| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Dixie Strike | Mark E. Casse |
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| Goldrush Girl | Kenneth G. McPeek |
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| Hard Not to Like | Michael R. Matz |
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| Heart of Destiny | Alex Clarkson |
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| Karlovy Vary | George R. Arnold, II |
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| Lotta Lovin | Michael J. Maker |
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| Stephanie's Kitten | Chad C. Brown |
|
Arlington Oaks winner La Tia is after her second grade III victory, but could have her work cut out for her May 24 when invader Moment in Dixie comes in for the $150,000 Arlington Matron Stakes (gr. III).
Gamay Noir, who snapped a five-race losing streak when she captured the Rampart Stakes (gr. III), tops a field of eight fillies and mares that will go to the post in Hawthorne's Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) April 19.
Juddmonte homebred, 2-for-2 at Keeneland after notching double grade I wins at the Lexington oval, finds softer spot April 18 in $100,000 Hilliard Lyons Doubledogdare (gr. III).
Hard Not to Like pulled a 13-1 upset in the $300,000 Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. IT) and earned her first win at the top level April 12 at Keeneland.
G. Watts Humphrey's 5-year-old mare Centre Court will attempt become only the second repeat winner of the Jenny Wiley Stakes (gr. IT) at Keeneland when she takes on nine rivals in the 1 1/16-mile turf race April 12.
On a chilly morning at Keeneland, trainer Chad Brown sent Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) contender Bobby's Kitten through his final pre-race drill.
Don't Tell Sophia has sailed through the early part of 2014, but faces a stout test March 15 in the $200,000 Azeri Stakes (gr. II) against multiple grade I winner Close Hatches, On Fire Baby, and Flashy American.
Don't Tell Sophia wasn't in a hurry leaving the gate, but she quickly got herself into gear and easily drew off to win her second straight $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes Feb. 16 at Oaklawn Park.
Don't Tell Sophia has her eye on a repeat victory in Oaklawn Park's Bayakoa Stakes Feb. 16, a month after winning the Pippin Stakes at the Arkansas track in consecutive years.
Kitten's Joy, the Ken and Sarah Ramsey-raced stallion who stands at their Ramsey Farm in Nicholasville, Ky., overcame the odds to emerge on top as North America's leading sire for 2013.
Moonlit Beauty did in the Nov. 2 Maple Leaf Stakes (Can-III) what the 7-year-old daughter of Perigee Moon does best--win races gate to wire
A solid two-turn win over Woodbine Race Course's all-weather main track helped make John Oxley's Sky High Lady the slight favorite in the Nov. 2 grade III Maple Leaf Stakes.
While Groupie Doll returned from a layup with a passable third in the Gardenia Stakes (gr. III) at Ellis Park, she'll have little margin for error in the $400,000 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (gr. II) Sept. 9.
Richard Santulli's Laughing captured her third victory in as many starts this year with a wire-to-wire victory in the Ketel One Ballston Spa Stakes (gr. IIT) at Saratoga Race Course.
Grade I winner Centre Court will face Laughing, Miz Ida, Somali Lemonade, and Hungry Island trying to make it back to the winner's circle in the $250,000 Ketel One Ballston Spa Stakes (gr. IIT) Aug. 24 at Saratoga.
The 32nd running of the $100,000 Gardenia Stakes (gr. III) at Ellis Park Aug. 10 will mark 2012 champion female sprinter Groupie Doll's 5-year-old debut.
Following a troubled third in the Diana Stakes (gr. IT) at Saratoga Race Course, two-time grade I winner Stephanie's Kitten is under consideration for the $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes (gr. IT) on Aug. 17 at Arlington.
A determined Laughing (IRE) refused to relinquish the lead in the $588,000 Diana Stakes July 27 over the inner turf course at Saratoga Race Course, leading the all the way for her first grade I victory in a terrific finish.
Chad Brown trio to tackle Stephanie's Kitten, Centre Court in 1 1/8-mile turf event.
by Anne Peters
One could attribute the success of Kitten's Joy as a sire to the many savvy breeders who stepped out of their comfort zone to use a turf stayer, but that would be wrong.
Solid Appeal, upset winner of the Nassau Stakes (Can-IIT) in May, looks to remain unbeaten in 2013 as the 122-pound highweight in the $200,000 Dance Smartly Stakes (gr. II) July 7 at Woodbine.
All the action leading up to the big race on Belmont Stakes day. View Slideshow
Stephanie's Kitten took the rail trip to victory in the $500,000 Longines Just a Game Stakes (gr. IT) at Belmont Park June 8, digging in determinedly to best Better Lucky by half a length after a dogfight down the lane.
Trainer Mike Puype has no doubt 2012 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint victress Mizdirection is best of seven entered in the June 8 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont. But the new surface could be her undoing, especially if it rains.
After tracking throughout, Imposing Grace flashed another gear in the stretch to secure the first stakes win of her career May 25 in the $150,000 Arlington Matron Stakes (gr. III).
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Shuk Memorial S. | DEL | |
| Arlington H. (gr. IIIT) | AP | |
| Stars and Stripes S. (gr. IIIT) | AP | |
| American Derby (gr. IIIT) | AP | |
| Modesty H. (gr. IIIT) | AP |
