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Haskin's Preakness Report: Family Plot

History, it is said, repeats itself, and it will do just that in the 138th Preakness Stakes.

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Mary Jones Bradley, Raced Cougar II, Dies

Mary Jones Bradley, who campaigned Hall of Famer Cougar II, died Feb. 5 of natural causes at her home in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

The Visualiser to Stand at Mighty Acres Farm

The Visualiser, a son of Giant's Causeway who originally sold as a yearling for $1 million, has been retired and will stand in 2010 at Dr. Warren Center's Mighty Acres Farm near Pryor, Okla.

Brass Hat to Run in Louisville 'Cap

On May 24, while reporters trace the every move of Triple Crown contender Big Brown, a hard-knocking 7-year-old gelding will make the 25th start of his career in the $150,000 Louisville Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs. And although the racing industry looks to a 3-year-old runner to attract nationwide fans, the reality is that Fred Bradley's Brass Hat is an equally intriguing horse to follow.

Brass Hat Faces Full Elkhorn Field

Fred Bradley's homebred Brass Hat will make the 24th start of his career in the $200,000 Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes (gr. IIT) at Keeneland April 25, but he'll be up against a field of established turf contenders like morning line favorite Stream of Gold, second choice True Cause, Drilling for Oil, Dancing Forever, and Transduction Gold.

Grasshopper Good to Go in New Orleans

The $500,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) is shaping up just like the Feb. 9 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) did, and that's fine as far as Neil Howard is concerned. The trainer sends 4-year-old Grasshopper to the March 8 event looking for the same form the colt showed in his Mineshaft victory - and Howard fully expects similar results.

Brass Hat Preps for Clark 'Cap

Fred Bradley's homebred Brass Hat tuned up for a Nov. 23 engagement in the $500,000 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II) by working five furlongs in 1:00.60 under jockey Willie Martinez Nov. 16.

Tears Flow at Racing Hall of Fame

"There is no crying in horse racing" - at least, there's not supposed to be. But at the induction ceremony for new members of the Racing Hall of Fame on Monday, tears seemed a requirement.

HBPA to Emirates: Reconsider Brass Hat Position

The board of directors of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association has sent Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour, chairman of the Emirates Racing Association, an official position statement on the disqualification of Brass Hat from his second-place finish in this year's $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), and has asked the association to reconsider its position.

Ankle Fracture Knocks Brass Hat Out of Action

Fred Bradley's Brass Hat, winner of this year's Donn Handicap (gr. I) and New Orleans Handicap (gr. II), suffered an ankle injury in a Thursday workout that will sideline the 5-year-old gelding for an extended period of time and could end his career.

Emirates Appeals Panel Upholds Brass Hat Disqualification

A three-member appeals panel of the Emirates Racing Authority has upheld the disqualification of Brass Hat from his second-place finish in this year's Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) and the $5,400 fine imposed on trainer Buff Bradley.

Emirates Racing Authority Panel Hears Appeal in Brass Hat Case

A three-member panel of the Emirates Racing Authority on Monday heard the appeal of the connections of Brass Hat over the gelding's disqualification of his second-place finish in this year's Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).

Boland, Hanford, Cougar II Join Hall of Fame; Voting Format Changes Likely

Carl Hanford, trainer of five-time Horse of the Year Kelso; Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winning jockey Bill Boland; and Cougar II, a turf champion who was also adept on dirt, have been elected to the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame.

Appeal Filed in Brass Hat Disqualification

Attorney William E. Johnson officially filed an appeal May 4 on behalf of Fred and William "Buff" Bradley, the owner and trainer, respectively, of Brass Hat.

Brass Hat Disqualified From Second in Dubai World Cup

Brass Hat, who ran second in the March 25 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), has been disqualified because a post-race test revealed trace amounts of the drug methyl prednisolone acetate.

Ignored Brass Hat Dominates Donn Handicap

Fred F. Bradley's often overlooked homebred Brass Hat absolutely dominated the field in Saturday's $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I) at sloppy Gulfstream Park for his third straight stakes victory since mid-December.

Brass Hat Wears New Orleans 'Cap Crown

Brass Hat, making only his third start after a 13-month layoff, took a commanding 2 1/2-length victory in the $435,600 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) Saturday at the Fair Grounds meet at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

Brass Hat, Back From Ankle Break, Wins Prairie Bayou

Almost 14 months after fracturing his right front ankle, Brass Hat made good on his rehab and the faith of his owner and trainer with a 2 1/2-length victory in the $50,000 Prairie Bayou Stakes Saturday at Turfway Park.

Stallion Managers, Breeders Watching BC Horses

One of the groups paying particular attention at the rail the past few mornings at Belmont Park are those who will have some of the participants in their next careers – the farm owners and stallion managers.

St Averil, Gators N Bears to Stand at Maryland Stallion Station

Graded stakes winners St Averil and Gators N Bears will enter stud in 2006 at Maryland Stallion Station (Don Litz, president) near Glyndon, Md.

Brass Hat Recuperating at Bradley Farm

Multiple stakes winner Brass Hat is back home in Kentucky after undergoing surgery for an injury suffered in the Lone Star Derby (gr. III) at Lone Star Park.

Brass Hat Tossed Into Lone Star Derby Ring

Brass Hat, winner of the Indiana Derby (gr. II) on Oct. 3, goes for his third derby win of the year in the $250,000 Lone Star Derby (gr. III) Friday in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Brass Hat Passes All to Take Rich Indiana Derby

Brass Hat and rider Willie Martinez came from the back of the field to surge past Suave and Hasslefree on his way to capturing the $511,300 Indiana Derby (gr. II) at Hoosier Park Saturday night.

Australian Wonder Filly May Head to U.S.

If American racegoers loved the true grit Australasian filly Happyanunoit displayed a few years back when she was sent to race in the U.S., they will go crazy when they see Australian sensation Special Harmony.