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Zayat Looks To Cure Case Of Second-itis

Ahmed Zayat has been second in the Kentucky Derby twice in the past three years, and his Eskendereya, the would-be favorite in 2010, was scratched the day of the race.

Three-Quarter Sister to Creative Cause Born

Dream of Summer, dam of grade I winner Creative Cause, gave birth to a gray filly by Eskendereya at Taylor Made Farm on the evening of March 28.

Eskendereya's First Reported Foal is a Filly

Grade I winner Eskendereya sired his first reported foal on Jan. 20 when a filly was born at Lynn Alexander's Alastar in Nicholasville, Ky.

Unbridled's Song's Fee $85,000 at Taylor Made

Major stallion Unbridled's Song will stand in 2012 at the Taylor family's Taylor Made Farm near Nicholasville, Ky., for $85,000 stands and nurses, down from $100,000 in 2011.

Nehro Could Give Zayat His First Classic Win

Ahmed Zayat, who seems on the cusp of winning a classic race any time now, as been in the headlines for all the right and wrong reasons in his six years of Thoroughbred ownership.

Nehro Carries Zayat's Hopes in Derby 137

Owner Ahmed Zayat, whose Eskendereya was withdrawn as the favorite for last year's Kentucky Derby, is back with Nehro.

First Mare in Foal to Eskendereya

Eskendereya, dominant winner of last year's Wood Memorial (gr. I) and Fountain of Youth (gr. II), had his first mare confirmed in foal March 1.

Blame is Top U.S. Horse in World Rankings

Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Blame has been judged the best horse to race in North America during 2010 by the compilers of the World Thoroughbred Rankings, unveiled in London, England, on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Unbridled's Song's Fee Set at $85,000

Taylor Made Stallions has set 2011 fees for its roster of stallions, headlined by the fee for prominent sire Unbridled's Song, who will stand for $85,000 payable Nov. 1.

Eskendereya to Stand for $30,000

Grade I winner Eskendereya will stand for $30,000 live foal in 2011 at the Taylor family's Taylor Made Stallions near Nicholasville, Ky.

Eskendereya to Stand at Taylor Made Stallions

Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Farm and Ahmed Zayat of Zayat Stables announced Aug. 2 that Eskendereya, will stand at Taylor Made Stallions beginning in 2011.

Eskendereya's Sale Proceeds in Escrow

Documents filed in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Zayat Stables say the money gleaned from the sale of Eskendereya was placed in an escrow account, but do not say exactly how much the colt brought.

Lookin At Lucky Tops Final 3-Year-Old Poll

It should be no surprise that the three winners of this year's Triple Crown races would top the final National Thoroughbred Racing Association's 3-Year-Old poll, with Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Lookin At Lucky on top.

Horse Profile: Eskendereya

Zayat Stables' Eskendereya was the runaway winner of the Wood Memorial (gr. I) and Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) and overwhelming early favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

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Eskendereya Retired From Racing

Zayat Stables has sold an ownership interest in the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) winner to Jess Jackson.

Super Saver Tops New NTRA Poll

It's no surprise that Super Saver, winner of the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), is the new No. 1 on this week's NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll.

Suddenly, Pletcher's Hand Isn't All Aces

Todd Pletcher still might have as many as five Kentucky Derby (gr. I) starters, but he no longer has the horse to beat now that Eskendereya is out of the May 1 race.

UPDATE: Graded Stakes Earnings List

In light of the defections of Rule and Eskendereya from the contenders list and the confirmation Devil May Care will be entered, here is the list of Derby hopefuls based on graded stakes earnings as of mid-morning April 26.

Devil May Care: Kentucky Derby Only

Johnny Greathouse and trainer Todd Pletcher confirm that their star filly, Devil May Care, will be entered only in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and not cross-entered in the Oaks (gr. I).

Haskin's Derby Report: Sad Morning at CD

The withdrawal of Derby favorite Eskendereya due to a filling put a damper on the morning

Eskendereya Takes Spot in Derby Lore

Eskendereya joins the likes of Gen. Duke, A.P. Indy, and I Want Revenge as early favorites for the Derby that didn't make the starting gate.

Graded Stakes Earnings List thru April 25

With the declaration of likely favorite Eskendereya from the Kentucky Derby, here is an updated listing of contenders by graded stakes earnings.

Eskendereya Out of Derby

Eskendereya, favored for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will not run in the May 1 classic due to a slight filling in his left front leg, according to Todd Pletcher.

Dublin Works Five Furlongs at Muddy Churchill

Under a slight breeze that was helping dry out the Churchill Downs track, trainer D. Wayne Lukas sent grade I winner Dublin out early April 25 for his final breeze leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

Haskin's Derby Report: Derby Devil?

Five Todd Pletchers and Sidney's Candy topped Saturday's Kentucky Derby works.

