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Runners, Take Your Mark By Evan Hammonds

Running your horses more often is the best way to create your own Derby destiny.

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Lambhom South to Assist Tsunami Victims With eBay Stallion Auctions

Roy Lerman, owner of Lambholm South near Reddick, Fla., will hold two stallion season auctions on eBay, with all proceeds going to the Tsunami Relief Fund.

Florida Farm to Assist Tsunami Victims With Stallion Season Auction

Roy Lerman, owner of Lambholm South near Reddick, Fla., has announced the launching of a stallion season auction to be conducted on eBay in two phases, with all proceeds going to the Tsunami Relief Fund.

Express Tour Enters Stud in Florida

Millionaire and grade II winner Express Tour, who won all three of the stakes in the Florida Stallion Series for 2-year-old males in 2000, has arrived for stallion duty at Roy Lerman's Lambholm South near Reddick, Fla.

Lido Palace, Milwaukee Brew on Target for Gold Cup

Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel has nominated three horses to the $1-million Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) on Sept. 28, but will likely run two--John Amerman's Lido Palace and Stronach Stables' Milwaukee Brew--in the 1 1/4-mile, weight-for-age race.

Belmont Park Race Report: Doubling Up

Lido Palace and With Anticipation win the Woodward and Man o' War, respectively, for the second straight year.

Lido Palace Can Join Elite Group With Woodward Win

Amerman Racing Stables' Lido Palace can join Sword Dancer, Kelso, Forego, Slew o' Gold and Cigar as the only horses to win consecutive Woodward Stakes (gr. I).

Affirmed Success, Left Bank to Battle in Tom Fool

Eight-year-old millionaire Affirmed Success and beaten Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) favorite Left Bank are scheduled to square off in the July 4 Tom Fool Handicap (gr. II) at seven furlongs for 3-year-olds and up at Belmont Park.

Godolphin Still Basking in Breeders' Cup Accomplishments

The Godolphin team still was on cloud nine Monday following the magnificent overall effort of their horses in the 2001 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. After finishing one-two in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies with Tempera and Imperial Gesture, Godolphin captured the Turf with Fantastic Light and just missed by a nose with Sakhee in the Classic.

Breeders' Cup Contenders Take to Grass

The work tab for Saturday's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships was still busy Wednesday, with more of the contenders working on grass than on the main track.

Godolphin Horses, Starine on Track

Godolphin Racing's Breeders' Cup contenders Sakhee, Fantastic Light, Express Tour, and Noverre were all on the Belmont track Friday, working toward the Oct. 27 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Racing Championships. Starine also worked for Bobby Frankel.

Godolphin Pre-Enters Eight in Breeders' Cup; Two Cross-Entered

When pre-entries closed Monday for the Oct. 27 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Racing Championships, globe-trotting Godolphin Racing was represented by eight different entries, including two cross-entered for both the Classic and the Turf.

Belmont Race Report: Sweet Science

Left Bank delivers a knockout blow, running down Squirtle Squirt in the grade I Vosburgh

Fantastic Light Still on Course for Breeders' Cup Classic

Tom Albertrani, assistant trainer for Godolphin, said Saturday that the plans for Fantastic Light to compete in the Breeders' Cup Classic are still on go. Among those joining the son of Rahy for the World Thoroughbred Championships will be the group I winner Noverre. The half-brother to 2-year-old champion Arazi will run in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Express Tour Romps in Jerome Handicap

Godolphin's Express Tour alternately pressed and set the early pace en route to winning Saturday's $150,000 Jerome Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park. Under John Velazquez, Express Tour completed the one-mile race in 1:34.57 on a fast track.

Good Field in Riva Ridge Stakes

The 3-year-olds inclined to try a shorter distance in New York on Belmont Stakes Day should make for a good prelude to those willing to try a mile and a half.

Also-Ran: How The Others Fared and Future Plans

How the horses that finished behind Monarchos came out of the Kentucky Derby and their future plans.

Express Tour Sizzles in Derby Blowout

Godolphin Racing's assistant trainer Tom Albertrani sent Express Tour to the track Thursday morning for a final workout prior to Saturday's Kentucky Derby. In the end, Albertrani may have gone more than he bargained for after the son of Tour d'Or sizzled a half mile in :48.

Steve Haskin's Derby Report: Express Train Roars Through Churchill

We've seen some great works over the past week, but this morning we saw a super work; the best move by a Derby horse so far. Express Tour obviously has several questions surrounding him, such as having only one start this year, having missed several days training with a bruised foot, and a less than classic pedigree. But freaks have a way of overcoming such mundane obstacles, and everyone who was around this horse at Calder last year is convinced he indeed is a freak. After watching today's work, and the past few day's gallops, we're not about to argue with them.

