BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Florida Derby Back up to $1 Million

Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino announced Sept. 2 its richest stakes schedule ever for 3-year-olds, highlighted by the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I).

Pletcher With Half of Spinaway Field

Todd Pletcher, who has won the Spinaway Stakes (gr. I) three times, will have a 50-50 chance at winning another when he sends out four of the eight starters in the Sept. 5 race for juvenile fillies.

Get Serious Looking for Another Graded Win

Graded stakes victors Get Serious and Nownownow headline a seasoned, seven-horse cast of stakes winners slated to go postward in the Sept. 5 Red Bank Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth Park.

Wide-Open Saranac Draws Six

Fantastico Roberto, who set the pace but tired in the Jersey Derby last out, was tabbed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the $100,000 Saranac (gr. IIIT) Sept. 5 on the Saratoga turf course.

THS: Woodward and Forego

Jason, Tom, and James Scully of brisnet.com preview the Woodward Handicap (gr. I) and the Forego Handicap (gr. I).

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F-T Catalogs 645 Yearlings for Midlantic Sale

The auction, which will begin on a Tuesday instead of a Monday, will be held Oct. 5 and 6 in Timonium, Md.

King George Winner Harbinger to Japan

Harbinger, winner of the July 24 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I) in record time, has been sold for stud duties to Japan.

Yearling Conformation

A three-part series featuring a panel of breeding professionals discussing the ins and outs of yearling selection with The Blood-Horse's Dan Liebman.

Zenyatta Stakes Changed Back to Lady's Secret

With Zenyatta expected to run in the race, the Zenyatta Stakes has been changed back to its original name, the Lady's Secret Stakes, which will be run Oct. 2 at Oak Tree at Hollywood Park meeting.

Jockey Ouzts Sets Record at River Downs

Jockey Perry Ouzts, who has ridden at River Downs in Cincinnati, Ohio for 37 seasons, has set the record for wins during the Jockey Club Meet.

Regal Ransom Wins, Timber Reserve Euthanized

Godolphin Stable's Regal Ransom will likely return to graded stakes competition after winning a nine-furlong optional claimer by 3 1/4 lengths in gate-to-wire fashion Sept. 1 at Saratoga.

Four Pick 6 Winners at Saratoga Get $377,883

Four winning tickets correctly selected the winners of each of the Pick 6 races Sept. 2 at Saratoga Race Course and were rewarded handsomely with payouts of $377,883.

Tattersalls Restructures Breeze Up Calendar

The England-based company will expand Craven sale and replace the Guineas auction with a new sale in Ireland.

Documentary Chronicles Thoroughbred Industry

Produced by Lexington-based High Impact Productions, the 30-minute documentary Beyond the Stone Fences details the majesty, as well as the daily operations, of six regional horse farms.

Sapling Draws Nine Juveniles

A field of nine 2-year-olds will line up for the $150,000 Sapling Stakes (gr. III) Sept. 4 at Monmouth Park, the racetrack's premier event for juvenile runners.

Saratoga Diary: Big Zucchini

Jockeys aren't measured by how large or heavy they are, but by how well they ride.

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Godolphin Entry Has Edge in Strong Forego

The $250,000 Forego Handicap (gr. I) came up very strong, but the Godolphin coupled entry of Vineyard Haven and Girolamo will be tough to overcome.

Tribal Belle Seeks Repeat in Seaway Stakes

Tribal Belle, Canada's champion female sprinter of 2009, returns to defend her title in the Seaway Stakes (Can-III) at Woodbine Sept. 4 against just four rivals.

Canada's Jockey Club Tabs Executive Director

Stacie Roberts has been named executive director of the Jockey Club of Canada, chief steward Jim Lawson announced Sept. 1.

CDI to Handle Oaklawn Park's Simulcasting

Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Oaklawn Jockey Club have entered into a simulcast services agreement whereby CDI would purchase and sell simulcast content on behalf of Oaklawn Park.

Gran Estreno Defends Washington Park Title

Gran Estreno, who posted a mild upset when winning the 2009 edition of the Washington Park Handicap (gr. III), returns in search of a repeat as part of a seven-horse field in the $150,000 race Sept. 4 at Arlington Park.

Get Ready for the Uncle Mo Show

Mike Repole, owner of impressive juvenile winner Uncle Mo, talks with Jason Shandler.

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Checking in With My Man Tiznow

I just returned from a tour at WinStar Farm, and I can still feel grainy bits of Polytrack from their new training track between my toes. It's been a good day.

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Discreetly Mine: Enigma of Aptitude, Pedigree

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
His pedigree shouts stamina but Discreetly Mine--winner Aug. 28 of the grade I King's Bishop Stakes--seems intent on proving himself as a top sprinter.

