Pin Oak Stables' multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Alternation remains in light training at Churchill Downs with Donnie Von Hemel, according to a May 22 press release.
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An unfortunate stumble at the start of the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) last month cost Fort Larned his seasonal debut, but the 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner is back in the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II).
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Charles J. Cella's Cyber Secret, a son of Broken Vow, edges pacesetter Golden Ron by a head in the March 9 Razorback Handicap (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park.
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Alternation drew the far outside post in a field of 10 for his attempt at a repeat victory in the $150,000 Razorback Handicap (gr. III) March 9 at Oaklawn Park.
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Oaklawn Park's 2013 meet opens Jan. 11 with a scheduled record purse structure, new veterinary examination policies and new claiming rules, an injury database to aid commission vets, and an influx of new racing talent.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Pool Play won for the first time since suffering a tendon tear last year, and picked a good race to do it. The 7-year-old son of Silver Deputy took the $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) at Hawthorne Oct. 6.
Saturday, October 06, 2012
Pin Oak Stable's homebred Alternation, winner of five of six starts this year, will make his first start in almost two months when he carries top weight in the $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup.
Wednesday, October 03, 2012
Pin Oak Stable's Alternation became a millionaire with a victory in the $200,000 Governor's Cup at Remington Park Aug. 11, but he had to work for it.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Alternation seeks redemption against a short field of four others in the $200,000 Governor's Cup Stakes at Remington Park Aug. 11, but Zayat Stables' speedy Prayer for Relief presents a challenge.
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
If the first three Breeders' Cup Challenge races were any indication, the road to the 29th Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 3 at Santa Anita (NBC 8-9 p.m. ET) is going to be one fun ride.
Tuesday, August 07, 2012
The 31st running of the 1 1/8-mile event sets up as a faceoff between two of the country's top older horses--Pin Oak Stable's Alternation and Morton Fink's Wise Dan.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Pin Oak Stable's Alternation grabbed the lead inside the eighth pole and held off the late charge of Nehro to win the May 18 Pimlico Special (gr. III) by a nose. The son of Distorted Humor covered 1 3/16 miles in 1:57.60.
Friday, May 18, 2012
The Pimlico Special (gr. III), returning to the Pimlico racing calendar after a three-year hiatus, has drawn a sold field of 10 handicap horses, headed by Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) winner Alternation.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Images from Oaklawn Park's 2012 Racing Festival of the South.
Alternation shocked a strong field in the $400,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) April 14 at Oaklawn Park, leading all the way for his third consecutive stakes win of the meet.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Recent grade I winners Hymn Book and Ron the Greek head a strong field of eight for the $400,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) April 14.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace tops the list of horses nominated to the stakes extravaganza that, along with the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), comprise the "Racing Festival of the South" at Oaklawn Park April 11-14.
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Alternation was allowed to take the lead heading into the first turn and never relinquished it, defeating 11-10 favorite Tapizar in the $125,000 Razorback Stakes (gr. III) March 10 at Oaklawn Park.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Win Willy is set for his first start since winning last year's Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II), returning to the Hot Springs, Ark., track for the $125,000 Razorback Handicap (gr. III) March 10.
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Pin Oak Stable's Alternation earned the Oaklawn stakes victory that eluded him last year when he authoritatively captured the $100,000 Essex Handicap Feb. 4.
Saturday, February 04, 2012
Pin Oak Stud's regally bred son of Distorted Humor, now 4, returns to Oaklawn ready to redeem himself in the $100,000 Essex Handicap where he was installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite and is the 118-pound high weight.
Friday, February 03, 2012
Redeemed notched his first victory in an added-money event, getting up in the final strides to take the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park Oct. 16.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Perfect in four starts this year, Zayat Stables' Prayer for Relief will try to pick off another lucrative stakes purse Oct. 16 when he leads a field of 12 in the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Jason, Tom and Evan from TwinSpires.com handicap the Super Derby from Louisiana Downs and the Kentucky Cup Turf S. at Kentucky Downs.
Led by grade II winners Alternation and Prayer for Relief, a well-rounded field of nine was drawn for $500,000 Super Derby (gr. II) Sept. 10 at Louisiana Downs.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Stay Thirsty finally grabbed his breakthrough win July 30 at Saratoga when he turned in a dominating performance in the $500,000 Jim Dandy (gr. II).
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Alternation leads a field of seven in the Jim Dandy (gr. II) and will face the rapidly improving Dominus as well as Belmont Stakes (gr. I) second and third-place finishers Stay Thirsty and Brilliant Speed.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Pin Oak Stable's homebred Alternation, winner of the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont May 14, is no longer under consideration for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), trainer Donnie Von Hemel announced May 29.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
After a frustrating couple of months, Pin Oak Stable's homebred Alternation redeemed himself with a hard-fought win in the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) May 14 at Belmont Park.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Jason, Tom and Evan from Twinspires.com reflect on the Kentucky Derby and handicap the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park.
Who will win the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II), and who will finish last? Will Joe Vann produce a Bold Deed, and say Adios Charlie? Or is it time for a Tap Attack from Beer Meister?
Illinois Derby (gr. III) winner Joe Vann and Jerome (gr. II) winner Adios Charlie lead a field of 11 for the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II), which returns to Belmont Park May 14 after a one-year hiatus.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The Factor has been installed as the solid 7-5 favorite in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) as 13 3-year-olds were entered for the $1 million race April 16.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Will The Factor reign again? It is rebound time for Brethren? Will Elite Alex break through?
Pin Oak Stable's Alternation pleased his connections April 2 with an under-control workout at Oaklawn Park as the 3-year-old colt attempts to prove his meltdown in the gate of the Rebel Stakes (gr. II) is behind him.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
J P's Gusto tries to take down The Factor in crowded Rebel Stakes.
The Factor ships in from California to take on a dozen rivals in a wide-open edition of the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
A large field, led by California shipper The Factor and Southwest (gr. III) winner Archarcharch, is expected for the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) March 19 at Oaklawn Park.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Caleb's Posse, winner of the Smarty Jones Stakes in January, breezed five furlongs March 12 at Oaklawn Park for regular jockey Eddie Razo Jr. in his final tune-up ahead the upcoming $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II).
Saturday, March 12, 2011
This is not about who is going to win the Kentucky Derby, as much as who so far has the look of a Derby winner--who is on track to peak on Derby Day, who looks eager to do more than they already have.
With just under two weeks until the $300,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II), several leading contenders based at Oaklawn Park posted workouts March 6.
Sunday, March 06, 2011
Two days after a rough running of the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park on Presidents' Day, connections for the top four finishers are making tentative plans to join the next dance in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II).
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The track at Oaklawn Park was busy Feb. 14, with some of the top contenders for the Feb. 21, $250,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) turning in their final workouts.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Over the past decade or so, racing has seen a new breed of owner enter the sport, many with a corporate philosophy.
Debuting this week is the Derby Dozen. But what are the chances even half of those horses listed will even make it to Churchill Downs? And what are the chances the Derby winner is among them?