I'm Not Kidding: A Stephen Foster H. Longshot
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
Jack Shinar
'Conversation' Back in NorCal for El Camino
Team O'Neill hopes to get another Paul Reddam-owned colt, Frank Conversation, on the Triple Crown trail in the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) Feb. 13 at Golden Gate Fields.
Baffert, O'Neill Look Strong in Sham Stakes
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Sham Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita. read blog
Cladocera Captures Meydan's Balanchine Stakes
France-based filly Cladocera posted her second win of the 2015 Dubai World Cup Carnival in the $200,000 Balanchine Stakes (UAE-II) Sponsored by District One on the turf at Meydan Racecourse the night of Feb. 18.
Redrawn Southwest Stakes Attracts Field of 11
The redrawn Southwest Stakes (gr. III), part of a Presidents' Day program that was lost due to severe winter weather, brought back 10 of the original 12 sophomore entrants for Feb. 22 at Oaklawn Park.
Hard Aces Bought Privately, Moving to Sadler
Hard Aces, sharp winner of the Louisiana Handicap in his first start of 2015, has been sold privately to Hronis Racing with plans to ship to Southern California to take on Shared Belief in the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap.
Golden Gate Opener Refunded After Malfunction
The first race at Golden Gate Fields Feb. 15 was declared a no-contest when, because of a malfunction, the starting gate couldn't be moved off the track in time for the one-mile event to be completed.
Metaboss Motors to El Camino Real Triumph
Metaboss, coming from well off the pace with a powerful wide move, overtook favored Conquest Typhoon in deep stretch for a 6-1 surprise in the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) under Hall of Fame jockey Alex Solis.
Merry Meadow Romps Home in Hurricane Bertie
Favored Merry Meadow turned what was shaping up as a match race on the turn into a romping 9 1/2-length victory in the $150,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 14 at Gulfstream Park.
Isabelle Takes Third Straight in Broadway
Favored Isabelle surged late to collar pacesetting Atlantic's Smile in the final 70 yards to post her third consecutive win in the $100,000 Broadway Stakes at snowy Aqueduct Racetrack Feb. 14.
Eleven 3-Year-Olds Set to Go in Southwest
Convincing Smarty Jones winner Far Right is one of 11 3-year-olds seeking to advance on the road to the Triple Crown in the $300,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III), the Presidents' Day feature from Oaklawn Park Feb. 16.
Conquest Typhoon Slight Choice in El Camino
The El Camino Real Derby (gr. III), one of only three North American stakes on this year's "Road to the Kentucky Derby" contested on a synthetic track, drew a good field of 10 led by Conquest Typhoon.
One King's Man Surges to Premier Night Win
One King's Man ruled the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship Feb. 7 at Delta Downs, using a big late kick to win by 3 1/2 lengths, highlighting an evening of stakes racing for state-breds.
Shared Belief Finds Redemption in San Antonio
The showdown everyone wanted to see produced a clear verdict for Shared Belief over reigning Horse of the Year California Chrome in the $500,000 San Antonio Invitational Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park.
Dortmund All Heart in Determined Lewis Tally
Odds-on choice Dortmund, passed in upper stretch by rival Firing Line, fought back along the inside to score a head victory in the $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park.
Dortmund Gets 2015 Campaign Started in Lewis
Unbeaten Dortmund can solidify his position as the West Coast's top 3-year-old when he faces five opponents in the $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 7 at Santa Anita Park.
Sunbean to Defend Premier Night Championship
Defending champion Sunbean is back to defend his title in the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship, the headline event during a full evening of stakes racing Feb. 7 at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.
Lord Nelson Nabs Texas Red in San Vicente
Lord Nelson spoiled the 3-year-old coming-out party for Texas Red in the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park Feb. 1, edging the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner in a terrific finish.
California Chrome Works, Set for San Antonio
Horse of the Year California Chrome put in the final major drill for his 4-year-old debut when breezing five furlongs in 1:01 3/5 Feb. 1 at Los Alamitos Racecourse.
Callback Rings Up Victory in Las Virgenes
Stretching out for the first time, Callback became a grade I winner Jan. 31 when she took the field gate to wire to win the $300,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita Park for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
The Great War Has More in Store After Romp
Prohibitive favorite The Great War appears to have bigger battles ahead after winning for fun in his 3-year-old debut Jan. 31 in the $75,000 96ROCK Stakes under the lights at Turfway Park.
'Brandi' Makes Martha Washington Interesting
Champion Take Charge Brandi got her 3-year-old campaign off to a winning start with a surprisingly tight head victory in the $100,000 Martha Washington Stakes Jan. 31 at Oaklawn Park, her fourth consecutive win.
Texas Red Set for Super Return in San Vicente
It may be Super Bowl Sunday but the eyes of the racing world will be on Texas Red as the overwhelming Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner returns to Santa Anita Park in the $200,000 San Vicente Stakes (gr. II).
Majestic Affair, Lindisfarne Win at Laurel
Majestic Affair lived up to his 2-5 odds when he romped to a 5 3/4-length win in the $100,000 Frank Whiteley Jr. Stakes over seven rival 3-year-olds Jan. 29 at Laurel Park.
Soumillon Scores Group II Double at Meydan
Jockey Christophe Soumillon landed a group II double at the Dubai World Cup Carnival Jan. 29 at Meydan, winning both the Cape Verdi aboard Cladocera and the Al Rashidiya with Vercingetorix.
Fillies Vie for Grade I Glory in Las Virgenes
Her bid to upset champion Take Charge Brandi in the Starlet (gr. I) falling just short last time out, the Bob Baffert-trained Maybellene appears to be the one to beat in the grade I Las Virgenes Jan. 31 at Santa Anita Park.
