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'Dude' On His Game in Californian Comeback

Showing he's happy to be back in California, Game On Dude romped to victory in the $147,000 Californian Stakes (gr. II) June 2 in his first start since a nearly tragic trip to the Dubai two months ago.

Liaison Back in Comfort Zone for Affirmed

Liaison, sixth in the Kentucky Derby at odds of 56-1, should find the company a little more to his liking when he returns to action in the $100,000 Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) June 3 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Californian: Game On Dude Meets Morning Line

Game On Dude makes his first start since he was unplaced in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) when he takes on Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (gr. II) winner Morning Line in the Californian Stakes (gr. II) June 2 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Plans Undetermined for Memorial Day Winners

The connections of three fillies who won graded stakes on the May 28 Memorial Day card at Belmont Park said they emerged from their respective victories in good order, with future plans undetermined.

Roman Threat Rambles Home in L.A. Handicap

Odds-on favorite Roman Threat had too much speed for his seven opponents in the $100,000 Los Angeles Handicap (gr. III) in a dominating win on the Cushion Track at Betfair Hollywood Park May 28.

Contested Unrivaled in Easy Acorn Triumph

Even-money choice Contested went gate to wire as the easiest of winners in the $300,000 Acorn Stakes (gr. I) May 28 at Belmont Park.

Paynter Posts Bullet Work for Belmont Stakes

Zayat Stables' Paynter posted a bullet work over the Belmont Park training track May 27 as the Bob Baffert-trained colt continued his preparations for the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

On Fire Baby Returns in Acorn

Anita Cauley's homebred On Fire Baby cuts back to a one-turn mile at Belmont Park in the May 28 TVG Acorn Stakes (gr. I). The Smoke Glacken filly was a disappointing fifth as the second choice in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

I'll Have Another Arrives in NY One Win Away

Trainer Doug O'Neill has full confidence in the potential for I'll Have Another to handle the grueling 1 1/2 miles of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) after the colt captured the first two jewels of America's Triple Crown.

Doug O'Neill the Morning After 5/20/2012

Doug O'Neill comments on the rivalry between Bodemeister and I'll Have Another with comparisons to Alydar and Affirmed as well as future plans.

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Awesomemundo's Big Kick Wins DuPont Distaff

Awesomemundo recovered from a poor start and gamely outdueled Love and Pride in a spirited stretch duel to win the $100,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes (gr. III) by a head May 19 at Pimlico Race Course.

Few Alibis Offered at Alibi Breakfast

A Preakness tradition, the Alibi Breakfast gives trainers a chance to offer up an 'alibi' before the second jewel of the Triple Crown. This year there were few alibis and a lot more confidence from the connections.

Bob Baffert Preakness Comments 5/17/2012

Ron Mitchell catches Bob Baffert trackside at Pimlico. Bob is asked his thoughts on the post position draw and competition between Bodemeister and I'll Have Another.

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Bodemeister (8-5) Draws Post 7 for Preakness

Bodemeister, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been made the 8-5 morning line favorite for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 19 and will break from post 7.

Too Wet for Jog for Derby Winner

Rather than take Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner I'll Have Another out to exercise on a wet track the morning of May 15, trainer Doug O'Neill opted to keep Reddam Racing's star 3-year-old under cover.

Top Barretts Horses Going to Baffert, O'Neill

Doug O'Neill and Bob Baffert, who train the one-two finishers in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will also be training several of the high-priced horses out of the Barretts 2-year-old sale May 14.

Bodemeister Headed to Pimlico for Preakness

Bodemeister is headed to the Preakness (gr. I) to challenge I'll Have Another after their memorable finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Drill Nails American Act for Laz Barrera Win

Drill remained perfect in three tries at seven furlongs when he rallied between horses in deep stretch to defeat pacesetter American Act by a half-length in the $98,000 Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes (gr. III) May 12.

Laz Barrera: Drill, American Act Clash Again

Drill and American Act, separated by a nose in the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) in February, will renew their acquaintance in the $100,000 Lazaro S. Barrera Memorial Stakes (gr. III) at Betfair Hollywood Park May 13.

Kentucky Derby News Minute 5/6/2012

Ron Mitchell talks about how I'll Have Another and his connections are doing on Sunday morning. Ron also touches on future plans for other Kentucky Derby contenders.

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The Morning After: Plans for Derby Starters

Some of the starters in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) will go on to the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) while plans are undetermined for other runners.

Contested Shows Promise in Eight Belles Romp

The promising filly Contested disposed of pacesetter Good Deed near mid-stretch and cruised to victory in the $110,000 Eight Belles (gr. III), her stakes debut for trainer Bob Baffert May 4 at Churchill Downs.

Zayat Looks To Cure Case Of Second-itis

Ahmed Zayat has been second in the Kentucky Derby twice in the past three years, and his Eskendereya, the would-be favorite in 2010, was scratched the day of the race.

Kentucky Derby Interview: Bob Baffert

Lenny Shulman talks to Bob Baffert about his Derby horses, and his health. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm.

