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Hessonite Tops Sheepshead Bay Stakes Lineup

Four strong turf fillies will tangle May 25 in the $200,000 Sheepshead Bay Stakes (gr. IIT) at Belmont Park. Hessonite, Strathnaver, Starformer, and Mystical Star all share status as 120-pound highweights in a field of eight.

Haskin: Questions That Don't Need Answering

10 questions about the Kentucky Derby and Preakness to inspire thought.

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Redwood Kitten, Zee Bros Win on Pimlico Card

Zayat Stables' Zee Bros among the stakes winners at Pimlico during the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) day program.

Fiftyshadesofhay Prevails in Black-Eyed Susan

Jockey Joel Rosario's remarkable run continued May 17 when he cleverly brought Fiftyshadesofhay from off the pace to win the $500,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) at Pimlico Race Course.

Pimlico: May 17 Undercard Stakes Rundown

Dance the Bristol continued her roll with a strong win in the $100,000 Skipat Stakes at Pimlico Race Course May 17, then I'm Mom's Favorite got up in the shadow of the wire in the $100,000 Ms. Preakness Pink Warrior.

There's Realistic Confidence in Orb Camp

Trainer Shug McGaughey said May 17 Orb is coming up to the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) in fine order, but there is still a race to be run against eight other horses.

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.

Slideshow: Kentucky Derby 139

The 2013 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

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2013 Kentucky Derby Press Conference

Comments from the connections of Orb, winner of the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

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Orb Delivers Kentucky Derby Glory

Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable's Orb stormed to the lead in mid-stretch to win the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 4. The 5-1 favorite gave Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey his first Derby win.

Kentucky Derby Preview: All About Orb

Florida Derby winner Orb has Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey excited about the May 4 Kentucky Derby--more excited, said McGaughey, than he's ever been. But 19 other 3-year-olds also have their sights on the Derby.

Kitten's Dumplings Rallies Late in Edgewood

Ken and Sarah Ramsey's 3-year-old homebred filly Kitten's Dumplings overcame a poor effort in her last start and notched the first victory of her sophomore season in grand fashion in the May 3 Edgewood Stakes.

Dreaming of Julia Draws Post 8 in KY Oaks

Dreaming of Julia, the remarkable 21 3/4-length winner of the March 30 Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II), drew post 8 of 11 sophomore fillies and was installed the 3-1 favorite for the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Riding High, Rosario Readies for Derby on Orb

For the 28-year-old native of the Dominican Republic, a mount aboard highly-regarded Florida Derby victor Orb in the May 4 Kentucky Derby is a natural progression after a whirlwind month.

Eye-Catching Move for Filly Close Hatches

Juddmonte Farms' Close Hatches drills a half-mile in :47 2/5 in advance of the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). The daughter of First Defence is unbeaten in three starts, all this year.

Ramsey Savors Every Winner's Circle Trip

While Ken Ramsey has reached racing's heights, the Thoroughbred owner says he will never abandon claiming races.

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Keeneland Sets All-Sources Handle Mark

Keeneland concluded its 2013 spring race meeting April 26 with a number of records, including all-sources handle and most wins by an owner, trainer, and jockey.

Dark Cove Earns Ramseys Keeneland Gold Tray

Dark Cove earned owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey a gold tray when he drew off to an upset victory in the $150,000 Elkhorn Stakes (gr. II) on closing day April 26 at Keeneland.

Kentucky Derby 2013: Joel Rosario - Orb

Jockey Joel Rosario talks about Orb, his mount in the 2013 Kentucky Derby.

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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.

Maker Triples, Breaks Keeneland Spring Mark

With three wins April 24, trainer Mike Maker broke the record at Keeneland for victories during the spring meet and now has a total of 19.

Rosario Chasing Keeneland Record

On the final Sunday morning of the 2013 Keeneland spring meet, there was still plenty of activity on the Keeneland backstretch.

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McGaughey Impressed With Orb's Latest Workout

Florida Derby (gr. I) victor Orb impressed trainer Shug McGaughey at Payson Park on the morning of April 21 while breezing five furlongs during a key workout for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. i) May 4.

Rosario Completes 'Dream' Day in Appalachian

Aptly named Unbelievable Dream gave jockey Joel Rosario a remarkable fifth win at Keeneland April 18 when she charged from off the pace to capture the grade III Appalachian Stakes Presented by Japan Racing Association.

