BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Full But Unproven Field Contest La. Derby

The field for this weekend's Louisiana Derby (gr. II) is similar to the recently concluded Florida Derby (gr. I) in one important way: Both major Kentucky Derby preps drew full fields of promising but unproven 3-year-olds.

Ailalea Lukewarm Choice in Fair Grounds Oaks

Ailalea, clearly best in Aqueduct's Tempted Stakes (gr. III) Nov. 7 in the final start of her juvenile campaign, is the lukewarm 3-1 morning line choice for the $300,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) March 26.

Devil May Care Rebounds in Bonnie Miss

Overlooked at odds of 7-1, Glencrest Farm's Devil May Care took over at the top of the stretch and bounded away to a 2 3/4-length victory in the $200,000 Bonnie Miss Stakes (gr. II) March 20 at Gulfstream Park.

Take the Points to Run in Dubai Duty Free

In one of several changes involving horses slated to run on the March 27 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) program, Starlight Partners' dual grade I winner Take the Points has been given a new target, the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I).

Rule Heads Lineup for Florida Derby

WinStar Farm's homebred Rule, part of trainer Todd Pletcher's powerful stable of 3-year-olds, is the 5-2 morning line favorite for the $750,000 Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park March 20.

Eskendereya Leads Florida Derby Workers

Zayat Stable's 3-year-old Eskendereya led a host of potential Florida Derby (gr. I) contestants when he worked an easy five furlongs in 1:02 2/5 March 14 at Palm Meadows.

Super Saver Starts Back in Tampa Bay Derby

WinStar Farm's Super Saver will make his much-anticipated 3-year-old debut in the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) March 13.

Eskendereya Leads Florida Derby Nominees

Zayat Stable's Eskendereya, 8 1/2-length winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), is among 92 3-year-olds nominated for the $750,000 Florida Derby (gr. I) to be run March 20 at Gulfstream Park,

Pletcher Stars Work, Temporary Schedules Set

Todd Pletcher's powerful stable of 3-year-old stars were prominent on the work tab March 6 in South Florida and the trainer set a temporary schedule for many of them.

Take the Points to Shoot for Dubai World Cup

Starlight Partners' Take the Points, whose third career grade I victory last month was erased through a stewards' disqualification, shoots for his next big score in the record $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).

Gulfstream Race Could Yield Derby Prospects

Gulfstream Park's third race Feb. 27 features grade I winner Homeboykris, grade I competitor Radiohead, and impressive winners General Maximus and Thomas Got Even.

And They're Off: Feb. 24 Edition

Lenny and Steve discuss the Kentucky Derby Trail, the Apple Blossom, the state of racing in New York and Kentucky, and the return of Seattle Slew's silks to the Winner's Circle in New York.

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Todd's Time?

Todd Pletcher has been one of racing's leading trainers the past decade, though the sport's biggest prize, the Derby, has eluded him. This could be his year.

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Kentucky Derby Trail: Pletcher on Parade

Todd Pletcher has no less that nine horses on the Derby trail, with Eskendereya shooting up to the #1 spot.

Pletcher Begins Serving Suspension

Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out three winners of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) prep races over the weekend and then headed out for a 10-day hiatus.

Lane's End Stakes Draws 151 Nominations

WinStar Farms, owner of last year's Lane's End winner Hold Me Back, have nominated 10 to the 39th running of the Lane's End. Todd Pletcher is the leading trainer by nominations for the second straight year with 13.

Connemara Completes Pletcher's Triple Play

Trainer Todd Pletcher completed a 3-year-old stakes triple Feb. 20 when favored Connemara, ridden by Russell Baze, captured the $150,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields.

Discreetly Mine Gets Every Yard in Risen Star

E. Paul Robsham Stables' homebred Discreetly Mine took a full field sophomores gate to wire in the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 20 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Super Saver, Interactif Decisions Loom

Todd Pletcher, who is loaded with several 2010 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contenders, said he will make decisions on a couple of his star 3-year-olds after their next works.

Two Go For Three Straight in FG Handicap

10 older horses will line up in Saturday's Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. III), headed by recent winners Acting Zippy and Blues Street.

Rule Buries Rivals in Sam Davis

Rule led at every call and further cemented himself as a legitimate Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contender with a convincing three-length win in the $225,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 13 at Tampa Bay Downs

Rule Goes to School in Uptown Sam Davis

Rule looks to be the controlling pace in Saturday's Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) at Tampa Bay Downs, and his speed figures tower over the competition.

Sam Davis Stakes Headlined by Rule

A solid group of 3-year-olds, led by Delta Jackpot (gr. III) winner Rule, is set to clash at Tampa Bay Downs in the $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 13.

Court Vision Wins GP Turf Handicap After DQ

Take the Points crossed the wire first in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (gr. IT) Feb. 6, but the 4-year-old colt was disqualified for interference, giving the win to odds-on choice Court Vision.

Quality Road Breaks Own Track Record in Donn

Quality Road broke his own nine-furlong track record that he set last year at Gulfstream Park, turning in a dazzling performance when crushing the field the field Feb. 6 in the $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I).

Derby Hopeful Interactif Begins 2010 on Turf

Todd Pletcher is hoping Interactif will show enough in the coming months to merit a trip to the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), but for now, he will keep his charge on turf in the Hallandale Beach Stakes Feb. 7 at Gulfsteam.

