The Blood-Horse catches up with 2011 Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty. Learn about what Plum Pretty and her connections have been up to since her Kentucky Oaks win. Also, learn more about pasture friend Havre de Grace! watch video
Close Hatches will try to add a third top-level victory to her resume in the $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I), in which she meets four opponents, including last year's winner On Fire Baby, April 11 at Oaklawn Park.
Whisper Hill Farm's Havre de Grace and Plum Pretty both produced their first foals at Timber Town Farm near Lexington, a Tapit filly from Havre de Grace and a colt by Distorted Humor out of Plum Pretty.
Citing robust January business, Oaklawn Racing and Gaming announced it will increase all overnight purses by as much as $2,000 per race starting with the Saturday, Feb. 8 card.
In the older female Eclipse Award category, two-time champion Royal Delta is the standout finalist, while other impressive mares Joyful Victory and Tiz Miz Sue attempt to make a case with their 2013 grade I accomplishments.
Grade I winner Tiz Miz Sue, a 6-year-old daughter of Tiznow who earned more than $1 million for the CresRan Racing operation of Carol Ricks, has been retired, it was confirmed Aug. 22.
Evan Hammonds recaps the Metropolitan Handicap, Ogden Phipps Handicap, and Acorn Stakes. watch video
CresRan Stable's homebred Tiz Miz Sue took advantage of a speed duel between Joyful Victory and Authenticity to post an impressive victory in the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park May 27.
Trainer Larry Jones will offer a stiff one-two punch in the $400,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I), with stablemates Joyful Victory and Believe You Can both entered for the May 27 event at Belmont Park.
Stuart S. Janney III and Phipps Stables, who bred and race Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Orb, will receive an additional $50,000 bonus as a result of the colt's May 4 victory.
Oaklawn Park stewards have suspended jockey Joe Johnson three days for his winning ride aboard On Fire Baby in the Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I). The suspension runs April 17-19.
Anita Cauley's On Fire Baby hadn't raced since May 28 of last year. She came back with a vengeance April 12, holding off Tiz Miz Sue to win the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) at Oaklawn by half a length.
Grade I winner Grace Hall, seeking her first win of the 2013 campaign, will face six opponents in the $500,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I) April 12 at Oaklawn Park as the 118-pound top weight.
Evan Hammonds examines the Rebel Stakes and Azeri Stakes. watch video
Tiz Miz Sue upset the Azeri Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park last year at odds of 8-1, and this season she did it again. The Cresran homebred ran down top contenders My Miss Aurelia and Don't Tell Sophia to get the job done.
Champion juvenile filly of 2011 My Miss Aurelia is scheduled to begin her 4-year-old season in the $150,000 Azeri Stakes (gr. III) March 16 at Oaklawn Park.
Trainer Steve Hobby earned the 1,000th win of his career March 1 when Ruthless Empire easily won seventh race at Oaklawn Park, a maiden claiming event, as the 4-5 favorite under jockey Rosemary Homeister Jr.
The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association has named its champions and leaders for 2012.
Don't Tell Sophia was a $1,000 yearling purchase in 2009. On Feb. 16 she ran them off their feet at Oaklawn Park, easily putting 6 1/2 lengths over her nearest competitor in the $98,000 Bayakoa Stakes.
One day before champion Royal Delta makes her 2013 debut in the Sabin Stakes (gr. III), a rival who gave her a run for her money returns to the races in the $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
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.
While they did not draw the interest Plum Pretty garnered in November, two of the three half sisters to the 2011 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner sold on the opening day of the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.
Buyers will have the opportunity to purchase horses from the Issam Fares' Fares Farm dispersal at a Keeneland January sale that will feature a larger catalog compared with last year.
Mandy Pope, who paid $14.2 million in November for major broodmare prospects Havre de Grace and Plum Pretty, has taken important steps in what she believes will pay off handsomely.
The demand for quality bloodstock was in full force at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, but the middle and lower markets were soft.
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Absinthe Minded | D. Wayne Lukas |
|
| Holy Heavens | Joseph R. Martin |
|
| Plum Pretty | Bob Baffert |
|
| Tiz Miz Sue | Steve Hobby |
|
| Twelve Twenty Two | Henry Dominguez |
|
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Sprint S. | OTC | |
| OBS Sprint S. | OTC | |
| OBS Championship S. | OTC | |
| OBS Championship S. | OTC | |
| Marshua S. | LRL |