Mandella Optimistic About Avid in Darley Deb

Fresh off an eye-catching win in her bow at Del Mar last month, the Richard Mandella-trained Avid jumps right into the deep end of the pool in the $250,000 Darley Debutante (gr. I) at the seaside track Sept. 4.

Quality Road Looks to Bounce Back in Woodward

Quality Road will try to rebound from his narrow Whitney Handicap (gr. I) defeat last month when headlining the field in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 4 at Saratoga.

Fund Raiser for Injured Rider Leggett

A fund raiser for seriously injured Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockey Tad Leggett will be held at racetracks across the country Labor Day, Sept. 6.

Calif. OKs Exchange Wagering, Takeout Hike

California legislation that would redirect perhaps as much as $70 million from winning bets to purses and make the state the first in the nation to approve head-to-head wagering on horse races gained approval Aug. 31.

Churchill Spooked by Halloween Night Plans

Churchill will race Oct. 31, but it will ask the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to switch first post time from 4:30 p.m. EDT to the customary 12:40 p.m.

The Week in Photos: August 30, 2010

Includes photos of Afleet Express, Richard's Kid, Discreetly Mine, El Brujo, and more.

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Fornatale Attempts Betting Marathon

On Friday, Sept. 3 professional writer and horseplayer Pete Fornatale will attempt a day-long effort to wager on every race and every track around the world offered through TwinSpires.com to benefit the Race for Education.

'Operation Gelding' Launched by Coalition

The Unwanted Horse Coalition has initiated a program called "Operation Gelding," which will provide funds and materials to assist groups seeking to sponsor clinics to which horse owners can bring stallions to be castrated.

Jersey Sale to Benefit Racing Outfits

The Hall of Fame trio of trainer Bob Baffert and jockeys Mike Smith and Laffit Pincay Jr. will sign limited edition collectible jerseys at Del Mar on Labor Day, Sept. 6.

Williams Announces Bid for Kentucky Governor

Kentucky Senate President David Williams and Richie Farmer, the state's commissioner of agriculture, announced Sept. 1 their bid for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, on a 2011 Republican ticket.

Horses Now Second in Kentucky; Poultry on Top

Poultry and eggs were Kentucky's leading farm commodity in 2009, with cash receipts of $911.6 million, ending the equine industry's 10-year reign at the top of the list.

State Fact Books Launched on JC Website

The Jockey Club is now, for the first time, making available state fact books as online statistical guides.

Hawthorne Cuts Stakes Purses, Race Dates

The Illinois Racing Board approved a request from Hawthorne Race Course to make substantial cuts to its stakes schedule at a meeting Aug. 31.

Roberts Named to Run Jockey Club of Canada

The Jockey Club of Canada has named Stacie Roberts as its new executive director.

Brown Appeals Rachel Alexandra Ruling

Consultant Jerry Brown, who was awarded $25,000 for his role in the sale of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, has appealed that ruling, contending that he is owed more than $4.7 million.

Philly Park Changes Name to Parx Racing

The Bensalem, Pa.-based Philadelphia Park has changed its name to Parx Racing, according to the company's website.

Heart Ashley Retired, to be Sold

Zayat Stables has retired grade III winner Heart Ashley, who will be offered as a broodmare prospect during the Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale.

KY Out-of-Competition Penalties Divisive

An effort to finalize proposed regulations on out-of-competition testing of horses in Kentucky erupted into a lively debate over penalties when two panels met in joint session via teleconference Aug. 31.

Kantharos Injured, Retired

Two-time graded stakes winner and leading juvenile Kantharos suffered a career-ending leg fracture earlier this week while galloping out following a routine workout at Saratoga it was announced Aug. 31.

Breeders' Cup Perfect Trip: Sept 4 Nominees

This week's nominees are: Debussy, Eclair de Lune, Sweet August Moon, and Noosa Beach.

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German Stallion Lomitas Dies

German stallion Lomitas, sire of North American grade I winner Silvano, has been euthanized because of health reasons.

What's Going On Here: Pins and Needles

Once we can find the glass, we'd like to see it as half full heading into Keeneland's September yearling sale.

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Hangin' With Haskin: Retire Rachel? Why?

It didn't take long for the 'Retire Rachel' cries to be heard. I can't really criticize those who believe Rachel's reputation has suffered, and feel each race compromises her legacy.

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Back to the Past (and Future?) in New Jersey

The simple fact of the matter is that, one way or another, there will always be a Monmouth Park, because the state of New Jersey needs Monmouth Park.

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Pletcher Eyes 3rd Straight With Anticipation

Todd Pletcher sent out Bittel Road and Interactif to win the With Anticipation the past two years and will have another live chance when he sends out Sensational Slam in a field of 10 and two also-eligibles.

Compromise Reached on California Bill

A compromise has apparently been reached that would forestall the implementation of exchange betting until at least 2012, according to the Pasadena Star-News.