After the Wire - 5/28/2012

Evan Hammonds recaps the Met Mile, Acorn Stakes, and Ogden Phipps Handicap.

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Jones: Weight Must be Right for Apple Blossom

For Rick Porter and Larry Jones, Plan A is to run Havre de Grace in the Apple Blossom Handicap April 13. However, the connections have also made one thing clear: They will only do so under the right weight conditions.

BC Winner Unrivaled Belle Retired

Breeders' Cup winner Unrivaled Belle, who broke her withers after falling backward in the paddock while waiting to be saddled for the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park June 18, has been retired

Awesome Maria Much the Best in Ogden Phipps

Awesome Maria remained perfect in four starts in 2011 and notched her first grade I win when she kicked away in the stretch to post an easy victory in the $250,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap June 18 at Belmont Park.

Awesome Maria Shoots for Grade I in Phipps

One of three chances for Todd Pletcher, Awesome Maria seeks her first grade I win when she faces a small but solid field in the $250,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap.

Vic Zast's Saratoga Diary: Money Goes 'Round

Lucky college students win scholarships at the racecourse and the ghost of Bernie Madoff lurks in the background of the season's priciest fund-raiser.

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No Catching Life At Ten in Ogden Phipps

Life At Ten overcame a slight stumble at the start to record her fifth consecutive win and first grade I score in the $250,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap at Belmont Park June 12.

Unrivaled Belle Tops Five-Horse Phipps Field

Unrivaled Belle, who defeated 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in her last race, bids for her first grade I victory when she faces just four rivals in the $250,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park June 12.

Grade I Winner Seattle Smooth Retired

Seattle Smooth, a grade I winner for Ernie Moody's Mercedes Stables, has been retired from racing because of ankle problems.

Funny Moon Much the Best in Shuvee 'Cap

Funny Moon recorded her fourth win at Belmont Park May 15, pulling away in the stretch to easily defeat odds-on favorite Seattle Smooth in the $150,000 Shuvee Handicap (gr. II) under Alan Garcia.

Seattle Smooth Seeks Shuvee Repeat in Return

Grade I winner Seattle Smooth, idle since last June, returns to action in the $150,000 Shuvee Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park May 15, a race she won last year as the odds-on favorite.

Careless Jewel, Seattle Smooth Nearing Debuts

Both might start in the Shuvee (gr. II) May 15 at Belmont Park.

Champion Owner: Godolphin Racing

Maktoum family stable owner of seven U.S. grade I winners in 2009 including Flashing, Gayego, Music Note, Pyro, Seventh Street, and Vale of York

Banner Year Comes to an End For Dominguez

The last day of 2009 found Ramon Dominguez in the same place as the first -- atop the jockey standings and in the winner's circle at Aqueduct.

Sweet Repent, Jessica Is Back Clash Again

Sweet Repent rallied past Jessica Is Back in the stretch to win the Elmer Heubeck Distaff on Florida Million day Nov. 14, and the two face off again in the $100,000 Stage Door Betty Handicap (gr. III) Dec. 26 at Calder.

Music Note Back in Ladies Classic as Favorite

Godolphin's Music Note was third in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic last year. Careless Jewel, second choice at 2-1, is on the rail.

Cocoa Beach, Music Note are 'Dangerous Duo'

Cocoa Beach and Music Note have been here before. In 2008, at the end of long campaigns, they were still able to finish second and third, respectively, to Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita.

Ladies Classic Has Appeal Even Minus Zenyatta

Rachel Alexandra isn't coming and Zenyatta is leaning to the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I). However, anyone who believes that doesn't leave much for the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) needs to think again.

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.

Unbridled Belle Says Goodbye to NY in 'Alarm

Millionaire mare Unbridled Belle, who has competed in some of New York's premier stakes races over the past four seasons, makes her final start in the Big Apple as the heavy favorite in the $100,000 Turnback the Alarm Handicap (gr. III) at Aqueduct Oct. 31.

Weekend Results Help Shape Godolphin's Plans

Last weekendfs racing helped to clarify the Breedersf Cup picture for runners from Godolphin Racing, including Gayago, Girolamo, and Cocoa Beach.

Countdown to the Cup: Beyond the Sea...a Bird

If Sea the Stars does not make the trip to California, which seems more likely than not, and joins Rachel Alexandra on the absentee list, it will create a void never before seen in the Breeders' Cup.

Gio Ponti Likely For BC Classic

Several trainers from the Oct. 3 races at Belmont indicated which way they were leaning for next month's Breeders' Cup.

Music Note Flexes Her Pipes in Beldame Win

Music Note, as expected, swept to victory with jockey Rajiv Maragh in the $600,000 Beldame (gr. I), the first of five grade I stakes at Belmont Park Oct. 3.

Defections Leave Music Note as Beldame Choice

There was a time not too long ago that a meeting among the nation's best fillies and mares in the $600,000 Beldame (gr. I) was a distinct possibility. But with Rachel Alexandra on the sideline, Zenyatta staying in California for the Lady's Secret (gr. I), and Icon Project now heading to Keeneland's Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I), the Beldame has lost some of its appeal.