BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Jersey Sale to Benefit Racing Outfits

The Hall of Fame trio of trainer Bob Baffert and jockeys Mike Smith and Laffit Pincay Jr. will sign limited edition collectible jerseys at Del Mar on Labor Day, Sept. 6.

Zenyatta Streak at 18 With Hirsch Three-Peat

In what could be her final start in California, the great Zenyatta remained undefeated with her 18th consecutive win in rather routine fashion by a neck in the $300,000 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 7 at Del Mar.

Champagne d'Oro Pops in Test Stakes

Champagne d'Oro, winner of the June 5 Acorn Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park, struck again, this time at Saratoga Aug. 7 in the seven-furlong Test Stakes (gr. I). Bonnie Blue Flag was second.

Smith and Zenyatta Jerseys to Benefit Charity

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will sign limited edition collectible jerseys benefiting Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement and The Race for Education scholarship organization at Del Mar Aug. 7.

Proviso Earns Third Straight G1 in Diana

English-bred mare Proviso won her third consecutive grade I race July 31 at Saratoga, as she held off Shared Account and two-time defending titleholder Forever Together in a blanket finish to take the Diana Handicap.

Spice Route Peppers Rivals in Singspiel

Favored Spice Route, making his first start in 2010, emerged from the pack in upper stretch and swept to an easy win in the $153,999 Singspiel Stakes (Can-IIIT) on Queen's Plate day at Woodbine July 4.

Zenyatta Stands Alone With Record 17th Win

Thrilling another crowd with her spine-tingling late charge, the undefeated mare nabbed a determined St Trinians by a half-length for her 17th consecutive victory in the June 13 Vanity Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood Park.

Haskin's Belmont Recap: Mott and Meyer

Drosselmeyer wins the Belmont giving trainer Bill Mott his first classic victory.

Drosselmeyer Wins Belmont for WinStar, Mott

WinStar Farm's Drosselmeyer gave Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott his first win in a Triple Crown race, as he wore down pacesetter First Dude and held off a late charge from Fly Down to win the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Slideshow: Belmont Stakes 142

From the gate break to the Winner's Circle, relive Drosselmeyer's run to glory.

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Proviso Proves Best in Just A Game

Juddmonte Farms' Proviso surged late in the one-mile Just A Game Stakes (gr. I) on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 5.

Zenyatta Works Six Furlongs in 1:14 4/5

She is scheduled to make her next start in the June 13 Vanity Handicap (gr. I).

Smith to Ride Drosselmeyer in Belmont

Drosselmeyer, who has been graded stakes-placed in his last two starts under Kent Desormeaux, will get a new rider for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). The colt will be ridden by Mike Smith in the third leg of the Triple Crown.

Smith Makes Room for Cozi Rosie in Senorita

Cozi Rosie was too much for even-money choice City to City to handle as she registered her first stakes win in the $100,000 Senorita (gr. III) May 2 on the Hollywood Park grass.

Zenyatta Makes it 16-for-16 in Apple Blossom

Zenyatta tied Citation and Cigar with her 16th consecutive win April 9 in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Invitational (gr. I), blowing past her four rivals under Mike Smith at Oaklawn Park for another easy victory.

'Luck' Producer Donates to CA Charity

David Milch, who is currently involved in shooting the HBO pilot "Luck" at Santa Anita, will donate $10,000 to the Arcadia Campership Program, which provides financial assistance to young people for recreational activities.

Haskin's Analysis: Rachel Not the Same

It was obvious watching Rachel on Saturday that this was not the same filly we saw last year, at least not right now.

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Zenyatta Weaves to 15th Win in a Row

Undefeated Zenyatta, showing she's ready for next month's much-anticipated Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I), rallied in deep stretch to register her 15th consecutive victory March 13 in the $250,000 Santa Margarita (gr. I).

Will Weight Disadvantage Stop Zenyatta?

The undefeated mare will carry top weight of 127 pounds March 13 when she makes her 2010 debut in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap (gr. I), spotting eight who entered from 12 to 19 pounds in the nine-furlong race.

Zenyatta Faces Eight in Santa Margarita

Unbeaten champion Zenyatta will spot eight rivals from 12 to 19 pounds as she begins her quest for Horse of the Year honors in 2010 in the $250,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita March 13.

Apple Blossom Diary: March 1 - 9

Steve Haskin's personal diary as preparations begin for the Apple Blossom.

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Kilroe No Fluke as Mare Proviso Gets Nod

Juddmonte Farm's mare Proviso closed desperately in the final sixteenth of a mile to nose Fluke at the wire in an exhilarating finish to the $250,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (gr. IT) on the turf at Santa Anita March 6.

Zenyatta Sparkles in Six-Furlong Work

Two-time champion Zenyatta turned in what is expected to be her final work in preparation for the $250,000 Santa Margarita Handicap (gr. I), drilling six furlongs in 1:11.80 March 5 at Hollywood Park.

Rachel, Zenyatta Work Toward 2010 Debuts

Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra posted her fourth workout of 2010 when she covered five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 at Fair Grounds while Zenyatta drilled six furlongs in 1:14 over the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park.

Ingordo Joins The Race For Education

Bloodstock specialist David Ingordo joins The Race For Education board of directors; will help commission limited edition Zenyatta prints.

Champion Older Female: Zenyatta

Jerry and Ann Moss' wonder mare won all five of her 2009 starts and capped off the year with a scintillating win over the boys in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

Zenyatta Back to Work at Hollywood Park

A day after owners Jerry and Ann Moss announced that the undefeated champion Zenyatta would return for her 6-year-old season in 2010, she worked five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 for trainer John Shirreffs at Hollywood Park.

