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.

Fiftyshadesofhay Prevails in Black-Eyed Susan

Jockey Joel Rosario's remarkable run continued May 17 when he cleverly brought Fiftyshadesofhay from off the pace to win the $500,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) at Pimlico Race Course.

Black-Eyed Susan: A Soft Spot for Emollient?

Emollient, nine-length winner of the Ashland Stakes (gr. I) in April, is the 9-5 favorite in a field of nine 3-year-old fillies entered in the $500,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.

Pletcher Considers Fillies for Belmont Stakes

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who saddled filly Rags to Riches to victory in the 2007 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), is considering a pair of fillies he trains for this year's 1 1/2-mile classic at Belmont Park.

Live Lively, Davona Dale Winner, Euthanized

Grade II winner Live Lively, a 3-year-old Medaglia d'Oro filly owned by Lee Lewis, was euthanized May 4 after suffering fractures to both sesamoids in her left foreleg during a morning work at Belmont Park.

Winner, Other Oaks Runners Fine One Day Later

Trainer Todd Pletcher said May 4 the four Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) participants from his barn, including winner Princess of Sylmar, "came out of the race well."

2013 Kentucky Oaks Wrap

Eric Mitchell recaps the Kentucky Oaks, won by Princess of Sylmar, and the other stakes action on Oaks day.

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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.

Velazquez Rides in First Race Since April 7

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who will ride undefeated Verrazano in Saturday's Kentucky Derby, returned to competition the afternoon of May 2 at Belmont Park, finishing seventh on his first mount since April 7.

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.

Dreaming of Julia Headlines Star-Studded Oaks

Dreaming of Julia is the freshest on the minds of most leading up to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) due to her extraordinary 21 3/4-length victory in the March 30 Gulfstream Park Oaks (gr. I).

Dreaming of Julia Draws Post 8 in KY Oaks

Dreaming of Julia, the remarkable 21 3/4-length winner of the March 30 Gulfstream Oaks (gr. II), drew post 8 of 11 sophomore fillies and was installed the 3-1 favorite for the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Oaks Owners Weigh In on Derby Points System

A few days out from the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), it's interesting to ponder what might have been if the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) field was still based on earnings rather than points.

Orb Heads NTRA Pre-Derby Poll

Orb, winner of the Besilu Florida Derby (gr. I), heads the NTRA Top 3-Year-Old Poll that came out April 29 in advance of the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Eye-Catching Move for Filly Close Hatches

Juddmonte Farms' Close Hatches drills a half-mile in :47 2/5 in advance of the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). The daughter of First Defence is unbeaten in three starts, all this year.

Pletcher Brigade Tops Kentucky Oaks Workers

Faced with a scheduling dilemma of wanting to work most of his classic horses in one day, trainer Todd Pletcher sent his contenders for the Kentucky Oaks to the Churchill Downs track shortly after it opened for training.

KY Oaks Name Game: 2013 Edition

Here are some of the explanations I received on this year's stellar field of contenders. Which one is your favorite?

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Flat Out Takes on Seven Rivals in Westchester

Some prominent names -- including Flat Out and Pants On Fire -- are set to clash in the April 27 Westchester Stakes (gr. III) at Belmont Park.

Pletcher's KY Oaks Fillies to Work April 27

Trainer Todd Pletcher's quartet of Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contenders, Dreaming of Julia, Princess of Sylmar, Silsita, and Unlimited Budget, galloped at Churchill Downs the morning of April 24.

Grade I Winner Pool Play Targets Elkhorn

Pool Play will try to add a graded stakes victory on turf to a career resume that includes graded stakes scores on dirt and synthetic surfaces in the $150,000 Elkhorn Stakes (gr. II) April 25 at Keeneland.

Pedigree Analysis: Dreaming of A.P. Indy

by John P. Sparkman
In just about every way possible, A.P. Indy has been the ideal Thoroughbred of the international era of American racing and breeding.

Oaks Contenders Breeze at Churchill Downs

Several contenders for the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), including four trained by Todd Pletcher, went to the track at Churchill Downs the morning of April 20 as they continued to work toward the May 3 filly classic.

Kentucky Derby, Oaks Fields Taking Shape

The fields for the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) the following day continue to take shape, with eligibility in each race to be determined by the new points system.

The Keeneland Files: McPeek's Busy Meet

Trainer Kenny McPeek shared thoughts on Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) hopeful Pure Fun, who will take on the boys in the April 20 Coolmore Lexington Stakes.

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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.