Quality Road Looks Like a Handful in Donn

With his setbacks apparently behind him, Quality Road looks to continue what his connections hope will be a stellar 4-year-old campaign in the $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I) Feb. 6 at Gulfstream

Pletcher on Parade at Palm Meadows

Todd Pletcher's all-star team was on display Sunday morning, with eight of his best colts working at Palm Meadows training center.

Kentucky Derby Trail: Battle Stations!

Trainers Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher hold the most firepower as Steve Haskin takes his first look at the trail to the 2010 Triple Crown.

Pletcher Gets 10-Day Ban, Fine From CHRB

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher has been ordered to serve a 10-day suspension and pay a $25,000 fine by the California Horse Racing Board.

Piscitelli Works for Holy Bull

Piscitelli worked five furlongs Jan. 15 in preparation for the Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III). Dogwood Stables Aikenite is also expected in what looks to be a strong field.

Connemara Makes Stakes Debut in Cal Derby

Connemara, undefeated in a pair of route tries for trainer Todd Pletcher last fall, makes his stakes debut against five rival 3-year-olds in the $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields Jan. 16.

Miss Catalyst Brings $325,000; to Race Again

Steve Davidson and Randy Gullatt's Twin Creeks Farm went to $325,000 for Miss Catalyst, a stakes-winning daughter of Mr. Greeley, who tops the Jan. 11 session of the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.

Kentucky Derby Trail: Things to Do Tips

Here are several items trainers should include on their list of things to do.

Connemara, Macias Expected for Cal Derby

Connemara, an undefeated colt trained by Todd Pletcher, and Macias, a two-time stakes-winner from the Bob Baffert barn, are among the 16 runners nominated to the California Derby Jan. 16 at Golden Gate Fields.

Pletcher Loaded For Run at 2010 Ky Derby

Triple Crown Talk with Jason Shandler presents a A Q&A with trainer Todd Pletcher, who has several talented 3-year-olds in his Florida barn.

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Munnings, 'Carlos Duel in Mr. Prospector

Munnings, a sharp winner of consecutive grade II races last year, kicks off his 2010 campaign in the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 9.

Fresh Start for Quality Road in Hal's Hope

In his first race since his famous starting gate tantrum prior to the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), Quality Road was much the best in the $100,000 Hal's Hope Stakes (gr. III), winning by 2 3/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park.

Rule Measures Up in Tight Delta Jackpot Win

Even-money choice Rule took the $750,000 Boyd Gaming's Delta Jackpot (gr. III) in tenacious style at chilly Delta Downs Dec. 4, winning a virtual match race with Uh Oh Bango by a neck on a sloppy track.

Super Win in Kentucky Jockey Club

WinStar Farm's Super Saver romped to a five-length victory over William's Kitten in stakes-record time to win the $191,250 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs Nov. 28.

Unbridled Belle, 'Temper Clash in Falls City

Grade I stakes winners Unbridled Belle and Swift Temper will carry top weight of 122 pounds apiece when they take on four rival fillies and mares in the Thanksgiving Day $150,000 Falls City Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs Nov. 26.

Quality Road Arrives at Belmont Park

Quality Road, who was forced to scratch from the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) after suffering minor injuries during a bad incident at the starting gate, arrived safely at Todd Pletcher's barn at Belmont Park at 6 a.m. Tuesday following an uneventful cross-country van ride from Santa Anita.

Quality Road Vanning Back to Belmont

Edward Evans' Quality Road, whose fiery antics caused him to be scratched at the gate prior to the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 7 at Santa Anita, is scheduled to return to his Belmont Park stall Nov. 17 and be back on the track the following morning, according to trainer Todd Pletcher.

Breeders' Cup Notes: Rundown on Horses

A complete look at the major runners on the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships cards at Santa Anita Nov. 6-7.

Quality Road Has Only Minor Cuts

Quality Road, who was scratched out of the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) after fighting to load into the gate, has only minor cuts.

Unbridled Belle Rings True in 'Alarm

Unbridled Belle, as expected, made her final start in New York a winning one, drawing off to an easy four-length victory as the prohibitive choice in the $109,000 Turnback the Alarm Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct Oct. 31.

Unbridled Belle Says Goodbye to NY in 'Alarm

Millionaire mare Unbridled Belle, who has competed in some of New York's premier stakes races over the past four seasons, makes her final start in the Big Apple as the heavy favorite in the $100,000 Turnback the Alarm Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct Oct. 31.

Here They Come: BC Draws 166 Pre-Entries

A total of 166 horses were pre-entered Oct. 26 for the 2009 Breeders' Cup World Championships to be run Nov. 6 and 7 at Santa Anita.

Behindatthebar to Stand at Judice Farm

Behindatthebar, who won three of five lifetime starts including the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) in 2008 in his last outing, will stand in 2010 at Perry Judice's Judice Farm near Sunset, La.

Banrock Wins as Belmont Fall Meet Concludes

Banrock and You Go West Girl tallied victories in a pair of $150,000 turf stakes for New York-bred horses on closing day of Belmont Park's fall meet Oct. 25. Ramon Dominguez and Todd Pletcher win individual titles.