Eskendereya to Work Sunday Morning

A sloppy surfaces causes Todd Pletcher to delay the final Derby work of likely favorite Eskendereya until Sunday; Interactif to drill April 25 as well

Despite Rain, Most Derby Works Go As Planned

Steady rainfall in Louisville early Saturday, April 24, did not deter trainers of horses being pointed toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) from going through with their scheduled workouts.

Inside Pedigrees: Derby by Pedigree

INSIDE PEDIGREES, by Les Brinsfield
Eskendereya is the favorite, and also the pick of a pedigree pundit.

Eskendereya, Sidney's Candy Drill for Derby

Eskendereya (Palm Meadows), Sidney's Candy (Churchill Downs), and Endorsement, candidates for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), worked five furlongs April 17.

THS: Lexington Stakes & Early Derby Thoughts

Jason, Tom, and Tim Holland of twinspires.com preview the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr.II). Plus, early Derby thoughts.

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Judge Favors Zayat in Latest Legal Round

A federal bankruptcy judge in New Jersey has refused to certify a motion filed on behalf of Fifth Third Bank alleging that Zayat Stables had defaulted on terms of a cash collateral agreement.

Zayat Refutes Claims by Fifth Third

Attorneys for Ahmed Zayat's Zayat Stables are refuting claims by Fifth Third Bank that the prominent stable violated terms of a cash collateral agreement by withdrawing four horses from a Keeneland sale.

Trio of Pletcher's Derby Hopefuls Work in Fla

Trainer Todd Pletcher had three of his Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands contenders work a half-mile the morning of April 11 at Palm Meadows in Florida: Discreetly Mine, Misson Impazible, and Rule.

Zayat Seeks Dismissal of Fifth Third Case

Attorneys for Ahmed Zayat have filed a motion requesting that allegations of default against Zayat Stables filed by Fifth Third Bank be dismissed and that the bank pay compensatory and punitive damages, plus other costs.

Eskendereya: The Star We Were Searching For

After three months of waiting for a 3-year-old to break out, we finally got our superstar.

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Weekend Winners Safe on Graded Earnings List

Churchill Downs' official list of Kentucky Derby contenders by graded stakes earnings as of April 5.

Kentucky Derby Trail: Stars Finally Break Out

Let's concentrate on the obvious: Sidney's Candy, Eskendereya were impressive; WinStar Farm could have as many as five starters.

Eskendereya Tops Latest NTRA 3YO Poll

Wood Memorial winner leapfrogs Lookin At Lucky to top spot; Zenyatta remains on top of National poll.

Eskendereya Romps in Wood Memorial

Zayat Stables' Eskendereya likely solidified himself as the horse to beat in next month's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) by romping past five overmatched rivals in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 3 at Aqueduct.

And They're Off: March 31, 2010

Lenny and Steve discuss the 3-year-old picture, review Dubai World Cup Day, and more. Plus, words of wisdom from Stable Boy.

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Eskendereya, Awesome Act Do Battle in Wood

Eskendereya and Awesome Act turned in two of the most impressive Triple Crown prep efforts to this point in the season last out, and those two heavyweights will face off in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 3

Eskendereya Tops Day 1 of KDFW Pool 3

Fountain of Youth (gr. II) winner Eskendereya was the slight betting favorite at the conclusion of the March 26 first day of wagering in the third and final pool of Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Pool 3 of Derby Future Wager Set to Begin

Eskendereya and Lookin At Lucky loom as the likely favorites heading into the third and final three-day pool of Churchill Downs' 2010 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

Awesome Act Works Toward Wood Memorial

Gotham Stakes (gr. III) winner Awesome Act went an "easy" half-mile in :50.43 the morning of March 20 as he continued preparations for the $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack April 3.

Eskendereya Passing Fla. Derby; Awaits Wood

Eskendereya will not run in the March 20 Florida Derby and will instead wait for the April 3 Wood Memorial

Lookin At Lucky, Zenyatta Top NTRA Polls

Following a "March Madness" style weekend on the track there was plenty of movement in this week's NTRA Thoroughbred Polls released the afternoon of March 15.

Eskendereya Leads Florida Derby Workers

Zayat Stable's 3-year-old Eskendereya led a host of potential Florida Derby (gr. I) contestants when he worked an easy five furlongs in 1:02 2/5 March 14 at Palm Meadows.

Awesome Act Sets Up Family Showdown

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter
From a separate branch of the Almahmoud family than fellow Triple Crown hopeful Eskendereya comes Awesome Act, who powered into consideration with an easy Gotham Stakes win.

Eskendereya Leads Florida Derby Nominees

Zayat Stable's Eskendereya, 8 1/2-length winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), is among 92 3-year-olds nominated for the $750,000 Florida Derby (gr. I) to be run March 20 at Gulfstream Park,

'All Others' Tops Derby Future Wager Pool 2

The "mutuel field" was again installed as the 3-1 wagering choice when Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday, March 7.