Jayaramans Remove 25 Horses From Ice Barn

Summer Bird, last year's champion 3-year-old male, is one of 25 horses being transferred from trainer Tim Ice by Drs. K.K. Jayaraman and Vilasini Jayaraman. Ice currently is based at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.

Stradley Named Top N.Mex Breeder by NMHBA

The New Mexico Horse Breeders Association announced its 2009 state-bred champions at its annual awards banquet held at the Marriott Hotel in Albuquerque Jan. 28.

Craig Trust Reduction Grosses Nearly $700k

Craig Family Trust helps Barretts January mixed sale by attracting buyers worldwide.

Summer Bird on the Mend at Oaklawn

Summer Bird, who received the Eclipse Award as the top 3-year-old male earlier in the week, was back in his stall Jan. 22 after a walk and being spoiled by his owners, Drs. K. K. and Vilasini Jayaraman.

2009 Eclipse Awards

Recap all of the Eclipse Award winners with this photo slideshow featuring photos from throughout the 2009 racing season.

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Champion 3YO Male: Summer Bird

Jayaraman's colt won grade I Belmont, Travers, and Jockey Club Gold Cup.

Churchill Shortens Period for Future Wagers

Churchill Downs will offer three Future Wager Pools for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and one Future Wager Pool for the April 30 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). Each wagering period will be for three days.

Zenyatta Wins NTRA 'Moment of the Year'

The historic victory by the undefeated Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) -- the first in the race by a female -- has been voted the 2009 National Thoroughbred Racing Association Moment of the Year.

Papa Clem Takes Another Shot in San Fernando

Papa Clem's last win came in the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) nine months ago, but the son of Smart Strike could be the horse to beat in a wide-open San Fernando Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Jan. 16.

WTR Results Changed; Zenyatta Still Gets Nod

Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra, instead of being joint fourth and fifth, respectively, in the final global standings for 2009, should be third and fourth.

Classic-placed Dunkirk to Stand at Ashford

Dunkirk, who ran second in the 2009 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), has been retired from racing for stallion duty at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky.

NBC Sports Wins Eclipse Award For TV Feature

NBC Sports has won the 2009 Media Eclipse Award in the National Television Feature programming category for its documentary "The Story of Mine That Bird, 50-1", which aired at the beginning of its Preakness Stakes.

Sunland Park's GM Honored in El Paso

The general manager of Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, home base of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird, has been honored as El Paso's "Sportsman of the Year" by a local weekly newspaper.

NYRA 'Story of the Year' Voting Now Underway

Beginning Dec. 11 and through Jan. 15, 2010, fans can choose from among five compelling storylines some human, some equine and cast their ballots for NYRA "Story of the Year."

Santa Anita George Woolf Finalists Announced

Santa Anita Park announced Dec. 9 a list of five finalists for the 61st annual Santa Anita George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, with the winner to be announced in January.

Five Questions: Eric Alwan

The Sunland Derby on March 28 will be graded for the first time in 2010. We caught up with Sunland Park publicity director Eric Alwan this week as he was preparing for the track's opening and asked him five questions.

Successful Surgery For Summer Bird

Summer Bird, winner of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), Travers (gr. I), and Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), underwent successful surgery to repair a nondisplaced fracture of his right fore cannon bone Dec. 5 and is expected to return to racing next year.

Summer Bird Hurt; Out of Japan Cup Dirt

Summer Bird, winner of the grade I Belmont Stakes, Travers, and Jockey Club Gold Cup, was withdrawn from the Dec. 6 Japan Cup Dirt after suffering an injury in a workout.

Churchill Dedicates Weekend to Borel

Popular Churchill Downs-based jockey Calvin Borel, who swept this year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) aboard Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird, respectively, will be honored at Churchill Downs Nov. 21-22 with a bobblehead giveaway, autograph session, roast and his very own drink special.

Summer Bird to run in the Japan Cup Dirt

Summer Bird, the leading contender for champion 3-year-old male, will run in the 1 1/8-mile Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-I) at Hanshin.

Zenyatta Reclaims Top Spot in Poll by a Nose

Zenyatta reclaimed the top spot in the final National Thoroughbred Racing Association poll of 2009.

The Morning After: All Zenyatta, All the Time

Although she was back in her barn at Hollywood Park after her historic Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) win, Zenyatta was the hot topic the morning of Nov. 8 among those gathered at Clocker's Corner at Santa Anita, one day after they witnessed history.

Ice Plans to Move Stable to New York

Tim Ice, trainer of Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird, will shift his stable from Louisiana to New York following the end of the Oaklawn Park meet next spring, he said Nov. 2.

Inside Track: Steel-Driving Man

There must be steel coursing through the veins of the Campbell family. Three generations of these steel-driving men have been blacksmiths, shoeing some of the finest Thoroughbreds on the East Coast.

