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Haskin's Preakness Recap: Ox Tale

You don't witness it very often, but one of those cheering the loudest for D. Wayne Lukas and Oxbow in the final quarter mile of the May 18 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) was one of his opponents in the race.

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Lukas Points Oxbow to Belmont Stakes

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, his Preakness (gr. I) winner Oxbow, and the rest of his nine-horse contingent this week at Pimlico Race Course were on the highway before dawn May 19 heading back to their base at Churchill Downs.

Looking at Fresh Contenders in the Preakness

From a field of 19 for the Kentucky Derby, the runners now number nine for the Preakness. This year Departing, Titletown Five, and Govenor Charlie opted to forego the Run for the Roses to chase black-eyed Susans instead.

Preakness Preview: Orb is Everyone's Target

Can the Kentucky Derby winner hold off eight challengers -- including five wheeling back from that race two weeks ago -- in the May 18 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico? Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey thinks so.

Fiftyshadesofhay Prevails in Black-Eyed Susan

Jockey Joel Rosario's remarkable run continued May 17 when he cleverly brought Fiftyshadesofhay from off the pace to win the $500,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) at Pimlico Race Course.

Baffert: Orb Win Would be a Boost for Racing

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert says that a victory by Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Orb in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) would be a major boost to horse racing.

Preakness: Bob Baffert

Bob Baffert talks about Govenor Charlie and Orb.

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Govenor Charlie Gets First Gallop at Pimlico

Sunland Derby (gr. III) winner Govenor Charlie had a routine first morning at Pimlico Race Course May 16, going to the track shortly after 6 o'clock for some exercise.

All Systems Go for Govenor Charlie, Others

Mike Pegram's Govenor Charlie, remains on course for a start in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), trainer Bob Baffert said May 14. "He came out of his work really, really well," said Baffert. "We are prepared to go."

Into Mischief Colt Brings $320K at Barretts

A colt by Into Mischief out of group II winner Smolensk brings a final bid of $320,000 from trainer Bob Baffert to top the early portion of the Barretts May sale May 13 in Pomona, Calif.

Bejarano Rolls to 3,000th North American Win

Jockey Rafael Bejarano earned the 3,000th North American victory of his career when 1-2 favorite Ondine rolled to an easy victory in the first race May 11 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Liaison Makes Winning Move in Mervyn LeRoy

Liaison disposed of favored Blueskiesnrainbows coming off the far turn and lengthened stride impressively through the stretch to take the Mervyn Leroy Handicap (gr. II) handily May 4 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Balanced Field Meets Liaison in Mervyn LeRoy

Liaison returns to the scene of the biggest victory of his career when he battles six other well-matched older horses at Betfair Hollywood Park in the $150,000 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (gr. II) May 4.

Kentucky Derby News Minute - 4/30/2013

Lenny Shulman discusses which Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders appeared on the track today, when Lines of Battle is expected to arrive, and the weather forecast this weekend.

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Trainer Baffert to Sit Out Kentucky Derby 139

Three-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert said April 29 he will not have a starter in this year's classic, noting that none of the contenders he had early in the season would be competitive in the race.

Bob Baffert on Not Having Any Derby Horses

Bob Baffert discusses not having any horses running in the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

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Haskin's Derby Report: Orb Catches the Eye

It didn't take the eagle eye of Bob Baffert long to zero in on Orb, who has flourished since arriving at Churchill Downs.

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Kentucky Derby - Bob Baffert 4/28/2013

Hall of Fame trainer on the works of Kentucky Oaks (gr.I) contender Midnight Lucky and potential Kentucky Derby (gr.I) contender Code West, as well as the gallop of Govenor Charlie.

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Kentucky Derby News Minute - 4/28/2013

Steve Haskin brings you the calm after the storm of workouts with works and new arrivals Goldencents and Itsmyluckyday on the track today. Steve also gives you the work tab for the rest of the week.

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Baffert On Fence with Derby Contenders

Trainer Bob Baffert sent out Kentucky Oaks hopeful Midnight Lucky and potential Kentucky Derby starter Code West together April 28 at Churchill Downs. He expects to make a call April 29 on his Derby starters.

Surfcup Gets First Stakes Win in Snow Chief

The winner is a homebred for Don Dizney, who also bred and raced the winner's dam and granddam.

Santa Anita Registers Increased Handle

The Arcadia, Calif., track received final handle figures for its winter-spring meeting April 25. Handle improved 3% to $710,813,700. That increase came during a first quarter that saw U.S. handle decline 2.81%.

Capo Bastone Returns to Dirt in Derby Trial

Capo Bastone will try to nail down the first stakes win of his career when the Street Boss colt faces an expected eight other 3-year-olds in the $175,000 Derby Trial Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs.

Super Ninety Nine, Den's Legacy: No KY Derby

Trainer Bob Baffert has confirmed that Super Ninety Nine and Den's Legacy are no longer under consideration for the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 4 at Churchill Downs.

Stallion Captain Steve Dies in Japan

Captain Steve, the 2001 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, died April 21 in Japan as a result of acute heart failure.

