BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Lookin At Lucky Starts Year With Rebel Nod

Favored Lookin at Lucky, trying blinkers and dirt for the first time in his 2010 debut, won the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park when his late bid produced a neck victory over the stubborn Noble's Promise.

Sidney's Candy Refuses to Melt in San Felipe

Front-running Sidney's Candy, making his first start around two turns, led all the way in winning the $150,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita March 13.

You and I Forever Scores Gulfsteam Park 'Cap

You and I Forever charges with wide move to draw off and win the Gulfstream Park Handicap.

Zenyatta Weaves Way to 15th Win in a Row

Undefeated Zenyatta, showing she's ready for next month's much-anticipated Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I), rallied in deep stretch to register her 15th consecutive victory March 13 in the $250,000 Santa Margarita (gr. I).

Odysseus Takes Tampa Bay Derby Thriller

Padua Stables' Odysseus, who looked like a beaten horse turning for home, re-rallied during an incredible stretch run and nosed Schoolyard Dreams in the final jump to win a thrilling edition of the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby

Zardana Stuns Rachel in Her Season Debut

Rachel Alexandra was stunned by Zardana, who tackled the reigning Horse of the Year at the top of the stretch and outdueled the heavy favorite to win by three parts of a length in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes.

Atlantic Bull Shines in OBS Under Tack Show

Half-brother to grade III winner Conveyance works a quarter mile in :21 1/5.

No Such Word Stings Beautician in Honeybee

Late-running No Such Word, making her stakes debut for trainer Cindy Jones, upset 11-10 choice Beautician in the $125,000 Honeybee Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies at Oaklawn Park March 13.

Apprentice Kaplan OK After Santa Anita Fall

Tyler Kaplan, the 16-year-old apprentice jockey who won with his first mount March 4, escaped injury when his horse in the first race at Santa Anita March 13 broke down just past the wire.

Diva Delite Wins 5th Straight in Florida Oaks

Local star Diva Delite notched her fifth straight win and proved herself in graded stakes company, as she rolled past rivals coming off the final turn en route to a two-length victory in the $175,000 Florida Oaks (gr. III).

Ladies' Classic Winner Life is Sweet Retired

Life is Sweet, who was to travel to Dubai for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), has been retired after having muscle cramps following a workout March 13 at Hollywood Park.

Ice Box Posts Swift Half-Mile at Palm Meadows

Ice Box drilled a bullet half-mile in :47 1/5 at Palm Meadows for trainer Nick Zito on the morning of March 13 as he tunes up for the $750,000 Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park.

Jockey Francisco Duran Registers 1,000th Win

Jockey Francisco Duran notched his 1,000th career victory March 12 at Golden Gate Fields when he guided Karmalize to a front-running score in the sixth race.

Aqueduct Cancels March 13 Card

Aqueduct has canceled live racing for March 13 because of rain and wind. The Cicada Stakes (gr. III) has been rescheduled for March 20.

Posture, Behaviors Indicate Horse Well-Being

If a horse spends most of his time standing in the same position in his stall, would you say he's just bored? And what about a mare that threatens to bite when you approach her stall--is she vicious?

MTR Gaming Earnings Down for 2009

MTR Gaming Group reported declines in revenue and earnings for 2009, but also saw improvement in these areas for the fourth quarter of the year.

NYCOTB Asks For Help From Tracks, State

With talks to avoid a shut-down of its operations so far stalled, NYCOTB has floated a plan to state officials to permit it to withhold certain payments to tracks and others to remain solvent the next three months

Gulfstream Cancels After Fourth Race

Racing at Gulfstream Park March 12 was canceled following the fourth race March 12 due to weather.

WinStar Still Has Big Plans For Drosselmeyer

Despite losing by less than two lengths in his first stakes try, Drosselmeyer seems to have fallen off the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) radar of many. Winstar Farm's racing manager Elliott Walden thinks it could be a mistake.

Apple Blossom Diary: March 10 - 12

Steve Haskin's personal diary as preparations begin for the Apple Blossom.

Read Blog

Will Weight Disadvantage Stop Zenyatta?

The undefeated mare will carry top weight of 127 pounds March 13 when she makes her 2010 debut in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap (gr. I), spotting eight who entered from 12 to 19 pounds in the nine-furlong race.

Instant Racing Called 'Competitive' Product

An executive with RaceTech, the company that produces Instant Racing machines, said the product has held up well against electronic games of skill at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.

Furthest Land to Travel to Dubai World Cup

Ken and Sarah Ramsey will aim to make international history on March 27 when their Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) winner Furthest Land competes in the $10-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).

Mick Peterson to Discuss Racetrack Surfaces

Dr. Michael "Mick" Peterson will address "Assessing Track Surfaces" at a seminar for horsemen to be held in Arcadia, Calif., March 14. Peterson is the executive director of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory.

