Bob and Beverly Lewis' With Distinction prevailed in a driving three-horse finish and survived a jockey's claim of foul to emerge victorious in Monday's grade III, $112,100 El Conejo Handicap at Santa Anita.
Monday, January 02, 2006After more than 11,000 racing fans enjoyed "Pat's Day" at Churchill Downs on Saturday afternoon, horsemen gathered to honor the Hall of Fame jockey at a charity roast Saturday evening.
Sunday, November 13, 2005Churchill Downs will be the scene of a charitable fundraising roast and salute to legendary jockey Pat Day this Saturday.
Thursday, November 10, 2005Lord of the Game, a $10,000 claim who has gone on to become a grade II winner and bankroll nearly $540,000, worked Thursday morning over a fast track at Hawthorne Racecourse under jockey Eusebio Razo, as he prepares for the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. II).
Thursday, October 13, 2005Mt. Livermore, sire of nine millionaires and six champions, has been pensioned at Gainesway Farm near Lexington because of declining fertility.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005Bob and Beverly Lewis' homebred Folklore became the early favorite for the Alberto VO5 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) when she routed the field by 14 lengths in Saturday's $300,000 Matron (gr. I) at Belmont Park.
Saturday, September 17, 2005A field of 10 horses has been drawn for Saturday's Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park. Won last year by Roses in May, this year's event features grade II winner Grand Reward as the 122-pound highweight--and a new Polytrack surface.
Thursday, September 15, 2005A cast of seven fillies will line up for distinction Friday in the 114th running of the Spinaway Stakes (gr. II) for 2-year-olds at Saratoga. Last month's Adirondack Stakes (gr. II) winner over the track, Folklore, looks to join 2004 Spinaway winner Society Selection and 2003 star Ashado, both of whom used this race as a springboard to grade I Spa glory.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005The decision by Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day to retire at age 51 elicited a variety of reactions from those with whom he has worked during his illustrious career.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005The D. Wayne Lukas-trained Grand Reward might have finished third in a conditioned allowance/optional claiming race on the opening day of the Saratoga meeting, but the Hall of Fame trainer has bigger things in mind for the regally-bred son of Storm Cat
Thursday, July 28, 2005The New York Racing Association, after discussions with horsemen, is making improvements to its race-day security barns at Saratoga.
Thursday, July 28, 2005Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has left his mark on many stakes races at Churchill Downs, but none have felt his impact more than the $100,000-added Debutante Stakes (gr. III).
Thursday, July 07, 2005Watchmon, a son of Maria's Mon who is expected to be one of the longest prices on the board in Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), breezed five furlongs over the main track at Belmont Park Tuesday morning in 1:00.09.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005Back-to-back Breeders' Cup Classic champion Tiznow sired his first winner June 3 when the 2-year-old filly Folklore romped to a four-length victory at Belmont Park.
Friday, June 03, 2005When Gators N Bears enters the gate for Saturday's $200,000 Maryland Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III) at Pimlico Race Course, he'll be doing more than defending his 2004 Maryland Breeders' Cup title. He'll be looking for his first win of the year against an evenly matched field of eight runners in the six-furlong race.
Thursday, May 19, 2005Going Wild, who finished 18th of 20 in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), had his final Preakness Stakes (gr. I) tune-up at Churchill Downs Monday morning, drilling five furlongs in 1:01.40 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The work ranked 11th of 20 times at the distance.
Monday, May 16, 2005One day after riding Giacomo to an upset victory in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) at 50-1 odds, jockey Mike Smith was in the limelight Sunday morning in the Churchill Downs barn area.
Sunday, May 08, 2005Nearly 500 guests crowded into the Hyatt Regency Ballroom in Louisville Tuesday night to celebrate this year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contenders, and honor the trainers who have propelled them to their spots in Saturday's Run for the Roses.
Wednesday, May 04, 2005"Come on six! Stay up three! Get out of there 12! Where's the four? Who's that?" These may sound like the common shouts of an overzealous, exotics-playing railbird, but on Saturday, it just might be something you hear from as esteemed a place as the Churchill Downs box of New York-born trainer Nick Zito.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005The workout tab at Churchill Downs for horses pointing toward the May 7 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) continued to be light Wednesday, with only classic contender Consolidator going through the paces.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005Robert and Beverly Lewis' Going Wild, runner-up in the Santa Catalina (gr. II) and winner of the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita, tuned up for a run in Saturday's $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland with a five furlong work on Monday at Churchill Downs.
Monday, April 18, 2005Robert and Beverly Lewis' Consolidator sparkled in a swift five furlong breeze Sunday at Churchill Downs that marked his final major prep for Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland.
Sunday, April 10, 2005The front-running Grand Reward, ridden by John McKee, bolted to the early lead and held on for a neck victory over Second of June in Saturday's $490,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II).
Saturday, April 09, 2005Take a popular husband and wife who have already known the thrill of owning two Kentucky Derby-Preakness (both gr. I) winners and the agony of two close Belmont (gr. I) defeats. Add one of the most colorful and controversial trainers of modern times, and throw in the hottest commercial sire living. Add a French connection with an international flair, and what do you have?
Wednesday, April 06, 2005Consolidator, Going Wild and Bellamy Road – all considered to be major contenders for the $2 million Kentucky Derby (gr. I) – turned in sharp workouts on Sunday at Churchill Downs in preparation for their final preps for the 131st renewal of the "Run for the Roses" on May 7.
