In an emotional win for the barn of the late Bobby Frankel, the Brazilian import Fluke charged between horses in deep stretch to capture his first American stakes race in the $300,000 Citation Handicap (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park Nov. 27.
1 hour ago
Three-year-old Blame ensconced himself as a leading player in next year's national handicap picture when he seized the lead from fellow sophomore Misremembered at the eighth pole and held on for a neck victory in the $460,600 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II) at Churchill Downs Nov. 27.
3 hours ago
Jason, Tom, and James Scully of twinspires preview the Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on November 27.
2 days ago
The Clark Handicap (gr. II) is always a solid race and a good way to put an exclamation point on not only the Churchill Downs fall meet, but the older handicap division.
2 days ago
Robert and Janice McNair's Cowboy Cal, runner-up here last fall in the Hollywood Derby (gr. I), will try to bounce back from a 10th-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) in Hollywood Park's $300,000 Citation Handicap on Nov. 27.
3 days ago
There was plenty of interest at the entry box when it closed for the $400,000 Clark Handicap (gr. II), the premier post-Breeders' Cup handicap event around two turns on dirt in the United States. In all, 14 horses were entered for the Nov. 27 Clark, which is run at 1 1/8 miles at Churchill Downs.
3 days ago
The Dallas Stewart-trained Macho Again and the Helen Pitts-Blasi-trained Einstein will have rematch Nov. 27 when the two horses are expected to be the starting high weights in the 135th running of the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II).
5 days ago
Stronach Stables' Einstein, unplaced in the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), was assigned top weight of 123 pounds for the Nov. 27 Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Ken Ramsey is well known for having tremendous success with claiming horses, but the longtime owner pulled off his best claim with Furthest Land, who won the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) Nov. 7 at Santa Anita one year after being plucked for $35,000.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Alan Porter recaps the 2009 Breeders' Cup with pedigree observations about the sire lines, dominant female families, and inbreeding of the 14 winners. Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Relive the 2009 Breeders' Cup with our collection of photo galleries.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Another favorite falls in the Breeders' Cup, as Furthest Land took the Dirt Mile (gr. I) at 21-1. Ready's Echo is second and Midshipman is third. Heavy favorite Mastercraftsman ran out of steam at the rail in the stretch.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Sensational filly Goldikova defended her TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) title in scintillating fashion Nov. 7 at Santa Anita Park, as she stormed down the lane under Olivier Peslier and caught longshot Courageous Cat inside the sixteenth-pole before going on to a half-length win.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
If there is one thing you can always count on in the Breeders' Cup it's that it will have it's share of longshot winners and mid-price overlays who get lost in the handicapping frenzy that is so much a part of the event.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Wertheimer and Frere's Goldikova was installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite against 10 males as she tries to defend her title in the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) Nov. 7 at Santa Anita.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
In a move faster than trainer/exercise rider Helen Pitts would have liked, Stronach Stables' Einstein tuned up for the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) with a half-mile workout in a quick :47 4/5 at Santa Anita Nov. 1.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Goldikova looks to become the fourth horse to repeat in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT).
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Stronach's Einstein, one of the top American hopes for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Oak Tree at Santa Anita, zipped a fast five furlongs at Churchill Downs on Oct. 25 in the veteran star's final pre-race training move over his home track.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
At 3, Quality Road is among the elder statesmen of Todd Pletcher's Breeders' Cup contingent, much of which is comprised of talented 2-year-olds.
Friday, October 23, 2009
It can be argued that this year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) is as perplexing and wide open as any time in the event's 26-year history. Between the parity of the top older horses and the wild card factor of Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface, handicappers will have plenty of choices come Nov. 7
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Favored Operation Red Dawn collared pacesetter Lemon Cream Pie in deep stretch on his way to his first stakes win in the $106,500 Knickerbocker (gr. IIIT) on Belmont Park's inner turf course Oct. 22.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Cloudy's Knight, moving in tandem with favorite Winchester during a big stretch move, caught Yate's Black Cat just before the wire to win the $125,000 Sycamore (gr. IIIT) by a head Oct. 22 at Keeneland.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
After four months on the sidelines but not out of training, Johanna Louise Glen-Teven's millionaire, Proudinsky, returns to the grass wars Oct. 22 in the $100,000 Knickerbocker Handicap(gr. IIIT), a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up at Belmont Park. Originally carded for Oct. 18, the race was moved when inclement weather forced racing off the grass in New York this weekend.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
There is so much to discuss after the weekend's stakes extravaganza, but one race that likely had the most profound effect on the Breeders' Cup was the Goodwood Stakes (gr. I).
