BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Classic Success Elevates WinStar to Top

WinStar Farm, which triumphed in two of the three legs of the 2010 Triple Crown, was rewarded with the Eclipse Award for outstanding owner of the year when they were announced Jan. 17.

Harlan's Holiday to WinStar

WinStar Farm has acquired a significant interest in leading sire Harlan's Holiday and will stand the 11-year-old son of Harlan in 2011.

WinStar Looking Strong for Next Year

After winning a pair of Triple Crown races, besting this year will be quite a challenge for WinStar Farm. But if 2010 was the year of the 3-year-old for WinStar, 2011 may just be the year of the older horse.

Super Saver to Stand for $20,000

Super Saver, the 2010 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner who was retired from racing in October, will stand his introductory season at Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm for a fee of $20,000.

Cauthen Leaving WinStar

WinStar Farm president and CEO Doug Cauthen, who has been with the operation since its inception in 2000, is leaving the farm. He is creating his own independent consulting service.

Derby Winner Super Saver Retired

Super Saver, winner of the 2010 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr I), has been retired from racing and will stand at Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky.

Hold Me Back Retired to Stud

A strained tendon sends Hold Me Back to stud at WinStar Farm.

Injury Shelves Super Saver

Super Saver, winner of this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been temporarily sidelined from racing due to condylar bruising.

Super Saver, Barbaro Items in Charity Auction

A halter and an autographed photo of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands winner Super Saver and a Barbaro print will be auctioned off on eBay to benefit the Halo House Foundation in Houston, Texas.

Mott Hopes Drosselmeyer Gets Travers Showdown

Trainer Bill Mott said he's looking forward to his primary goal this summer for Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Drosselmeyer, the $1 million Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. 28.

WinStar Farm Announces Contest Winner

Super Name Sweepstakes winner names Super Saver's half brother Superfection

Smith to Ride Drosselmeyer in Belmont

Drosselmeyer, who has been graded stakes-placed in his last two starts under Kent Desormeaux, will get a new rider for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). The colt will be ridden by Mike Smith in the third leg of the Triple Crown.

Draw-Day Omens for Preakness Hopefuls?

Post seven may be a good sign for unlucky Lookin At Lucky, while the chance of a wet track is just fine for the connections of Super Saver.

Supercharger - Dam of Super Saver

Evan Hammonds visits with WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden and Supercharger, the dam of Kentucky Derby 136 winner Super Saver. Presented by Taylor Made Stallions.

Watch Video

Talkin' Horses Podcast with Elliott Walden

Listen to WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden answer questions about Super Saver, Calvin Borel, what it means to be a racing manager, and more. The transcript is now available.

Read Transcript

Injury KOs Endorsement from Derby

WinStar Farm's colt has a non-displaced right-front condylar fracture and will not be entered later today in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

American Lion Breezes at Keeneland

With WinStar Farm's management team on hand, Illinois Derby (gr. II) winner American Lion tuned up for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with a workout April 20 over the Polytrack at Keeneland.

Albarado Will Ride Endorsement in Derby

Robby Albarado, who rode Endorsement to an upset win in the Sunland Derby (gr. III) March 28 and is also the regular jockey for Noble's Promise, has committed to riding Endorsement for the May 1 Kentucky Derby.

Drosselmeyer Could Get One More Chance

Drosselmeyer, who ran a solid third in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) March 27 but is likely still short on graded earnings to get into the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), could take one more shot at getting to the Big Dance

WinStar Still Has Big Plans For Drosselmeyer

Despite losing by less than two lengths in his first stakes try, Drosselmeyer seems to have fallen off the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) radar of many. Winstar Farm's racing manager Elliott Walden thinks it could be a mistake.

WinStar to Host Derby Fantasy Game

The top prize is two box seat tickets to this year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I)and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) plus airfare and accommodations.

Snow, Cold Don't Stop Show at Keeneland

Conditions were brutal at Keeneland Jan. 9, two days before the start of the Central Kentucky company's horses of all ages sale.

Quality Road Out of Derby Contention

Quality Road, who figured to be among the top choices for Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) will not start in the Run for the Roses, it was confirmed Monday morning by Chris Baker, farm manager of Edward Evans' Spring Hill Farm. Jockey John Velazquez will now ride Mr. Hot Stuff.

WinStar Prepares For Busy Week

WinStar Farm's Hold Me Back, winner of the Lane's End Stakes (gr. II) and second in the Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I), is scheduled to leave Keeneland on April 24 for Churchill Downs in preparation for his next start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Hold Me Back's Connections Not Blue

The connections of favored Hold Me Back were gracious in defeat following the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland April 11 and looking forward to running their colt next in the Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I) in three weeks. The 3-year-old son of Giant's Causeway finished second, 1 1/2 lengths behind the winning longshot, General Quarters, while carrying the colors of Bill Casner's and Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm, which bred the colt in partnership with Haras Santa Maria de Araras.

Hystericalady's Half-Sis, WinStar Shine

A soggy, grey Veteran's Day greeted buyers and sellers at Keeneland Tuesday, and the day's business at the breeding stock sale, while down, was actually a tad brighter than most during the 15-day auction.

Colonel John Fires off :57 4/5 Work

WinStar Farm's Colonel John, one of the favorites for Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), solidified his status with a scintillating five-furlong bullet work over the main track at Churchill Downs Sunday morning.

A Day At The Spa: Aug. 8, Breakfast of Champions

At 8:30 a.m., under Saratoga's At The Rail Pavilion, the 2nd annual backside breakfast is underway.

New York Chaplaincy to Host Charity Event

In an effort to raise money for injured jockey Andrew Lakeman, who was paralyzed in a catastrophic spill at Belmont Park May 25, the Race Track Chaplaincy of New York has organized a charity event with a bit of a twist.