Neko Bay Rides Late Wave to San Pasqual Win

Seven-year-old Neko Bay earned the first graded stakes victory of his career in the San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II), winning a dash to the wire in the final sixteenth of a mile at Santa Anita Jan. 9.

Zenyatta, John Henry Honored on Opening Day

Crowd of 35,292 takes in two grade I races; Breeders' Cup Classic winner paraded and John Henry statue unveiled.

Zenyatta Highlights Santa Anita Opening Day

Santa Anita Park, which opened on Dec. 25, 1934, will celebrate its 75th anniversary season beginning with opening day, Saturday, Dec. 26, with a special early first post time of 11:30 a.m. PDT.

Zenyatta to be Honored at Santa Anita

Undefeated superstar mare Zenyatta, who was retired following her brilliant last-to-first victory against males in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita on Nov. 7, will make her final race-day appearance at Santa Anita on opening day, Dec. 26, prior to shipping to Kentucky to begin her new career as a broodmare.

Stardom Bound Returns in Gazelle

The flashy gray 3-year-old daughter of Tapit returns to action in the $300,000 Gazelle (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct.

Smith to Join 'Inside Scoop' on Zenyatta Day

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will be Kurt Hoover's guest on a special edition of The Inside Scoop Nov. 29, which is "Zenyatta Day" at Hollywood Park.

'Team Zenyatta' Wins Big Sport of Turfdom

The Turf Publicists of America announced Nov. 19 that "Team Zenyatta" composed of owners Jerry and Ann Moss, trainer John Shirreffs and his wife Dottie, and jockey Mike Smith, have been chosen as the 2009 winner of the organization's Big Sport of Turfdom award.

Talkin' Horses Podcast with Mike Smith

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith answers questions about Zenyatta, how he started riding, the "Jockeys" show, and more.

It's All Zenyatta in the BC Classic

Zenyatta made it look all too easy, becoming the first female to win the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I). Gio Ponti was second and Twice Over third.

Zenyatta Sends Right Message in Final BC Work

Zenyatta gave trainer John Shirreffs and jockey Mike Smith precisely what they asked for Oct. 31 in her final work before the Breeders' Cup. With regular workmate Green Cat providing a target, she worked six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 at Hollywood Park at about 9 a.m.

Perfect Zenyatta Repeats in 'Secret; BC Next

As professional as ever, undefeated Zenyatta equaled Personal Ensign's 13-race winning streak to begin her career, sweeping past the pacesetters in upper stretch to capture Oak Tree's $300,000 Lady's Secret Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita in characteristic fashion Oct. 10.

Richard's Kid Roars in Pacific Classic Upset

Richard's Kid, sent off at odds of 24-1, charged from far back with jockey Mike Smith aboard to win the $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar Sept. 6, nipping Einstein in an exhilarating finish.

'Jockeys' Second Season Promises More Depth

Whether it's the Osbournes or the Jon-Kate Eight, Americans love watching the real-life tension of personal relationships played out on their television screens. For jockeys Mike Smith and Chantal Sutherland, whose romantic affair was a primary focus during the first season of "Jockeys," it was enough to give them second thoughts about their involvement in the documentary series.

Zenyatta Cuts Perfection Close in Hirsch Win

Unbeaten Zenyatta remained perfect in 12 starts, but she had her closest call yet in Del Mar's Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 9. Forced to circle the field six wide on the turn behind a slow pace, the giant mare just managed to get up by a head over Anabaa's Creation.

Del Mar 'House Rule' to Require Softer Whips

Jockeys at Del Mar will be using softer equine friendly riding crops in all races under a "house rule" that will take effect at the track on Aug. 12, the Jockeys' Guild announced.

Smith to Ride Mine That Bird in Two Stakes

Trainer Chip Woolley announced July 4 that Mike Smith would ride Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) on Aug. 1 and the $1 million Shadwell Travers (gr. I) on Aug. 29.

Undefeated Zenyatta Masters Another Vanity

A 129-pound impost wasn't enough to stop the undefeated champion Zenyatta, who earned a repeat win in the Vanity Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood Park June 27 for her 11th consecutive victory.

Coco Belle Dusts 'Blessing in Desert Stormer

Trainer Bob Baffert said he wanted to test his champion Indian Blessing over Hollywood Park's Cushion Track before deciding which way to go with her this summer. After her fourth-place finish in the $72,800 Desert Stormer Stakes June 14, a race won in front-running style by Coco Belle, the Hall of Fame conditioner had his answer.

And They're Off: May 27 (Video)

A review of the Preakness and the Triple Crown so far, including the jockey situation, and the return of Zenyatta. Plus, special guest Jack Wolf of Starlight Stable, who has raced many stakes winners including Monba and Take the Points.

Thorn Song Prickly Winner of Shoemaker Mile

Zayat Stables' Kentucky shipper Thorn Song nipped Hyperbaric by a head in an exhilarating stretch battle to win the $314,500 Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park by a head.

Zenyatta is a Perfect 10 After Milady Score

Though it was her first start in seven months, undefeated Zenyatta's 10th consecutive win proved to be no more difficult than any of her earlier victories. In disposing of her top-notch stablemate, Life Is Sweet, the 5-year-old daughter of Street Cry rolled to an easy 1 3/4-length win in the $150,000 Milady Handicap (gr. II) at Hollywood Park May 23.

Mine That Bird Loses Another Rider

For the second race in a row, Mine That Bird's connections must look for a different rider, as Mike Smith has decided to honor his commitment and ride Jerry and Ann Moss' Madeo in the Charlie Whittingham Stakes (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park the same day as the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Borel Confident in Decision to Ride Filly

With all the rain recently in Kentucky, and with a minor business matter requiring him to be out of town over the weekend, Calvin Borel had an important project to finish before leaving town. The morning of May 15 he was mowing his grass.