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Juvenile Purses Get Bump for Cal Cup Saturday

With their purses enhanced to $250,000 apiece, two stakes races for juveniles take center stage at this year's 23rd California Cup, to be run Oct. 13 at Santa Anita Park.

Blueskiesnrainbows Ready for Super Derby

California-based Blueskiesnrainbows, who won the grade II Swaps Stakes in the Golden State last time out, will take on eight rivals in the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs.

Steady Blueskiesnrainbows Wires Swaps Stakes

There weren't a lot of fireworks in the $150,000 Swaps Stakes (gr. II) as Blueskiesnrainbows dictated an even tempo and held on gamely for his first stakes victory in the Independence Day feature at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Nonios Battles Liaison Again in Swaps Stakes

After upsetting Liaison in the Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) at 15-1 odds one month ago, Nonios will face his rival once again in the $150,000 Swaps Stakes (gr. II), the Independence Day feature at Betfair Hollywood Park.

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).

The Morning After: Plans for Derby Starters

Some of the starters in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) will go on to the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) while plans are undetermined for other runners.

Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

It sure felt like summer as several Derby horses schooled this morning and afternoon.

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Trainer's Dinner Brings Candid Moments

Hosted by Todd Schrupp and Paul Rogers, the Trainer's Dinner attracted a full crowd to the Regency Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville May 1.

Haskin's Derby Trail: Derby Dreams

It's one day away from the dreaded draw, that simple tradition that can have even the most hardened racetracker shuddering in fear and apprehension.

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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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Rousing Sermon Works, Hollendorfer Pleased

Cal-bred Rousing Sermon, trained by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer, was the last and lone Derby worker May 1 at Churchill Downs. Jockey Jose Lezcano aboard the son of Lucky Pulpit for the first time.

Creative Cause, I'll Have Another Arrive

Santa Anita Derby one-two-finishers arrived in good shape at Churchill Downs April 28.

Derby-Bound Rousing Sermon Works at Hollywood

Rousing Sermon, whose next start is expected to come in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), worked seven furlongs at Hollywood Park April 21 in 1:27 1/5 handily.

Derby Graded Earnings List Inflates

After Saturday's graded stakes, Rousing Sermon is number 20 on the Kentucky Derby graded stakes earnings list with $270,000. He's ahead of Mark Valeski, El Padrino, Reveron and a host of others.

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - 4/2/2012

Many horses move up in Steve's Dozen this week, see who is now knocking on the door!

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109-1 Hero of Order Wins Louisiana Derby

No fooling, 109-1 shot Hero of Order won the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) April 1 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Haskin's Derby Trail: Ride the Wild Surf

Going strictly by the numbers, Windsurfer would appear to have little or no shot to win the Louisiana Derby. But sometimes, numbers do lie, which is why racing has a steady stream of longshot winners.

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Mark Valeski, 13 Others in Louisiana Derby

The coupled entry of Mark Valeski and Mr. Bowling was made the 2-1 morning-line favorite in a full field of 14 for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots April 1.

Alpha Decision Leads to Wider La. Derby Field

With Godolphin Racing now pointing Alpha toward New York for his final Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) prep, the field of prospects for the April 1 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) continues to expand.

San Felipe Attracts Balanced Field of 10

Though it experienced two substantial losses in the past few days, Santa Anita's field for the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 10 could still be the most competitive of the young 2012 Triple Crown season.

Contentious San Felipe Shaping Up

Rousing Sermon is coming up to his next scheduled start in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) sharply after a bullet half-mile work in :46 3/5 over Hollywood Park's Cushion Track March 4.

Acclamation Named Cal-bred Horse of the Year

Eclipse Award winner Acclamation was voted California-bred Horse of the Year for 2011 by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

I'll Have Another Uncorks Lewis Shocker

Off for five months and making his first start around two turns, I'll Have Another produced an easy upset victory at odds of 43-1 in the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 4.

CTBA to Announce 2011 Horse of Year Feb. 13

Eclipse champions Acclamation and Amazombie, as well as multiple stakes-winning mare Ultra Blend are the finalists for the 2011 California-bred Horse of the Year.

THS: Robert B. Lewis and Withers

Jason and Tom handicap the Robert B. Lewis and the Withers.

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Liaison Faces Rousing Sermon Again in Lewis

Liaison, at this early juncture trainer Bob Baffert's most accomplished contender for the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and beyond, faces seven opponents in the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 4.

Rousing Sermon Drills, 'Ready to Go' in Lewis

California-bred Rousing Sermon, beaten only a neck by Liaison in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) at Hollywood Park last month, worked four furlongs Jan. 29 in :47 2/5 for his 3-year-old bow in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes Feb. 4.

Liaison Gives Baffert Sixth CashCall Futurity

Liaison, whose sire Indian Charlie was euthanized two days earlier, outlasted his rivals in a calvary charge to win the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (gr. I) at Hollywood Park Dec. 17.

2011 CashCall Futurity - Predict the Order

Thirteen colts and geldings will do battle in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) at Hollywood Park. Can you predict the complete order of finish?

Predict the Order

13 Juveniles Set to Go in CashCall Futurity

With an opportunity to enhance their standing for next year's Run for the Roses, 13 promising juvenile colts and geldings are set for the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (gr. I) at Hollywood Park Dec. 17.

Hollendorfer Eyes Starlet/Futurity Sweep

Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer hopes the formula that enabled Killer Graces to win the Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) works again with Rousing Sermon in the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (gr. I) Dec. 17 at Hollywood Park.

Bejarano, Norvsky Nab California Cup Classic

Favored Norvsky, ridden by a red-hot Rafael Bejarano, flew home in the final 100 yards to nab pacesetter Lucky Primo just before the wire to win the $175,000 California Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park Oct. 29.

Soul Candy Seeks Repeat in Cal Cup Classic

Soul Candy, winner of the California Cup Classic last year when it was held on the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park, is back to defend his title against seven rivals in the $175,000 event on Santa Anita's turf course Oct. 29.