BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Square Eddie Sets Track Record in Return

Square Eddie came out of retirement of more than a year to not only win the $59,000 Phone Trick Purse, but break the 6 1/2-furlong track record at Santa Anita Jan. 14.

CashCall Futurity Hopefuls Battle in Prevue

Florida shipper High Level Jeff attempts to remain unbeaten against another undefeated colt, Premier Pegasus, in the $100,000 Hollywood Prevue Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds at Hollywood Park Nov. 20.

Enriched Takes Shot at Cal Cup Classic

A reduced California Cup program featuring seven stakes for state-bred horses worth a total of $700,000 are on tap for the Oak Tree Racing Association's 21st annual event to be held at Hollywood Park Oct. 30.

Valenzuela Ends Stakes Drought in Morvich

Quick Enough lived up to his name in the Morvich Handicap (gr. IIIT) Oct. 11 as he gave jockey Patrick Valenzuela his first Oak Tree stakes win in nearly four years with a 1 1/2-length score in the six-furlong turf event.

No BC for Injured Wickedly Perfect

Wickedly Perfect, who earned an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) with her victory in the Oct. 8 Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland, will have to skip the race due to a bone chip in her stifle.

Wickedly Perfect All the Way in Alcibiades

California shipper Wickedly Perfect carried her form to Kentucky, taking a field of juvenile fillies wire-to-wire to score the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (gr. I) Oct. 8 on opening day at Keeneland.

Grade I Winner Square Eddie Back in Training

The breeding career of Square Eddie, one of the leading 2-year-olds of 2008, was short-lived. The son of Smart Strike is back in training with Doug O'Neill.

Del Mar Attendance Increases, Handle Declines

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club ended its 37-day meet Sept. 8 with a 4.2% increase in average daily attendance and a 6.8% decline in average daily wagering.

Enriched Rises to Occasion in Del Mar Mile

Front-running Enriched proved a determined winner in the $190,000 Del Mile Mile (gr. IIT), refusing to yield to challenger Meteore in the stretch run to post a three-quarters of a length victory Aug. 28 on the turf.

Wickedly Perfect Bedevils Sorrento Foes

A hot pace failed to deter Wickedly Perfect when she rallied in upper stretch to win the $150,000 Sorrento Stakes (gr. III) Aug. 6 at Del Mar to remain unbeaten in two starts.

A Best Pal with Gusto

J P's Gusto, the odds-on winner of the July 5 Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III), will take the next step on his life's journey Aug. 8 at Del Mar in the Best Pal Stakes (gr. II).

Valenzuela to Ride Enriched in San Diego

Ten runners, including a trio from the Bob Baffert barn, help form an intriguing lineup in the $200,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) at Del Mar July 31.

Double-Digit Declines at Hollywood Park

Hollywood Park concluded its 57-day spring meet July 18 with a 10.4% average decline in attendance and a 10.3% drop in average daily wagering.

O'Neill Begins Serving 15-Day Suspension

Trainer Doug O'Neill has decided not to appeal an Illinois suspension that is being enforced in California and effective June 30 he will have no horses race in his name for 15 days.

Top Peruvian Apprentice Gets First U.S. Win

Apprentice jockey Johnny Gihua of Peru earned his first victory in North America, guiding El Scorpio to a front-running 12-1 upset in an optional claiming allowance on the Hollywood Park turf June 16.

Lava Man Settles into Role as Stable Pony

When trainer Doug O'Neill's charges head to the racetrack during training hours at Hollywood Park, Lava Man, who won three Hollywood Gold Cups (gr. I) during a long racing career, often accompanies them.

San Luis Rey Pair Right Back for Tokyo City

Unusual Suspect and High Court Drama, both disappointing in the San Luis Rey Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Santa Anita turf March 20, are entered right back in the $100,000 Tokyo City Cup Handicap (gr. III) a week later.