Rising Star Cassatt Captures Ladies Classic
Sharp filly Cassatt won the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic as a heavy favorite the night of Jan. 24 at Sam Houston Race Park, holding on by neck over the fast-charging Angelica Zapata.
Coalport Convincing Winner of Connally Cup
Odds-on choice Coalport, shipping from Florida for Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker, dominated the $200,000 John Connally Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) Jan. 24 at Sam Houston Race Park for his first graded stakes victory.
Mischief Clem, 'Kitty Post Upsets in Cal Cup
Mischief Clem produced an 11-1 upset in the $245,000 California Cup Derby at Santa Anita Park Jan. 24, prevailing by a head after dueling the length of the stretch with an unlucky Pulmarack.
Lochte Triumphs in Tampa Bay Thriller
Lochte returned to his winning ways when fending off late-running Old Time Hockey and favored Sky Flight in a Tampa Bay Stakes (gr. IIIT) thriller on the turf Jan. 24.
Eblouissante Retired, to be Bred in Europe
Eblouissante, a half sister to the legendary Zenyatta, has been retired from racing and will begin her breeding career, it was announced Jan. 23.
Dayatthespa Earns Female Turf Eclipse
Though she didn't start for seven months, New York-bred Dayatthespa proved her credentials at season's end with a powerful victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. I) to earn an Eclipse as top female turf horse.
CHRB Approves Galway Downs as Training Site
Galway Downs was approved as an official training facility by the California Horse Racing Board Jan. 15, providing a needed option to small training operations being forced to relocate from Fairplex Park.
NFL Stadium Planned for Hollywood Park Site
The owners of shuttered Hollywood Park and the real estate development firm owned by St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke have revealed plans to build an 80,000-seat NFL stadium on the site.
Shrinking Violet Steps Out in Monrovia Win
Shrinking Violet, a bargain buy for owner/trainer Wesley Ward making her initial start at Santa Anita Park, scored a 10-1 upset in the $200,000 Monrovia Stakes (gr. IIT) on the hillside turf course Jan. 4.
Determined Paulassilverlining Takes Ruthless
Favored Paulassilverlining slipped through on the rail at the head of the lane and fought Noble and a Beauty to the wire to prevail by a nose in the $98,000 Ruthless Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Jan. 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Finnegans Wake Shakes Up San Gabriel Stakes
Veteran turf runner Finnegans Wake has found a home in California, coming from off the pace once again to capture the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes (gr. IIT) Jan. 3 at Santa Anita Park.
Seduire Scampers to Easy Santa Ynez Victory
Gunning from the rail for Rafael Bejarano, Seduire put away pace rival Xoxo leaving the turn and kicked away in the drive to win the $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (gr.II) in a powerful performance Jan. 3 at Santa Anita Park.
Bluegrass Singer Sizzles in Mucho Macho Man
A fast pace under strong pressure failed to deter front-running Bluegrass Singer, who shook loose of his rivals in the lane and held sway to the wire in the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park.
Bayern, California Chrome Post Strong Works
Bayern and California Chrome took another step toward a possible early-season rematch when the leading Horse of the Year contenders worked sharply about an hour apart the morning of Jan. 3 at their respective training bases.
Eclipse-Winning Rider Frey Breaks Collarbone
Eclipse-Award winning jockey Kyle Frey fractured his right collarbone and sustained other injuries when his mount went down approaching the far turn in the seventh race Jan. 2 at Golden Gate Fields.
Promising Fillies Meet in Santa Ynez Stakes
Jerry Hollendorfer's stakes-winning duo of Seduire and Light the City clash with dual graded winner Conquest Harlanate in the $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II) for newly-turned 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita Jan. 3.
Dynamic Sky Can Surpass $1M in San Gabriel
After breaking through with his first stakes victory in six tries, Dynamic Sky attempts to surpass $1 million in career earnings as one of the favorites in the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes (gr. IIT) Jan. 3 at Santa Anita Park.
Bettys Bambino Wins Daytona in Stakes Debut
Bettys Bambino closed with a rush in his stakes debut to capture the $100,000 Daytona (gr. IIIT) in the final North American graded race of the year Dec. 28 at Santa Anita Park.
Posse Offspring Take Pair of NY-Bred Stakes
Odds-on choice The Lewis Dinner and 16-1 outsider Chasing Bubbles, both by Posse, were victorious in a pair of New York Stallion Series divisions for state-bred 2-year-olds Dec. 28 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Lady Pimpernel Gets First U.S. Win in Frankel
Recent British import Lady Pimpernel landed her first United States victory by a nose when she came from off the pace in the $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (gr. IIIT) on the turf at Santa Anita Park Dec. 27.
Distinctiv Passion Rockets to Midnight Lute
Distinctiv Passion came out running for jockey Mike Smith and was never headed en route to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 Midnight Lute Stakes (gr. III) Dec. 27 at Santa Anita Park.
Shared Belief Sprints to Game Malibu Triumph
Shared Belief bounced back from a horrible trip in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) with his third grade I victory of the year, holding off a game Conquest Two Step by a neck in the $300,000 Malibu Stakes (gr. I).
Sam's Sister Stuns Taris in Quick La Brea
Outsider Sam's Sister ran down a tiring odds-on favorite Taris in the final sixteenth of a mile to win the $300,000 La Brea Stakes (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies on opening day at Santa Anita Park Dec. 26.
New York Stallion Series On Tap at Aqueduct
State-bred juveniles take the spotlight at Aqueduct Racetrack Dec. 28 in $150,000 divisions of the New York Stallion Series at six furlongs on the inner dirt track.
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