Undefeated Ocean Knight Wins Sam F. Davis
Stonestreet Stables' Ocean Knight remained undefeated in two starts and aced both his 3-year-old and stakes debuts Jan. 31, taking the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs.
Claire Novak
That Handicapping Show: The Martha Washington
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra preview the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park, and the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs. Watch Video
Palace Malice Sustains Minor Foot Bruise
Multiple grade I winner Palace Malice threw a shoe while galloping Jan. 28 and sustained a minor bruise to his left front foot, causing a slight delay in his training program in Aiken, S.C.
Ocean Knight, Catalina Red Top Sam F. Davis
Stonestreet Stables' Ocean Knight, winner of his only start in solid fashion, and record-setting Florida horse Catalina Red head a group of 12 entered for the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 31 at Tampa Bay Downs.
Invasor to Uruguay's Haras Cuatro Piedras
The son of Candy Stripes, who was named U.S. Horse of the Year and champion older male in 2006, will return to Uruguay to stand at Haras Cuatro Piedras, it was announced Jan. 18.
Take Charge Brandi Set for Martha Washington
Few connections wanted to face Take Charge Brandi, but in the end a field of seven was drawn with the champion 2-year-old filly making her sophomore debut from post 6 under a highweight assignment of 122 pounds.
Alert Bay Victorious in Cal Cup Turf Classic
Peter Redekop's Alert Bay survived a lengthy stewards' inquiry to collect his fifth straight stakes score Jan. 24 in the $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
Consumer Credit Captures Sweetest Chant
Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence's Consumer Credit became a graded winner Jan. 24, closing on the outside with a solid run to capture the $100,000 Sweetest Chant Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park.
Upstart Proves Class in Holy Bull
New York-bred Upstart proved his class Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park, tracking pacesetter Bluegrass Singer to the final turn and then drawing away impressively to win the $400,000 Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II).
Palace Malice Returns to Worktab in Aiken
Multiple grade I winner Palace Malice turned in his first breeze of 2015 on Jan. 22 in Aiken, S.C., his initial recorded move since returning to training in mid-November after a layoff at Three Chimneys Farm.
Court Picks Up Mount on Take Charge Brandi
Champion 2-year-old filly Take Charge Brandi will get a new rider when she makes her sophomore debut Jan. 31 at Oaklawn Park, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said.
That Handicapping Show: Holy Bull Stakes
Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on January 24, 2015. watch video
Golden Years, 'Shutdown' Head Whiteley Jr.
Tim O'Donohue's Governmentshutdown and Hillwood Stable's Golden Years share highweight assignment Jan. 24 for the $100,000 Frank Whiteley Jr. Stakes, while O'Donohue also has Lake Sebago in the $100,000 Marshua for fillies.
West Coast Regional: Perfect Ten
David Mowat's Ten Broeck stable has the glow of success. Download Now
California Chrome: Groom Raul Rodriguez
- By Claire Novak
Raul Rodriguez, California Chrome's Main Man: Out of the limelight yet playing a vital role, one man provides day-to-day hands-on care for Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome. Watch Video
California Chrome Sews Up HOY Honors
California Chrome, a colt who was running against his fellow California-breds at the beginning of the season, soared through his conditions and emerged Horse of the Year as the annual Eclipse Awards were presented Jan. 17.
Drayden Van Dyke Takes Apprentice Eclipse
He is known as "Little Bill," a nickname given to him by older riders in recognition of a riding style matching that of Hall of Famer Bill Shoemaker.
'Brandi' Brings Owner Horton Another Eclipse
On Nov. 1 Take Charge Brandi won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I). It was her first score for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas since breaking her maiden in June, but launched her championship season.
International Star Closes for Lecomte Score
On a night when they could win multiple Eclipse Awards, Ken & Sarah Ramsey found their first potential contender for the 2015 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with International Star in the Lecomte (gr. III).
String King Game in Col. Bradley Victory
Louisiana-bred String King put away tough pacesetter Gentleman's Kitten and carried on to a well-earned victory Jan. 17 at Fair Grounds, taking the $125,000 Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap (gr. IIIT) to become a graded winner.
Hard Aces Upsets Albano in Louisiana 'Cap
Albano was expected to ace the Louisiana Handicap in his Jan. 17 return to the races, but it was longshot Hard Aces who notched his first stakes score at odds of 9-1 in the $75,000 Fair Grounds event.
Smarty Jones Kicks off Oaklawn 3YO Series
The road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park will begin Jan. 19 with the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, a one-mile test for 3-year-olds which drew a group of nine.
Ride On Curlin Returns a Winner at Oaklawn
Daniel Dougherty's Ride On Curlin returned to the races in winning fashion Jan. 15, taking a six-furlong allowance optional claimer at Oaklawn Park by a head in his season debut.
That Handicapping Show: The Lecomte Stakes
- By Claire Novak
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra preview the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds on January 17, 2015. Watch Video
Keeneland January: Blind Luck at Keeneland
- By Claire Novak
Champion Blind Luck walks at Hill 'n' Dale's Keeneland January sale consignment. She sells as hip No. 207. watch video
Hoppertunity Continues Rise in San Pasqual
This time last year, Hoppertunity still had 20 days to go before breaking his maiden. On Jan. 10, the colt who became a grade I winner at the end of the season continued his rise with a solid San Pasqual (gr. II) score.
