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Stiff Group Meets Mizdirection in Just a Game

Trainer Mike Puype has no doubt 2012 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint victress Mizdirection is best of seven entered in the June 8 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont. But the new surface could be her undoing, especially if it rains.

Easter Gift, Tightend Touchdown Win at Penn

Robert LaPenta's Easter Gift took the $250,000 Mountainview Handicap on dirt while Mr. Amore Stable's Tightend Touchdown scorched the grass in his victory in the $150,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Handicap June 1.

Noble Tune Leads Inaugural Penn Mile Lineup

Eight sophomore turf contenders entered the inaugural edition June 1 edition of the $500,000 Penn Mile Stakes at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, including Noble Tune, Rydilluc, Jack Milton, and Charming Kitten.

Watsdachances Has Good Shot in Sands Point

Two-time stakes Watsdachances hopes to get back on track when she makes her second start of the year in the $200,000 Sands Point Stakes (gr. IIT) for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park May 27.

Pianist Zips to Victory in Gallorette

Benefiting from a quick start, Pianist set a fast pace en route to a gate-to-wire victory in the Gallorette Handicap on the May 18 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) undercard at Pimlico Race Course.

Summer Applause Takes Allaire DuPont Distaff

Summer Applause ground her way to the lead and held off Sea Island in the $150,000 Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes Presented by Toyota (gr. III) at Pimlico Race Course May 18.

Last Gunfighter Gets 6th Straight in 'Special

Odds-on choice Last Gunfighter collared pacesetter Eighttofasttocatch in the final furlong and drew off by 4 1/4 lengths for his sixth consecutive victory May 17 in the $300,000 Pimlico Special (gr. III) in Baltimore, Md.

Grade I Winner Samitar Heads Gallorette Field

Already the most accomplished horse entered in the May 18 Gallorette Handicap at Pimlico Race Course, Irish classic winner Samitar appears to be entering top form after flashing a strong late kick in previous effort.

Normandy Invasion Will Skip Preakness

Rick Porter, owner of Normandy Invasion, said May 12 the Tapit colt will not compete in the upcoming Preakness Stakes (gr. I) in favor of a summer campaign instead.

Itsmyluckyday's Preakness Work Postponed

A wet track at Monmouth Park prompted trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. to postpone a scheduled pre-Preakness (gr. I) breeze for Itsmyluckyday the morning of May 11.

Dayatthespa Tallies in Comeback at Belmont

Dayatthespa, making her first appearance since she was injured attempting to hop the rail in the Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) last fall, was much the best in the $88,200 You Go West Girl overnight stakes May 5 at Belmont Park.

Noble Tune Skims Hedge to Grab American Turf

Favored Noble Tune, saving all the ground for Javier Castellano, fired through an opening along the hedge to register an easy victory in the $234,200 American Turf Stakes (gr. IIT) May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Normandy Invasion Runs Off in Morning Gallop

Two days prior to the Kentucky Derby, Wood Memorial runner-up Normandy Invasion displayed some overly eager behavior in what was slated to be an easy morning gallop May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Noble Tune Tries Plan 'B' in American Turf

Trainer Chad Brown brings 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Noble Tune to the May 3 American Turf (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs after making a decision not to run him in the Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I).

Kentucky Derby 2013: Chad Brown

Trainer Chad Brown talks about his Kentucky Derby runner Normandy Invasion.

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Porter Has High Hopes For Derby Invasion

Rick Porter has seen both Hard Spun and Eight Belles finish second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). He's hoping Normandy Invasion can make his patented late run to get to the Derby wire first.

Normandy Invasion Posts Smooth Final Move

Wood Memorial (gr. I) runner-up Normandy Invasion has been getting 'sharper and smoother every day he's been here,' trainer Chad Brown said at Churchill April 27, after the Tapit colt breezed five furlongs in :59 flat.

Chad Brown on Normandy Invasion's Work 4/27

Trainer Chad Brown talks about the April 27 work of Normandy Invasion.

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Brown, Lukas Work Derby Charges at Churchill

Normandy Invasion and Will Take Charge both worked over a fast Churchill Downs main track April 21 as they near their scheduled starts in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.

KY Derby: Chad Brown & Normandy Invasion 4/21

Trainer Chad Brown on Kentucky Derby contender Normandy Invasion's breeze 4/21/2013.

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Watsdachances Headlines Appalachian Stakes

Watsdachances makes her first start since finishing second in last fall's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) in the $100,000 Appalachian Presented by the Japan Racing Association April 18 at Keeneland.

Castellano Picks Normandy Invasion for Derby

Jockey Javier Castellano has committed to ride Fox Hill Farms' Wood Memorial (gr. I) runner-up Normandy Invasion in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Daisy Devine to Defend Jenny Wiley Title

Defending Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. IT) winner Daisy Devine is back to protect her title April 13 at Keeneland, but the 5-year-old daughter of Kafwain faces a steep question as she goes up against six stakes winners.

Brown: Balance the Books to Blue Grass

Trainer Chad Brown told Keeneland officials April 8 he will enter Balance the Books instead of Noble Tune in the April 13 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I).

Derby Rematch Looms for Verrazano, 'Invasion'

Undefeated Wood Memorial winner (gr. I) Verrazano and runner-up Normandy Invasion are headed for a rematch in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 4 at Churchill Downs.

