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No Breeders' Cup for Awesome Gem

Eight-year-old Awesome Gem, who has competed in the past four Breeders' Cups, will bypass the World Championships this year, according to West Point Thoroughbreds' website.

Game On Dude Determined Winner in Goodwood

In his return to Santa Anita, Game On Dude won for the first time since taking the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) in March, holding sway over late-running Awesome Gem in the $250,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) Oct. 1.

Baffert Enters Coil, Game On Dude in Goodwood

Trainer Bob Baffert hopes to move a step closer to winning his first Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) when he sends out grade I winners Coil and Game On Dude in the $250,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) Oct. 1 at Santa Anita.

Slideshow: The Week In Photos - Aug 23, 2011

Awesome Gem, Royal Delta, Summer Soiree, and more.

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Awesome Gem Sparkles Anew in Longacres Mile

Awesome Gem, the richest horse to ever race in Washington, was too much for local star Noosa Beach in the $200,000 Longacres Mile Handicap (gr. III) at Emerald Downs.

Favorites Stuck Outside in Longacres Mile

Defending champion Noosa Beach and leading challenger Awesome Gem drew the far outside posts in a field of 12 entered for Washington's $200,000 Longacres Mile (gr. III). The signature race at Emerald Downs is Aug. 21.

Baffert's 'Dudes' Abide in 1-2 Gold Cup Show

Two dudes from trainer Bob Baffert's barn proved better than heavy favorite Twirling Candy in the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) when First Dude came from off the pace to defeat Game On Dude by a nose July 9.

Hollywood Gold Cup - Predict the Order

Who will win the 2011 Hollywood Gold Cup? Will Awesome Gem repeat? Or will it be a Dude? Or will a Candy horse prevail? How will the rest finish?

Predict the Order

THS: Hollywood Gold Cup 2011

Jason, Evan and Les from TwinSpires.com handicap the Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park and Man o' War at Belmont Park.

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Twirling Candy Leads Hollywood Gold Cup Cast

Twirling Candy, considered the best of a so-so group of older handicap horses nationally in 2011, will have an opportunity to dazzle his critics as the favorite in the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) July 9.

Twirling Candy Draws Top Weight for Gold Cup

Twirling Candy, a stylish winner of the $150,000 Californian (gr. II) June 4, was assigned top weight of 122 pounds for the upcoming $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I).

Blind Luck Among 14 Gold Cup Nominees

Californian (gr. II) winner Twirling Candy, Santa Anita Handicap upsetter Game On Dude (gr. I), talented filly Blind Luck (gr. I), and defending titleholder Awesome Gem are among 14 nominees for the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I)

Headache Finds Relief in Cornhusker Triumph

Headache left favored Awesome Gem behind at the eighth pole and rolled to his first graded stakes win in the $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap (gr. III) at Prairie Meadows on the night of June 25.

Awesome Gem, Astrology in Iowa Stakes

With six stakes worth more than $1 million, Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino will hold its biggest racing weekend of the year June 24-25, highlighted by the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (gr. III).

Awesome Gem Sparkles Again in Lone Star 'Cap

Eight-year-old Awesome Gem registered his first win since last year's Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) when he edged past odds-on choice Game On Dude in the lane and posted a one-length victory in the Lone Star Park Handicap.

Game On Dude Meets 'Limit in Lone Star 'Cap

Game On Dude, trained by Bob Baffert, and Thiskyhasnolimit, from the Steve Asmussen barn, headline the $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III), the featured event on the Texas track's Memorial Day program May 30.

First Dude Wins Alysheba by a Slim Nose

First Dude beat a deep Alysheba Stakes field, claiming his second straight win of the year.

Grade I Winner Giant Oak Tops Alysheba

Giant Oak, winner of the Donn Handicap (gr. I) earlier this year, tops a field of 11 entered in the May 6 Alysheba Stakes (gr. III) that is part of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) undercard at Churchill Downs.

Meteore Fractures Ankle at Golden Gate

Grade II winner Meteore was euthanized after fracturing his right ankle in an allowance race at Golden Gate Fields April 2.

Awesome Gem 7-2 Choice in Marathon

West Point Thoroughbred's Awesome Gem was made the 7-2 morning line favorite for the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Marathon.

Top Mare Zenyatta Arrives at Churchill Downs

Accompanied by a police escort, a van carrying Zenyatta rolled into the stable area of Churchill Downs and stopped at Barn 41 at 12:07 p.m. ET Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Back to the Dirt: Compelling Breeders' Cup

The main focus this year, of course, will be on "Mighty Mare"--Zenyatta--who hopes to conclude her amazing career in the Classic with her 20th victory in as many starts, and the French femme fatale, Goldikova.

Awesome Gem Will Run in BC Marathon

West Point Thoroughbred didn't waste any time in pulling a switch with Awesome Gem and Tropic Storm, both of whom will run in their second preference races.

Twirling Candy Gets Acid Test in Goodwood

Unbeaten Twirling Candy attempts to become the third 3-year-old in the past four years to win the $250,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) Oct. 2, which would earn the colt a berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

Zenyatta, Blind Luck Among Lady's Secret Noms

Zenyatta, who has won all 18 of her starts for owners Jerry and Ann Moss and trainer John Shirreffs, is among 14 fillies and mares nominated to the $250,000 Lady's Secret Stakes Presented by TVG (gr. I).

