44-1 Wilkinson Wakes Up for American Shocker

In search of firm turf, Wilkinson wound up in the Southern California barn of Jeff Mullins, who sent the 4-year-old colt out to spring a 44-1 shocker in the $150,000 American Handicap (gr. IIT) at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Mr. Commons Heads Field of 11 in American

Mr. Commons returns from a layoff of nearly three months to face 10 opponents in the $150,000 American Handicap (gr. II) on the Betfair Hollywood Park turf May 26.

Willyconker Outlasts Mr. Commons in Kilroe

Former claimer Willyconker became a grade I winner when he outlasted odds-on choice Mr. Commons in a thrilling finish to the $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr. IT) at odds of 10-1 March 3 on the Santa Anita turf course.

Mr. Commons On Rail for Frank Kilroe Mile

Mr. Commons, who has already captured a pair of grade II races at one mile on the turf during the Santa Anita meet, drew the rail as the likely favorite for the $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr. IT) March 3.

Mr. Commons Plenty Special in Arcadia Win

Mr. Commons took a big step on what his connections hope will be a special campaign when he rallied from off the pace to win the $150,000 Arcadia Stakes (gr. II) on turf Feb. 4, his second graded win of the Santa Anita meet.

CTBA to Announce 2011 Horse of Year Feb. 13

Eclipse champions Acclamation and Amazombie, as well as multiple stakes-winning mare Ultra Blend are the finalists for the 2011 California-bred Horse of the Year.

Mr. Commons Draws Outside for Arcadia

After registering his first graded stakes win with a powerful effort in the Sir Beaufort Stakes (gr. IIT) to open the meet, Mr. Commons is a clear standout in the $150,000 Arcadia Stakes (gr. IIT) Feb. 4 at Santa Anita.

Smith Guides Mr. Commons to Sir Beaufort Win

Under a heady ride from Mike Smith, Mr. Commons split horses in the stretch and drew off to a convincing 3 1/4-length victory in the $150,000 Sir Beaufort Stakes (gr. IIT) on the Dec. 26 opening day card at Santa Anita.

Ultimate Eagle Shortens Up for Sir Beaufort

Ultimate Eagle, winner of the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) in his most recent start, attempts to run his winning streak to five races when he takes on a strong field in the $150,000 Sir Beaufort Stakes (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita.

Shirreffs Having More Common Time

He's got two solid contenders for the Breeders' Cup World Championships this year, but for trainer John Shirreffs things are a whole lot calmer than they were in 2010 when he shipped Zenyatta to Churchill Downs.

Dubawi Heights, Amazombie Work at Santa Anita

Recent grade I winners Dubawi Heights and Amazombie completed the main preparations for their respective assignments in the 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships with workouts at Santa Anita Oct. 29.

Jeranimo Gets Jump in Oak Tree Mile Victory

Always close to the leaders, Jeranimo got the jump on Mr. Commons and proved to be too much for the 4-5 favorite to handle, winning the $150,000 Oak Tree Mile (gr. IIT) in brisk fashion at Santa Anita Oct. 8.

Banned Nips 'Interlude in Del Mar Derby Duel

Shipping to Southern California for the first time, the well-traveled Banned outfought Midnight Interlude by a nose in a taut finish to the $250,000 Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) on the turf Sept. 4.

Banned Tries His Luck in Del Mar Derby

Shipping in from Arlington Park, Banned takes on some of the best turf runners in Southern California's 3-year-old division in the $250,000 Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) Sept. 4.

Caracortado Gets it Right in Del Mar Mile

Caracortado, on the short end of the photo in a pair of grade I losses recently, came from behind to defeat Mr. Commons by a nose in a terrific finish to the $200,000 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT) Aug. 27.

Del Mar Mile Attracts Champ Pegasus

Without Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) winner Courageous Cat to contend with, the $200,000 Del Mar Mile Handicap (gr. IIT) Aug. 27 became a much more competitive, though still compact, affair.

Coil Drills Six Furlongs for Travers

Haskell Invitational (gr. I) winner Coil, one of the probable favorites for the Aug. 27 Travers Stakes (gr. I), worked six furlongs Aug. 17 at Saratoga.

Burns Scorches La Jolla Foes

Jockey Patrick Valenzuela drove Burns through an opening at the rail past mid-stretch to capture the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap (gr. IIT), giving trainer Barry Abrams a special moment at Del Mar Aug. 13.

Turf Beckons Midnight Interlude in La Jolla

The withdrawal of Mr. Commons left a big hole in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap (gr. IIT), one that Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Midnight Interlude will attempt to fill on the Del Mar turf Aug. 13.

Slideshow: The Week In Photos - July 26, 2011

This week is devoted to Saratoga and Del Mar.

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Hangin' With Haskin: Random Thoughts

Steve Haskin revisits Blind Luck and Invisible Ink and other stories.

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Record Crowd for Del Mar Opener

The largest crowd in Del Mar history of 46,588 turned out Wednesday, July 20, for the opening day card at the seaside oval in Southern California.

Oceanside: Full Field Set in Del Mar Opener

A full field of 10 3-year-olds will clash in the $100,000 Oceanside Stakes July 20 as Del Mar opens for its 72nd season.

Midnight Interlude Wins Narrowly in Turf Bow

Switching to the turf and taking off blinkers proved the right moves for Midnight Interlude when he edged Surrey Star by a neck to win the $72,050 Tsunami Slew Stakes on the night of June 17 at Hollywood Park.

Midnight Interlude Tries Turf for Baffert

After terrible performances in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) winner Midnight Interlude has been entered in an overnight stakes on the grass during the night card at Hollywood Park June 17.