Apple Blossom Receives 45 Nominations

As expected, 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and two-time champion Zenyatta were chief among the 45 fillies and mares nominated to the $5 million Apple Blossom Invitational (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park April 9.

OBS Makes March Sale Time Changes

OBS officials want to give buyers more time to look at the auction's horses.

OBS March Sale to Test Market Depth

There are 339 horses in the catalog, making it the largest of the five major select sales of 2-year-olds in training.

Triple Crown Talk - Live Blog

Join Jason Shandler and Tom LaMarra for a live chat this Friday, March 12th, from Noon - 1 p.m. EDT as they discuss this weekend's key prep races.

Join Now!

RTCA Continues to Seek Support For Chile

The RTCA says Chilean backstretch workers need more support as earthquakes continue to rock Chile. Many backstretch workers have sought temporary shelter in racetrack infields.

Rachel vs. Zenyatta - Tale of the Tape

Our new Rachel Alexandra vs. Zenyatta Showdown page will help you stay up-to-date on the latest news and happenings leading up to the historic showdown.

View Page

Downey: Advantage to Lookin At Lucky in Rebel

The pace scenario in the grade II Rebel is neatly arranged. From seven entries, we have one with early speed, one that lags back, and five that can be expected to press or stalk. The stalker that finishes best should win.

NY Harness Track Eyes Lower Takeout Rates

An upstate New York harness track announced March 11 it wants to reduce pari-mutuel takeout rates to the state minimum in response to calls from horseplayers.

Jockey James Lopez Gets Win No. 1,000

Jockey James Lopez earned his 1,000th career win when he guided Dance Hall Darlin to her maiden score in the ninth race at Turfway Park March 11.

Participants on Forbes' Billionaires List

Forbes released its annual list of billionaires March 11, and several persons on the list of the world's wealthiest individuals are involved in the Thoroughbred industry.

Big Brown to Shuttle To Australia This Year

According to an announcement on the Vinery Australia Web Site, the farm has "secured a significant shareholding" in Big Brown and the stallion will shuttle beginning this year.

Youbet Announces Fourth Quarter, 2009 Results

Youbet, which is being acquired by Churchill Downs Inc., for a reported $126.8 million, announced its 2009 fourth quarter and full year earnings March 11.

Rosario Fires Agent Stauffer, Hires Ebanks

Jockey Joel Rosario, second to Rafael Bejarano at Santa Anita in overall victories with 42 through March 10, fired agent Vic Stauffer and hired Ron Ebanks, who had represented cousins Tyler and Michael Baze.

Attendance Light at TRA/HTA Convention

Attendance has been light at this year's joint annual meeting of the Thoroughbred Racing Association and Harness Tracks of America at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indian Wells, Calif.

Decelerator, Beautician Battle in Honeybee

Decelerator, winner of the Marsha Washington Stakes as the favorite one month ago, battles Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) runner-up Beautician in the $125,000 Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn Park March 13.

KY Racing Aid Bill Called 'Life Preserver'

Legislation authorizing Instant Racing, a tax on advance deposit wagering, and a reduction in the pari-mutuel excise tax sailed through the Kentucky Senate Committee on State and Local Government March 11.

Inside Information Stakes Up For Grabs

The top four finishers of last month's Hurricane Bertie Stakes (gr. III), including winner Kays and Jays, return for the $150,000 Inside Information Stakes (gr. II) March 14 at Gulfstream Park.

Lookin At Lucky Debuts With Blinkers in Rebel

Trainer Bob Baffert brings out his big gun, 2009 juvenile champion Lookin At Lucky, in the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park March 13. Now he just wants to be sure the son of Smart Strike is ready to fire.

Pinhookers' Profits Rise at F-T Florida Sale

Rate of return on investment grows, rising to 91.9% from only 39% for the 2009 edition of the auction.

Live Video of Rachel, Zenyatta on NTRA.com

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association is launching a Webcast called NTRA Live!, which features original programming and live video of key races, including the 2010 debuts of Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta March 13.

First Mare in Foal to Monba

The first mare in foal to grade I winner Monba is Hanna's Fury, a winning half-sister to two stakes winners.

Bank Files Suit Against Paulson Trust

The Allen E. Paulson Living Trust has been sued by PNC Bank, claiming the breeding entity has defaulted on a loan totaling nearly $1.6 million.

Einstein Gets First Mare in Foal

The first mare in foal to grade I winner Einstein is Lantern Hill Farm's Lever To Heaven, an Irish-bred, stakes-placed mare by Bluebird.

First Winner by Weeping Willow

Weeping Willow was represented by his first winner when his 2-year-old son Aly Weeping led all the way to win by 1 1/4 lengths March 9 at Sunland Park in his first start.

John Franks Memorial Sale Has 154 Juveniles

The auction is scheduled for March 21 at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino in Louisiana.

Crisp: Getting Better With Every Race

Newbie owner Michael Talla discusses Crisp's journey leading up to the April 30 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and how she's improving with every race.