Rachel Alexandra is enjoying her well-deserved vacation at Saratoga following an arduous and ambitious campaign that culminated with a memorable victory over older males in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I). The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro will ship back to Churchill Downs on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Rachel Alexandra provided one of the great moments in the history of Saratoga when she scored a courageous head victory over older male rivals in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes Sept. 5.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
With more than an inch of rain in the forecast overnight and into tomorrow, an off-track appears likely for the $1-million Shadwell Travers (gr. I) Aug. 29 at Saratoga.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Mine That Bird had his first serious move for the grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers at Saratoga Race Course when he zipped a half-mile over the main track in :48.22 on Monday, Aug. 10.
Monday, August 10, 2009
BlackBerry Preakness (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra breezed July 6 over the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course in her first workout since her record-setting victory in the Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) eight days ago.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Kensei, ridden by Edgar Prado and trained by Steve Asmussen, made a powerful move on the far turn en route to an impressive 3 1/4-length victory in the 92nd running of the grade II, $200,000 Dwyer at Belmont Park on the July 4 holiday card.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
It was a day for racing royalty at Churchill Downs on May 20 as Blackberry Preakness (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra returned to track for a gallop, and Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and a fast-closing runner-up in the Preakness, continued to show his spirit during his first gallop since the race.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Rachel Alexandra, the impressive Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner and 8-5 morning-line favorite for the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), walked the shedrow at Pimlico Race Course the morning of May 14 and was expected to school in the paddock later in the day, according to assistant trainer Scott Blasi.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The trainer broke his own record for most wins by a trainer in a single season Nov. 23. He now has with 557 victories with six weeks of racing still remaining in 2008.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Horse of the Year Curlin had a "perfect" workout Sept. 22 in his final move before attempting to become the first American racehorse to break the $10-million mark in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (gr. I) at Belmont Park Sept. 27.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Defending Horse of the Year Curlin turned in an effortless five-furlong breeze the morning of Sept. 15 over the fast Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course, covering the distance in 1:01.80 under regular exercise rider Carlos Rosas.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Former jockey Parker Buckley, an exercise rider for trainer Steve Asmussen, died Aug. 19 at Albany Medical Center in Albany, N.Y., following an Aug. 18 accident on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Winchell Thoroughbreds' Pyro, winner of the Risen Star Stakes (gr. III) and Louisiana Derby (gr. II) in his two starts this year, continued his preparations for the April 12 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) by working six furlongs in 1:14.60 March 31 at Keeneland.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Together, trainer Steve Asmussen, jockey Robby Albarado and owner Jess Jackson have won more than 8,000 races -- but none even remotely like the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Horse of the Year Curlin seems to have it all, and his racing record more than backs up that assessment. But what is he like to be around every day? What kind of an individual is this sculpted specimen with the fiery red hair?
Saturday, March 29, 2008
In his final timed tune-up for the March 29 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), Horse of the Year Curlin dazzled onlookers at Nad Al Sheba with a show of contained power March 24.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Horse of the Year Curlin traveled six furlongs in 1:13.54 at Nad Al Sheba racecourse the morning of March 17 in a key workout before the March 29 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).
Monday, March 17, 2008
Horse of the Year Curlin looked in great shape Feb. 20 when he took his first look at the main dirt track of Nad Al Sheba, home to his main target, the $6million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Curlin looked in great shape Wednesday morning when taking his first look at the main dirt track of Nad Al Sheba, home to the $6 million Dubai World Cup (gr. I), sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Horse of the Year Curlin arrived in Dubai the evening of Feb. 17 with "pep in his step," in the words of assistant trainer Scott Blasi, and seems eager to begin an assault on Cigar's all-time earnings record with two starts at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse topped by the $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 29.
Monday, February 18, 2008
The two early Kentucky Derby favorites, one in Lousiana, the other in Florida, are on schedule for their respective trainers.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Trainer Steve Asmussen will have a division at Woodbine for the first time when the Toronto-area track opens its 167-day meet April 5.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
The 2007 Horse of the Year breezed five furlongs with stablemate Pyro Jan. 24 at Fair Grounds.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tiz Wonderful, a graded stakes winner and undefeated 2-year-old last year, suffered a career-ending and potentially life-threatening suspensory injury and is being treated at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pa.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Organizers of the Claiming Crown hope its 2007 edition at Ellis Park Aug. 4 goes a long way toward strengthening the foundation of the event that was inaugurated in 1999.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Curlin, winner of the May 19 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), is gearing for a start in the Belmont and returned to the racetrack May 23 at Churchill Downs for the first time since his victory over Street Sense, winner of this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I)
Thursday, May 24, 2007
After a terrible journey chasing roses May 5, inexperienced Curlin has every right to improve in Saturday's Preakness Stakes (gr. I), says assistant Scott Blasi, who is handling the colt for trainer Steve Asmussen this week.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The first five finishers in yesterday's $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) -- Dominican, Street Sense, Zanjero, Teuflesberg and Great Hunter -- are all, according to their connections, pointing toward a start in the May 5 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Four of those five were separated by only a neck at the wire in yesterday's race.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Heiligbrodt Racing Stable's favored Appealing Zophie, a grade I winner, turned away an erratic Total in the stretch to run away with Saturday's $200,000 Silverbulletday Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies at Fair Grounds.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Heiligbrodt Racing Stable and Michael Smurfit's Gaff prompted the pace most of the way before taking over mid-stretch and capturing Saturday's inaugural running of the $75,000 Bonapaw Stakes by a neck Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
The New Mexico Racing Commission denied a settlement proposal from an attorney representing trainer Steve Asmussen, who is battling a six-month suspension after one of his horses tested positive for a prohibited Class 3 drug in March.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
During a Nov. 20 Kentucky Horse Racing Authority meeting at the Kentucky Horse Park, the state's chief steward John Veitch announced that trainer Scott Blasi had been fined $2,500 for bringing the wrong horse to the Churchill Downs paddock before the seventh race Nov. 9.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
It looks like 2005 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Summerly, recently sold for $3.3 million, will get to run one more time over her favorite track in the $300,000-added Falls City Handicap (gr. II) on Nov. 23.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Gainesway Stable's Successful Outlook made her stakes debut in Friday's $106,200 Tempted (gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies a winning one at Aqueduct, drawing off in the final stages to remain unbeaten in two starts.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Odds-on choice Tiz Wonderful, ridden by Garrett Gomez in his second start, emerged from a speed duel to romp to a 6 ¾-length victory in the $110,900 Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs Sunday.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Making his start in a stakes race, 25-1 shot Reigning Court took the lead after a half-mile and never looked back in the $100,000 Kentucky Cup Sprint (gr. III) for 3-year-olds.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Heiligbrodt Racing Stable's Appealing Zophie, ridden aggressively at the start by Shaun Bridgmohan, got the jump on her rivals and was never challenged in winning Sunday's $250,000 Spinaway (gr. I) for 2-year-old fillies at Saratoga Race Course.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Steve Asmussen, North America's leading trainer in 2004 and 2005, has decided not to seek legal recourse over a six-month suspension that was upheld by the Louisiana Racing Commission. He is to serve the ban for a medication infraction from July 10, 2006 to Jan. 10, 2007.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Winchell Thoroughbreds' Summerly, winner of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and the Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. I), turned in a strong six-furlong work Tuesday at Churchill Downs in preparation for a planned start in the June 25 Mother Goose (gr. I) on June 25 at Belmont Park.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Summerly was a surprise no-show when entries were drawn on Thursday for Saturday's $150,000-added Dogwood Breeders' Cup (gr. III) at Churchill Downs.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Jockey Richard Migliore knew that to defeat favored Shine Again in the Floral Par Handicap (gr. III) Saturday at Belmont Park, he would have to move Bauhauser quickly and decisively. Migliore did just that, guiding Bauhauser to a three-quarter-length victory n the six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares.
Saturday, September 13, 2003
Mineshaft's trainer Neil Howard will be paying close attention Saturday when the Whitney Handicap (gr.I) is run at Saratoga Race Course.
Friday, August 01, 2003
Saturday's victory by Keith Asmussen's Mountain General in the Aristides (gr. III) at Churchill Downs was his first in graded stakes company and a testament to the power of patience in dealing with a young horse.
Sunday, June 22, 2003
Cuvee, ridden by Lonnie Meche, swept to the lead on the far turn and drew off for a convincing 8 1/4-length victory over First Money in Memorial Day's featured $174,200 grade III Kentucky Breeders' Cup for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs.
Monday, May 26, 2003
John Oxley's 2-year-old Sky Mesa turned in an impressive performance in his maiden debut Saturday, winning the six-furlong third race by 7 3/4 lengths. Trainer Phil Johnson in Saratoga win cloumn for 42nd year.
Saturday, August 03, 2002
The Jim Dandy on Sunday marks the return from a lengthy layoff for Iron Deputy. Also, trainer Mark Hennig said Gygistar will likely run in the Jim Dandy, but the connections of Easyfromthegitgo were still undecided between the Jim Dandy or the Haskell Invitational.
Wednesday, July 31, 2002
James Cassels and Bob Zollars' Easyfromthegitgo, runner-up in the Louisiana Derby and a troubled third in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes, breezed five furlongs over a "sloppy" track on Monday at Churchill Downs.
Monday, May 13, 2002