BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Winner's Circle - Miles Ahead

There is some kind of solid connection among A. Stevens Miles Jr., his horses, and his hometown of Louisville.

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Blueeyesintherein Perfect in Debutante Stakes

Blueeyesintherein kept her young record a perfect two-for-two when she won the $112,200 Debutante Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs June 23, giving trainer Gary Simms a second consecutive Debutante score.

Haskell Targeted as Dullahan Returns to Work

Dullahan and Shackleford were among the stars from trainer Dale Romans' barn that posted published workouts at Churchill Downs June 23.

Tiz Wonderful Sires First Winner

Spendthrift Farm stallion Tiz Wonderful sired the first winner from his debut crop when 2-year-old filly Scammony earned an impressive debut victory in a $57,000 maiden special weight June 21 at Churchill Downs.

No Surgery on Collarbone for Jockey Velazquez

Velazquez will not require surgery on a broken right collarbone sustained in a June 16 riding accident at Churchill Downs, according to a medical update issued June 21 by the jockey's wife.

Wide Open Debutante at Churchill Lures 10

Eight of the 10 contestants in the Debutante Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs June 23 broke their maidens in their last start.

Jockey Velazquez Released from Hospital

Belmont Stakes-winning rider heads back to New York June 19 after suffering broken collarbone, traumatic blow to kidney at Churchill Downs in June 16 spill.

Talking Points - by Eric Mitchell

New Derby trail is better than the graded system, but there is room for improvement.

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Jockey Velazquez Breaks Collarbone in Spill

Jockey John Velazquez broke his right collarbone and will require surgery following a three-horse spill June 16 in the ninth race at Churchill Downs.

Royal Delta Cruises by 8 in Fleur de Lis

Royal Delta returns to the scene of her Breeders' Cup triumph last fall and wins the Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II) by eight lengths.

Ron the Greek Rides Rail to Foster Surprise

Ron the Greek, charging through the stretch along the inside, came from off the pace to nip odds-on favorite Wise Dan at the wire in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) under the lights at Churchill Downs June 16.

Neck 'n Neck Romps in Matt Winn

Neck 'n Neck came through with his second straight win at Churchill Downs when he captured the Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds by 7 1/4 lengths over Stealcase.

Centre Court Steps Up Game in Regret Stakes

The 3-2 favorite in a field of 11 3-year-old turf fillies, the bay daughter of Smart Strike got her first graded win.

Unlocking Winners: Night Racing at Churchill

Handicapping the all-stakes pick 4 at Churchill Downs.

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Master Rick Back to Two Turns in Matt Winn

Richard Davis' Master Rick, far back in the one-turn Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) in his last start May 12, returns to two turns at Churchill Downs June 16 in the $100,000 Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds.

KY Vets Develop Plan for At-Risk Racehorses

An increase in the number of fatal racing injuries in May led Kentucky regulatory veterinarians to devise ways to better identify at-risk horses.

Churchill Revamps Derby Qualifying System

Churchill Downs announced major changes in the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" and Kentucky Oaks June 14, with a points system that rewards top finishes in selected races from this fall through the 2013 edition of the classics.

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.

THS: Stephen Foster Handicap

Tom LaMarra and Evan Hammonds handicap the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs this weekend.

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Evans: Continued Demand for Quality Racing

The success of this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) shows there is continued demand for quality racing that combines entertainment, according to CDI chairman and CEO Bob Evans.

Coup One to Catch in Regret

Coup, an Empire Maker filly and winner of Pimlico's Hilltop Stakes on Preakness day, has the top stakes experience in the field for the June 16 Regret Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs.

Royal Delta Seeks Rebound in Fleur de Lis

Besilu's Stable's Royal Delta looks to rebound off a disappointing run in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) when she takes on five others in the $150,000 Fleur de Lis Stakes June 16 at Churchill Downs.

Wise Dan, Alternation Top Stephen Foster

The 31st running of the 1 1/8-mile event sets up as a faceoff between two of the country's top older horses--Pin Oak Stable's Alternation and Morton Fink's Wise Dan.

Royal Delta Is a Go For the Fleur de Lis

Royal Delta, last year's champion 3-year-old filly, will return to Churchill Downs for the first time since she capped her sophomore season with a victory in the Ladies' Classic in the Fleur de Lis.

Wise Dan Fires Bullet Work at Keeneland

Morton Fink's homebred Wise Dan completed his major training preparations for the June 16 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs with a bullet, five-furlong work in :59 2/5 at Keeneland June 7.

Move to Belmont Stakes Barn Orderly

The move of all horses entered in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) to Barn 2 at Belmont Park was an orderly process June 6, with 4-5 morning-line favorite I'll Have Another the last to arrive just a few minutes past noon.

