Obviously Stretches Out in American Handicap

Second in his comeback race last month, Obviously gets back to his favored one-mile distance in the $150,000 American Handicap (gr. IIT) May 25 on the turf at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Take Charge Indy Headed for Stephen Foster

Take Charge Indy, six-length winner of the Alysheba Stakes (gr. II) on Kentucky Oaks Day, is to make his next start in the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 15 at Churchill Downs, according to trainer Pat Byrne.

Pimlico-Loving Skyring Posts 24-1 Dixie Upset

Calumet Farm's Skyring, winless in 11 starts since a victory at Pimlico Race Course last May, found the winner's circle again at the Maryland track in the Longines Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT).

Five Derby Also-Rans Take Aim at Preakness

The connections of five horses who finished behind Orb in Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) hope their starter can become 20th horse since 1973 to win the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) after coming up short in Derby.

Lukas Has Two in Dixie on Preakness Day

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has three starters in the May 18 Preakness Stakes and five in races on the undercard, including Optimizer and Skyring as part of a 13-horse field for the Longines Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT).

Pedigree Analysis: Appreciation Comes Late

by John P. Sparkman
Despite admirable objective accomplishments, some very good sires like Dixie Union seem fated not to be fully appreciated within their lifetimes.

Jackson Bend Returns to Training

A familiar name appeared on the worktab at Calder Casino & Race Course on May 5: dual grade I-winning millionaire Jackson Bend is back in training.

Wise Dan Pours It On in Woodford Reserve Win

Horse of the Year Wise Dan ran his winning streak to six races and surpassed $4 million in career earnings handily in the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT) over yielding ground May 4 at Churchill Downs.

2013 Kentucky Oaks Wrap

Eric Mitchell recaps the Kentucky Oaks, won by Princess of Sylmar, and the other stakes action on Oaks day.

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Take Charge Indy Rumbles in Alysheba

Trainer Pat Byrne had Take Charge Indy sharp for the Alysheba Stakes (gr. III), but even he did not expect the overpowering 6-length performance the 2012 Florida Derby (gr. I) winner turned in May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Wise Dan Takes on Point of Entry in Woodford

Wise Dan and Point of Entry face off May 4 at Churchill Downs in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (gr. IT), the race immediately preceding the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

Balanced Field Meets Liaison in Mervyn LeRoy

Liaison returns to the scene of the biggest victory of his career when he battles six other well-matched older horses at Betfair Hollywood Park in the $150,000 Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (gr. II) May 4.

Three Chimneys' Derby Week Open House May 2

Three Chimneys Farm will hold its annual open house that coincides with the week of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on Thursday, May 2.

Lines of Battle Lands from Ireland for Derby

Lines of Battle, who earned his ticket to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) via a win in the $2 million UAE Derby (UAE-II), arrived at Churchill Downs at 2:25 a.m. May 1 after a trip from Ireland.

Cyber Secret's Win Streak on Line in Alysheba

Cyber Secret has not won on the dirt at Churchill Downs, but fresh off a 5 3/4-length victory in the April 13 Oaklawn Handicap, trainer Lynn Whiting is willing to put his unbeaten season on the line.

Pedigree: Bringing the Battle to Kentucky

Aidan O'Brien noted that Lines of Battle was sent to Dubai with the specific purpose of picking up Kentucky Derby-qualifying points offered in the race, and he earned 100 points, assuring him a spot in the starting gate.

Master Rick Rallies to Texas Mile Victory

After racing along the rail in the backstretch, jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. angled Master Rick out in the far turn and the Master Command colt rallied from third in the stretch to win the $200,000 Texas Mile Stakes (gr. III).

Obviously Makes Return in San Simeon Stakes

Idle since running third n the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) last fall, Obviously will make his 2013 debut for trainer Mike Mitchell in the $100,000 San Simeon Stakes (gr. IIIT) April 20 at Santa Anita Park.

Fort Larned Set to Go for Oaklawn Handicap

An unfortunate stumble at the start of the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) last month cost Fort Larned his seasonal debut, but the 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner is back in the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II).

Hollendorfer Spots Sahara Sky in Carter 'Cap

Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer threatens to have grade I winners on both coasts April 6 as he ships Sahara Sky to Aqueduct Racetrack for the $400,000 Carter Handicap (gr. I).

Liaison Shows His Fire in Santa Anita Return

Idle since he was well beaten in the Travers Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 25, Liaison came back running in the $71,500 Santana Mile March 31, defeating favored Midnight Transfer by a half-length at Santa Anita Park.

Amira's Prince Maintains Hot Streak in Muniz

Favored Amira's Prince recorded his fourth consecutive win since arriving in the United States, holding off a determined charge from Willcox Inn in the $400,000 Mervin H. Muniz Memorial Handicap (gr. IIT) March 30.

Soft Falling Rain Storms to Godolphin Mile

Soft Falling Rain got a less than ideal trip in the $1 million Godolphin Mile before storming to victory in the first race on the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) card March 30 at Meydan.

Will Take Charge Following Family Tradition

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Less than a year after Take Charge Indy first made his mark on the classic scene, his half brother Will Take Charge set forth his Derby credentials.

Mervin Muniz 'Cap is Optimizer's to Lose

Optimizer has been a different horse since he moved to the grass, and streaks into the March 30 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap at Fair Grounds with two graded stakes scores under his girth.