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Well Armed: A Horse With Gumption

Bill Casner recounts the incredible recovery story of Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed and reports on the gelding's retirement.

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Grade I Winner Well Armed Retired

Well Armed, best known for his record-breaking 14-length victory in the 2009 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (UAE-I), has been retired from racing.

WinStar Looking Strong for Next Year

After winning a pair of Triple Crown races, besting this year will be quite a challenge for WinStar Farm. But if 2010 was the year of the 3-year-old for WinStar, 2011 may just be the year of the older horse.

Girl Power: Females Rule 2009 Earnings List

For the first time, female Thoroughbreds occupy the top two spots on the list of leading North American earners in 2009, according to final statistics released today by Equibase Company.

Well Armed Recuperating From Surgery

Well Armed, winner of the Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (UAE-I) earlier this year, is recuperating following surgery at co-owner and co-breeder Bill Casner's farm in Flower Mound, Texas. A bone chip was removed from the 6-year-old Tiznow gelding's ankle during the procedure, Casner told Del Mar's publicity department.

Informed Wins 'Diego by Nose; Well Armed Last

Informed nosed pacesetter Mast Track to win the $250,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) Aug. 2 when 3-5 favorite Well Armed failed to fire in his first start since capturing the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) in March.

Well Armed Faces Eight in San Diego 'Cap

Well Armed makes his first start since his record 14-length romp in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) when he takes on eight rivals in the $250,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) at Del Mar Aug. 2.

Well Armed Set to Return in San Diego 'Cap

Well Armed is set to make his first start since his record-setting win in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) in March when he runs in the $250,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) at Del Mar Aug. 2.

Witty Still Perfect After Game Railbird Win

Undefeated Witty, a half-sister to Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner Well Armed, scored her third lifetime win when she ran down favored Carlsbad in the $100,000 Railbird Stakes (gr. III) at Hollywood Park May 10.

Well Armed Top-Weighted Dirt Horse

Well Armed, winner of the world's richest race, the US$6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), on March 28, has his official rating put up 5 pounds, from 119 to 124, making the best dirt horse currently racing.

Armed and Ready

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

Well Armed's runaway victory in the Dubai World Cup was due to a combination of factors, including his improvement with age and an affinity for 10 furlongs on dirt.

Smashing Winner Well Armed to Get Break

A day after his smashing victory March 28, record-breaking Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner Well Armed was in "fantastic" condition, according to his assistant trainer.

Well Armed Steals Dubai World Cup

Front-running Well Armed, under a snug hold by jockey Aaron Gryder, cut loose at the head of the straight and romped to a record 14-length victory in the $6 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 28, the final race to be run at Nad al Sheba.

McLaughlin Not Worried About Distance

As a steady rain fell on Nad Al Sheba on Thursday morning, March 26, Dubai World Cup favorite Albertus Maximus continued to display bold eagerness, pulling on exercise rider Rob Massey as he galloped strongly around the track under the watchful eyes of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Informed: Unruly, But Talented

If California-based runner Informed finds his way home first in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (UAE-II) March 28, it could very well mark one of the most distinctive training feats in Nad al Sheba racing history.

Albertus Maximus Gallops at Nad Al Sheba

Standing at the backstretch rail the morning of March 24 at Nad al Sheba in Dubai, assistant trainer Trish McLaughlin watched Albertus Maximus virtually soar past her while pulling against exercise rider Rob Massey in an impressive show of contained strength and speed.

Four U.S. Horses Among 15 in World Cup

Including four U.S.-based runners, 15 horses have been entered for the $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Nad Al Sheba racecourse March 28.

Magnum Uncorks San Antonio Surprise

Magnum, a close second to Lava Man in the 2006 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), should get a second chance after his sharp upset win in the $200,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 8.

Tiago, Well Armed Clash in San Antonio

Tiago makes his first start since he rallied from far back for a third-place finish in the Oct. 25 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) when he takes on 10 rivals in the $200,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 8.

Cowboy Cal Spurred to San Pasqual Win

Front-running Cowboy Cal, one of the few horses that Robert and Janice McNair kept after they sold Stonerside Stable to Darley last year, nipped 28-1 shot Informed by a nose to win the $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Jan. 10.

Well Armed Headlines San Pasqual Dozen

Grade I winner Well Armed will make his first start since a ninth-place finish as the 6-5 choice in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile more than two months ago when he tackles the $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Jan. 10.

Ten Starters for Race for Education

More owners than ever before have joined The Race For Education by pledging a portion of winnings from a record 10 starters in Breeders' Cup World Championships races Oct. 24-25.

Well Armed Tops Main Track Mile

Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) winner Well Armed, trained by Eoin Harty for WinStar Farms, was installed the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the TVG Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, which will be run over the Pro-Ride artificial surface on the main World Championship card Oct. 25.

Cup Countdown: Pletcher on the Prowl

Remember two years ago when Todd Pletcher sent a Napoleon-like army to the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs, only to come away without a single victory? Well, that 17-horse assault is behind him, and now he returns to racing's biggest stage with a mere five-horse platoon.

