BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Gemologist Injured; To Miss Belmont Stakes

Resorts World Casino New York Wood Memorial (gr. I) winner suffered a foot bruise in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Speedy Broadway's Alibi Ready for Lilies

The daughter of Vindication, who is the co-second choice in the Oaks at 4-1, has developed fast and furious in the last few weeks, enough to convince her connections she's ready to reach for the Lilies.

read blog

Gemologist Undefeated, But Under-the-Radar

Despite being undefeated and with powerful connections, Gemologist is not garnering all the attention one might expect entering the May 5 Kentucky Derby.

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.

Pletcher Pair Settles in at Churchill Downs

Let's Go Stable's El Padrino and WinStar Farm's Gemologist, both trained by Todd Pletcher, arrived by van at Churchill Downs in late morning May 1 following a flight from South Florida.

Two Fillies Confirmed for Oaks; One Out

Trainer Todd Pletcher said Broadway's Alibi would start in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) while In Lingerie will be held back in favor of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. I) May 18.

Pletcher's Duo Works in Mud at Palm Meadows

Trainer Todd Pletcher sent El Padrino and Gemologist to the muddy track at Palm Meadows Training Center for half-mile workouts on the morning of April 29.

Gemologist, El Padrino Get in Florida Works

Trainer Todd Pletcher sent out Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contenders Gemologist and El Padrino for workouts at Palm Meadows Training Center April 20.

In Lingerie Confirmed for Kentucky Oaks

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber's In Lingerie has been confirmed to start in the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Pletcher Hoping El Padrino Makes Derby Field

Trainer Todd Pletcher says he's preparing El Padrino as if the Pulpit colt will start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Surprise Entry Caixa Eletronica Wins Classic

Last-minute entry Caixa Eletronica made good on his trip from New York to win the $1 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races the evening of April 14.

Hero of Order Probable for the Blue Grass

Hero of Order, the 109-1 winner of the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) April 1 at Fair Grounds, has joined the probable cast for Saturday's 88th running of the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland.

Derby Rematch Looms for Gemologist, Alpha

Undefeated Gemologist and Alpha, separated by a neck in the Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial (gr. I), are headed for a rematch in Kentucky next month.

Calder Ready for Early Opening April 9

Calder Casino & Race Course will begin its 2012 season April 9, and one of its first tasks will be making fans around the country aware that it is opening two weeks earlier than in previous years.

Is Illinois Derby Pletcher's Stepping Stone?

It's possible Todd Pletcher will have just one Kentucky Derby horse, and the name of that horse is Our Entourage.

Calibrachoa Faces Terrific Trio in Carter

Nearly unbeatable at Aqueduct Racetrack, Calibrachoa will attempt to extend his dominance when he takes on a field that includes Caleb's Posse, Shackleford, and Jackson Bend in the $400,000 Carter Handicap April 7.

Pletcher's Derby Madness Number One Seeds

Tuesday in a national conference call, trainer Todd Pletcher was asked to name the figurative four number one seeds on the Kentucky Derby Trail, and he didn't hesitate with his answer.

Repole Hopes to Bring an 'Entourage' to Derby

Mike Repole is taking the son of Street Cry to the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. III), where he will try to gain a berth in the May 5 Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

Gemologist Leads Wood Memorial Workouts

Undefeated Gemologist turned in his final work for the $1 million Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial April 1 at Palm Meadows Training Center, breezing five furlongs in 1:00.44.

Awesome Maria Easily Repeats in Rampart

Sent off as the 1-10 favorite against five overmatched contenders, E. Paul Robsham Stables' Awesome Maria was a comfortable winner of the $150,000 Rampart (gr. III) March 31 at Gulfstream Park.

El Padrino's Owner Ready to Meet Union Rags

Nobody would have blamed the connections of Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) winner El Padrino if they had chosen to return to Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots rather than staying in Florida to face Union Rags in the Florida Derby.

Rampart, Skip Away Part of Florida Undercard

Grade I winner Awesome Maria looked as good as ever romping in the Sabin Stakes (gr. III) last month; Where's Sterling leads the field in the Skip Away. Both races are part of the Florida Derby undercard at Gulfstream Park.

El Padrino On Target for Florida Derby

El Padrino put the finishing touches on his preparations for the upcoming Floriday Derby (gr. I) with a half-mile workout in :49 flat at Palm Meadows Training Center March 25.

Graded Stakes Winner Aikenite Retired

Dogwood Stable's Aikenite, a multiple graded stakes winner, has been retired from racing

Wood Memorial Likely Next Stop for Gemologist

Undefeated colt likely will have his final Kentucky Derby prep at Aqueduct

El Padrino Breezes for Florida Derby Date

Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) winner El Padrino breezed five furlongs in 1:01 1/5 March 18 at Palm Meadows for trainer Todd Pletcher as he approaches a start in the upcoming $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park.

