BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Another Setback for AEG's Aqueduct VLT Deal

The Aqueduct Entertainment Group bid to run a casino at Aqueduct racetrack took another setback, with the withdrawal of two of its most prominent African-American investors.

Apple Blossom Diary - Part 2

Part Two of Steve Haskin's diary on the $5-million Apple Blossom Invitational April 9, featuring Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta in a long-awaited battle for the ages.

Read Blog

Bacardi to Sponsor Oaks, Derby Infield Area

Churchill Downs announced March 9 that Bacardi will sponsor the infield hospitality area for this year's April 31 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

NJ Racing Officials Defend Monmouth Schedule

New Jersey racing officials Bob Kulina and John Forbes defended Monmouth schedule changes March 9.

Niagara Causeway's First Foal Is a Filly

The first reported foal by graded stakes winner Niagara Causeway is a filly born Jan. 27

Caracortado and Atkinson: Get Used to It

Caracortado's trainer Mike Machowsky remains loyal to his rider, Paul Atkinson, who rides the gelding in the $150,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 13.

Retired Racing Official Al Karwacki Dies

Al Karwacki, who served as general manager and vice president of Bowie Race Track in Maryland, died March 7 of pancreatic cancer.

Calder Casino Gets Off to Modest Start

During the first full month of operation, slot machines at Calder Casino & Race Course placed third in pre-tax revenue among the five pari-mutuel casinos in southeast Florida.

Buy The Book

Once again Keeneland has listened to its customers, recently announcing changes to the structure of its September yearling sale.

Read Blog

Pedigree Lament by John Greathouse

For years commercial breeders have mortgaged their collective futures for today's cash.

Read Blog

New Orleans Ladies: So Who Will Rachel Face?

The connections of Rachel Alexandra admit that the reigning Horse of the Year will not be 100% cranked for her 4-year-old debut, which will come in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes March 13 at Fair Grounds Races & Slots

Penn National Horse Tests Negative For EHV

The Maryland Jockey Club lifted a temporary ban on Penn National horses after a horse suspected of having equine herpesvirus tested negative for the disease.

Captain Red to Stand in Virginia

Aqueduct track-record holder Captain Red will stand for a private treaty at the Virginia Equine Research facility at Morgan Mills near Jeffersonton, Va.

Steeplechase Spring Season Begins March 20

The National Steeplechase Association's 19-race spring season begins March 20 with the traditional Aiken Spring chase in Aiken, S.C.

Millionaire Desert Code to Harris Farms

Desert Code, a millionaire and winner of the 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Oak Tree at Santa Anita, will enter stud at John C. Harris' Harris Farms near Coalinga, Calif.

State, Horsemen Agree on Monmouth Dates

State officials and New Jersey horse racing industry leaders said March 8 they have reached an agreement to reduce the number of racing dates at Monmouth Park this summer but boost purses to $1 million a day.

Zenyatta Weighted at 127 For Santa Margarita

Zenyatta, who will make her first start of the year March 13 in the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita, will carry top weight of 127 pounds in the race.

Arlington Incentives for Festival Races

Arlington Park is offering a free pass to its biggest races for the winners of key European events - the latest in a long series of efforts to bolster the "international" part of the "International Festival of Racing."

Lookin At Lucky Works, Headed to Oaklawn

Last year's champion juvenile male, Lookin At Lucky, is on schedule for his first start of the year, the March 13 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park, after a workout at Santa Anita March 8.

Gold Cup to Highlight Hollywood Meeting

Hollywood Park, in an effort to protect overnight purses, has responded to the declining economy by shuffling its stakes calendar for the 60-day spring/summer meet, which opens Wednesday, April 21.

Court Approves Zayat, Fifth Third Agreement

An agreement between Zayat Stable and Fifth Third Bank on use of cash collateral funds to continue operations was approved March 8 during a hearing before Judge Donald H. Steckroth in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

Five Questions: Jerry Simms

Businessman purchased Turf Paradise in 2000; battles with major league sports, Native American casinos for the entertainment dollar in recession-battered economy in Phoenix metroplex

Rachel Draws Post 2 in New Orleans Ladies

Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra drew post 2 in a five-horse field for her 2010 debut the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes March 13.

Three Fair Grounds Stakes Purses Cut

Fair Grounds Oaks, Mervin H. Muniz, and New Orleans Handicap purses each reduced to $300,000, with the hope of beginning the 2011 race meet on a positive note.

Penn Gaming Has Agreement to Buy Beulah Park

Penn National Gaming Inc. said March 8 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Beulah Park in Grove City, Ohio.

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen: March 8, 2010

Awesome Act's impressive score in the Gotham earned him a place in this week's Kentucky Derby Dozen. Presented by Darby Dan Farm.

