What's Going On Here: Lending Influence

We need the help of banks. And we need people like Ahmed Zayat.

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Zayat Creditors: Trainers, Farms, Keeneland

The Feb. 3 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Zayat Stables shows that Keeneland sales company, a handful of trainers across the country, and breeding farms are among the creditors of Ahmed Zayat's racing operation.

Owner Zayat Surprised by Bank's Lawsuit

Ahmed Zayat, who operates one of North America's leading racing stables and is a major buyer at equine auctions, said he is surprised that a major bank has filed suit seeking repayment of more than $34 million in loans.

Kinsale King Rules Underwood for New Trainer

Trainer Carl O'Callaghan earned his first stakes win when front-running Kinsale King courageously held off the veteran sprinter Delta Storm by a neck in the $100,000 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (gr. III) at Hollywood Park Dec. 6.

Noble Court Takes Another Crack at Underwood

Noble Court, beaten favorite a year ago, will try to make amends in the $100,000 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (gr. III) Dec. 6 at Hollywood Park.

Liquidity to Steffee Stallion Station in LA

Grade I stakes-placed Liquidity has been retired from racing for stallion duty at Jed Steffee's Steffee Stallion Station near Folsom, La.

Zensational Retired to Hill 'n' Dale

Zensational, the first horse to win three consecutive grade I sprint stakes, has arrived at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington to stand the 2010 breeding season.

The Morning After: All Zenyatta, All the Time

Although she was back in her barn at Hollywood Park after her historic Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) win, Zenyatta was the hot topic the morning of Nov. 8 among those gathered at Clocker's Corner at Santa Anita, one day after they witnessed history.

Dancing in Silks, 25-1, Pulls Sprint Upset

Big longshot Dancing in Silks, a 25-1 gelding by Black Minnaloushe, poked his nose out in front to win a four-horse cavalry charge in the $2-million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) Nov. 7 at Santa Anita Park. Heavy favorite Zensational finished fifth.

Sadler to Saddle Two in Turf Sprint

John Sadler wins races by the bushel in Southern California and is more often than not on the top of the trainer standings at each race meet. He has yet to win a Breeders' Cup race, but 2009 could be his year.

Favored Zensational Has No. 1 Post in Sprint

There were audible gasps of dismay when Zayat Stables' Zensational drew the No. 1 post position for the $2-million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I). The dominating, front-running, 7-5 morning favorite will have no room for error early in the six-furlong race Nov. 7 over Santa Anita Park's Pro-Ride surface.

Rebellion to Stand at Norse Ridge

Multiple graded stakes winner Rebellion, second in last year's TVG Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, will enter stud in 2010 at Norse Ridge Farm in King Township, Ontario, Canada.

Looking For Longshots? Consider Sadler Horses

John Sadler will have five horses entered in World Championship races this year. None of them will be favored, but all of them have credentials to pull an upset.

Turf Sprint Draws Largest Field of All

What could be more specialized than horses that like to sprint on the turf? Yet all manner of runners make up the 22 pre-entries in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, which drew the largest field of all 14 Breeders' Cup races.

BC Sprint: Catch Zensational If You Can

Bob Baffert has been quoted as saying Zensational is one of the most talented horses he has ever trained in his Hall of Fame career. The 3-year-old son of Unbridled's Song will get a chance to prove it Nov. 7 in the $2-million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) at Santa Anita.

Cowboy Cal Corrals Breeders' Cup Mile Slot

Versatile Cowboy Cal went gate to wire to win the $150,000 Oak Tree Mile Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Santa Anita turf course Oct. 10, and earned the right to advance to the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) next month.

Cowboy Cal Among Oak Tree Mile Contenders

Cowboy Cal returns to Santa Anita for trainer Todd Pletcher, looking to get back on the winning track in the $150,000 Oak Tree Mile Stakes (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita Oct. 10.

Grazen Favored in Cal Cup Classic

Even-money morning-line favorite Grazen drew post position 3 for the $200,000 California Cup Classic presented by City National Bank at the draw breakfast Sept. 30.

Zensational to Hill 'n' Dale Upon Retirement

Hill 'n' Dale Farms announced Sept. 30 that multiple grade I winner Zensational, will stand stud duty at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale near Lexington upon his retirement from racing.

Zensational Bolts to O'Brien Win; 'Cup Next

It keeps getting easier for the flashy sprinter Zensational, who cruised to his third consecutive grade I victory under Victor Espinoza in the $300,000 Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Stakes at Del Mar Sept. 6.

Zensational Zeroes In On Third Grade I Win

Zensational, who has vaulted to the top of the national rankings for sprinters, goes for his third consecutive grade I win as the heavy favorite in the $300,000 Pat O'Brien Breeders' Cup Stakes at Del Mar Sept. 6.

Ferneley Paints Masterpiece in Del Mar Mile

After a couple of close tries earlier this year, trainer Ben Cecil warned that Ferneley would win a big race before all was said and done. That day came Aug. 29 when the Irish-bred 5-year-old swept past his tiring rivals to score a 1 1/2-length win in the $238,000 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT).

Jungle Wave Rumbles Home in Play the King

Favored Jungle Wave shook loose in upper stretch and held off Field Commission by three-quarters of a length in the $189,754 Play the King Stakes (Can-IIT) on a "yielding" Woodbine turf Aug. 29, making him a major contender in next month's Woodbine Mile (Can-IT).

Del Mar Mile: Monterey Jazz Back With Flores

Monterey Jazz gets back to his favorite distance and is reunited with former jockey David Flores for the $300,000 Del Mar Mile (gr. IIT) Aug. 29.

Sid Attard Holds Tough Hand in Play the King

Trainer Sid Attard, tied for the top spot among trainers at the 2009 Woodbine meet, sends out a tough duo in the $200,000 Play the King Stakes (Can-IIT) for turf sprinters at Woodbine Aug. 29.