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You Make the Call: Woodbine Mile Winners

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Sweet Life is KY Broodmare of the Year

Sweet Life, a daughter of Kris S. who is the dam of champion Sweet Catomine and grade I winner Life Is Sweet, was named Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.

Champion Breeder: Juddmonte Farms

Fifth win for Khalid Abdullah's global operation; won in 1995, 2001-03

Grateful Ascanio Moves On Without Frankel

Trainer Humberto Ascanio says he'll push on in 2010 without his longtime mentor and friend, Hall of Fame member Bobby Frankel, even with the loss of the barn's blue-blood horses from its central client, Juddmonte Farms.

Ventura Fulfills Frankel's Wish in Matriarch

For the second day in a row, the barn of the late Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel scored a grade I victory on the Hollywood Park turf. On Nov. 28 Ventura captured the $300,000 Matriarch in a stakes record time by 1 3/4 lengths.

Ventura, Diamondrella to Battle in Matriarch

Ventura, one of the leading stars for the late trainer Bobby Frankel and Juddmonte Farms during the past two years, goes for her fourth grade I victory against six rivals in the Nov. 28 Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park.

Ventura to Run in Hollywood's Matriarch

Ventura, a multiple grade I stakes winner who finished second in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) at Santa Anita, is expected to return in Hollywood Park's $300,000 Matriarch (gr. IT) on Nov. 28.

F&M Sprint: Informed Decision Upsets Ventura

Informed Decision, Augustin Stable's daughter of Monarchos, rolls in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I). The big gray filly is now seven for seven on synthetic surfaces and improved her record at seven furlongs to 7-6-0-1.

Informed Decision Ready for F&M Sprint

Augustin Stable's Informed Decision faces a much-anticipated rematch with Ventura Nov. 6 in the $1-million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Park. When the two tangled back in April on Keeneland's Polytrack, Informed Decision defeated Ventura by a head in the Vinery Madison Stakes (gr. I).

Ventura on Far Outside in F&M Sprint

Ventura, who will be trying to win the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint for the second consecutive year Nov. 6, was made the 8-5 morning line favorite in the Nov. 3 post position draw for the World Championships at Santa Anita Park. The Juddmonte Farms homebred, which likes to come from behind, is on the far outside in the field of nine and will be ridden by Garrett Gomez.

Ventura Back for More in Filly & Mare Sprint

Juddmonte Farms homebred Ventura will be defending her title in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Nov. 6 at Santa Anita, and she's ready to roll, according Garrette O'Rourke, who manages Juddmonte's nursery near Lexington.

Ventura Looking to Defend F&M Sprint Title

Coming off a historic victory against the boys in the Sept. 20 Woodbine Mile (Can-IT), Ventura looks to be a powerful contender in the Nov. 5 Sentient Jet Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) as she attempts to defend her title at Santa Anita Park. But the Juddmonte Farms homebred will likely face some tough competition, as five other graded stakes-winning females were also pre-entered.

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.

Countdown to the Cup: More Fantastic Fillies

With Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, and Ventura, familiar standbys like Forever Together and Music Note, and rapidly rising stars Icon Project, Careless Jewel, and Swift Temper, as well as Goldikova in Europe, this is truly a special year for fillies.

Lady's First: Ventura Wins the Woodbine Mile

Ventura became the first female to win the Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) in 13 years when she swept past the field on the outside to post a one-length victory Sept. 20.

THS: The Super Derby (Video)

Jason, Evan, and James Scully of twinspires preview the Super Derby (gr. II) at Louisiana Downs. Plus picks for the Woodbine Mile.

Rahy's Attorney Defends Woodbine Mile Crown

Canadian turf champion Rahy's Attorney returns to defend his Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) crown against a strong group of turf specialists in the $1 million event Sept. 20, which includes the sharp mare Ventura and New York invader Bribon.

Ventura Back For Woodbine Mile

Juddmonte Farms' stellar 5-year-old mare Ventura will take another crack at the boys on Sept. 20 when she does battle with a probable field of 11 in the $1-million Woodbine Mile (Can-IT).