Square Eddie Retired for Stud Duty

Grade I winner Square Eddie has been retired from racing and will stand at Vessels Station Farm near Bonsall, Calif.

Lava Man Retired After Brief Comeback

Lava Man, who returned to racing after a more than 17-month layoff only to finish last in the San Gabriel Handicap (gr. IIT) Dec. 27 at Santa Anita, has been retired after his failed comeback attempt.

O'Neill, Wood Mull Future for Lava Man

There was some disappointment in the Lava Man camp after the soon-to-be 9-year-old gelding faded to last in his comeback from retirement in the San Gabriel Handicap (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Dec. 27.

Haskin: Greatest Training Achievements

Steve Haskin ranks the greatest training achievements for the years 2000 - 2009, both for a trainer with an individual horse and overall.

Who's #1?

Lava Man Moves to Turf for San Gabriel

The return from retirement of Lava Man, temporarily scrapped by bad weather in Southern California two weeks ago, is set Dec. 27 when he takes on six rivals in the San Gabriel Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Santa Anita turf.

As Expected, Lava Man Out of Native Diver

Lava Man has been scratched from the Native Diver Handicap due to poor weather conditions

All Eyes On Lava Man in Native Diver

Lava Man and Mast Track have accounted for victories in four of the past five renewals of the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I). Both have question marks heading into the $100,000 Native Diver Handicap (gr. III) at Hollywood Park.

Lava Man Set for Native Diver Dec. 12

California's $5-million gelding Lava Man is set to return to action in the $100,000 Native Diver Handicap (gr. III) Dec. 12 at Hollywood Park. "I think he's ready," trainer Doug O'Neill said.

O'Neill Hoping Lava Man Returns at Hollywood

Trainer Doug O'Neill says the venerable Lava Man, working out at Hollywood Park since September, is nearing his return to the races.

Lava Man Back on Work Tab for Doug O'Neill

Lava Man, the former claimer who earned more than $5 million, has returned to training at Doug O'Neill's Hollywood Park barn. The 8-year-old gelding worked three furlongs in :36 flat Sept. 23 at Hollywood, his first official work.

Mi Sueno Looks for Encore in Darley Debutante

Mi Sueno, who left odds-on choice Necessary Evil far behind when she captured the Sorrento Stakes (gr. III) one month ago, headlines a field of 10 2-year-old fillies in the $300,000 Darley Debutante Stakes (gr. I) at Del Mar Sept. 5.

Six Catastrophic Breakdowns at Del Mar

Six horses have died from catastrophic breakdowns at Del Mar during a 10-day span that includes the first week of racing. Three occurred during morning training on Polytrack, two happened during races on Polytrack, and one was in a turf race.

CHRB to Examine Fermin's Del Mar Role

The California Horse Racing Board plans to meet in closed session prior to its general meeting July 23 to consider complaints and appeals that have been filed against the board challenging Ingrid Fermin's appointment as a steward at Del Mar this season.

Del Mar Meet Kicks Off With Oceanside Stakes

Del Mar begins its 70th season of racing July 22 with the traditional opening-day feature, the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes, headlining the 10-race card.

O'Neill Filly to Battle Boys in Juvenile Test

One day after Life Is Sweet tests males in the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), the Doug O'Neill-trained filly Necessary Evil will do the same in the $100,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III) July 12.

Square Eddie Out of Kentucky Derby

J. Paul Reddam's Square Eddie will not run in Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainer Doug O'Neill told The Blood-Horse early April 28.

Square Eddie Drills a Half-Mile in :50 1/5

Square Eddie, a top 2-year-old last year who has been playing catch up for most of his early sophomore campaign, worked a half-mile April 26 at Churchill Downs in :50 1/5. Third last time out in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II), Square Eddie got in his final workout prior to the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Preakness Hopefuls Do Battle in Withers

This Ones for Phil, Mr. Fantasy and Just a Coincidence - all on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) trail earlier this season - top a field of seven 3-year-olds in the $150,000 Withers (gr. III) April 25 at Aqueduct. The $1 million Preakness Stakes (gr. I) is now the primary goal for each of them.

