Fort Larned Breezes at Churchill Downs

Trainer Ian Wilkes sent 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Fort Larned through a five-furlong breeze in :59 4/5 May 24 at Churchill Downs, continuing preparations for the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I).

Firecracker Likely Next Stop for Wise Dan

Defending Horse of the Year Wise Dan will likely target the Firecracker Handicap at Churchill, trainer Charlie LoPresti said May 23. His half brother, Successful Dan, is on track for the June 15 Stephen Foster there.

Nates Mineshaft Back After 11-Month Layoff

Multiple graded stakes winner Nates Mineshaft highlights the lineup for this year's $150,000 Hanshin Cup (gr. III) at Arlington Park May 25, making his first appearance for owner Windy Hill Farm in more than 11 months.

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.

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.

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.

Wise Dan Stays Sharp with Bullet at Keeneland

Horse of the Year Wise Dan, who won the Maker's 46 Mile (gr. IT)) on the Keeneland turf in his 2013 debut, breezed five furlongs in a bullet :59 3/5 over the main track April 24.

Successful Dan Comes Back Running in Ben Ali

Successful Dan, coming back off a layoff of nearly 10 months, dictated an easy pace and held off the pursuing Boisterous in the final furlong to post a one-length victory in the Ben Ali Stakes (gr. III) April 21 at Keeneland.

Successful Dan Faces Six in Ben Ali Return

There was a time when "the other Dan" was Wise Dan, who went on to become Horse of the Year. On April 21 fans will witness the return of the original, Successful Dan, in the $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland.

Keeneland Files: Slow Start? No Worries

Blue Grass winner Java's War is the latest horse to go last to first during the Keeneland spring meet.

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Cyber Secret Wins Oaklawn; Fort Larned 5th

Oaklawn Park specialist Cyber Secret ran away with the $500,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) for track owner Charles Cella April 13 as heavily favored Fort Larned folded.

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).

Wise Dan and Charlie LoPresti at Keeneland

Charlie LoPresti talks about Wise Dan and Successful Dan at Keeneland on 4/2/2013.

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Fort Larned Pointed to Oaklawn Handicap Next

Trainer Ian Wilkes said he is leaning toward the Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) for Fort Larned after last fall's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner breezed an easy half-mile at Palm Meadows Training Center March 21.

Wilkes Plans Return to Track for Fort Larned

After monitoring Fort Larned for the past few days, trainer Ian Wilkes said he is pleased with the manner in which the 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic winner has emerged from his fall in the March 9 Gulfstream Park Handicap.

After the Wire - 3/10/2013

Evan Hammonds recaps the victories of Verrazano, Hear the Ghost, and the stumble of Fort Larned.

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Fort Larned 'Walking Good' After Gate Stumble

Fort Larned came out of his bad stumble at the start of the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) March 9 with a grabbed quarter, but otherwise escaped further injury, trainer Ian Wilkes reported the following morning.

'Dancer Takes GP Cap as Fort Larned Stumbles

E. Paul Robsham Stables' Discreet Dancer picked up the pieces of an incident-marred running of the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) March 9, when Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Fort Larned stumbled at the start.

Fort Larned Starts Season in Gulfstream 'Cap

Fort Larned, who has not started since his gutsy victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), will face five opponents when he makes his 5-year-old debut March 9 in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. I).

Fort Larned Assigned 124 for Gulfstream 'Cap

Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Fort Larned was assigned high weight of 124 pounds for his first of 2013 in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) March 9 in south Florida.

Wise Dan 'Ahead of Schedule' for 2013 Debut

Wise Dan, Morton Fink's 2012 Horse of the Year, turned in his second work of the season at Keeneland March 2, a four-furlong move in :49 1/5. Stablemates Turallure and Successful Dan are also training well.

Mucho Macho Man Out of Gulfstream Handicap

Defending Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) winner Mucho Macho Man will miss the March 9 event because of a mild virus, owner Dean Reeves confirmed Feb. 28.

Mucho Macho Man Preps for Gulfstream Handicap

Reeves Thoroughbreds' multi-millionare Mucho Macho Man breezed five furlongs in 1:02 the morning of Feb. 23 at Gulfstream Park, prepping for a probable start in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) on March 9.

HallMarc Stallions Names New Bloodstock Agent

Carole Rio has been hired as the bloodstock agent for HallMarc Stallions at Stonewall Farm Ocala, the farm announced Feb. 22.

Ultimate Eagle On Go for Donn; Csaba Works

Southern California-based Ultimate Eagle has been confirmed for the Donn Handicap (gr. I) Feb. 9 at Gulfstream Park, while other contenders Csaba and Take Charge Indy put in their final breezes for the race Feb. 2.