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Chad Brown on Normandy Invasion's Work 4/27

Trainer Chad Brown talks about the April 27 work of Normandy Invasion.

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THS: Derby Trial Stakes

Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the Derby Trial Stakes at Churchill Downs. On last week's show, Frank hit a $92 exacta with the Illinois Derby! Next week, That Handicapping Show will be on location at Churchill Downs.

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Rose to Gold Lone Friday Oaks Worker

Jockey Calvin Borel had nothing but praise for Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contender Rose to Gold after her four-furlong work at Churchill Downs April 26. The Friends Lake filly went the distance in :47 4/5.

Vyjack Heads Derby Works with Half Mile Move

Vyjack, third in the Wood Memorial (gr. I) last time out, led a small group of workers for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) on the morning of April 26 at Churchill Downs. Also on the tab were Golden Soul and Falling Sky.

Oaks, Derby Forecast: Cloudy but No Rain

The long-range forecast in Louisville, Ky., calls for balmy temperatures and mostly sunny skies leading up to the May 4 Kentucky Derby (gr. I), and although Derby Day could be mostly cloudy, rain is not anticipated.

Lisa Danielle, Dam of Wise Dan

Dam of 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan in Lexington on April 24, 2013, with commentary by farm manager Barry Ezrine.

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New Beginnings at Season's End

An interview with new trainer Will VanMeter, Mike Smith's visit with Zenyatta, and a stop at Patchen Wilkes Farm to visit Lisa Danielle, dam of 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan.

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Departing Dusts Rivals in Illinois Derby

Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Departing rolled to a strong 3 1/4-length victory in the $750,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne April 20, proving his class after a third-place finish in the March 30 Louisiana Derby.

Winning Cause Gets Up in Coolmore Lexington

Alto Racing's Winning Cause got up in the final strides of the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. III) April 20 at Keeneland, earning 20 points on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

THS: Lexington Stakes and Illinois Derby

Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland and the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne.

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Successful Dan Faces Six in Ben Ali Return

There was a time when "the other Dan" was Wise Dan, who went on to become Horse of the Year. On April 21 fans will witness the return of the original, Successful Dan, in the $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland.

Wise Dan Exits 2013 Debut Well, Foster Next

Five days after reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan won the Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT) in his 2013 debut, trainer Charlie LoPresti confirmed the June 15 Stephen Foster (gr. I) as his likely next target.

Overlooked Illinois Derby Comes Up Strong

It may not be worth points on the road to the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), but the $750,000 Illinois Derby (gr. III) drew a packed field of 14, including some familiar names, when entries were taken April 17

Brushed By a Star is Class of Sixty Sails

Out from the shadow of rival Joyful Victory, Brushed by a Star has a chance to shine in the $200,000 Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) at Hawthorne Race Course April 20.

Pure Fun, Cerro Head Coolmore Lexington

The April 20 Coolmore Lexington (gr. III) offers 20 points and a potential place in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) starting gate, but not all contenders in the last-minute prep will aim for the first Saturday in May.

Inglorious Heads Doubledogdare at Keeneland

Donver Stable's Inglorious, winner of the 2011 Queen's Plate against males, heads a field of eight entered for the $100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare Stakes (gr. III) April 19 at Keeneland.

Java's War from Last to First in Blue Grass

Charles Fipke's homebred Java's War overcame a troubled start in the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes April 13 at Keeneland, closing from last to first to earn his way into the field for the May 4 Kentucky Derby.

Centre Court Runs Down 'Daisy' in Jenny Wiley

G. Watts Humphrey Jr.'s homebred Centre Court ran down 2012 Jenny Wiley (gr. IT) winner Daisy Devine in the final furlong of the 2013 renewal to get her first grade I victory for trainer Rusty Arnold at Keeneland April 13.

Cluster of Stars Stays Unbeaten in Distaff

Turtle Bird Stable's undefeated Cluster of Stars repelled the challenge of Los Ojitos and preserved her perfect record April 13 at Aqueduct Racetrack, winning the $200,000 Distaff Handicap (gr. II).

Handsome Mike Takes Commonwealth

Reddam Racing's 2012 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) winner Handsome Mike took the $175,000 Commonwealth Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland April 13, earning his first victory for trainer Doug O'Neill since that upset score at Parx.

On Fire Baby Scorches Apple Blossom Foes

Anita Cauley's On Fire Baby hadn't raced since May 28 of last year. She came back with a vengeance April 12, holding off Tiz Miz Sue to win the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn by half a length.

Wise Dan Triumphant in Maker's 46 Return

Morton Fink's 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan easily won the $300,000 Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT) by a length over Data Link at Keeneland April 12, successfully making his 2013 debut while recording his sixth straight victory.

Wide-Open Madison Should Be Good Betting Race

This year's edition of the $300,000 Madison Stakes (gr. I) may not feature a superstar such as 2012 winner Groupie Doll, but 10 older fillies and mares will provide a good wagering event at Keeneland April 13.

Wise Dan Returns in Maker's 46 Mile

Morton Fink's reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan makes his 2013 debut for trainer Charlie LoPresti in the $300,000 Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT) at Keeneland April 12, with only four contenders willing to face him.

Contessa on Rydilluc: He's One Bad Hombre

"If horses could talk, what a job this would be," said one Gary Contessa, enjoying a bountiful breakfast at Keeneland. "I'd ask that sunofagun right now, 'Do you like that track as much as you like the grass?"

Smithwick Wins Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award

Patrick Smithwick was awarded the seventh annual Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award during an evening ceremony April 10 at Castleton Lyons Farm near Lexington.

