Kentucky

Based on numbers through the initial months after its launch, Kentucky sports wagering has been a bigger hit than expected.

Maggie Wolfendale and Sara Elbadwi recap the G3 Comely from Aqueduct and G2 Kentucky Jockey Club from Churchill Downs.

Bucking negative trends seen elsewhere, total wagering in Kentucky is up 4.2% this year through Nov. 25 compared to the corresponding date in 2022, a track executive told the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund Advisory Committee Nov. 29.

Mage, this year's Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, has been retired from racing and will begin his stallion career at Airdrie Stud for the 2024 breeding season, his connections announced in a release Nov. 27.  

With the Kentucky Derby (G1) still 23 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of "All Other Colts and Geldings from the 2021 Foal Crop" closed as the 6-5 favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes

Whit Beckman won his first graded race as a trainer Nov. 25 at Churchill Downs when Ribble Farms' Honor Marie closed to take the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2).

The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby starts its four-race run at Tokyo Racecourse Nov. 25 with a wide-open field and strong representation by American sires.

Sara Elbadwi and Paul Verderosa preview the G3 Comely from Aqueduct and G2 Kentucky Jockey Club from Churchill Downs

Stretch Ride pursues stakes glory beneath the Twin Spires when he battles Awesome Road and six others in the Nov. 25 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs.