BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Mr. Bowling Leads Strike of Gone West Sons

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Sons of Gone West had a strong strike rate Jan. 21, including Istan, whose son Mr. Bowling won the Lecomte.

Trickmeister Remains Unbeaten in Comeback Win

Undefeated Trickmeister, making his first start in nearly 16 months, showed little rust Dec. 17 at Gulfstream Park, winning the $60,000 Harlan's Holiday Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths for his fifth consecutive triumph.

It Happened Again Wins Claiming Crown Jewel

It Happened Again, making his first start in more than five months, wore down pacesetter Isthmus to capture the $138,000 Claiming Crown Jewel by 1 1/4 lengths at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Dec. 3.

Adena Buys Three Top-Priced Yearlings

Two fillies that each sold for $110,000 highlighted the 11th session of the Keeneland September yearling sale.

It Happened Again Wins Razorback for Asmussen

Trainer Steve Asmussen took the top two spots in the $125,000 Razorback Handicap (gr. III) when It Happened Again scored his first graded stakes win by a half-length over stablemate Thiskyhasnolimit March 12 at Oaklawn Park

Indian Charlie Stays at $70,000

Indian Charlie, sire of leading 2-year-old male Uncle Mo, will stand in 2011 at Brereton C. Jones's Airdrie Stud near Midway, Ky., for the same $70,000 stud fee that he stood for in 2010.

In Final Start, Just Jenda Tops Malibu Prayer

Just Jenda went out a winner when she overtook odds-on favorite Malibu Prayer in upper stretch and rolled to an easy 3 1/2-length victory in the $294,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (gr. II) Aug. 29.

Motovato Rallies to Win Kenny Noe Jr. 'Cap

Edmund Gann's 4-year-old colt rallies from last early to win seven-furlong Kenny Noe Jr. Handicap (gr. III).

Indian Charlie's Fee Drops Slightly

Airdrie Stud has dropped the 2010 fee for Indian Charlie to $70,000 from $75,000.

Proud Spell Will Miss Apple Blossom

Proud Spell will miss the April 4 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, according to trainer Larry Jones.

Proud Spell Returns March 12 at Oaklawn

Champion Proud Spell returns to the races March 12 at Oaklawn Park, making her 2009 debut in a 1 1/16-mile allowance/optional claiming event. Her regular rider, Gabriel Saez, will be aboard as the 4-year-old filly prepares for the Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) April 4 at Oaklawn.

Proud Spell Going Back in Training

Proud Spell, an earner of $2,123,610, has not raced since finishing second in the Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park last September. Prior to that effort, she scored in the Alabama Stakes (gr. I), and the Kentucky (gr. I), Alabama (gr. I), and Fair Grounds (gr. II) Oaks.

Airdrie Announces 2009 Stud Fees

The 2009 stud fees for Brereton Jones' Airdrie Stud were announced Nov. 7, including the fees for their two newest stallions, Divine Park and Brother Derek, who will stand for $17,500 and $10,000, respectively.

Second-Crop Sires Shuffle in 2008

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

The sires with their first 3-year-olds racing in 2008 have seen some reshuffling among the leaders by progeny earnings, particularly compared with the rankings of this sire class as freshmen.

Proud Spell Could Be Breeders' Cup Bound

Not long after Curlin's majority owner Jess Jackson indicated the reigning Horse of the Year might show up at Santa Anita for the Breeders' Cup after all, trainer Larry Jones stated that Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Proud Spell could be headed to California too. Jones, who previously said Proud Spell was unlikely for the Breeders' Cup, made the comments during a national media teleconference Sept. 16.

Proud Spell Gets Final Word in Alabama

Proud Spell reasserted her position as the best 3-year-old filly in the land when she bettered Music Note in a stirring stretch drive to win the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (gr. I) by a head at Saratoga Aug. 16.

Proud Spell Rebounds in Delaware Oaks

Prohibitive favorite Proud Spell bounced back from a rough trip in the Mother Goose (gr. I) just two weeks ago to win the $500,000 Delaware Oaks (gr. I) in determined fashion July 12.

Proud Spell Splashes to Oaks Victory

Trainer Larry Jones scratched the filly Eight Belles from the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and then proceeded to win the race with Proud Spell.

Jones Girls Rule Kentucky Oaks Line-Up

Trainer Larry Jones took it as a sign of better things to come when his Eight Belles drew the outside 12 post for the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), but all was not lost for the Kentucky-born trainer when his Proud Spell drew post 8 in the 1 1/8-mile race for the lilies on the first Friday in May.

Saez to Ride Eight Belles if in Derby

Should Eight Belles run in the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands instead of the previous day's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), jockey Gabe Saez will have the mount, trainer Larry Jones said April 24.

Run Sully Run in Palm Beach Rematch

They finished one-two in a Feb. 20 allowance race, separated by just a neck, and on March 29, Run Sully Run and Sporting Art will have a rematch in the $150,000 Bulleit Bourbon Palm Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park.

Proud Spell Nominated to Triple Crown

Airdrie Stud's-homebred filly Proud Spell has been nominated to the Triple Crown. She is slated to make her next start against fillies in the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) April 5 at Keeneland.

Doing Her Young Sire Proud

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Proud Spell stamped herself as a top contender for the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) by winning the 8.5-furlong Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) in 1:44.01, a shade faster than the 1:44.44 that Pyro ran in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II). She is the leading runner to date for the second-crop sire Proud Citizen. Considering Proud Citizen ran better at 3, more of his runners are expected to blossom this year. Keep an eye in particular on those horses whose dams have Northern Dancer blood.

Proud Spell Bewitches Indian Blessing

Three days ago, trainer Larry Jones said he hoped Proud Spell would pressure Indian Blessing through the early lead in the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II). Although Brereton Jones' homebred Proud Citizen filly didn't exactly do that, she did manage to wear down the Eclipse Award winner and get her own score in the March 8 event in New Orleans.

Indian Blessing Morning-Line Choice in Juvenile Fillies

Frizette Stakes (gr. I) winner Indian Blessing was installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the $2-million Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) Oct. 27 at Monmouth Park.

First Winners for Early Flyer, Proud Citizen

Grade II winners Early Flyer and Proud Citizen were represented by their first winners May 5.

Proud Citizen Gets First Three Mares in Foal

Kentucky stallion Proud Citizen, a grade II winner and a Kentucky Derby (gr. I) runner-up, has gotten his first three mares in foal.

New Sires for 2004 (Cont.)

From preceding page

Derby Runner-Up Proud Citizen to Airdrie

Proud Citizen, second in last year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and third in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) to champion War Emblem, has been retired and will stand for $12,500 live foal at Brereton and Libby Jones' Airdrie Stud near Midway, Ky.

Aldebaran Ends Layoff in Forego

Flaxman Stable homebred Aldebaran, winner of four of six stakes starts earlier this year, will end a seven-week layoff in Sunday's grade I, $250,000 Forego Handicap at Saratoga.

Storm Flag Flying Back on Track

Storm Flag Flying report...Proud Citizen, Sightseek, Whitmore's Conn work in preparation for grade I starts at Belmont.

Saratoga Notebook: Lukas Ready; Bird Town Works; Volponi Set for Whitney

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas is ready for the relaxed atmosphere at Saratoga, while trainers Nick Zito and P. G. Johnson prepare Bird Town and Volponi for their major tasks ahead.

Fast Breeze Turned in by Proud Citizen

Baker, Cornstein and Mack's Proud Citizen, a disappointing eighth in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), turned in a sparkling five-furlong breeze Sunday in his first major training move since that race.

Stephen Foster Handicap Field Shaping Up

Grade I winners Aldebaran and Mineshaft expected to headline Saturday's contest at Churchill Downs, while Pat Day now has the mount on Perfect Drift.

Proud Citizen, Unbridled Vision Tune Up for Stephen Foster

Robert Baker, David Cornstein and William Mack's Proud Citizen, the runner-up to War Emblem in the 2002 Kentucky Derby, breezed five furlongs Monday in a quick :59.20 in his final prep for Saturday's Stephen Foster Handicap.

Mineshaft, Aldebaran Top Foster Nominees

William S. Farish's homebred Mineshaft, winner of the Pimlico Special (gr. I), and Flaxman Holdings' Aldebaran, winner of the Churchill Downs Handicap (gr. II) and Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) in his last two races, top the list of likely starters from a star-studded group of 32 horses nominated for Churchill Downs' $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I).

Mineshaft Drills Toward Stephen Foster

Mineshaft, the likely favorite for the $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) on June 14, worked a strong six furlongs over a wet track Tuesday at Churchill Downs. The homebred son of A.P. Indy covered the distance over "sloppy" footing in 1:14 under exercise rider Annie Finney.

Stephen Foster Field Taking Shape

As Saturday's deadline for nominations to the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) draws closer, the possible field for the $750,000 race is becoming clearer. Among the horses who could start next in the June 14 race are Aldebaran, Full Mandate, Proud Citizen, and Tenpins.

Mineshaft Works Toward Stephen Foster

William S. Farish's Mineshaft, an impressive winner of the Pimlico Special (gr. I) in his most recent start, breezed four furlongs at Churchill Downs on Tuesday as trainer Neil Howard prepares the colt for a run in the $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) on June 14.

Aldebaran Holds off Determined Saarland in Met Mile

Flaxman Holding's homebred Aldebaran swept past the leaders entering the stretch and then held off a determined Saarland for a game victory in the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) on the Memorial Day card at Belmont Park.

Proud Citizen Returns in Churchill Downs 'Cap

The $200,000-added Churchill Downs Handicap (gr. II), like most of Saturday's stakes races at the Louisville track, will feature a Bobby Frankel-trained morning line favorite in Flaxman Holdings' Aldebaran.

Proud Citizen's Surgery Goes Well

Proud Citizen underwent surgery on Monday to repair a fractured left front shin he suffered while finishing unplaced in the Belmont Stakes.

Surgery Delayed for Derby Runner-Up Proud Citizen

Surgery on a fractured shin in Proud Citizen's left front leg has been delayed. Dr. Stephen Selway postponed the operation, which was scheduled for July 1, because of several tiny fractures located near the main injury.

The Morning After: Proud Citizen OK; Frankel's Big Day

Proud Citizen, who exited the Belmont Stakes with a crack in his left shin, was resting comfortably in his stall Sunday morning. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said the colt would likely miss 90-120 days of training.

Proud Citizen Out Three to Four Months; Imadeed's X-Rays Negative

Proud Citizen, who was vanned off the track after finishing fifth in Saturday's Belmont Stakes, has a cracked left shin, according to trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Proud Citizen, Like a Hero Work For Belmont Stakes

Proud Citizen, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Preakness, concluded his serious training for the June 8 Belmont Stakes, breezing five furlongs in 1:00 at Churchill Downs Sunday morning.

Day Will Ride Like A Hero in Belmont Stakes

Pat Day will ride Columbine Stable's Like A Hero in the June 8 Belmont Stakes.

Baffert to Alberts: Just Have Fun

Bob Baffert, trainer of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem, said on a national teleconference Thursday he is going to try to enjoy his third attempt at a Triple Crown sweep, and advised Magic Weisner's trainer Nancy Alberts to do the same.

Proud Citizen Works for Belmont; Table Limit Out with Injury

Proud Citizen, second in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Preakness, breezed an easy half-mile in :50 4/5 at Churchill Downs Sunday in preparation for the June 8 Belmont Stakes.

Owners to Donate Proud Citizen's Belmont Earnings to Twin Towers Fund

Owners Robert Baker, David Cornstein, and Bill Mack will donate their share of purse money earned by Proud Citizen in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) to the Twin Towers Fund.