Untapable Set for Azeri Return
Winchell Thoroughbreds' champion racemare is set for her return to the races for the second year in a row in the $350,000 Azeri Stakes (gr. II) March 19 at Oaklawn Park.
Claire Novak
Claire Novak, online features editor for the Blood-Horse, has melded her love for human-interest journalism and the equine breed into a successful Turf writing career. Since her first freelance article on racing was published at BloodHorse.com in 2005, her byline has appeared in the New York Times, ESPN The Magazine, and on ESPN.com, among others. She is the winner of the 2011 Eclipse Award for Feature/Commentary, the 2013 Joe Hirsch Memorial Award (feature/advance division), and the 2008 Louisville Metro Journalism Award for Sports Writing. She lives near Lexington and, when not writing about racing, can often be found jumping with her Thoroughbred, Bob.
Sophia's Song, Abiding Star Shine at Laurel
Filly wins Caesar's Wish by four lengths, could be Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contender; colt takes Private Terms at 18-1, may target Federico Tesio and hopefully Preakness (gr. I).
What a View Upsets Kilroe Mile
California-bred What a View made quite a jump from winning against state-bred company in his last start to take the $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr. IT) March 12 at Santa Anita Park in his first graded stakes attempt.
Tepin Runs Record-Setting Hillsborough
Champion Tepin set a stakes record and a course record March 12 in the $200,000 Hillsborough Stakes (gr. IIT) at Tampa Bay Downs, running the 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.26 when catching leader Isabella Sings
Mshawish Impressive in Final Drill for Dubai
California Chrome and Frosted are the accomplished headliners of what is shaping up to be an exciting edition of the March 26 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), but Al Shaqab Racing's Mshawish also looms.
Tepin Set for Keeneland Prep in Hillsborough
Champion racemare takes next step of expected big campaign March 12 in Florida.
Blofeld Edges Stanford in Gulfstream 'Cap
Patience paid off for the connections of Blofeld March 5, as the Todd Pletcher trainee picked up the $500,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.
Front-Running Mei Ling Takes Heavenly Prize
Mei Ling returned to stakes-winning form March 5, taking the $150,000 Heavenly Prize Invitational wire-to-wire at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Cathryn Sophia Flawless in Davona Dale
Cathryn Sophia continued her rise as one of the key contenders on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with a flawless performance Feb. 27 in the $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.
That Handicapping Show: Fountain of Youth
Claire Novak, Tom LaMarra,and Ellis Starr preview the Fountain of Youth Stakes, which is a Kentucky Derby prep race. Sponsored by Equibase watch video
Stevens Calls Audible During Mor Spirit Work
Gary Stevens said he didn't know grade I winner Mor Spirit was wearing earplugs when he jumped in to work him on the fly Feb. 23. After failing to get a response on the turn, he eased the Bob Baffert trained-runner.
That Handicapping Show: The Risen Star
Claire Novak, Ellis Starr, and Tom LaMarra preview the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) featuring Its All Relevant, Mo Tom, Gun Runner, Dolphus, Airoforce, Tom's Ready, and Uncle Walter. Sponsored by Equibase. Watch Video
International Star Faces Mineshaft Four
International Star, who last year swept the 3-year-old prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, will reenter the graded ranks Feb. 20 in the $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) at Fair Grounds.
Frank Conversation Wins El Camino Real Derby
Reddam Racing's Frank Conversation put together back-to-back victories in a big way Feb. 13 when he rallied to take the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields.
Sunland Hopes to Race Feb. 26 Despite EHV-1
Track plans to get non-impacted runners back in action despite virus.
Tepin Flawless in Endeavour
After beating the boys last time out in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT), the 5-year-old Bernstein mare handled her own division with exactly the kind of dominance trainer Mark Casse was seeking in her season debut.
Sarah Sis Targets Bayakoa
After a tough beat in the Jan. 23 American Beauty Stakes, Rags Racing Stable's grade II winner Sarah Sis takes on eight rivals in the $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park.
