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Orb Gallops; McGaughey Favorable on Belmont

Kentucky Derby winner Orb returned to the Belmont Park main track May 23 for the first time since his fourth-place finish in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), galloping a mile and pleasing trainer Shug McGaughey.

NY Senator Introduces Gaming Expansion Plan

Sen. John Bonacic, chairman of the New York Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, on May 23 introduced a measure to ban casinos on Long Island and New York City, except the borough of Queens.

Hessonite Tops Sheepshead Bay Stakes Lineup

Four strong turf fillies will tangle May 25 in the $200,000 Sheepshead Bay Stakes (gr. IIT) at Belmont Park. Hessonite, Strathnaver, Starformer, and Mystical Star all share status as 120-pound highweights in a field of eight.

Increased Fan Security Planned on Belmont Day

The New York Racing Association has revised its security policies and procedures for fans attending the 145th running of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 8.

Luzzi to Undergo Shoulder Surgery

Veteran jockey Mike Luzzi will undergo shoulder surgery for an injury he suffered May 10 and will be out for 12-18 weeks, the rider told the New York Racing Association May 19.

Spectacular Sky Aims to Make Vagrancy Grade

Three-time stakes winner Spectacular Sky will try to secure her first career graded stakes win when she faces five other fillies and mares in the $200,000 Vagrancy Handicap (gr. II) May 18 at Belmont.

Orb Comfortable at Classic Distances

Classice distances can be demanding on a 3-year-old. Shug McGaughey understands the rigors of a 1 1/4-mile race on a young horse, and has no doubt Orb was physically up to the challenge during his Derby victory May 4.

Slideshow: The Week in Photos for 5/5/2013

Orb, Goldencents, Itsmyluckyday, Verxina, Rafael Bejarano, Monmouth, Woodbine and more!

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Orb Works Sharp Half-Mile for Preakness

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Orb turned in a quick half-mile work in :47 1/5 at Belmont Park May 13 and was scheduled to ship to Pimlico Race Course later in the morning.

Orb Gallops; No Workout for Goldencents

Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable's Orb visited the Belmont Park paddock before galloping 1 1/2 miles on a sloppy surface May 12 and remained on schedule to ship to Maryland May 13.

Freedom Child Wins Peter Pan; Belmont Next

Everything finally went right for Freedom Child May 11 at Belmont Park. Romping in the slop by 13 1/4 lengths to take the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II), he punched his ticket to the June 8 Belmont (gr. I).

Orb Doing Well; Itsmyluckyday to Work

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Orb galloped 1 1/4 miles under exercise rider Jenn Patterson May 10 at Belmont Park in preparation for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 18 at Pimlico.

THS: Peter Pan Stakes

Tom LaMarra and Pete Denk handicap the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park this week. Are there any Belmont Stakes contenders in this field?

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Fear the Kitten Gets Chance in Peter Pan

Fear the Kitten will take on Bay Shore Stakes winner Declan's Warrior and Illinois Derby fourth-place finisher Abraham in the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park May 11.

Orb Returns to Training at Belmont Park

On a rainy May 8 morning at Belmont Park, Orb went to the racetrack for the first time since his victory in the Kentucky Derby. The Malibu Moon colt jogged a mile in preparation for the May 18 Preakness Stakes.

Pletcher Considers Fillies for Belmont Stakes

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who saddled filly Rags to Riches to victory in the 2007 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), is considering a pair of fillies he trains for this year's 1 1/2-mile classic at Belmont Park.

Live Lively, Davona Dale Winner, Euthanized

Grade II winner Live Lively, a 3-year-old Medaglia d'Oro filly owned by Lee Lewis, was euthanized May 4 after suffering fractures to both sesamoids in her left foreleg during a morning work at Belmont Park.

Late-Running Hessonite Takes Beaugay Stakes

Finally finding room outside, Hessonite accelerated late to win the Beaugay Stakes (gr. III) by three-quarters of a length May 4 at Belmont Park.

Lubash Wins Fort Marcy in Near-Record Time

New York-bred Lubash posted his first graded stakes win when he came from off the pace to win the Fort Marcy Stakes (gr. IIIT) in near course-record time May 4 at Belmont Park.

Dream Peace Favored in Beaugay

Last year's Diana Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Dream Peace is the 6-5 morning-line favorite in the Beaugay Stakes (gr. IIIT) May 4 at Belmont Park.

Flat Out Wins Westchester at Favorite Track

Two-time Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Flat Out reaffirmed his affinity for the Belmont Park surface April 27, winning the $150,000 Westchester Stakes (gr. III) by a hard-fought head.

Flat Out Takes on Seven Rivals in Westchester

Some prominent names -- including Flat Out and Pants On Fire -- are set to clash in the April 27 Westchester Stakes (gr. III) at Belmont Park.

Big Apple Triple to Carry $250,000 Bonus

A $250,000 bonus will be awarded to the connections of a horse that sweeps this year's Big Apple Triple, a series of races for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Belmont Park, Finger Lakes Racetrack, and Saratoga Race Course.

Haskin: E Train Rolling Toward Louisville

While many of the leading 3-year-olds were competing in the warm, sunny climes of Florida and Louisiana, a silent assassin was laying low up in the chilly confines of Belmont Park.

