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Colonial Cup attracts solid field minus Pierrot Lunaire

Saturday's Grade 1, $100,000 Colonial Cup, the 2 3/4-mile fixture at Springdale Racecourse in Camden, South Carolina, is the last major contest of the 2012 steeplechase season and often plays a role in deciding the year's Eclipse Award winner. However, it was announced last week that leading divisional earner Pierrot Lunaire, who captured both the Grade 1 Grand National and Grade 1 Lonesome Glory this fall, would skip the Colonial Cup.

Overanalyze headed to Kentucky Jockey Club

Trainer Todd Pletcher said Wednesday that Repole Stable's Overanalyze, a pre-entrant for Saturday's Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot, is now being pointed to the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs on November 24 as part of the Stars of Tomorrow II program.

Groupie Doll could go in Cigar Mile

Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Groupie Doll was scheduled to go to trainer Buff Bradley's farm in Frankfort, Kentucky, earlier this week, but plans changed and the four-year-old filly daughter of Bowman's Band remained at Churchill Downs to prepare for a possible start in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on November 24.

Frankel wins Cartier Horse of the Year again

The amazing Frankel, recognized as one of the greatest racehorses ever, was named Cartier Horse of the Year on Tuesday for an unprecedented second consecutive time at the 2012 Cartier Racing Awards.

Travel plans set for Delta Jackpot participants

Only four days remain until Delta Downs' richest and most important race of the year, Saturday's Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot, and an exciting group of young horses are making their way to the Bayou State for the $1 million event. There will be a special early post time on Jackpot Day of 1:15 p.m. (CST), with the Delta Downs Jackpot scheduled for 4:15 p.m.

Infield Festival added to Louisiana Derby

The milestone 100th Louisiana Derby on March 30 is poised to be the biggest in track history with the creation of Infield Festival, a new entertainment experience at Fair Grounds to be headlined by native New Orleans rockers Cowboy Mouth. Details of the Infield Festival, which will also feature the largest food truck gathering in the city and exclusive VIP areas, were announced Tuesday by Fair Grounds officials at a press conference in the winner's circle.

Churchill Downs offers Section 110 seating for Derby, Oaks

Churchill Downs is introducing a new Section 110 seating and hospitality venue for the 2013 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks that offers the historic track's first stadium-type seating, hospitality highlighted by limitless food and drink and a first-turn Clubhouse location that provides the track's most breathtaking view of its iconic Twin Spires.

Hollywood Notebook

HOLLYWOOD NOTEBOOK

Commentary

COMMENTARY

Rainbow Dahlia upsets Verxina in Kyoto's QEII

After finishing runner-up to Gentildonna in all three legs of Japan's Triple Crown for fillies, Verxina appeared ready to escape her archrival's shadow at last in Sunday's Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup. But even the absence of Gentildonna, who is bound instead for the Grade 1 Japan Cup, couldn't cure Verxina's seconditis. Sent off as the clear favorite at Kyoto, Verxina again played second fiddle, this time to the longshot Rainbow Dahlia, on the yielding going.

Zenyatta's sophomore half-sister to make first start Friday

The long-anticipated career debut of Eblouissante, the three-year-old half-sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, is at last set for Friday's 4TH race at Hollywood Park. Trained by John Shirreffs, like her famous half-sibling, Eblouissante will be ridden by Corey Nakatani in the 1 1/16-mile maiden on Cushion Track.

Emerald Downs riding sensation Kubinova wins Hollywood debut

Eliska Kubinova, a riding sensation this year at Emerald Downs and Portland Meadows, was scheduled to make her Hollywood Park debut Sunday aboard Valeria in the 9TH race for owners Jerry and Ann Moss and trainer John Shirreffs.

Meeker Avenue, Kelli Got Frosty take NYSS divisions

First-time stakes winners Meeker Avenue and Kelli Got Frosty highlighted Saturday's duo of the New York Stallion Series Stakes at Aqueduct for two-year-olds.

Pino joins top 10 all-time win list, honored by MJC

The Maryland Jockey Club honored jockey Mario Pino with a winners' circle presentation Saturday afternoon at Laurel Park. The rider moved into the top 10 on the North American all-time win list earlier this fall.

Sportswriter, Sunny Desert seek another NYSS win

Sportswriter, already a winner of a New York Stallion Stakes on the turf, will try to win his first NYSS on the dirt when he competes in Wednesday's $100,000 Thunder Rumble division at Aqueduct.

