PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
The most thrilling finish to a major stakes in the U.S. during the July 16 weekend came in the American Oaks, when little more than a length separated five of the six-horse field.
Cambina, narrowly avoiding a collision in mid-stretch, surged between horses in the final strides to finish in a dead-heat for the win with Nereid in a spectacular finish to the $250,000 American Oaks (gr. IT) July 16.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Favored Doubles Partner closed with a rush in the final yards to snatch victory by a neck over Rahystrada in the $125,000 Tampa Bay Stakes (gr. IIT) on the turf March 19 at Tampa Bay Downs.
Saturday, March 19, 2011A field of 11 fillies and mares, five of them stakes winners, are set to do battle in the nine-furlong Balanchine Stakes Sponsored by Emirates NBD (UAE-IIT) at Meydan Racecourse Feb. 18.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Australian group I winner arrives for stud duty at the birthplace of his grandsire.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Harvey Clarke and Ron Winchell's Krypton took over from 3-5 favorite Nordic Truce rounding the turn and held off his rival to win the $100,000 Hill Prince Stakes (gr. IIIT) by a neck June 4 at Belmont Park.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Soaking in the atmosphere at the track before the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), Ernie Moody and Bernie Schiappia were on the apron the morning of June 4, hanging out with Bob Baffert, who trains their colt Game On Dude.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Soaking in the atmosphere at the track before the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), Ernie Moody and Bernie Schiappia were on the apron the morning of June 4, hanging out with Bob Baffert, who trains their colt Game On Dude.
Friday, June 04, 2010
WinStar Farm's Doubles Partner rebounded from an eighth-place finish in the March 27 Lane's End Stakes (gr. II), posting an authoritative win in the American Turf (gr. II) on the Kentucky Oaks day undercard.
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Mailet shipped to Hollywood Park from New York off a maiden win and came away with an 11-1 upset victory in the $100,000 Miesque Stakes (gr. IIIT) on the grass Nov. 29.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The declines were in line with expectations during the opening session of the Fasig-Tipton July select yearling sale. Buyers and consignors had predicted the market would be down significantly, and there were no surprises July 20 in Lexington.
Monday, July 20, 2009
The action picked up in a big way during the second half of the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale opener July 20 when a Rock Hard Ten filly and a Bernardini colt each brought $350,000.
Monday, July 20, 2009Rock Hard Ten, the multiple grade I-winning son of Kris S., got his inital winner and first stakes winner June 26 when Long Lashes won the Ballygallon Stud Stakes for juvenile fillies at the Curragh in Ireland.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Keeneland's sale of 2-year-olds in training, like just about every other Thoroughbred auction in recent memory, generated results that lagged well behind the previous year's statistics. The gross revenue for the two-day sale, which ended the evening of April 7 in Lexington, dropped 27.6% while the average price declined 15.5%. The median price fell 21.7%.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
It took roughly six hours to get there, but a horse selling in the opening session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. fall mixed sale finally brought six figures Oct. 6, a day marked by severe across-the-board declines for the Central Florida auction.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
The huge Keeneland September auction provided the yearling selling season's biggest and stiffest test of the commercial appeal of new stallions' progeny. Because many young sires had a large number of offspring offered, their success depended less on a few carefully-selected top individuals and more on their ability to pass along good conformation consistently to their offspring.
Friday, September 26, 2008
No horses inspired buyers to pay dazzling seven-figure amounts during the third day of the Keeeneland September yearling sale in Lexington. But some of the results for the auction's first open session were encouraging after significant downturns during the two select sessions that kicked off the sale.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A chestnut son of Mr. Greeley went to Ahmed Zayat's Zayat Stables for $875,000 midway through the third session of the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sale Sept. 10 at the Central Kentucky auction house.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
High demand put several weanlings at the high end of the Keeneland November market. The highest-priced weanling sold was a Pulpit filly that brought $1.7 million. The only two Kingmambo weanlings in the sale brought the second- and third-highest prices of $950,000 (the top weanling colt) and $850,000.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
With 2,323 weanlings cataloged for the Keeneland November sale, buyers will be looking closely at those from their respective sires' first crops.
Saturday, November 03, 2007The first reported foals sired by Mingun, the group III-winning son of A.P. Indy and Miesque, arrived on Jan. 26, according to William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm. The first foals of multiple grade I winner Rock Hard Ten and 2003 Canadian Horse of the Year and Triple Crown winner Wando were also reported.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007Rock Hard Ten, a multiple grade I winner and impressive winner of the Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Oak Tree Oct. 1 in what would be his final race, will stand the 2006 breeding season at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky. The son of the late leading sire Kris S. will stand for $50,000 it was announced Friday morning.
Friday, December 09, 2005Trainer Richard Mandella said he is disappointed that an injury will prevent Rock Hard Ten from running in the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I), but that he is glad the injury was detected before the colt ran in Saturday's race.
Friday, October 28, 2005The battle lines have been drawn for the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships and it is now time to plot strategy and assess the competition. And nowhere will that place with more intensity than in the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I).
