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Haskell Winner Paynter Showing Improvement

The condition of Zayat Stables' Paynter, who suffered a recurrence of an illness that kept him out of the Travers Stakes (gr. I), was improved the morning of Aug. 29, according to noted veterinarian Mark Cheney.

Zayat's Paynter Sent to Saratoga Clinic

Zayat Stables' Paynter, winner of the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park, has suffered a recurrence of the illness that kept him out of the Aug. 25 Travers Stakes (gr. I).

Capital Account, Coil One-Two in Pat O'Brien

Capital Account and Coil gave trainer Bob Baffert a one-two finish in the $250,000 Pat O'Brien Stakes (gr. II) at Del Mar Aug. 26.

Contested Aces Test Stakes

Contested overcame a flat-footed start and closed from slightly off the pace to win the $500,000 Test Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 25, nabbing her second grade I victory in New York this year.

Camp Victory, Coil to Battle in Pat O'Brien

Featherston, Jacobsen, and Miller's Camp Victory, second in last year's Pat O'Brien Stakes (gr. II), will try again versus five others in the race when it is renewed Aug. 26 at Del Mar.

Baffert 'Moving Forward' in Pacific Classic

The Aug. 26 edition of the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar is about more than a trophy for trainer Bob Baffert, who last week lost two-time Classic winner Richard's Kid in a swiftly-orchestrated sale.

Contested Attempts to Rebound in Test Stakes

Contested, a grade I winner who was last in her most recent start, will attempt to regain winning form and earn her most lucrative victory to date when competing in the $500,000 Test Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 25 at Saratoga.

Classic-Placed Bodemeister Retired

Bodemeister, who thrilled race fans with his speed while placing in both the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) has been retired. He will enter stud at WinStar Farm.

Final Works Posted by Travers Candidates

Travers Stakes (gr. I) candidates Nonios, Liaison, Atigun, and Stealcase put in final works Aug. 19. The $1 million Travers, at 1 1/4 miles, is Aug. 25 at Saratoga Race Course.

Richard's Kid Purchased, Transferred to Mora

Leading TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) contender Richard's Kid was sold privately Aug. 18 and has been transferred from the barn of Bob Baffert to Leandro Mora and Doug O'Neill a week before the renewal of the $1 million race.

Bodemeister Sent to Kentucky for Evaluation

Grade I winner Bodemeister has been sent to WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky.,and will be evaluated by Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in the coming days, WinStar president Elliott Walden confirmed.

Pacific Classic Field Begins to Take Shape

The field for Del Mar's $1 million TVG Pacific Classic, the fourth of six "Win and You're In" races for the Breeders' Cup Classic, is beginning to come together.

Liaison, Stealcase Work for Travers

Grade I winner Liaison figures to be Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's lone representative in the $1 million Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. 25.

Paynter Arrives at Belmont

Haskell Invitational (gr. I) winner Paynter arrived at Belmont Park Aug. 10 from New Jersey and will be monitored to see if he can make the Aug. 25 Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course.

'Executive' Sweet in Sorrento

Executiveprivilege runs to her 2-5 backing facing seven 2-year-old fillies in Del Mar's Sorrento Stakes, defeating Speedthruthecity by 1 1/4 lengths.

Executiveprivilege Faces Eight in Sorrento

Executiveprivilege, perfect in two starts including an easy victory in the Landaluce Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park last month, will be a solid favorite in the $150,000 Sorrento Stakes (gr. III) at Del Mar Aug. 8.

Haskell Winner Paynter Spikes Temperature

Two days after winning the Haskell Invitational (gr. I), Zayat Stables' Paynter remained at Monmouth Park with a slight fever that prevented him from shipping back to trainer Bob Baffert's base in Southern California.

Hangin' With Haskin: Power Up Paynter

Once upon a time there were two horses named MC's Dream and Bradleberry. Both were potential stars, showing great promise from the time they were mere tots.

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Paynter Brushes Aside Rivals in Haskell Romp

Bouncing back from a heart-breaking loss in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) last month, Paynter romped to victory in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) July 29 at Monmouth Park for trainer Bob Baffert.

Richard's Kid Dominates Rivals in Cougar II

Odds-on choice Richard's Kid gave every indication he's ready to try for a third win in the Pacific Classic (gr. I) with an impressive turn of foot to capture the Cougar II Handicap (gr. III) in track record time at Del Mar.

Haskell Winner Coil Scores at Del Mar

Coil, one of the top 3-year-olds in America last year but unraced since October, showed he hasn't lost a step in the meantime with an authoritative victory in a $78,000 allowance/optional claiming race at Del Mar July 26.

Paynter Heads $1 Million Haskell Invitational

Five other contenders line up for their shot at a $1 million purse, joining the Bob Baffert trainee in trying to bring excitement to a summer season lacking major 3-year-old stars.

San Diego Attracts Take Control, Son of Azeri

Take Control, the first foal out of 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri, will make his second start after a layoff of 2 1/2 years in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) July 28 at Del Mar.

Eden's Moon Rises to San Clemente Challenge

Trainer Bob Baffert wanted to experiment with the inconsistent filly Eden's Moon on turf and his hunch paid off when the odds-on choice led from the start to take the $150,000 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) at Del Mar.

