICES INC to CABADA-SAMORA JESUS | 1,462 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $565,000
7110 AUTUMN BENT WAY, CORBIN TROY G to KREY NICOLAS T & KRISTA A | 2,004 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $459,900
40026
13120 POND CREEK DR, POND CREEK SEC 4 to MERRICK BRYANT JOSEPH & KEELEY LYNN | 2,253 sq ft | 10/21/2025 | $590,000
3343 N BUCKEYE LN, WISE JOHN P to BISIG GREGORY & CAROL SUE | 3,408 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $840,000
40031
2826 ALDER WOOD LN, KEY HOMES to BUONFIGLIO JOSEPH II & SAMANTHA CRAIG | 1,991 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $550,000
3617 RED OAK DR, GONDA STEPHEN & LORA to PERLIK LYNNE NICOLE & VINCENT ROBERT | 3,303 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $960,000
706 LATIMER AVE, WILSON DAVID & NORMA J to COLLINS MATTHEW RYAN & SHELBI NICOLE | 1,351 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $205,000
40056
6904 JESSICA CT, WHITE ALL & BREDA MICHAEL R to RUTLEDGE CAROLYN L | 1,050 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $250,000
40059
11572 VICTORIA FALLS LN, CLAYTON PROPERTIES GROUP INC to BLUEGRASS LIVING TRUST | 2,636 sq ft | 10/23/2025 | $925,377
2713 MAYO LN, DONNA BRIGHT REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST to PARKER FAMILY TRUST | 5,796 sq ft | 10/24/2025 | $1,576,550
40068
4208 BALLARD RIDGE CT, CD LLC to CHEATHAM STEPHEN DARRELL | 2,500 sq ft | 10/20/2025 | $774,900
Reach features news clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com.
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