Tapitsfly Primed for Mint Julep at Churchill

Frank L. Jones Jr's Tapitsfly, who has started four times this year in graded events and has won or placed in all of them, will carry top weight of 121 pounds in the Early Times Mint Julep Handicap at Churchill Downs.

Aruna Takes Start-Plagued Sheepshead Bay

Flaxman Holdings homebred Aruna took charge at the five-sixteenths pole and held off Hit It Rich to win the Sheepshead Bay, a race that was impacted by a troubled start for Mystical Star and Magical Cat.

Unbridled Humor Solid Fit in Violet Stakes

Unbridled Humor will be looking for her first win of the year and her first graded stakes victory since last September when she goes postward in the $100,000 Violet Stakes (gr. IIIT) over the Monmouth Park turf May 28.

Aruna Looks to Get Back On Beam in Sheepshead

No factor in her only start this year, Aruna looks to get back on the beam for trainer Graham Motion in the $200,000 Sheepshead Bay Stakes (gr. IIT), scheduled for the inner turf course at Belmont Park May 26.

Graded Winner Keertana Retired

Barbara Hunter's homebred Keertana, who last year became the first female to win the Louisville Handicap (gr. IIIT) since Our Request in 1951, has been retired from racing.

Favored Zagora Rallies to Take Gallorette

Bettors made Zagora the even-money favorite in the $150,000 Gallorette Handicap (gr. IIIT) and she rewarded their faith in her.

Paynter Headlines Derby Trial at Churchill

Led by Zayat Stable's talented but lightly raced Paynter, a field of 11 sophomores was entered in the $200,000 The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial (gr. III) on opening night of the Churchill Downs spring meet April 28.

Senada, Upperline Clash Again at Keeneland

Senada and Upperline, the respective winner and runner-up in the Rood & Riddle Dowager last fall over the Keeneland turf course, will meet again in the $150,000 Grey Goose Bewitch Stakes (gr. IIIT) April 26.

Large, Speedy Blue Grass Field Led by Hansen

Hansen, the 6-5 morning-line choice in a field of 13 in the April 14 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, could go to Louisville as the Kentucky Derby favorite with a win in the signature race at Keeneland.

Zagora Primed for Jenny Wiley

Zagora, who ran third in last year's Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. IIT) at Keeneland, is back for this year running, but this time she's coming off two straight graded stakes wins.

Ever So Lucky Breezes for Blue Grass

The final work for probable Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) contender Ever So Lucky came April 10 at Keeneland when he breezed five furlongs in a speedy :57 with Julien Leparoux aboard.

Hero of Order Probable for the Blue Grass

Hero of Order, the 109-1 winner of the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) April 1 at Fair Grounds, has joined the probable cast for Saturday's 88th running of the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland.

Ever So Lucky Works; Blue Grass the Target

Augustin Stable's Ever So Lucky, third in the Swale Stakes (gr. III) in March, worked five furlongs in :59 2/5 at Keeneland April 3 in preparation for an expected start in the grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.

11 Listed as Probable for Blue Grass Stakes

Headed by champion Hansen and Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) winner Prospective, there are 11 probable starters for the April 14 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland.

Hit It Rich Gets Up Late to Win Orchid Stakes

It was close, but Hit It Rich prevailed in the $150,000 Orchid Stakes (gr. IIIT) March 31 at South Florida's Gulfstream Park. The 5-year-old daughter of Smart Strike got up late to defeat Aqsaam by a half-length.

Keertana Should be Tough in Orchid Stakes

Five-time graded stakes winner Keertana was a close second in her most recent start and will likely be favored to break through this time when she leads a field of nine fillies and mares in the $150,000 Orchid (gr. III).

Trinniberg, Martinez Untested in Swale Romp

Willie Martinez and Trinniberg broke on top and never looked back en route to an easy front-running six-length victory in the $150,000 Swale Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park March 10.

Animal Kingdom in Easy Turf Workout

Team Valor International's Animal Kingdom worked an easy five-eighths of a mile on turf in 1:04 4/5 at Palm Meadows Training Center March 10 as he preps for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) on March 31.

Zagora, Denomination Meet in Hillsborough

Grade I winner Zagora, second in last year's Hillsborough Stakes (gr. IIIT) to Denomination in a tight finish, will attempt to turn the tables in 2012 when the two mares meet again in the grass event at Tampa Bay Downs.

Ever So Lucky Ready in Time for Swale

If Jonathan Sheppard could ever get Ever So Lucky started, he might find out if the colt is a legitimate Kentucky Derby (gr. I) contender. Hopefully, he will finally get a chance March 10 in the $150,000 Swale (gr. III).

Here to Win Last to First in The Very One

Taking advantage of a heady rail-skimming trip from Joe Bravo, Brazilian-bred Here to Win outkicked Keertana in the stretch for an 11-1 upset in $100,000 The Very One (gr. IIIT) Feb. 25 at Gulfstream Park.

'Roses' Not in Plans for Thunder Moccasin

MAHUBAH'S CORNER
After Thunder Moccasin's visually impressive win in the Hutcheson Stakes, Starlight Racing's tentative plan is not roses in May but one-turn sprint races -- at least for now.

Super Shopper Starlight Has Basket of 3YOs

When Starlight Racing needs to replenish its stable of runners, its buying team heads to the yearling auctions. The venture's efforts at the sales are paying off handsomely this year with several promising 3-year-olds.

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen 2/20/2012

A few horses move up in Steve's Dozen this week and a lot of new insight in Steve's notes for last week and horses knocking on the door.

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Slideshow: Donn Handicap Day

There were some memorable performances on Donn Handicap Day at Gulfstream.

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