McNamara, Simmons Win Joe Hirsch Awards

Ed McNamara of Newsday and Todd Simmons of the Staten Island Advance earned top honors in The New York Racing Association's third annual Joe Hirsch Memorial Writing Contest.

Californian: Game On Dude Meets Morning Line

Game On Dude makes his first start since he was unplaced in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) when he takes on Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (gr. II) winner Morning Line in the Californian Stakes (gr. II) June 2 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Hunters Bay Impresses in Stakes Debut

Stronach Stables homebred Hunters Bay made the most of his first opportunity in stakes company, winning the Eclipse Stakes (Can-III) at Woodbine in impressive fashion by three lengths

Eclipse: Third Time Around for Stunning Stag

Woodbine Polytrack specialist Stunning Stag makes his third attempt at winning the $150,000 Eclipse Stakes (Can-III) in the seasonal debut for Janice and Sid Attard's 8-year-old May 26.

Pimlico Special Draws Solid Field in Return

The Pimlico Special (gr. III), returning to the Pimlico racing calendar after a three-year hiatus, has drawn a sold field of 10 handicap horses, headed by Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) winner Alternation.

Morning Line Stays Focused in Mervyn LeRoy

Morning Line wanted no part of the starting gate at Betfair Hollywood Park, but once he finally acquiesced there was no catching the grade I winner in the $150,000 Mervyn Leroy Handicap (gr. II) May 5.

Morning Line Set for Mervy LeRoy Handicap

Grade I winner Morning Line debuts for new trainer John Shirreffs in the $150,000 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (gr. II) May 5 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Sky Chai's the Limit...Again?

Trainer and Mike Maker and Thoroughbred owner Harvey Diamond have been down the Derby trail together...but this time they mean it.

Wise Dan Sets Track Mark in Ben Ali Romp

Wise Dan, a grade I winner in his final start of 2011, picked up right where he left off in his first race of the year, romping by 10 1/2 lengths while setting a Keeneland Polytrack record in the $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes.

Wise Dan Gets Season Started in Ben Ali

Wise Dan, a four-time stakes winner last season, will begin his 2012 campaign in the $150,000 Ben Ali (gr. III) April 22 at Keeneland.

Duke of Mischief Back in Charles Town Classic

One year after registering his most lucrative victory, Duke of Mischief returns to Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races to defend his title in West Virginia's $1 million Charles Town Classic (gr. II) April 14.

Haskell Invitational Highlights Monmouth Meet

Led by the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) July 29, Monmouth Park will offer a stakes schedule worth $6 million including 17 graded events for the 2012 racing season.

Track Mark for Nates Mineshaft in New Orleans

Front-running Nates Mineshaft took all of the drama out of the $396,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) April 1 at Fair Grounds, running away from the field at odds of 9-1 while setting a track record in the process.

Fort Larned Sets Track Record in Skip Away

Janis Whitham's homebred Fort Larned made his 1 3/16-mile trip at Gulfstream Park March 31 a quick one. He set a track record of 1:53.92 for the distance while cruising to victory in the $100,000 Skip Away Stakes (gr. III).

Rampart, Skip Away Part of Florida Undercard

Grade I winner Awesome Maria looked as good as ever romping in the Sabin Stakes (gr. III) last month; Where's Sterling leads the field in the Skip Away. Both races are part of the Florida Derby undercard at Gulfstream Park.

Big Names Clash in New Orleans Handicap

The $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) is the headliner on Fair Grounds' April 1 program, but the biggest names and most talented horses may be running on the undercard in the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II).

Big 'Cap Draws 13; Ultimate Eagle Favored

With defending champion Game On Dude skipping the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), Ultimate Eagle leads a field of 13 in the $750,000 event March 3.

Baffert Nixes Big 'Cap for Dubai-Bound 'Dude

Game On Dude will not defend his title in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 3 and will instead be prepared for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), trainer Bob Baffert said Feb. 29.

Nates Mineshaft Upends Marred Mineshaft

Nates Mineshaft led all the way in the $120,000 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) for his first stakes victory in a race marred by the breakdown of favorite Thiskyhasnolimit Feb. 25 at Fair Grounds.

'Marti Gras' Cross-Entered at Fair Grounds

Will it be grass or dirt for Lothenbach Stables Mister Marti Gras? He was entered in the Feb. 25 Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the turf and the Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) on dirt on the same card.

Louisiana H. Contenders Back for Mineshaft

Thiskyhasnolimit, who led all the way in the Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds in mid-January, will try for his second straight triumph when he takes on eight rivals in the Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III).

Turallure, Wise Dan Get Back to Work

Turallure and Wise Dan, a pair of Charles Lopresti trainees expected to play major roles in their respective divisions in 2012, had their first works of the year Feb. 16 at Keeneland.

Progress and Prudence - By Eric Mitchell

The industry cannot move fast enough in the area of improving Thoroughbreds' care after they've retired from racing.

read blog

Union Rags Breezes for Fountain of Youth

One day after losing his regular rider for his 2012 debut in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), Union Rags was out on the track at Palm Meadows for a five-furlong breeze in 1:03.08 Feb. 13.

After the Wire - 2/12/2012 (video)

Evan Hammonds recaps the Donn Handicap, Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, Fed Biz and Spring Hill Farm.

watch video