Churchill, Hancock in Athletic Hall of Fame

Churchill Downs and Seth Hancock of Claiborne Farm are among the 2012 inductees to the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.

Manny Cruz Returning to Calder June 7

Following his three mounts at Churchill Downs June 3, jockey Manny Cruz will return to Calder Casino & Race Course, where he is the all-time leading rider with 1,956 victories at the Miami track.

Bizzy Caroline Keeps Digging, Wins Mint Julep

Favored Bizzy Caroline, making her second start of the year, dug in late to edge outsider Heavenly Landing by a neck in the $111,000 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the Churchill Downs turf June 2.

Rothko Rolls to Convincing Aristides Win

Off for more than two months, Rothko made his 11-10 odds look like a bargain when he swept to victory in the $109,400 Aristides Stakes (gr. III) June 2 at Churchill Downs.

Island Bound Rallies for Winning Colors Win

Island Bound picked up the first added-money victory of her career when she came from off the pace to take the $110,100 Winning Colors Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs June 2.

Hansen Works Five Furlongs for Woody Stephens

Dr. Kendall Hansen and Skychai Racing's Hansen turned in a bullet work at Churchill Downs' Trackside Training Center in Kentucky June 2.

Final Workout Plans for Belmont Contenders

With two Belmont Stakes (gr. I) hopefuls having completed their final workouts, trainers of other contenders for the June 9 classic have firmed up their plans.

Riley Tucker vs. Cash Refund in Aristides

Riley Tucker and Cash Refund figure to be the top two in the $100,000 Aristides Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs. The six-furlong stakes is one of three under the lights under the Twin Spires June 2.

Calhoun Trio Heads Winning Colors Field

The Bret Calhoun-trained trio of Beat the Blues, Speedacious, and Gleaming highlight a field of eight fillies and mares entered for the June 2 Winning Colors (gr. III) to be run under the lights at Churchill Downs June 2.

Tapitsfly Primed for Mint Julep at Churchill

Frank L. Jones Jr's Tapitsfly, who has started four times this year in graded events and has won or placed in all of them, will carry top weight of 121 pounds in the Early Times Mint Julep Handicap at Churchill Downs.

Lanerie Rides Six Winners at Churchill

Veteran rider Corey Lanerie won with six of his seven mounts May 27 at Churchill Downs to become only the eighth jockey to achieve the feat at the Louisville track.

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).

Canadian-Based Simmard Wins Louisville H.

Canadian-based Simmard took the lead at the head of the stretch and held off Joinem to win the $115,200 Louisville Handicap (gr. IIIT) in stakes record time at Churchill Downs May 26.

Overnight Purses Boosted 10% at Churchill

Citing higher than expected all-sources wagering during Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) week, Churchill Downs announced a 10% increase in overnight purses effective May 28.

Simmard Going for Second Graded Win This Year

Simmard was assigned high weight in the Louisville Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs at 1 1/2 miles May 26, and it's easy to see why.

Castanon Off Mounts After Churchill Fall

Jockey Jesus Castanon, who broke his left hand in a fall at Churchill Downs in the 10th race May 18, will miss all of his scheduled mounts for the remainder of the weekend.

Dullahan Turns in Swift 5F Drill at Churchill

Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) winner Dullahan, most recently third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), worked five furlongs at Churchill Downs in 1:00 1/5 on a fast track May 19.

Vets Report Safe Kentucky Oaks and Derby

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission reported successful Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) programs from an equine safety standpoint.

Eisamans Seek Triple With I'll Have Another

Dr. Barry Eisaman and his wife, Shari, are hoping that I'll Have Another will help them complete a personal Triple Crown this weekend.

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).

No Preakness for Derby Trial Winner Hierro

After Hierro breezed at Churchill Downs the morning of May 14, Stonestreet Stables announced the son of Hard Spun would not be sent to Pimlico for the May 19 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Sloppy Conditions Postpone Cozzetti's Work

With more than an inch of rain in the Louisville area and more coming down Sunday morning, trainer Dale Romans opted to postpone a work for Preakness Stakes (gr. I) contender Cozzetti.

Groupie Doll Gets Break After Stellar Efforts

Trainer Buff Bradley admits he doesn't remember every horse foaled on his Indian Ridge Farm in Frankfort, Ky., but he certainly remembers the birthday of Humana Distaff (gr. I) winner Groupie Doll.

Albarado Pleads Not Guilty to Assault Charges

Jockey Robby Albarado entered a not-guilty plea in Jefferson County, Ky., District Court May 8 in connection with his arrest May 4 on assault charges.