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Belmont Preview: No Longer Afraid of Orb

When glory has worn off the winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) after a different horse comes along to claim the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) becomes anybody's race to win.

The Morning After: Derby Also-Rans Moving On

One day after Orb took the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), it appears only a few of the 18 other horses that ran in the Derby will run back in two weeks in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Triple Crown Insider - 02/09/2011

Triple Crown Insider tracks the top 3-year-olds, rating the 20 best contenders in the weeks leading up to Kentucky Derby 137. Presented by Taylor Made Stallions

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Big Brown to Shuttle To Australia This Year

According to an announcement on the Vinery Australia Web Site, the farm has "secured a significant shareholding" in Big Brown and the stallion will shuttle beginning this year.

Galt House Named Official Derby Hotel

The Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Ky., has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with Churchill Downs to be named the official host hotel of the track, the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), and the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), it was announced in an Oct. 30 release.

Sunny Day, Horses Ready for Belmont

We tend to always knock weathermen, but they have been spot on with their predictions for Belmont week. The day before the final leg of the Triple Crown, as predicted, was as miserable as it gets, but race day itself, again as prognosticators said it would, dawned bright and beautiful.

Mine That Bird Jogs, Rachel Alexandra Walks

After two days off and a 9 1/2-hour van ride from Baltimore, Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird returned to the track at Churchill Downs for a light jog Tuesday, May 19. Meanwhile, Rachel Alexandra walked under Asmussen's shedrow on her second day back at Churchill.

Setting the Scene on Preakness Day

As of about 6:45 a.m. EDT, every horse was on the grounds at Pimlico Race Course for the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

Rachel Alexandra Heavy Early Betting Choice

How much did the addition of the filly Rachel Alexandra mean to the dynamics of the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I)? According to the patrons at Pimlico Race Course the day before the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, it meant everything.

Ludt on Top of the World with Friesan Fire

Tom Ludt was sitting on top of the world. It was the morning of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), and after I Want Revenge was scratched, Friesan Fire became the new favorite in the classic. Ludt is the general manager of Tom Simon's Vinery, which owns Friesan Fire in partnership with Rick Porter's Fox Hill Stable.

Borel Confident in Decision to Ride Filly

With all the rain recently in Kentucky, and with a minor business matter requiring him to be out of town over the weekend, Calvin Borel had an important project to finish before leaving town. The morning of May 15 he was mowing his grass.

Musket Man Likely for Preakness

Musket Man, the third-place finisher in the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will likely run in the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Friesan Fire Favored in Early Wagering

In the early on-track wagering on the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), Friesan Fire is the 9-2 favorite.

Weather the Big Question for Oaks, Derby

The song says the sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home, but there is no sun shining Kentucky Oaks morning, and the weather is the big topic of conversation.

Triple Crown Nominations Down 11%

Following a record 450 nominations to the 2007 Triple Crown and a near record 449 in 2008, the number has decreased to 401 in 2009.

Derby Contender Workouts

No prominent 3-year-old races this weekend, but plenty of action on the worktab. Triple Crown Talk blog, with host Jason Shandler, looks at this week's works for Derby contenders.

Fans Await Triple Crown Possibility

History making performance. Defining moment. Greatness personified in the Thoroughbred. Will it happen today?

NetJets Completes TC Sponsorship

NetJets made a presentation the day prior to the Belmont (gr. I), culminating a sponsorship in all three Triple Crown races in which various charities benefited.

Saint Liam's Former Owner Seeks Upset

William K. (Bill) Warren Jr., has a unique perspective of this year's Belmont Stakes (gr. I). He knows what it's like to have a top horse trained by Rick Dutrow. Not only that, but to have a top horse trained by Dutrow that has foot problems.

Big Brown Arrives; Ran Down in Preakness

Big Brown arrived in style at Belmont Park May 19. With a police escort in front and a UPS truck behind, a Brook Ledge van delivered the winner of the first two legs of the Triple Crown to a loading ramp near Barn 2 at 2:25 p.m.

Whirlwind for Clay Pays Off

What an 18-hour stretch for Three Chimneys Farm owner Robert Clay.

Big Brown Breezes Preakness Morning

Heavy Preakness (gr. I) favorite Big Brown worked two furlongs at Pimlico early this morning as he prepares to meet 11 opponents in the second jewel of racing's Triple Crown.

Anything Can Happen, Desormeaux Says

If you think because of the dominating performance in the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) that jockey Kent Desormeaux is taking anything for granted, think again.

Big Brown Narrow Choice in Betting

Just like the morning line suggested, bettors in the advance wagering have installed Big Brown as the favorite for Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Saez to Ride Eight Belles if in Derby

Should Eight Belles run in the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands instead of the previous day's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), jockey Gabe Saez will have the mount, trainer Larry Jones said April 24.

Twinspires Offers Derby, Poker Contest

TwinSpires.com, the official advance deposit wagering service for Churchill Downs Incorporated, is teaming with 11-time "World Series of Poker" champion Phil Hellmuth Jr. to deliver the "Ultimate Kentucky Derby Players Weekend."

