Met Mile: Flat Out Faces Pletcher Pair

The Met Mile (gr. I) at Belmont Park traditionally has been one of the most prestigious races in the country, and all you have to do is go down this year's list of entries to understand why.

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).

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).

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.

Berlino Di Tiger All Out to Win Turf Sprint

Stud Sampaio's Berlino Di Tiger rebounded from an off-the-board finish at Keeneland to win the $138,250 Churchill Downs Turf Sprint (gr. III) by a nose over Chamberlain Bridge May 4.

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).

Icon Ike Cuts Back a Bit in Turf Sprint

Fletcher and Carolyn Gray's Icon Ike, two-for-two this year with stakes wins in turf sprints, will face seven foes in the $125,000 Churchill Downs Turf Sprint (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs May 4.

2012 Risen Star Winner El Padrino Retired

Owner Let's Go Stable announced Tuesday, April 16 that grade II winner El Padrino has been retired from racing.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Verrazano Stays Unbeaten in Tampa Bay Derby

Verrazano lived up to his billing as a top Triple Crown contender March 9 with a solid three-length score in the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) at Tampa Bay Downs.

Believe You Can In Top Form for NOLA Ladies

Believe You Can looks to parlay a Feb. 2 tally at Fair Grounds into victory in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes March 9; Louisiana Derby winner Hero of Order will wheel back in the Duncan F. Kenner on the same day.

After the Wire - 2/24/2013

Evan Hammonds recaps the results of the Risen Star Stakes and Fountain of Youth Stakes.

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Louisiana Derby Next for Ive Struck a Nerve

Though virtually assured of a starting slot in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainer Keith Desormeaux says he plans to run Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) winner Ive Struck a Nerve in the Louisiana Derby.

Ive Struck a Nerve, 135-1, Shocks Risen Star

A 135-1 shot took the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 23, Matthew W. Bryan's Ive Struck a Nerve closing late in the furlong grounds and catapulting himself onto the Derby trail.

Mark Valeski Overcomes Trouble in Mineshaft

Brereton Jones' homebred Mark Valeski overcame traffic troubles and ran down a cavalcade of horses in the stretch of the $148,500 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 23.

Optimizer Handles Soft Fair Grounds 'Cap Lawn

Optimizer hopped at the break of the $150,000 Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. IIIT) but drew clear in the end, earning his second straight victory over the turf at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 23.

Unlocking Winners: Derby Preps Get Serious

A pair of 50-point races are on tap this weekend.

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THS: The Fountain of Youth

Claire and Pete preview the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park, and the Risen Star (gr. II) at Fair Grounds.

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Mark Valeski Ready for Mineshaft Rematch

After a hard-fought finish in the Louisiana Handicap, Mark Valeski and Infrattini will face off once again in the $150,000 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) Feb. 23 at Fair Grounds.

Optimizer Targets Fair Grounds Handicap

After dominating in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (gr. IIIT) Jan. 26 at Fair Grounds, Optimizer will try for a second straight win on the Stall-Wilson Course in the Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. IIIT) Feb. 23.

Coolmore Buys Interest in Unbeaten Verrazano

The Coolmore team of Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier has purchased an interest in unbeaten 3-year-old Verrazano and will race the son of More Than Ready in partnership with Let's Go Stable.