Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, who had been battling leukemia for most of the year, died peacefully at his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif., early Nov. 16. He was 68.
6 days ago
Godolphin's big year continued Oct. 24 when odds-on choice Vineyard Haven burst through along the inside in deep stretch to capture the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) over a sloppy track at Laurel Park.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Jason, Tom, and Rich Nilsen of brisnet preview the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) at Laurel.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Three-year-old Vineyard Haven, winner of Saratoga's King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) before being disqualified in his only start in the past eight months, faces older horses for the first time in the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) at Laurel Park Oct. 24.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Capt. Candyman Can gained victory in the $300,000 NetJets King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 29 when the original winner Vineyard Haven was disqualified for drifting out into the path of his challenger in deep stretch on a "sloppy" Saratoga main track.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Big Drama and Munnings should each relish a cut back to their ideal distance of seven furlongs, but in addition to dealing with each other must contend with the likes of Capt. Candyman Can, Vineyard Haven, and a host of other talented sprinters Aug. 29 in the $300,000 NetJets King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I)at Saratoga.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A walk down the Godolphin shedrow at Belmont Park reveals a "Who's Who" of major stakes horses, many of whom are just coming back off layoffs and getting ready for the Saratoga meet.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wood Memorial (gr. I) runner-up West Side Bernie, who finished ninth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been purchased by Godolphin from George and Lori Hall for an undisclosed amount and will be pointed for next year's Carnival events in Dubai, Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said Thursday.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Desert Party, who leads the three-strong Godolphin challenge in the $2-million UAE Derby (UAE-II), will go for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) as long as he runs well March 28 at Nad Al Sheba.
Friday, March 27, 2009
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.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Although there was nothing over the weekend to knock your proverbial socks off, there were a few races that could steer you toward a horse or two as potential Derby material. With the Southwest Stakes having just been run, we'll briefly discuss the race and go over it in more detail next week.
Monday, February 16, 2009
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.
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Godolphin Racing duo of Desert Party and Regal Ransom finished first and second Feb. 12 in the Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-III) at Nad al Sheba in Dubai as both colts continued on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Godolphin Racing duo of Desert Party and Vineyard Haven finished first and second Feb. 12 in the Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-III) at Nad al Sheba in Dubai as both colts continued on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Midshipman and Vineyard Haven, the two leading juveniles of 2008, are both making excellent progress in Dubai and are nearing their 3-year-old debuts, said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford, who added that it's possible one of them will return to the U.S. to prep for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Thursday, February 05, 2009
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 review the Eclipse Award winners. Plus, Everybody wants to buy a Derby Winner.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Midshipman, winner of the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), received the high weight assignment of 126 pounds on the 2008 Experimental Free Handicap,
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Curlin, the all-time earner among North American Thoroughbreds, gained another accolade on Tuesday, Jan. 13 when he was officially named the joint best horse of 2008 in the World Thoroughbred Rankings.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Following their final breeze at Keeneland on Saturday, Godolphin's precious cargo of 2-year-olds will depart for Dubai on Monday, Dec. 15, assistant trainer Rick Mettee said.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Everyone knows by now that Sheikh Mohammed wants to win the Kentucky Derby, as evidenced by the amounts of money he's spending for ready-made Derby horses. But that's not entirely correct. He wants to win the Kentucky Derby with a horse trained in Dubai.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Vineyard Haven, winner of the grade I Champagne and Hopeful Stakes, has been sold to Godolphin for an undisclosed price by Bobby Frankel, who was majority owner of the colt, in partnership with Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre and Louis Lazzinnaro.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
HRTV's weekly series analyzing each division of the Breeders' Cup. This episode includes works from Curlin and Big Brown, recaps of the Spinster, Alcibiades, and Frizette and much, much more.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
While the "rivalry" between Curlin and Big Brown has manifested itself through the frequent and often frivolous comments from the horses' connections, there is a real rivalry over in Europe that may very well boil over into the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
In an awesome-looking performance, Vineyard Haven won the $400,000 Champagne (gr.I) Oct. 4 at Belmont Park. The victory would likely stamp him as an early favorite for the $2-million Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr.I) Oct. 25, if he was being pointed to the Oct. 25 race at Santa Anita.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
HRTV's weekly series analyzing each division of the Breeders' Cup. This episode includes recaps of the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Lady's Secret, previews of the Spinster, Champagne, and Frizette, and much, much more.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Vineyard Haven, Cribnote, Munnings and Break Water Edison, the top four finishers, respectively, in the Hopeful Stakes (gr.I) last month at Saratoga, meet again in the $400,000 Champagne Stakes (gr.I) at Belmont Park Oct. 4.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Generally speaking, crossing the sire by a certain male line with a mare from the same male line produces below average results. But here is Vineyard Haven, the results of such a cross, who beat some rising stars in the Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (gr. I). Friday, September 12, 2008
HRTV's weekly series analyzing each division of the Breeders' Cup. This episode includes an analysis of the Woodward, a review of the Juveniles, a preview of the Ruffian and much, much more.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Calder Race Course will hold its sixth annual Juvenile Showcase on Sept. 6, with six non-graded stakes races for 2-year olds.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
In an eventful running of the $250,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful (gr. I), it was Vineyard Haven who avoided problems and cruised to victory in Saratoga's championship race for 2-year-olds Sept. 1.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Desert Party, hoping to justify the $2.1 million sales-topping price Darley Stable paid at Fasig-Tipton Calder's 2-year-olds in training sale in February, faces seven rivals in the $250,000 Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) on closing day at Saratoga Sept. 1.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Desert Party, purchased by Darley for $2.1 million earlier this year, received a rail-skimming ride from Edgar Prado and ran away from three rivals in the scratched-diluted $150,000 Sanford Stakes (gr. II) July 24 in the mud at Saratoga.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A duo of juveniles who fetched high prices in the sale ring have garnered particular interest in the July 24 Sanford Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga, where both are looking to prove they are worthy of such expensive investments.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008