BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Hangin' With Haskin: Time to Change BC Friday

The Breeders' Cup Filly Friday concept had its flaws from the beginning. The Breeders' Cup has always prided itself as the self-anointed World Thoroughbred Championships...

Read Blog

Sweet Repent Takes Five in Millions Distaff

Sweet Repent, a daughter of Repent, won her fifth consecutive race in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff. The Distaff was her first start of 2010.

Bear Now Cruises in Ky. Cup Distaff

The foray from Canada to Kentucky's Turfway Park proved even more profitable for owner Bear Stables, trainer Reade Baker, and jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva as Bear Now cruised to a four-length victory in the $100,000 Kentucky Cup Distaff (gr. III) Sept. 27. The win came barely an hour after the connections teamed up to take the Kentucky Cup Sprint (gr. III) with Fatal Bullet. The two runners' connections leave Turfway with a pair of impressive prospects for the Breeders' Cup World Championships October 24-25 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita.

Frank Stronach Video Interview

Frank Stronach covers a variety of topics in this exclusive video interview, including a look at the newly relocated Adena Springs Farm.

Pletcher Reviews Breeders' Cup Starters

Two days before the Oct. 26-27 Breeders' Cup World Championships, trainer Todd Pletcher reviewed his 11 starters and shared his thoughts on the upcoming races, including possible scratches should the surfaces turn up wet or yielding due to weekend showers.

Distaff Owners Seek to Double Their Fun

Jack and Laurie Wolf and John and Jerry Amerman will all be looking for their second victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff when they send out Octave and Balance, respectively, Saturday at Monmouth Park.

Video: Interview with Kiaran McLaughlin

Trainer Kiaran McLauhglin discusses his Breeders' Cup hopefuls, Lear's Princess (Distaff) and Lahudood (Filly and Mare Turf).

Pletcher-Trained Indian Vale Distaff Favorite

It's not surprising a Todd Pletcher-trained filly was made the favorite for the Oct. 27 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I), it's just a little surprising which one.

Street Sense Arrives at Monmouth

James Tafel's Street Sense, who will be one of the favorites for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I), arrived safely at Monmouth Park at 6:15 a.m. Oct. 19 after a van ride from Churchill Downs.

Breeders' Cup Starters Arrive; Shore Do Breezes at Monmouth

Harry Aleo's Smokey Stover and Charles Laloggia's Clearly Foxy both shipped into Monmouth Park Oct. 18, and trainer Chuck Peery sent 2-year-old Shore Do out for a five-furlong breeze this morning.

Breeders' Cup Race Order, Post Times Announced

The Breeders' Cup World Championships programs will include 10 races Oct. 26 and 11 races Oct. 27 at Monmouth Park, it was announced Oct. 16.

Lady Joanne Preps for Breeders' Cup Distaff

Bentley Smith's Alabama Stakes (gr. I) winner Lady Joanne continued her preparations for the $2-million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) to be run Oct. 27 at Monmouth Park by working a half-mile in :48.60 Oct. 16 at Churchill Downs with regular rider Calvin Borel up.

Breeders' Cup Focus: Unbridled Belle

Unbridled Belle has lived in the shadow of her more illustrious stablemates for most of her career. But when Todd Pletcher trainees Rags to Riches, Indian Vale, Panty Raid, and Octave stepped out of the spotlight, the grade I-winning Broken Vow filly got her chance to shine.

Prado Begins Therapy; Could Ride in Two Weeks

Jockey Edgar Prado, sidelined with a broken right ankle incurred in a Sept. 1 racing accident at Saratoga, began physical therapy Sept. 28 and may get back on horses within two weeks if all goes well, said his agent, Bob Frieze.

Street Sense Returns to Churchill; Next Start Undecided

James Tafel's Street Sense, winner of this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the Aug. 25 Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, returned to his home base at Churchill Downs early Sept. 3 to continue training for his fall campaign.

Distaff Winner Round Pond Injured, Retired

Round Pond, who won last year's Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff, is retired with a slab fracture.

Lemons Forever Skips Keeneland Sale; Will Race Next Year

Lemons Forever, the longshot winner of this year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), was scheduled to be sold following her run in the Nov. 4 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I). But she never left her stall in the Churchill Downs barn of trainer and co-owner Dallas Stewart.

Pine Island Buried Monday at Claiborne Farm

Pine Island, who was euthanized after breaking down in the Nov. 4 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) at Churchill Downs, was buried at the Hancock family's Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky., Monday afternoon.

Churchill Says Ambulance Personnel Were Following Regulations

An equine ambulance was delayed in getting to Fleet Indian after the mare injured her left front suspensory ligament during the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) because Churchill Downs personnel were following state regulations regarding ambulances on the track.

Pletcher Goes Zero-for-17 in the Breeders' Cup

While trainer Todd Pletcher had a record number of Breeders' Cup World Championship runners, none of them were able to bring home the victory as his stable went 0-17 at Churchill Downs Nov. 4.

Round Pond Wins Injury-Marred Distaff

The Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) epitomized the highs and lows of the sport. Round Pond won the 1 1/8-mile race, but co-favorites Pine Island and Fleet Indian suffered injuries.

Pine Island Euthanized; Fleet Indian Injured in Distaff

The two 5-2 co-favorites in the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) both broke down during the running of the race and failed to finish.

Healthy Addiction, Hollywood Story Headed to Breeding Shed Next Year

Healthy Addiction will be bred to Tiznow. Hollywood Story will visit Storm Cat.

Pine Island: She's No Beauty, But She Can Shake Her Booty

Pine Island, bred and owned by the Phipps Stable, probably wouldn't win an equine beauty contest. But she's Miss America on the racetrack.

Lead Change Will Be a Key for Balletto in Distaff

After finishing second in Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) two years ago, Balletto returns to the Breeders' Cup, this time in the Emirates Airline Distaff (gr.I).

Distaff Preview: Indian Made

To Paul Saylor, this year's Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) is a "pinch yourself situation on a daily, if not hourly, basis."

Pleasant Home Upsets Ashado in the Distaff

Pleasant Home pulled off a shocker in the $1,834,000 Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I), rallying from the outside on the turn and rolling to an 9 1/4-length victory at 30-1 odds.

Healthy Addiction Improving at the Right Time for John Sadler

With the wind whipping through Belmont Park Monday morning, trainer John Sadler had a quick thought. "This is not Del Mar," the Southern California-based trainer said.

Happy Ticket Has Workout for Distaff

Happy Ticket, who gained a lot of believers after a strong second to Ashado in the Oct. 1 Beldame Stakes (gr. I), had her last workout Wednesday morning for Saturday's Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I).

Grade I Winner Island Sand Retired; Will be Bred to A.P. Indy

Millionaire grade I winner Island Sand, owned by Jim Osborne's B A Man Stable, has been retired and will be bred in 2006 to A.P. Indy.

Yolanda B. Too to Contest Distaff

West Point Thoroughbreds' 3-year-old filly Yolanda B. Too, who lost a narrow decision to unbeaten Nothing But Fun in the Cotillion Handicap Oct. 1, was proclaimed to be on target for the $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) by trainer Rick Violette Jr. after a workout Monday morning at Aqueduct.

Emirates Airline to Sponsor Two Breeders' Cup Races

The Breeders' Cup announced a major sponsorship deal Wednesday, with Emirates Airline stepping forward to become the first company to lend its name to two of the eight World Thoroughbred Championship events.

Distaff Recap: Long Shadow

Twice during the running of the Breeders' Cup Distaff - Presented by Nextel (gr. I), sophomore filly Ashado pushed around older rivals like she was the toughest kid on the playground.

Ashado Finds Hole, Wins Distaff With Ease

Ashado, a 3-year-old filly by Saint Ballado, added to her impressive resume Oct. 30 with a decisive victory in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff Presented by Nextel (gr. I).

'Society' Not a Bad Selection in Distaff

If looks have anything to do with the outcome, sophomore Society Selection has an outstanding chance to get Hall of Fame trainer H. Allen Jerkens his first win in a Breeders' Cup race Saturday in the $2-million Breeders' Cup Distaff – Presented by Nextel (gr. I).

Storm Flag Flying Makes Last Start in Distaff

Win or lose Saturday in the Breeders' Cup Distaff – Presented by Nextel (gr. I), champion Storm Flag Flying will be making her last start.

Biancone Says Azeri Will Win Classic

There 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.

Breeders' Cup Attracts 101 Pre-Entries

They say Lone Star Park's dirt and grass surfaces are identical to those at Santa Anita Park, which may account for this year's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships drawing the identical number of pre-entered horses as last year, when the event was held at the Arcadia, Calif., racetrack.

Nextel Distaff Preview: Heavy Lies the Crown

Azeri is already among elite company: Horse of the Year in 2002, back-to-back champion older mare in 2002 and 2003, and all-time leading North American female earner. With a victory in the Breeders' Cup Distaff - Presented by Nextel (gr. I), she would join the brilliant Bayakoa as the only two-time Distaff winners in history.

Adoration Pulls Shocker in Breeders' Cup Distaff

Adoration, the longest shot on the board, went wire-to-wire to take the Breeders' Cup Distaff – Presented by Nextel (gr. I) by 4 1/2 lengths, a shocking beginning to the 20th Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Santa Anita.

Tendon Injury Knocks Azeri Out of Breeders' Cup, May End Career

Azeri, who was declared out of the Breeders' Cup Distaff – Presented by Nextel (gr. I) on Monday morning, has an injured tendon, trainer Laura de Seroux said later in the day.

Azeri Out of Breeders' Cup Distaff

Azeri, the 2002 Horse of the Year, will not run in the Oct. 25 Breeders' Cup Distaff – Presented by Nextel, Michael Paulson announced Sunday night.

DISTAFF PREVIEW 2003: Seeking the Crown

Reigning Horse of the Year not favored in Distaff.

Empire Maker Favored in BC Future Pool

Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Empire Maker was made the 7-2 favorite for the Breeders' Cup Classic, Powered by Dodge (gr. I) in future book wagering conducted this weekend.

Top-Notch Horses Take Pressure Off First-Time BC Trainers

Three trainers will make their first starts in a Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship when the gates open for the Distaff (gr. I). But none of them feel the weight of the championship because they have so much of their confidence in their horses.

Two Item Limit Back On Track at Arlington

Two Item Limit, who finished third in last year's Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) is on track to take on a very deep field of eight. She's come a long way since the beginning of the year when a return to the Distaff was a distant hope.

Distaff Preview: History Lesson

History will be on Azeri's side when she steps into Arlington Park's starting gate Oct. 26 for the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I).

Distaff Update (10/8): Azeri Versus the East

The Breeders' Distaff actually is quite simple this year: Azeri vs. the East.

Distaff Preview (9/25): Take Charge Lady Takes Charge

Take Charge Lady, runner-up in the Gazelle Handicap (gr. I), provided some off-track excitement Sept. 22 in the distaff division of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

Distaff Preview (9/18): Ruffian Produces Two Contenders

The Ruffian Handicap (gr. I) put two horses on the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) trail. One enters the hunt for the first time, while the other is returning to the chase.