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Haynesfield Returns in Empire Classic

Led by grade I winner Haynesfield, eight New York-breds will go to post Oct. 22 for the 36th running of the $200,000 McMahon Adena Empire Classic, the centerpiece of New York Showcase Day at Belmont Park.

Colizeo Looks to Go All the Way in Suburban

Colizeo looks to be lone speed in the $300,000 Suburban Handicap (gr. I) and the son of Distorted Humor will try to take advantage to pick up his first graded stakes of the season when he meets five others July 2 at Belmont.

Apart Edges Colizeo in Schaefer Stretch Duel

Adele Dilschneider's homebred Apart prevailed in a protracted stretch duel with Colizeo to capture the $100,000 William Donald Schaefer Memorial Stakes (gr. III) at Pimlico May 21.

Apart Hoping to Follow in Blame's Shoes

The connections that won last year's William Donald Schaefer Memorial Stakes (gr. III) with eventual champion Blame will seek a double with Apart when the $100,000 event is held May 21 at Pimlico Race Course.

No Catching Friend Or Foe in Empire Classic

Heavily favored Friend Or Foe returned to the winner's circle at Belmont Park with a front-running stakes-record victory in the $200,000 Empire Classic for New York-breds, the centerpiece of New York Showcase Day Oct. 23.

Big Names Line Up For Empire Classic

Eleven state-bred Thoroughbreds will vie for the title of "Best of New York" Oct. 23 when they assemble for the $200,000 Empire Classic, the centerpiece of New York Showcase Day at Belmont Park.

Vic Zast's Saratoga Diary: Hoop Dreams

The end of the extra four days of Saratoga horse racing was marked by the morning workouts and rumors about a ringer on the jockeys' basketball team.

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Tin Cup Chalice Earns Big Apple Triple

Tin Cup Chalice, owned, bred, and trained by Michael Lecesse, became the first horse to sweep the OTB's Big Apple Triple on Aug. 20 at Saratoga, when he held off an upset bid by That'srightofficer to win the 31st running of the $150,000, nine-furlong Albany Stakes for 3-year-old New York-breds by a head.

Saratoga Notes: Test Winner 'Great'

Trainer Bob Baffert was pleased with how Indian Blessing, juvenile filly champion of 2007, came out of her impressive seven-length win in the Test Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 2 at Saratoga.

Denis of Cork, Others Exit Belmont Well

The eight other runners from the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) were resting well, their trainers looking on to future goals for the summer, as the Triple Crown season concluded June 7.

Belmont Doings: Brownie Points

This is going to be short and sweet. There is not much room for statistical analysis or basing any conclusions on works. The Belmont Stakes (gr. I) is all about Big Brown and how he is going to handle the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Belmont Doings: Casino Works

For the third time in about a week Casino Drive had one of those non-published works that everyone has come to expect. The first time was by himself, the second with two workmates, and today's with one workmate. But this time it was different, as his jockey Edgar Prado was aboard for the first time.

Big Brown Draws the Rail in the Belmont

Triple Crown contender Big Brown was installed the 2-5 morning line favorite and drew the rail in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

NYRA Pegs Belmont Stakes Field at Nine

The New York Racing Association said June 2 a field of nine is probable for the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), third leg of the Triple Crown.

Belmont Doings: Born for the Belmont

Can a son of Boundary win the Belmont Stakes (gr. I)? Many people had their doubts that a Boundary could win at 1 1/4 miles, but Big Brown keeps defying the odds and eliminating one question mark after another.

Belmont Profile: Icabad Crane

Icabad Crane's connections had faith in him at least hitting the board in the May 17 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico, and their intuitions were proved right when the son of Jump Start finished a game 5 3/4 lengths in third behind Big Brown.

Preakness Notes: May 18

Big Brown takes aim at Triple Crown, will ship to Belmont Park May 19.

Big Brown Crushes Preakness Rivals

In a performance that was more like a coronation than a Thoroughbred horse race, Big Brown crushed his 11 rivals in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico Race Course Saturday afternoon by 5 1/4 lengths

Preakness Notes: May 16

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said May 16 that he is nearly as confident that the Boundary colt will win the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) as he was before his dominating win in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Preakness Notes: May 13

Behindatthebar, Giant Moon, Riley Tucker, Stevil, and Tres Borrachos turn in their final workouts before the May 17 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico.

Preakness Profile: Icabad Crane

Icabad Crane proved he stands a chance in the second jewel of the Triple Crown with his impressive performance in the April 19 Frederico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico.

Icabad Crane Heading to the Preakness

Icabad Crane, who most recently won the April 19 Frederico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico, will be entered in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), according to the racing manager for owner Earle I. Mack.

Full Field of 20 Expected for Derby

In spite of the shocking news of the Triple Crown trail-ending injury to 2007 juvenile champion male War Pass and the apparent decision to forego the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) for a run in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) by the connections of Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) winner Behindatthebar, a 20-horse field is still being predicted for the 134th Run for the Roses May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Icabad Crane Wakes Up in Tesio Stakes

Launching a strong bid from between horses on the final turn, favored Icabad Crane ran down the front-running Mint Lane in the final sixteenth of a mile to register a head victory in the $100,000 Federico Tesio Stakes on opening weekend at Pimlico April 19. The triumph could provide trainer H. Graham Motion and owner Earle I. Mack with a prospect for the May 17 Preakness (gr. I) over the track.

Tesio: Servis Hopes to Make Splash

John Servis has not been on the Triple Crown trail since Smarty Jones captivated the Thoroughbred racing world in 2004. The veteran trainer will try to change that this year, as he sends out Indian Jump in the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes April 19 at Pimlico Race Course, a 1 1/8-mile dirt event that serves as the local prep for the May 17 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Big Glen Grinds Out Rushaway Triumph

Big Glen, guided confidently by Rene Douglas, found room along the inside and finished in a full drive to the wire to defeat favored Miner's Claim by a short neck in the $100,000 Rushaway Stakes for 3-year-olds at Turfway Park.