Mshawish Gets U.S. Graded Ft. Lauderdale Win
Al Shaqab Racing's Mshawish earned his first graded victory on North American soil Jan. 10, spinning wide off the final turn but still managing a neck decision in the $200,000 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (gr. IIT) at Gulfstream.
Commissioner Returns to Races, Eyes World Cup
WinStar Farm's Commissioner, runner-up to Tonalist in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) last June, will make his first start since the classic in a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer at Gulfstream Park Jan. 10.
Ioya Bigtime in Uruguay
- By Claire Novak
Illinois-bred son of Dynaformer, a multiple graded stakes winner who raced for Team Block, walks at Haras La Concordia in Uruguay. The 2012 Illinois Horse of the Year is at stud there. watch video
Man Behind the Million
A WWII veteran and Chicago business tycoon continues to influence Arlington International Racecourse -- despite his advanced age and the political challenges faced by the Illinois racing community. read longform
That Handicapping Show: Los Alamitos Futurity
Claire Novak and special guest Ellis Starr of Equibase preview the Los Alamitos Futurity (gr. I) featuring Dortmund, Mr. Z, and Firing Line. Watch Video
Micromanage Rallies to Win Queens County
Repole Stable's Micromanage returned to the dirt Dec. 13 and overpowered Vyjack in the $100,000 Queens County Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, rallying five wide before securing the victory by 1 1/4 lengths.
Noble Mission at Lane's End Farm
Frankel's full brother shows for the media at a press event at Lane's End Farm, where he has entered stud for 2015. watch video
That Handicapping Show: The Starlet
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra preview the Starlet Stakes (gr. I) at Los Alamitos featuring Take Charge Brandi. Watch Video
Vyjack Aims for One More Win in Queens County
Pick Six Racing's Vyjack will get one more start of 2014, and his connections hope to make it a win in the $100,000 Queens County Stakes at Aqueduct Dec. 13.
Wise Dan Recovering Well as Season Ends
Recovering from a minor non-displaced fracture at the bottom of the cannon bone of his right front fetlock, Wise Dan has been powering along down the shedrow -- and trainer Charlie Lopresti fully expects him to run in 2015.
Catholic Cowboy Upsets Claiming Crown Jewel
Catholic Cowboy recovered from two lackluster efforts at Keeneland in the fall to grind out a victory in the $200,000 Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes Dec. 6 at Gulfstream Park, upsetting a group of 14 at odds of 17-1.
Eighttofasttocatch Goes Out in Jennings Win
Sylvia Heft's Eighttofasttocatch put away his rivals in impressive fashion Dec. 6, cruising to an unprecedented fourth victory in the $125,000 Jennings Handicap at Laurel Park while passing the million-dollar mark.
THS: Claiming Crown 2014
- By Claire Novak
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra handicap the Jewel Stakes and Canterbury Stakes from the Dec. 6 Claiming Crown event at Gulfstream Park. watch video
Behind the Scenes with Will Take Charge
- By Claire Novak
Champion Will Take Charge gets his photo taken by Anne M. Eberhardt at Three Chimneys for an upcoming article on new stallions. watch video
Silver Charm Settling In Well at Old Friends
Champion Silver Charm was bright-eyed and settling in well at Old Friends Farm Dec. 2 following a long journey home to Kentucky from Japan.
Michael Blowen on Silver Charm's Return
- By Claire Novak
Listen to Old Friends founder Michael Blowen as newly returned Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm greets fans Dec. 2. The 20-year-old champion returned to the U.S. after standing in Japan. watch video
Private Zone Goes Wire to Wire in Cigar Mile
Private Zone, runner-up to Flat Out in the 2013 edition of the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I), returned Nov. 29 to claim victory going wire to wire in the $753,750 event at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Red Rifle Continues Good Season for Geroux
Twin Creeks Racing Stable's Red Rifle delivered the latest in a line of satisfying stakes scores for jockey Florent Geroux Nov. 29, winning the $250,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (gr. II).
El Kabeir Just Lasts in Kentucky Jockey Club
Zayat Stables' El Kabeir went to the front and kept on going Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs, just holding off Imperia to win the $233,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) by a head.
Hoppertunity Gets Churchill Score in Clark
Hoppertunity made the most of his chance to finally run at Churchill Downs, grinding out his greatest career victory Nov. 28 in the $500,000 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I).
Stryker Phd Faces Everton in Berkeley 'Cap
Mona Hour's Longacres Mile (gr. III) winner Stryker Phd heads a group of nine entered for the $100,000 Berkeley Handicap (gr. III) Nov. 30 at Golden Gate Fields.
Chris' Brew, Galina Point Top Woodbine Stakes
Chris' Brew rides a three-race win streak into the co-featured $125,000 Sir Barton Stakes Nov. 30 at Woodbine, while South Ocean Stakes victress Galina Point tops the $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes.
Secret Circle, Itsmyluckyday in Cigar Mile
A solid field will line up Nov. 29 for the $500,000 Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack, as grade I winners Secret Circle and Itsmyluckyday face off amongst a cast that includes Private Zone, Vyjack, and Bourbon Courage.
That Handicapping Show: Clark Handicap
- By Claire Novak
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra look at the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs Friday. Watch Video
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