Dawn Approach Favorite Among Derby Dozen

Unbeaten Dawn Approach will have 11 challengers as the favorite for the 234th Investec Epsom Derby (Eng-I) June 1.

Napravnik Likely to Ride Unlimited Budget

Trainer Todd Pletcher said in a national teleconference May 30 that jockey Rosie Napravnik was "very likely" to ride Unlimited Budget in the June 8 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) if the filly competes.

Barr Seeks to Retain Horse Depreciation Scale

Congressman Andy Barr (R-Kentucky) has introduced a measure that would make permanent the three-year depreciation schedule for all race horses that is scheduled to expire with the 2008 Farm Bill at the end of the year.

BC Betting Challenge Boasts $500,000 Purse

The Breeders' Cup May 29 announced that the fifth Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge will be held at Santa Anita Park Nov. 1-2 with a purse expected to be upwards of $500,000 (based on 185 players).

THS: The Penn Mile

Claire Novak and Pete Denk preview the Penn Mile featuring Noble Tune, Rydilluc, Jack Milton, and Charming Kitten.

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Animal Kingdom Posts Strong Ascot Work

Presented with a new setting and a much different assignment, Team Valor International, Arrowfield Stud, and Darley's Animal Kingdom answered impressively May 29 in a key workout over the straightaway at Ascot.

Dettori on First Cornerstone in French Derby

Jockey Frankie Dettori, cleared by France Galop to resume his career, has been named to ride Team Valor International's group II winner First Cornerstone in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Fr-I) at Chantilly June 2.

'Spectacular' Results at Magic Millions

The winning Canny Lad mare Our Pride and Joy topped trading on the final day of the select portion of the Magic Millions National broodmare sale, which saw overall total receipts soar and an unprecedented clearance rate.

Cerro Favored Over Five in Canonero II

Team Valor International's Cerro is the overwhelming favorite to win Pimlico Race Course's final stakes race of the spring meeting, the $100,000 Canonero II for 3-year olds June 1.

Flair Becomes TOBA Marketing Partner

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced May 30 that Flair LLC, maker of FLAIR(r) Equine Nasal Strips, has become an official marketing partner of TOBA.

DerbyBox.com Reports Record Derby 2013

An Indiana company that offers all-inclusive travel packages to major events reported record sales for this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Oxbow, Golden Soul Breeze at Churchill Downs

Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Oxbow, stablemate Will Take Charge, and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) runner-up Golden Soul turned in preparations for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on the morning of May 30 at Churchill Downs.

Could Aromatherapy Help Calm Stressed Horses?

Many people employ aromatherapy as a natural stress reliever, but could the same approach be used to calm stressed or nervous horses? According to study results from one research team, aromatherapy might have a place in the barn, after all.

Clubhouse Ride Back Home for Californian

Six-S Racing Stable and Niko Petralia's Clubhouse Ride, second to Game On Dude in the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) in his last start, will face six others in the $150,000 Californian Stakes (gr. II) June 1.

Saginaw in Tough for Affirmed Success Defense

Drawing Away Stables' hard-knocking Saginaw is back to defend his title in the Affirmed Success Stakes June 1 at Belmont Park.

Graded Winners Populate Penn National Stakes

Graded-stakes winners will spice up the action in the $250,000 Mountainview Handicap and $150,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Stakes June 1 at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

Champion Delightful Mary to Return in Hendrie

Canada's champion 2-year-old filly of 2010 Delightful Mary is scheduled to make her first start in more than a year Saturday, June 1 in the $150,000 Hendrie Stakes at Woodbine.

Frankel's Sister Joyeuse Wins First Time Out

The half sister of European superstar Frankel won May 28 by 3 1/4 lengths at Lingfield Park.

Qatar Racing Seeks Oaks with Secret Gesture

Qatar Racing will bid to win a second classic in less than a week after recently acquiring a half-interest in Investec Epsom Oaks (Eng-I) favorite Secret Gesture.

Walls to Receive Gomez Memorial Award

Jockey Mickey Walls was named recipient of this year's Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. The honor is given to a Canadian-born, Canadian-raised, or regular rider in the country who has made significant contributions to the sport.

Noble Tune Leads Inaugural Penn Mile Lineup

Eight sophomore turf contenders entered the inaugural edition June 1 edition of the $500,000 Penn Mile Stakes at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, including Noble Tune, Rydilluc, Jack Milton, and Charming Kitten.

New York Showcase Day Features Seven Stakes

New York Showcase Day June 1 at Belmont Park features eight stakes on a 10-race card restricted to New York-breds, with a variety of familiar contenders running for $850,000 in purses.

Patinack Sparks 'Epic' Day at Magic Millions

The Magic Millions National broodmare sale was off to a rousing start May 29 on the Gold Coast, paced by a pair of seven-figure horses from the dispersal of embattled Australian coal magnate Norman Tinkler's Patinack Farm.

OBS June Sale Supplemental Catalog Now Online

The supplemental catalog to the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June sale of 2-year-olds and horses of racing age is now available on the company's website at obssales.com.

What's Going On Here: Rebranding Belmont

Even the best product can use a touch-up every now and then.

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Pedigree: Kentucky Derby Winners as Sires

by Anne Peters
Winning the Derby immediately marks a colt as a potential stallion prospect. Breeding success does not always follow, however, and the commercial market has been hard on Derby winners in recent years.

