BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Grade I Winner Samitar Heads Gallorette Field

Already the most accomplished horse entered in the May 18 Gallorette Handicap at Pimlico Race Course, Irish classic winner Samitar appears to be entering top form after flashing a strong late kick in previous effort.

Motion, Smithwick, Pino Honored in Maryland

The Maryland Horse Industry Board presented Touch of Class awards to trainer H. Graham Motion, jockey Mario Pino, and author Patrick Smithwick Jr. at a May 14 ceremony in Silver Spring.

Animal Kingdom Confirmed for Queen Anne

Graham Motion, trainer of Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner Animal Kingdom, has decided that the Royal Ascot meeting's opening race over a mile will be the Kentucky-bred's target in his career finale June 18.

Animal Kingdom Works Toward Royal Ascot

Trainer Graham Motion reported via Twitter that Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner Animal Kingdom completed a four-furlong gallop in :52 May 9 at Lambourn.

Velazquez to Ride Animal Kingdom at Ascot

John Velazquez will ride his Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Animal Kingdom when the recent Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) hero makes his career finale at the mid-June Royal Ascot meeting in England.

Streaking Rosario, Strathnaver Take Bewitch

On the day he broke the Keeneland record for most wins in a single spring meet, jockey Joel Rosario guided 18-1 shot Strathnaver to victory in the $150,000 Bewitch Stakes (gr. IIIT) April 25 on the turf.

Royal Ascot Entries Include Animal Kingdom

Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Animal Kingdom and Java's War, who is being pointed to this year's Louisville classic, are among the U.S.-trained horses being considered for Royal Ascot.

Successful Dan Faces Six in Ben Ali Return

There was a time when "the other Dan" was Wise Dan, who went on to become Horse of the Year. On April 21 fans will witness the return of the original, Successful Dan, in the $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland.

Howe Great Wins at Keeneland; Turallure 6th

Howe Great, the 2012 Palm Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) victor whose last win came in the July 21 Jersey Derby at Monmouth, took a strong Keeneland allowance race April 6 in which 2011 Woodbine Mile winner Turallure ran sixth.

Mettee Replaces Motion as Team Valor Trainer

Team Valor International has hired Rick Mettee to train all of its North American-based racehorses, replacing Graham Motion, the partnership group announced April 5.

Spring in the Air Heads Full Ashland Field

John Oxley's grade I winner Spring in the Air will face a full field of 13 rivals in the $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Keeneland April 6.

Rosario Reflects on World Cup, Ready for Wood

Joel Rosario returned to Gulfstream Park to ride the April 3 program, but the 28-year-old jockey hadn't really come back to earth after riding Animal Kingdom to victory in the Dubai World Cup March 30 at Meydan.

Up With the Birds Tops Transylvania

John Oxley's Star Contender is highweighted at 123 pounds in a field of 11 for the $100,000 Transylvania Stakes (gr. IIIT), but SamSon Farms' Up With the Birds has beaten him and will likely be favored at Keeneland April 5.

Dubai World Cup Press Conference

Comments from the connections of Animal Kingdom, after his victory in the Dubai World Cup.

Watch Video

Derby Hero Animal Kingdom Rules World Cup

The drought for America in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) came to an end March 30 when champion Animal Kingdom burst clear in the homestretch for a spectacular score at Meydan Racecourse.

Dubai World Cup: Graham Motion

Trainer Graham Motion discusses Animal Kingdom, who runs in the Dubai World Cup on March 30.

Watch Video

Starformer Tops Orchid Line-Up

Juddmonte Farms' homebred Starformer seeks her second straight stakes score at Gulfstream Park March 30, going up against nine others in the $150,000 Orchid Stakes (gr. IIIT) on the undercard of the Florida Derby (gr. I).

U.S. Ready to End Dubai World Cup Drought

If America is going to finally crack the Tapeta blockade that has prevented it from having a single horse finish in the money in the three Dubai World Cups run at Meydan, this will be the year.

Animal Kingdom Draws Post 12 in World Cup

Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), drew post 12 of 13 when the field was drawn March 27 for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Meydan March 30.

Crop Report Takes Rushaway for Race Sponsor

Team Valor International's Crop Report, third in his United States debut in February, found the Polytrack at Turfway Park to his liking with a last-to-first victory in the $75,000 Team Valor Rushaway Stakes March 23.

Animal Kingdom, Others Ready for Dubai Flight

Champions Animal Kingdom, Royal Delta, and Trinniberg lead an eight-horse American delegation set to fly to the United Arab Emirates, leaving Florida at approximately 9 p.m. on March 19.

Went the Day Well to Undergo Tieback Surgery

Team Valor International's Went the Day Well, winner of the 2012 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (gr. III) and fourth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will undergo a tie-back operation in Versailles, Ky.

Rosario to Ride Animal Kingdom in Dubai

Trainer Graham Motion confirmed March 13 that Joel Rosario will have the return mount aboard Animal Kingdom in the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).