Verrazano, Normandy Invasion Post Sharp Works

Verrazano and Normandy Invasion, leading contenders for the upcoming $1 million Wood Memorial (gr. I), both posted bullet moves March 31 at Palm Meadows Training Center.

Last Gunfighter Draws Clear in Excelsior

Last Gunfighter overcame a troubled start and came through on the rail to win the $150,000 Excelsior Stakes (gr. III) March 23 at Aqueduct, while 2011 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Ruler On Ice finished fifth.

Ruler On Ice Among Those to Contest Excelsior

The 3-1 second choice on the morning line for the $150,000 Excelsior Stakes (gr. III) March 23 at Aqueduct Racetrack is 2011 Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice, who won an Aqueduct optional claimer Jan. 30.

Centre Court to Open 2013 Season in Honey Fox

After winning two grade II stakes on turf against other fillies of her age last season, Centre Court will take on older rivals for the first time when she begins her 4-year-old campaign March 16 in the Honey Fox Stakes.

Castellano on Normandy Invasion in Wood

Remsen runner-up needs to finish first or second to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

Summer Applause Returns to Form in Top Flight

The daughter of Harlan's Holiday got her second career graded stakes win in her second start of the year.

Sunny Desert Aims to Make Grade in Top Flight

New York-bred Sunny Desert will put her six-race win streak on the line when she tries to grab the first graded stakes victory of her career March 2 in the $200,000 Top Flight Handicap (gr. II) at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Brown Ships Strong Duo to Tampa for Endeavour

After a solid spring and summer racing season in New York last season, Dealbata will make her 2013 debut in the $150,000 Endeavour Stakes (gr. IIIT) Feb. 2 at Tampa Bay Downs.

Premier Steps Gets Initial U.S. Triumph

Favored Premier Steps, handled confidently by jockey Javier Castellano, caught pacesetting Discreet Marq in the last strides to post a neck victory in the $100,000 Sweetest Chant Stakes at Gulfstream Park Jan. 27.

LaPenta Buys Significant Stake in Jeranimo

Prominent New York horse owner Robert LaPenta has purchased a significant interest in grade I winner Jeranimo from owner B.J. Wright.

Zagora Named Champion Female Turf Horse

For the second year in a row, owner Martin Schwartz returned to the Eclipse Awards podium to receive a trophy in the female grass horse category, thanks to Zagora.

Awesome Feather Retired

Popular Eclipse Award champion Awesome Feather, who prevailed in 10 of 11 career starts, has been retired from racing to join the broodmare band of Frank Stronach's Adena Springs near Paris, Ky.

Kid Kate to Close Career in Garland of Roses

A stakes winner at 2, 3, 4, and 5, Kid Kate can go out a winner as she takes on a field of seven other filly and mare sprinters Saturday in the final race of her career, the $75,000 Garland of Roses StakesDec. 1.

Dayatthespa Can Keep It Going in Matriarch

Dayatthespa, who has won five in a row at three different tracks, will try to keep her streak alive in the $250,000 Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) Nov. 25 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

French Lass Kya One Angles to My Charmer Win

French import Kya One, making her second start in the United States, came from off the pace to register a 1 1/4-length victory as the favorite in the $100,000 My Charmer Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the turf at Calder Nov. 22.

Game Zagora Prevails in Filly & Mare Turf

Martin Schwartz's Zagora took the lead leaving the second turn and held off a tenacious Marketing Mix for a game victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 2.

Brown Hopes For Awesome Encore

Five years after Chad Brown slapped the saddle on Stronach Stables' Ginger Punch to win the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff while subbing for Bobby Frankel, he is back with another top Stronach filly.

Brown Confident with Zagora in F&M Turf

"She's going to have to be dealt with on Friday," trainer Chad Brown remarked of Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf contender Zagora. "I have respect for the horses that have come over here, but mine is pretty good."

Haskin's Countdown to the Cup: Escaping Sandy

It was quite an arduous journey, but the Bill Mott- and Chad Brown-trained horses, along with Point of Entry, finally arrived at Santa Anita at 9:15 Monday morning following an 11-hour trip.

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Juvenile Fillies Turf to Test Watsdachances

There is plenty of international flavor in this year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) with Watsdachances, Spring Venture, and Sky Lantern.

Dominguez Wins Belmont Riding Title

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Ramon Dominguez continued his domination of The New York Racing Association circuit as he added the 2012 Belmont Park fall meet to list of riding titles.

Mott's BC Quartet Among Belmont Workouts

Bill Mott sent his quartet of Breeders' Cup hopefuls out for their final works Oct. 28, with Royal Delta (:48.96), To Honor and Serve (:47.72) and Flat Out (:48.01) all turning in half-miles.

Awesome Feather On Target for Ladies Classic

Trainer Chad Brown sent out undefeated Awesome Feather Oct. 21 at Belmont Park for her penultimate morning work prior to an expected start in the 1 1/8-mile Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I).

Dayatthespa Takes 'Em All the Way in QEII Cup

New York-bred Dayatthespa took the lead early and scored a two-length victory in the $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (gr. IT) on the turf at Keeneland Oct. 13, remaining unbeaten in 2012 with five wins in a row.

Watsdachances Posts Game Miss Grillo Win

Watsdachances gave trainer Chad Brown a sweep of the graded events at Belmont Park in New York Oct. 8, winning the $150,000 Miss Grillo Stakes (gr. IIIT).