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.

Ciao Bella Luna Shines Brightest in Beaumont

After showing little in two prior stakes attempts this year, Ciao Bella Luna relished a return to a synthetic surface April 14 at Keeneland, capturing the $150,000 Beaumont Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select (gr. IIT).

Rosario Picks Up Derby Mount on Orb

Jockey Joel Rosario has been named to ride Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Orb in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), agent Ron Anderson confirmed April 10.

Juvenile Behavior: Like Mother, Like Son

Six seasons after One Hot Wish blazed 4 1/2 furlongs in :48.87 at Keeneland, establishing a track record for the distance that still stands, her first foal has followed in her footsteps.

Verrazano Holds in Formful Wood Memorial

Verrazano turned back the challenge of Vyjack and held off a late-closing Normandy Invasion in a formful edition of the $1 million Wood Memorial (gr. I) April 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Close Hatches Gets Determined Gazelle Score

Close Hatches led at every pole, repelled Princess of Sylmar in deep stretch, and drew away to keep her unbeaten record intact, registering her first stakes score in the $250,000 Gazelle Stakes (gr. II) April 6 at Aqueduct.

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.

Dubai World Cup Press Conference

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

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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.

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.

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).

Play It Again: Old Tune Wins Hillsborough

Stud TNT's Old Tune, winner of Tampa Bay Downs' Feb. 2 Endeavour Stakes (gr. IIIT), returns to win the March 9 Hillsborough Stakes (gr. IIIT) at nine furlongs. Her score is trainer Todd Pletcher's fourth Hillsborough victory.

Rosario to Ride Dynamic Sky in Tampa Derby

Trainer Mark Casse is looking for a big effort against the undefeated Verrazano.

Gotham Winner Vyjack Headed to Wood Memorial

Undefeated Vyjack remains on track for the $1 million Wood Memorial (gr. I) following his terrific victory in the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack March 2.

Vyjack Makes Big Impact With Late Gotham Run

Pick Six Racing's Vyjack remained unbeaten in four starts and proceeded on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with an impressive late run March 2 in the $400,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.

Comma to the Top Gets Nod in Tight Tom Fool

Favored Comma to the Top, making just his second appearance outside of California, proved a tenacious winner of the $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap (gr. III) March 2 at Aqueduct Racetrack, just a week after making his last start.

Live Lively Tops 'Julia in Davona Dale Theft

Live Lively got the jump on odds-on choice Dreaming of Julia in the $245,000 Davona Dale (gr. II) and never looked back while registering a front-running 1 1/2-length victory in her stakes debut Feb. 23 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.

Old Tune Shows Affinity for New Surroundings

Making her first start outside her native Brazil, Stud TNT's Old Tune showed an affinity for her new surroundings when she won the $150,000 Endeavor Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 2.

Tapicat Makes the Grade in Florida Oaks

The sophomore daughter of Tapit earned her first graded stakes victory and was just a tick off a track record Feb. 2 while rolling home much the best in the $150,000 Florida Oaks (gr. IIIT) at Tampa Bay Downs.

Tapicat High Steps into Florida Oaks

After leading at every call in winning her first two career turf starts, Tapicat will try to earn her first black-type Feb. 2 in the Florida Oaks (gr. IIIT) at Tampa Bay Downs.

Kauai Katie, New Stablemate Top Forward Gal

Kauai Katie has proven her talent among the best in North America, while Fusaichiswonderful is undefeated with four graded stakes victories earned in Puerto Rico. Pletcher saddles both at Gulfstream Jan. 26.

Another Hit for Successful Song in SM Distaff

In what is expected to be her final start, Successful Song secured the most lucrative victory of her career when she cruised through the stretch to easily win the $300,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff Stakes.

Merit Man Shows Class in Spectacular Bid

Merit Man proved his mettle in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes Jan. 1, coming back off a runner-up finish to Hightail in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint to prove his class at Gulfstream Park.

Afleeting Lady Powers to Falls City Victory

Afleeting Lady built a three-race win streak and gave trainer Dale Romans his 19th graded stakes score of the season when she powered to victory in the $162,450 Falls City Handicap (gr. II) Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs.