BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

And They're Off: Presidents' Day Edition 2012

Lenny and Steve talk about the Derby Trail, Dubai World Cup and an early HOY choice.

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Haskin's Derby Trail: 'Veni, Vidi, Valor'

Team Valor came, they saw, they conquered.

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Chips Are Falling - By Tom LaMarra

What has horse racing learned from 20 years of racetrack-based casino gambling?

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Winner's Circle - Another for Clarke

Ask Thoroughbred breeder/owner Harvey Clarke how long he's been involved in the industry, and he'll answer with one word: 'forever.'

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Santa Anita to Maintain Four-Day Race Week

Satisfied with its performance so far, Santa Anita Park announced Feb. 22 that it had received permission from the California Horse Racing Board to not add Wednesdays to its current live race schedule during March and April.

WinStar Releases Video of Filly's First Step

WinStar Farm has released a short video of one of the first foals by 2010 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Super Saver standing for the first time.

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Beyond The Blinkers: The Miracle Twins

Twins 'Bella' and 'Boomer' are thriving in their respective careers, in spite of their challenging beginning.

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Thayer: Senate Vote Must Respect Kentuckians

A Kentucky senator who chairs a committee that passed a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling Feb. 22 said he will oppose a call to have the bill voted on by the full Senate Feb. 23.

San Carlos Matches Amazombie, The Factor

In spite of a small field, a dandy match-up between 2011 national male sprint champion Amazombie and two-time grade I winner The Factor is set for the $200,000 San Carlos Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 25.

Royal Delta Faces Awesome Maria in Sabin

More than three months after winning the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) and locking up champion 3-year-old filly honors, Royal Delta will begin her 2012 season in the Sabin Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 25 at Gulfstream.

Grace Hall Begins Oaks Quest in Davona Dale

Grace Hall, the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) runner-up from last year, headlines a field of nine 3-year-old fillies in the $250,000 Davona Dale (gr. II) Feb. 25 at Gulfstream Park.

Barn Fire Kills 38 Horses; Injures Employee

A Southern Michigan barn fire at the farm of longtime Thoroughbred owner/breeder Jerry Campbell's Campbell Stables has resulted in the death of 38 horses and the injury of an employee.

Fed Biz, Liaison Turn in Easy Works

When one sees a six-furlong work in 1:16 and a mile work in 1:43, the last trainer that comes to mind is Bob Baffert. But those were the respective works Feb. 22 for the Baffert-trained Derby hopefuls Fed Biz and Liaison.

F-T Texas Juvenile Sale Has 150 Horses

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 150 horses for its Texas sale of 2-year-olds in training. The number is down 10.2% from 2011's total of 167.

Dick's Dubai Picks for Feb. 23

Dick Powell gives his selections for the Feb. 23 program at the Dubai Carnival, which includes the 1 3/16-mile UAE Oaks (UAE-III) on the Tapeta main track and the Meydan Classic at one mile on turf.

KY Senate Panel Approves Expanded Gaming Bill

An amended bill that would authorize a constitutional amendment on allowing up to seven casinos in Kentucky was approved Feb. 22 by the Senate Committee on State and Local Government and will be sent to the full Senate.

Isn't He Clever Favored in Borderland Derby

Isn't He Clever, returning to New Mexico after a fourth-place finish in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita earlier this month, heads a field of seven entered for Sunland Park's $150,000 Borderland Derby.

Azeri the Starting Point for Havre de Grace

Fox Hill Farms' Havre de Grace, the Horse of the Year in 2011, will make her first start of the year in the Azeri Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park March 17, owner Rick Porter announced Feb. 22.

Updated Kentucky Derby Graded Earnings

Through Feb. 22, the following is the current earnings for the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) to be run on May 5 at Churchill Downs.

Sunland Hosts Fundraiser for Jacky Martin

Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino is hosting a Jacky Martin fundraiser now through Feb. 26 to support efforts in assisting the legendary seven-time All American Futurity-winning rider with his rehabilitation progress.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional: 02/25/12

Dr. Winslow Stevens and Phillipe Lasseur make Keane Stud attractive to clients.

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TBHS Prepares for KY Horse Park Show

Entries are being taken for the inaugural show for off-the-track Thoroughbreds conducted by the Thoroughbred Horse Show Association April 14-15 at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Woodbine 2012 Stakes Schedule Unveiled

A 102-race, $23 million stakes calendar, will highlight Woodbine's 167-day Thoroughbred meet in 2012.

Field of Six Set for UAE Oaks

A field of six fillies will go to the post in the $250,000 UAE Oaks Sponsored by The Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group (UAE-III) at Meydan Racecourse Feb. 23.

Weed of the Month: Yew, Taxus

Common name:Yew, Taxus
Scientific name:Taxus species

Super Shopper Starlight Has Basket of 3YOs

When Starlight Racing needs to replenish its stable of runners, its buying team heads to the yearling auctions. The venture's efforts at the sales are paying off handsomely this year with several promising 3-year-olds.

Top International Sire Royal Academy Dies

Coolmore Stud's world-class stallion Royal Academy, who has been represented by more than 160 stakes winners, died Feb. 22 at Coolmore Australia due to the infirmities of old age. He was 25.

Report: Progress on Plan to Lease Monmouth

The New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority have reached a preliminary deal on the lease of Monmouth Park, according to a state newspaper.

Groups Ask to Intervene in Ohio VLT Lawsuit

Representatives of several Ohio gambling operations testified Feb. 21 in Franklin County Common Pleas Court seeking permission to intervene in a lawsuit brought by the Ohio Roundtable.

Manuka Honey for Healing Horse Wounds (AAEP 2011)

With the popularity of natural treatments on the rise, it’s no surprise that manuka honey—which is produced by bees—visiting the manuka bush found exclusively in New Zealand, has gained a good deal of attention. Vendors claim that it has antibacterial wound-healing properties in humans and in experimental animals.