Tapitsfly Primed for Mint Julep at Churchill

Frank L. Jones Jr's Tapitsfly, who has started four times this year in graded events and has won or placed in all of them, will carry top weight of 121 pounds in the Early Times Mint Julep Handicap at Churchill Downs.

MM National Weanling Sale Opens Strongly

The gross and average price each rose 45.6% from the previous year during the opening session of the Magic Millions national weanling sale in Australia May 28. The clearance rate increased to 76% from 66% in 2011.

'Stakes' Barn to Be Used for Belmont Horses

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has issued a set of protocols for horses running in the Belmont Stakes, the most notable one being the use of a stakes barn, to which all Belmont starters must go beginning June 6.

Suffolk Downs Meet Opens June 2

Suffolk Downs will open for its 2012 live racing season June 2 and the horsemen and track management are expressing a new sense of optimism since the legalization of expanded gambling in Massachusetts last fall.

Haskin's Belmont Report: Billy Turner

Seattle Slew, who under Turner's guidance and expertise became racing's only undefeated Triple Crown winner.

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Affirmed's Owner: Ready to Pass the TC Torch

Patrice Wolfson, owner of the last Triple Crown winner, is ready to pass the torch.

O'Neill appreciates insight from Turner; Romans consults with Jerkens

O'Neill, Turner Discuss Belmont Preparations

As he continues to prepare I'll Have Another for the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), trainer Doug O'Neill on May 30 recounted a conversation he had with trainer Billy Turner, who trained 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.

Shortened Workout for Guyana Star Dweej

The May 30 workout at Belmont Park for Guyana Star Dweej was cut short and the Eddington colt was credited with a :50.03 four-furlong breeze.

Hawkeye Highlight: Gary Lucas & Awesomemundo

Iowa breeder/owner gets awesome results with Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes winner Awesomemundo

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Kendall Hansen Reveals Future Plans

Dr. Kendall Hansen, the owner/breeder, who is known for pulling such wacky acts as dying his champion colt Hansen's tail blue prior to the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), recently revealed some other unusual plans

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All In the Family by Eric Mitchell

In the case of Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another, his family tree's branches are laden with tales of triumph and revenge.

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Veteran Ohio Trainer Irish Owens Dies

Veteran trainer Martin D. "Irish" Owens died May 22 in Cleveland at 90.

Ohio Judge Rules in Favor of Racinos

Just as the state's first racino prepares to open June 1, an Ohio judge has ruled against a group that filed suit challenging the legality of the casinos that fall under auspices of the Ohio Lottery Commission.

Belmont Notebook

BELMONT PARK NOTEBOOK

Strict protocols installed for Belmont participants

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has put forth a comprehensive protocols for horses running in the June 9 Belmont Stakes in order to ensure the safety of horses and riders, and to ensure that the integrity of the sport is upheld.

Del Mar Teams With Tiffany & Co.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has announced a partnership with Tiffany & Co. in which the jeweler will create a new line of trophies for presentation to its stakes winners this summer.

Eclipse-winning Photographer Marten Dies

Michael Marten, a two-time Eclipse Award-winning photographer, died May 28 of cancer at his Del Mar, Calif., home.

O'Neill Responds to Chenery's Comments

Doug O'Neill says he's dismayed that Secretariat's former owner criticized the connections of Triple Crown candidate I'll Have Another for employing him as the horse's trainer.

Study Examines Post-Anesthetic Myelopathy in Horses

Researchers at Washington State University (WSU) recently completed a study aimed at better characterizing equine post-anesthetic myelopathy, a rare by deadly neurologic complication of general anesthesia.

In brief

A brief synopsis of today's happenings in Thoroughbred Racing from brisnet.com.

Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD PARK NOTEBOOK

Breeders' Cup announces 'The Best is Yet to Come' campaign

Based on the timeless pop classic of the same name, the Breeders' Cup on Tuesday unveiled its new brand campaign, "The Best is Yet to Come," set to launch across all Breeders' Cup marketing platforms. The new, world-class brand campaign includes a logo, tagline and creative executions that will be implemented across web and digital channels, as well as out-of-home, event marketing, print, television and radio.

Plans Undetermined for Memorial Day Winners

The connections of three fillies who won graded stakes on the May 28 Memorial Day card at Belmont Park said they emerged from their respective victories in good order, with future plans undetermined.

Romans Plots Schedule for Shackleford

Trainer Dale Romans said May 29 that Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) winner Shackleford could run in the Whitney Handicap or Woodward Stakes en route to the ultimate goal of winning the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I).

BC Winner Raven's Pass Sires First Winner

Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Raven's Pass sired his first winner when his 2-year-old daughter Lovely Pass won at Lingfield in England May 26 first time out.

'The Mig' to Tour Belmont Oval With Gutierrez

As jockey Mario Gutierrez prepares for a coveted Triple Crown in the June 9 Belmont Stakes, he will have the advice of retired rider Richard Migliore, who recorded 1,352 wins at Belmont Park during his career.

Exercise rider reunited with I'll Have Another

Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another was reunited with his regular exercise rider, Jonny Garcia, Tuesday morning for his routine gallop over Belmont Park's main track in preparation for the $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 9.

Breeders' Cup Unveils New Brand Campaign

The Breeders' Cup on May 29 unveiled its new brand campaign, The Best is Yet to Come, set to launch across all Breeders' Cup marketing platforms.

Shackleford eyes BC Dirt Mile but may stretch out again

Trainer Dale Romans was beaming Tuesday, the morning after he saddled Shackleford to a front-running nose victory in Belmont Park's Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap.

New Home for Florida After-Care Program

Florida TRAC, a Thoroughbred retirement and adoptive care program supported by the Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program and others, has relocated from Palm City to Fort Pierce, Fla.