Zenyatta is 5-2 Favorite in the Classic

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moss' Zenyatta, undefeated in 13 career starts, was installed as the 5-2 favorite when she takes on males for the first time in the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I). She is attempting to be the first female to the win the World Championship's marquee event.

Rip Van Winkle Fighting Another Foot Injury

Coolmore and trainer Aidan O'Brien took a chance by entering only Rip Van Winkle in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), despite the colt's history of foot problems, and now they could wind up without a horse in the race if Rip's most recent setback proves serious enough to force his withdrawal.

Classic Report: Some Final Angles

In looking at the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), several thoughts and angles emerged that could have a bearing on the race. While they may turn out to be mere folly, they are at least worth mentioning just to make sure all bases are covered and there is less of a chance of Monday morning quarterbacking.

'Pretty Much Perfect' Work for Derby Winner

In what trainer Chip Woolley labeled "pretty much perfect," Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird worked five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 at Santa Anita Nov. 2 in preparation for the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

Classic Offers Tough Handicapping Challenge

A hodgepodge of horses from all walks of life will converge on the Santa Anita Pro-Ride Nov. 7, most of whom would not be a surprise should they win.

Zenyatta Would Be Favored in BC Classic

If Zenyatta's connections opt to run her in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), she will be the favorite on the official Breeders' Cup morning line.

Countdown to the Cup: A Classic Colonel

Perhaps the best method of handicapping this year's perplexing Breeders' Cup Classic is to make a checklist comprising every major handicapping category that pertains to the race and see who qualifies in the most categories.

Summer Bird Works Between Races at Oak Tree

Three-time grade I winner Summer Bird, the leading candidate for an Eclipse Award in the male 3-year-old division, worked five furlongs in 1:00.45 under regular rider Kent Desormeaux after Oak Tree's second race Oct. 25.

Dominguez Bags Four Stakes at Belmont

Ramon Dominguez rode four stakes winners Oct. 24 at rainy Belmont Park, including a three-quarters of a length victory by Haynesfield in the $250,000 Empire Classic.

F-T Ky. Fall Yearling Sale Has Sire Power

Fasig-Tipton's Kentucky fall yearling sale isn't as fancy as the company's Saratoga and Kentucky July select auctions, but as a producer of Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brand (gr. I) winners, it stands out. Big Brown, who captured the Run for the Roses in 2008, and Mine That Bird, who scored in the first leg of the Triple Crown this year, both are graduates of the October sale.

Woolley Sheds Crutches After Eight Months

For the first time in eight months, Chip Woolley Jr. was walking on his own two feet Oct. 22.

Woolley: Don't Count Out Mine That Bird

Chip Woolley Jr. sees the glass as half full for Mine That Bird in the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) during Santa Anita Park's Oak Tree meeting Nov. 7.

Summer Bird Has First Work at Santa Anita

Summer Bird, winner of the grade I Belmont Stakes, Travers, and Jockey Club Gold Cup, had his first work over Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface, breezing five furlongs in 1:02 in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).

Classic Still in Plans for Mine That Bird

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird will remain at Santa Anita and point to the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Oak Tree on Nov. 7, trainer Chip Woolley said Monday morning.

Girolamo Serves Notice in Jerome Handicap Win

Godolphin Racing's highly-touted 3-year-old Girolamo overwhelmed Kensei after a brief stretch duel and scored the $150,000 Jerome Handicap (gr. II) by 1 1/4 lengths Oct. 11 at Belmont Park in his first stakes appearance of the season.

Gitano Hernando Gets Giant Goodwood Upset

Europeans got an early start on the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) this year when British import Gitano Hernando, ridden by Kieren Fallon, upset favored Colonel John in Oak Tree's $350,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Oct. 10.

Kensei Faces Girolamo in Jerome Handicap

Kensei, who won the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park earlier this season, returns to the New York oval Oct. 11 to lead a field of five in the $150,000 Jerome Handicap (gr. II) for 3-year-olds going one mile on the main track.

Awesome Maria Looks For More in Frizette

When Awesome Maria won impressively in last month's Matron (gr. II), Stanley Hough said the juvenile filly should be even better going longer. The daughter of Maria's Mon will get a chance to prove her trainer right Oct. 10 when she headlines a field of seven in the $400,000 Frizette (gr. I) at Belmont Park.

Goodwood: Quality Foes Await Mine That Bird

Mine That Bird, stunning winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) this spring, has hooked a highly contentious field for his first try against older horses in Oak Tree's $350,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Oct. 10.

Mine That Bird Sharp for Goodwood

Mine That Bird, who is looking for his first victory since romping in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), indicated his sharpness for the Oct. 10 Goodwood Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. I) by working five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 at Santa Anita Park.