Penwith Lands Graded Score in Royal Delta
Godolphin Racing's Penwith finally broke through to her first graded score Feb. 13, when she took the $200,000 Royal Delta Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park by three lengths.
Discreetness, Collected Face Off in Southwest
Crowded field of 14 set for Feb. 15 Oaklawn Park test on Road to Kentucky Derby.
That Handicapping Show: The Barbara Fritchie
Claire Novak, Ellis Starr, and Tom LaMarra preview the Barbara Fritchie Handicap (gr. II) featuring Hot City Girl, Lady Sabelia, and Princess Violet. Sponsored by Equibase. Watch Video
Tepin Set for Season Debut in Endeavour
Looking to launch a campaign that could include another run at the boys at Keeneland in the Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT) this spring, trainer Mark Casse has entered Tepin in the Feb. 13 Endeavour Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Tampa Bay.
Mshawish Dazzles in Donn Handicap
Last year Mshawish took the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT), but this season transitioned his form to dirt in brilliant style, and brought home the second grade I win of his career Feb. 6 at Gulfstream Park.
Marquee Miss Edges Nickname at Oaklawn
Marquee Miss edged 1-2 favorite Nickname in the $100,000 Martha Washington Stakes Feb. 6 at Oaklawn Park, acing her graded debut for trainer Ingrid Mason.
Mor Spirit Secures Robert B. Lewis Score
Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens delivered an icy ride and grade I winner Mor Spirit responded full of run in the $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita Park.
Lady Shipman Aces Season Debut
In her first start of the season and first for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, Ranlo Investments' Lady Shipman was a comfortable winner of the $75,000 Ladies Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park.
Tommy Macho Sails Away in Fred Hooper
Tommy Macho made his season debut an impressive one Feb. 6 when he blazed a near track record mile in the $100,000 Fred W. Hooper Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park.
That Handicapping Show: The Donn
Claire Novak and Ellis Starr preview the Donn Handicap (gr. I) featuring Mexikoma, Mshawish, Valid, Madefromlucky, and Keen Ice. Sponsored by Equibase. Watch Video
Season Debut Delayed Again for Dortmund
Two-time grade I winner Dortmund will miss the Feb. 6 San Antonio Stakes (gr. II), Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert confirmed Feb. 2.
Forever Unbridled Claims Ladies Classic
Forever Unbridled continued her recent run of good form Jan. 30, taking over from pacesetter and defending race winner Cassatt to claim the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic (gr. III) at Sam Houston Race Park.
Mohaymen Romps in Holy Bull Stakes
Shadwell Stables' Mohaymen made easy work of five rivals to draw clear in the $350,000 Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 30, pushing his perfect record to 4-for-4.
Cathryn Sophia Proves Class in Forward Gal
A slow start threw her off her usual front-running game, but Cash is King's talented Cathryn Sophia didn't falter in the $200,000 Forward Gal Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 30 at Gulfstream Park.
Champion Untapable Returns to Worktab
The 5-year-old daughter of Tapit returned to the worktab with a four-furlong breeze in :52 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Jan. 28 and is gearing up for a 2016 racing campaign.
That Handicapping Show: The Holy Bull
Claire Novak, Ellis Starr, and Tom LaMarra preview the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) featuring Mohaymen, Greenpointcrusader, and Conquest Big E. Sponsored by Equibase. Watch Video
California Chrome to Run Feb. 25 in Dubai
California Chrome will run Feb. 25 in a 2,000-meter handicap to prep for the March 26 Dubai World Cup (UAE_I) rather than racing on the March 5 "Super Saturday" program, assistant trainer Alan Sherman confirmed Jan. 26.
Cassatt Back to Defend Houston Ladies Title
Treated for a suspensory issue and osselets at Rood & Riddle, the 5-year-old daughter of Tapit returned in her second start off the layup to win the Dec. 13 She's All In Handicap. Her connections hope for another win Jan. 30.