Daisy Devine wires Cardinal

James Miller's Daisy Devine captured the Grade 3, $111,500 Cardinal Handicap at Churchill Downs on Saturday in thrilling fashion. The Andrew McKeever trainee went gate-to-wire, holding off Julie's Love in the stretch to win by a head.

Cash Rules, My Pal Chrisy and Bad Debt highlight Florida Million Day

Saturday's 11th Florida Million Day at Calder offered eight stakes totaling $1 million in purses for Florida-breds and the highlights included an easy victory by Cash Rules and successful title defenses from My Pal Chrisy and Bad Debt.

Starformer prevails in soggy Long Island

With first-hand knowledge of how the Aqueduct turf course plays when it's wet, Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado was an indispensable ally for Juddmonte Farms' homebred Starformer in Saturday's Grade 3, $150,000 Long Island Handicap.

Up With the Birds gives trainer first Coronation Futurity win

While Sam-Son Farms celebrated its sixth victory in the $249,576 Coronation Futurity, trainer Malcolm Pierce got the trophy in the 1 1/8-mile contest for the first time on Saturday when Up With the Birds rallied from last to score by 3 1/2 lengths under a hand ride.

Trio work for Clark Handicap

Highlighting the list of more than 100 horses who recorded published workouts at Churchill Downs on Saturday morning was Take Charge Indy, Bourbon Courage and Cease. The trio of stakes winners is being pointed to the Grade 1 Clark Handicap on November 23.

Casse mapping out plans for stable stars

Trainer Mark Casse said Friday that Pool Play will be pointed to the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on November 23, but the seven-year-old son of Silver Deputy might not be the only Clark starter from the Casse barn. Stealcase and Delegation are also under consideration.

Frankel tops Cartier finalists for Horse of the Year, older horse

Finalists for the 22nd annual Cartier Racing Awards, European horseracing's equivalent of the Oscars, were revealed Friday. The nine awards will be announced and presented during a ceremony before an invited audience of 300 at the Dorchester Hotel, London, England, on the evening of November 13.

2013 Preakness logo revealed

The Maryland Jockey Club today unveiled the 2013 Preakness logo for the 138th running of the $1,000,000 Preakness Stakes, which is set for May 18, 2013 at Pimlico Race Course.

Shackleford expected to make one more start

Mike Lauffer, Bill Cubbedge and Phillips Racing Partnership's Shackleford, winner of the 2011 Preakness, is scheduled to be available for inspection at Darby Dan Farm on Friday through Sunday, but Thursday will not be the last day at the track for the chestnut colt. Shackleford is scheduled to return to Churchill Downs at the beginning of next week and could make his final career start in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap on November 23.

Sadler happy for Switch, excited about upcoming prospects

Trainer John Sadler, who guided multiple Grade 1 victress Switch through a career that saw her earn $1.4 million, was proud as a peacock when the Quiet American five-year-old mare was sold Monday at the Fasig-Tipson select mixed sale for $4.3 million.

Tapizar retired, headed to Gainesway

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile hero Tapizar will enter stud in 2013 at the Beck family's Gainesway Farm near Lexington, Kentucky, it was announced Thursday. Bred and raced by Winchell Thoroughbreds and trained by Steve Asmussen, Tapizar will become the first Grade 1 winner by top sire Tapit to stand at Gainesway, where he will stand alongside his sire.

Aqueduct Notebook

AQUEDUCT NOTEBOOK

Hit It Rich, Mystical Star top Long Island

Hit It Rich ended her 2011 campaign with her first graded stakes win in the Grade 3 Long Island Handicap at Aqueduct. The gray mare will try and end 2012 on a similar note when the $150,000 fixture over 1 3/8 miles on turf is renewed Saturday.

Juveniles take center stage in New York Stallion Series at Aqueduct

Undefeated Matchmadeinheaven goes for her fourth straight stakes victory Sunday when she takes on six other two-year-old fillies in the $125,000 Fifth Avenue division of the New York Stallion Series at Aqueduct.

Trainers looking forward to 'Parade of Breeders' Cup Champions'

Churchill Downs will host the "Parade of Breeders' Cup Champions" on Sunday and while it is sure to be a unique and one-of-a-kind event for fans, the trainers of the top horses also are looking forward to the special ceremony.

Handicapping Insights

Sam-Son Farm seeks sixth Coronation Futurity win

Sam-Son Farm will be represented by two sons of Stormy Atlantic -- Up With the Birds and His Race to Win -- in Saturday's C$250,000 Coronation Futurity, at Woodbine.