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.

F-T Kentucky Fall Sale Has 972 Yearlings

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 972 horses for its Kentucky fall yearling sale, which will be held Oct. 26-28 in Lexington. The total is down 10.8% from last year's total of 1,090.

Summer Bird Doing Well, Breeders' Cup Next

Tim Ice said again that he would nominate Summer Bird to the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), as well as the $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I), both at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 7. He was confident about Summer Bird's ability to handle either surface, but said the Classic was the more likely choice.

Summer Bird Does it Again, Wins JCGC

Summer Bird continued his meteoric rise to the top of the Thoroughbred ranks, as he turned back fellow 3-year-old Quality Road to win the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) by a length Oct. 3 at Belmont Park.

Interpatation Stuns Gio Ponti in Turf Classic

Elliot Mavorah's Interpatation pulled a shocker in the $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (gr. IT) and did it in sensational fashion. The 7-year-old gelding was passed by Gio Ponti with a furlong remaining, then re-rallied on the heavy favorite to score a 43-1 upset Oct. 3 at Belmont Park.

JCGC: Will Summer Bird Soar Again?

Though his racing career began just seven months ago, Summer Bird has accomplished extraordinary things in a short period of time. The Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and Shadwell Travers (gr. I) winner will try to defy the odds once again when he faces older horses for the first time in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (gr. I) Oct. 3 at Belmont Park.

Fabulous Strike Faces Stiff Test in Vosburgh

The decision as to whether or not Fabulous Strike will be sent to California for the Breeders' Cup has not yet been made. For now, the focus is squarely on the $400,000 Vosburgh, where the 6-year-old son of Smart Strike will have to face a short but stellar field of sprinters Oct. 3 at Belmont Park.

Grazen Favored in Cal Cup Classic

Even-money morning-line favorite Grazen drew post position 3 for the $200,000 California Cup Classic presented by City National Bank at the draw breakfast Sept. 30.

Mine That Bird Drills for Goodwood Stakes

Mine That Bird, winner of this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), registered his first workout at Santa Anita Park Sept. 29 when he drilled five furlongs under Joe Talamo in 1:01.80 in preparation for the $350,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) Oct. 10.

Horses Prepare for Belmont's Super Saturday

A trio of contenders for the Oct. 3 $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) had their final tune-ups for the 1 1/4-mile race on a busy morning at Belmont Park Sept. 26.

Quality Road Works Toward Gold Cup

The son of Elusive Quality worked five furlongs in 1:01.14 in preparation for his next start Oct. 3 in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (gr. I).

Summer Bird Posts 'A-Plus' Work for Gold Cup

Belmont Stakes and Shadwell Travers (both gr. I) winner Summer Bird left his connections with wide smiles the morning of Sept. 19 after a solid workout for the 3-year-old's next engagement, the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) Oct. 3 at Belmont Park.

Countdown to the Cup: Pray for Rain

Circle the date Oct. 4 on your calendar. Your assignment is to pray for rain in France - enough to turn the Longchamp turf course soft. The softer the better.

Countdown to the Cup: Big Chasm between A-Z

It's time to accept the fact that Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are not going to meet. As the cliche goes, that ship has sailed.

Talkin' Horses Podcast with Trainer Tim Ice

Trainer Tim Ice answers questions about Summer Bird, winner of the Belmont Stakes and the Travers, and much more.

Mine That Bird Works at Ruidoso Downs

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird worked one-half mile in :48 on Sept. 7 at Ruidoso Downs, continuing his preparations for the $5 million Breeders Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 7 Tree at Santa Anita.

Mine That Bird Back in New Mexico

Mine That Bird has returned to New Mexico, arriving Sept. 2 at Ruidoso Downs ahead of next week's $2-million All American Futurity.

Countdown to the Cup: Bird Bath

Summer Bird secured his place atop the 3-year-old male division with his resounding victory in the slop in the $1-million Shadwell Travers Stakes.

Together Again: Borel Works Mine That Bird

Jockey Calvin Borel was back on board Mine That Bird on the morning of Aug. 31 as the winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) worked a half mile in :51.16 over the main track at Saratoga Race Course.

Ice Mulls Options for Belmont/Travers Winner

Enjoying the attention a day after Summer Bird's decisive 3 1/2-length win in the Shadwell Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Aug. 29, trainer Tim Ice was entertaining the possibility of reaching his ultimate goal, the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), without a race over Santa Anita's synthetic track.

Summer Bird Takes Flight in Travers Victory

Summer Bird continued his meteoric rise to the top of the nation's 3-year-old ranks, as he rolled through the slop for an easy 3 1/2-length score in the $1-million Shadwell Travers (gr. I) Aug. 29 at Saratoga.