Express Tour in 'Excellent' Workout; Sunday Tab Getting Crowded

Godolphin Racing's Express Tour worked seven furlongs in 1:29 on Saturday as he prepared for the May 5 Kentucky Derby. In the only other work Saturday by a Derby hopeful, the maiden Tincin went a half-mile in :48 2/5. Derby horses scheduled to work Sunday include Balto Star, Invisible Ink, Dollar Bill, and Thunder Blitz.

Steve Haskin's Derby Report: Monarchos Takes the Spotlight

Sorry, but we've got yet another terrific work to confuse you with. But even with all the top works we've seen this week, we'd have to give this morning's drill by Monarchos the highest marks. There was a great deal of confusion as to what time he actually worked, as the clockers somehow only caught the final three-eighths of his five-furlong work.

Steve Haskin's Derby Report: A Shining, Crisp Dollar Bill

It was one of those intoxicating spring mornings that only Churchill Downs in late April can bring: blue skies, crisp temperatures that put an extra jump in your step, and the sight of Kentucky Derby horses, decked out in their striking gold saddlecloths, strutting over the track with adolescent enthusiasm. Although there were no works on tap this morning, we were able to take advantage of the leisurely atmosphere to get excellent close-up studies of many of the contenders as they galloped against the picture-book backdrop of the Twin Spires.

Dettori To Miss Derby; Flores on Express Tour

With the defection of Godolphin Racing's Street Cry from the Kentucky Derby due to an injury, jockey Frankie Dettori has opted to remain in England to ride Tobougg in the Sagitta Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket the same day. Tobougg is also owned by Street Cry's owner, Sheikh Mohammend.

Steve Haskin's Derby Report: The Action Heats Up

Welcome to Churchill Downs. Many of the names and faces change each year, but the same charge of electricity still ripples through the backstretch. Bob Baffert has two shotgun cartridges aimed right at the Twin Spires, while Nick Zito is back after a one-year absence, and for the first time since Genuine Risk captured the roses in 1980, D. Wayne Lukas will be a spectator.

Latest Derby News: Saint Damien Out, Talk Is Money In

Trainer Ken McPeek withdrew Illinois Derby (gr. II) runner-up Saint Damien from consideration for the Kentucky Derby after the son of Saint Ballado bled severely during a workout Monday. McPeek still has Gift of the Eagle, who also worked Monday, under consideration for the May 5 classic.

Godolphin's Street Cry Injured, Out of Derby

Godolphin's Street Cry, winner of the UAE Two Thousand Guineas and runner-up in the UAE Derby, will not run in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) after suffering an ankle injury Sunday morning. "He went out for a jog this morning," assistant trainer Tom Albertrani said, "and when he came back we noticed some filling in the right front ankle."

Street Cry Injured; Will Miss Kentucky Derby

Godolphin Racing's Street Cry has sustained an injury to his right front ankle and will not contest the Kentucky Derby, according to an announcement on Godolphin's Website. The exact nature of the injury to the 3-year-old son of Machiavellian or how long he will be out of training were not revealed in the announcement.

Churchill Notes: Baffert Horses Gallop Over Track; A P Valentine Arrives

Santa Anita Derby winner Point Given and Wood Memorial (GII) winner Congaree drew many admiring glances at Churchill Downs Thursday as they galloped over the track's one-mile racing oval. Meanwhile, Champagne winner A P Valentine arrived at Churchill Thursday afternoon to continue his training toward the Derby.

Graded Stakes Earnings for Leading Kentucky Derby Contenders

Leading Derby contender graded stakes earnings

Point Given Set to Arrive After Fast Workout; Fifty Stars Works

Probable Derby favorite Point Given is scheduled to arrive at Churchill late Wednesday morning after working a quick half-mile at Santa Anita on Tuesday. The work in :46 4/5 was the fastest of the day for 26 horses working at the distance. Meanwhile, working at Churchill Downs on a brisk and windy morning Tuesday was Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner Fifty Stars, who finished second in the Lone Star Derby in his most recent effort. With jockey Donnie Meche aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen, the colt breezed a half-mile in :50.

Express Tour Shakes Off Minor Injury

Godolphin Racing's Express Tour, winner of the UAE Derby, is shaking off the effects of a foot bruise that has hampered his training in recent days at Churchill Downs. Godolphin assistant trainer Eric Coatrieux said the colt was "off for a couple of days" after he bruised his left front foot in training. Coatrieux expects the colt to return to the track on Tuesday.

