Forty Tales Were Revealed in Derby Trial

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
If Forty Tales is to achieve further fame it is far more likely that it will be as a sprinter rather than in the Classics.

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.

Can Champ Trinniberg Avoid Dubai Doldrums?

Champion sprinter Trinniberg heads a strong field for the 79th running of the $400,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II) to be run May 4 at the Louisville track.

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.

'Wild Card' Derby Trial Not A Misnomer

The makeup of the grade III Derby Trial presents several interesting scenarios that could impact the makeup of the Kentucky Derby field.

Graydar Proves Real Deal in Tough New Orleans

The 4-year-old son of Unbridled's Song proved doubters wrong March 30 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots when he held off Mark Valeski for a determined 1 3/4-length New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) score.

Graydar, 'Courage' Rematch in NOLA 'Cap

A power-packed field will assemble for the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) March 30 at Fair Grounds. In the lineup are Graydar, Bourbon Courage, Flat Out, and Mark Valeski.

Paynter Progresses with Half-Mile Work

Haskell Invitational (gr. I) winner Paynter turned in his second work since making a comeback from severe illness and the subsequent surgery he underwent last year, breezing four furlongs in :50 1/5 at Santa Anita Park.

Graydar Wins Grade I Donn in First Stakes Try

An audacious Graydar took it to his more accomplished foes and carried on Feb. 9 at Gulfstream Park, winning the $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I) wire-to-wire for Twin Creeks Racing Stable.

THS: Donn Handicap

Tom LaMarra and Pete Denk handicap the loaded Donn Handicap field.

watch video

Old-Timers Flat Out, Pool Play Clash in Donn

Grade I winners, at ages 8 and 9, respectively, face talented field at Gulfstream.

Oxbow's Decisive First Steps

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Oxbow took decisive first steps on the road to the Kentucky Derby with an 11 1/2-length victory in the Lecomte Stakes.

Paynter's Recovery Is 'Moment of the Year'

Paynter's recovery from life-threatening battles with laminitis and colitis after his victory in the 2012 Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I) at Monmouth Park was voted by fans the 2012 NTRA Moment of the Year.

Dominus Returns to Turf in Ft. Lauderdale

Seeking redemption from a lackluster dirt effort last time out, Dominus returns to the lawn in the $150,000 Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (gr. IIT) Jan. 12 at Gulfstream Park.

Paynter to Rejoin Baffert, Wins Vox Populi

Owner Ahmed Zayat confirmed Dec. 26 that his Haskell Invitational (gr. I) winner Paynter will ship from Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center near Elkton, Md., to Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert's California barn Dec. 29.

Adam's Turf: A Year of Finishes

At year's end we typically see many of our favorite stars move into retirement or second careers. In spite of the many fan favorites and talented athletes who have left the track, one thing remains...their finishes.

read blog

Hangin' With Haskin: Vox Populi Gets It Right

Only in Thoroughbred racing can one of the greatest champions in the history of the sport share the same stage with a former $5,000 claimer from Penn National.

read blog

Shackleford, Paynter Added to Vox Populi Noms

After seeing reaction to their initial five nominees, Penny Chenery and the Secretariat Vox Populi Committee have added two more nominees in Paynter and Shackleford.

Game On Dude Delivers Gritty Native Diver Win

Game On Dude put his disappointing Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) behind him with a gritty front-running win in the $250,000 Native Diver Stakes Presented by the Oak Tree Racing Association Dec. 1 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Game On Dude Draws Rail for Native Diver

Game On Dude, looking to rebound from his seventh-place finish as the favorite in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), drew the rail for the $250,000 Native Diver Stakes (gr. III) Dec. 1 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Game On Dude Expected to Run in Native Diver

Multiple grade I winner Game On Dude heads an expected field of six or seven in the $250,000 Native Diver Stakes - Presented by the Oak Tree Racing Association (gr. III) Dec. 1 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Shackleford Makes Exit With a Bang in Clark

Shackleford gave his fans something to remember in the final start of his career with a gate to wire victory in the 138th edition of the $447,000 Clark Handicap (gr. I) Nov. 23 at Churchill Downs.

Pool Play Out of Clark

Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) winner Pool Play was scratched from the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) the morning of the race, but not due to tendon issues similar to those he has battled in the past.

Shackleford Aims to Go Out On Top in Clark

In his final career start, classic winner Shackleford will try to add one more highlight Nov. 23 in a compelling edition of the Clark Handicap presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Shackleford Works, Still Clark or Cigar Mile

Potential Clark Handicap (gr. I) highweight Shackleford breezed at Churchill Downs Nov. 17; a decision will be made Nov. 19 regarding his final start. Clark contenders Bourbon Courage and Cease were also on the worktab.