Trainer Dallas Stewart says Macho Again is "ready to roll" for the $400,000 Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (gr. II) at Churchill Downs Nov. 27.
Yesterday
Stronach Stables' Einstein, unplaced in the Nov. 7 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), was assigned top weight of 123 pounds for the Nov. 27 Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs.
2 days ago
Trainer Hal Wiggins, who plans to retire at the end of November, is the recipient of the 2009 Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award given by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners.
2 days ago
Popular Churchill Downs-based jockey Calvin Borel, who swept this year's Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) aboard Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird, respectively, will be honored at Churchill Downs Nov. 21-22 with a bobblehead giveaway, autograph session, roast and his very own drink special.
4 days ago
These are the final words from here on the Horse of the Year debate between racing's two monarchs, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. Unfortunately, only one likely will be crowned, but you can be sure both will rule in the hearts and minds of most racing fans.
6 days ago
Too Many Toyz outfought 7-10 favorite It's a Bird to win the $200,000 Carl G. Rose Classic Handicap in the finale of the $1.2 million Florida Million program at Calder Casino & Race Course Nov. 14. Other big winners included Soldier's Dancer and Sweet Repent.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
All the comments made about Quality Road being a rogue or crazy are way off base. Dr. Larry Bramlage called him a juvenile delinquent following his meltdown prior to the Breeders' Cup Classic. A juvenile, yes, in many ways, but being scared out of your wits does not make you a delinquent.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Multiple graded stakes winner It's a Bird returns to Florida for the first time since taking the Sunshine Millions Classic in January as the 122-pound high weight in the $200,000 Carl G. Rose Classic, the co-main event in the annual Florida Million program for state-breds at Calder Casino & Race Course Nov. 14.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sam Houston Race Park and Gallery Furniture continue to step up efforts to bring super star females Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra together in a stakes race slated for Jan. 30.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A day after undefeated Zenyatta became a giant of the racing world with a spine-tingling victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), trainer John Shirreffs said she should be Horse of the Year over favored Rachel Alexandra.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Whether Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra is the better horse is a question Gulfstream Park president and general manager Ken Dunn believes best answered in the Feb. 6 Donn Handicap (gr. I). The race will be run the day before the Super Bowl in nearby Miami Gardens.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Zenyatta reclaimed the top spot in the final National Thoroughbred Racing Association poll of 2009.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Although she was back in her barn at Hollywood Park after her historic Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) win, Zenyatta was the hot topic the morning of Nov. 8 among those gathered at Clocker's Corner at Santa Anita, one day after they witnessed history.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Europe's Mastercraftsman is a strong favorite at 6-5 in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Judson Streicher's Le Grand Cru turned away Past the Point after a determined stretch duel to earn a victory in the $150,000 Bold Ruler Handicap (gr. III) Oct. 31 at Aqueduct, his second straight graded stakes score.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Off his game in his past two tries, Past the Point makes his first start at Aqueduct for trainer Eoin Harty as the morning line favorite in the $150,000 Bold Ruler Handicap (gr. III) Oct. 31.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A personal visit with superstar filly Rachel Alexandra goes on the auction block tomorrow as the grand final item in Kendall-Jackson's "Rachel Alexandra Running Auction," benefiting The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The auction will end after seven days at noon, Nov. 4.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
West Point Thoroughbreds' Macho Again will skip the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 7, due to a cough he developed following his breeze Oct. 17.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
As we all know there is always an angle or two we can latch on to in the Breeders' Cup. The trick is finding them among the morass of stakes horses that line up for the 14 races. There probably are more chances of landing a longshot on a synthetic surface, because, in all honesty, does anyone really know how to handicap these races?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
A solid field of nine was entered for the $300,000 Meadowlands Cup (gr. II) Oct. 16. They have banked nearly $5 million and have eight graded victories amongst them.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Star filly Rachel Alexandra is finished racing for the year, co-owner Jess Jackson announced Oct. 9.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Leading Horse of the Year candidate Rachel Alexandra returned to her home base at Churchill Downs Oct. 7 and settled into familiar surroundings in trainer Steve Asmussen's Barn 38 following a long van ride from Saratoga, where she spent much of the summer and the early days of fall.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Bear Stables' Fatal Bullet, second in last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), returns to a synthetic surface in the grade III Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland for its Oct. 9 opening-day program.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
If Sea the Stars does not make the trip to California, which seems more likely than not, and joins Rachel Alexandra on the absentee list, it will create a void never before seen in the Breeders' Cup.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Summer Bird continued his meteoric rise to the top of the Thoroughbred ranks, as he turned back fellow 3-year-old Quality Road to win the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) by a length Oct. 3 at Belmont Park.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Though his racing career began just seven months ago, Summer Bird has accomplished extraordinary things in a short period of time. The Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and Shadwell Travers (gr. I) winner will try to defy the odds once again when he faces older horses for the first time in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (gr. I) Oct. 3 at Belmont Park.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Rachel Alexandra is enjoying her well-deserved vacation at Saratoga following an arduous and ambitious campaign that culminated with a memorable victory over older males in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I). The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro will ship back to Churchill Downs on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monmouth Park concluded its 2009 meeting Sept. 27 showing a significant gain in average attendance, even as wagering followed what has become this year's national downward trend.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
A trio of contenders for the Oct. 3 $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) had their final tune-ups for the 1 1/4-mile race on a busy morning at Belmont Park Sept. 26.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
West Point Thoroughbreds will be represented by graded stakes winners Macho Again and Awesome Gem in the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), West Point president Terry Finley confirmed Sept. 16.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Circle the date Oct. 4 on your calendar. Your assignment is to pray for rain in France - enough to turn the Longchamp turf course soft. The softer the better.
