You wouldn't know it by his record, but Stealcase has always been a standout ever since he arrived in the barn of trainer Mark Casse. He will finally try to put it all together in the $500,000 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes.
Friday, March 23, 2012This race shows even matchups on paper, so like an NCAA Tournament game, it could result in a big surprise.
Friday, March 23, 2012
A large and wide-open field of 12 was entered for Turfway Park's signature race and at least one of the winners should be moving on to Louisville six weeks from now.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Just when we thought we had the key matchups for final Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) preps all figured out, a couple major curveballs from two of the top contenders were thrown March 22.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Jason and Tom preview the Sunland Derby, and comment on the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park.
As of March 21, a total of nine probables are expected for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds on April 1.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
I'll Have Another turned in a seven-furlong workout in 1:26 1/5 over Hollywood Park's Cushion Track March 21 as he prepares for next month's Santa Anita Derby (gr. I).
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The deadline for late nominations to the 2012 Triple Crown is March 24.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
One need only scan the names of multiple Eclipse Award-winning trainers Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, and Steve Asmussen to realize that in 2012, New Mexico's $800,000 Sunland Derby (gr. III) has come of age.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Lenny and Steve discuss the Rebel, the end of 'Luck', Betfair, and fatalities at Aqueduct. Sponsored by Darby Dan Farm.
Leading New York rider Ramon Dominguez, diagnosed with a dislocated collarbone after a nasty fall March 18 at Aqueduct, could be healed in time to ride Hansen in the Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial April 7.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Evan recaps the Rebel Stakes, Inside Information Stakes and examines how Gemologist and Havre de Grace have performed.
Graham Motion is back on the Derby trail with recent maiden winner Went the Day Well, who will race next in the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (gr. II) March 24.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
South Florida-based Alpha, easy winner of the Withers Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct Feb. 4, is now considered probable for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) April 1.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Larry Jones' two top 3-year-olds, Mark Valeski and Mr. Bowling, were both sent out on separate five-furlong works March 20 at Fair Grounds in preparation for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) on April 1.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
For the third consecutive year, Churchill Downs and NBC have partnered to give one person the chance to place a $100,000 win bet in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 5.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
A full field is possible for the $500,000 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (gr. III) March 24, Turfway Park officials said. The race highlights a four-stakes program at the Kentucky racetrack.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Haskin's Derby Dozen shifts with Gemologist, Optimizer and Secret Circle this week.
Undefeated colt likely will have his final Kentucky Derby prep at Aqueduct
Sunday, March 18, 2012
With a third straight Rebel Stakes (gr. II) victory sealed thanks to Secret Circle March 17, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was eagerly looking forward to the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) next month at Oaklawn Park.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Hansen breezed an easy half-mile at Churchill Downs' Trackside Training Center March 18, the first work for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender since his return to Kentucky.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) winner El Padrino breezed five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 March 18 at Palm Meadows for trainer Todd Pletcher as he approaches a start in the upcoming $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Secret Circle handed trainer Bob Baffert his third consecutive victory in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II), taking over from Scatman in mid-stretch and holding off a late run by longshot Optimizer to score the $500,000 event.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Favored Raconteur, under a vigorous ride from Chris DeCarlo, registered his first stakes win for trainer Todd Pletcher when he nipped Hakama by a head in the $76,500 Private Terms Stakes at Laurel Park March 17.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
The New York Racing Association has unveiled the logo for the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) which is to take place June 9.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Florida Derby favorite Union Rags went to the track at Palm Meadows Training Center the morning of March 17 for an easy five-furlong workout in preparation for his final Kentucky Derby prep.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Undefeated Gemologist got his 3-year-old campaign underway in sharp fashion at Gulfstream Park March 16, pulling away from grade I winner Currency Swap to win an allowance race by seven lengths.
Friday, March 16, 2012
The connections of Withers (gr. III) winner Alpha are still deciding what his next race will be. The Florida Derby, Wood Memorial, and now the Louisiana Derby are all viable options for the son of Bernardini.
Friday, March 16, 2012
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Looking to the future, the most interesting questions about Hansen's pedigree are his ability to stay the Kentucky Derby trip and his future prospects as a sire.
It could turn out to be a bust, but I picked my winner of the Grade II Rebel Stakes about two weeks ago.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Five of the top six finishers of the two divisions of last month's Southwest Stakes (gr. III) are back for $500,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II), which drew a competitive and jam-packed field of 13 3-year-olds.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Zayat Stables colt will make his second career start in grade II race at Hawthorne.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Tom and Jason handicap the Rebel Stakes and Santa Margarita Stakes this week.
Unbeaten 3-year-old colts Currency Swap and Gemologist will make their respective 2012 debuts in the third race March 16 at Gulfstream Park.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012The New York Racing Association and The Jockey Club announced that the June 7 Belmont Stakes Charity Celebration will benefit the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the Backstretch Employee Service Team.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Spring Hill Farm, who finished fourth in the March 10 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II), suffered a right knee fracture and will have surgery at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington March 14.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Calling it a "tease" with details to follow later, Churchill Downs Inc. chairman and CEO Robert Evans said March 13 the company plans to construct "The Mansion" at its flagship track in Louisville.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Eddie Woods is pumped up about the possibility that another graduate from his sale program, Union Rags, can become a classic winner just as Big Brown did.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Creative Cause, Dullahan and Bodemeister shift this week's Derby Dozen.
Bob Baffert-trained colt will be sidelined indefinitely with a hind end issue.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Evan Hammonds recaps the Tampa Bay Derby and San Felipe Stakes from the weekend.
Howe Great, a turf horse for now, held off Dullahan by one length to win the $150,000 Palm Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) as the 3-5 favorite on the Gulfstream Park lawn March 11.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Creative Cause established himself as the favorite for the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) when he came from off the pace to defeat favored Bodemeister in the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. I) March 10 at Santa Anita.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Willie Martinez and Trinniberg broke on top and never looked back en route to an easy front-running six-length victory in the $150,000 Swale Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park March 10.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Prospective landed a spot in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) when he outfought Golden Ticket in deep stretch to win the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) March 10.
Saturday, March 10, 2012Secret Circle and Castaway, expected to next run in the $500,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park, worked in company for trainer Bob Baffert March 10 at Santa Anita.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Steve discusses the fear of losing on the Derby trail.
Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (gr. II) winner Union Rags worked an easy half-mile at Palm Meadows the morning of March 10 as he continued to prepare for the March 31 Florida Derby (gr. I).
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Gotham Stakes (gr. III) winner Hansen wrapped up his week at Turfway Park with a paddock appearance the evening of March 9, but his majority owner reaffirmed that the colt will run next in New York, not Kentucky.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Take Charge Indy, second choice in the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) March 10, has been withdrawn from the race, trainer Pat Byrne confirmed.
Friday, March 09, 2012Trainer: Mike Harrington
Owner: Heinz Steinmann
Jockey: Joel Rosario
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