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Third Session Results Positive at Keeneland

The Keeneland January sale turned in a solid third session even though the number of quality mares and yearlings on offer decreased significantly from the Central Kentucky auction's first two days.

Noble's Promise to Skip Preakness; Ascot Next

Noble's Promise will pass the May 15 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and will point instead for the one-mile St. James's Palace Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot

Ward Back for More in Ky. Juvenile

Trainer Wesley Ward ran one-two in last year's race and has a pair for this year's running. Also, last year's third-place finisher was Mission Impazible, who runs in Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

Noble's Promise Heading to Churchill Downs

Noble's Promise, a banged-up fifth behind Line of David in the April 10 Arkansas Derby (gr. I) is doing better and will ship to Churchill Downs the morning of April 14 according to trainer Ken McPeek.

Dehere, Four Others Headed to Turkey

The Jockey Club of Turkey has added considerable strength to its stallion roster.

Points and Promise: Second-Crop Sires On Top

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

That this is an exceptional crop of second-year sires is not exactly news any more. Still, the point was hammered home again October 10 when two second-season horses were represented by grade I winners.

Cuvee's First Winner Comes at Lone Star

Cuvee's first winner in the United States came on May 8 at Lone Star Park when his first-crop 2-year-old colt, Border Cuvee, defeated a maiden field in his racing debut.

Cuvee Filly Fastest at OBS

A Cuvee filly turned in the fastest work ever at an eighth of a mile for an OBS sale.

TrueNicks for Keeneland's Day Four

Alan Porter discusses the short yearlings and carried foals that have the top-rated TrueNicks ratings and are entered in the fourth day of the Keeneland January sale.

Will He Shine Retires to Millennium

A half-brother to grade I Belmont Futurity winner Cuvee, Will He Shine was fourth in his final career start, the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I), on November 24 at Laurel Park in Maryland, and retires to Millennium Farm for the 2008 breeding season.

Will He Shine Retires to Millennium

A half-brother to grade I Belmont Futurity winner Cuvee, Will He Shine was fourth in his final career start, the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I), on November 24 at Laurel Park in Maryland, and retires to Millennium Farm for the 2008 breeding season.

Gross and Average Set Records at New York Mixed Sale

The New York Breeders' Sales Company's fall mixed sale Oct. 14 at Saratoga Race Course set records for total receipts ($1,776,900) and average sale price ($10,330).

'Steady Progress' Marks Day 10 of Keeneland Sale

A filly from the family of Mr. Greeley and Street Sense topped day 10 of the Keeneland September yearling sale. Tom Gentry, agent, bought the Hold That Tiger filly for $182,000 from Four Star Sales, agent.

Cuvee's First Foal Is a Colt

Gainesway Farm announced that the first foal sired by grade I winner Cuvee arrived Jan. 5 at Bruce Kline's Foxhills Farm near Lexington.

Cuvee Relocates to Gainesway Farm

Grade I winner Cuvee, will continue his stud career at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Ky., beginning in 2006, after standing his first season at Spendthrift Farm this year.

Grade I Winner Cuvee to Spendthrift

Cuvee, last year's runner-up in Eclipse Award balloting for best 2-year-old male for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Bruce Kline and partners' Spendthrift Farm, was retired following his unplaced effort in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) and will enter stud at Spendthrift near Lexington, Ky. for a fee of $10,000.

Mitchell Happy with Five Post for Kela

Trainer Mike Mitchell said he was pleased with drawing the five post for Kela after post positions were drawn for Saturday's $1-million Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I). Kela is among the 13 entered for the six-furlong affair at Lone Star Park.

Monday Notes: Juvenile Fillies Drill, Prepare to Ship

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies candidates Runway Model, Dance Away Capote and Sis City were among those putting in their final major workouts Monday and are being prepared to ship to Grand Prairie, Texas, for Saturday's race.

Cuvee Added to Sprint Lineup; Lady Tak Possible

Cuvee, one of the top juveniles of 2003, is on track for a start in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Sprint, trainer Steve Asmussen said Saturday. Asmussen said 4-year-old filly Lady Tak also remains an outside possibility for the Sprint.

Speed Tilts as Level Playingfield Takes Sprint

Level Playingfield, the longest shot in the field of five, stormed from behind under the guidance of John McKee, who took advantage of a fast pace to run down favored Cuvee and win the $100,000 Kentucky Cup Sprint (gr. III) for 3-year-olds at Turfway Park Saturday.

Cuvee, Heckle Meet In Kentucky Cup Sprint

Cuvee, a grade I winner last year who is making his second start since undergoing knee surgery late last year, is the 8-5 morning line favorite in the $100,000 Kentucky Cup Sprint (gr. III) at Turfway Park Saturday.

Countdown to the Cup: Will Azeri Tackle the Boys?

Although there are still several major preps remaining for the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I), the leading players are pretty well set, with Pleasantly Perfect, Ghostzapper, and Birdstone all heading straight for Texas. But there is still one player – former Horse of the Year Azeri -- who could add a whole new dimension to the race.

Pie N Burger Steps Up to the Plate in Ky. Cup

Pie N Burger is being aimed for his first graded stakes victory in more than a year in Saturday's Kentucky Cup Classic (gr. II) at Turfway Park. The 6-year-old gelding by Twining won't find the going easy in the 1 1/8-mile race.

Fields for Kentucky Cup Shaping Up

The fields for the Sept. 18 Kentucky Cup at Turfway Park are beginning to take shape and full fields are expected.

