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Ever So Lucky Scratched From Hutcheson

Trainer Jonathan Sheppard said Saturday morning that Augustin Stable's Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) runner-up Ever So Lucky would be scratched from the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (gr. II).

Hollendorfer Trio Tops El Camino Nominees

A trio trained by Jerry Hollendorfer heads a list of 23 3-year-olds nominated for the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) Feb. 18 at Golden Gate Fields.

Fed Biz Dominates Santa Anita Allowance Field

Fed Biz, a colt with a building reputation despite a slight record, gave an indication as to why there's so much interest when he dominated four sophomore rivals in a one-mile allowance race at Santa Anita Feb. 9.

Algorithms Commences Classic Calculation

MAHUBAH'S CORNER
In the Holy Bull, it was Starlight Racing's Algorithms, who captured his first stakes race and stamped himself as one to watch on the Triple Crown trail.

Downey Profile: Ever So Lucky's Mixed Signals

Most of the horses in the Grade II Hutcheson Stakes field have something in common. And then there's Ever So Lucky.

And They're Off: Where's Winter Edition

Steve and Lenny discuss the Full House among older horses, 3yos on the Derby Trail, and Luck. Plus, interviews with Jack Wolf, owner of Algorithms, and Paul Reddam, owner of I'll Have Another.

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WinStar StableMates Fantasy Derby to Open

Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm will offer its Fantasy Derby contest. Fantasy Derby 2012 is free for racing fans, easy to play, and offers possible prizes.

I'll Have Another: From Bargain to Contender

I'll Have Another didn't attract much attention as a sale horse, but he's making a big impact as a runner. The son of Flower Alley ranks among the top 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail.

Reckless Jerry on Target for Southwest

After a less-than-perfect trip in the Smarty Jones Stakes last month, Reckless Jerry looks as if he's on track to rebound in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 20 at Oaklawn Park. He worked five furlongs Feb. 5.

Ever So Lucky Among Six Entered for Hutcheson

Everyone, including trainer Jonathan Sheppard, is waiting to see if the speedy Ever So Lucky belongs on the Triple Crown trail. The answer, hopefully, could come Feb. 11 in the Hutchson (gr. II) at Gulfstream.

Algorithms Individual Favorite for KDFW

The first of three pools of Churchill Downs' 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager will begins Feb. 10. The mutuel field was installed as the 9-5 morning line choice for KDFW Pool 1.

Colt Added to Triple Crown Nominations List

Officials at Churchill Downs said Feb. 7 that another 3-year-old has been added to the list of early nominations to this year's Triple Crown, bringing the total to 398 that were nominated at a cost of $600 each.

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - 2/6/2012 (video)

Steve Haskin adds I'll Have Another to his Derby Dozen. Alpha moves up as Steve notes Mr. Prankster and Battle Hardened. Steve also recaps the Robert B. Lewis Stakes and Withers from the weekend.

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Union Rags Breezes Bullet Half

Champagne winner has solid tune-up for 3-year-old debut in Fountain of Youth

Alpha to Remain in New York for Next Start

Withers Stakes (gr. III) winner Alpha is likely to stay in New York for his next start, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said the morning after the Godolphin colt defeated an overmatched field Feb. 4 at Aqueduct.

Triple Crown Nominations Soar

Headed by 2-year-old champion male Hansen, 397 horses were nominated to the Triple Crown series before the Jan. 21 early nomination deadline, representing a 9.1% increase over the 364 during the 2011 early nominating period.

Mr. Prankster Romps in WEBN

Mr. Prankster emphatically answered the two-turn question Feb. 4, closing strongly and drawing off to win the one-mile WEBN Stakes at Turfway Park by 7 1/2 lengths.

I'll Have Another Uncorks Lewis Shocker

Off for five months and making his first start around two turns, I'll Have Another produced an easy upset victory at odds of 43-1 in the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 4.

Alpha Easily Passes Withers Test

Just as he did when winning the Count Fleet Stakes a month earlier, Alpha easily defeated an overmatched field to take the $200,000 Withers (gr. III) by 3 1/4 lengths Feb. 4 at Aqueduct.

Maiden Battle Hardened Gets Up in Sam Davis

Battle Hardened, given a patient ride by Julien Leparoux, earned the first win of his career when he defeated a big field in the $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs.

Creative Cause Preps for San Vicente

Norfolk Stakes (gr. I) winner Creative Cause, prepping for his expected 3-year-old debut in the upcoming San Vicente Stakes (gr. II), worked six furlongs handily on the Hollywood Park Cushion Track Feb. 4 in 1:13 4/5.

Preakness' InfieldFest Attracts Big Names

The Maryland Jockey Club announced 2012 Preakness InfieldFest will include performances by Grammy Award nominees Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa.

Downey Profile: Davis Full of Winning Angles

The grade III Sam F. Davis looks like a wide-open affair going in, so let's see if we can winnow out some angles.

Mr. Bowling Leads Strike of Gone West Sons

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Sons of Gone West had a strong strike rate Jan. 21, including Istan, whose son Mr. Bowling won the Lecomte.

Pletcher Sets Sights on Another Sam Davis Win

Already with a slew of top 3-year-olds taking aim at the Triple Crown, Todd Pletcher will send out yet another prospect in the $250,000 Sam F. Davis (gr. III), a race he has won four of the last six years.