Raconteur Rallies for Private Terms Victory

Favored Raconteur, under a vigorous ride from Chris DeCarlo, registered his first stakes win for trainer Todd Pletcher when he nipped Hakama by a head in the $76,500 Private Terms Stakes at Laurel Park March 17.

Gemologist Sparkles in Gulfstream Triumph

Undefeated Gemologist got his 3-year-old campaign underway in sharp fashion at Gulfstream Park March 16, pulling away from grade I winner Currency Swap to win an allowance race by seven lengths.

Heavy Breathing Enters Derby Picture

Son of Giant's Causeway could get his Derby shot for Pletcher.

read blog

Excelsior Comes Up Small But Competitive

Burning Sands Stable's San Pablo has been nearly flawless for more than a year, and now he will try to take his game to the next level in the $150,000 Excelsior Stakes (gr. III) March 17 at Aqueduct.

Currency Swap, Gemologist Clash at Gulfstream

Unbeaten 3-year-old colts Currency Swap and Gemologist will make their respective 2012 debuts in the third race March 16 at Gulfstream Park.

Street Sense Filly Sells for $475,000 at OBS

A daughter of Street Sense commanded $475,000 to become the second highest-priced horse sold so far during the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. March select sale of 2-year-olds in training.

OBS Championships Draw Solid Fields

Trainer Todd Pletcher supplemented grade I-placed Big Blue Nation to the $100,000 OBS Championship colts and geldings division for 3-year-olds.

El Padrino Was One Cool Yearling Dude

El Padrino, who defeated Mark Valeski by a nose in the Feb. 25 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II), was one cool dude when he resided at Middlebrook Farm near Lexington.

Doubles Partner Nets Comeback Win in Canadian

Doubles Partner showed little effect from a 10-month layoff when he charged home late to register a three-quarters of a length victory in the $150,000 Canadian Turf Stakes (gr. IIIT) March 3 on the Gulfstream Park turf.

Tom Fool: Calibrachoa Holds Off Caleb's Posse

Calibrachoa took over from the pacesetters in the stretch and held off a late run from Caleb's Posse to win the $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap (gr. III) by a neck March 3.

Stay Thirsty Focused on Second Half Campaign

Last year's Travers (gr. I) winner Stay Thirsty has begun preparations for his 2012 campaign, having recently entered light training at Palm Meadows.

Blue Grass Attracts 180 Nominees

Champion Hansen, grade I winner Union Rags, and El Padrino head the list of 3-year-olds nominated to the 88th running of the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.

Algorithms Scratched From Fountain of Youth

Morning-line favorite Algorithms was scratched from the Feb. 26 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park because of a splint issue.

El Padrino Edges Mark Valeski in Risen Star

El Padrino, the highly-touted 3-year-old from the barn of Todd Pletcher, proved he was worthy of the hype Feb. 25 at Fair Grounds when he outdueled Mark Valeski by a nose to win the $300,000 Risen Star (gr. II).

Awesome Maria Dominates Royal Delta in Sabin

E. Paul Robsham Stables' Awesome Maria, who hadn't raced since last June, destroyed four foes, including champion Royal Delta, to win the $98,000 Sabin Stakes (gr. III) by eight lengths at Gulfstream Park Feb. 25.

'Roses' Not in Plans for Thunder Moccasin

MAHUBAH'S CORNER
After Thunder Moccasin's visually impressive win in the Hutcheson Stakes, Starlight Racing's tentative plan is not roses in May but one-turn sprint races -- at least for now.

Union Rags Takes on Pletcher Duo in FOY

The high-anticipated 3-year-old race pits the current Derby favorite, Union Rags, against two undefeated and top-class horses from the barn of leading trainer Todd Pletcher, Algorithms and Discreet Dancer.

Super Shopper Starlight Has Basket of 3YOs

When Starlight Racing needs to replenish its stable of runners, its buying team heads to the yearling auctions. The venture's efforts at the sales are paying off handsomely this year with several promising 3-year-olds.

Pletcher Pair Work for Fountain of Youth

Todd Pletcher's powerful duo of Algorithms and Discreet Dancer turned in their final works for the Feb. 26 Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), breezing a half-mile and five-eighths, respectively, at Palm Meadows Feb. 20.

El Padrino Heads 11-Horse Field in Risen Star

El Padrino, who showed himself to be a Triple Crown contender with a sharp allowance win at Gulfstream Park Jan. 29, heads a field of 11 entered for the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) at Fair Grounds Feb. 25.

R Holiday Mood Hangs On in Hurricane Bertie

R Holiday Mood hooked up with Funny Sunny at the start and those two fought all the way to the wire before R Holiday Mood prevailed by a neck in the $150,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park Feb. 19.

Slideshow: Donn Handicap Day

There were some memorable performances on Donn Handicap Day at Gulfstream.

View Slideshow

Haskin's Derby Trail 2/14/2012 (blog)

Pletchers Have El Al Jets Ready for Takeoff

read blog

From 'Rags' to Pletcher Riches

What went into Javier Castellano's decision to drop Union Rags?

read blog