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KDFW Support Still Strong for Union Rags

Bettors continued their strong support for both the "All Others" option and Champagne Stakes (gr. I) winner Union Rags (#23) at the close of wagering Feb. 11.

Triple Crown Nominations Soar

Headed by 2-year-old champion male Hansen, 397 horses were nominated to the Triple Crown series before the Jan. 21 early nomination deadline, representing a 9.1% increase over the 364 during the 2011 early nominating period.

Churchill Sets Dates for Derby and Oaks Pools

Churchill Downs has set the dates for its trio of three-day betting pools for the 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager and a single pool for the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

Purses Down for Churchill's Spring Meet

Churchill Downs' schedule of stakes for its April 28-July 1 spring meet will feature 24 events, total stakes purses of $7.275 million, and an emphasis on "big event" programs.

Beshear Reaffirms Push for KY Casino Vote

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear Dec. 27 reaffirmed his efforts to push for a constitutional amendment on expanded gambling in 2012, citing results of a survey on the topic.

'Buck' Wheat's Memorial Set for Dec. 28

A memorial service for Julian Logan "Buck" Wheat, the longtime director of horsemen's relations and the unofficial "Mayor of the Backside" at Churchill Downs will be held at the track Wednesday, Dec. 28.

Julian 'Buck' Wheat, Churchill Icon, Dies

Julian Logan "Buck" Wheat, Churchill Downs' Director of Horsemen's Relations long known as the "Mayor of the Backside" at the home of the Kentucky Derby, died Dec. 21 of complications from injuries suffered in a fall

KY Derby, Oaks Will Allow Four Also-Eligibles

Churchill Downs will permit four also-eligible entrants to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), beginning with the respective 138th runnings of those races in 2012.

Gemologist Eyes Crown Jewels

MAHUBAH'S CORNER
His stout pedigree and an affinity for the Churchill Downs main track set up Tiznow's grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner Gemologist for consideration in the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

CDI Fires Back on Jockeys' Guild Contract

The general counsel for Churchill Downs Inc. has issued a lengthy defense of the racetrack operating company's decision to not renew a contract with the Jockeys' Guild.

Judge Rejects Suffolk OTB Bankruptcy Petition

A big New York state off-track betting corporation did not have the legal authority to seek Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection earlier this year, a federal bankruptcy judge has ruled.

Churchill Fall Meet Handle Declines

Total wagering during the recently concluded 21-day fall meet at Churchill Downs fell 3.9%, with a large portion of the difference coming during the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Familiar Names Top Churchill Fall Meet

Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Julien Leparoux, and Steve Asmussen and Mike Maker were the leaders during the Churchill Downs fall meet, which ended Nov. 27.

Favored Arena Elvira Prevails in Falls City

Even-money choice Arena Elvira passed longshot Afleeting Lady in deep stretch to give trainer Bill Mott his fourth win in the $193,725 Falls City Handicap (gr. II) on Thanksgiving at Churchill Downs.

THS: Clark Handicap 2011

Jason, Tom, and Steve Pallardy of TwinSpires.com handicap the Clark Handicap from Churchill Downs.

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Gemologist Tops KY Jockey Club Field

WinStar Farm and Todd Pletcher hope history will repeat itself, as likely favorite Gemologist leads a field of 11 juveniles in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) Nov. 26 at Churchill Downs.

Clark at Churchill Has Breeders' Cup Look

This year's Breeders' Cup may be a memory, but no fewer than five horses that competed in the 2011 World Championships are back at Churchill Downs for the $500,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 25.

Blues Street Much the Best in River City

Making his second start for trainer Eddie Kenneally, Blues Street poured it on the in the final furlong en route to a decisive 4 1/2-length victory in the $111,000 River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) Nov. 19 at Churchill.

Flat Out Will Run in Clark Handicap

Flat Out, a two-time graded stakes winner this year, will run in the $500,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) his connections said Nov. 16.

Tajaaweed Takes Aim at River City Handicap

Tajaaweed may have not had the best trip in the Oct. 8 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT), where he finished sixth, but the son of Dynaformer looks poised and ready for a rebound in the Nov. 19 River City Handicap (gr. IIIT).

Borel Moving Tack to Gulfstream

Three-time Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winning jockey Calvin Borel is moving south for the winter and will begin riding at Gulfstream Park at the conclusion of Churchill Downs' 21-day fall meet, according to agent Jerry Hissam.

Mission Impazible Works Toward Clark Handicap

Twin Creeks Racing Stables' Mission Impazible, runner-up in the June 18 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), breezed five furlongs Nov. 12 at Churchill Downs in preparation for the Clark Handicap (gr. I).

Marketing Mix Easy Winner of Mrs. Revere

Glen Hill Farm's Marketing Mix toyed with the field to easily win the $175,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes (gr. IIT) for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs Nov. 12.

THS: Mrs Revere Stakes 2011

Jason, Evan and Ed DeRosa from TwinSpires.com handicap the Mrs Revere Stakes at Churchill Downs this week.

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Mrs. Revere Attracts Competitive Line Up

The rapidly improving Hungry Island, who gave a good showing in her grade I debut last out, is one of several top contenders in a well-matched field of 12 for the $175,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes (gr. IIT) Nov. 12 at Churchill.