I'll Have Another a Wildcard in Lewis

Trainer Doug O'Neill has picked a tough spot for his promising colt I'll Have Another, who returns from a five-month absence in the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 4 at Santa Anita.

Exfactor Works Good Half-Mile at Fair Grounds

Grade III winner Exfactor, a son of Exchange Rate, records his first workout at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots since a disappointing 11th-place finish in the Jan. 21 Lecomte Stakes.

Downey Profile: Might Take Some Swagger

The grade III Withers Stakes adds spice to the dead-of-winter Triple Crown Trail in New York. In the spirit of things, Dick Downey looks for a horse to upset Alpha.

Algorithms: Putting the Horse First Pays Off

Letting Algorithms get his way hurt his yearling price, but he's rewarded his breeder and the farm that raised him with his racing success.

Liaison Faces Rousing Sermon Again in Lewis

Liaison, at this early juncture trainer Bob Baffert's most accomplished contender for the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and beyond, faces seven opponents in the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 4.

Alpha Stands Out in Revamped Withers

Alpha is the heavy favorite for the $200,000 Withers (gr. III), which replaces the Whirlaway Stakes as the first of three New York preps leading up to the Triple Crown. The Feb. 4 race is now at two turns on the inner track.

After the Wire 1/30/2012

Evan Hammonds recaps the Holy Bull Stakes and Sunshine Millions Day from Gulfstream Park

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Rousing Sermon Drills, 'Ready to Go' in Lewis

California-bred Rousing Sermon, beaten only a neck by Liaison in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) at Hollywood Park last month, worked four furlongs Jan. 29 in :47 2/5 for his 3-year-old bow in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes Feb. 4.

Algorithms Derails Champ Hansen in Holy Bull

Algorithms overtook juvenile champion Hansen approaching mid-stretch en route to an easy victory in the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park, handing the odds-on favorite the first defeat of his career.

Repole's How Do I Win Breezes for Withers

Repole Stable's 3-year-old How Do I Win, pointing to the $200,000 Withers Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct Feb. 4, breezed a half-mile in :49 flat over Belmont Park's training track.

Problem-Solving: Can Hansen Lose Holy Bull?

Will this year's compact field yield an established favorite or an improving horse in the winner's circle when the Holy Bull Stakes is run Jan. 29 at Gulfstream Park?

Hansen Gets Campaign Started in Holy Bull

All eyes will be on juvenile champion Hansen Jan. 29 as he begins his much-anticipated Triple Crown quest in the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park.

New Stakes Recap Show Set for BloodHorse.com

BloodHorse.com is launching a new online video program, "After the Wire," on Jan. 30, with the inaugural episode available on the website by 11 a.m. (EST).

Animal Kingdom Works Toward 2012 Debut

Animal Kingdom, the champion 3-year-old male of 2011, continued to progress toward his 2012 debut by breezing five furlongs on turf in a quick :59 4/5 Jan. 25 at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida.

Hansen Set for Holy Bull After Quick Drill

Newly crowned juvenile champion Hansen breezed five furlongs at Gulfstream Park Jan. 22, completing the main preparation for his 3-year-old seasonal debut in the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III).

Churchill Sets Dates for Derby and Oaks Pools

Churchill Downs has set the dates for its trio of three-day betting pools for the 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager and a single pool for the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

Early Triple Crown Nomination Deadline Looms

The nomination process for the 2012 Triple Crown series has begun, with a deadline of Saturday, Jan. 21 to nominate 3-year-olds at the early nomination fee of $600 per horse.

Animal Kingdom Awarded for Classic Success

By a vote of 114 to 111, Animal Kingdom outpolled Caleb's Posse for an Eclipse Award as champion 3-year-old male.

Russian Greek Last to First in Cal Derby

Favored Russian Greek rallied from last on the far turn to register a one-length victory in the $100,520 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields Jan. 14.

Reveron Kicks Off 2012 Triple Crown Chase

MAHUBAH'S CORNER
The newly created Gulfstream Park Derby introduced the first of this year's rising 3-year-old hopefuls on New Year's Day.

O'Prado Again to Miss Derby With Shin Injury

Remsen Stakes (gr. II) winner O'Prado Again is off the Triple Crown trail after cracking a shin bone in his right front leg during a routine work at Gulfstream Park Jan. 7.

Seven Sophomores Vie in California Derby

Russian Greek, who overcame a stumble at the start to win the Gold Rush Stakes last month, is the 122-pound high weight for his return to Golden Gate Fields in the $100,000 California Derby Jan. 14.

Mr. Prankster Gets First Stakes Win in Prevue

Favored Mr. Prankster, making his first start in six weeks, came from off the pace to win the $50,000 Turfway Prevue Stakes at Turfway Park on the night of Jan. 7.

Out of Bounds Reaches Late for Sham Upset

Out of Bounds, a big colt with a big future, swept past odds-on favorite Secret Circle in the final couple of strides to capture the $100,000 Sham Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds by a half-length at Santa Anita Jan. 7.

Discreet Dancer Impressive in Gulfstream Test

Discreet Dancer, who set a track record for 5 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream Park winning his debut by 9 3/4 lengths on Dec. 3, confirmed that promise Jan. 7 as he drew clear to score by 5 1/2 lengths in an allowance test.