Paynter Headlines Derby Trial at Churchill

Led by Zayat Stable's talented but lightly raced Paynter, a field of 11 sophomores was entered in the $200,000 The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial (gr. III) on opening night of the Churchill Downs spring meet April 28.

Mark Valeski Out to Prove He's the Real Deal

The name doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, but if he wins the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) on April 1 at Fair Grounds, Triple Crown fans better get used to saying Mark Valeski.

Mark Valeski, 13 Others in Louisiana Derby

The coupled entry of Mark Valeski and Mr. Bowling was made the 2-1 morning-line favorite in a full field of 14 for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots April 1.

Nine Probables Likely for Louisiana Derby

As of March 21, a total of nine probables are expected for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds on April 1.

Mark Valeski Sizzles at Fair Grounds

Larry Jones' two top 3-year-olds, Mark Valeski and Mr. Bowling, were both sent out on separate five-furlong works March 20 at Fair Grounds in preparation for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) on April 1.

Ever So Lucky Ready in Time for Swale

If Jonathan Sheppard could ever get Ever So Lucky started, he might find out if the colt is a legitimate Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contender. Hopefully, he will finally get a chance March 10 in the $150,000 Swale (gr. III).

Motor City Moves 5 Furlongs at Palm Meadows

Motor City, a 3-year-old son of Street Sense and winner of last fall's Iroquois Stakes (gr. II), worked five furlongs in 1:01.88 at Palm Meadows Training Center Feb. 23. The bullet at the trip was recorded by Dialed In.

El Padrino Heads 11-Horse Field in Risen Star

El Padrino, who showed himself to be a Triple Crown contender with a sharp allowance win at Gulfstream Park Jan. 29, heads a field of 11 entered for the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) at Fair Grounds Feb. 25.

Mr. Bowling Leads Strike of Gone West Sons

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Sons of Gone West had a strong strike rate Jan. 21, including Istan, whose son Mr. Bowling won the Lecomte.

And They're Off: Super Bowl Edition 2012

Steve and Lenny have an amazing interview with David Milch, creator of Luck. They also discuss Mr. Bowling, Hansen and NBC hosting the Breeders' Cup coverage.

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Slideshow: The Week In Photos - Jan 22, 2012

Images from the week, including Believe You Can, Mr. Bowling, and more.

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Mr. Bowling a Determined Lecomte Winner

Brereton Jones' homebred Mr. Bowling delivered a game effort in his 3-year-old debut, turning back Z Dager and Shared Property in an exciting finish to win the $175,000 Lecomte Stakes (gr. III) Jan. 21 at Fair Grounds.

Triple Crown Prospects Line Up For Lecomte

The $175,000 Lecomte Stakes (gr. III), Fair Grounds' first graded 3-year-old race leading up to the Louisiana Derby (gr. II), drew a field of 13, a handful of them thought to be early Triple Crown prospects.

Triple Crown Talk: Wilkes Has 2 to Watch For

Trainer has promising juveniles Motor City and Timely Tally.

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Drill Favored in Lucrative Delta Jackpot

Led by grade I winner Drill, a trio of California juveniles will invade Louisiana for the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III), a race that will give the winner plenty of earnings heading into next year's Triple Crown.

Champion Street Sense Sires First SW

Street Sense, the 2007 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner and the previous year's Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner, came through with his first stakes winner.

Motor City Roars to Iroquois Victory

Motor City, chugging along at the rail for Calvin Borel, edged past Seven Lively Sins at mid-stretch and held on for a three-quarters of a length victory in the $110,700 Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs Oct. 30.

Mr. Bowling Totes Top Weight in Iroquois

Mr. Bowling, the lone stakes winner in a field of seven juveniles, will carry top weight of 120 pounds in the $100,000 Iroquois (gr. III) on opening day of the Churchill Downs fall meet Oct. 30.

Texas-Bred Lil Cherokee Tries Bashford Manor

Texas-bred Lil Cherokee, undefeated in two starts at Lone Star Park, leads a field of 11 in the $100,000 Bashford Manor (gr. III) for 2-year-olds July 2 at Churchill Downs.

Derby Threat: Astrology

How could you not be fascinated by an A.P. Indy colt with the flashy name of Astrology? Winner of the one-mile Iroquois Stakes (Gr. III). A TrueNicks pedigree profile.

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Astrology Takes Star Turn in Iroquois

Heavily favored Astrology was an appropriate winner on Churchill Downs' Stars of Tomorrow card on opening day of the Louisville track's fall meet, convincingly taking the $122,300 Iroquois Stakes (gr. II) Oct. 31.

Juvenile Stakes Kick Off Churchill Fall Meet

Maybesomaybenot, who won the Sanford (gr. II) this summer before tailing off in his last two, will carry top weight of 123 pounds in the $100,000 Iroquois Stakes (gr. II) on opening day of the Churchill Downs fall meet.

Carroll Fined for 'Unacceptable' Temper

Kentucky-based trainer David Carroll has been fined $1,000 for "unacceptable display of temper" in connection with an incident that occurred at Churchill Downs during the week leading up to this year's Kentucky Derby.

Iroquois Opens Up for Thiskyhasnolimit

Overlooked Thiskyhasnolimit drove four wide through the homestretch under Shaun Bridgmohan to register his first stakes win by one length in the $120,800 Iroquois (gr. III) for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs Nov. 1.

Dublin Returns in Churchill's Iroquois Stakes

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has entered Robert Baker and William Mack's highly-touted Dublin in the $100,000 Iroquois (gr. III) for juveniles at a mile on the main track. A field of 12 was drawn for the Churchill Downs fall meet opening day co-feature.