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Saratoga Diary: Bouillabaisse

Fans boil as fine stew simmers

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Baffert, Rosario Take Hollywood Meet Titles

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert won his first spring/summer meet title at Hollywood Park with 36 wins at the just-concluded stand.

Irish Gypsy Gets A Gleam Victory by an Inch

Front-running Irish Gypsy, all-out under urging from Martin Garcia, got to the wire in the $200,000 A Gleam Handicap (gr. II) by an official nose over favored Ultra Blend at Hollywood Park July 16.

Cassidy, Ellis Elected to CTT Board

Trainers Jim Cassidy and Ron Ellis have been elected and Glory Haley re-elected to the board of California Thoroughbred Trainers. Voting was conducted in June to fill three positions on the nine-member CTT board.

California Racing Execs Address Online Gaming

As California eyes potential revenue from Internet gaming, horse racing executives made it clear to a state senate committee in Sacramento July 12 they want to be part of any legislation that may result.

Baffert's 'Dudes' Abide in 1-2 Gold Cup Show

Two dudes from trainer Bob Baffert's barn proved better than heavy favorite Twirling Candy in the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) when First Dude came from off the pace to defeat Game On Dude by a nose July 9.

Coil Ready for Another Step Forward in Swaps

After living up to his billing with a win in the Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) last month, fast-improving Coil appears ready to strike again in the $150,000 Swaps Stakes (gr. II) July 9 at Hollywood Park.

Noble's Promise Ready for Smile

Noble's Promise made headlines finishing a close third in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) and fifth in the 2010 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Who Will Step Forward in Carry Back?

Smash, Cal Nation ship in to take on locals Close It Out, Indiano, and the wild card Bulaga in the $200,000 Carry Back Stakes (gr. II) during Calder's July 9 Summit of Speed.

Azalea May Come Up Roses

On paper, Kaleem Shah's May Day Rose looks to be the best of the bunch for Calder's Azalea Stakes (gr. III). The $150,000 event is the first of four graded stakes for the Summit of Speed.

Blind Luck Among 14 Gold Cup Nominees

Californian (gr. II) winner Twirling Candy, Santa Anita Handicap upsetter Game On Dude (gr. I), talented filly Blind Luck (gr. I), and defending titleholder Awesome Gem are among 14 nominees for the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I)

Baffert's 'Prayer' Answers in Iowa Derby

Prayer for Relief gave trainer Bob Baffert consecutive wins in the $250,000 Iowa Derby (gr. III) when he registered a mild upset at Prairie Meadows on the night of June 25.

Stormello Colt Tops June OBS Finale

A colt by Stormello consigned by Blue River Bloodstock, agent, went to Bob Baffert, agent, for $300,000 to top the second and final session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s sale.

Plum Pretty Lands in Hollywood Oaks

Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Plum Pretty, coming off an illness that knocked her out of consideration for the Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) in New York June 25, was entered instead in the $150,000 Hollywood Oaks (gr. II).

Baffert, Garcia Cap Big Day With Irish Gypsy

Irish Gypsy capped a big card at Hollywood Park for trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Martin Garcia on Father's Day when she captured the $76,050 Desert Stormer Handicap by 1 1/4 lengths as the favorite June 19.

Midnight Interlude Wins Narrowly in Turf Bow

Switching to the turf and taking off blinkers proved the right moves for Midnight Interlude when he edged Surrey Star by a neck to win the $72,050 Tsunami Slew Stakes on the night of June 17 at Hollywood Park.

Midnight Interlude Tries Turf for Baffert

After terrible performances in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Midnight Interlude has been entered in an overnight stakes on the grass during the night card at Hollywood Park June 17.

Coil About Ready to Strike

Son of Point Given could be a major 3YO threat in second half of 2011.

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Coil Springs Forward With Affirmed Victory

Coil appears to be the latest top-notch 3-year-old in the barn of trainer Bob Baffert after the son of Point Given passed his initial route test in the $100,000 Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park June 11.

Awesome Patriot, Coil Lead Affirmed Lineup

Awesome Patriot and Coil, two colts previously considered for races at Belmont Park June 11, give trainer Bob Baffert a strong hand in the $100,000 Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) the same day at Hollywood Park.

Million-Dollar Earner Letthebighossroll Dies

Letthebighossroll, a million-dollar earner that was among the first of Bob Baffert's top horses after he became a Thoroughbred trainer, died May 23 of a pulmonary hemorrhage at the age of 23.

Indian Charlie Colt Tops F-T Midlantic Sale

Following the conclusion of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale of 2-year-olds in training, president Boyd Browning said he was pleased that in spite of the fact there were 69 more horses sold this year the average was down 1.3%.

F-T Midlantic Average Close to 2010 Figure

The opening day of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale of 2-year-olds in training generated an average price that was only 1.7% below last year's comparable figure and a median price that was down 7.4%.