Aqueduct cancels second straight day

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has canceled live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack on Thursday following a nor'easter that passed through the region Wednesday and left behind several inches of wet snow.

Florida Million Day features eight stakes

Title defenses in the $125,000 Bonnie Heath Turf Cup by Bad Debt and the $150,000 Elmer Heubeck Distaff by My Pal Chrisy highlight the 11th Florida Million Day at Calder on Saturday, an afternoon featuring eight stakes restricted to registered Florida-bred horses and named in honor of Florida racing dignitaries totaling $1 million in purse money.

THS: The Cardinal Handicap

Tom and Pete handicap the Cardinal Handicap at Churchill Downs this week.

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Pure Clan brings $4.5 million at Keeneland November

Multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire PURE CLAN (Pure Prize) brought a session-topping $4.5 million from Brazilian Goncalo Torrealba of Stud TNT at Wednesday's second session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale in Lexington, Kentucky. The seven-year-old mare, who was listed in foal to Bernardini, entered the ring as Hip No. 279 from the Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent, consignment.

McGoey wins BC Betting Challenge for second straight year

Yogi Berra's "it was deja vu all over again" was never truer than during the 2012 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge at Santa Anita on Saturday. Defending champion Patrick McGoey staged another improbable last race comeback to defeat last year's second-place finisher Christian Hellmers to win the tournament and $255,341.

Kentucky-based Breeders' Cup winners to be paraded at Churchill Downs

Five of the seven Breeders' Cup winners with Churchill Downs ties will be paraded at the home of the Kentucky Derby between races on Sunday.

Breeders' Cup Feature

BREEDERS' CUP FEATURE

Santa Anita Notebook

SANTA ANITA NOTEBOOK

Daisy Devine the one to beat in Cardinal

Daisy Devine will be a strong favorite to win her third stakes of the year in Saturday's Grade 3, $100,000 Cardinal Handicap at Churchill Downs, a nine-furlong grass test which has attracted a field of nine fillies and mares.

Aqueduct cancels racing

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has canceled live racing at Aqueduct on Wednesday due to forecast rain and high winds. Racing is scheduled to resume Thursday.

Lane's End announces 2013 stud fees

Lane's End Farm, in Versailles, Kentucky, released their 2013 stud fees on Monday. All contracts carry a live foal guarantee and are payable when the foal stands and nurses.

Whisper Hill buys Plum Pretty for $4.2 million at Keeneland

PLUM PRETTY (Medaglia d'Oro), winner of last year's Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks and the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap in April, brought a final bid $4.2 million at Tuesday's opening session of the 2012 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale in Lexington, Kentucky. The winning bidder was Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm, which bought reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (Saint Liam) for $10 million Monday night at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

Breeders' Cup Feature

BREEDERS' CUP FEATURE

Hollywood opens 24-day fall meet

Hollywood Park will begin its 32nd Autumn Meet Thursday, with post time at 12:30 p.m. (PST). Scheduled for 24 days through December 16, the meet is highlighted by four Grade 1 events and the annual Autumn Turf Festival (November 23-25).

Fair Grounds offers stakes-naming contest

Fair Grounds is asking fans for help naming a race that is new to the 2012-13 stakes schedule. The winner of the "Name the Stakes Race" contest will present the trophy to the winning connections after the inaugural running and enjoy lunch for four in the Clubhouse, a replica of the trophy and a $100 win bet.

CDI releases third quarter results

Net revenues from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2012 declined 1 percent, or $1.5 million, to $164.9 million compared to the same period of the prior year. Third quarter EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) declined to $21.3 million, from $43.0 million, during the third quarter of 2011. Net earnings from continued operations for the period were $6.0 million, or $0.34 per diluted common share, a decrease of 70 percent from net earnings from continued operations of $19.7 million, or $1.16 per diluted common share, during the third quarter of 2011. The decline in EBITDA and net earnings was predominately the result of the $19.3 million in Illinois Horse Racing Equity Trust Fund payments that were received in the third quarter of 2011.

Hansen to stand at Ashford Stud

Hansen, the champion two-year-old colt of 2011, has been purchased to stand at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Kentucky.

Santa Anita handle, attendance up slightly

On the wings of a sensational two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships, Santa Anita's 24-day Autumn Meet ended on an upbeat note Sunday as overall handle on Santa Anita races was up 2 percent compared to last year and on-track attendance (excluding November 2-3) was up 1 percent.