Oxbow Heads Monday's Derby, Oaks Workers

In search of his fifth Kentucky Derby (gr. I) victory, trainer D. Wayne Lukas sent out Oxbow for a five-furlong breeze Monday, April 22, at Churchill Downs.

$1M Payday for Game On Dude in CT Classic

Game On Dude earned $1 million the evening of April 20, but he had to work hard for it in the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

Sky Kingdom Tries Turf in San Juan Capistrano

Sky Kingdom showed his staying ability with an easy win in the Tokyo City Cup last month, so now's the time to find out if he can transfer that same success to the turf in the $150,000 San Juan Capistrano Handicap April 21.

Govenor Charlie OK, Heading to Churchill

Mike Pegram's Govenor Charlie, record-breaking winner of the Sunland Derby (gr. III), is scheduled to be shipped to Churchill Downs April 18 after a brief visit to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky.

Book Review, Holiday Soiree Meet Again

In 2012, Book Review swept from eighth place past a game Holiday Soiree to win the $400,000 Charles Town Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. A year later, those two will rumble again April 20 in the $200,000 Sugar Maple Stakes.

Game On Dude, Ron the Greek in CT Classic

Game On Dude and Ron the Greek, two of the top older horses in training, are among the seven horses entered in the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) April 20.

Baffert: 'Deaths are Personally Troubling'

Trainer Bob Baffet said his team is working with the state of California to find the causes behind sudden deaths in his barn.

CHRB: No Spike in Sudden Deaths

Officials with the California Horse Racing Board vigorously contested reports that the state has seen any spike or even a significant increase in the number of sudden death cases statewide.

Baffert Horses Big Part of Sudden Death Spike

Sudden deaths in California from cardiac failure rose from six in fiscal year 2011 to 11 over the same period in 2012. Seven of the horses were in Bob Baffert's barn; a cause has not been determined.

War Academy 2-1 Favorite in Arkansas Derby

War Academy has been installed as the 2-1 favorite in a field of 10 3-year-olds entered for the 77th running of the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) April 13 at Oaklawn Park.

Flashback Off Derby Trail with Knee Chip

Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) runner-up has small chip in his right knee and will be sent to Rood and Riddle April 10 to have the chip removed, trainer Bob Baffert said April 7.

'Comma,' Creed Head Strong Potrero Grande

Comma to the Top, Jimmy Creed, and Camp Victory all bring grade I victories into the Potrero Grande (gr. II) at Santa Anita, vying to become the West Coast's top sprinter.

Flashback, 'Ghost Inside in Santa Anita Derby

Flashback and Hear the Ghost, the two favorites for this year's $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) April 6, drew the inside post positions in a field of nine 3-year-olds.

Beholder Faces Five in Santa Anita Oaks

Two-year-old filly champion of 2012 Beholder will be the heavy favorite when she faces five foes in the April 6 Santa Anita Oaks for Spendthrift Farm and Richard Mandella.

Liaison Shows His Fire in Santa Anita Return

Idle since he was well beaten in the Travers Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 25, Liaison came back running in the $71,500 Santana Mile March 31, defeating favored Midnight Transfer by a half-length at Santa Anita Park.

Quick Drill for Power Broker at Santa Anita

Power Broker, one of three likely starters for trainer Bob Baffert in the April 6 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), worked four furlongs in company the morning of March 31 in :47 2/5.

Revolutionary Leads 14 in Louisiana Derby

WinStar Farm's Revolutionary, winner of the Withers Stakes (gr. III), has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite in a field of 14 for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) March 30 at Fair Grounds.

Flashback, Orb Work for Final Derby Preps

Both colts will be among the favorites for the Santa Anita and Florida Derbys.

Govenor Charlie Charges to Sunland Derby Win

Fast-developing Govenor Charlie became the latest colt to jump into the Triple Crown fray when the Bob Baffert trainee dominated eight 3-year-old opponents in winning the $800,000 Sunland Derby (gr. III) March 24.

Midnight Lucky Looks Mighty in Sunland Oaks

Trainer Bob Baffert grabbed his fifth win in the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks when short-price favorite Midnight Lucky left the field behind on the far turn en route to an eight-length win March 24 in New Mexico.

Sky Kingdom Reigns Supreme in Tokyo City Cup

Sky Kingdom, on the comeback trail for trainer Bob Baffert, spurted away from challenger Oilisblackgold in the stretch to easily record his first stakes victory in the marathon Tokyo City Cup (gr. III) at Santa Anita Park.

Baffert Seeks to Add to Sunland Oaks Success

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will be seeking to add to his four victories in the Sunland Park Oaks when he sends impressive maiden winner Midnight Lucky in the $200,000 race March 24 at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino.

Shakin It Up Stretches Out for Sunland Derby

Shakin It Up and Govenor Charlie looking for valuable 50 points in 1 1/8-mile test.

Game On Dude Pointed to Charles Town Classic

Trainer Bob Baffert plans to run two-time Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) winner Game On Dude in the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) April 20, according to the Santa Anita Park publicity office.

War Academy Ready for Big Test, Baffert Says

With his dominating 3 1/2-length allowance score going 1 1/16 miles March 15, War Academy is ready to join the Derby party, according to both Bob Baffert and Mike Smith.