Sunday, April 03, 2005Trainer D. Wayne Lukas says he'd prefer that San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) winner Consolidator run next in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland April 16.
Sunday, March 20, 2005Trainer D. Wayne Lukas promised Consolidator would be a fitter horse for Saturday's $250,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita. The $1.25 million colt didn't disappoint, romping to a surprising, powerful victory for owners Robert and Beverly Lewis.
Saturday, March 19, 2005Going Wild led from start to finish and notched a one-length victory over Papa Chullo in the $100,000 Sham Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita Park Saturday.
Saturday, February 05, 2005Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas will be the keynote speaker at the Texas Thoroughbred Association's annual conference and awards banquet as part of the association's 50th anniversary celebration. Lukas, a four-time Eclipse Award winner, is the all-time leader among trainers with earnings of more than $240 million and holds the record for the most Breeders' Cup wins by a trainer with 17.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005Maiden winner Going Wild, a $600,000 Kentucky-bred son of Golden Missile, goes for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas in the $100,000 San Miguel Stakes for 3-year-olds at six furlongs at Santa Anita Park on Monday.
Saturday, January 15, 2005Azeri, North America's all-time leading money-earning female, has been retired from racing. Michael Paulson, who heads his father's Allen Paulson Living Trust that raced Azeri, made the decision to retire the 6-year-old daughter of Jade Hunter rather than race her a few more times, as was under consideration.
Thursday, December 23, 2004Azeri could next race at Hollywood Park Dec. 12 in the $150,000-added Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II), trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Wednesday.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004Trainer D. Wayne Lukas says he's undecided about whether to run Azeri in the $300,000-added Falls City Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on Thanksgiving Day due to concern over weight assignments.
Sunday, November 21, 2004Azeri is doing so well after her fifth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Lone Star Park she may come back for the $300,000 Falls City Handicap (gr. II) on Thanksgiving Day Nov. 25, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said Wednesday.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004There are at least two trainers who think the correct move with Azeri is to run in the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) rather than the Breeders' Cup Distaff – Presented by Nextel (gr. I). One is D. Wayne Lukas, who trains Azeri. The other is Patrick Biancone.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who has won a record 17 Breeders Cup races in his career, signed on as a spokesman for the home wagering company Youbet.com on Oct. 26.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004The champion Azeri, approaching her 2002 form when she was Horse of the Year, put on a show in her first start at Keeneland while winning the $500,000 Overbrook Spinster for fillies and mares under wraps Sunday.
Sunday, October 10, 2004Consolidator justified his $1.25 million sale price with an impressive performance in winning the $500,000 Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland.
Saturday, October 09, 2004Azeri, the 2002 Horse of the Year, has crisscrossed the country piling up 16 victories in 22 starts thus far in her career. She never has raced at Keeneland, but that will change Oct. 10 when she takes on six fillies and mares in the $500,000 Overbrook Spinster Stakes (gr. I) at the Lexington racetrack.
Friday, October 08, 2004Spendthrift Farm's big gray Stellar Jayne and So Madcapt Stable's New York-bred Capeside Lady were installed as the co-highweights for the 10th running of the $400,000 Indiana Breeders' Cup Oaks (gr. III) at Hoosier Park Oct. 1.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004Mare Haven Farm near Lexington will now be known as CASA Farms under the new ownership of Florida residents Clint and Susan Atkins.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004Surprising Susan's Angel collared favored Angela's Love in upper stretch and refused to buckle when challenged late by Mayo On the Side to give trainer D. Wayne Lukas victory in the $175,000 Turfway Park Breeders' Cup (gr. III) for fillies and mares Saturday.
Saturday, September 18, 2004The fields for the Sept. 18 Kentucky Cup at Turfway Park are beginning to take shape and full fields are expected.
Monday, September 13, 2004We love men in pink, burgers and brats at Rick's, Juddmonte Farms hats, show-off-the new-stallion parties, Taylor Made's zones, and the cute little kid in the very big cowboy hat.
Sunday, September 12, 2004Passed in the stretch, Stellar Jayne turned back Daydreaming in the final furlong to capture the $250,000 Gazelle Handicap (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies Saturday, her second grade I win of the summer at Belmont Park.
Sunday, September 12, 2004It was a family affair at Saratoga on Friday when Storm Flag Flying wore down 3-5 favorite Azeri to win the Personal Ensign Handicap (gr. I) by more than a length.
Friday, August 27, 2004Michael Paulson's Azeri, a three-time champion who became North America's all-time richest female in winning the Aug. 1 Go for Wand Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga, was assigned top weight of 122 pounds in Friday's $400,000 Personal Ensign Handicap (gr. I).
Wednesday, August 25, 2004Stellar Jayne and Susan's Angel, trainer D. Wayne Lukas' hopes in Saturday's $750,000 Alabama (gr. I) Saturday at Saratoga Race Course, breezed a half mile in company Monday morning.
Monday, August 16, 2004Three humans and three horses will be honored when The National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame inducts its 2004 class Aug. 9 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Thursday, August 05, 2004The public is invited to the National Museum of Racing's annual Hall of Fame Ceremony, Monday, Aug. 9 at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion. Members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2004 include trainer Claude "Shug" McGaughey, jockeys Kent Desormeaux and Jimmy Winkfield, and Thoroughbred champions Bowl of Flowers, Flawlessly, and Skip Away.
Monday, August 02, 2004