Eden's Moon Brings $390,000 at F-T Midlantic

Eden's Moon, a sleek daughter of Malibu Moon, got the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale of 2-year-olds in training off to a fast start when she brought $390,000 May 23.

May Day Rose Uses New Tactic in Railbird Win

May Day Rose, showing a new dimension, took the lead in the stretch and tallied an easy victory in the $100,000 Railbird Stakes (gr. III) as 11-10 choice Pedaltothemedal finished a distant third at Hollywood Park May 21.

Ventana Survives Maryland Sprint Handicap

Ventana returned to his winning ways, as the 5-year-old finally did May 21 at Pimlico Race Course when he outdueled longshot Immortal Eyes to score the $100,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap (gr. III).

Baffert, Zito Like Their Chances in Preakness

Bob Baffert and Nick Zito like their positions heading into the Preakness Stakes (gr. I). Their horses, Midnight Interlude and Dialed In, each had excuses after failing to win the Kentucky Derby.

The Factor Recovering From Hairline Fracture

Rebel Stakes winner likely suffered injury in Arkansas Derby; to be given short rest.

Alibi Breakfast a Little Something for All

The 2011 Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Race Course had a little bit of everything, including laughter and tears.

Preakness Runners Arrive In Baltimore

A slew of participants for the May 21 Preakness Stakes arrived at Pimlico May 18 to contest the second jewel of racing's Triple Crown.

Hard Spun Colt Tops Barretts May Sale

George Bolton buys the Barretts May Sale topper, going to $220,000 for a son of Hard Spun. The sale's average increases 2.5% over last year's figures as the buy-back rate tumbles to 19.1%.

Derby Mo-Jo: The Final Chapter

Mike Repole wraps up his Uncle Mo diary, and gives an update on the champion's health.

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Oaks Winner 'Super Good' A Day Later

Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Plum Pretty came back "super good" from her impressive score in Friday's $1 million Kentucky Oaks, according to Jim Barnes.

Plum Pretty Pulls Out Kentucky Oaks Thriller

Peachtree Stable's Plum Pretty, a daughter of Medaglia d'Oro, holds off the late charge of St. John's River to win the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

First Dude Wins Alysheba by a Slim Nose

First Dude beat a deep Alysheba Stakes field, claiming his second straight win of the year.

Grade I Winner Misremembered Retired

Grade I winner Misremembered has been retired from racing to become a stallion.

Kentucky Derby Interview - Bob Baffert

Lenny shares the leather couch with Bob Baffert, trainer of Midnight Interlude.

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Midnight Interlude Cruises Through the Slop

He turns in the fastest time among seven workers at five furlongs May 2 at Churchill Downs, covering the distance over a sloppy track in 1:00 4/5.

The Factor Will Not Run in Derby

The Factor, who underwent a myectomy recently after displacing his palate in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), is no longer under consideration for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Oaks-Bound Fillies Work at Churchill

Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) hopeful fillies R Heat Lightning, Plum Pretty, Holy Heavens, and Daisy Devine all posted workouts during a busy morning at Churchill Downs April 26.

Midnight Interlude Posts Bullet Work

Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Midnight Interlude posted his third consecutive bullet workout when he covered six furlongs in 1:13 3/5 on the Churchill Downs main track the morning of April 26.

Jaycito Withdrawn From Derby Consideration

After consulting with trainer Bob Baffert, owner Ahmed Zayat said April 24 that Zayat Stables' Jaycito will not run in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Fans and Horsemen Join for Cancer Walk

A walk April 17 after the final race of Santa Anita's winter/spring meet raised $100,000 for the Women's Cancer Program. The walk was held on the racetrack.

Fewer Runners Blamed for Santa Anita Declines

A decline in average daily handle ontrack and overall was caused by a low horse inventory. Average ontrack attendance remained steady with 2010 for the winter/spring meet.

The Factor, 7-5, Facing 12 in Arkansas Derby

The Factor has been installed as the solid 7-5 favorite in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) as 13 3-year-olds were entered for the $1 million race April 16.

Game On Dude Faces Nine in Loaded CT Classic

An intriguing field of 10 head by Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) winner Game On Dude has been entered for the $1 million Charles Town Classic (gr. III), the first graded stakes in the almost 80-year history of Charles Town.

The Factor Has Chance to be Derby Favorite

With less than a month remaining, the very real possibility exists that there will be no standout when Derby 137 goes to post. The only horse that can likely keep that from happening is The Factor.

Big 'Cap Rematch in Charles Town Classic?

The first two finishers in the controversial March 5 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) are ready for a rematch -- in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, proof of what a $1 million purse and graded status can do for a race.

The Factor Works, All Set for Arkansas Derby

The Factor, now a favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) next month, "worked great" April 10 at Santa Anita, according to trainer Bob Baffert.

Baffert's Bench Too Deep in Santa Anita Derby

Trainer Bob Baffert went to his bench in the $1 million Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and he came away a winner for the sixth time in the prestigious race when Midnight Interlude rallied for a head victory April 9.