Monday, October 12, 2009
Versatile Cowboy Cal went gate to wire to win the $150,000 Oak Tree Mile Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Santa Anita turf course Oct. 10, and earned the right to advance to the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) next month.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Battling with pacesetter Karelian through the stretch, Court Vision poked his nose in front just before the wire to win a thriller in the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) Oct. 10 at Keeneland. It was the first win in six tries this season for the 4-year-old son of Gulch, who will now go on to the Breeders' Cup.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
After heavy rains at Belmont Park forced her to make Presious Passion a late scratch from the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (gr. IT) Oct. 3 at Belmont Park, trainer Mary Hartmann knew exactly what she had to do. She shipped her multiple grade I-winning 6-year-old cross-country to California where she knew she would find the kind of firm footing her star appreciates for a different Hirsch at Santa Anita Park.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Cowboy Cal returns to Santa Anita for trainer Todd Pletcher, looking to get back on the winning track in the $150,000 Oak Tree Mile Stakes (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Oct. 10.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Court Vision, scratched from the Oct. 3 Kelso Handicap (gr. III) after it was taken off turf, reappears at Keeneland for the $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. IT) Oct. 10. The 4-year-old colt will look to use the race as a springboard for next month's Breeders' Cup.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Le Grand Cru took advantage of a short field and a savvy ride by Jose Lezcano, rolling to a 1 1/2-length win in the off-the-turf $250,000 Kelso Handicap (gr. III) Oct. 4 at Belmont Park.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Cutting back to one mile for the first time in nearly two years, IEAH Stables' and Resolute Group Stables' Court Vision looks to turn a disappointing season around in the $250,000 Kelso Handicap (gr. IIT) Oct. 4 at Belmont Park.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Furthest Land, claimed for $35,000 less than a year ago, paid big dividends for his connections Sept. 26 as he ran down Dubious Miss in the final strides to win the $200,000 Kentucky Cup Classic (gr. II) by a neck at Turfway Park.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Jason, Tom, and Les Instone from twinspires preview the Kentucky Cup Classic (gr. II), September 26 at Turfway Park.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
WinStar Farm's homebred Hold Me Back, who scored his biggest victory in the Lane's End Stakes (gr. II) earlier this year at Turfway Park, returns to the Florence, Ky., racetrack as the one to beat in the $200,000 Kentucky Cup Classic (gr. II) Sept. 26.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Odds-on favorite Soldier's Dancer scored a repeat victory in the $250,000 PTHA President's Cup on the turf at Philadelphia Park Sept. 19, drawing away in deep stretch to score by three lengths.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
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.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Richard's Kid, sent off at odds of 24-1, charged from far back with jockey Mike Smith aboard to win the $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar Sept. 6, nipping Einstein in an exhilarating finish.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
The final graded event of Monmouth's 2009 season, the $175,000 Red Bank Stakes (gr. IIIT) on Sept. 6, has come up very solid. The one-mile test on turf drew a field of 11, including some local heroes and talented shippers, and that's only fitting since it caps a season of competitive stakes racing on the Jersey Shore.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Colonel John and Einstein, who were expected to clash in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) this past spring, should finally have their first meeting as the favorites in the $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar on Sept. 6.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Einstein, who is scheduled to run in the Sept. 6 Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar, has been bought by Frank Stronach's Stronach Stables for an undisclosed sum.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Stronach Stables buys grade I winner Einstein, who will contest Sunday's Pacific Classic (gr. I)
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Spring House earned a repeat victory in the $250,000 Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) when he came from far off the pace Aug. 30 to catch the outsider Sir Dave by an extremely short nose on the turf.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) winner Rail Trip, San Diego Handicap (gr. II) victor Informed, and Eddie Read (gr. IT) winner Global Hunter wrapped up their serious work for the $1-million Pacific Classic with drills on the morning of Aug. 30.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Darley Stable's Justenuffhumor remains undefeated on the season as he collared pacesetter Cowboy Cal inside the sixteenth-pole and posted a half-length victory in the $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT) Aug. 28 on the Saratoga turf.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Nineteen top-notch runners, including four millionaires and a pair of 3-year-olds, have been nominated to run in Del Mar's $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) on Sept. 6.
Friday, August 28, 2009
The top four finishers of Hollywood Park's July 19 Sunset Handicap (gr. IIT), including two-length winner Black Astor, return for the Aug. 30 Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) in Southern California.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Darley Stable's Justenuffhumor and Magnolia Racing Stable's Cowboy Cal resume what may be a budding rivalry when they meet Aug. 28 in the $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT) at 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf at Saratoga.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Einstein, the richest North American horse currently in training with more than $2.7-million in purses, will ship to Del Mar on Aug. 31 to compete in Del Mar's Pacific Classic (gr. I) on Labor Day Sunday, Sept. 6.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Castleton Lyons' Gio Ponti notched his fourth consecutive grade I victory Aug. 8 at Arlington Park, as he rolled to a 1 1/4-length win in the Arlington Million (gr. IT) under Ramon Dominguez.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Jason, Tom, and Les Instone from Brisnet/Twinspires.com preview the Arlington Million (gr. I). Plus picks for the Whitney (gr. I).