Ventura Out of Shoemaker

Juddmonte Farms' outstanding mare Ventura, favored against males in the $250,000 Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park May 25, was scratched by trainer Bobby Frankel on the morning of the race due to a "foot problem," according to the track's racing office.

Ho-Hum: Ventura Faces Boys Again in Shoemaker

When Rachel Alexandra faced the boys in the Preakness (gr. I), it had not only the racing world but the national media abuzz with excitement. For exceptional mare Ventura, taking on the opposite gender has become just another day at the park, and the daughter of Chester House will do it again on May 25 when she tackles seven males in the $250,000-added Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park.

Madison: Informed Decision Edges Ventura

George Strawbridge Jr.'s Informed Decision split horses in deep stretch and ran down 2-5 favorite Ventura to win the $300,000 Vinery Madison (gr. I) by a head in thrilling fashion April 9 at Keeneland.

Ventura Back Versus the Girls in Madison

Considering she won the event last year and is coming off a nose defeat against the boys five weeks ago, Ventura would seem to be a cinch for the $300,000 Vinery Madison (gr. I) April 9 at Keeneland. But that is not the case, as the Chester House filly will face six capable fillies on the Polytrack, including multiple stakes winners Informed Decision and Bsharpsonata.

Gio Ponti Denies Ventura in Kilroe Mile

Gio Ponti, driving for the wire under a frantic Ramon Dominguez, got up just in time to nose the outstanding mare Ventura in the $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (gr. IT) on the Santa Anita turf March 7.

Ventura Challenges Males in Kilroe Mile

Ventura, a stylish winner of the Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) against her own sex last time out, will take aim at males when she returns to the turf for trainer Bobby Frankel in the $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita March 7.

Ventura Finds Fast Lane in Santa Monica

The result never seemed in doubt as odds-on choice Ventura shook off stablemate Jibboom with a furlong to run to en route to a measured one-length win, giving trainer Bobby Frankel and Juddmonte Farms the exacta in the $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita Jan. 31.

Indian Blessing Won't Run, Baffert Says

A day after entering Eclipse champion female sprinter Indian Blessing in the $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert said the 4-year-old filly would not participate in an anticipated rematch with Ventura after all.

Ventura, Indian Blessing May Clash Again

A rematch of last fall's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint battle at Santa Anita between the victorious Ventura and champion filly Indian Blessing looms in the $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) Jan. 31. But after entries were taken Jan. 28, trainer Bob Baffert said he was unsure if Indian Blessing would run.

And They're Off: Holiday Edition (Video)

Hosted by Lenny Shulman and Steve Haskin, "And They're Off" is a bi-monthly online video series sponsored by Darby Dan Farm. This week, Lenny and Steve present highlights from the 2008 season of "And They're Off."

Ventura Takes Filly & Mare Sprint

Juddmonte Farms' homebred Ventura overtook favored Indian Blessing in the stretch Oct. 24 and drew off to win the $1-million Sentient Flight Group Filly & Mare Sprint, the first Breeders' Cup race on the two-day World Championships card at Santa Anita.

Indian Blessing 2-1 Choice in F&M Sprint

Champion Indian Blessing drew post position 5 and was installed the 2-1 morning-line favorite in a full field for the Sentient Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Santa Anita Oct. 21. That puts the front-running filly three outside another speedster, 12-1 Indyanne, in the seven-furlong event.

F&M Sprint: Eclectic Possibilites

A race still searching for its identity, the Sentient Flight Group Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint has the potential to be many things.

Sales Draw Sport Horse Enthusiasts

Tennessee equestrian and horse breeder Lisa Cook wanted a Thoroughbred mare to breed to her Thoroughbred stallion, but perceived high prices always prevented her from buying one at high profile auctions such as Kentucky's Keeneland sale. But since the economy drove prices at this year's Keeneland September yearling sale downward, sport horse enthusiasts like Cook might be thinking differently.

Rahy's Attorney Steals Woodbine Mile

Rahy's Attorney pulled off a shocker in the $1-million Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) Sept. 7, taking over in mid-turn and then powering to a 1 1/4-length victory under Slade Callaghan while 1-2 favorite Kip Deville faded to fifth.