MM Broodmare Sale Posts Big Increases

The select portion of the Magic Millions national broodmare sale ended its two-day run in Australia May 29 with increases of 23.9% in gross and 37.6% in average price from a year ago.

Wagering, Attendance Up on Met Mile Card

With four graded stakes highlighted by the Metropolitan Mile Handicap (gr. I), Belmont Park posted double digit increases in attendance and all-source handle for the May 28 Memorial Day card.

Calder Asked to Reconsider Rent Plan

The Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association is asking Calder Casino & Race Course to call off a plan to charge grooms and hot walkers rent to live in rooms in the track's barn area.

Nutritional Support for Injured Equine Athletes

Editor's note: This article is part of TheHorse.com's ongoing coverage of topics presented at the 2012 Alltech Symposium, held May 21-23 in Lexington, Ky.

After the Wire - 5/28/2012

Evan Hammonds recaps the Met Mile, Acorn Stakes, and Ogden Phipps Handicap.

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Ruthenia along in time to take Violet

Virginia Krafty Payson's homebred filly Ruthenia is finally beginning to live up to her blue-blooded roots after registering a 10-1 upset of Monday's Grade 3, $103,000 Violet Stakes at Monmouth Park. Saving ground until the stretch, Ruthenia was shifted out for running room by jockey Kendrick Carmouche, split rivals and finished fast to overtake Unbridled Humor in the final yards. She returned $22.60, $9 and $4.60 after completing 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:40 3/5.

Roman Threat Rambles Home in L.A. Handicap

Odds-on favorite Roman Threat had too much speed for his seven opponents in the $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap (gr. III) in a dominating win on the Cushion Track at Betfair Hollywood Park May 28.

Belle Royale swoops late to conquer Gamely

Just as she had done in her U.S. debut in the April 7 American Beauty Stakes at Santa Anita, Michael Tabor's Belle Royale rolled home late to win Monday's Grade 1, $250,000 Gamely Stakes going away by a half-length at Hollywood Park. The 2-1 second choice blew past the pair of Quiet Oasis and Capital Plan in deep stretch, earning her first graded score while extending her winning streak to five.

Shackleford Hangs On to Win Metropolitan

Shackleford led from start to finish and the 4-year-old son of Forestry held off a fast-closing Caleb's Posse to win the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park May 28.

Camelot among a dozen left in Derby

Camelot heads the 12 remaining colts engaged in Saturday's Group 1 Derby at Epsom. Trainer Aidan O'Brien issued the bulletin that all wanted to hear during the Irish Guineas meeting at The Curragh, declaring that it was a case of "so far, so good" with the Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas winner as he nears his tilt at immortality.

Roman Threat wires Los Angeles for first stakes win

A half-brother to multiple champion Indian Blessing, Roman Threat continued to make a name for himself when dominating Monday's Grade 3, $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap at Hollywood Park. The promising Bob Baffert-trained gelding registered his first stakes victory in only his third career outing, completing six furlongs in 1:08 2/5 with Rafael Bejarano.

Belle Royale Wins Gamely With Closing Rush

Belle Royale used a remarkable late kick to score her first graded or group win in the $250,000 Gamely Stakes (gr. IT) on the turf at Betfair Hollywood Park May 28.

Awesome Gem elevated to first in Berkeley

Awesome Gem was not in much position to benefit from a disqualification in the May 5 Grade 2 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap at Hollywood Park, moving from eighth to seventh. The situation was much different in Monday's Grade 3, $100,000 Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate Fields, where the nine-year-old veteran was elevated to the winner's circle following the disqualification of Positive Response.

Awesome Gem Gets Lucky, Wins Berkeley on DQ

Favored Awesome Gem, making his 50th career start, was awarded victory in the $100,000 Berkeley Handicap (gr. III) when original winner Positive Response was disqualified at Golden Gate Fields May 28.

Nate's Mineshaft Dominates Lone Star 'Cap

Windy Hill Farm's Nate Mineshaft got back on the winning track with an easy front-end victory in the $300,000 Lone Star Handicap (gr. III) at Lone Star Park May 28.

Nates Mineshaft cruises as lone speed in Lone Star Park

After getting away with slow fractions of :25 and :49 1/5 on an uncontested lead, Nates Mineshaft rolled home in Monday's Grade 3, $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap, scoring by a 7 1/4-length margin.

Shackleford noses out Caleb's Posse in Met Mile

Shackleford sought revenge against arch rival Caleb's Posse on Memorial Day and succeeded when keeping his nose in front of that one on the wire of Monday's Grade 1, $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park. The chestnut son of Forestry led all the way around Big Sandy and had just enough left to withstand the furious late rush of Caleb's Posse, stopping the clock in 1:33 1/5 over the fast track.

Filly un-Contested in wiring Acorn

Jill Baffert's Contested found no real opposition during Monday's Grade 1, $300,000 Acorn Stakes at Belmont Park, posting fractions of :22 3/5, :45 and 1:09 1/5 before easily pulling off in the lane to be five lengths clear on the wire. Trained by the owner's Hall of Fame husband, Bob Baffert, the even-money favorite completed a mile on the fast dirt in 1:34 3/5 to run her mark to 4-1-0 from five career starts.

It's Tricky grinds out Ogden Phipps score

As she's done in her two prior races this season, It's Tricky had to dig deep to take Monday's Grade 1, $392,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap by three parts of a length over pacesetter Cash for Clunkers. The Mineshaft miss is now three-for-three on the year following victories in the Top Flight and Distaff Handicaps, both Grade 2 contests at Aqueduct, and returned $6.20, $3.80 and $2.10 to her backers on Monday as the 2-1 second choice.