byron king

Walker Hancock the head man at Claiborne, not only understands and appreciates the Claiborne tradition, but he is the right age to lead the iconic breeding and racing operation into a future that is filled with new ideas, new concepts and new challenges. Now 27, Hancock has already made his mark by bringing Runhappy and Ironicus to to stand at Claiborne for the 2017 breeding season. Walker will talk about the responsibilities of maintaining Claiborne’s reputation as one of the leading breeding facilities in the world. The “Louisville King of the ‘Cappers” Byron King will be crossing state lines and heading north to Shelbyville, IN to Indiana Grand for the Indiana Derby program. Ohio Derby winner Irap hopes to pick up the winner’s share of the Indiana Derby. The DRF columnist and handicapper will join John in 'capping the main event the $500,000 Indiana Derby (G3). Other races on the under card include: - the $200,000 Indiana Oaks (G3) and the $100,000 Warrior Veterans Stakes.

Dick Downey concentrates his entire year on analyzing the Kentucky Derby. It has been a passion of his for decades and he will share his insights into this year's field with us this week. If you have been following the Derby trail you know that this is one of the most wide open Run for the Roses we have seen in years. That should make for plenty of betting opportunities and options to cash a big ticket. DRF's Byron King is a Louisville-based writer and handicapper who is dialed in to the action under the Twin Spires. In the first segment we will talk about his impressions of the Derby prep races and list the major horses to watch. We will also take a look at some of the top races including Friday's closing $150,000 Bewitch Stakes (G3) at Keeneland and the Saturday opening night's $100,000 William Walker at Churchill Downs.

A part of the Taylor Made team since its inception, VP of boarding operations Frank Taylor oversees the total operation of the farm including care of the horses, and farm maintenance. He also assists clients on an individual basis advising them in matings and sales and generally improving their bloodstock. Last July, the family-owned Nicholasville, Ky.-based operation bought out co-breeder Steve Coburn's interest in California Chrome. Mr. Taylor will tell us a little bit of what is in store for the leading money-winning thoroughbred in North America. br Leading up to the Kentucky Derby, who better to go to than the “King of Louisville” – Byron King a popular DRF handicapper and columnist. Keeneland closes on Friday and Churchill Downs opens for live racing on Saturday. Byron and John will analyze the Gr. 3 $150,000 Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland; the $100,000 William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs; the Gr. 3 $100,000 Miami Mile Hcp. and the Gr. 3 $100,000 San Francisco Mile.

Engelhardt got to spend some time with Michael Blowen the founder of Old Friends Retirement Facility this weekend. The DRF have just published a special edition celebrating the farm and highlighting its Stable of Stars. That elite group will be getting a new member when Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem will soon be calling Old Friends. Michael will also be hosting a post-Breeders Cup event at the farm and several high profile horsemen will be in attendance. Michael will get us up to speed at what has been happening and talk about the post-Breeders Cup event that will take place at his farm. Churchill Downs opens its gates this week and who better to preview the meet than the popular DRF Handicapper Byron King who calls Louisville home. They will be running the Gr. 2 Pocahontas and the Gr. 3 Iroquois Stakes on Saturday. We'll also look at the Gr. 3 Kentucky Turf Cup at Kentucky Downs an head west to Louisiana Downs for the Gr. 2 Super Derby.

With all eyes on Louisville Saturday, with Triple Crown hero 'American Pharoah' set to parade at Churchill Downs before the fans, senior director of communications & media services Darren Rogers will tell us about this media event to happen in the paddock at Downs After Dark with trophies presentations to 'American Pharoah's winning jockey Victor Espinoza, Hall of fame trainer Bob Baffert and owner and breeder Ahmed Zayat. He will also elaborate on the increase in purse structure at Churchill which is having its best meeting since the Kentucky Derby with record attendances and handles. Byron King DRF Kentucky handicapper and columnist will give his take on the Triple Crown and will look ahead to this Saturday's major stakes at Churchill. The $100,000 Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes, the $200,000 Grade 1 Fleur de Lis Handicap, the $500,000 Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap and the $100,000 Grade 3 Regret Stakes.

Mirror, mirror on the wall - who is the best 3-year-old of all?  We'll get a full analysis from one of the top turf writers and handicappers in the country - the Daily Racing Form's Jay Privman. Is it East vs. West or is the best in Kentucky?  Jay will provide us with his insights on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Our guest handicapper will be DRF's Byron King.   We have a rare racing schedule where four Grade 1 races will be run on a Friday and Saturday at two different tracks.  At Oaklawn they have the $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap on Friday and the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby on Saturday.  At Keeneland, the Friday feature is the $300,000 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes, while the Saturday headliner is the $300,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes.

Bill Thomason President and CEO of Keeneland will discuss Keeneland Race Course's conversion from synthetic back to dirt as it announced Thursday that its new dirt main track has been installed and open for training. The historic track replaced the synthetic surface during the summer in time for the fall meet, beginning Oct. 3. A major purpose of the removal of the synthetic racing surface and installation of a dirt track was for Keeneland to host the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which it had never done. The track was rewarded with 2015's Breeders' Cup. In the second segment Byron King, a native of Louisville, Ky., and Kentucky handicapper and columnist for Daily Racing Form will join John in handicapping the major stakes this week-end: - the $200,000 Grade 2 Pocohontas Stakes and the $150,000 Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes both from Churchill Downs; the $250,000 Dueling Grounds Derby From Kentucky Downs and the $500,000 Grade 2 Super Derby from Louisiana Downs.