Thursday, October 27, 2005Trainer Richard Mandella, who will saddle Rock Hard Ten in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic-Powered by Dodge (gr. I) said the 4-year-old colt is ready for action and doing well after a hoof bruise was discovered last week.
Thursday, October 27, 2005The top three choices for the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I) drew tough assignments when the post positions were drawn Wednesday morning for Saturday's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005The head-to-head match-ups for the eight Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship races were announced at the post-position draw Wednesday morning. The Breeders' Cup is Oct. 29 at Belmont Park.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005Rock Hard Ten, one of the favorites for the Oct. 29 Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I), has had his shipping plans to New York delayed because of a small bruise on his left front foot.
Saturday, October 22, 2005Rock Hard Ten, winner of his last four races, worked seven furlongs in 1:25 3/5 at Santa Anita before the first race Thursday, in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) Oct. 29.
Thursday, October 20, 2005Lord of the Game, a $10,000 claim who has gone on to become a grade II winner and bankroll nearly $540,000, worked Thursday morning over a fast track at Hawthorne Racecourse under jockey Eusebio Razo, as he prepares for the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. II).
Thursday, October 13, 2005Roman Ruler could be headed to the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) Oct. 29 at Belmont Park, according to trainer Bob Baffert.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005It was a weekend that helped shape the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I), Emirates Airline Distaff (gr. I), and John Deere Turf (gr. IT). Of course, no big weekend at Belmont Park this fall would be complete without a controversy surrounding the use of pacesetters.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005Mercedes Stables and Madeleine Paulson Pickens' Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) winner Rock Hard Ten came out of his latest victory in top shape, trainer Richard Mandella said, and will make his next start in the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I) at Belmont Park on Oct. 29.
Monday, October 03, 2005Cross a strapping stamina-oriented stallion with a precocious speedster of a mare. What do you get?
Monday, October 03, 2005Returning from a seven-month layoff, Rock Hard Ten swept past reluctant pacesetter Roman Ruler in the final furlong to win Saturday's $484,000 Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting.
Saturday, October 01, 2005Pleasantly Perfect used the Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) to prepare for his victory in the 2003 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I). Tiznow took the same route in 2000. Now trainer Richard Mandella hopes the $500,000 stakes at Oak Tree Saturday can be a springboard to the $4 million Classic for handicap star Rock Hard Ten.
Thursday, September 29, 2005Fog City Stables' grade I winner Roman Ruler will not make the trip to New York for Saturday's Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), trainer Bob Baffert said, and will instead run in the $500,000 Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Oak Tree at Santa Anita on the same day.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I) winner Roman Ruler, third in the Aug. 27 Travers Stakes (gr. I) in his last start, led Friday's Santa Anita workout brigade of Bob Baffert-trained runners looking toward the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.
Friday, September 09, 2005Madeleine Paulson, widow of legendary horse breeder and owner Allen Paulson, is planning to marry Texas energy magnate T. Boone Pickens in the next couple of weeks.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005Rock Hard Ten, winner of the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), is back galloping and is being pointed for the Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita, said trainer Dick Mandella, whose ultimate goal is the Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I).
Wednesday, June 22, 2005Often accused of failing to realize his awesome potential, Rock Hard Ten brought his true knockout punch to Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), pulling away for a decisive 1 3/4-length victory over the strongest field he is yet to face.
Saturday, March 05, 2005An old-fashioned East vs. West match-up between Saint Liam and Rock Hard Ten looms in Saturday's $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I).
Wednesday, March 02, 2005Rock Hard Ten and Congrats, two contenders for Saturday's Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) trained by Richard Mandella, worked at Santa Anita Tuesday.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005Odds-on favorite Rock Hard Ten gave everything he had to hold off the determined Imperialism by a nose in an exhilarating finish to the $300,000 Strub Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Saturday.
Saturday, February 05, 2005Rock Hard Ten makes his debut as a 4-year-old Saturday against a quality field in the $300,000 Strub Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park.
Thursday, February 03, 2005Potential handicap star Rock Hard Ten remains on course for Saturday's $300,000 Strub Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park, but stablemate Minister Eric will not run, trainer Richard Mandella said Wednesday.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005A total of 989 horses from 21 countries were nominated to the March 26 Dubai World Cup day card at Nad Al Sheba Race Course.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005Malibu Stakes (gr. I) winner Rock Hard Ten, who breezed three furlongs Sunday in :36 4/5, may not be ready for the second leg of the Strub series for 4-year-olds, the $200,000 San Fernando Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park on Jan. 15.
Sunday, January 02, 2005The hole opened up for Rock Hard Ten near the eighth pole and the strapping colt burst through to win the $250,000 Malibu Stakes (gr. I) for 3-year-olds Sunday in front of 31,874, the largest opening-day crowd since 1999 at Santa Anita Park.
Sunday, December 26, 2004Whether you felt this year's 3-year-old crop was a good one or bad one, it certainly inspired a good deal of passion and provided a number of memorable moments. The following is a look back at the tumultuous 3-year-old season and its most notable performers, broken down into categories.
Saturday, December 25, 2004