Multiple grade II winner Smooth Air, coming off a strong second in the Metropolitan Mile (gr. I), makes his first start for trainer Chad Brown in the $250,000 Salvator Mile (gr. III) at Monmouth Park July 4.
2 days ago
The $750,000 United Nations Stakes (gr. IT) and the $250,000 Salvator Mile (gr. III), both run at Monmouth Park on July 4, represent the first state-side races in this year's international "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge series.
3 days ago
Cowboy Cal and Champs Elysees, both narrowly beaten by tough-as-nails Einstein in separate grade I races this year, will see if his absence will be enough to get them over the top this time, as they headline a strong field of 14, including five grade I winners, for the $400,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (gr. IT) June 6 at Belmont Park.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Immerse, dam of grade I winner Stephen Got Even, was euthanized May 14 because of foaling complications.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Marc Keller's 6-year-old gelding Bribon came five-wide into the lane and outran a trio of rivals to take the $600,000 Shadwell Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) by a half-length over Smooth Air May 25 at Belmont Park.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Trainer Ken McPeek posted his 1,000th career victory on May 25 when Lawrence Carroll's Old Man Buck won the eighth race at Churchill Downs under Calvin Borel.
Monday, May 25, 2009
West Point Thoroughbreds and partners' Mr. Fantasy and Sequoia Racing's Imperial Council will each try to become the first 3-year-old to win the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) since Honour and Glory did it back in 1996, but will have to conquer a full field of older horses on May 25 at Belmont Park to make it happen.
Friday, May 22, 2009
A full brother to two-time Horse of the Year Curlin was born April 29 at Fares Farm.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Although the Kentucky Oaks undercard May 1 got an added dose of excitement when trainer John Shirreffs announced 2008 champion older female Zenyatta would make her 5-year-old debut in the Louisville Distaff (gr. II), the talented Street Cry mare may be forced to scratch due to weather.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Coolmore Australia has announced service fees for the 2009 season, headed by Encosta de Lago, who will stand at a reduced fee of $220,000.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Just as human brothers and sisters can be totally different, the same is true with horses. Eoin Harty has trained full brothers Colonel John and Mr. Hot Stuff, and the two colts are nothing alike.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
WinStar Farm's Mr. Hot Stuff, third in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), had a West Coast tuneup for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) when he worked five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 at Santa Anita April 26.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Hall of Fame trainer Roger Attfield dominated the closing day feature at Keeneland, as his foreign-bred charges Spice Route and Musketier ran one-two in the $200,000 Fifth Third Elkhorn Stakes (gr. IIT) April 24 on the Haggin turf course.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Mount Joy Stables' Smooth Air, the likely favorite for the $300,000 Texas Mile (gr. III) at Lone Star Park on April 25, has been scratched from the race after a bout with colic, it was confirmed on April 24.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Smooth Air and Jonesboro will each take their shot at becoming a millionaire April 25 when they square off in the $300,000 Texas Mile (gr. III) at Lone Star Park.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Breeders of Kentucky-bred champions were honored during a ceremony April 22 at Keeneland.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Vertigineux, dam of champion Zenyatta, was voted top broodmare by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders board of directors. Also honored were the breeders of the 2008 Kentucky-bred champions.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Two-time grade I winner Champs Elysees, who just missed in last month's Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), will make his Keeneland debut on April 24 in the $200,000 Fifth Third Elkhorn (gr. IIT), the spring meeting's closing day feature.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
One of the great uncertainties in evaluating the prospects of this year's Kentucky Derby contenders is weighing all-weather form. And it has been brought into particularly sharp focus by the efforts of two horses that have run behind the West Coast's dominant 3-year-old, Pioneerof the Nile.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A Kentucky state judge ordered April 8 that a lien placed on the purse winnings from Einstein's victory in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) be released, and directed the funds be given to a court-appointed receiver overseeing the financial affairs of Midnight Cry Stable, which is operated by recently-convicted disbarred attorneys Shirley Cunningham Jr. and William Gallion.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Mount Joy Stable's 4-year-old Florida homebred Smooth Air, winner of the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) in his most recent outing Mar. 14, will likely make his next start in the $300,000 Texas Mile (gr. III) at Lone Star Park Apr. 25, according to trainer Ben Stutts Jr.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
A federal jury in Frankfort, Ky., convicted Thoroughbred owners William Gallion and Shirley Cunningham April 3 of scamming their clients out of nearly $95 million in a diet-drug settlement.
Friday, April 03, 2009
These 10 Thoroughbred greats all ran in the Kentucky Derby, but failed to win. How would you rank them?