Castellano Picks Normandy Invasion for Derby

Jockey Javier Castellano has committed to ride Fox Hill Farms' Wood Memorial (gr. I) runner-up Normandy Invasion in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Perfect Officer Back for More in Shakertown

David A. Ross Racing Stable's Perfect Officer, a nose winner in last year's Shakertown Stakes (gr.IIIT), faces eight rivals April 13 when he makes his 2013 debut in the 17th running of the $100,000 turf sprint at Keeneland.

Daisy Devine to Defend Jenny Wiley Title

Defending Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. IT) winner Daisy Devine is back to protect her title April 13 at Keeneland, but the 5-year-old daughter of Kafwain faces a steep question as she goes up against six stakes winners.

Rosario Picks Up Derby Mount on Orb

Jockey Joel Rosario has been named to ride Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Orb in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), agent Ron Anderson confirmed April 10.

Velazquez Plans Derby Week Return

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who was sidelined after an April 7 spill at Aqueduct, hopes to resume riding May 1 -- three days before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Graydar Sidelined with Ankle Chip

Twin Creek Racing Stables' Graydar, back-to-back winner of the Donn Handicap (gr. I) and New Orleans Handicap (gr. II), will be sidelined for about 60 days after undergoing surgery to remove a chip from his left front ankle.

Uncaptured Favored in 14-Horse Blue Grass

It was a crowded scene at the April 10 post-position draw for the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), as the connections crossed their fingers and hoped for good post positions.

Stars Align for Keeneland Spring

Claire Novak catches up with the connections of Wise Dan, Richard's Kid, Ramsey Farm, and Daisy Devine.

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Verrazano Holds in Formful Wood Memorial

Verrazano turned back the challenge of Vyjack and held off a late-closing Normandy Invasion in a formful edition of the $1 million Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Close Hatches Gets Determined Gazelle Score

Close Hatches led at every pole, repelled Princess of Sylmar in deep stretch, and drew away to keep her unbeaten record intact, registering her first stakes score in the $250,000 Gazelle Stakes (gr. II) April 6 at Aqueduct.

Howe Great Wins at Keeneland; Turallure 6th

Howe Great, the 2012 Palm Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) victor whose last win came in the July 21 Jersey Derby at Monmouth, took a strong Keeneland allowance race April 6 in which 2011 Woodbine Mile winner Turallure ran sixth.

Blue Grass Contenders Tune Up in Kentucky

Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) contenders Rydilluc, Uncaptured, Undrafted, and Dewey Square all turned in pre-race works April 5 at Keeneland. Also working were Dynamic Sky at Churchill and Fear the Kitten at Trackside.

Jack Milton Wins First Stakes in Transylvania

Gary Barber's Jack Milton came up from Florida to earn his first stakes score, holding off the late charge of Up With the Birds to win the $100,000 Transylvania Stakes (gr. IIIT) on opening day at Keeneland.

Mettee Replaces Motion as Team Valor Trainer

Team Valor International has hired Rick Mettee to train all of its North American-based racehorses, replacing Graham Motion, the partnership group announced April 5.

Turallure Enters Salty Keeneland Allowance

Trainer Charlie LoPresti has the somewhat enviable if daunting task of bringing several top-level horses back off the bench this spring at Keeneland, including 2011 Ricoh Woodbine Mile (gr. IT) winner Turallure.

Wise Dan Tightens Screws in Keeneland Drill

Morton Fink's reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan muscled his way through five furlongs in a bullet 1:00 flat April 4 at Keeneland, setting himself up perfectly for a 2013 debut in the April 12 Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT).

Princess of Sylmar One to Watch in Gazelle

King of Prussia Stable's impressive Princess of Sylmar takes a step up into graded company April 6 in the $250,000 Gazelle Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct Racetrack, facing a talented field of sophomore fillies.

Up With the Birds Tops Transylvania

John Oxley's Star Contender is highweighted at 123 pounds in a field of 11 for the $100,000 Transylvania Stakes (gr. IIIT), but SamSon Farms' Up With the Birds has beaten him and will likely be favored at Keeneland April 5.

BC Juvenile Fillies Star Twilight Ridge Dies

Twilight Ridge, winner of the 1985 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), died April 2 at Mike Rutherford's Manchester Farm. At 30, she was the oldest living Breeders' Cup victress.

Trainer Shirreffs to Try East Coast String

Trainer John Shirreffs will leave the West Coast to run a string at Belmont Park at the end of April, according to a March 20 report from the Los Angeles Times.

Revolutionary Finishes Job in Louisiana Derby

WinStar Farm's Revolutionary took the overland route to victory in the March 30 Louisiana Derby (gr. II), closing with a five-wide run and holding off the late charge of 19-1 shot Mylute in the final furlong at Fair Grounds.

Graydar Proves Real Deal in Tough New Orleans

The 4-year-old son of Unbridled's Song proved doubters wrong March 30 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots when he held off Mark Valeski for a determined 1 3/4-length New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) score.

Dreaming of Julia Devastates Gulfstream Oaks

Stonestreet Stables' homebred Dreaming of Julia left her connections dreaming of victory in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) when she devastated the $300,000 Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II) March 30 at Gulfstream Park by 21 3/4 lengths.

Ciao Bella Takes Rampart with Authority

Michael B. Tabor's Ciao Bella ran like a favorite should at Gulfstream Park March 30, holding the advantage from gate to wire and drawing off to a 4 1/2-length victory in the $150,000 Rampart Stakes (gr. III).