Last year's Eclipse Award winning sprint champions -- Benny the Bull and Indian Blessing -- are among the 96 horses nominated to the 10th annual Summit of Speed at Calder Race Course, to be held this year on Saturday, July 11.
4 days ago
Trainer Bob Baffert said he wanted to test his champion Indian Blessing over Hollywood Park's Cushion Track before deciding which way to go with her this summer. After her fourth-place finish in the $72,800 Desert Stormer Stakes June 14, a race won in front-running style by Coco Belle, the Hall of Fame conditioner had his answer.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Juddmonte Farms' outstanding mare Ventura, favored against males in the $250,000 Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park May 25, was scratched by trainer Bobby Frankel on the morning of the race due to a "foot problem," according to the track's racing office.
Monday, May 25, 2009
When Rachel Alexandra faced the boys in the Preakness (gr. I), it had not only the racing world but the national media abuzz with excitement. For exceptional mare Ventura, taking on the opposite gender has become just another day at the park, and the daughter of Chester House will do it again on May 25 when she tackles seven males in the $250,000-added Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Bo Hirsch's homebred Papa Clem, winner of the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park April 11, arrived at Churchill Downs April 14 to continue his preparation for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
George Strawbridge Jr.'s Informed Decision split horses in deep stretch and ran down 2-5 favorite Ventura to win the $300,000 Vinery Madison (gr. I) by a head in thrilling fashion April 9 at Keeneland.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Two-time national champion Indian Blessing has traveled far and wide in adding accomplishment after accomplishment to her vaunted graded-stakes resume. And her lesser-known older brother has had his fair share of journeys, too, though more often due to court-related drama - including a criminal arrest - than for racing glory.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Considering she won the event last year and is coming off a nose defeat against the boys five weeks ago, Ventura would seem to be a cinch for the $300,000 Vinery Madison (gr. I) April 9 at Keeneland. But that is not the case, as the Chester House filly will face six capable fillies on the Polytrack, including multiple stakes winners Informed Decision and Bsharpsonata.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
A day after his smashing victory March 28, record-breaking Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner Well Armed was in "fantastic" condition, according to his assistant trainer.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Big City Man, a Florida-bred son of Northern Afleet owned by Prince Sultan Mohd Saud al Kabeer, held off the 4-year-old filly Indian Blessing in the $2-million Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-I) March 28 at Nad Al Sheba.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Not only will American champion Indian Blessing have to defeat males for the first time in her career if she is to win the Dubai Golden Shaheen, she will have to overcome the far outside post in the field of 12 in her initial try at a straightaway 1,200 meters (about 6 furlongs).
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Following her half-mile workout March 23, two-time champion Indian Blessing walked the quarantine barn area Tuesday morning in preparation for the $2-million Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-I), Sponsored by Gulf News, Saturday night at Nad Al Sheba in Dubai.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Including four U.S.-based runners, 15 horses have been entered for the $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Nad Al Sheba racecourse March 28.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Three Chimneys announced March 12 that the first several mares bred to multiple grade II winner and track record-setter Lewis Michael have been confirmed in foal.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Gio Ponti, driving for the wire under a frantic Ramon Dominguez, got up just in time to nose the outstanding mare Ventura in the $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (gr. IT) on the Santa Anita turf March 7.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
After pondering the possibility of canceling her trip, trainer Bob Baffert decided March 6 to send champion filly Indian Blessing to take on males in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-I).
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Indian Blessing might pass the $2 million Golden Shaheen (UAE-I) in Dubai on March 28, trainer Bob Baffert said.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Ventura, a stylish winner of the Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) against her own sex last time out, will take aim at males when she returns to the turf for trainer Bobby Frankel in the $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr. IT) at Santa Anita March 7.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Grade-I winner Zaftig has joined the broodmare band of Hill 'n' Dale, the Lexington-area farm announced Feb. 17.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Multiple grade I winner Dream Rush has been retired from racing to become a broodmare.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Howard Belvoir's 2008 Longacres Mile Handicap (gr. III) winner Wasserman took home honors as Washington horse of the year, champion handicap male, and sprinter at the Washington Thoroughbred Champions Breeders and Owners Annual Awards Banquet held at Emerald Downs Feb. 14.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A bang-up edition of the Barbara Fritchie Handicap (gr. II) has attracted eight fillies and mares led by New York shipper Seventh Street, grade I winner Dream Rush, and By the Light from the powerful Richard Dutrow stable. All three will vie for favoritism in the seven-furlong main track test Feb. 14 at Laurel Park.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The result never seemed in doubt as odds-on choice Ventura shook off stablemate Jibboom with a furlong to run to en route to a measured one-length win, giving trainer Bobby Frankel and Juddmonte Farms the exacta in the $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita Jan. 31.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
A day after entering Eclipse champion female sprinter Indian Blessing in the $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert said the 4-year-old filly would not participate in an anticipated rematch with Ventura after all.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
A rematch of last fall's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint battle at Santa Anita between the victorious Ventura and champion filly Indian Blessing looms in the $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap (gr. I) Jan. 31. But after entries were taken Jan. 28, trainer Bob Baffert said he was unsure if Indian Blessing would run.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Indian Blessing couldn't have ended 2008 on a more perfect note when she registered a gutsy 1 1/2-length score Dec. 27 in the La Brea (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park. The win marked her fifth lifetime grade I victory.
Monday, January 26, 2009
On Jan. 24, Wild Promises will take yet another step and try for her biggest payday to date, as she'll do battle with seven rivals in the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Proud Spell, an earner of $2,123,610, has not raced since finishing second in the Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (gr. II) at Philadelphia Park last September. Prior to that effort, she scored in the Alabama Stakes (gr. I), and the Kentucky (gr. I), Alabama (gr. I), and Fair Grounds (gr. II) Oaks.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Graded stakes winner Indyanne, who fractured a sesamoid in her left front ankle while leading in the La Brea Stakes (gr. I) Dec. 27 at Santa Anita, was euthanized Jan. 13.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
With five breakdowns, including three fatalities, in the first five days of racing, Santa Anita's synthetic surface has again come under the microscope.
Monday, January 05, 2009