Keeneland to Simulcast Dubai World Cup

Keeneland Race Course will offer simulcast wagering on the $21 million Dubai World Cup Day races, held Saturday, March 29, at Nad al Sheba Race Course in Dubai.

Albarado Confident on Curlin in Dubai

Robby Albarado will have a definite target on his back when he rides Curlin in the $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse March 29. But the Cajun jockey is confident in his mount's ability and the way the 2007 Horse of the Year is going to handle his 4-year-old campaign.

Dutrow's Big Weekend Includes Dubai

Rick Dutrow may be staying in the United States this weekend, but his runners in Dubai are not to be discounted. On March 29, Benny the Bull tackles the Golden Shaheen while Diamond Stripes aims for the Godolphin Mile.

Big Truck Stuns Tampa Bay; War Pass Last

Trainer Barclay Tagg had prophetic words of wisdom for jockey Eibar Coa before he sent Eric Fein's Big Truck to the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III). He told Coa to ride for second, remarking that they'd win if 1-9 favorite War Pass did not. And that's exactly what happened.

Spotsgone Gets it Done in Essex

With the focus of many racing fans on Fair Grounds and the 3-year-old efforts of Derby hopefuls, 5-year-old Spotsgone quietly stole the $150,000 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park.

Pyro Smokes Field in Risen Star

From the cavalry charge that entered the head of the lane for the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds, a star emerged. Winchell Thoroughbreds' Pyro smoked the competition, making a huge last-to-first move under Shaun Bridgmohan at Fair Grounds Feb. 9.

Commentary: Because of a Horse

By Steve Haskin - With Thoroughbred racing in the United States going through perhaps the roughest time in its history, it is reassuring to know that the passion people around the world have for the sport and for the horse still is as strong as ever.

Derby Fantasy Contest Now Online

The Kentucky Derby "Road to the Roses" Fantasy Challenge, a free online contest that allows racing fans to manage a stable of Kentucky Derby contenders during the three-month buildup to the May 3 race, is now open for registration.

Barbaro to be Buried at Churchill

Barbaro will be buried at Churchill Downs, owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson announced Jan. 29.

Z Fortune Moves up in LeComte

Zayat Stables' Z Fortune put himself near the top of trainer Steve Asmussen's 3-year-old list when he came from off the pace to take the $100,000 LeComte Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Jan. 12.

Commentary: Woe(Whoa?) is Fairmount

By - Kathy Kranz - Last year I was privileged -- yes, privileged -- to witness Lawyer Ron winning the inaugural St. Louis Derby. But the 2006 running was the one and only, the first and last, the alpha and the omega St. Louis Derby.

NYRA Unveils 2008 Stakes Schedule

The New York Racing Association released its 2008 stakes schedule Dec. 12, following approval by NYRA's board of trustees at its monthly meeting. The New York State Racing and Wagering Board still must give its approval, a standard procedure.

Seven Entered for Saturday's Belmont

Slew's Tizzy and Hard Spun, who figure to be the pacesetters in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), drew next to each other at the post position draw Wednesday morning at Belmont Park. Curlin, the classic-winning morning line favorite in the seven-horse field, drew post three.

Commentary: Huddle Up

By Dan Liebman - Never having been in such a position, Gallion had trouble putting a value on Curlin...

Nafzger Relaxed; All Up to Street Sense Now

Trainer Carl Nafzger was relaxed at the Preakness barn Thursday morning. And, why shouldn't he be.

Charmin and Sheets

By Bill Nack - The Derby, unique and demanding, requires that a horse be absolutely dead fit to win it.

It All Makes Sense in Kentucky Derby

The jinx has been broken. Calvin Borel and Street Sense won the $2.2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) Saturday, the first Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner to return at 3 and win the Derby.

Derby Day Morning Line

Standing outside the Gold Room on the sixth floor of the clubhouse of Churchill Downs is Lisa Underwood. Underwood is the executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority.

Muggy Oaks Day, Rain Has Arrived

As the gates opened at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks day, the key was not the field for the race but the weather forecast.

Kaplan's Longshots Longing for Roses

In a year where multiple trainers have multiple horses in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), Bill Kaplan will saddle two longshots.

O'Neill Basking in First Derby Experience

Although trainer Doug O'Neill has played a significant role in some of racing's biggest days, on May 5 he will experience saddling a Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender for the first time. After the defection of his trainee Cobalt Blue, O'Neill will be saddling two horses in the Derby, Great Hunter and Liquidity

Prepping for the Roses

In a year filled with synthetic surface preps and extended layoffs between races, most of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contenders are looking to break some kind of trend.

Word On The Street

By Ray Paulick - For some, just getting a horse to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May is the realization of a dream. For others who've been there before, it's about winning -- pure and simple.

Pletcher Pleased with Cowtown Cat Work

Calling the :58.91 move "as good as a horse could work," trainer Todd Pletcher expressed great pleasure with the five-furlong performance of Cowtown Cat over the Keeneland Polytrack Saturday morning.