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Derby Draw: Favored Bodemeister in Post 6

Zayat Stable's Bodemeister, the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) winner, drew post 6 and was made the 4-1 morning line favorite for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Contested Favored to Ring Belles

Contested, a lightly raced daughter of Ghostzapper from the Bob Baffert barn is the 2-1 morning-line favorite for the May 4 Eight Belles Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs.

Oaks Winner Plum Pretty Back for La Troienne

Plum Pretty, winner of last year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and runner-up St. John's River will square off in the La Troienne Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs May 4 on the Kentucky Oaks undercard.

Baffert Happy To Be Healthy And Back At Derby

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert considers himself a lucky man to be back at Churchill Downs healthy and happy two months after a severe health scare.

Liaison Turns in Final Derby Breeze

Arnold Zetcher's Liaison, winner of the 2011 CashCall Futurity (gr. I), breezed five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 under jockey Martin Garcia at Churchill Downs April 30 in preparation for the May 5 Kentucky Derby.

Plum Pretty Confirmed for La Troienne

Last year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Plum Pretty has been confirmed by owner John Fort as a starter in the La Troienne (gr. II) at Churchill Downs May 4, the same day as this year's Run for the Lilies.

Bodemeister Ready After Strong Final Work

Bodemeister worked a strong five furlongs in :59.48 April 29 on a muddy but firm Churchill Downs track.

Bloodlines Bode Well for Bodemeister

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
The style of victory of Empire Maker's son Bodemeister in the Arkansas Derby raised the possibility that his sire is not yet done with North America's premier classic.

'And They're Off' Film Released on DVD May 1

'And They're Off,' a feature film comedy that centers around the world of a Thoroughbred horse trainer, will be released on DVD May 1 to coincide with Kentucky Derby week.

Mamma Kimbo Out of Oaks; Sacristy In

John Fort's Mamma Kimbo, who was slated to run in the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs, will instead be pointed to the May 18 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) at Pimlico.

Liaison Breezes 6 Furlongs at Churchill

Liaison, the 2011 CashCall Futurity (gr. I) winner, breezed six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan at Churchill Downs April 25.

Bodemeister Drills 5 Furlongs at Churchill

Zayat Stables' Bodemeister, impressive winner of the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), breezed five-eighths of a mile in 1:00 4/5 at Churchill Downs the morning of April 24 in preparation for the Kentucky Derby.

Mamma Kimbo Posts First Churchill Work

Trained by Bob Baffert for Peachtree Stable, Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contender Mamma Kimbo worked five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 at Churchill Downs April 24.

Santa Anita Reports Attendance, Handle Gain

Santa Anita Park capped its 75th winter/spring season April 22 reporting gains in on-track attendance and overall pari-mutuel handle.

Eden's Moon Works 5F in 1:00 Flat

The Bob Baffert-trained Eden's Moon worked five furlongs in 1:00 flat over a fast track at Santa Anita Park April 22 in preparation for the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Injured Secret Circle Out of Derby

Four-time stakes winner Secret Circle, most recently runner-up to stablemate Bodemeister in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), will miss up to four months with a sesamoid injury, co-owner Mike Pegram confirmed April 19.

Undefeated Princess Arabella Retired

Undefeated Princess Arabella, decisive winner of the Sunland Park Oaks, will not advance to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). The daughter of Any Given Saturday will instead be retired, according to trainer Bob Baffert.

Slideshow: Racing Festival of the South

Images from Oaklawn Park's 2012 Racing Festival of the South.

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KY Oaks Attracts Trio of Late Nominations

The 138th running of Churchill Downs' $1 million Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) attracted a trio of late nominees during a late nomination phase that concluded Wednesday, April 11.

After the Wire - 4/15/2012

Evan recaps the Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass Stakes.

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Smith Stays With Bodemeister, Gomez On Daddy

Jockey Mike Smith apparently will retain the mount on Bodemeister, the colt he guided to a 9 1/2-length victory in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) April 14.

Top Finishers in Arkansas Derby Heading to KY

The top three finishers in the April 14 Arkansas Derby (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park were resting comfortably in their stalls the morning after each secured a spot in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Bodemeister Blasts Off in Arkansas Derby

Bodemeister, needing a victory in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) to take the next step on the Triple Crown trail, produced an emphatic triumph in the $1 million race at Oaklawn Park April 14.

Patient Plum Pretty Strolls in Apple Blossom

Plum Pretty hadn't been out in more than five months but her class showed through as she strolled to a comfortable win in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) April 13 at Oaklawn Park.

Baffert Has the Favorites for Arkansas Derby

Trainer Bob Baffert looks to continue his strong run of recent success at Oaklawn Park when he saddles Bodemeister and Secret Circle, the morning line favorites for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) April 14.

Mamma Kimbo Makes All the Running in Fantasy

Favored Mamma Kimbo, in just her second start, led at every call to win the $300,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) during the Racing Festival of the South at Oaklawn Park April 11.