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The Secret to Tapit's Success

by Anne Peters
During the first weekend in February, he was represented by three graded stakes winners: Flashback, Honorable Dillon, and Tapicat.

Mares in Japan Part 3: American Royalty

Journalist Kate Hunter continues her visit with mares in Japan.

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Eastham Opens EastWynd Sales Agency

Bloodstock agent Tommy Eastham has opened his EastWynd Sales Agency near Lexington. The firm is accepting new clients.

Champion Stardom Bound Sold Privately

The daughter of Tapit was in foal to Big Brown at the time the deal was closed.

Champion Stardom Bound Retired From Racing

Stardom Bound, a 2008 champion and winner of that year's Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), has been retired from racing and been booked to Big Brown

Forever Together Starts Back in Jenny Wiley

Augustin Stable's Forever Together, the champion grass mare in 2008, will make her season debut against a terrific field in the $200,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. IIT) April 3 at Keeneland.

Apple Blossom Receives 45 Nominations

As expected, 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and two-time champion Zenyatta were chief among the 45 fillies and mares nominated to the $5 million Apple Blossom Invitational (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park April 9.

Striking Dancer Avoids Crowd, Wins La Canada

Jockey Alex Solis kept the late-running Striking Dancer clear of traffic and the daughter of Smart Strike did the rest, causing a 13-1 upset in the $150,000 La Canada Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita on Valentine's Day.

IEAH Buys Out Lanzman in Stardom Bound

Parties continue to negotiate possible buyout of Lanzman's interest in I Want Revenge.

Stardom Bound Draws a Crowd in La Canada

Fourteen 4-year-old fillies are entered in the $150,000 La Canada Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 14, led by five-time grade I winner Stardom Bound.

International Pedigree That's Pretty Unusual

It's unusual for a runner to cross the finish line before a champion, unusual for any horse to have ancestors from 6 nations in her 3rd generation, and definitely Pretty Unusual to fit both of these descriptions.

Sutherland Caps Big Weekend in El Encino

Jockey Chantal Sutherland earned her second grade II victory in as many days when she guided 29-1 outsider Pretty Unusual to win the El Encino Stakes at Santa Anita Jan. 17. Favored Stardom Bound was second.

Stardom Bound, 'Dixie Start New in El Encino

With fresh starts to the new season, Stardom Bound and Justwhistledixie will each try to get their 4-year-old campaigns off on the right foot, as they face each other in the $150,000 El Encino Stakes (gr. I) Jan. 17

Flashing Shows Her Heels in Sharp Gazelle Win

Flashing, thought to be making the final start of her career, popped the gate in front and never looked back, drawing away from Unrivaled Belle through the stretch drive to easily win the $300,000 Gazelle Stakes (gr. I) by 4 1/4 lengths at Aqueduct Nov. 28.

Stardom Bound Returns in Gazelle

The flashy gray 3-year-old daughter of Tapit returns to action in the $300,000 Gazelle (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct.

Bar Set High at Fasig-Tipton November Sale

While the plunging economy was pounding other mixed sales late in 2008, the Fasig-Tipton November select auction generated spectacular results. The gross revenue rose 35.1% from the previous year while the average price and median prices increased 58.8% and 38.9%, respectively.

Dutrow Horses Preparing For Plenty of Action

Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., reported on several of his top horses Sept. 25 from Aqueduct, including Paul Pompa Jr.'s Futurity (gr. II) winner D' Funnybone, whose next start is still up in the air.

Paasches Leave Sport for Oregon Youth Project

Christopher and Bonnie Paasch are preparing to open their 500-acre Oregon property to underprivileged, problem youths and even young people with problem parents.

F-T Fall Mixed Sale Set for Nov. 9-10

The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall select mixed sale will be conducted during two evening sessions on Nov. 9 and 10, a Monday and a Tuesday, in Lexington. That format is a change from recent years, when the auction had been held on a Sunday night.

Lanzman Claims IEAH Breached Contract

David J. Lanzman Racing Stable has filed suit against IEAH Stables, claiming breach of contract in connection with IEAH's purchase of half-interest in I Want Revenge, the morning-line favorite for this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) who was scratched the day of the classic.

HRTV: Pursuit of the Crown April 17

HRTV's weekly series analyzing the pursuit of the Triple Crown. This week's edition includes a preview of the Coolmore Lexington, and recaps of the Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass Stakes.

Stardom Bound Gets New Jockey for Oaks

Stardom Bound, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2008, will have a new jockey when she attempts to get back on the winning track in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) in Eclipse Award winner Garrett Gomez.

Charles Cono, Raced Stardom Bound, Dead

Charles Cono, who campaigned 2008 champion 2-year-old filly Stardom Bound, died April 9 at his La Mesa, Calif.

Hooh Why Stuns Stardom Bound in Ashland

Stardom Bound, seeking her sixth consecutive grade I victory, was stunned by 24-1 shot Hooh Why in the $400,000 Ashland Stakes April 4 at Keeneland.

Stardom Bound Looking for Sixth Grade I

Although champion Stardom Bound is the clear choice for the April 4 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) opening weekend at Keeneland, the daughter of Tapit has her work cut out of for her when facing an accomplished field of eight other females looking to secure a spot in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Stardom Bound Sibling Out of Sale

Champion Stardom Bound is scheduled to run in the April 4 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland, but her half-brother by Roman Ruler won't be offered during the Keeneland April sale of 2-year-olds in training in Lexington.

Ashland-Bound Fillies Prepare for Battle

Co-owner Mark Hoffman walked his Ashland Stakes (gr. I) hopeful Hooh Why at Keeneland the morning of March 31, a day after the Cloud Hopping filly worked a half-mile in :49.60.