Square Eddie to Run in Lexington Stakes

Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) runner-up Square Eddie, who had been expected to train up to the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), instead will first run in the April 18 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland, if all goes well following a scheduled six-furlong workout April 11 at Hollywood Park.

Behavior Modification Works for Informed

Informed, continuing to improve his behavior during his morning exercise, galloped without incident at Nad al Sheba under exercise rider Tony Romero in preparation for the March 28 Godolphin Mile (UAE-II).

Informed: Unruly, But Talented

If California-based runner Informed finds his way home first in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (UAE-II) March 28, it could very well mark one of the most distinctive training feats in Nad al Sheba racing history.

Square Eddie Sidelined With Sore Shin

Paul Reddam's Square Eddie, winner of the Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) and runner-up in the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), will be sidelined for about 30 days with a sore left shin, Reddam said Thursday.

Square Eddie to Try Dirt at Oaklawn

High-profile Kentucky Derby (gr. I) hopefuls Old Fashioned, Silver City, and Flat Out are all likely for the Feb. 16 Southwest (gr. III) at Oaklawn, and now it seems there's a new contender coming from Southern California by the name of Square Eddie.

The Pamplemousse Turns Back Square Eddie

The Pamplemousse went from maiden winner to graded stakes winner Jan. 17 at Santa Anita Park, breaking to an early lead and never looking back for an impressive two-length victory in the $100,000 San Rafael Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds on the Pro-Ride surface.

All Eyes on Square Eddie in San Rafael

Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) winner and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) runner-up Square Eddie makes his highly-anticipated 3-year-old debut Jan. 17 at Santa Anita when he takes on seven rivals in the $100,000 San Rafael Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita.

Axel Foley Guns For CashCall Futurity

Martin Smith, assistant and exercise rider for English trainer John Best, hopes the stable enjoys as much success in the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (gr. I) Dec. 20 at Hollywood Park with Axel Foley as it did with Square Eddie in the Breeders Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland in October.

O'Neill Enters Agreement with CHRB

The California Horse Racing Board entered into a stipulated agreement with trainer Doug O'Neill, who agreed to pay a fine of $7,500 and to serve a 30-day suspension, which shall be stayed pending a one-year probation.

Square Eddie Romps in Breeders' Futurity

J. Paul Reddam's Square Eddie moved into striking position rounding the far turn and drew off in the stretch for an easy win under Rafael Bejarano in the $500,000 Lane's End Futurity (gr. I) Oct. 4 on the Keeneland Polytrack. The victory earned the 2-year-old Smart Strike colt an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile later this month at Santa Anita.

Graded Winner Notional Retired

Notional, a three-time graded stakes winner, has been retired from racing.

Lava Man Retired After Stellar Career

Lava Man, a seven-time grade I-winner and earner of $5,268,706, has been retired.

Princess Rooney Goes to O'Neill's 'Plan

J. Paul Reddam's Mistical Plan upset even-money favorite Dream Rush to win the $400,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (gr. I) for fillies and mares at Calder Race Course July 12 as part of the Florida track's Summit of Speed program.

Notional Pulls Salvator Mile Upset

Dismissed at odds of 7-1 in a field of six, Notional lagged behind in the early stages, made his presence known at the quarter-pole, and took over at the top of the lane en route to a 2 1/4-length victory in the $300,000 Salvator Mile Handicap (gr. III) July 5 at Monmouth Park. The race was the first North American Breeders' Cup Challenge event of the season.

Azul Leon Wins Hollywood Juvenile Test

Azul Leon became the first graded winner and the second added-money winner overall for North America's leading first crop sire, Lion Heart, with a four-length triumph in the $106,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (gr. III) July 5.