Distorted Humor, who ranks second on this year's leading sire's list, has undergone a cut in his stud fee. He will stand in 2010 for $100,000, down from $150,000 in 2009.
6 days ago
The 2009 stud fees for WinStar and Taylor Made/WinStar Venture stallions standing at WinStar Farm, near Versailles, Ky., were announced Nov. 6. In a departure from the general trend of declining stud fees, the fee for Tiznow will rise from $30,000 to $75,000 for 2009.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
The annual November breeding stock sale is a showcase of first-crop weanling sires. Below is a random sampling of comments about the new sires and their weanlings.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
One of the most-watched sectors of the fall mixed auction market is the sales record for broodmares in foal to stallions that stood their first seasons this year.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Jockey Ramon Dominguez scored the 3,000th victory of his relatively young career when he rode Astor Park to win the fifth race at Delaware Park on May 9.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
It comes as no surprise that trainer Todd Pletcher, a multiple record setter in 2006, will collect a third well-deserved Eclipse Award for his efforts.
Monday, January 22, 2007
A breeding to multiple grade I winner Bernardini has been added to the stellar roster of seasons to be included in the Thoroughbred Charities of America's stallion season auction beginning on Nov. 27.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Trainer Todd Pletcher has elected to include his personal "package" of stallion seasons for 2007 in the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) Stallion Season and Art Auction, which will begin Nov. 27 and conclude with a live auction at Dec. 1. The live auction will be conducted by Fasig Tipton auctioneers.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Bluegrass Cat, a twice classic-placed grade I winner, will begin his stallion career in 2007 for a fee of $50,000 at Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky.
Monday, October 16, 2006
A record-high $2.5 million stakes program for the 2006-2007 meet at Tampa Bay Downs features purse increases for five of 26 stakes races, including the track's key Kentucky Derby prep races, the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) and Sam F. Davis Stakes.
Friday, September 22, 2006
WinStar Farm's Bluegrass Cat, runner-up in Saturday's Travers Stakes (gr. I), has been retired after x-rays taken Sunday morning revealed a fractured right hind pastern.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Very few thought any of his five rivals had much of a shot at beating Bernardini at equal weights in Saturday's 137th Travers (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course. But this appeared so effortless that jockey Javier Castellano was clapping the winner on the neck -- with a sixteenth of a mile to go!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Darley Stable's Bernardini, winner of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and Jim Dandy (gr. II), was installed as the even-money favorite when seven 3-year-olds were entered Wednesday for Saturday's $1-million Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Tom Albertrani is entering the fourth weekend of August with a huge bull's-eye on his back. The trainer will send out Balletto in the Personal Ensign (gr. I) Friday and the following afternoon will saddle Songster and Bernardini in the King's Bishop (gr. I) and Travers Stakes (gr. I), respectively.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Trainer Todd Pletcher gave his Travers (gr. I) contenders Bluegrass Cat and High Cotton workouts at Saratoga Saturday.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Darley Stable's Bernardini, the expected favorite for the $1-million Travers Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 26, turned in a strong five furlong breeze in 1:00 3/5 at Saratoga Thursday, the second fastest of 20 works at the distance.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Darley Stable's Bernardini, runaway winner of the Preakness (gr. I) and Jim Dandy (gr. II), breezed an easy five furlongs in 1:03 2/5 at Saratoga Friday in preparation for the $1-million Travers Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 26.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Elliott Walden, racing manager for WinStar Farm, breeder and owner of Bluegrass Cat, said Wednesday that the colt will run next in the Travers (gr. I) on Aug. 26.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Bluegrass Cat, the runaway winner of yesterday's Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park, is already back in Saratoga Springs. Although it's hard to envision Bluegrass Cat skipping Saratoga's grade I, $1 million Travers, presented by New York Lottery on Aug. 26, the colt's trainer, Todd Pletcher, was non-committal Monday.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Even-money favorite Bluegrass Cat, winless since taking the Sam F. Davis in February, demolished the field in Sunday's $1,030,000 Haskell Invitational with devastating late burst.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
If any 3-year-old is going to head to the Aug. 26 Travers Stakes (gr. I) with a legitimate shot to knock off the Bernardini, he will have to show what he's made of in Sunday's $1-million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
A double dose of "Road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships – Powered by Dodge" is on tap this weekend with live racing Saturday and Sunday on ESPN from 5-6 p.m. (EST).
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said there's a "90% chance" West Point Thoroughbreds' Flashy Bull would compete in the $1-million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park instead of the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. III) at Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort. Both races at 1 1/8 miles are scheduled for Aug. 6.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Joseph LaCombe's Deputy Glitters is one of eight considered likely for this Sunday's Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, and trainer Tom Albertrani is ready for Deputy Glitters to take his next step as he returns to grade I competition in the 1 1/8-mile event.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Bernardini, Bluegrass Cat, and Strong Contender, three of the main headliners for the July 29 Jim Dandy (gr. II) and Aug. 6 Haskell Invitational (gr. I), turned in sharp breezes at Belmont Park Monday.
