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Pimlico-Loving Skyring Posts 24-1 Dixie Upset

Pimlico-Loving Skyring Posts 24-1 Dixie Upset

Calumet Farm's Skyring, winless in 11 starts since a victory at Pimlico Race Course last May, found the winner's circle again at the Maryland track in the Longines Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT).

 2 days ago
Lukas Has Two in Dixie on Preakness Day

Lukas Has Two in Dixie on Preakness Day

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has three starters in the May 18 Preakness Stakes and five in races on the undercard, including Optimizer and Skyring as part of a 13-horse field for the Longines Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT).

 5 days ago
Wise Dan Pours It On in Woodford Reserve Win

Wise Dan Pours It On in Woodford Reserve Win

Horse of the Year Wise Dan ran his winning streak to six races and surpassed $4 million in career earnings handily in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) over yielding ground May 4 at Churchill Downs.

 Saturday, May 04, 2013
Wise Dan Takes on Point of Entry in Woodford

Wise Dan Takes on Point of Entry in Woodford

Wise Dan and Point of Entry face off May 4 at Churchill Downs in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT), the race immediately preceding the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

 Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Fort Larned Set to Go for Oaklawn Handicap

Fort Larned Set to Go for Oaklawn Handicap

An unfortunate stumble at the start of the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) last month cost Fort Larned his seasonal debut, but the 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner is back in the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II).

 Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Amira's Prince Maintains Hot Streak in Muniz

Amira's Prince Maintains Hot Streak in Muniz

Favored Amira's Prince recorded his fourth consecutive win since arriving in the United States, holding off a determined charge from Willcox Inn in the $400,000 Mervin H. Muniz Memorial Handicap (gr. IIT) March 30.

 Saturday, March 30, 2013
Mervin Muniz 'Cap is Optimizer's to Lose

Mervin Muniz 'Cap is Optimizer's to Lose

Optimizer has been a different horse since he moved to the grass, and streaks into the March 30 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap at Fair Grounds with two graded stakes scores under his girth.

 Thursday, March 28, 2013
Optimizer Handles Soft Fair Grounds 'Cap Lawn

Optimizer Handles Soft Fair Grounds 'Cap Lawn

Optimizer hopped at the break of the $150,000 Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. IIIT) but drew clear in the end, earning his second straight victory over the turf at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 23.

 Saturday, February 23, 2013
Optimizer Targets Fair Grounds Handicap

Optimizer Targets Fair Grounds Handicap

After dominating in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (gr. IIIT) Jan. 26 at Fair Grounds, Optimizer will try for a second straight win on the Stall-Wilson Course in the Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. IIIT) Feb. 23.

 Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Optimizer Wins E.R. Bradley for Red-Hot Lukas

Optimizer Wins E.R. Bradley for Red-Hot Lukas

Optimizer went wire-to-wire in the $125,000 Col. E.R. Bradley Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Jan. 26 for red-hot Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, who has won three stakes races in eight days.

 Saturday, January 26, 2013
Lukas Could Continue Streak in E.R. Bradley

Lukas Could Continue Streak in E.R. Bradley

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas looks to continue his hot streak in the $125,000 Col. E.R. Bradley Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, sending out Optimizer in the Jan. 26 turf test for older males.

 Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Grandeur Handles Turf Cup Distance

Grandeur Handles Turf Cup Distance

Favored Grandeur earned his second grade II win from three United States starts when he came from off the pace to capture the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup by three-quarters of a length at Betfair Hollywood Park Dec. 15.

 Saturday, December 15, 2012
Grandeur Tries Elders in Hollywood Turf Cup

Grandeur Tries Elders in Hollywood Turf Cup

Runner-up as the favorite in the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT), Grandeur will try to become the first 3-year-old since Bien Bien in 1992 to win the Hollywood Turf Cup (gr. IIT) Dec. 15 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

 Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Boisterous One to Beat in River City

Boisterous One to Beat in River City

Boisterous, winner of the Red Smith Handicap and Knickerbocker in his previous two starts, carries top weight of 124 pounds against 11 rivals in the $100,000 River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) Nov. 25 at Churchill Downs.

 Friday, November 23, 2012
Lukas Optimistic About Optimizer

Lukas Optimistic About Optimizer

Son of grass champion English Channel heads into BC Turf with two straight grass wins.

 Tuesday, October 30, 2012
St Nicholas Abbey, Point of Entry Head Turf

St Nicholas Abbey, Point of Entry Head Turf

Pit last year's European-based Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner against New York's finest coming off five consecutive victories, and the Turf might look like a two-horse race between St Nicholas Abbey and Point of Entry.