Al Zarooni Withdraws Appeal of Suspension

The British Horseracing Authority said Wednesday, May 29 that former Godolphin Racing trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni had dropped his appeal of an eight-year suspension for giving anabolic steroids to horses.

OH Supreme Court Asked to Reject VLT Suit

The Ohio Attorney General's Office May 28 asked the state Supreme Court to reject an appeal filed by a public policy group that is challenging the constitutionality of a 2011 law that authorized VLTs at racetracks.

Airflow's Impact on Thermographic Readings of Horse Legs

Considering thermography to evaluate a horse's legs? Better move that patient inside and shut the doors. Austrian researchers recently learned that wind and air drafts can affect themographic readings of horses’ front legs—very quickly, in fact—potentially leading to false positive or negative results.

Slideshow: Week in Photos 5/28/2013

Japanese Derby, Belmont, Woodbine, Monmouth, Churchill Downs, Hollywood and much more!

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Vinery Sales to Partner With Millennium Farms

Tom Simon's Vinery Sales has formed a partnership with Ro Parra's Millennium Farms near Lexington. The expanded sales division for the companies will be managed by Derek MacKenzie, director of public sales at Vinery Sales.

Racing Issues on Illinois Legislature Agenda

Issues critical to the future of Illinois horse racing hung in the balance May 28 as the legislature entered the final scheduled week of its spring session.

Golden Soul Back on Track for Belmont

Trainer Dallas Stewart said May 28 Golden Soul, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), is doing "awesome" after taking a while to recover from his effort in the Derby.

After the Wire - Met Mile and Sahara Sky

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

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Keeneland Re-Accredited by Safety Alliance

Keeneland has earned re-accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, officials said May 28.

Spa Raceway Casino Plans $30M Expansion

A New York racetrack hoping to be considered for a full-scale casino announced a $30 million development project that will include a hotel, event center, and upscale restaurant.

Fastnet Rock Weanling Tops at Magic Millions

A Fastnet Rock colt sold for the overall highest price of Aus$290,000 (US$280,788) on second and final day of the Magic Millions National weanling sale May 28 on the Gold Coast.

NYRA Takes Belmont Fun to Grand Central

New York City commuters, tourists, and visitors will have a chance to experience the fun of a trip to Belmont Park thanks to a promotion scheduled the day before this year's Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Equine Castration Complications Reviewed

Although castrations are routine procedures for many equine practitioners, the risk for complications remains. And while most complications are generally mild, some have life-threatening implications. To better understand these complications, a University of California, Davis (UC Davis), research team recently took a closer look at their prevalence and ou...

Florida Vet Agrees to 90-Day Suspension

Veterinarian Orlando Paraliticci has agreed to a 90-day suspension in an agreement that includes his admission that he violated Florida statutes by injecting a Thoroughbred less than 24 hours before a race at Tampa Bay Downs.

Sahara Sky Nabs Metropolitan 'Cap at Wire

Sahara Sky, invading from Southern California for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, needed every inch of the long Belmont Park stretch run to catch pacesetting Cross Traffic in a heart-pounding finish to the Metropolitan Handicap.

Marketing Mix Shows No Rust in Gamely Verdict

Off since Breeders' Cup weekend, Marketing Mix shook off the rust to close gamely between horses in the stretch under Gary Stevens, nipping a hard-charging Tiz Flirtatious in the $250,000 Gamely Stakes (gr. IT) May 27.

Master Rick Rolls On in Lone Star Park 'Cap

In a near replay of last month's Texas Mile Stakes (gr. III), Master Rick galloped past stablemate Prayer for Relief in the stretch to win the $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III) by one length May 27.

Blue Finally the Winning Color at Churchill

Beat the Blues, runner-up in Churchill Downs' Winning Colors Stakes (gr. III) the last two years, gets the win May 27 in wire-to-wire fashion.

No Catching Summer Hit in All American Stakes

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer won the All American Stakes (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields with Summer Hit about an hour after claiming the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) with Sahara Sky.

Comma to the Top Soars in Los Angeles

Fans looking for drama in the $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap (gr. III) May 27 at Betfair Hollywood Park missed out as 3-5 favorite Comma to the Top seized control early and was never seriously challenged in the sprint.

Midnight Lucky Shakes Clear for Acorn Triumph

Midnight Lucky more than made up for her lackluster fifth-place performance in the May 3 Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) when the Bob Baffert-trained filly unleashed a powerful 6 1/4-length victory in the May 25 Acorn Stakes.

Study: Salix Can Lead to Calcium Imbalance

A study conducted at Kentucky Equine Research indicates that 72 hours after being administered Salix (furosemide, also commonly called Lasix), active horses had difficulty replenishing calcium levels.

Discreet Marq Gate to Wire in Sands Point

Patricia Generazio's homebred Discreet Marq, in her first start for trainer Christophe Clement, took the early lead and kept on going in the $200,000 Sands Point Stakes (gr. IIT) for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park May 27.

Tiz Miz Sue Upsets Ogden Phipps Handicap

CresRan Stable's homebred Tiz Miz Sue took advantage of a speed duel between Joyful Victory and Authenticity to post an impressive victory in the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park May 27.