Kip Deville vs. Ventura in Woodbine Mile

Juddmonte Farms' Ventura has a good chance at becoming the first filly to win the $1-million Woodbine Mile (Can-IT) Sept. 7, but standing in her way is IEAH Stables' Kip Deville, widely regarded as the best turf miler in North America.

Diamond Diva Digs Deep in CashCall Mile

Diamond Diva, apparently beaten by Ventura just yards from the wire, dug deep for the money and prevailed by a nose in the $750,000 CashCall Mile (gr. IIT) at Hollywood Park July 5.

Lady of Venice Seeks Revenge in CashCall

Defending CashCall Mile (gr. IIT) winner Lady of Venice will be out for revenge when she takes on Ventura in the $750,000 event for fillies and mares at Hollywood Park July 5.

Ventura Pulls Upset in Just a Game

Juddmonte Farms' Ventura sat patiently off the pace, slipped through along the hedge at the head of the lane and pulled clear to win the $400,000 Just a Game Stakes (gr. IT) June 7 at Belmont Park. The victory came by three-quarters of a length over a fast-closing Lady of Venice. Time for the one-mile race over a "firm" Widener Turf Course was 1:32.75.

Vacare Makes Season Debut in Just a Game

Jon and Sarah Kelly's Vacare has aced nearly every test thrown at her thus far, from her most recent win in the First Lady Stakes (gr. IIT) last October to a score in the 2006 Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup (gr. IT). But trainer Christophe Clement is asking for a career-best effort from the 5-year-old daughter of Lear Fan when he brings her back for her first start of the season in the $400,000 Just a Game Stakes (gr. IT) at Belmont Park June 7.

Ginger Punch Works at Belmont

Ginger Punch, last year's champion older female, had her first work since winning the Louisville Stakes (gr.II) on the morning of May 16 at Belmont Park.

Bayou's Lassie Wires Distaff Turf Mile

The 12-1 outsider Bayou's Lassie got the jump on the rest of the field and galloped home a clear winner in the $169,050 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (gr. IIIT).

Dreaming of Anna Leads CD Distaff Turf

Frank Calabrese's homebred Dreaming of Anna, winner of the March 15 Hillsborough Stakes (gr. IIIT) in her last start, will be the one to beat when nine older fillies and mares heads postward in the $150,000-added Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (gr. IIIT).

Ventura Aces Vinery Madison Test

Ventura proved her affinity for Polytrack and American stakes competition when she mowed down a field of experienced contenders at Keeneland in the $200,000 Vinery Madison Stakes (gr. II) April 9.

In Vinery Madison, Gomez Likes Ventura

Ike and Dawn Thrash's Dawn After Dawn was a solid performer in each of her four past starts, registering two wins -- one in the La Canada Stakes (gr. II) -- under jockey Garrett Gomez.

Jockey Hector Ventura Found Dead

Hector Ventura Jr., a former jockey at Emerald Downs racetrack, was found dead of an apparent drug overdose, according to a spokesman from the Auburn Police Department.

Format Change Makes for Mixed Results During OBS Fall Sale Opener

The first day of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s fall mixed sale Oct. 8 saw mixed results following a change in sale format from last year's auction.

OBSC Open Sale: Strength in the Middle

Analysis of prices for horses sold at Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's open sale indicates decreased demand for yearlings at the very top and bottom when compared with the 2006 sale.

Tornado Causes Wide-Spread Damage in Ocala

A suspected tornado that tore a path through Ocala, Fla. Thursday afternoon caused wide-spread damage to area horse farms, but early reports indicate no equine deaths or significant injuries were incurred.

Led by Yes It's True Weanlings, OBSC Sale Soars

Three weanlings by Yes It's True each received top bids of $85,000 Tuesday, helping boost a resurgent Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. Fall Mixed Sale.

Tale of the Cat Colt Tops OBSC First Session

Weanlings have been driving the market at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. Fall Mixed Sale in recent years, and Monday's opening session of the 2004 auction indicated the trend was set to continue.

Gill Sends Back Three OBS Calder Purchases

Three horses purchased by leading buyer Michael Gill at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s select sale of 2-year-olds in training have been returned because of possible unsoundness.