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Two of the most prestigious turf races on the North American racing calendar, the Arlington Million and Beverly D., will be aired live Sat., Aug. 8, on ESPN from 4:30-6:00 p.m. ET.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Often times, European horses are the focus of attention in the internationally prestigious Arlington Million (gr. IT). And while the 2009 edition of the race does include three capable foreigners, it is a trio of terrific American horses that are the ones to beat this time around.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Einstein, who stumbled at the start and finished fifth in last year's Arlington Million (gr. IT), drew the inside post for this season's prestigious turf race at Arlington Park, which will be held Aug. 8.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Jockey Alan Garcia guided Justenuffhumor through heavy traffic in the stretch to win the $158,750 Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) in the 4-year-old colt's stakes debut Aug. 2 at rainy Saratoga.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Johanna Glen-Teven's Proudinsky, who has been knocking heads with the top-level turf runners across the United States all year long, takes a slight dip in class Aug. 2 and headlines Monmouth Park's Oceanport Stakes (gr. IIIT).
Friday, July 31, 2009
The Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT) Aug. 2 at Saratoga will bring together a diverse field of nine, including accomplished older turf horses such as Cosmonaut and Kip Deville and rising younger stars ready to go in the $150,000-added test.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Little-known Argentina bred Global Hunter surged past even-money choice Monterey Jazz in upper stretch and held sway for jockey Corey Nakatani to register a 14-1 upset in an eventful $350,000 Eddie Read Stakes (gr. IT) at Del Mar July 25.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Antrim County captured his second consecutive Claiming Crown event, this time turning in a gritty performance to win the $150,000 Claiming Crown Jewel by a neck July 25 at Canterbury Park.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Jason and Les Instone from Brisnet preview the Eddie Read Handicap (gr. IT) at Del Mar on July 25. Plus, quick picks for the Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I).
Thursday, July 23, 2009
A little more speed in the lineup and a turf course that's not quite so conducive to front-runners would help trainer John Sadler feel better about the chances of Whatsthescript in the $350,000 Eddie Read Stakes (gr. IT) at July 25, the highlight on the opening weekend of action at Del Mar.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Trainer Bret Calhoun will be on hand July 25 when Antrim County receives the 2008 National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association "Claimer of the Year" award. A couple of hours later, he'll saddle the 6-year-old gelding for the $150,000 Claiming Crown Jewel at Canterbury Park in suburban Minneapolis.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Zayat Stables' graded stakes winners Eaton's Gift and Thorn Song have been removed from the barn of Dale Romans, the trainer said July 18.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Einstein and Gio Ponti are just two of several talented turf horses considering the Aug. 8 race.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Monterey Jazz and jockey Tyler Baze played come and catch me in Hollywood Park's American Handicap (gr. II) July 4 on the grass. Guess what? No one did.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Circle E Racing's Mr. Sidney pulled away from Inca King in the final sixteenth of a mile to win the $167,700 Firecracker Handicap (gr. II) by 1 1/2 lengths on the July 4 card at Churchill Downs.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Presious Passion scored a repeat victory in the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (gr. IT), smashing the course record in the process July 4 at Monmouth Park.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
An accomplished group of older horses that includes four grade I winners is set to go in the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (gr. IT) July 4 on the Monmouth Park turf.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Whatsthescript, a 29-1 upset winner a year ago, will carry high weight of 120 pounds as he defends his title in the $150,000 American Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Independence Day program at Hollywood Park.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Zayat Stables' Thorn Song will attempt to become the first repeat winner of the Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) when he takes on seven rivals July 4 at Churchill Downs.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
West Point Thoroughbreds' Macho Again found room off the turn and pulled away from a wall of horses to win the $660,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 13 at Churchill Downs. Einstein, seeking his third consecutive grade I score, finished third after a troubled trip.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Jason, Tom, and the Wizard analyze the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), June 13 at Churchill Downs.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The second running of the $200,000 Monmouth Stakes June 13, a 1 1/8-mile turf event that has the look of a graded event, figures to serve as a solid prep for the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (gr. IT), the New Jersey track's top grass offering of the season on July 4.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Einstein, a leading candidate for 2009 Horse of the Year midway through the season, will try to make history by becoming the first horse to win grade I events on dirt, turf and synthetics in the same year in the $600,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 13 at Churchill Downs.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Favored Midships gained a clear advantage in the home stretch and held off the surprising Globetrotter by a half-length to score his first grade I victory in the $300,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park June 6.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Midnight Cry Stable's Einstein was assigned top weight of 124 pounds for the $600,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 13 at Churchill Downs.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Midnight Cry Stable's Einstein, runner-up to Curlin in last year's Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), topped a list of 20 nominees for this year's renewal, which will be run June 13 at Churchill Downs.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Midships had things his own way while registering back-to-back grade II victories on the front end at Santa Anita this spring. Chasing his first grade I win in the $300,000 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap June 6 on the Hollywood Park turf, the Juddmonte Farms homebred is undoubtedly a big threat to do it again.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Cowboy Cal and Champs Elysees, both narrowly beaten by tough-as-nails Einstein in separate grade I races this year, will see if his absence will be enough to get them over the top this time, as they headline a strong field of 14, including five grade I winners, for the $400,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (gr. IT) June 6 at Belmont Park.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
