Bouncing back from a ninth-place finish in last month's Raven Run Stakes (gr. II), eastern invader Cassatt led at every call while drawing off in the final furlong for an emphatic win in the $309,000 Zia Park Oaks Nov. 26.
However you feel about California Chrome (and let's face it, emotions are running hot right about now), in handicapping this race, you must move beyond whatever rooting interest you have and stick to the basics. read blog
PORTER ON PEDIGREES
The impression that Kobe's Back was an early season 2-year-old flash in the pan was dismissed when he won the San Vicente Stakes.
With New York-breds making their presence felt in open company, here comes Palace, who looks to be the class of the $250,000 General George Handicap (gr. III) at Laurel Park Feb. 17.
New Jersey-bred Rainbow Heir controlled things from gate to wire as the 6-5 choice in the six-furlong race for 3-year-olds. Undefeated in four starts, the Wildcat Heir colt who has never trailed at any point of call.
Speedster Whiskey Romeo, a three-time stakes winer of trainer Tony Dutrow, heads a field of seven 3-year-old sprinters in the $100,000 Jersey Shore Stakes (gr. III) July 4 at Monmouth Park.
Richard Davis' Master Rick will try for a third straight win overall and second straight graded stakes score when he faces four other rivals in the $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III) Monday, May 27.
GSP Racing Stable's Well Spelled ambushed Trinniberg in the final strides of the $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx Racing Sept. 22, closing from dead last to claim the victory by half a length over the top sprinter.
Currency Swap and Trinniberg will go at it again Sept. 22 in the $300,000 Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx Racing, but both seem vulnerable nearing the end of a long 2012 campaign.
GSP Racing Stable's Well Spelled became a first-time graded winner when he rallied through the stretch at Monmouth Park July 14 to capture the $101,000 Jersey Shore Stakes (gr. III).
Six sophomores seeking their first graded stakes score head postward in the $100,000 Jersey Shore Stakes (gr. III) July 14, sprinting six furlongs at Monmouth Park. Isn't He Clever is the lone stakes winner in the field.
After Hierro breezed at Churchill Downs the morning of May 14, Stonestreet Stables announced the son of Hard Spun would not be sent to Pimlico for the May 19 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).
Stakes-placed colt will represent trainer Dale Romans in second leg of Triple Crown
Both colts got their final tune-ups May 13 for the grade I Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.
Isn't He Clever, the Sunland Derby (gr. III) runner-up trained by Steve Asmussen, is no longer under consideration for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Brereton Jones' Mark Valeski, runner-up in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and Risen Star Stakes (gr. II), drilled five furlongs in :59 3/5 at Churchill Downs April 23 for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Sunland Derby (gr. III) runner-up Isn't He Clever, most recently eighth in the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), has been transferred to trainer Steve Amussen, according to owner J. Kirk Robison.
Analysis of the last 2 major Kentucky Derby preps: the Blue Grass and Arkansas Derby. read blog
Four of our highly touted horses, Holy Candy, Dullahan, Optimizer, and Sabercat, are running this weekend. read blog
Trainer Bob Baffert looks to continue his strong run of recent success at Oaklawn Park when he saddles Bodemeister and Secret Circle, the morning line favorites for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) April 14.
New Mexico-based Isn't He Clever and the Todd Pletcher-trained Heavy Breathing were added to the mix for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) when nominations closed with 97 horses being made eligible for the race.
Twenty 3-year-olds added during the late nomination process to the Triple Crown that closed March 24. A total of 418 now eligible for Derby, Preakness, and Belmont.
Daddy Nose Best proved his versatility once again when he ran down local hope Isn't He Clever in the final strides to claim the $800,000 Sunland Derby (gr. III) in New Mexico March 25.
There's something special about defending your home turf against an army of formidable invaders, and Isn't He Clever and trainer Henry Dominguez will get that chance in the $800,000 Sunland Derby (gr. III) March 25.
Jason and Tom preview the Sunland Derby, and comment on the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park. Watch Video
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Cod Canal | Jane Cibelli |
|
| Isn't He Clever | Henry Dominguez |
|
| Rass Stone | Kevin J. Fields |
|
| Scaramagna | Marcus J. Vitali |
|
| Well Spelled | Benjamin W. Perkins, Jr. |
|
| Wildcat Creek | Edward Plesa, Jr. |
|
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Dixie Poker Ace S. | FG | |
| Black Gold S. | FG | |
| Herecomesthebride S. (gr. IIIT) | GP | |
| Fasig-Tipton Swale S. (gr. II) | GP | |
| Palm Beach S. (gr. IIIT) | GP |
