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Churchill Downs

Racing Legend D. Wayne Lukas, Triple Crown Icon, Dies Racing Legend D. Wayne Lukas, Triple Crown Icon, Dies
Racing Legend D. Wayne Lukas, Triple Crown Icon, Dies D. Wayne Lukas, one of the most decorated and influential trainers in the history of horse racing, has died. He was 89. The Hall of Famer's death occurred in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday, June 28, according to his family. In his final days, he had been in hospice care following a battle with a severe MRSA infection. Born on a Wisconsin farm in 1935, Lukas began his career training quarter horses before switching to thoroughbreds in the late 1970s.  Over nearly five decades, his horses won a record 20 Breeders' Cup races and 14 Triple Crown contests, including four Kentucky Derbies…
Kentucky Derby Jockey Hit With $62K Fine, Suspension For Over-Whipping Champ Sovereignty Kentucky Derby Jockey Hit With $62K Fine, Suspension For Over-Whipping Champ Sovereignty
Kentucky Derby Jockey Hit With $62K Fine, Suspension For Over-Whipping Champ Sovereignty The jockey who rode Kentucky Derby-winning horse Sovereignty last week is facing a hefty fine and brief suspension, according to reports. Junior Alvarado, 38, was fined $62,000 by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) on Friday after he whipped his horse too many times during the winning run at Churchill Downs. He was also suspended for two days. HISA noted that it was Alvarado's second offense in 180 days, leading to the hefty fine.  "Mr. Alvarado’s fine was doubled pursuant to an escalating penalty structure for repeat riding crop violations within the previous 180 d…
Here’s Why Mike Tirico Was Pulled From NBC’s Kentucky Derby Broadcast Last Minute Here’s Why Mike Tirico Was Pulled From NBC’s Kentucky Derby Broadcast Last Minute
Here’s Why Mike Tirico Was Pulled From NBC’s Kentucky Derby Broadcast Last Minute NBC Sports host Mike Tirico was a "late scratch" before Saturday's Kentucky Derby after suffering a "significant" nut allergy reaction during coverage of the event.  Tirico was set to host the event before unexpectedly being forced to step away late in the afternoon on May 3, with Ahmed Fareed taking over coverage at Churchill. Downs. He later confirmed that he had to retreat to his hotel for "a significant reaction to my nut allergy."  "Hate being a scratch after making the starting gate," he posted on social media. "Just a significant reaction to my nut allergy. If you have on…