Good Chance 'Bull' Will Opt for Jersey Shore

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said there's a "90% chance" West Point Thoroughbreds' Flashy Bull would compete in the $1-million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park instead of the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. III) at Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort. Both races at 1 1/8 miles are scheduled for Aug. 6.

Velazquez to Miss Derby with Shoulder, Chest Injuries

Jockey John Velazquez, injured when his mount broke down at Keeneland April 20, will miss the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) due to a fractured right shoulder blade and other injuries, according to Tristan Barry, an assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.

WinStar Consignment Helps Boost Keeneland's Ninth Session

At the close of the Keeneland Breeding Stock Sale's ninth session Tuesday, the Lexington, Ky., sales company reported gross receipts of $281,046,100 surpassing last year's 12-day sales total of $279,680,200.

Walden Named WinStar Vice President; Will No Longer Train

Trainer Elliott Walden will hang up his training cap at the end of the current Churchill Downs meet to become vice president in charge of racing and bloodstock services for Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm.

Unbridled Energy Finds Spark in Marine Stakes

Unbridled Energy, under Todd Kabel, used a late surge to capture the $166,700 Marine Stakes (Can-III) for 3-year-olds Saturday at Woodbine.

Quest Star Goes for Third Straight Pan American

Mansell Stables' Quest Star will attempt his third straight win in the Pan American Handicap (gr. IIT) Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The 1 1/2 mile-event, which drew a field of eight, is one of five stakes races on the Florida Derby (gr. I) card.

Smith Elected Race Track Chaplaincy President

Edward Smith was elected president of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America at the organization's five-day Annual Convention and Chaplains' School, which ended Jan. 10 in Anaheim, Calif.

Inish Glora Holds Canadian Hope in Nassau

Robert Costigan's Inish Glora, last year's Sovereign Award winner as Canada's top female turfer, takes on a select group of five rivals, including stakes-winning shippers Ocean Drive and Dyna Da Wyna, Saturday at Woodbine in the featured $272,250 Nassau Stakes (Can-III).

Ole Faunty to Join Pimlico Special Fray

Ole Faunty will join the select cast of top runners lining up for Friday's Pimlico Special (gr. I), according to Wendy Pensivy, stakes coordinator for the Maryland Jockey Club. The stakes-winning son of Quiet American is expected to face a bang-up field that will have grade I winners Funny Cide, Southern Image, and Evening Attire, along with major winners Dynever and Midway Road.

Ole Faunty to Join Pimlico Special Fray

Ole Faunty will join the select cast of top runners lining up for Friday's Pimlico Special (gr. I), according to Wendy Pensivy, stakes coordinator for the Maryland Jockey Club. The stakes-winning son of Quiet American is expected to face a bang-up field that will have grade I winners Funny Cide, Southern Image, and Evening Attire, along with major winners Dynever and Midway Road.

Dyna Da Wyna Wins Tight Stravinsky Finish

Favored Dyna Da Wyna prevailed in a four-horse photo finish to win the $85,575 Stravinsky Stakes for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

Request for Parole Returns for Pan American

Jeri & Sam Knighton's Request for Parole figures to be a slight choice in the wagering over six opponents, including an entry, in Saturday's $200,000 Pan American Handicap (gr. IIT), Gulfstream Park's traditional 1 1/2-mile grass course marathon.

Ole Faunty Gets Lucky in Campbell Handicap

Racing luck played a big part in Ole Faunty's victory in the $150,000 John B. Campbell Breeders' Cup Handicap Saturday at Laurel Park.

Dean Re-elected President of Chaplaincy Program

Don Dean, a Washington, D.C.-based corporate Congressional representative and Maryland Thoroughbred owner and breeder, was re-elected president of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America during the organization's National Chaplain's School and Convention Jan. 7-12 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Awesome Humor Retired With Injury

WinStar Farm's Awesome Humor, one of the nation's top 3-year-old fillies, has been knocked out of Saturday's $300,000-added Falls City Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs by injury and has been retired from racing.

Training Setback Forces Ipi Tombe to Retire

South African import Ipi Tombe, who became an international racing star early this year with a trio of dominating victories in Dubai, has been retired from racing after a training setback that would have kept her from a return trip to Dubai.

Dyna Da Wyna Scratches from Mrs. Revere

Saturday's $150,000-added Mrs. Revere Stakes (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs lost a major contender Saturday morning when trainer Elliott Walden decided to scratch WinStar Farm's Dyna Da Wyna from the turf test for 3-year-old fillies.

Take Charge Lady Preps for Falls City, Awesome Humor Expected to Compete

Select Stable's Take Charge Lady breezed a strong five furlongs over a "sloppy" Churchill Downs track on Wednesday in preparation for the $300,000-added Falls City Handicap (gr. II) on Thanksgiving Day.

Awesome Humor, Yell Duel in Distaff

WinStar Farm's Awesome Humor and Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Yell, a pair of leading 3-year-old fillies, loom as major contenders in a field of 10 entered in Saturday's $200,000-added Churchill Downs Distaff (gr. II).

Awesome Humor Nearing End of Racing Career

With her days as a race mare numbered, grade I winner Awesome Humor is looking to go out a winner when she takes the gate for Saturday's $200,000 Churchill Downs Distaff (gr. II) at Churchill Downs. If all goes well in the Distaff trainer Elliott Walden expects her to wrap up her career in Churchill Downs' $300,000 Falls City Handicap (gr. II) on Thanksgiving Day before joining the broodmare band at Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky.

Leigh Gray Wins First 'White Horse Award'

Former Southern California exercise rider Leigh Gray was honored Thursday by the Race Track Chaplaincy of America with the organization's first "White Horse Award," given to a backstretch employee who puts their own life at risk in order to help a horse or human in danger.