Oxbow, Will Take Charge Post 'Textbook' Works

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who has both Oxbow and Will Take Charge on target for the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), sent his pupils out to breeze at Oaklawn Park the morning of April 5.

Oaklawn Park is Baffert's 'Lucky Place'

Bob Baffert's reputation at Oaklawn Park is that of a phenomenon, one you cannot afford to bet against. Selectively shipping in from his West Coast base with a remarkable 59% win rate, he has captured 17 of 29.

After the Wire - 2/19/2013

Evan Hammonds recaps the Southwest Stakes, Sabin Stakes, El Camino Real Derby, and San Vicente Stakes from the weekend.

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Super Ninety Nine Romps in Sloppy Southwest

Super Ninety Nine rolled to an 11 1/4-length win in the $300,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 18 for Susan and Charles Chu's Tanma Corporation, muddling the 3-year-old picture even more.

Southwest Distance Could Help Always in a Tiz

The Southwest states will be run at 1 1/16 mile for the first time in its 33 year history, so we're not looking for a horse that can take advantage of the "short stretch mile" at Oaklawn Park.

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.

Twin Creeks Sends Mares to Mission Impazible

Twin Creeks Farm has announced that 21 of its Kentucky-based mares have been officially booked to multiple grade II-winning millionaire Mission Impazible for the 2013 breeding season in New York.

Dublin's First Foal Arrives in New York

Dublin, winner of the 2009 Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) as a 2-year-old at Saratoga Race Course, sired his first reported foal, a filly born Jan. 18 at Newtown Anner Stud Farm in Millbrook, N.Y.

Sequel Stallions Open House on Jan. 19

Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson, N.Y., will hold an open house from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (EST) Saturday, Jan. 19.

Spendthrift Offers 'Breed Secure' Deal to NY

Spendthrift Farm is introducing its "Breed Secure" program to New York breeders in 2013 through its New York-based stallion Dublin, who is set to stand his second season at Keane Stud near Amenia.

THS: The Clark Handicap

Claire and Frank preview the Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs Nov. 23.

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Mission Impazible to Stand at Sequel New York

Mission Impazible, a multiple grade II winner by Unbridled's Song that has earned more than $1.2 million in his career, will be retired to Becky Thomas and Dennis Narlinger's Sequel Stallions in New York for 2013.

Oaklawn Raises Purses, Lengthens Southwest

Oaklawn Park has increased purses on 13 of its 32 stakes planned for 2013, including a majority of the 3-year-old stakes races, and has lengthened the Feb. 18 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) from one mile to 1 1/16 miles.

THS: Stephen Foster Handicap

Tom LaMarra and Evan Hammonds handicap the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs this weekend.

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Wise Dan, Alternation Top Stephen Foster

The 31st running of the 1 1/8-mile event sets up as a faceoff between two of the country's top older horses--Pin Oak Stable's Alternation and Morton Fink's Wise Dan.

Pimlico Special Draws Solid Field in Return

The Pimlico Special (gr. III), returning to the Pimlico racing calendar after a three-year hiatus, has drawn a sold field of 10 handicap horses, headed by Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) winner Alternation.

Track Mark for Nates Mineshaft in New Orleans

Front-running Nates Mineshaft took all of the drama out of the $396,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) April 1 at Fair Grounds, running away from the field at odds of 9-1 while setting a track record in the process.

Secret Circle's Aptitude Contradicts Pedigree

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Secret Circle's career suggests that his pedigree might be at variance with his natural aptitude for speed.

Big Names Clash in New Orleans Handicap

The $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) is the headliner on Fair Grounds' April 1 program, but the biggest names and most talented horses may be running on the undercard in the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II).

No Wrongdoing Found in Canceled Oaklawn Wager

Officials announced March 4 that they found no wrongdoing following an investigation into a $100,000 show wager canceled 10 minutes prior to the running of the first division of the Feb. 20 Southwest Stakes (gr. III).

Winner's Circle-On the Move: Rafael Bejarano

Rider gains U.S. citizenship, bags both divisions of the Southwest Stakes in one memorable weekend.

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Castaway Got Better and Better As a Yearling

Castaway, who won a division of the Feb. 20 Southwest Stakes (gr. III), kept getting better and better as a yearling, according to Mark Taylor of Kentucky-based Taylor Made Sales Agency.

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen 2/20/2012

A few horses move up in Steve's Dozen this week and a lot of new insight in Steve's notes for last week and horses knocking on the door.

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Secret Circle Gives Baffert a Southwest Sweep

A game Secret Circle outdueled Scatman in the stretch to win the second division of the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III), giving trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Rafael Bejarano a sweep of the President's Day features.