Runnymede's Success Perfectly Timed for Sale

Catesby Clay's Runnymede Farm near Paris, Ky., has enjoyed a string of successes that could not have been more perfectly timed.

THS: Travers and Pacific Classic

Jason, Tom, and Les Instone of TwinSpires.com preview the Travers (gr.I) and Pacific Classic (gr.I).

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Awesome Gem Takes 4th Cut at Pacific Classic

Awesome Gem, the pride of the ownership syndicate West Point Thoroughbreds and trainer Craig Dollase, takes his record fourth shot at the $1 million Pacific Classic Presented by TVG (gr. I) as one of the favorites Aug. 28.

10 Entered in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar

The morning line favorite is The Usual Q.T., ridden by Victor Espinoza.

Bullet Works for Two Pacific Classic Starters

Richard's Kid worked a quick half-mile in :46 4/5 at Del Mar on Aug. 23 as he continued to prep for a defense of his title in the Aug. 28 $1 million Pacific Classic Presented by TVG.

Sidney's Candy to Pass Del Mar Derby

Trainer John Sadler said the morning of Aug. 15 it's not likely that Sidney's Candy, winner of the Aug. 14 La Jolla Handicap (gr. IIT) will run at Del Mar again this meet.

Awesome Gem Glitters in Big Gold Cup Finish

Veteran gelding Awesome Gem reached the pinnacle of his career when he rallied along the inside to upset odds-on favorite Rail Trip by a half-length in the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) July 10.

Haskin: More Gems

Although Awesome Gem has won only six of 35 starts in his career and was winless in 2008 and is winless this year, he has compiled a record that should make him one of the most endearing horses in the country.

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THS: The Hollywood Gold Cup

Jason, Tom, and Les Instone of twinspires.com preview the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) at Hollywood Park on July 10. Plus, picks for the Princess Rooney (gr. I).

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Rail Trip Seeks Gold Cup Repeat & Rare Sweep

Defending Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Rail Trip will carry top weight of 123 pounds when he attempts to become just the third multiple winner of the prestigious race in its 71-year history July 10 at Hollywood Park.

Redding Colliery Buries Lone Star 'Cap Foes

Redding Colliery disposed of pacesetter Euroears leaving the final turn and left his seven rivals far behind in capturing the $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III) for his first graded stakes victory May 31.

Mythical Power, Wasted Tears Top Texas Card

Seven stakes, including the $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap and the $200,000 Ouija Board Distaff Handicap (both gr. III), top Lone Star Million Day on May 31 at the Grand Prairie, Texas track.

Another 'Classic' Victory by Researcher

Kinross Corp.'s Researcher again played to the home crowd at Charles Town Races & Slots April 17 with a repeat victory in the Charles Town Classic, one of the richest races in the country for older horses.

A Tale of Two Classics for Awesome Gem?

West Point Thoroughbreds' Awesome Gem, no stranger to coast-to-coast travel, is back on the East Coast for a race his connections hope lay the groundwork for another try in the Breeders' Cup World Championships this year.

Researcher Goes For CT Classic Repeat

Researcher will try to win the $1 million Charles Town Classic for the second straight year, this time for his late owner, Herman Greenberg

Battle Plan Shows Way in New Orleans 'Cap

The impeccably bred Battle Plan lived up to his billing in the $300,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II), taking the field all the way in his stakes debut to defeat General Quarters by 1 1/2 lengths March 27 at Fair Grounds.

Awesome Gem Leads Spirited New Orleans 'Cap

Awesome Gem, the California-based gelding with recent success as an invader, has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line choice for the $300,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) March 27 at Fair Grounds.

Awesome Gem Ready For Another Season

Awesome Gem makes his first start since finishing seventh to Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) when he runs in the $250,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr. IT).

Tuscan Evening Stuck Outside in Kilroe Mile

Tuscan Evening, brilliant winner of eight of 12 starts since transferring to the United States last year, squares off against males for the first time in the $250,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park March 6.

Forget the Favorites, Gimme Some Prices

If there is one thing you can always count on in the Breeders' Cup it's that it will have it's share of longshot winners and mid-price overlays who get lost in the handicapping frenzy that is so much a part of the event.

Door Opened for El Gato Malo in Turf Sprint

El Gato Malo's owners had entered their Turf Sprint contender in an optional claiming race Nov. 5, fearing they would get shut out of the big dance. But a spot in the Turf Sprint came open and now they feel they have a shot.

Rip Van Winkle Fighting Another Foot Injury

Coolmore and trainer Aidan O'Brien took a chance by entering only Rip Van Winkle in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), despite the colt's history of foot problems, and now they could wind up without a horse in the race if Rip's most recent setback proves serious enough to force his withdrawal.

Classic Report: Some Final Angles

In looking at the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), several thoughts and angles emerged that could have a bearing on the race. While they may turn out to be mere folly, they are at least worth mentioning just to make sure all bases are covered and there is less of a chance of Monday morning quarterbacking.

Rip Could Have Eclipsed 'Stars'

There is no way of telling what might have been in any given race had circumstances been different. And it would be seem audacious to say that Rip Van Winkle was the best horse in the Coral Eclipse Stakes (Eng-I), won by Sea the Stars, but a close look at the race reveals several reasons why that statement might have validity.

Hawthorne Gold Cup: Awesome Gem Finds Luster

Southern California shipper Awesome Gem came from off the pace to run down Nite Light in deep stretch for a 1 1/4-length win in the $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (gr. II) at muddy Hawthorne Park Oct. 3.