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Trainer Shirreffs to Try East Coast String

Trainer John Shirreffs will leave the West Coast to run a string at Belmont Park at the end of April, according to a March 20 report from the Los Angeles Times.

Site Prep - By Eric Mitchell

Breeders' Cup should take the uncertainty out of site selection.

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NYRA Unveils Redesigned Website

The New York Racing Association, Inc. has unveiled a redesigned website that the racing organization says is designed to be accessible for all visitors, regardless of their previous experience with racing.

NYRA Establishes Equine Safety Review Board

The New York Racing Association has established an equine safety review board to review and assess fatal equine racing and training injuries at the organization's racetracks: Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga.

Former Jockey Goberdhan Now a Trainer

Former jockey Chandradat "Punchie" Goberdhan will launch a training career with stalls at Belmont Park, the Guyana native said Feb. 8.

NY Senator: Consider Belmont Park for Casino

The New York Senate's top Republican wants Belmont Park to be included in the list of possible casino expansion locations.

Thoroughbred Owner Files Suit Against NYRA

Owner Jacob Haddad has filed a lawsuit against NYRA in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, seeking $500,000 and other damages to be determined at trial.

NYRA Registers Strong Handle Growth for Year

In its first full year receiving added money for purses from the Resorts World Casino New York City at Aqueduct Racetrack, the New York Racing Association registered strong pari-mutuel handle in 2012.

Dominguez Wins Fourth Straight NYRA Title

Two-time defending Eclipse champion jockey Ramon Dominguez won his fourth straight riding title on The New York Racing Association circuit while Rick Dutrow Jr. and David Jacobson emerged in a tie for leading trainer.

Photography Media Eclipse Award to Keyser

Keyser is first person to win Media Eclipse Awards in both writing and photography categories.

Jockey Dominguez Sidelined for Three Weeks

Top jock Ramon Dominguez will miss the next three weeks of racing after recently bruising his foot at Aqueduct Racetrack, his agent Steve Rushing said.

Total Handle Up, Attendance Down at Belmont

The New York Racing Association posted an 11.5% gain in total handle during the recently concluded Belmont Park fall meet, which ran 36 days from Sept. 8 to Oct. 28.

Hurricane Sandy Impacts Northeast Tracks

Initial reports suggest tracks across the Northeast suffered some damage and power outages as a result of Hurricane Sandy, but that damage was moderate compared with the devastation in the area.

Aqueduct to Open for Simulcasting Oct. 31

Aqueduct Racetrack will open for simulcasting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, while Belmont Park's simulcast facilities will remain closed for the day due to ongoing power outages as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Aqueduct, Belmont Simulcast Closed Oct. 29-30

Belmont Park and Aqueduct Racetrack will be closed for simulcasting Monday, Oct. 29, and Tuesday, Oct. 30 in anticipation of heavy rain and high winds as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Mott's BC Quartet Among Belmont Workouts

Bill Mott sent his quartet of Breeders' Cup hopefuls out for their final works Oct. 28, with Royal Delta (:48.96), To Honor and Serve (:47.72) and Flat Out (:48.01) all turning in half-miles.

Buffum Sprints to Victory in Bold Ruler

Godolphin Racing's Buffum came out running and never stopped as he posted a gate-to-wire score in the $150,000 Bold Ruler Handicap (gr. III) at Belmont Park Oct. 27.

Afleeting Lady Fleet to the 'Turnback' Wire

Afleeting Lady had things her way in the Turnback the Alarm Handicap (gr. III) at Belmont Park as she raced slightly off the pace set by All Due Respect before drawing clear in the final furlong to win by 3 1/2 lengths,

Grade III Stakes On Belmont's Closing Weekend

Closing weekend at Belmont Park is highlighted by a pair of grade III races, with both the $150,000 Bold Ruler Handicap and the $150,000 Turnback the Alarm Handicap for fillies and mares set for Oct. 27.

Belle of the Hall Targets Filly & Mare Sprint

West Point Thoroughbreds' 5-year-old mare Belle of the Hall will head to California for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 3, the partnership group announced Oct. 23.

Awesome Feather On Target for Ladies Classic

Trainer Chad Brown sent out undefeated Awesome Feather Oct. 21 at Belmont Park for her penultimate morning work prior to an expected start in the 1 1/8-mile Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I).

Lunar Victory Hangs Tough in Empire Classic

Lunar Victory and Saratoga Snacks were the favorite and second choice, respectively, in the $250,000 Empire Classic at Belmont Park Oct. 20--and they ran that way.

Hymn Book Returns to Winning Ways

Donn Handicap (gr. I) winner Hymn Book returned to winning ways Oct. 19, taking the $80,750 Frank "Pancho" Martin Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths in the slop at Belmont Park.

Empire Classic Features Top New York-Breds

A field of nine, including the 3-year-old filly Haldane, will contest the 1 1/8-mile event in which 5-year-old Lunar Victory is the 8-5 favorite to pick up his fifth win in six 2012 starts for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Mott's Breeders' Cup Horses Getting to Work

Trainer Bill Mott sent out Royal Delta and two of his three contenders in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) for workouts at Belmont Park Oct. 13.

La Cloche Comes With Late Kick in Athenia

Phillips Racing Partnership's homebred La Cloche, a half sister to Winter Memories, came flying with a tremendous late kick to win the $150,000 Athenia Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Belmont Park Oct. 13.