Three-year-old Blame ensconced himself as a leading player in next year's national handicap picture when he seized the lead from fellow sophomore Misremembered at the eighth pole and held on for a neck victory in the $460,600 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II) at Churchill Downs Nov. 27.
39 minutes ago
Jason, Tom, and James Scully of twinspires preview the Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs on November 27.
2 days ago
The Clark Handicap (gr. II) is always a solid race and a good way to put an exclamation point on not only the Churchill Downs fall meet, but the older handicap division.
2 days ago
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.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter
With Claiborne bloodlines on the top and bottom, Fayette Stakes (gr. II) winner Blame has a pedigree many generations in the making. Wednesday, November 04, 2009
The sun was barely visible over the mountains shortly after 5 a.m. (Pacific Time) Nov. 1 when Regal Ransom went to the track at Santa Anita for final preparations for the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Blame, the only 3-year-old in the field, rallied from the back of the pack and ran down favored Parading in mid-stretch to win the $150,000 Fayette Stakes (gr. II), the closing day feature of the Keeneland fall meet Oct. 31.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
My Pal Charlie, who won the 2008 Super Derby (gr. II) and placed in five other graded stakes, has been retired and will stand in 2010 at Michele Rodriguez and Lee Daniel Thomas' Elite Thoroughbreds near Folsom, La.
Friday, October 30, 2009
A hodgepodge of horses from all walks of life will converge on the Santa Anita Pro-Ride Nov. 7, most of whom would not be a surprise should they win.
Friday, October 30, 2009
The presence of classy Europeans Mastercraftsman and Sweet Hearth to the pre-entry field for the $1-million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) on Nov. 7 gives the runners from the powerful Godolphin stable the prospect of some tough competition.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Parading returns to the scene of his most lopsided stakes victory earlier this year when he takes on nine rivals in Keeneland's $150,000 Fayette Stakes on Oct. 31, closing day for the Lexington track's short fall meet.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
On April 17, 2008, American racing fans were immersed in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), and no one was even giving the Breeders' Cup a second thought. But across the Atlantic, there was a scene being played out that would have a far greater effect on the Breeders' Cup than anyone could have imagined.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Concerns about Regal Ransom's readiness coming into the $750,000 Super Derby (gr. II) proved inconsequential when the well-bred Godolphin colt rolled to a front-running victory at Louisiana Downs Sept. 19.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Jason, Evan, and James Scully of twinspires preview the Super Derby (gr. II) at Louisiana Downs. Plus picks for the Woodbine Mile.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Soul Warrior has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite for the 30th running of the $750,000 Super Derby (gr. II) Sept. 19 at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Phipps Stable's homebred Gone Astray wrapped up his first graded stakes victory in a big way, as he drew off in the stretch to score in the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) by 9 1/4 lengths Sept. 7 at Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack.
Monday, September 07, 2009
Nine 3-year-olds will face off in the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) Sept. 7 at Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack, led by Zayat Stables' Soul Warrior, the 3-1 morning line favorite.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
The weekend brought a couple of new players to the 3-year-old scene and also underlined just how strong the second-crop sires are. Thursday, August 06, 2009
A story about Rachel Alexandra seems out of place in a column about the Breeders' Cup, but who cares. That's between Jess Jackson and the Breeders' Cup decision makers. Even though there will be no launching of the Rachel rocket on Nov. 7, it's still fun to "count down" to the imaginary blast off.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
It was indeed big drama in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort on Aug. 1, but if the odds board was any indication, it was an unexpected result.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
While America's 3-year-old sweetheart Rachel Alexandra is frolicking at the Jersey Shore Aug. 2 in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park, and a deep, well-matched group of colts gather in the Adirondacks for the Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga, the winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! brands (gr. I) for the first time in history will be out in the Appalachians, showing off in front of the Mountaineer Park crowd in the West Virginia Derby (gr. II).
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Organized horse racing in West Virginia dates back at least 223 years, but no horse who has won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) has ever competed in the Mountaineer State before. That status is going to change on Aug. 1, when Mine That Bird goes to the post in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Grazen, who dominated the local 3-year-old crop in the Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) on the front end last month, will face a couple of eastern invaders in Advice and Conservative in the $300,000 Swaps Stakes (gr. II) at Hollywood Park July 18.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) winner Advice will be shipped from Kentucky to California for the $300,000 Swaps Stakes (gr. II) at Hollywood Park July 18, according to the Inglewood track's racing office.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A walk down the Godolphin shedrow at Belmont Park reveals a "Who's Who" of major stakes horses, many of whom are just coming back off layoffs and getting ready for the Saratoga meet.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Graded stakes winners Hightap and Hooh Why will attempt to upset the home track advantage of dual local stakes victor Don'ttalktome the June 26 Iowa Oaks (gr. III).
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Oil Man struck graded gold for the first time when he surged past his rivals with a big late kick in the $100,000 Cinema Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the Hollywood Park turf June 21.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Elusive Bluff, who won both of his starts as a 2-year-old but has not raced since Oct. 1, returns to action in the $100,000 Cinema Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Hollywood Park June 21.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The undefeated Hull, and Regal Ransom, who turned in a surprising victory over stablemate Desert Party in the UAE Derby (gr.II), are among nine 3-year-olds entered in the $250,000 Woody Stephens (gr.II) at Belmont Park June 6.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
The undefeated Hull, and Regal Ransom, who turned in a surprising victory over stablemate Desert Party in the UAE Derby (gr.II), are among nine 3-year-olds entered in the $250,000 Woody Stephens (gr.II) at Belmont Park June 6.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
