BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

HBO Cancels 'Luck' After Third Horse Death

HBO issued a statement March 14 saying it has decided to cancel production of the horse racing drama "Luck" after a horse that was part of the series died the preceding day at Santa Anita Park.

Santa Margarita: Ellafitz Seeks Grade I Glory

On a three-race stakes winning streak for trainer Bob Baffert, Ellafitz will go for her first grade I victory against five opponents in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Stakes (gr. I) March 17 at Santa Anita.

Strong OBS March Sale Posts Record Median

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. March select sale of 2-year-olds in training concluded its two-day run with a spectacular show of financial fireworks.

Thorn Song's First Foal Delivered at Harris

Dual grade I winner Thorn Song was represented by his first foal at John Harris' farm near Coalinga, Calif., on March 5.

Avioli Leaving The Stronach Group April 1

Greg Avioli, president and CEO of The Stronach Group, is leaving as the head of the company's entertainment division one year after he joined its predecessor, MI Developments Inc., it was announced March 14.

State Wants NYRA to Probe Aqueduct Breakdowns

The administration of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sent a letter to the New York Racing Association advising it to hire an investigator to analyze 15 fatal breakdowns that have occurred at Aqueduct since Nov. 30.

Excelsior Comes Up Small But Competitive

Burning Sands Stable's San Pablo has been nearly flawless for more than a year, and now he will try to take his game to the next level in the $150,000 Excelsior Stakes (gr. III) March 17 at Aqueduct.

4 to Try Havre de Grace in New Orleans Ladies

Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, set to make her 2012 debut in the $150,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 17, drew post position 2 and will face four opponents.

Good News in Kentucky on Racing Safety

When the equine medical director for Kentucky gave her monthly report at the March 14 meeting, it showed only one fatality since Dec. 1 at Turfway Park, the only track in the state conducting live racing during the period.

Musical Romance Has Another Tough Assignment

Champion Musical Romance, who disappointed in her 2012 debut, will have a chance to rebound when she meets 10 rivals in the $150,000 Inside Information (gr. II) March 17 at Gulfstream Park.

At Large: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm (10)

Talking out both sides of the mouth ... and trying to make sense of it all.

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Haskin's Derby Trail: 03/14/12

Steve discusses the Delaware Park ties of Union Rags and Mark Valeski.

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Fort Erie to Lose Slots But Vows to Race

Just two days after the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. announced it will end the slots-at-racetracks program in the province in March 2013, it acted swiftly by revealing that slots parlors at three tracks will close.

Zenyatta 'Baby Shower' Set at Santa Anita

Santa Anita will be celebrating the recent birth of Zenyatta's newly arrived foal March 17. The track will give away "It's a Boy" posters to those in attendance and will also hold an autograph session with "Team Zenyatta."

Trade Zone: Feeding to Perform

March 18, 2012 - A high-performance horse is an athlete at the top of his game.

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Currency Swap, Gemologist Clash at Gulfstream

Unbeaten 3-year-old colts Currency Swap and Gemologist will make their respective 2012 debuts in the third race March 16 at Gulfstream Park.

Smiling Tiger Works Toward Hollywood Return

Smiling Tiger is expected to return to action during the Hollywood Park spring/summer meet with his ultimate goal a shot at the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), trainer Jeff Bonde said March 14.

Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Regional: Bottom Up

Beverly Least and family make Foggy Bottom Farm a top breaking and training outfit.

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Stress Fracture Sidelines Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom underwent a nuclear scan March 13 at Palm Beach Equine Medical Center, which revealed the start of a stress fracture in his hind end. The injury will not require surgery.

Street Sense Filly Sells for $475,000 at OBS

A daughter of Street Sense commanded $475,000 to become the second highest-priced horse sold so far during the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. March select sale of 2-year-olds in training.

Special Report: Annual Purses Review for 2011

The Blood-Horse's annual review of North American purses from the pages of the March 10, 2012, edition.

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OBS Market Comments: Enthusiasm Prevails

Read what people had to say following an upbeat first session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. March select sale of 2-year-olds in training.

Girolamo Gets First Mares in Foal

Grade I winner Girolamo has had his first mares pronounced in foal.

Belmont Celebration to Benefit Charities

The New York Racing Association and The Jockey Club announced that the June 7 Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration will benefit the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Backstretch Employee Service Team.

Gural: Use Slots Money for Testing, Marketing

A proposal floated by Jeff Gural, who leases Meadowlands and operates two racetrack casinos in upstate New York, to use a percentage of gaming revenue for other pro-racing programs has support among USTA members.

English Sire Pivotal Sires 100th SW

Pivotal, who proved special as a racehorse for David and Patricia Thompson, has done the same as a stallion at the couple's Cheveley Park Stud near Newmarket, England.

Improved Test for Equine Ovarian Tumor Diagnosis (AAEP 2011)

Just because a particular type of anomaly in a horse is rare doesn't mean it's not important to investigate and understand better: Take granulosa cell tumors (GCTs), for instance. While these only represent about 2.5% of all equine tumors and usually are benign, GCTs are most common neoplasm (tumor) found in the equine reproductive tract; further,...

Supportive Care for Foals with Pharyngeal Dysfunction

Little is known about what causes pharyngeal dysfunction—a defect in the muscle or nerve functions of the pharynx—in newborn foals. This important area of anatomy, where the paths for air and food or liquids intersect, was the topic of interest recently for a team of researchers who completed a study on the prognosis of foals with dysphagia (d...