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A Year Apart - By Esther Marr

Apart may still be overshadowed by a prominent former stablemate-champion Blame-but similarities between the two horses exist.

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Quality Road, Blame Work for Whitney

Quality Road turned in an effortless five-furlong breeze Aug. 1 in his final serious move for the $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap (gr. I) Aug. 7 at Saratoga.

Mine That Bird Gets Final Tune-up For Whitney

Mine That Bird worked six furlongs in 1:12.40, handily, over Saratoga's Oklahoma Training Track July 29 with Calvin Borel aboard in preparation for the Whitney Invitational (gr. I) at the Spa on Aug. 7

Quality Road Blazes Five Furlongs for Whitney

Quality Road tuned up for the Whitney with a bullet :58 3/5 breeze at Belmont Park Sunday.

Macho Again in Fast Whitney Workout

Macho Again, winner of last year's Jim Dandy (gr. II), turned in a bullet work before the heaviest of the rains began July 31 as he prepared for the grade I, $750,000 Whitney at Saratoga on Aug. 8.

Saratoga Meet Off to a Slow Start

Handle and attendance are down through the first week of the 2008 Saratoga meeting, the New York Racing Association reported July 28.

Breeder/Owner Thomas Whitney Dead

Thomas P. Whitney, a successful breeder and owner for years, died Dec. 2 in Manhattan, N.Y.

Leading NY Sire Catienus Back to KY

Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Catienus, the leading sire in New York in 2006 and 2007, has returned to Ramsey Farm in Nicholasville, Ky., it was announced Nov. 14.

Silver Buck Euthanized in Florida

Silver Buck, a grade I winner and sire of champion and dual classic winner Silver Charm, was euthanized Oct. 4 because of complications from the infirmities of old age.

Gato Del Sol: One Good Cat

Gato Del Sol, the 1982 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner and Belmont Stakes (gr. I) runner-up who died Aug. 7, not only boasted a Hall of Fame sire in Cougar II, but a female family from which many fine runners descend.

A Day At The Spa: Aug. 6, Quotes and More

In honor of (and caused by) an 8:00 a.m. deadline, Hall of Fame inductions, an upcoming afternoon of racing coverage, and an evening of sales assignments, we defer to a smattering of quotes and scenes witnessed by your faithful correspondent, who peruses the backside of Saratoga (almost) every morning.

A Day At The Spa: July 28, Summer Place To Be

Whether you're from Providence, Boston, New York City, or destinations beyond and between, Saratoga is the summer place to be.

With Invasor Out, the Whitney's Anyone's Race

It's time to step up. The June retirement of Invasor, the defending Horse of the Year and 2006 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner, has left a giant void at the top of the handicap division.

TVG to Cover BC Challenge Races at Saratoga, Return of Street Sense

TVG announced July 25 that it will offer extended opening weekend coverage from Saratoga to air Saturday and Sunday, July 28-29. Opening weekend will include the debut of the $25,000 Breeders' Cup Challenge contest for TVG account holders.

Churchill Downs, Magna Join Forces With Empire Racing

The continuing consolidation of racing interests seeking the franchise currently held by the New York Racing Association took a quantum leap Wednesday when it was announced that Churchill Downs Inc. and Magna Entertainment were joining the Empire Racing team.

Saratoga Diary: Pointer Sisters Play for Good Cause

Equine Advocates, an organization founded by Susan Wagner a decade ago to make certain that horses received protection from slaughter, abuse and abandonment, honored Staci and Arthur Hancock at its annual fund-raiser on Thursday night.

Henny Hughes, Invasor Work for McLaughlin

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin had Shadwell Stable's Invasor and Zabeel Racing International's Henny Hughes on the Saratoga main track Friday morning for four-furlong workouts.

Kentucky Horsemen Make Donations to Spitzer

Groups and individuals trying to influence the future direction of horse racing in New York have opened their wallets to statewide candidates and campaigns of legislators who will have a role in picking a new owner of the franchise to operate Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga racetracks.

Commentator Vs. Saint Liam in Woodward

Saturday's $500,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park managed to pry four horses out of the comfort of their stalls for the dubious task of taking on the race's two brilliant stars, Commentator and Saint Liam, the one-two finishers in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I).

Zito Assistant Abreu to Train for Whitney Stable

Maylou Whitney and her husband, John Hendrickson, who won the grade I Belmont Stakes and Travers last year and the Kentucky Oaks in 2003, have hired Nick Zito assistant Reynaldo Abreu as their private trainer.

Dear Birdie Named Kentucky Broodmare of the Year

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders announced Marylou Whitney's Dear Birdie has been chosen 2004 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.

Birdstone Gets First Mare in Foal

Sing and Swing, the first mare bred to grade I winner Birdstone, has been pronounced in foal at Gainesway Farm.

Champion Bird Town's First Foal Is an Empire Maker Colt

Bird Town, Marylou Whitney's champion 3-year-old filly of 2003, produced her first offspring, an Empire Maker colt.

Retired Trainer Ivor G. Balding Dies

Ivor G. Balding, who trained for prominent breeder/owner C.V. Whitney, died Jan. 21 at his Camden, S.C., home.

Ivor Balding, Won Saratoga Title, Dies at 96

Ivor Balding, the leading trainer at Saratoga in 1966 who was associated for many years with owner C.V. Whitney, died Jan. 21. He was 96.

Birdstone Breezes in Final Work for Classic

Marylou Whitney's Birdstone, winner of the Belmont (gr. I) and Travers (gr. I), breezed six furlongs in 1:16 4/5 over a muddy training track at Saratoga Oct. 22 in preparation for the $4-million Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I) at Lone Star Park Oct. 30.

Mandella, Whitney Have No Concern Over Layoffs

Although no horse has won the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) coming off a layoff of more than 49 days, Richard Mandella, trainer of Pleasantly Perfect, and Marylou Whitney, owner of Birdstone, are confident taking their respective horses to Lone Star Park for the Oct. 30 World Thoroughbred Championships off layoffs of 69 and 63 days.

Big TV Weekend for Classic Division

The Breeders' Cup Classic Division Powered by Dodge takes center stage this weekend as 3 year olds and up start serious preparation for the headline event at Lone Star Oct. 30. The action will be televised by the ESPN family of networks.

Peace Rules Game in Suburban Handicap Victory

Edmund A. Gann's Peace Rules gamely outdueled Funny Cide and then held off Newfoundland to win Saturday's 118th running of the Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park in New York.

Zito Says Belmont is Biggest Win of Career

Although he has trained winners of nearly every major race in North America, including the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) twice, trainer Nick Zito said Saturday's victory by Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) was the highlight of his career.

Whitney Pledges $50,000 to Secretariat Center

Mary Lou Whitney has donated an additional $50,000 to help fund the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Secretariat Center at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Birdstone Declared Out of Blue Grass

Birdstone was declared out of Saturday's Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) after tests showed an elevated white cell count.

Birdstone Even Money vs. 10 in Lane's End

Marylou Whitney's Birdstone was installed the even-money favorite against 10 rivals for Saturday's Lane's End Stakes (gr. II) at Turfway Park. The 3-year-old son of Grindstone drew post one for the 1 1/8-mile race.

Lane's End Has Elite Eight...And Counting

There are eight firm candidates for Saturday's Lane's End Stakes (gr. II), according to the racing office at Turfway Park, with as many as four others riding the fence.

Grade I Winner Bird Town Going to Empire Maker

Marylou Whitney's homebred Eclipse Award contender Bird Town (by Cape Town) is booked to another champion contender, Empire Maker (by Unbridled).

Grade I Winner Bird Town Retired

Bird Town, a candidate for champion 3-year-old filly, has been retired from racing.

Medaglia d'Oro Faces Stiff Test in Whitney

Medaglia d'Oro and Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Volponi are among a contentious field of eight older horses entered for Saturday's $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course.

Saratoga Notebook: Lukas Ready; Bird Town Works; Volponi Set for Whitney

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas is ready for the relaxed atmosphere at Saratoga, while trainers Nick Zito and P. G. Johnson prepare Bird Town and Volponi for their major tasks ahead.

Bird Town Edges Lady Tak in Exciting Acorn

Bird Town made the lead as they came out of the turn, and then held off a late charge from Lady Tak to win the Acorn Stakes (gr. I) Friday at Belmont Park. It was the second straight grade I win for Bird Town, who won the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) the day before the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

Two-Time Champion Lido Palace Retired

Amerman Racing Stables' Lido Palace, a millionaire twice over and two-time champion colt in his native Chile, has been retired from racing due to a wrenched ankle that has not sufficiently responded to rest.

Saratoga Notebook: Whitney Surprise; NYRA Betting on a Record; Make Out to Spinaway; 'Chasing's Spills; And the Rains Came

The surprise entry of Saint Verre changed the complexion of the Whitney, as the number of horses in the race Saturday expands the number of wagering options. Meanwhile, impressive winner Make Out is Spinaway bound, steeplechasing's spills continued, there was a deluge of rain Thursday, and Bailey was shut out.

Street Cry Draws Outside in Tough Whitney Field

Street Cry, who ranks as the top Thoroughbred in training on the NTRA poll, drew the outside post as a field of six was entered today for Saturday's grade I Whitney Handicap at Saratoga. Street Cry will carry highweight of 123 pounds including Jerry Bailey.

Gearing up for the Whitney

Pat Day gets Macho Uno mount for Whitney...Left Bank among the expected entrants...Street Cry and Unshaded have final preps.

Ohio Derby Report: Western Streak

Riding a two-race win streak, Western Pride entered the $300,000 Ohio Derby (gr. II) Sept. 29 at Thistledown with his guns blazing. It was to be his biggest battle to date, facing 1-5 favorite and last year's 2-year-old juvenile male champion, Macho Uno, and four other rivals.

Lemon Drop Kid Wins Whitney, Fox Series

Jeanne Vance's Lemon Drop Kid won his third consecutive race since adding blinkers after a third-place finish in the Pimlico Special (gr. I), winning the $1,042,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) by two lengths over Cat Thief Sunday at Saratoga.

Whitney Starters Work

Suburban Handicap (gr. II) winner Lemon Drop Kid and Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. II) winner Golden Missile were on the track at Saratoga Thursday morning preparing for Sunday's $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I).

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