Met Mile: Flat Out Faces Pletcher Pair

The Met Mile (gr. I) at Belmont Park traditionally has been one of the most prestigious races in the country, and all you have to do is go down this year's list of entries to understand why.

Can Champ Trinniberg Avoid Dubai Doldrums?

Champion sprinter Trinniberg heads a strong field for the 79th running of the $400,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II) to be run May 4 at the Louisville track.

Cyber Secret's Win Streak on Line in Alysheba

Cyber Secret has not won on the dirt at Churchill Downs, but fresh off a 5 3/4-length victory in the April 13 Oaklawn Handicap, trainer Lynn Whiting is willing to put his unbeaten season on the line.

Successful Dan Faces Six in Ben Ali Return

There was a time when "the other Dan" was Wise Dan, who went on to become Horse of the Year. On April 21 fans will witness the return of the original, Successful Dan, in the $150,000 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland.

Handsome Mike Takes Commonwealth

Reddam Racing's 2012 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) winner Handsome Mike took the $175,000 Commonwealth Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland April 13, earning his first victory for trainer Doug O'Neill since that upset score at Parx.

Gantry Looks to Step Up in Commonwealth

After finishing second in his two starts this season, Brittlyn Stable's Gantry will try to nail down the fifth stakes victory of his career in the $175,000 Commonwealth Stakes (gr. III) April 13 at Keeneland.

Soft Falling Rain Storms to Godolphin Mile

Soft Falling Rain got a less than ideal trip in the $1 million Godolphin Mile before storming to victory in the first race on the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) card March 30 at Meydan.

Take Charge Indy Among Skip Away Favorites

A year after Take Charge Indy left seven other 3-year-olds in his wake with a front-running score in the Florida Derby (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park, he returns as one of the favorites in the $100,000 Skip Away Stakes (gr. III).

Major Test Awaits Soft Falling Rain at Meydan

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's unbeaten colt Soft Falling Rain will get the first major test of his career in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (UAE-II) March 20 at Meydan.

Unlocking Winners: Value in the Big 'Cap

A pair of improving 4-year-olds worth a look in the Santa Anita Handicap.

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Hobby Collects Milestone Victory at Oaklawn

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.

Game On Dude, Ron the Greek Star in Big 'Cap

Game On Dude and Ron the Greek, horses with contrasting styles but both possessing a victory in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), are the clear standouts in the marquee event for handicap horses March 2 at Santa Anita Park.

Mark Valeski Overcomes Trouble in Mineshaft

Brereton Jones' homebred Mark Valeski overcame traffic troubles and ran down a cavalcade of horses in the stretch of the $148,500 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 23.

Called to Serve Posts Bullet Big 'Cap Move

Called to Serve registered his third straight bullet work in preparation for the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) when he went five furlongs on Santa Anita Park's fast main track Feb. 22 in :59 1/5 with Gary Stevens up.

Mark Valeski Ready for Mineshaft Rematch

After a hard-fought finish in the Louisiana Handicap, Mark Valeski and Infrattini will face off once again in the $150,000 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) Feb. 23 at Fair Grounds.

Hunter's Light Clear Maktoum Challenge Winner

Godolphin's Hunter's Light provided trainer Saeed bin Suroor a ninth win in the $250,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round II Sponsored by TABLOID (UAE-II) Feb. 7 with a convincing 3 1/4-length victory at Meydan.

Old-Timers Flat Out, Pool Play Clash in Donn

Grade I winners, at ages 8 and 9, respectively, face talented field at Gulfstream.

Alpha Makes Dubai Debut in Maktoum Challenge

2012 Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner and former U.S. classics hopeful Alpha is set to make his Dubai debut Feb. 7 in the $250,000 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (UAE-II) Sponsored by Tabloid.

Guilt Trip Relishes Route in Strub Triumph

Trainer Bob Baffert and owners Gary and Mary West had nothing to apologize for after favored Guilt Trip gave them their second grade II win of the afternoon in the $200,000 Strub Stakes Feb. 2 at Santa Anita Park.

Ultimate Eagle On Go for Donn; Csaba Works

Southern California-based Ultimate Eagle has been confirmed for the Donn Handicap (gr. I) Feb. 9 at Gulfstream Park, while other contenders Csaba and Take Charge Indy put in their final breezes for the race Feb. 2.

Fed Biz, Tritap Clash Again in Strub Stakes

Fed Biz, who outlasted Tritap by a head in the San Fernando Stakes (gr. II), will meet his rival once again in the $200,000 Strub Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 2 at Santa Anita Park.

Speightstown Fulfills His Promise

by John P. Sparkman
It took five years for that hope to be fulfilled.

He's Had Enough Zips Six Furlongs in Company

He's Had Enough, game runner-up in last fall's Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), worked six furlongs over a wet-fast track at Santa Anita Park Jan. 25 in preparation for his upcoming 3-year-old debut.

Bernstein Mare in Fastest OBS Work

Bingo, a 5-year-old stakes-winning mare by Bernstein, worked a half-mile in :45 1/5 to post the fastest work at the distance at the Under Tack Show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. 2013 winter mixed sale.

Csaba Keeps Hot Streak Alive in Hal's Hope

Favored Csaba ran his stakes winning streak to four and likely stamped his ticket to next month's Donn Handicap (gr. I) with his victory in the $100,000 Hal's Hope (gr. III) Jan. 13 at Gulfstream Park.