Steve Haskin's Derby Top 20: Point Given Moves to Head of the Class

Steve Haskin, the award-winning turf writer and senior correspondent for The Blood-Horse, updates his top Kentucky Derby contenders weekly. During his 29 years with the Daily Racing Form, Haskin became known for his insightful coverage of the Triple Crown races. Haskin won the Red Smith Award for Kentucky Derby writing in 1997, 1999, and 2000.and received the David Woods Award for best Preakness story in 1997. In 1999, he co-authored "Baffert: Dirt Road to the Derby" with trainer Bob Baffert and wrote the book, "Dr. Fager" for Eclipse Press' "Thoroughbred Legends" series in 2000.

Steve Haskin's Third Pool Future Wager Analysis

In this analysis, we're going to add Thoro-Graph speed figure patterns on occasion to see, from that perspective, just who is likely to come into the Derby sitting on a peak performance. Thoro-Graph's Jerry Brown stated emphatically that this is "by far the best 3-year-old crop in history." Brown added, "The numbers so far have been insane, and it's probably going to take around a 2 1/2 to win the Derby," which is the same number Fusaichi Pegasus ran last year.

Haskin's Derby Top 20 (Cont.)

Continued from part 1

Haskin's Derby Report April 1: The Day of Godolphin

With the annual last weekend in March lull, the only news on the racing front was the impressive 3-year-old debut by Ommadon in an Aqueduct allowance race on March 28. This gives us an opportunity to sit back, take a deep breath, and reflect on...well, anything that will keep the Derby electrodes charged during this unwelcomed break in the action. With most of the horses here pretty much embedded in our minds already, we're going to concentrate a good deal on the two Godolphin horses, whom we feel will be legitimate threats, despite the questions surrounding them.

Dubai World Cup Report (Cont.)

Continued from part 1

Haskin's Derby Top 20: March 26 Update (Cont.)

Continued from part 1

Haskin's Derby Report (Cont.)

Continued from part 1

Haskin's Derby Report: A Valentine for Zito and a Shooting Star at Turfway

A monster runaway victory in Kentucky, a track record in Florida, a stirring two-horse battle in the deserts of Dubai, and a four-horse blanket finish in Arkansas. After Saturday's fast and furious action on the Derby trail, racing fans all over the country will be craving a fix during next weekend's lull before the major stakes frenzies of Apr. 7 and 14.

Express Tour Wins Duel With Street Cry in Derby Prep

Two Godolphin Racing stablemates engaged in a stirring stretch drive in the UAE Derby (UAE-III), with Express Tour defeating Street Cry by a narrow margin in the race that was part of the Dubai World Cup card at Nad al Sheba Racecourse Saturday.

Haskin's Kentucky Derby Top 20--Week 6 (Cont.)

Continued from part 1

Street Cry to Make 2001 Debut on Thursday

Street Cry has his first outing of the year on Thursday, March 1st but another leading Godolphin contender for the American Triple Crown races, Express Tour, needs more time and will have his seasonal debut delayed until the UAE Derby at Nad al Sheba on March 24th.

EXPRESS TOUR

Continued from part 1

Haskin's Kentucky Derby Top 20--Week 5 (Cont.)

Continued from part 1

Steve Haskin's Derby Report: Expect a Big Blue Invasion

The cry of "Go, Big Blue" resounded throughout the New York area on Super Bowl Sunday. Although it was silenced following the New York Giants' defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, don't be surprised if it is resurrected by Gang Godolphin around the first Saturday in May. That's when Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum and his faithful followers will invade Churchill Downs bearing gifts and exuding confidence. Boxloads of Godolphin jackets, shirts, and caps will turn Churchill Downs into a sea of blue. Over the past two years, three members of Maktoum's Marauders made it to the starting gate on Derby Day, their coats shining like burnished copper. But there really wasn't a Derby horse beneath those glistening exteriors.

Godolphin Continues Buying Juveniles

Godolphin Racing continues to purchase 2-year-olds in training, adding Tempting Fate and the unbeaten Gone West colt West Order to their roster. Last week the Dubai-based racing operation purchased Express Tour with an eye toward next year's Triple Crown races.

Godolphin Buys Express Tour As Triple Crown Hope

Godolphin Racing, continuing its recent trend of buying promising juveniles in an effort to capture a Triple Crown race, has purchased Express Tour for a sum believed to be close to $1 million.

South Florida Report: Express Tour Wins Florida Stallion Stakes

Express Tour, trained by Marty Wolfson, won the divsion of the Florida Stallion Stakes named for Affirmed, the colt who won the Triple Crown for the trainer's father 22 years ago.

Forty One Carats Breaks Course Record; Express Tour Sweeps Stallion Series

Forty One Carats established a Calder Race Course track record of 1:08.95 for six furlongs Saturday in a 1 3/4-length victory in the $300,000 Smile Sprint Stakes.