Friday, April 03, 2009
Two-time Eclipse Horse of the Year Curlin and his connections have swept the top awards for 2008, as voted by the members of the New York Turf Writers Association. All of the 2008 award winners will be honored at the 86th annual NYTWA Awards Dinner at the Saratoga National Golf Club Aug. 24.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Two-time Horse of the Year Curlin and his connections have swept the top awards for 2008 as voted by the members of the New York Turf Writers Association.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
As a steady rain fell on Nad Al Sheba on Thursday morning, March 26, Dubai World Cup favorite Albertus Maximus continued to display bold eagerness, pulling on exercise rider Rob Massey as he galloped strongly around the track under the watchful eyes of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Standing at the backstretch rail the morning of March 24 at Nad al Sheba in Dubai, assistant trainer Trish McLaughlin watched Albertus Maximus virtually soar past her while pulling against exercise rider Rob Massey in an impressive show of contained strength and speed.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Although she is little more than a week old, Rags to Riches' first foal is already displaying the same independent streak her mother was known for.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Darley's new boys at Dalham Hall Stud in England and Kildangan Stud in Ireland have had mares tested in foal to them in recent weeks.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Mount Joy Stables' 4-year-old Florida homebred Smooth Air wore down the leaders in the deep stretch of the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) March 14 at Gulfstream Park to score a 1 1/4-length decision over Rolbea Throughbred Racing's 5-year-old Finallymadeit.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
If his last race is any indication, Mount Joy Stables' Smooth Air should be set up for a big run in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) on March 14 at Gulfstream Park, a race that has been shortened from 1 3/16 miles to one mile this season.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Vertigineux, the dam of champion Zenyatta, has been pronounced in foal to Henrythenavigator, a British classic winner who entered stud this year at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Einstein became the first East Coast shipper since Broad Brush in 1987 to capture the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), capitalizing on a perfect trip with jockey Julien Leparoux to defeat the late closer Champs Elysees.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Colonel John, the morning line favorite for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 7, has been scratched after spiking a temperature on the morning of the race.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Foals from the first Elusive Quality crop conceived after Smarty Jones's heroics have come to hand earlier. Even though they've only just turned 3, five of their number are stakes winners. Prominent among them is Fountain of Youth winner Quality Road. Thursday, March 05, 2009
Colonel John, winner of the Travers Sakes (gr. I) last summer, makes his 2009 debut as the slight choice in a diverse 14-horse field for the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 7.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
The stretch-running Tiago is expected to face 13 rivals in the $1- million Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 7, but as far as jockey Mike Smith is concerned, the packed field will be better for the 5-year-old son of Pleasant Tap.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Harold Queen's 3-year-old Florida homebred Big Drama breezed an easy half-mile in :50-flat Feb. 22 at Calder, his first workout since Jan. 18 as the colt's training schedule was interrupted by a bone bruise that required surgery after kicking himself in a shin in his stall.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The torch was passed from dirt champions Kane Hekili and Vermilion when Success Brocken edged Casino Drive by a neck in record time while winning the $2.2 million February Stakes (Jpn-I) before 70,000 at Tokyo Race Course Feb. 22.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
French group I winner Zambezi Sun, in his first start since the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) last fall, makes his United States debut in the $150,000 San Luis Obispo Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Santa Anita turf Feb. 22 for trainer Bobby Frankel.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Curlin, the 2007-08 Horse of the Year, made a good showing when he covered the first of the mares booked to him for his first season at stud at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
He had to work a little harder than the typical 2-5 shot has to, but Old Fashioned pulled clear late and came out on top in his 2009 debut Feb. 16 with a 3 1/4-length victory over a stubborn Silver City in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Curlin, North America's richest horse with earnings of more than $10.5 million, began his new career Feb. 13 when he covered his first mare at Will S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Magnum, a close second to Lava Man in the 2006 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), should get a second chance after his sharp upset win in the $200,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 8.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Tiago makes his first start since he rallied from far back for a third-place finish in the Oct. 25 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) when he takes on 10 rivals in the $200,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 8.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Hosted by Lenny Shulman and Steve Haskin, "And They're Off" is a bi-monthly online video series sponsored by Darby Dan Farm. This week, Lenny and Steve review the Eclipse Award winners. Plus, Everybody wants to buy a Derby Winner.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Eclipse Award attendees and the TVG viewers tuned in on the night of Jan. 26 were anticipating, and many were hoping, that Curlin would repeat as Horse of the Year.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Majority owner Jess Jackson said Curlin, who repeated as Horse of the Year when the Eclipse Awards were announced Jan. 26, is among the industry's greats. Jackson also said Curlin wants to run competitively, even though he is now at stud at Lane's End Farm.
Monday, January 26, 2009
As the only member of the elite crop of 2007 3-year-olds to return to racing as a 4-year-old, Curlin had the hopes of racing fans across the country resting on his shoulders as he embarked on an ambitious campaign that was designed to break new ground in international racing.
Monday, January 26, 2009
The anticipation for many owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys and their connections will soon be over as the Eclipse Awards for Thoroughbred racing champions of 2008 will be announced Jan. 26 at a ceremony in Miami, Fla.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Midnight Cry Stables' Einstein, a two-time winner of the Gulfstream Park Turf (gr. IT), won't go for the three-peat in that race, but will challenge the other grade I race that weekend, the $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I) on Gulfstream main track Jan. 31.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Mount Joy Stable's homebred 4-year-old Smooth Air was prominent among the multiple graded-stakes winners under consideration for the $1 million OBS Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park, but trainer Bennie Stutts Jr. will delay the colt's season debut.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The victory by Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic -- a win that culminated a perfect seven-for-seven 2008 campaign -- has been voted the 2008 National Thoroughbred Racing Association Moment of the Year.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Peter Vegso's homebred Go Between, winner of the 2008 Pacific Classic (gr. I), died Jan. 12 following a workout at the Payson Park Training Center as the result of a heart problem.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Curlin, the all-time earner among North American Thoroughbreds, gained another accolade on Tuesday, Jan. 13 when he was officially named the joint best horse of 2008 in the World Thoroughbred Rankings.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
TVG will again broadcast the Eclipse Awards live, the network announced Jan. 12. The awards ceremony, honoring racing's champions of 2008, will be held Jan. 26 in Miami Beach, Fla.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The finalists for 2008 Eclipse Awards were released Jan. 8, with the winners to be announced Jan. 26 at a ceremony in Miami, Fla. The finalists are not announced for Horse of the Year until the awards ceremony.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Most of the leading contenders for the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic to be run at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24 are already stabled in South Florida for the winter season, but a few will be flying in for the 1 1/8 miles test, including West Point Thoroughbreds' 4-year-old Macho Again from Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Trainer Wesley Ward gave a 'thumbs up' sign Jan. 4 at Gulfstream Park the morning after Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Notonthesamepage rolled to a near-record setting victory in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park.
Sunday, January 04, 2009