 Monday, October 29, 2012
Optimizer Continues Climb With Kent Score

Optimizer Continues Climb With Kent Score

Bluegrass Hall's homebred Optimizer continued his climb through conditions on the turf with a powerful 4 1/4-length win in the $200,625 Kent Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Delaware Park Sept. 22, earning his first graded stakes score.

 Saturday, September 22, 2012
Cozzetti Leads Full Kent Stakes Field

Cozzetti Leads Full Kent Stakes Field

American Derby winner Cozzetti seeks a return to winning ways in the $200,000 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park Sept. 22, but plenty of new rivals including Lucky Chappy, Miami Cat, and Optimizer are ready to take him on.

 Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Daddy Nose Best Heads Hall of Fame Stakes

Daddy Nose Best Heads Hall of Fame Stakes

Trainer Steve Asmussen has switched gears with Daddy Nose Best, attempting to take the colt from Triple Crown contender to quality turf runner in the $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame

 Tuesday, August 07, 2012
Sterling Show by Silver Max in Virginia Derby

Sterling Show by Silver Max in Virginia Derby

It didn't go as smoothly as planned but odds-on choice Silver Max got the job done anyway in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), registering his sixth consecutive turf win on yielding ground at Colonial Downs July 21.

 Saturday, July 21, 2012
Silver Max's Streak On Line in Virginia Derby

Silver Max's Streak On Line in Virginia Derby

Silver Max puts a five-race winning streak on the line as the 123-pound high weight July 21 in the $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr. IIT), the showcase event of the summer meet at Colonial Downs.

 Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I'll Have Another Goes Out for Early Gallop

I'll Have Another Goes Out for Early Gallop

A congested detention barn for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) horses led trainer Doug O'Neill to send I'll Have Another out for an early jog and gallop June 8.

 Friday, June 08, 2012
I'll Have Another Bucking Trends in Belmont

I'll Have Another Bucking Trends in Belmont

When I'll Have Another attempts to become the 12th Triple Crown winner in racing history June 9 in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), he will be bucking more than the 34-year gap since the last one.

 Friday, June 08, 2012
I'll Have Another Draws Post 11 for Belmont

I'll Have Another Draws Post 11 for Belmont

I'll Have Another gets another outside draw, post 11 of 12, for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). The son of Flower Alley bids to become racing's 12th winner of the Triple Crown in the "Test of the Champion" June 9.

 Wednesday, June 06, 2012
On Location - D. Wayne Lukas at Belmont Park

On Location - D. Wayne Lukas at Belmont Park

D. Wayne Lukas tells the story of Hamazing Destiny from Tuesday. Lukas also comments on Optimizer and the Belmont Stakes barn.

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 Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Sloppy Track Delays Plans for Belmont Workers

Sloppy Track Delays Plans for Belmont Workers

With the main track listed as sloppy following overnight rain, no Belmont Stakes (gr. I) contender worked out at Belmont Park June 2. Instead, the majority of the field will have their final breezes the following morning.

 Saturday, June 02, 2012
Final Workout Plans for Belmont Contenders

Final Workout Plans for Belmont Contenders

With two Belmont Stakes (gr. I) hopefuls having completed their final workouts, trainers of other contenders for the June 9 classic have firmed up their plans.

 Friday, June 01, 2012
I'll Have Another Gallops at Belmont Park

I'll Have Another Gallops at Belmont Park

With a steady rain falling, dual classic winner I'll Have Another galloped a mile at Belmont Park May 25 as he continued to prepare for attempt at history in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

 Friday, May 25, 2012
I'll Have Another Arrives in NY One Win Away

I'll Have Another Arrives in NY One Win Away

Trainer Doug O'Neill has full confidence in the potential for I'll Have Another to handle the grueling 1 1/2 miles of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) after the colt captured the first two jewels of America's Triple Crown.

 Sunday, May 20, 2012
Union Rags, Dullahan Lead Belmont Prospects

Union Rags, Dullahan Lead Belmont Prospects

A strong contingent of horses will attempt to spoil the Triple Crown bid of I'll Have Another when the 3-year-olds assemble at Belmont Park on June 9 for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

 Sunday, May 20, 2012
Slideshow: Preakness Stakes 137

Slideshow: Preakness Stakes 137

Relive the exciting rivalry of I'll Have Another and Bodemeister!

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 Sunday, May 20, 2012
Bodemeister, I'll Have Another Clash Again

Bodemeister, I'll Have Another Clash Again

Though I'll Have Another ran him down in deep stretch in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill, all signs point to Bodemeister being the one to beat in Preakness 137 at Pimlico Race Course May 19.