Final Works For Col. John, Well Armed

Stablemates Colonel John and Well Armed, both pre-entered for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), turned in final works at Santa Anita Oct. 20 for trainer Eoin Harty, who reported he was pleased with both efforts.

Classic: Step Right Up

Although the Breeders' Cup dirt races will have some element of the unknown due to the Pro-Ride surface at Santa Anita, the unchartered waters of the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) will be the deepest of all.

Dirt Mile: Pool Party

This year the Breeders' Cup World Championships has expanded to 14 races. Trainer Eoin Harty was hoping for a 15th event, for swimming, not running.

Haskin's Cup Countdown: Classic Curlin

Talk about a hair-trigger decision. Following Curlin's victory in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), majority owner Jess Jackson said over he phone that the colt likely would ship to Santa Anita "in about a week" to test out the Pro-Ride surface. The next morning, Curlin was on a plane to California.

Well Armed Fires Best Shot in Goodwood

Favored Well Armed, under strong urging from jockey Aaron Gryder, responded to open up a clear advantage in the homestretch, then held off the late-closing Tiago to win the $500,000 Goodwood (gr. I) at Oak Tree's Santa Anita meet Sept. 27. Because the race is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, Well Armed gained a slot in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

Goodwood Foes Will Test Pro-Ride Surface

The Goodwood Stakes (gr. I), as usual, serves as the main prep race in Southern California for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) this season. But for the 11 entered in this year's $500,000 renewal Sept. 24, it's also the first test of Santa Anita's new Pro-Ride synthetic racing surface and will go a long way toward determining which contenders move on.

Colonel John Works Over New 'Anita Track

WinStar Farm's Colonel John, winner of the $1 million Travers Stakes (gr. I) by a nose at Saratoga, worked four furlongs Sept. 14 on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface in :48 4/5 for trainer Eoin Harty. The colt is headed for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Oct. 25 at the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meet.

Go Between, Gomez Land Pacific Classic

A day after winning the $1-million Travers Stakes Presented by Shadwell Farm (gr. I) with Colonel John, jockey Garrett Gomez switched coasts to guide favored Go Between to a head victory over Well Armed in the $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar.

Lots of Ways to Go in Pacific Classic

Go Between, the 3-1 morning line favorite, takes on defending champion Student Council in the $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar Aug. 24. The rich 1 1/4-mile Polytrack event attracted a closely matched group of 11 older horses.

Dozen Appear Solid for Pacific Classic

A dozen older horses remain solidly committed to competing in Del Mar's signature race, the $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I) on Aug. 24.

Well Armed Bounces Back in San Diego

Favored Well Armed avoided the dreaded "Dubai Bounce" with an easy front-running victory in the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) in track record time over the revamped Polytrack surface at Del Mar July 19.

Well Armed Makes His Return in San Diego

Grade II winner Well Armed makes his first start since running third in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) as one of the favorites in the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (gr. II) at Del Mar July 19.

U.S. Horses Impress in Dubai Workouts

In his final timed tune-up for the March 29 Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), Horse of the Year Curlin dazzled onlookers at Nad Al Sheba with a show of contained power March 24.

A Well Armed Robbery in San Antonio

WinStar Farms' homebred Well Armed, thanks to a well-crafted ride from Aaron Gryder on the front end, had just enough to hold off the surging Heatseeker by a head in winning the $250,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 9.

Student Council Returns in 'Antonio

Synthetic surface standouts Student Council and Awesome Gem, the first two finishers in last summer's $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I), are expected to make their 2008 bow in the $250,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) over Santa Anita's Cushion Track on Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 3.

Zappa Just Peachy in San Pasqual H.

Zappa, the longest shot in the field, captured his graded stakes debut in the $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II) at sizzling Santa Anita Jan. 12.

Arson Squad Added to 'Pasqual Cast

Arson Squad joins six of the seven original starters for the Jan. 12 San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II). The event was canceled a week earlier at Santa Anita due to track conditions.

Molengao Back in Action in 'Pasqual

The Brazilian-bred Molengao, a two-time grade II winner last year for trainer Paulo Lobo, returns from a six-month layoff in the $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Jan. 5.

America Could Be Next Target for Well Armed

Well Armed has raced in England and Dubai but the future of the 3-year-old son of Tiznow could be in America following his start in Saturday's $2-million UAE Derby (UAE-II) at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.

Dominguin Ready to Strut Stuff in UAE Derby

Peruvian champion Dominguin will look to his keep record unblemished when he takes the gate for the $2-million UAE Derby (UAE-II) at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.

Kentucky Derby Trail: 10 to Watch

It's hard to believe that betting in the first Kentucky Derby (gr. I) Future Wager pool is here already. We all are aware this is pretty much a riskier bet in January, considering most of the horses in the starting field will be grossly under-priced and many will not even make it to the race. With that said, here are 10 new faces to the Derby trail that bear watching.

WinStar Colt Wins in Dubai; Aimed at Kentucky Derby

WinStar Farm's homebred Well Armed burst down the stretch at Nad al Sheba racecourse in Dubai Thursday to win his first start as a 3-year-old in a campaign that ultimately is aiming for the May 6 Kentucky Derby (gr. I).