Giant Oak's breeze on March 7, clocked in 1:00.80 for five furlongs, was a routine move in advance of Fair Grounds' $600,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) on March 14. However, just past the wire, trainer Chris Block's big horse bobbled briefly, giving the Illinois-based conditioner some moments of concern until he was able to check out his horse back at the barn.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Silver Wing Stable's Free Country, undefeated in two starts including an impressive nine-furlong allowance win at Gulfstream Park last month, makes his highly-anticipated stakes debut in the $225,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 14 at Tampa Bay Downs.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
After spending 2008 in Big Brown's shadow, West Point Thoroughbreds' Macho Again is ready to step into the sun as one of the top choices in the $1 million OBS Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park Jan. 24.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The trainer will seperate his three promising Kentucky Derby (gr. I) prospects. He is also hopeful that a fourth will soon make his mark on the Triple Crown trail.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Kenny McPeek on his BC Juvenile Fillies contender Dream Empress
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Kelly Colliver's Dream Express took over at the top of the lane and powered to a dominating 4 1/4-length score in the $500,000 Darley Alcibiades (gr. I) Oct. 3 on the Keneland Polytrack. The 2-year-old Bernstein filly earned her first graded stakes win while notching a berth in the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) later this month at Santa Anita.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Racecar Rhapsody, a 3-year-old son of Tale of the Cat who ran fourth to Big Brown in the Preakness (gr. I), was scratched from the seventh race at Churchill Downs June 18 after the colt was purchased by new owners.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Recapturetheglory, fifth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has had his Preakness Stakes (gr. I) plans derailed by a fever. The son of Cherokee Run is officially out, according to co-owner Ronnie Lamarque, who confirmed the news at 2 p.m. EDT May 10.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Six horses expected to race in the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Monmouth Park received their final works at Keeneland Oct. 20.
Saturday, October 20, 2007New York- based trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, Gary Contessa and John Kimmel are the latest horsemen to sign up for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Pony-Up Program, a new TRF fundraising initiative designed to spread the financial responsibilities of caring for retired racehorses across the training community, while taxing horsemen only when they have reaped the benefits of a win.
Thursday, March 08, 2007It was business as usual at Churchill Downs when Cat Quatorze, the first horse saddled by new trainer Helen Pitts, who has replaced her former boss Ken McPeek, won Friday.
Friday, July 01, 2005Trainer Elliott Walden will hang up his training cap at the end of the current Churchill Downs meet to become vice president in charge of racing and bloodstock services for Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005Sweet Talker, who clearly loves the turf course at Churchill Downs, should be the solid favorite Saturday in the Regret Stakes (gr. IIIT).
Wednesday, June 15, 2005The top three finishers from last year's Elkhorn Stakes (gr. IIIT) are back to renew their rivalry Friday when the $200,000 race is contested at Keeneland on closing day.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005Trainer Ken McPeek, who conditioned grade I winners Harlan's Holiday, Take Charge Lady, Sarava, and Hard Buck during his 20-year career, is leaving the training game effective July 1 to become a bloodstock agent and advisor.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005The connections of two U. S. turf specialists said Thursday they plan to embark on race campaigns this year that will include France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Oct. 2.
Thursday, March 24, 2005It looks like Prince Arch is headed to Dubai for the $2 million Sheema Classic (UAE-I) after the 4-year-old captured the $230,000 Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup (gr. IT) on the turf Sunday in the colt's 2005 debut.
Sunday, March 06, 2005A couple of classy older horses, Denon and Rochester, head the field for the mile-and-a-half $150,000 Sycamore Breeders' Cup (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland Saturday.
Thursday, October 07, 2004Favored Prince Arch overcame a bump with Good Reward in upper stretch to rally for a resolute victory by a head over Mustanfar in the closing-day $108,200 Saranac Handicap (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-olds Monday at Saratoga Race Course.
Monday, September 06, 2004Trainer Ken McPeek hopes to close the 136th Saratoga Race Course meet on a winning note when he ships Prince Arch from Kentucky for the $100,000-added Saranac Handicap (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-olds at 1 3/16-mile on the turf.
Saturday, September 04, 2004Thoroughbred Charities of America raised $65,000 at its inaugural golf tournament Aug. 17 at the Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Proceeds will benefit Thoroughbred rescue, rehabilitation, and research throughout the nation.
Wednesday, August 25, 2004Trainer Ken McPeek and jockey Brice Blanc teamed for a second graded stakes win on a yielding Churchill Downs turf course Saturday when Sister Star surprised favored Western Ransom by 3 3/4 lengths in the $221,800 Regret (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-old fillies.
Saturday, June 12, 2004Prince Arch, thanks to a patient ride by Brice Blanc, ended heavily favored Kitten's Joy five-race winning streak in the final strides of the $226,200 Jefferson Cup (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-olds on the turf at Churchill Downs.
Saturday, June 12, 2004Brazilian-bred Hard Buck rallied on the outside to get up in the final two strides, defeating favored Balto Star by a head in the $190,000 Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. IT) on the turf Sunday.
Sunday, February 22, 2004Paper Man and Hard Buck prepare for Palm Beach Stakes, Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup Handicap.