Weather Could Be a Big Factor in Travers

With more than an inch of rain in the forecast overnight and into tomorrow, an off-track appears likely for the $1-million Shadwell Travers (gr. I) Aug. 29 at Saratoga.

THS: Shadwell Travers Stakes (video)

Jason, Tom, and Les Instone of twinspires.com preview the Shadwell Travers Stakes (gr. I).

Mine That Bird Out of Travers Stakes

The Aug. 29 Shadwell Travers Stakes (gr. I) lost some of its luster hours before entries were taken Aug. 26 when it was announced that Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), would not run in the "Mid-Summer Derby" at Saratoga Racecourse.

Travers: Quality Road Has Something to Prove

A pair of quarter cracks may have kept Quality Road out of the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), but nearly four months later the record-setting 3-year-old will get his shot at the next best thing -- the Mid-Summer Derby.

Rachel May Send Asiatic Boy to Del Mar

As soon as trainer Kiaran McLaughlin found out Rachel Alexandra would be running in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 5 he quickly contacted the owner of his Woodward hopeful Asiatic Boy, about the possibility of heading to California.

Mine That Bird Works, Uncertain For Travers

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird breezed Aug. 25 at Saratoga for the first time since undergoing minor throat surgery last week and the next 24 hours should determine whether he will run in $1 million Shadwell Travers (gr. I).

Mine That Bird, Hold Me Back in Travers Works

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird turned in his final workout for the Aug. 29 Shadwell Travers Stakes (gr. I) when he breezed a half-mile in :49.76 over the fast main track at Saratoga on Aug. 25.

Travers Notes: Quality Road in Final Breeze

Edward P. Evans' Quality Road put in his final breeze before the Aug. 29, grade I, $1-million Shadwell Travers at Saratoga Race Course, covering five furlongs over the muddy main track in :59.68, fourth fastest of 24 at the distance on the morning of Aug. 24.

Countdown to the Cup: Classic Confusion

This year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) is such an odd concoction of grass and synthetic horses and undistinguished older dirt horses it's difficult to make a worthwhile list of potential starters.

Summer Bird Works, Mine That Bird Doing Well

Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird breezed five furlongs over the main track at Saratoga Aug. 22 with Kent Desormeaux up. The time for the move, seventh best of nine at the distance, was 1:00.91 over a muddy track.

Mine That Bird Back; Charitable Man Works

Trainer Chip Woolley sent Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird back to the main track at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 21 following a clean endoscopic examination performed by Dr. James Hunt.

Expectations Modest for OBS Yearling Sale

With the weak economy continuing to have a negative impact on all sorts of businesses, Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. executive Tom Ventura has modest expectations for the auction firm's August yearling sale in Central Florida.

Travers: Charitable Man Looks Like a Go

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin confirmed Aug. 20 that Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren Jr.'s Charitable Man, third in the Jim Dandy (gr. II), would make his next start in the Shadwell Travers (gr. I) on Aug. 29.

Surgery a Success for Mine That Bird

Following a brief procedure to correct a breathing problem, Mine That Bird, winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), departed the Ruffian Equine Medical Center shortly after noon Tuesday Aug. 18 to return to Saratoga.

Surgery for Mine That Bird; Travers Still On

Mine That Bird, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will have surgery Aug. 18 to correct an entrapped epiglottis, trainer Chip Woolley said. The son of Birdstone will still be pointed for the $1-million Shadwell Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga on Aug. 29.

Summer Bird Posts Travers Work

Kent Desormeaux climbed aboard Summer Bird Aug. 15 as the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner put in his first serious work for the $1 million Shadwell Travers (gr. I) over the main track at Saratoga.

Spa Holding Drawing to Visit Classic Winners

Saratoga is already the only racetrack in the country where fans can catch a glimpse of all three 2009 classic winners, and on Friday, Aug. 21, three lucky individuals will win a chance to meet one of these great horses face-to-face.

Zenyatta Gets a Free Ride to the Donn

Gulfstream Park added the name of unbeaten champion Zenyatta to the list of superstar nominees whose fees have been waived to the 2010 Donn Handicap (gr. I).

Summer Bird Gallops; 'Rachel' in Great Shape

Looking ahead to a possible start on the grass in the fall, trainer Tim Ice had Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird galloped the morning of Aug. 12 over the Oklahoma turf course as part of his preparations for the $1 million Shadwell Travers (gr. I) Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course.

Gulfstream Trying to Attract Rachel, Others

Gulfstream Park has waved the nomination fees for grade I winners Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra, Summer Bird, and Quality Road to next year's Donn Handicap.

Mine That Bird, Kensei in Travers Works

Mine That Bird had his first serious move for the grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers at Saratoga Race Course when he zipped a half-mile over the main track in :48.22 on Monday, Aug. 10.