Monday, July 24, 2006
The second season for 3-year-olds promises to be an exciting one, with a talented group of colts made up of seasoned Triple Crown veterans and budding superstars converging on the $1-million Travers Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 26 at Saratoga.
Monday, June 19, 2006
You'd never know Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winning trainer Kiaran McLaughlin slept a whole four hours Saturday night. McLaughlin was bright-eyed and all smiles Sunday morning as he sat in his office and talked about Jazil's victory.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Jockey Fernando Jara, an 18-year-old native of Panama, patiently guided Shadwell Stable's Jazil from the rail to the outside and outdueled Bluegrass Cat to win Saturday's 138th running of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) by 1 1/4 lengths.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
After missing his mount aboard Bluegrass Cat in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with a broken shoulder blade, John Velazquez is looking forward to riding the colt in the $1 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) Saturday.
Friday, June 09, 2006
There are nine -- count 'em,
nine -- horses who can win Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), and it wouldn't come as a major surprise. What that means is that you can safely disregard the experts, speed figures, or any other handicapping tool and just hope the horse or horses you choose are in top shape to go a mile and a half.
Friday, June 09, 2006
The field for the 138th running of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) has been drawn, and now it is time for the strategies to be finalized and for a new star to emerge on the 3-year-old scene.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Under the watchful eye of trainer Bob Baffert, Belmont Stakes (gr. I) contender Bob and John and Woody Stephens Breeders' Cup (gr. II) favorite Too Much Bling both galloped easily over the muddy Belmont Park track Thursday morning.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Jockey John Velazquez said he feels blessed to be back in the saddle so soon after suffering serious injuries during a race at Keeneland in April. He also is looking forward forward to piloting Bluegrass Cat, who was made the 3-1 morning-line favorite, in Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Thursday, June 08, 2006
With each failed Triple Crown attempt comes an outcry from racing fans and horsemen that the structure of the Triple Crown needs changing. If it is the horses' safety and longevity that is the impetus for their comments, then no one can take issue with them. If, however, it is based on the fact that we have gone 28 years without a Triple Crown winner and racing desperately needs a horse to finally win all three races, that's a different matter.
Monday, June 05, 2006
While some trainers altered their plans Monday after unexpected overnight rainfall in New York, two Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-olds completed their final preparations for Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Monday, June 05, 2006
Jazil, who dead-heated for fourth in the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), is scheduled to breeze a half-mile Monday morning in preparation for the June 10 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). He was one of several probable starters that are expected to work Monday.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Jockey John Velazquez returned a winner in his first start since being sidelined in an April 20 racing accident at Keeneland when he piloted Mr Sam I Am to a 2 3/4-length win for trainer Todd Pletcher in Belmont Park's fourth race on Friday.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey John Velazquez, who is scheduled to ride in his first race Friday since recovering from injuries suffered at Keeneland in April, says he will be at full strength by June 10 when he rides WinStar Farm's Bluegrass Cat in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Bluegrass Cat, the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner up to Barbaro, breezed five furlongs over Belmont's main track Sunday morning in 1:00.30.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Bluegrass Cat, the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner up to Barbaro, breezed five furlongs over Belmont's main track Sunday morning in 1:00.30.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Yes, there still is another leg of the Triple Crown to be run. Although the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on June 10 has lost its star appeal with the absence of Barbaro and Bernardini, it is still a classic, and a grueling one at that, and should at least be a competitive race, offering interesting possibilities for bettors.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Colonial Downs' early closing of their twin million dollar 3-year old turf races -- the Colonial Turf Cup and the Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) --have drawn 107 nominations, including Barbaro, Bluegrass Cat and Steppenwolfer, top three finishers in the Kentucky Derby Presneted by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Back in January, before Barbaro had ever run on the dirt, Michael Matz was asked if he knew where the name Barbaro came from. He called to assistant trainer Peter Brette: "Hey, Peter, what does the name Barbaro mean?" Brette didn't hesitate with his answer: "Kentucky Derby winner."
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
A compilation of daily notes from Churchill Downs on the competitors in this year's Kentucky Derby.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
As trainer Michael Matz savored Saturday's impressive victory by Lael Stables' Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainers of the horses that finished behind the son of Dynaformer reflected Sunday morning on what went wrong and what lies ahead.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
No horse had won the Kentucky Derby with a five-week or longer layoff since Needles 50 years ago. But Barbaro showed how special he is by remaining undefeated and winning the 132nd running of the race by a wide margin.
Saturday, May 06, 2006
A daily update on the candidates for the May 6 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Even with two definite contenders going into the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainer Todd Pletcher remained calm and collected May 3, giving out instructions to exercise riders from his pony in the final countdown to the big day.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
A daily update on the candidates for the May 6 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
It took a week, but we finally have works...and works...and works. In what has to be a one-day record, a dozen Derby horses were on the work tab on a mild, drizzly Saturday morning, and we had a little bit of everything, from Lawyer Ron's sizzling five-furlong drill to a mixed bag of six-furlong works.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