Wednesday, February 18, 2004Ken McPeek could have starters in the Canadian Turf and the Suwanee River Handicaps. Allen Jerkens is pointing both Bowman's Band and Puzzlement toward the Donn.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association will hold a two-day conformation and pedigree clinic at Calder Race Course Feb. 1-2.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who has already saddled more winners of the $200,000-added Golden Rod Stakes (gr. II) than anyone at Churchill Downs, sends out the imposing duo of Be Gentle and Stellar Jayne in Saturday's 60th renewal of the race for 2-year-old fillies.
Friday, November 28, 2003Lead Story, ridden by Calvin Borel, rallied along the inside on a sloppy Churchill Downs track to romp away in the $334,200 Falls City Handicap (gr. II) for fillies and mares Thursday by a widening 6 1/2 lengths.
Thursday, November 27, 2003Crafty Shaw's connections are weighing their options after the horse's recent Schaefer Mile win...Take Charge Lady could make her final start in the Nov. 27 Falls City.
Wednesday, November 19, 2003Front-running Warleigh nearly pulled off a theft of Sunday's $172,800 River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) on a yielding Churchill Downs turf, but he could not hold off the relentless charge of upsetter Hard Buck in the final stages.
Sunday, November 16, 2003After flirting with the notion of running Take Charge Lady in Saturday's Churchill Downs Distaff (gr. II), trainer Ken McPeek is pointing the Select Stable runner toward a repeat effort in the Nov. 27 Falls City Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs.
Thursday, November 06, 2003Galloping Gal displayed her fondness for the grass Thursday at Keeneland, winning the $113,200 Jessamine County Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on the turf.
Thursday, October 23, 2003Stonecrest Farm's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Perfect Drift, Select Stable's Distaff (gr. I) hope Take Charge Lady, and Team Valor's Juvenile (gr. I) hopeful Tiger Hunt each worked five furlongs in dense fog at Churchill Downs Saturday morning in their last training moves before they fly to California to compete in the Breeders' Cup at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Oct. 25.
Saturday, October 18, 2003Select Stable's Take Charge Lady came out of her impressive 10 ½ -length tally in Monday's Arlington Matron Handicap (gr. III) well and will leave Arlington Park Wednesday evening on her return trip to Churchill Downs, trainer Ken McPeek said.
Wednesday, September 03, 2003A sloppy track added a little intrigue to Monday's $150,000 Arlington Matron Handicap (gr. III), but prohibitive favorite Take Charge Lady put an end to any issues on the turn for home, striding out in the home stretch for jockey Shane Sellers to win as she pleased.
Monday, September 01, 2003Select Stable's Take Charge Lady, a multiple grade I stakes winner with career earnings in excess of $2 million, has been installed as the prohibitive 3-5 for Monday's 67th running of the $150,000 Arlington Matron Handicap (gr. III).
Saturday, August 30, 2003Select Stable's Take Charge Lady, one of the headline attractions in this year's older filly and mare division, is coming to Arlington Park as the starring individual in Monday's grade III Arlington Matron Handicap
Wednesday, August 27, 2003When Sarava rocked the Thoroughbred world by winning the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) last June, trainer Ken McPeek may have been the least surprised by the unexpected upset.
Saturday, August 23, 2003Sackatoga Stable's Funny Cide was worked on by a chiropractor Thursday morning and his status for the Travers (gr.I) remains in question.
Thursday, August 14, 2003Uncharacteristically, trainer Kenny McPeek was a man of few words Wednesday as he talked about Ohio Derby (gr.II) Wild and Wicked's work over the Oklahoma training track.
Wednesday, July 23, 2003Observations from those involved with the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky summer yearling sale.
Friday, July 18, 2003Edward P. Evans' Summer Colony will attempt to become the fifth back-to-back winner of the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (gr. II) Sunday when she faces seven foes in the 66th renewal of the filly and mare classic at Delaware Park.
Wednesday, July 16, 2003Juddmonte Farms' Sightseek, a filly who always fires, is the likely favorite in Saturday's $300,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park, but she'll have to beat an extremely tough if compact field.
Thursday, June 19, 2003Saturday's 29th running of the $300,000-added Fleur De Lis Handicap (gr. II) lost one of its major stars when trainer Ken McPeek decided that Select Stable's Take Charge Lady would skip the race.
Wednesday, June 11, 2003Select Stable's Take Charge Lady may have earned a spot in the starting gate for Saturday's $300,000-added Fleur De Lis Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs with a sharp five furlong work over the track on Monday.
Monday, June 09, 2003Select Stable's Take Charge Lady, who was scratched from the Louisville Breeders' Cup (gr. II) on Kentucky Oaks Day when she suffered a bruised foot on the eve of the race, returned to serious training on Monday with a sizzling four-furlong breeze at Churchill Downs.
Monday, June 02, 2003John Phillips and partners' Sir Barton Stakes winner Best Minister zipped a half-mile in a quick :47 at Belmont Park on Monday as the Deputy Minister colt continued to progress toward Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
Monday, June 02, 2003Next week's Belmont Stakes (gr. I) lost a possible contender on Saturday when trainer Ken McPeek confirmed that R. David Randal's unbeaten Wild and Wicked would not ship to Belmont Park for the race.
Saturday, May 31, 2003Kenny McPeek, who already has one horse, Best Minister, in the Belmont Stakes field, said Monday he also is considering running Wild and Wicked, unbeaten in two career starts.
Monday, May 26, 2003