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Union Rags Dealt Stamina in Genetic Shuffle

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Leading up to the 2012 classics, many speculated that Union Rags could be the horse to end the long wait for a 12th winner of the U.S. Triple Crown.

Canadian-Based Simmard Wins Louisville H.

Canadian-based Simmard took the lead at the head of the stretch and held off Joinem to win the $115,200 Louisville Handicap (gr. IIIT) in stakes record time at Churchill Downs May 26.

Secret Circle's Aptitude Contradicts Pedigree

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Secret Circle's career suggests that his pedigree might be at variance with his natural aptitude for speed.

Simmard Breaks Through in Mac Diarmida

Fresh after a three-month layoff, Simmard won a terrific stretch duel with favored Newsdad by a nose in the $150,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. IIT) on the Gulfstream Park turf Feb. 26.

Union Rags' Special Win Hope for Sire's Line

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
When a neurologic problem brought Dixie Union's life to an untimely end at 13, the son of Dixieland Band had not yet left an heir apparent. Precocious son Union Rags now makes a claim.

First Mares in Foal to Spendthrift's New Guns

Mares reported in foal to first-year stallions Warrior's Reward, Line of David, and Temple City.

Slideshow: 2010 Farewells

Remembering the people and horses that left us in 2010.

View Slideshow

Dixieland Band Euthanized at Age 30

Dixieland Band, one of the original three stallions at Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky., and the sire of 117 stakes winners, was euthanized April 7 due to the infirmities of age. The son of Northern Dancer was 30.

Southern Image to Rancho San Miguel

Southern Image will stand the 2010 breeding season at Rancho San Miguel near San Miguel, Calif., it was announced Nov. 23. The 9-year-old son of Halo's Image will stand for $5,000.

Dixieland Band Pensioned at Lane's End

Dixieland Band, sire of 115 stakes winners and the earners of $73 million, has been pensioned from stud duty at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky.

Declines Continue at Keeneland

Walklikeanegyptian, a 5-year-old Danehill mare, topped the Nov. 9 session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale when she sold to Arch Bloodstock for $220,000.

A.P. Indy Remains at $300,000

A.P. Indy, who shared top billing with Storm Cat and Distorted Humor with a $300,000 stud fee in 2008, now has the top all to himself in 2009 at that price.

Eight Belles Could Run in Derby

Owner Rick Porter has always known Eight Belles is a solid contender -- but he's thinking about putting the 3-year-old filly's class and stamina to the ultimate test May 3. Porter said April 13, if all goes well, the daughter of Unbridled's Song will be entered in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Big Truck Growing into His Potential

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

Even though he had Tale of Ekati in his barn, trainer Barclay Tagg suggested Big Truck might be his most promising juvenile. The potential Big Truck possessed finally turned into performance in the Tampa Bay Derby, which he won with a gutsy drive against Atoned. Tagg believes Big Truck can handle the Kentucky Derby distance of a 1 1/4 miles. His pedigree raises some doubt.

Eight Belles' on a Winning Crescendo

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Racing for Fox Hill Farms, Eight Belles has three consecutive impressive wins under her belt and will now be the likely favorite for Oaklawn's major Oaks prep, the Fantasy Stakes (gr. II),on April 6. She is the third graded winner by Unbridled's Song to feature inbreeding to Mr. Prospector.

Millennium Rewards Adds Stallion

The Louisiana-based stallion Easyfromthegitgo will be added to Millennium Farms' fledgling Millennium Rewards Program, it was announced Feb. 22.

Seventh Session Strong at Keeneland

A strong mix of international and domestic buyers was active Nov. 11 at the seventh session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

Monarchos Moving to Nuckols Farm

Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Monarchos will stand the 2008 breeding season at Nuckols Farm near Midway, Ky., it was announced Oct. 12 by owner John Oxley.

Former Airline Founder Enjoys Breeding Success

David Mueller knows all about flying high, so he was pleased to see a horse he bred soar among the top prices realized in the Aug. 6 opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale.

Dominican Drills Five Furlongs in :59 3/5

Dominican, surprise winner of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) two weeks ago, worked five furlongs Sunday morning at Churchill Downs in :59 3/5.

Tattersalls' Breeze-Up Sale's Aggregate Falls 20%

Tattersalls' 2007 Craven Breeze-Up Sale failed to keep pace with the 2006 renewal, falling by 20% with its 8.636 million guineas turnover. The clearance rate of 63% was also off when compared with 84% 12 months ago.

Barkley Sound Makes Some Noise in Pasco

Barkley Sound kept his perfect Tampa Bay Downs record intact by winning the $75,000 Pasco Stakes for 3-year-olds Saturday in the time of 1:24.1 for the seven-furlong distance.

Sharp Lisa Nips Eternal Melody in 'Barbara

There wasn't much speed signed up for Saturday's $200,000 Santa Barbara Handicap (gr. IIT), and jockey Corey Nakatani took full advantage to drive Sharp Lisa to a crafty front-running victory by a nose over Eternal Melody at 10 furlongs on the Santa Anita lawn.

Bowman's Band's First Foal at Shamrock Farm

Bowman's Band's first foal is a chestnut filly out of the Thirty Eight Paces mare Mrs. Bellerby foaled at Shamrock Farm in Maryland and owned by farm manager Jim Steele. The filly was born on Jan. 20.

First Samurai Drills at Gulfstream

First Samurai, a multiple grade I-winning 2-year-old son of Giant's Causeway, stretched his legs Sunday at Gulfstream Park, working three furlongs in a brisk :35.

Limehouse to Retire at End of Year; Will Stand at Vinery

Limehouse, who ran fourth in Smarty Jones' Kentucky Derby (gr. I) last year and this June won the Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II), will be retired at the end of the year and will stand in 2006 at Tom Simon's Vinery near Lexington.

Southern Image Purchased by Taylor Made/WinStar Venture

Three time grade I winner Southern Image, who has earned more than $1.8 million, has been purchased by the Taylor Made / WinStar Venture for stallion duty.

Pollard's Vision Retired

Edgewood Farm's Pollard's Vision, a multiple graded stakes winner of $1,430,311, suffered a career-ending injury in the Aug. 6 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga and has been retired.

Sharp Lisa Doing Better; Scheduled to Run in Fantasy

Sharp Lisa, who was scratched from Saturday's Ashland Stakes (gr. I) because of an injury, is scheduled to run in Friday's Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park, according to her trainer, Doug O'Neill.

Dixie Talking Leaves 'Em Speechless in Cicada

Skeedattle Stable's Dixie Talking, a Maryland invader dismissed at 27-1, rallied widest of all Saturday afternoon to take Aqueduct's $109,800 Cicada (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs.

Dixieland Band, Others Still Going Strong

Age has not stopped Dixieland Band from putting on a show as one of the nation's top sires at age 25. Other seniors joining him in the ranks of top sires include Cozzene, Crafty Prospector, Runaway Groom, and Mt. Livermore.

Sharp Lisa Slices to Las Virgenes Victory

Passed by Memorette in upper stretch, odds-on favorite Sharp Lisa refused to give in, coming back powerfully in the final sixteenth of a mile to tally a three-quarters of a length win in the $250,000 Las Virgenes (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita Saturday.

Leading Broodmare Sire 2004: Dixieland Band

A seven-year run by Mr. Prospector atop the broodmare sire rankings came to an end in 2004 as Dixieland Band moved to the fore based on the $11,948,215 earned by the progeny of his daughters.

Dixie Talking Becomes 100th Stakes Winner for Dixieland Band

Dixie Talking was unraced at the beginning of December and a stakes winner at year's end when she beat seven other Maryland-bred fillies in Thursday's $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship.

Sprint Star Champali to Glencrest for '05

Champali, an eight-time stakes-winner who won graded stakes at two and four, has been retired and will stand the 2005 season at the Greathouse family's Glencrest Farm near Midway, Ky. In the process of being syndicated, Champali will stand for a fee of $7,500 live foal.

'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).

Kentucky Bred Menhoubah Wins Italian Oaks

Kentucky bred Menhoubah snapped a nine-race losing streak in a big way Sunday, winning the $649,050 Oaks d'Italia (Ity-1) at San Siro racecourse in Milan.

None of Limehouse's Connections are Singing the Blues

Grand Slam, whose oldest offspring just turned four this year, could have two sons entered in this year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I)--Limehouse and Master David. The more accomplished of the two, Limehouse, has four stakes victories to his credit, and quality connections on his side.

Texas Juvenile Sale Up in Gross and Average

A colt by Dixieland Band, an early foal and obviously early maturing individual, brought $160,000 to top the Fasig-Tipton Texas sale of 2-year-olds in training Tuesday at Lone Star Park.

Offspring of Yankee Victor, Devil's Bag Among Fastest Texas Workers

Three horses tied for the fastest workout time for an eighth of a mile Sunday during the under tack show for the Fasig-Tipton Texas sale of 2-year-olds in training at Lone Star Park.

Bowman's Band Beats Drum at Meadowlands

Martin S. Schwartz's Bowman's Band, making his first start for Hall of Fame trainer H. Allen Jerkens, kicked clear in the upper stretch and went on to post a 12-1 upset in Friday night's $400,000 Meadowlands Breeders' Cup (gr. II).

Bowman's Band Nips Private Lap in Brandywine

Martin Schwartz's Bowman's Band, with Ramon Dominguez aboard, out dueled the 7-to-5 favorite Private Lap, with Anthony Black astride, in the $100,000 Brandywine Handicap at Delaware Park Saturday.

Belmont Allowance Winner Belmont Stakes-Bound

Team Valor Stable's Colita, a 3-year-old son of Grindstone, won Wednesday's seventh race at Belmont Park and in doing so, earned a trip to the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Battle Creek Girl Produces 20th Foal

Battle Creek Girl, a multiple stakes producer who has been kept busy her broodmare years, produced her 20th foal.

TCA Raises Nearly $1.3 Million in 'First Phase'

Thoroughbred Charities of America completed the first phase of its annual Stallion Season and Sporting Art Auction on Dec. 7, with results pointing toward a new record.

Champali Digs In for Iroquois Stakes Victory

Front-running Champali re-rallied after relinquishing the lead in mid-stretch to score a one-length victory over Alke in the $100,000 Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds at one mile over the Churchill Downs main track.

Beautiful America has Edge in Maid of the Mist

Trainer Ramon "Mike" Hernandez could have the post-time favorite in Saturday's $100,000 Maid of the Mist for juvenile fillies in Beautiful America.

Dixieland Band Season Brings $33,000 In Equine Spectrum Auction

Equine Spectrum sold 13 stallion seasons for a gross of $146,300 and an average price of $11,253 during an online auction Tuesday.

Lane's End Keeps A.P. Indy at $300,000 for 2003

A.P. Indy, who is having another good year at stud with eight stakes winners and the earners of $3.8 million, will stand in 2003 for the same $300,000 amount that he stood for in 2002, according to figures released by William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm.

Attorney Murphy Awaits Autopsy on Dixie Brass

Karen Murphy, an attorney representing owner Michael Watral, said she is coordinating an investigation into the unexpected death Jan. 28 of leading New York stallion Dixie Brass.