Went the Day Well Experiences Breathing Issue

Went the Day Well was a surprise non-factor at 1-2 odds at Aqueduct Racetrack March 3 when he apparently struggled to get his air in his first start since the 2012 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Kitten's Point Takes Herecomesthebride

Kitten's Joy daughter and Augustin Stable homebred prevails in rough-run grade III at Gulfstream Park.

Went the Day Well Returns to Action March 3

Went the Day Well, winner of the 2012 Spiral Stakes (gr. III) and fourth after traffic trouble in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), returns March 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Violence Favored of 11 in Fountain of Youth

Undefeated Violence tops a Feb. 23 Fountain of Youth field that includes He's Had Enough, Cerro, Orb, and Falling Sky among 11 starters.

Unbeaten Violence Set for Fountain of Youth

Undefeated Violence breezed five furlongs in 1:00.36 at Palm Meadows Training Center in his final preparation for a scheduled start in the $400,000 Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth (gr. II) Feb. 23 at Gulfstream Park

Point of Entry Takes Down Animal Kingdom

Point of Entry took down 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Animal Kingdom with a strong turn of foot Feb. 9 in the $300,000 Kitten's Joy Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT) at Gulfstream Park.

Animal Kingdom vs. Point of Entry in GP Turf

Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom will take on top turf contender Point of Entry in the $300,000 Kitten's Joy Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT) on Feb. 9.

Olympian Phelps Has Derby in His Sights

After rewriting the Olympic record books for swimming, Michael Phelps and his longtime coach may have the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) in their sights with a 3-year-old colt named Cerro.

Animal Kingdom Earns Bullet in Jan. 14 Move

The champion male 3-year-old of 2011 is targeting the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT) on Feb. 9.

Animal Kingdom on Course for 2013 Campaign

Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), turned in his final work of 2012 Dec. 28 at Palm Meadows Training Center under the supervision of trainer Graham Motion.

Onepointhreekarats Wins Thirty Eight Go Go

Onepointhreekarats made her stakes debut successfully for trainer Graham Motion when she drew off mid-stretch to win the $104,250 Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes Dec. 22 comfortably at Laurel Park.

Animal Kingdom Works Toward 2013 Debut

Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby (gr. I), is on track to make his 2013 debut in the Feb. 9 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap after an easy half-mile breeze at Palm Meadows Dec. 11.

Wood Memorial Winner Toby's Corner to Japan

Toby's Corner, winner of the 2011 Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial Stakes (gr.I), will launch his stallion career in Japan at Hidaka Stallion Station.

Hollinger Takes Class Drop in Tropical Turf

Hollinger will find an opportune spot in the $100,000 Tropical Turf Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Calder Race Course & Casino, in spite of hauling high weight on the Florida oval's closing day.

Animal Kingdom Targets Gulfstream Park Turf

Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will prep for the 2013 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) with a start in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT) Feb. 9.

BC Mile: Wise Dan Must Run 'Race of His Life'

Morton Fink's homebred Wise Dan drew post 2 and was installed as the 9-5 favorite Oct. 29 for the $2 milion Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 2, but must run the race of a lifetime to get the job done.

BC Interview: Graham Motion - Animal Kingdom

Trainer Graham Motion talks about Breeders' Cup Mile contender Animal Kingdom's final breeze at Keeneland.

Watch Video

Animal Kingdom Has Workmanlike Drill

On a cool morning Oct. 26 at Keeneland, 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom turned in a workmanlike breeze preparing for his upcoming start in the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park.

Different Paths for Wise Dan, Animal Kingdom

Wise Dan and Animal Kingdom will enter the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park off vastly different preparation schedules.

Animal Kingdom Arrives at Keeneland

Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), returned to Keeneland Oct. 22 from his home base at Fair Hill, Md., to continue preparations for a Nov. 3 run at the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Animal Kingdom Again Breezes on Turf

For the second time in eight days, Animal Kingdom breezed six furlongs on the turf in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) Nov. 3 at Santa Anita Park.

Pin Oak Valley View to Be Run in Divisions

An overflow of 24 sophomore fillies passed the entry box for the $125,000 Pin Oak Valley View (gr. IIIT), forcing Keeneland officials to split the Oct. 19 running of the race into divisions for the second time in history.

Haskin: Paynter Arrives at Fair Hill

A light, steady rain fell as the Cooper Horse Transport van pulled up to the barn at Bruce Jackson's Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center.

read blog

BC Interview: Graham Motion - Animal Kingdom

Trainer Graham Motion discusses the decision to run Animal Kingdom in Breeders' Cup Mile. Graham also expands on the training plan and recovery of Animal Kingdom.

Watch Video

Aruna Primed for Juddmonte Spinster Defense

Flaxman Holdings' Aruna seeks back-to-back wins in the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I) at Keeneland Oct. 6, facing 12 rivals as she attempts to become just the fourth horse to accomplish the feat.

Animal Kingdom to Return in BC Mile

Animal Kingdom is expected to return in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 3, Team Valor International announced Oct. 2.

Noble Damsel Has Strong European Flavor

With five of its nine entrants bred outside the United States, including slight favorites Julie's Love and Dealbata, the $150,000 Noble Damsel Stakes (gr. IIIT) Sept. 15 at Belmont Park will have a strong European flavor.