Haveyougoneaway Wins American Beauty
Haveyougoneaway edged game favorite Sarah Sis in the $100,000 American Beauty Stakes Jan. 23, galloping through on the rail off the turn and working hard for the victory at Oaklawn Park.
That Handicapping Show: The Santa Monica
Claire Novak, Ellis Starr, and Tom LaMarra preview the Santa Monica featuring Prize Exhibit, Room for Me, Tara's Tango, Ben's Duchess, and Living The Life. Sponsored by Equibase. Watch Video
Sarah Sis Returns in American Beauty
Sarah Sis, who won the Oct. 17 Lexus Raven Run (gr. II) at Keeneland in her most recent start, will launch her 4-year-old campaign Jan. 23 in the $100,000 American Beauty Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
At Eclipse Awards, 'AP' is King
The connections of Beholder, La Verdad, and Glen Hill Farm also accepted honors with quote-worthy responses Jan. 16 at the 45th annual Eclipse Awards at Gulfstream Park.
The American Pharoah Story
American Pharoah galloped straight into the hearts of racing fans with his hard-fought triumph in the Kentucky Derby and a follow-up romp in the Preakness, but there was nothing like the roar of the crowd after the Belmont. Read More
Tepin Secures Turf Female Championship
Tepin secured her Eclipse Award honors with a slam-dunk performance in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT), beating the boys by 2 1⁄2 lengths in a race which has now had a female winner upon nine occasions.
Fields Line Up for LeComte, Silverbulletday
With next Saturday's card drawn Jan. 8, an overflow field was entered for the mile and 70-yard LeComte, while the Silverbulletday drew eight led by Delta Downs Princess Stakes (gr. III) winner Jet Black Magic.
That Handicapping Show: The Lecomte Stakes
Claire Novak and Ellis Starr preview the Lecomte Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds, featuring Mo Tom, Uncle Walter, Dolphus, and Tom's Ready. Sponsored by Equibase Watch Video
California Chrome: Groom Raul Rodriguez
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 2014 Horse of the Year California Chrome. Watch Video
Mshawish Gets His Dirt Win in Hal's Hope
Al Shaqab Racing's versatile Mshawish successfully transfered his graded stakes-winning form to the dirt Jan. 9, edging Valid by a head in the $150,000 Hal's Hope Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park.
La Verdad Gallops to Easy Interborough Win
Lady Sheila Stable's multiple graded stakes winner La Verdad turned the $100,000 Interborough Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack into a cakewalk Jan. 9, and will have another start before being bred to Medaglia d'Oro.
Tepin Gets Back to Work for Casse
Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) winner Tepin returned to the worktab Jan. 8 for the first time since her Oct. 31 victory over the boys, clocking a half-mile in an easy :52 under regular rider Julien Leparoux at Palm Meadows.
That Handicapping Show: San Pasqual
Claire Novak and Tom LaMarra handicap the San Pasqual Stakes. Learn about the implications of California Chrome's return to face Hoppertunity. Sponsored by Equibase watch video
Love the Chase in Kentucky, Going to Tapit
As the days count down to California Chrome's comeback in the Jan. 9 San Pasqual (gr. II), the defending Horse of the Year's dam continued her own journey with a trip to Kentucky, where she'll be bred to Tapit.
Stormy Lucy, Rusty Slipper Meet in Frankel
Stormy Lucy is the co-highweight in the 1 1/8-mile turf test, which drew a field of 14, along with recent grade III winner Rusty Slipper and grade I winner Warren's Veneda.
Most Popular Stories
- Always Dreaming Officially Ruled Out of Belmont Stakes
- Zayat Pinhooking Venture Returns Large Profit
- Graded Stakes Winner Destin Set for 2017 Debut
- Familiar Faces Highlight New York Showcase
- Champion Songbird Confirmed for Ogden Phipps
- Classic Empire to Begin Belmont Training
- Litfin: Gold Cup Figures to Set up Well for Accelerate
- First Black-type Winner for Freshman Havana Gold
- Hong Kong Champion Able Friend Retired
- Epicharis Begins Journey to Belmont Park
