Guys Reward Sparkles in Soggy Firecracker Win

Guys Reward, stalking three wide into the stretch on a soggy Churchill Downs turf course, drew clear approaching the furlong pole to win the closing night Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) by two lengths July 1.

Turallure Towers Over Firecracker Field

Four D Stable's homebred Turallure seeks his first win of 2012 in the $150,000 Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) July 1 at Churchill Downs, taking on five other older turf contenders as the 122-pound highweight.

Thorn Song's First Foal Delivered at Harris

Dual grade I winner Thorn Song was represented by his first foal at John Harris' farm near Coalinga, Calif., on March 5.

Wise Dan Scores Firecracker in Turf Debut

Making his first start on turf in his 10th time out. Morton Fink's homebred Wise Dan made a powerful stretch move en route to a 2 3/4-length win in the $203,000 Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) July 4 at Churchill Downs.

2011 Firecracker - Predict the Order

The Churchill Downs' meet ends with a bang with the Firecracker Handicap. Can you predict the finish order?

Predict the Order

General Quarters Leads Crowded Firecracker

General Quarters, who scored the biggest turf win of his career last year at Churchill Downs, returns as the 119-pound high weight in the $175,000 Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT) on closing day of the 38-day spring meet.

Nehro Could Give Zayat His First Classic Win

Ahmed Zayat, who seems on the cusp of winning a classic race any time now, as been in the headlines for all the right and wrong reasons in his six years of Thoroughbred ownership.

Thorn Song Gets First Mare in Foal

The first mare bred to dual grade I winner Thorn Song is believed to be in foal.

Tizdejavu Gets First Mare in Foal

Grade II winner Tizdejavu had his first mare confirmed in foal.

Thorn Song to Stand at Harris Farms

Thorn Song, who underwent stem cell therapy after developing laminitis, will enter stud at John C. Harris' Harris Farms near Coalinga, Calif.

Grade II Stakes Winner Tizdejavu to Crestwood

Pope McLean will stand grade II-winning miler Tizdejavu at his Crestwood Farm near Lexington in 2011.

Pounding Headache Gives Maker Key 'Crown Win

Headache charged home late to capture the $138,000 Claiming Crown Jewel at Canterbury Park July 24, giving owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey, trainer Mike Maker and jockey Julien Leparoux back-to-back wins in the main events.

Maker Brings Two Contenders to Claiming Crown

Trainer Mike Maker, who has won five Claiming Crown races in the past three years, brings a pair of strong contenders into this year's main events July 24 in Inca King and Headache.

Is Gio Ponti Still at the Top of His Class?

Jason Shandler looks at the Turf Division, dominated by Gio Ponti in 2009.

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Tizdejavu Notches Explosive Firecracker Win

Mine That Bird, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I), finishes eighth in his first race since last November.

Mine That Bird Entered on Turf in Firecracker

With no logical dirt race to choose from, D. Wayne Lukas has decided on the Firecracker Handicap (gr. IIT), a turf contest July 4 at Churchill, as the starting point for Mine That Bird--or at least he is thinking about it.

Mine That Bird Works; May Race This Weekend

Mine That Bird, the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner, zipped five furlongs in :59 2/5 over a muddy track at Churchill Downs on June 28 as he completed preparations for his first start of 2010.

Thorn Song Gets a Second Chance at Life

Thorn Song, who was severely injured in his final start at Del Mar last summer and had "an almost zero chance" at survival after developing laminitis, has made a remarkable recovery thanks to breakthrough stem cell therapy.

Zayat: Insurance Check Went to Stable

Horse owner Ahmed Zayat and trainer Mike Mitchell said Feb. 9 that the horse Thorn Song, for whom Zayat Stable received an insurance payment, is still alive in California.

Bank Pushes for Oversight of Zayat Stables

Even though Zayat Stables has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Fifth Third Bank will continue its push to have a trustee named to oversee the operation.

Grade I Winner Mr. Sidney to France

Mr. Sidney, a 2009 grade I winner, will enter stud in 2010 at Alec Head's Haras de Quesnay near Deauville, France.

Forget the Favorites, Gimme Some Prices

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.

Court Vision Edges Karelian in Turf Mile

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.

Court Vision Reappears in Turf Mile

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.

Sid Attard Holds Tough Hand in Play the King

Trainer Sid Attard, tied for the top spot among trainers at the 2009 Woodbine meet, sends out a tough duo in the $200,000 Play the King Stakes (Can-IIT) for turf sprinters at Woodbine Aug. 29.