Gutierrez Teams With Handsome Mike in Haskell

Derby and Preakness-winning jockey joins O'Neill and Reddam again for $1 million race July 29 at Monmouth Park.

Eden's Moon Makes Turf Debut in San Clemente

Making her career debut on turf, grade I winner Eden's Moon is the 121-pound high weight in an evenly-matched group of 3-year-old fillies entered for the $150,000 San Clemente Handicap (gr. IIT) at Del Mar July 22.

Paynter, Gemologist Work for Haskell

Belmont Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Paynter and Wood Memorial (gr. I) winner Gemologist each posted bullet works this week in advance of the 1 1/8-mile Haskell Invitational (gr. I) to be held at Monmouth Park July 29.

Baffert, Bejarano Top Hollywood Park Ranks

Trainer Bob Baffert easily won his second spring/summer training title in a row at Betfair Hollywood Park while jockey Rafael Bejarano was the dominant rider at the 50-day stand that ended July 15.

Bodemeister to Skip Haskell; Hansen Likely

Zayat Stables' grade I-winning 3-year-old colt Bodemeister has spiked a fever and will skip the July 29 Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park.

Executiveprivilege Takes Control in Landaluce

Trainer Bob Baffert describes Executiveprivilege as "pretty special" and it was easy to see why after her impressive 3 1/4-length tally in the $150,000 Landaluce Stakes at Betfair Hollywood Park July 14.

And They're Off Summer Sizzling Edition

Lenny and Steve look at the older horses, tie up some loose ends, salute Joey Chestnut, and present the Top 10 Reasons why Bob Baffert is winning again. Sponsored by Darby Dan Farm.

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Hollywood Gold Cup: No Denying Dude This Time

Odds-on choice Game On Dude repelled a major challenge from stablemate Richard's Kid to make Chantal Sutherland the first female jockey to win the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) July 7 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Steady Blueskiesnrainbows Wires Swaps Stakes

There weren't a lot of fireworks in the $150,000 Swaps Stakes (gr. II) as Blueskiesnrainbows dictated an even tempo and held on gamely for his first stakes victory in the Independence Day feature at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Game On Dude Faces Six in Hollywood Gold Cup

Game On Dude seeks the third grade I victory of his career in the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup July 7 at Betfair Hollywood Park, a race he lost by a nose last year.

Nonios Battles Liaison Again in Swaps Stakes

After upsetting Liaison in the Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) at 15-1 odds one month ago, Nonios will face his rival once again in the $150,000 Swaps Stakes (gr. II), the Independence Day feature at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Azeri's First Foal Wins Comeback at Hollywood

Returning for his first start in more than 2 1/2 years, Take Control, the first foal out of 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri, was a sharp winner June 30 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Game On Dude Heads Hollywood Gold Cup Noms

Game On Dude, an easy winner of the Californian Stakes (gr. II) June 2, tops 13 nominees to the $500,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I).

OBS April Sale Topper Wins Career Debut

Executiveprivilege, who brought $650,000 in April to top the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. spring sale of 2-year-olds in training, made her career debut a winning one.

Believe You Can Heads Slim Mother Goose Field

Grade I event at Belmont Park is filly's first start for trainer Larry Jones since Oaks score; Acorn winner Contested challenges with four-race win streak on the line.

Contested Set for Mother Goose After 6F Drill

Contested, a five-length winner of the Acorn Stakes (gr. I), posted her final workout prior to the June 23 Mother Goose (gr. I), traveling six furlongs in 1:11.97 on the Belmont Park main track June 17.

Horsemen React to New Derby Qualifying System

Trainers and owners share mixed opinions on the points-based system that will be implemented this fall for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks in 2013, but all agree the newly-announced system could use some tweaking.

Paynter Threw Shoe in Belmont, Baffert Says

Trainer Bob Baffert, who is making plans to return Paynter to New York this summer, said his valiant Belmont Stakes (gr. I) runner-up lost a shoe during the June 9 race at Belmont Park.

Slideshow: Belmont Stakes 144

View the excitement of Belmont Stakes 144.

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Richard's Kid Posts Smart Win in U.S. Return

Multiple grade I winner Richard's Kid was victorious in his first start in the United States in more than 20 months, romping by 7 1/4 lengths at Betfair Hollywood Park in the $71,650 Prove It Stakes on the night of June 8.

Belmont Stakes Interview: Bob Baffert

Lenny Shulman talks with Bob Baffert about Paynter, his Belmont Stakes contender, including how he got his name and his prospects for the race. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm.

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Spoil Sports: Hofmans, Walden Ended TC Bids

Though trainers David Hofmans and Elliott Walden ended historic bids, they'll be rooting for I'll Have Another to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

On Location: Bob Baffert at Belmont Park

Bob Baffert talks about his Belmont contender, Paynter.

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Zayat Hopes Paynter is His Masterpiece

Ahmed Zayat has come close repeatedly in racing's 3-year-old classics, including with Bodemeister in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. He hopes Paynter can put him over the top in the Belmont Stakes.

Belmont Stakes Interview: Ahmed Zayat

Eric Mitchell talks with Ahmed Zayat, who owns Belmont Stakes contender Paynter. Zayat also owns Bodemeister, who finished 2nd in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm.

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CashCall Futurity, Starlet Nominations Rise

The first round of nominations for the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) and the Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) have risen for a third consecutive year.