Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said he hopes to breeze champion filly Take Charge Brandi March 2 at Oaklawn Park in preparation for her next start, possibly against males in the $750,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) March 14.
American Pharoah may be more than ready to make his 3-year-old debut. The Zayat Stables-owned son of Pioneerof the Nile worked an eye-catching seven furlongs in 1:23 4/5 Feb. 27 at Santa Anita Park.
Owner Willis Horton confirmed Feb. 25 that the $750,000 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park March 14 is under consideration as a target for champion Take Charge Brandi, although a decision has not yet been made.
Following a 3 1/2-month layoff, multiple stakes winner Ring Weekend was entered in the one-mile Canadian Turf Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park Feb. 21 and wound up stuck way out in post 14 in the 14-horse field.
Zayat Stables' American Pharoah Drew an appreciative appraisal from trainer Bob Baffert as he continued to work in preparation for his 3-year-old debut the morning of Feb. 15 at Santa Anita Park.
The War Pass gelding began his career winning a $50,000 maiden claiming event at Saratoga Race Course, and on Feb. 7 he will try to become a stakes winner in the $100,000 Fred W. Hooper Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream.
Benefiting from a sizzling early speed duel, Conquest Two Step rallied through the lane to take the $200,250 Palos Verdes Stakes (gr. II) over Secret Circle from Santa Anita Park Jan. 31.
Sabercat, a son of Bluegrass Cat and winner of the 2011 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (gr. III), will stand the 2015 breeding season at Gerald Averett Jr.'s Averett Farm in Louisiana. His fee will be $3,500.
The 2013 Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) winner Secret Circle makes his seasonal debut in the $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes (gr. II) from Santa Anita Park Jan. 31.
Smarty Jones Stakes winner Far Right is expected to resume his Triple Crown preparations at Oaklawn Park, but the son of Notional may skip next month's Southwest Stakes (gr. III) in favor of the Rebel (gr. II) March 14.
Distinctiv Passion came out running for jockey Mike Smith and was never headed en route to a 1 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 Midnight Lute Stakes (gr. III) Dec. 27 at Santa Anita Park.
While plenty of connections would gladly take the 2014 season turned in by sprinter Secret Circle, the two-time Breeders' Cup winner on Dec. 27 will look to address the "0" currently listed in the win column for this year.
Cyber Secret, a multiple graded stakes winner by Broken Vow, will stand the 2015 breeding season at Brent and Crystal Fernung's Ocala-based Journeyman Stud.
Private Zone, runner-up to Flat Out in the 2013 edition of the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I), returned Nov. 29 to claim victory going wire to wire in the $753,750 event at Aqueduct Racetrack.
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Hollywood Derby and Cigar Mile. read blog
A solid field will line up Nov. 29 for the $500,000 Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack, as grade I winners Secret Circle and Itsmyluckyday face off amongst a cast that includes Private Zone, Vyjack, and Bourbon Courage.
Fields are taking shape for the Nov. 29 Cigar Mile (gr. I) stakes program at Aqueduct Racetrack, featuring four graded events worth a combined $1.7 million.
Tanma Corp.'s speedy Chitu won nearly gate to wire in a $100,000 Damascus Stakes that came up deep in talent Oct. 31 at Santa Anita Park. The field included six graded stakes winners.
At only six furlongs, the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) raises more questions regarding post positions than do many of the longer races. Yet historically Sprint wins have been scattered throughout the starting gate.
Secret Circle will try to become the second horse to win back-to-back editions of the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) after a full field of 14 entered the six-furlong race set for Nov. 1 at Santa Anita Park.
With the retirement of Mizdirection, winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (gr. I) the last two years, this could be Reneesgotzip's year to emerge on top in the 6 1/2-furlong race.
Monday, Oct. 27, was another busy work day at Santa Anita Park for horses pointing toward the Breeders' Cup World Championships. Meanwhile, the connections of horses entered were awaiting the post position draw later Monday.
The Trainer of leading Breeders' Cup Sprint contender and defending champion Secret Circle discovers new threat after Fast Anna delivers super-quick move Oct. 26.
The Breeders' Cup unveiled its pre-entrants for the 31st World Championships the morning of Oct. 22 at Santa Anita Park, with 201 horses named for the 13-race festival Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
With 21 pre-entries, the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) is oversubscribed and has attracted an international field. Hong Kong has its first-ever Breeders' Cup entry in Rich Tapestry.
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Adirondack King | John C. Servis |
|
| Atigun | James A. Jerkens |
|
| Cyber Secret | Lynn S. Whiting |
|
| Jake Mo | W. Bret Calhoun |
|
| Najjaar | Daniel C. Peitz |
|
| Optimizer | Jose Fernandez |
|
| Pee H Dee | Chris Richard |
|
| Reckless Jerry | Kenny P. Smith |
|
| Ring It Up | Chris Richard |
|
| Sabercat | Steven M. Asmussen |
|
| Scatman | Eddie Kenneally |
|
| Secret Circle | Bob Baffert |
|
| Unbridled's Note | Steven M. Asmussen |
|
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Downthedustyroad Breeders' S. | OP | 3/6 |