 Friday, May 18, 2012
Preakness Interview: D. Wayne Lukas

Preakness Interview: D. Wayne Lukas

Steve Haskin talks to D. Wayne Lukas about Optimizer and the Preakness Stakes. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm.

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 Friday, May 18, 2012
2012 Preakness - Predict the Order

2012 Preakness - Predict the Order

Will it be I'll Have Another once again? Will Bodemeister get revenge? Or will one of the new players take the Black-eyed Susans?

Predict the Order

 Thursday, May 17, 2012
Preakness News Minute 5/17/2012

Preakness News Minute 5/17/2012

Evan Hammonds reports on the news of the day including horses on the track Thursday, and the Alibi Breakfast. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm.

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 Thursday, May 17, 2012
THS: Preakness Stakes 2012

THS: Preakness Stakes 2012

Evan Hammonds and Jason Shandler handicap the Preakness Stakes track-side at Pimlico. Evan successfully picked I'll Have Another to win the Kentucky Derby; will he be correct this time?

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 Thursday, May 17, 2012
Few Alibis Offered at Alibi Breakfast

Few Alibis Offered at Alibi Breakfast

A Preakness tradition, the Alibi Breakfast gives trainers a chance to offer up an 'alibi' before the second jewel of the Triple Crown. This year there were few alibis and a lot more confidence from the connections.

 Thursday, May 17, 2012
Bodemeister (8-5) Draws Post 7 for Preakness

Bodemeister (8-5) Draws Post 7 for Preakness

Bodemeister, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been made the 8-5 morning line favorite for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 19 and will break from post 7.

 Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Cozzetti Heads Preakness Works at Churchill

Cozzetti Heads Preakness Works at Churchill

Stakes-placed colt will represent trainer Dale Romans in second leg of Triple Crown

 Monday, May 14, 2012
Kentucky Derby News Minute 5/6/2012

Kentucky Derby News Minute 5/6/2012

Ron Mitchell talks about how I'll Have Another and his connections are doing on Sunday morning. Ron also touches on future plans for other Kentucky Derby contenders.

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 Sunday, May 06, 2012
Optimizer May Carry Calumet Silks in Derby

Optimizer May Carry Calumet Silks in Derby

Calumet Farm's devil's red and blue silks may be returning to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May atop Brad Kelley's homebred Optimizer.

 Friday, May 04, 2012
Kentucky Derby Analysis - Exceed the Speed

Kentucky Derby Analysis - Exceed the Speed

With so much speed entered in this year's Kentucky Derby, you have to consider that stalkers, and closers who sit just off the pace this year could pull out a victory.

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 Thursday, May 03, 2012
Haskin's Derby Trail: Thursday Potpourri

Haskin's Derby Trail: Thursday Potpourri

The time is getting near. No not the Derby, trying to finally decipher this intricate and confusing puzzle.

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 Thursday, May 03, 2012
Kentucky Derby Interview D. Wayne Lukas

Kentucky Derby Interview D. Wayne Lukas

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas talks about Optimizer, now in the Derby field. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm.

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 Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Kentucky Derby News Minute 5/1/2012

Kentucky Derby News Minute 5/1/2012

The withdrawal of Mark Valeski, which allows Optimizer to run, Rousing Sermon's work, gallops from Alpha, Went the Day Well, Trinniberg, and Prospective, new arrivals, and more. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm.

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 Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Mark Valeski Withdrawn From Derby

Mark Valeski Withdrawn From Derby

Brereton C. Jones' homebred Mark Valeski was declared out of the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) the morning of May 1.

 Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Kentucky Derby News Minute 4/29/2012

Kentucky Derby News Minute 4/29/2012

Eric Mitchell updates us on track conditions, the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby works for Bodemeister, Optimizer, Jemima's Pearl and Believe You Can.

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 Sunday, April 29, 2012
Lukas Still Hoping Optimizer Can Draw In

Lukas Still Hoping Optimizer Can Draw In

After watching Optimizer work at Churchill Downs April 29, trainer D. Wayne Lukas expressed confidence in the colt's potential in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

 Sunday, April 29, 2012
Isn't He Clever to Pass on Kentucky Derby

Isn't He Clever to Pass on Kentucky Derby

Isn't He Clever, the Sunland Derby (gr. III) runner-up trained by Steve Asmussen, is no longer under consideration for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

 Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Mark Valeski Works Sharp 5 Furlongs for Derby

Mark Valeski Works Sharp 5 Furlongs for Derby

Brereton Jones' Mark Valeski, runner-up in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and Risen Star Stakes (gr. II), drilled five furlongs in :59 3/5 at Churchill Downs April 23 for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

 Monday, April 23, 2012
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