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First Friesan Fire Foal Born in West Virginia

The first reported foal for 2009 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner Friesan Fire is a filly born January 22 at Maple Valley Farm in West Virginia for breeder Ken Lowe Jr.

Owner Joseph Cornacchia Dies

Joseph Cornacchia, co-owner of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) Strike the Gold and Go for Gin, dies at 78. He also served on NYRA's board of directors.

A Blending of Nicks and Patterns

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

Repent's stakes winners are a mix of strong nicks and intriguing pedigree patterns, something that probably reflects the slightly unusual pedigree of Repent himself. One runner bearing a unique pedigree is Crown of Thorns, who just jumped into this year's Classic picture by winning the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita.

Two-Time Derby Owner Condren Dies

William J. Condren, 74, who won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) twice with partners, died Monday at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Bushfire Cooks Foes in Mother Goose

Bushfire completed back-to-back grade I wins at Belmont Park Saturday when she held off the fast-closing Pine Island for a three-quarters of a length victory in the $250,000 Mother Goose for 3-year-old fillies.

Bushfire Reignites in Stretch to Win Acorn

Bushfire, who had the early lead and then was passed by Hello Liberty in the stretch, fought back gamely down the lane to capture the $250,000 Acorn Stakes (gr. I) by a neck Saturday at Belmont Park.

Doctor Decherd Wins Nose Job in Aventura

Doctor Decherd commenced a strong rally entering the lane to nip Itsallboutthechase by a nose in a head-bobbing stretch duel to capture Saturday's fifth running of the $125,000 Aventura Stakes, the opening leg of this year's Florida Derby (gr. I) series for 3-year-olds.

Breeders' Cup Pedigree Profile: Choctaw Nation

Everyone loves a rags-to-riches story, and among this year's Breeders' Cup horses, few fit that label better than Choctaw Nation--though the rags are perhaps not as ragged as for some of the sport's legends.

Choctaw Nation Back On Winning Path

Coming off the worst race of his career, Robert Bone's Choctaw Nation displayed all of his old late charge to annihilate the field in the $250,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) Sunday for his second straight victory in the stakes at Del Mar.

Zito May Start Three in Preakness; Two Work at Churchill

Although High Fly will have to wait until Tuesday morning to earn his way into the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) field during a scheduled half-mile workout at Churchill Downs, stablemates Noble Causeway and Sun King punched their tickets to Pimlico Race Course after pleasing trainer Nick Zito with their respective five-furlong workouts Monday morning

Port Town Works Toward Swale Stakes

Trainer Ralph Ziadie vanned the promising Port Town from his Calder Race Course base to Gulfstream Park for a Feb. 28 morning workout with an eye on a 3-year-old debut in the $150,000 Swale Stakes (gr. II) Saturday.

New York Breeders Sale Finishes Strong

The inaugural New York Breeders' Sale Company's fall mixed sale broke new ground for Empire State breeders, owners, and consignors at the Sept. 29 close of its two-day run at Saratoga Race Course. The sale grossed $1,234,100 with 186 hips selling for an average of $6,361. The median was $2,600.

Herculated Overpowers Warleigh in Sea O'Erin

Herculated ran down pacesetter Warleigh in mid-stretch and drew off to win the $150,000 Sea O'Erin Breeders' Cup Mile by a half-length on Saturday at Arlington Park.

Choctaw Nation Ruins 'Perfect' Return

Robert Bone's undefeated Choctaw Nation earned his reservation for the $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) with a powerful rally to mow down Pleasantly Perfect and capture the $250,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) at Del Mar Sunday.

Bossanova Euthanized After Hollie Hughes Fall

Lorraine and Rod Rodriguez's Bossanova, winner of the Fall Weight Handicap (gr. III) in November, was euthanized Sunday after fracturing both sesamoid bones of his right foreleg during the stretch run of the $81,675 Hollie Hughes Handicap at Aqueduct.

Second of June Arrives Early in Holy Bull

Barbara Cesare's Second of June grabbed command on the far turn and drew away from favored Silver Wagon in the stretch to record a convincing 2 3/4-length victory in Saturday's $100,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park.

Louis Quatorze to Murmur in Maryland

E. Allen Murray and his wife, Audrey, who bought the stallion Our Emblem two years ago and watched him develop into a star when his son War Emblem won the 2002 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I). have purchased 10-year-old Louis Quatorze for stallion duty at their Murmur Farm near Darlington, Md.

Papua Wins Hollie Hughes at Rainy Aqueduct

Papua passed Conman Cunningham and Impeachthepro in the stretch to win the $80,725 Hollie Hughes Stakes on a soggy Sunday at drenched Aqueduct.

Thunder Gulch Sets North American Record for Mares Covered

During the breeding season of 2001, the number of stallions covering 100 or more mares actually decreased, but the stud horse that mounted the most mares blew the "cover" off the record.

Repent, Harlan's Holiday Work at Belmont

Repent, runner-up in last month's Travers Stakes (gr. I), worked five furlongs in 1:00.65 Sunday at Belmont in preparation for the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) Sept. 28.

Zito Looks for Encore with Quatorze

Having won the 1996 Preakness with Louis Quatorze, trainer Nick Zito is looking for another big payday with a daughter of the renowned horse. Aly Quatorze, who won twice at Gulfstream this winter, will take on favored Chamrousse in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) on Friday.

Louis Quatorze's Fee Upped to $15,000

Louis Quatorze, who was scheduled to stand the 2002 season for $10,000, has had his fee boosted to $15,000.

Repent Gives Louis Quatorze First Stakes Winner

Select Stable's Repent returned from a nose-length maiden win Sept. 7 at Turfway Park to win the track's $100,000 Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes (gr. III) Saturday, giving Preakness (gr. I) winner Louis Quatorze his first stakes winner as a sire.