Fire Slam Smokes Cuvee in Matt Winn

Taking advantage of a red-hot pace, Stan E. Fulton's Fire Slam and jockey Pat Day smoked past the leaders on the outside in mid-stretch and cruised to an easy 5 1/4-length victory in the $103,499 Matt Winn Stakes for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs.

Fire Slam and Cuvee Set for Matt Winn

Stan Fulton's Fire Slam, a one-time Kentucky Derby (gr. I) hopeful and runner-up in Keeneland's Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II), heads a small but strong field entered in Saturday's third running of the $100,000-added Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Thedowneyprofile (Cont.)

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Top Threesome on Experimental Free Handicap (See Dual Qualifiers)

Eclipse Award winner Action This Day, Cuvee, and Ruler's Court accomplished enough as 2-year-olds last year to share top billing under the standard top weight of 126 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap that was released Tuesday.

Final Breeders' Cup Preps for Five Kentucky-Based Horses

Five contenders for Saturday's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, including a powerful trio trained by Steve Asmussen, were on the track at Churchill Downs and its Trackside Louisville training center Monday.

Asmussen Trio, Cajun Beat Work at Churchill

Trainer Steve Asmussen's powerful trio of contenders for the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships --Cuvee, Lady Tak, and Posse -- were all busy with pre-dawn works on Monday at Churchill Downs in preparation for their runs Oct. 25.

Halfbridled, Cuvee Top BC Juvenile Futures

Wertheimer Farm's juvenile filly Halfbridled, at 2-1, is the lowest priced favorite in the third and final round of the Breeders' Cup Future Bet, which concluded Sunday.

Countdown to the Cup: Don't Blame Congaree for Kentucky Cup Classic Defeat

Although many will have the tendency to dismiss Congaree in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) after being outkicked by Perfect Drift in the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Cup Classic (gr. II), the son of Arazi cannot be blamed for the defeat.

Futurity Winner Cuvee Only Gets Better

The knock on Cuvee is that he has a sprint pedigree, but so far, the longer the distance for the standout chestnut colt, the bigger his margin of victory. The Verne Winchell-bred Carson City colt drew off to win Sunday's $200,000 Belmont Futurity (gr.I) for 2-year-olds by 8 1/4 lengths.

Future is Now for Value Plus

Trainer Todd Pletcher seeks to continue his winning ways with 2-year-olds when he saddles Value Plus in Sunday's $200,000 Futurity (gr. I) at Belmont Park.

Countdown to the Cup (Cont.)

From Preceding Page

Cuvee Cruises in Saratoga Special

Cuvee cruised to an easy 7 1/2-length win over a sloppy going in Wednesday's $150,000 Saratoga Special Stakes (gr. III) at Saratoga. The Steve Asmussen trainee covered the 6 1/2-furlong distance in 1:15.4. Pomeroy was second, followed by Limehouse 2 3/4 lengths back in third.

Spendthrift Buys Interest in Stakes Winner Cuvee

A half-interest in graded stakes-winning 2-year-old Cuvee has been purchased by a partnership that includes Bruce Kline and partners' Spendthrift Farm

Limehouse Takes Eventful Bashford Manor

Dogwood Stable's unbeaten Limehouse overcame a troubled trip in Sunday's $162,750 Bashford Manor (gr. III) to win by a widening 4 1/2 lengths in a roughly run closing day feature for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs.

Perfect Cuvee Stands Out in Bashford Manor

Winchell Thoroughbred's unbeaten Cuvee, a dominating winner of the Kentucky Breeders' Cup (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, is the headliner in a battle of so far perfect 2-year-olds converging on Churchill Downs for $125,000-added Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III).

New Faces to Challenge Cuvee in Bashford Manor

Cuvee, a romping winner in the Kentucky Breeders' Cup (gr. III), looms as a heavy favorite in Sunday's 102nd running of the six-furlong race for 2-year-olds - but he will be challenged by some new faces.

Led by Cuvee, Asmussen Runners Tune Up at Churchill

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Cuvee, who looms as a heavy favorite in Sunday's 102nd running of the $125,000-added Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds, finished his major preparation for the six furlong race with a Monday work at Churchill Downs.

Half-Interest in Cuvee Sold

In Tuesday barn notes from Churchill Downs, trainer Steve Asmussen confirmed that Winchell Thoroughbreds has reached an agreement to sell half-interest in Kentucky Breeders' Cup (gr. III) winner Cuvee.

Mineshaft, Cuvee Work at Churchill

William S. Farish, Temple Webber, Jr. and James Elkins' Mineshaft turned in an easy four furlong breeze on Monday at Churchill Downs, his first work since his narrow loss to Perfect Drift in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) on June 14.

Carson City Leads Both General and 2-Year-Olds List

Carson City, a member of the Overbrook Farm stallion corps that includes the incomparable Storm Cat, has bettered his illustrious stallion mate.

No Surprise as Favored Cuvee Rolls in Kentucky Breeders' Cup

Cuvee, ridden by Lonnie Meche, swept to the lead on the far turn and drew off for a convincing 8 1/4-length victory over First Money in Memorial Day's featured $174,200 grade III Kentucky Breeders' Cup for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs.

Cuvee Merits Favorite Role in Kentucky BC

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Cuvee, a dazzling 6 1/2-length winner in his career debut at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day, heads a field of six in the 5 1/2-furlong Kentucky Breeders' Cup (gr. III) Monday, the first graded stakes race of the year for American 2-year-olds.