Include Me Out Wins 3rd Graded Stakes of Year

Favored Include Me Out nailed down her third consecutive graded victory this year after overcoming pacesetter Ellafitz narrowly in the $150,000 Marjorie L. Everett Handicap (gr. II) at Betfair Hollywood Park May 19.

Zazu, Include Me Out Head Marjorie Everett

Grade I winners Zazu and Include Me Out will battle in the $150,000 Marjorie L. Everett Handicap (gr. II) at Betfair Hollywood Park May 19 in a race that also attracted multiple grade II winner Ellafitz.

Juanita Springs 16-1 Surprise in La Troienne

William S. and Graydon Patterson's Juanita overtook heavily favored Plum Pretty in upper stretch and ran off to a 16-1 upset under Ramon Dominguez in the $327,000 La Troienne (gr. II) May 4 at Churchill Downs.

Oaks Winner Plum Pretty Back for La Troienne

Plum Pretty, winner of last year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), and runner-up St. John's River will square off in the La Troienne Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs May 4 on the Kentucky Oaks undercard.

Plum Pretty Confirmed for La Troienne

Last year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Plum Pretty has been confirmed by owner John Fort as a starter in the La Troienne (gr. II) at Churchill Downs May 4, the same day as this year's Run for the Lilies.

Slideshow: Racing Festival of the South

Images from Oaklawn Park's 2012 Racing Festival of the South.

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Top Finishers in Arkansas Derby Heading to KY

The top three finishers in the April 14 Arkansas Derby (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park were resting comfortably in their stalls the morning after each secured a spot in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Patient Plum Pretty Strolls in Apple Blossom

Plum Pretty hadn't been out in more than five months but her class showed through as she strolled to a comfortable win in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) April 13 at Oaklawn Park.

Plum Pretty Assumes Apple Blossom Favoritism

Last year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner, Peachtree Stable's Plum Pretty, will carry top weight of 117 pounds in the 1 1/16-mile event for fillies and mares on the main track.

Havre de Grace Will Not Defend Apple Blossom

Saying that weight assignments for the Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) were "unfair," owner Rick Porter and trainer Larry Jones will bypass the April 13 race at Oaklawn Park with Horse of the Year Havre de Grace.

Havre de Grace Tops 'Racing Festival' Noms

Reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace tops the list of horses nominated to the stakes extravaganza that, along with the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), comprise the "Racing Festival of the South" at Oaklawn Park April 11-14.

Secret Circle Drills Sharp 5F at Santa Anita

Rebel Stakes (gr. II) winner Secret Circle remains on edge for his expected start in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) following a bullet five-furlong drill in :58 2/5 at Santa Anita Park March 29.

Jones: Weight Must be Right for Apple Blossom

For Rick Porter and Larry Jones, Plan A is to run Havre de Grace in the Apple Blossom Handicap April 13. However, the connections have also made one thing clear: They will only do so under the right weight conditions.

Include Me Out Sloshes to Santa Margarita Win

Include Me Out blew past odds-on choice Ellafitz on the turn for home and became a grade I winner with an easy victory in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Stakes March 17 on a sloppy track at rainy Santa Anita.

Santa Margarita: Ellafitz Seeks Grade I Glory

On a three-race stakes winning streak for trainer Bob Baffert, Ellafitz will go for her first grade I victory against five opponents in the $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Stakes (gr. I) March 17 at Santa Anita.

Southwest Victor Castaway Back to Work

Castaway, who along with stablemate Secret Circle gave trainer Bob Baffert a sweep of the Southwest Stakes (gr. III) divisions at Oaklawn Park last month, worked a steady five furlongs at Santa Anita March 2.

Teddy's Promise Battles Rumor in Santa Monica

Teddy's Promise, upset winner of the La Brea Stakes (gr. I) last month, puts her three-race victory streak on the line in the $300,000 Santa Monica Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Jan. 28.

Great Hot Back at Two Turns for La Canada

Versatile filly Great Hot, winner of Keeneland's Raven Run Stakes (gr. II) last fall, will stretch out once again in the $150,000 La Canada Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Jan. 22.

Yoshida Acquires Half Sister to Zazu

On behalf of Katsumi Yoshida, Naohiro Hosoda went to $400,000 for Art Princess, a half sister to grade I winner Zazu (by Tapit), during the second session of the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.

Hollendorfer's Pair Looks Strong in Bayakoa

Top-weighted City to City and defending champion Washington Bridge form a potent duo in the $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II) for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer at Hollywood Park Dec. 4.

A Lot to Look Forward to in 2012

There is an impressive list of older horses returning next year.

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Hernon and Zazu: Track and Sales Successes

As director of sales at Gainesway Farm near Lexington, Michael Hernon works hard to make sure the nursery and its clients enjoy success with their horses. But this year, he had some notable achievements of his own to savor.

Royal Performance in the Ladies' Classic

Favorite Royal Delta takes the Ladies' Classic in deep stretch, claiming her second grade I for the year and giving trainer Bill Mott consecutive victories in the race.

Ladies' Classic: It's Tricky a Fun Challenge

Dealing with It's Tricky is tricky. Just ask Kiaran McLauglin, who trains the 3-year-old daughter of Mineshaft for Godolphin Racing.

Breeders' Cup News Minute: 11/02/11 (Video)

Lenny Shulman reports on the news of the day, including So You Think, Goldikova, the Baffert contingent, and the weather. Sponsored by Taylor Made Stallions

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