View Top 12

Big Truck Injured, Euthanized at Tampa

Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) winner and 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) starter Big Truck was euthanized after suffering an injury while training at Tampa Bay Downs March 4.

Medaglia d'Oro to Shuttle to Australia

Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation announced that Medaglia d'Oro, the sire of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, will shuttle to Australia for the 2010 Southern Hemisphere breeding season

Vitek Memorial Service Set for March 13

A memorial service has been scheduled for jockey Justin Vitek March 13 following the racing program at Turfway Park. Vitek died Jan. 28 in Houston, Texas, after battling leukemia.

'All Others' Tops Derby Future Wager Pool 2

The "mutuel field" was again installed as the 3-1 wagering choice when Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday, March 7.

McFadden Director of Sales at Three Chimneys

A member of the Three Chimneys sales team since 2007, he has worked at the farm for six years.

Racing Analysis: To Go Long...Think Fast

Triple Crown winners during the 'Golden Age' all began their 3-year-old campaigns in sprints.

Hoosier Park Parent Files for Chapter 11

Centaur LLC, the owner of Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and saddled with significant debt and interest payments, has filed for bankruptcy.

Japanese Horse of the Year Vodka Retired

Vodka, a two-time Japanese Horse of the Year, has been retired from racing.

Borel to Ride Jackson Bend in Wood

Calvin Borel has been named to ride Jackson Bend in the Wood Memorial, replacing Jeremy Rose.

Rachel Alexandra Breezes Four Furlongs in :49

In her final workout for the March 13 New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds, Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra breezed four furlongs in :49 under regular exercise rider Dominic Terry.

Hay Banks Help Horses, Owners in Need

As some recession-weary horse owners struggle to feed their animals, hay banks in some states are helping those most in need.

Tampa Bay Derby Contenders in Solid Works

Schoolyard Dreams and Uptowncharlybrown turned in strong works at Tampa Bay Downs March 7 while preparing for the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III).

First Win for Tampa Trainer Jena Antonucci

Trainer Jena Antonucci saddled her first career winner, Irish Wildcat, in the 11th race at Tampa Bay Downs March 7.

Arkansas Weather Could Keep 'Lucky Home

Trainer Bob Baffert has Lookin At Lucky penciled in for the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park March 13 for the colt's 3-year-old debut. But he left the door slightly ajar for the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) the same day.

HRTV to Cover Rachel, Zenyatta Prep Races

HRTV will present a special one-hour live show March 13 featuring the seasonal debuts of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and unbeaten Breeders' Cup Classic winner Zenyatta.

Old Fashioned's First Two Mares in Foal

Fox Hill Farm's Old Fashioned has been confirmed to have his first two mares in foal from his debut book at stud. They are graded stakes producer Rare Bird and Destiny's Yield.

Pletcher Stars Work, Temporary Schedules Set

Todd Pletcher's powerful stable of 3-year-old stars were prominent on the work tab March 6 in South Florida and the trainer set a temporary schedule for many of them.

Eskenderaya Top Individual KDFW Choice

Fountain of Youth (gr. II) winner Eskendereya was the individual favorite, but the "All Others" bet remained the overall future wagering choice after Day 2 of Pool 2 in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Misremembered Gets It Right in Big 'Cap

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert got a rare grade I victory as a breeder when Misremembered held off Neko Bay by a half-length to capture the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 6.

Kilroe No Fluke as Mare Proviso Gets Nod

Juddmonte Farm's mare Proviso closed desperately in the final sixteenth of a mile to nose Fluke at the wire in an exhilarating finish to the $250,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (gr. IT) on the turf at Santa Anita March 6.

Alphie's Bet Proves Best in Rescheduled Sham

Terese McWilliams' California homebred Alphie's Bet pulled clear at the top of the stretch and raced home a 2 1/4-length winner in the $150,000 Sham Stakes (gr. III), a 3-year-old race rescheduled from last weekend.

No Quit in Crisp in Santa Anita Oaks Upset

Taking advantage of a slow pace, Crisp upset prohibitive favorite Blind Luck in the $250,000 Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) at rainy Santa Anita Park March 6.

Front-Running Freedom Star Dominates Azeri

In a race likely to produce a couple of contestants for the much-anticipated Apple Blossom Invitational (gr. I) April 9, front-running Freedom Star dominated the $149,750 Azeri Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park March 6.

Maiden No More: Paddy O'Prado Wins Palm Beach

Donegal Racing's Paddy O'Prado, a maiden facing eight winners in the $150,000 Palm Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT), seemed unfazed by his competition as he rolled to a 2 1/2-length score March 6 on the Gulfstream Park turf.