Horse Racing

6:06 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — A racehorse trainer pleaded guilty in New York on Wednesday to charges related to a scheme to give horses performance-enhancing drugs. Jorge Navarro entered the plea in Manhattan federal court, where sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 17. Navarro was charged last year along with over two dozen

7:22 PM ET Associated Press EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Captain Corey took the lead early, held off one challenge and then drew off in the stretch to give trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt his second win in the $1 million Hambletonian on Saturday at the Meadowlands. Svanstedt didn’t need any help from the judges this time. He

5:31 PM ET Associated Press SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen broke the North American record for victories by a trainer Saturday when Stellar Tap won the fifth race on Whitney Day at Saratoga Race Course. Asmussen has 9,446 victories to break the mark of set by the late Dale Baird

5:40 PM ET Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Churchill Downs announced three capital improvement projects over the next three years Wednesday, including two totaling $135 million, for the home of the Kentucky Derby. The Homestretch Club will undergo a $45 million renovation and upgrade of areas adjacent to the Twin Spires and is scheduled for

6:50 PM ET Associated Press OCEANPORT, N.J. — Kentucky Derby runner-up Mandaloun was involved in another controversial finish, awarded the $1 million Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday after apparent winner Hot Rod Charlie veered in the stretch and caused Midnight Bourbon and his jockey to take a scary fall. Midnight Bourbon recovered from

5:50 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — A New York federal judge on Wednesday nullified the suspension of horse trainer Bob Baffert, finding that the New York Racing Association acted unconstitutionally by failing to let him adequately respond to claims made against him after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test.

12:24 PM ET Associated Press John Rotz, a Hall of Fame jockey who won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes during his career, has died at 86. He died at his farm in Warrensburg, Illinois, southwest of Champaign, on Monday, according to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which spoke to his family.

6:10 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — A New York judge was sympathetic Monday to horse trainer Bob Baffert’s claims that his May suspension by the New York Racing Association — after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test — was unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon at a Brooklyn

8:35 PM ET Associated Press A 3-year-old colt co-owned by the wife of embattled trainer Bob Baffert ran under the name of another Hall of Fame trainer on Saturday, when it finished fourth in the $1 million Belmont Derby Invitational at Belmont Park, where Baffert has been suspended and is suing to regain access. Du

11:13 PM ET Associated Press LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — Gamine romped to a 10-length victory in the $200,000 Great Lady M Stakes on Monday, giving embattled trainer Bob Baffert his third stakes win in two days at Los Alamitos. Ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, Gamine broke sharply and took charge nearing the turn

11:19 PM ET Associated Press LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — Classier held off favored stablemate Defunded by a nose to win the $150,000 Los Alamitos Derby on Sunday, giving embattled trainer Bob Baffert a 1-2 finish in a race he’s won five years in a row and six of the last seven. Classier broke sharply under

4:10 PM ET Associated Press The Breeders’ Cup will have full capacity for the world championships at Del Mar on Nov. 5-6. Officials said tickets go on sale Friday, although general admission won’t be available at this time. They hope to be able to offer it closer to the event. All tickets will be sold

3:48 PM ET Associated Press FRANKFORT, Ky. — A Kentucky judge has granted representatives of trainer Bob Baffert and the owners of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit much of the horse’s split urine sample to be further tested for betamethasone and other substances. The Hall of Fame trainer and Zedan Racing Stables last week sued

6:00 AM ET ESPN staff Welcome to the 2021 ESPYS presented by Capital One, where you, the fans, get to help decide the stars of the show (aka the award winners). Cast your vote for Best Jockey below — the nominees are Irad Ortiz Jr., John Velazquez, Flavien Prat and Joel Rosario — and tune

9:13 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Trainer Bob Baffert sued in federal court Tuesday in an effort to get his suspension by the New York Racing Association lifted. The NYRA suspended the Hall of Famer in mid-May after Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit failed a postrace drug test that found 21 picograms of

5:28 PM ET Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Trainer Bob Baffert and the owners of Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit have filed a lawsuit against Kentucky racing officials. They are seeking a temporary injunction they say is to prevent violation of due process rights and for custody of “remnant” samples of the colt’s urine to

6:56 PM ET ESPN News Services NEW YORK — Favorite Essential Quality won the Belmont Stakes on Saturday to give trainer Brad Cox his first victory in a Triple Crown race — maybe. Cox could get another from Mandaloun in the Kentucky Derby if Bob Baffert-trained Medina Spirit is disqualified. But Cox was able to

1:26 PM ET Associated Press NEW YORK — Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is out of the Belmont Stakes after a scary fall while racing but seems to have escaped long-term injury. Ortiz was thrown off a horse during a race Thursday at Belmont Park and then trampled by the horse being ridden by his younger