Some Post-Breeders' Cup 2011 Ramblings

The Breeders' Cup World Championships never fails to deliver...in a mostly good way.

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Overall Breeders' Cup Attendance, Handle Slip

The two-day attendance total for the 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships dipped by 7% compared to last year's record attendance, Breeders' Cup officials announced after the conclusion of races Nov. 5.

Amazombie Tracks Blazing Pace to Sprint Tally

Amazombie, a 5-year-old Cal-bred gelding by Northern Afleet, wears down Force Freeze in the final 100 yards to win the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) by a neck. He covers the six furlongs in 1:09.17.

European Wrote Authors Juvenile Turf Surprise

Wrote, owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, rallied strongly in the stretch and pulled away to easily win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) at one mile on grass Nov. 5.

Beautiful Weather at CD; Mott Savors Victory

With the sun breaking through at Churchill Downs Nov. 5, all was quiet on the backside as everyone waited for the 12:05 p.m. EDT post time for day two of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

First-Day Cup Attendance and Handle Slide

The Friday card had declines in attendance and handle coming off a record year in 2010 at Churchill Downs.

Favored My Miss Aurelia Wins Juvenile Fillies

My Miss Aurelia, named for co-owner George Bolton's mother, remained undefeated when she prevailed by a game three lengths in the Nov. 4 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I).

Musical Romance Upset Winner of F&M Sprint

Pinnacle Racing Stable and trainer Bill Kaplan's longshot Musical Romance (by Concorde's Tune) pulled away on the inside in the stretch to take the $1 million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I).

Stephanie's Kitten Scratches Out JF Turf Win

Ken and Sarah Ramseys' Stephanie's Kitten, a homebred daughter of Kitten's Joy, rallies to catch Stopshoppingmaria late to win the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IIT).

Secret Circle Takes Inaugural BC Juvy Sprint

The Bob Baffert-trained Secret Circle carried a big lead into the stretch and then held off a rail bid from longshot Shumoos to win the inaugural running of the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint Nov. 4 at Churchill.

BC Officials Still Working on Common Pools

The Breeders' Cup World Championships will be simulcast in about 25 countries this year, but officials said they continue to work on regulatory issues that are road-blocking common pools in those markets.

Geier Confident in Chamberlain Bridge

Dennis "Peaches Geier, assistant to trainer Bret Calhoun, had a feeling about last year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IIT) with Chamberlain Bridge.

Trappe Shot Has Big Shot in Dirt Mile

In trainer Kiaran McLauglin's mind, Trappe Shot is a star. But Mill House's 4-year-old son of Tapit hasn't won a grade I race. He'll try to achieve that goal in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I).

Starting Gate Crewman Gets White Horse Award

Remington Park gate crewman Jeremy Best has been selected as the Race Track Chaplaincy of America's 2011 White Horse Award recipient for rescuing Quarter Horse jockey Roy Brooks during an incident last spring.

Ladies' Classic: It's Tricky a Fun Challenge

Dealing with It's Tricky is tricky. Just ask Kiaran McLauglin, who trains the 3-year-old daughter of Mineshaft for Godolphin Racing.

Dubawi Heights on the Rise for F&M Turf

Dubawi Heights, a two-time grade I winner this year for 28-year-old trainer Simon Callaghan, has impressed horsemen in her morning exercise leading up to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT).

Casse, Oxley Are a Breeders' Cup Dynamic Duo

Canada-based trainer Mark Casse and owner John Oxley are a Breeders' Cup World Championships dynamic duo in the division for 2-year-old runners.

Banke Carries On With 'Aurelia,' Wilburn

Barbara Banke is carrying on the prominent Thoroughbred operation, Stonestreet Stables, which will be represented by My Miss Aurelia and Wilburn in the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Hansen on Hansen: 'He's Locked and Loaded'

Dr. Kendall Hansen believes his 2-year-old colt, the undefeated Hansen, is heading into the Nov. 5 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile in excellent shape, but he's trying not to be overconfident.

Havelock: A True Athlete

Exercise rider Chase Miller has a lot of high hopes in Havelock, who is 9-2 on the morning line for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. IIT).

Talented Alpha Can Outrun Odds in Juvenile

Godolphin Racing's Alpha may be 15-1 on the morning line for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile, but his connections believe he can outrun those odds if he moves forward from his last start in the Champagne Stakes.

Royal Delta Set for Ladies' Classic

Royal Delta is the 5-2 second choice on the morning line for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs. Four days after the race, she is scheduled to go through the sale ring at the Keeneland.

Sunny Skies and Cool for Breeders' Cup

Sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid 60s are expected for Breeders' Cup.

'Day' Looks Bright in Juvenile Fillies Turf

Trainer Chad Brown knows how to win the Juvenile Filly Turf (gr. IIT) and he's seen Dayatthespa as a strong candidate for this race since the spring.

Tessitore: Compelling Content is the Key

Horse racing has been a family affair for Joe Tessitore, who will host two days of Breeders' Cup coverage Nov. 4-5 on the ESPN networks and ABC.