Derby Trial: Forty Tales Tops Pletcher Exacta

In what he surely hopes is an omen for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) a week hence, trainer Todd Pletcher takes the exacta in the Derby Trial on opening night at rainy Churchill Downs April 27.

Handicapping the Blue Grass Stakes

This is one of the most wide open editions of the race I've ever seen. So many directions to go.

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Uncaptured Favored in 14-Horse Blue Grass

It was a crowded scene at the April 10 post-position draw for the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I), as the connections crossed their fingers and hoped for good post positions.

Brown: Balance the Books to Blue Grass

Trainer Chad Brown told Keeneland officials April 8 he will enter Balance the Books instead of Noble Tune in the April 13 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I).

Up With the Birds Tops Transylvania

John Oxley's Star Contender is highweighted at 123 pounds in a field of 11 for the $100,000 Transylvania Stakes (gr. IIIT), but SamSon Farms' Up With the Birds has beaten him and will likely be favored at Keeneland April 5.

Full Field Awaits Uncaptured in Spiral

A full field of 12 is expected when Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) winner Uncaptured makes his 2013 debut March 23 in the $550,000 Horseshoe Cincinnati Casino Stakes (gr. III) at Turfway Park.

Trainer Casse Targets All Four OBS Stakes

Trainer Mark Casse will be busy saddling horses at Ocala Breeders' Sales Company stakes races Monday, March 11 where he has entered six horses, including at least one in each of the day's four stakes races.

Grassy Palm Beach Could Lead to Derby Trail

Though the race is on the grass, the $150,000 Palm Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles March 3 at Gulfstream Park has the potential to serve as a springboard to the Triple Crown trail.

Balance the Books Out of Palm Beach Stakes

Promising 3-year-old Balance the Books will not be making his seasonal debut in the $150,000 Palm Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) March 3 after missing some training time to a recent fever.

Solid Field of 10 to Contest Southwest Stakes

Willis Horton's Smarty Jones Stakes winner Will Take Charge looks to continue his progress on the road to the Kentucky Derby against nine others in the $300,000 Southwest Stakes Feb. 18 at Oaklawn Park.

Texas Bling, Brown Almighty Work at Oaklawn

Southwest Stakes contenders Texas Bling and Brown Almighty were on the worktab at Oaklawn Park Feb. 9, along with Bayakoa Stakes hopefuls Tiz Miz Sue, Don't Tell Sophia, and She's All In.

Merit Man Stretches Out in Hutcheson

Merit Man is just a nose short of perfection in four starts for trainer Bob Hess Jr., but the 3-year-old son of With Distinction will have to travel a furlong farther than he has before in the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes.

Shanghai Bobby Faces Tough Field in Holy Bull

Undefeated 2-year-old champion faces nine opponents in 1 1/16-mile test at Gulfstream Park Jan. 26.

Lukas Weighs Options for Weekend Stakes Stars

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas had an anxious moment when victorious Will Take Charge stumbled while pulling up after winning the Smarty Jones Stakes Jan. 21 at Oaklawn Park, but the Hall of Fame trainer said the colt is doing well.

Brown Almighty Makes Smarty Jones Dirt Debut

The connections for Brown Almighty have been planning their colt's dirt debut for months now, and on Jan. 21 their wait will be over when the colt makes his start in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

Connections Plan to Race Joha this Summer

The connections of Joha are comfortable switching to Plan B with their grade I winner, who was withdrawn from the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale and will be pointed to a summer-fall racing campaign.

Keeneland January Sale Has Fares Dispersal

Buyers will have the opportunity to purchase horses from the Issam Fares' Fares Farm dispersal at a Keeneland January sale that will feature a larger catalog compared with last year.

Grade I Winner Joha to be Sold at Keeneland

Grade I winner Joha will be offered as a racing prospect at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale, according to Allen Kershaw. The soon-to-be 3-year-old son of Johar will sell the first day of the sale, Jan. 7.

Avie's Quality One to Watch in Display

Ten juveniles seek their first stakes score in the $150,000 Display Stakes at Woodbine Dec. 1, including a few who have recently been knocking at the door. But the runner horsemen fear most is Avie's Quality.

Uncaptured Heads Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes

Just under four weeks after rolling to victory in the Iroquois Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs, Uncaptured will target more success at the Louisville track Nov. 24 in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II).

No Stopping Violence in Bumpy Nashua Stakes

Violence proved profitable in the $200,000 Nashua Stakes (gr. II) for 2-year-olds Nov. 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Vegas No Show Lone Stakes Winner in Nashua

Six other promising 2-year-olds will challenge Vegas No Show in the Nashua, including Bourbon Stakes runner-up Really Sharp.

No Lack of Intrigue in Packed Juvenile Turf

Five European colts sporting excellent form will face nine North American colts in a full field for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 3.

Mott's BC Quartet Among Belmont Workouts

Bill Mott sent his quartet of Breeders' Cup hopefuls out for their final works Oct. 28, with Royal Delta (:48.96), To Honor and Serve (:47.72) and Flat Out (:48.01) all turning in half-miles.

Bullet Works for Royal Delta, Point of Entry

Royal Delta and Point of Entry, two of the top horses pointing to the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 2-3 at Santa Anita Park, turned in bullet workouts on Oct. 22 at Belmont Park.