Dan Bork News Today

This year’s Clark field is likely to be led by Grade 3 winner First Mission and accomplished Florida-based 3-year-old Il Miracolo.

Ellis Park Racing & Gaming officials announced Wednesday a record $14,021,000 in purses will be offered in the newly-released 2023 condition book.

While graded stakes wins Saturday by Pauline’s Pearl in the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic and Scarlet Fusion in the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup anchored the Houston Racing Festival, three other runners gave standout performances in stakes on the undercard at Sam Houston Race Park.

Early nominations for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds to become eligible to compete in the 2023 Triple Crown series are due Saturday with a $600 payment.

Grade 1 winners Happy Saver and Hot Rod Charlie are among the nominated older horses that are scheduled to face 80-1 upset Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Rich Strike in the $500,000 Lukas Classic (G2), which comes five weeks in advance of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland.

Ellis Park honors a true Tri-State titan with Saturday’s $70,000 R.A. “Cowboy” Jones Overnight Stakes.

Ellis Park has increased purses for registered Kentucky-breds by $10,000 for every maiden and allowance race for the remainder of the meet.

Jeff Hall, director of racing operations at Ellis Park who spent 50 years at the Henderson, Ky., racetrack, has died at the age of 75.

Draw day for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks races is officially in the books.

Early Nominations to Longines Kentucky Oaks Close Saturday at the Kentucky Derby. The 2022 Kentucky Derby is the 148th renewal of The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports. Live odds, betting, horse bios, travel info, tickets, news, and updates from Churchill Downs Race Track.