25% Interest in Stardom Bound to Lanzman

David J. Lanzman, who announced March 30 that 50% of his homebred Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender I Want Revenge had been sold to IEAH Stables, has purchased 25% of IEAH's champion filly and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contender Stardom Bound.

IEAH Finally Gets 'Revenge'

IEAH Stables announced March 30 the completion of its purchase of a half-interest in Gotham Stakes (gr. III) winner I Want Revenge from David Lanzman. Mike Iavarone, president of IEAH, said Jeff Mullins will continue to train the colt.

Stardom Bound, Hooh Why in Ashland Works

Champion Stardom Bound and Hooh Why have put in their final works for the April 4 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland.

Stardom Bound Settles in at Keeneland

Champion Stardom Bound arrived at Keeneland on March 18 and will have her first breeze over the Polytrack on March 21 as she prepares for her scheduled start in the $400,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) on April 4.

Justwhistledixie On Top of Future Wager

The powerhouse duo of champion Stardom Bound and Rachel Alexandra figured to be the top stories in the only pool of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Oaks Future Wager of 2009, but it was rising star Justwhistledixie who stole the show and ended up as the favorite over that duo as four days of Oaks Future betting drew to a close Sunday evening.

Favoritism Unchanged in Oaks Futures

The streaking Justwhistledixie continued to be a surprising favorite over the high-powered duo of reigning 2-year-old filly champion Stardom Bound and Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) winner Rachel Alexandra as Churchill Downs' 2009 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager headed into the last day of its four-day run.

Justwhistledixie Clear Choice in KOFW

Justwhistledixie, an easy winner of the Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park, was a surprise favorite over morning line choices Stardom Bound and Rachel Alexandra following the March 12 opening day of betting in Churchill Downs' 2009 Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

Stardom Bound, Rachel Alexandra Top KOFW

Champion Stardom Bound, winner of five consecutive grade I stakes races, and rising star Rachel Alexandra, the heavy favorite for the March 14 $300,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) at Fair Grounds, are the narrowly separated top betting choices heading to this week's only pool of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

Stardom Bound Headed to Ashland Stakes

Stardom Bound, who just got up for a desperate nose victory in the Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) March 7, did not take the big step forward her connections had been hoping for, and now likely will point for the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) and the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Ky. Derby Trail: The Total Package

March means many things to owners and trainers of horses on the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) trail. There's the nail-biting, the sleepless nights, and the early morning phone calls that every owner dreads. And for many it sadly means the end of the road.

Pioneer, Old Fashioned Shine in Works

Leading West Coast Triple Crown contender Pioneerof the Nile worked five furlongs on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride March 8 in a bullet :58.80 under regular rider Garrett Gomez for the grade II San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. At Oaklawn, Old Fashioned worked a bullet five furlongs in :59.

Stardom Bound Barely Best in 'Anita Oaks

Champion filly Stardom Bound, seven wide at the top of the lane, got up in the final stride by a nose over unheralded Third Dawn to win the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) for her fifth consecutive grade I win March 7.

HRTV: Pursuit of the Crown March 6

HRTV's weekly series analyzing the pursuit of the Triple Crown. This week's episode includes recaps of the Fountain of Youth and Sham, a focus on Stardom Bound - comparing her to Winning Colors, a look at the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes, and a preview of the Gotham.

Santa Anita Oaks: 9 Battle Stardom Bound

Stardom Bound, who could be headed for the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) next month, puts her four-race grade I victory streak on the line in the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) March 7.

Mahubah's Corner: What a Pear

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

What a Pear has just served notice that Stardom Bound will have competition in the sophomore filly division this year.

Stardom Bound Breezes for 'Anita Oaks

Stardom Bound, champion 2-year-old filly of 2008, breezed five furlongs on Pro-Ride in 1:01 2/5 March 1 for the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) March 7, which is expected to be her second start of the year.

Stardom Bound Heads KY Oaks Nominees

IEAH Stables, Paul Pompa Jr., Michael Dubb, and Golden Goose Enterprises' Stardom Bound, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2008 and winner of the Las Virgenes (gr. I) at Santa Anita in her 2009 debut, heads an impressive roster of 170 horses nominated to compete in the 135th running of the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), which will be run at Churchill Downs May 1.

Stardom Bound Among 120 Ashland Nominees

Stardom Bound, winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) and reigning 2-year-old filly champion, headlines 120 nominees to Keeneland's $400,000 Ashland Stakes (gr. I), scheduled for April 4.

Old Fashioned Thoughts - Derby Top 10

Triple Crown Talk blog, with host Jason Shandler, reviews Old Fashioned's performance in the Southwest and offers a new top 10 Derby Watchlist.

Field Solid Favorite in Future Pool 1

The mutuel field, or "all others," was the solid 9-5 favorite among 24 wagering interests at the conclusion of betting in four-day pool. But Fox Hill Farm's Old Fashioned was a clear choice among the 23 individual horses in the Derby Future pool that ended on the eve of the colt's 3-year-old racing debut.

'All Others,' Old Fashioned Lead KDFW

The traditional status of the mutuel field, or "all others," as the favorite in the opening pool of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager seems secure for another year, but unbeaten Old Fashioned has strengthened his position as the leading individual contender for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with one day of wagering remaining in the first of three 2009 Derby Future pools.

Field Pegged at 4-5 in Derby Future Bet

The mutuel field, or "all others" has been the favored wagering interest in every opening pool of Churchill Downs' Kentucky Derby Future Wager since its introduction in 1999, and bettors showed little inclination to change that pattern on the first day of the 2009 action.

'All Others' 5-2 Choice in First KDFW

Churchill Downs' 2009 Kentucky Derby Future Wager begins its 11th year when the first of its three betting pools opens Feb. 12. And for the 11th time with the first pool, the mutuel field, or "all others," is the morning line betting favorite.