Monday, September 14, 2009
It's time to accept the fact that Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta are not going to meet. As the cliche goes, that ship has sailed.
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Breeders' Cup board of directors Sept. 11 said the organization will increase the purse of the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) by $1 million if Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta start in the 1 1/4-mile event Nov. 7 at Santa Anita Park.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Lenny and Steve talk about Rachel Alexandra, Tim Ice, Chip Woolley, Linda Rice, and more. Plus, feedback from viewers!
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Rachel Alexandra provided one of the great moments in the history of Saratoga when she scored a courageous head victory over older male rivals in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes Sept. 5.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Standing outside his barn at Saratoga the morning of Sept. 6, trainer Steve Asmussen was still basking in the glow of Rachel Alexandra's historic victory in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) as he reported the filly came out of the race in good shape.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Rachel Alexandra cemented herself as one of the best fillies of all-time in a race for the ages, as she set a suicidal pace and then was all out under Calvin Borel to hold off a bold charge from Macho Again to win the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) by a head in electrifying fashion Sept. 5 at Saratoga.
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Jason, Tom, and Rich Nilsen of twinspires.com preview the Woodward Stakes (gr. I). Plus picks for the Forego (gr. I).
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Please note the following analysis was written by someone with a glass-is-half-empty mentality and is not meant to frighten, upset, or antagonize Rachel Alexandra fans and zealots. So, read at your own risk.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
It seems 2009 would be a year for filly phenoms, and they're all the result of young, distance-loving sires. Wednesday, September 02, 2009
A percentage of any purse monies earned by West Point Thoroughbreds' Macho Again in the $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 5 at Saratoga; and Awesome Gem in the $1-million Pacific Classic (gr. I) Sept. 6 at Del Mar will be donated to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
On Sept. 5 at Saratoga, Rachel Alexandra will seek history when trying to become the first female to win the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) -- a feat that would almost certainly lock up Horse of the Year honors and stamp the 3-year-old as one of the best fillies of all time.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Majority owner Jess Jackson said on a national teleconference Sept. 1 that plans for Rachel Alexandra following Saturday's $750,000 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) are up in the air, and he did not dismiss the idea of putting her away for the year.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
With her scheduled start against older males in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Saturday, Sept. 5, Rachel Alexandra is taking a path seldom traveled by 3-year-old fillies.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
The New York Racing Association is making special plans as "The Rachel Alexandra Show" comes to Saratoga Race Course for Saturday's grade I, $750,000 Woodward Stakes.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Rachel Alexandra, whose eight-race win streak includes four grade I stakes, turned in her final preparation for the Sept. 5 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) when she breezed four furlongs at Saratoga on the morning of Aug. 31.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sara Louise, the last horse to defeat superstar filly Rachel Alexandra, returned from a nine-month layoff in sparkling fashion, coming from off the pace to score the $110,000 Victory Ride (gr. III) Aug. 29 at Saratoga.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Nineteen top-notch runners, including four millionaires and a pair of 3-year-olds, have been nominated to run in Del Mar's $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I) on Sept. 6.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Topics include Rachel Alexandra and Jess Jackson, the continued breakdowns at Del Mar, plus a look at the second season of Animal Planet's hit reality program, JOCKEYS.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Sara Louise will race for the first time since November in the $100,000 Victory Ride (gr. III) Aug. 29 at Saratoga. She is the last horse to defeat Rachel Alexandra.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Fresh off a runner-up finish in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga, West Point Thoroughbreds' Macho Again will make his next start in the $750,000 Woodward (gr. I) on Sept. 5, where he will meet a field that will include superstar filly Rachel Alexandra.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
As soon as trainer Kiaran McLaughlin found out Rachel Alexandra would be running in the Woodward Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 5 he quickly contacted the owner of his Woodward hopeful Asiatic Boy, about the possibility of heading to California.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Trainer Steve Asmussen said Aug. 24 that top 3-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra will run in the Sept. 5 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) and that stablemate Kensei would contest the Aug. 29 Shadwell Travers Stakes (gr. I).
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s August yearling sale broke slowly from the starting gate Aug. 24 in Central Florida, suffering downturns of more than 30% from 2008 in its gross revenue, average price, and median price. But a powerful-looking Medaglia d'Oro filly topped the select session by attracting a $275,000 final bid from Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Plantation that surpassed last year's peak price for an individual horse of $200,000.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Online wagering companies TVG and Betfair have pledged an additional $400,000 to the New York Racing Association to invite Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta to participate in the Beldame Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park Oct. 3.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Medaglia d'Oro, the leading sire this year by North American earnings and leading second crop sire, will be available to be bred on Southern Hemisphere time, beginning Sept. 1 at Sheikh Mohammed's Darley near Lexington.
Friday, August 21, 2009
After training horses for more three decades and having his career peak this year with the success of the sensational filly Rachel Alexandra, Hal Wiggins will ride off into the sunset of retirement at the end of Churchill Downs' fall meet in November.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Rachel Alexandra breezed five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.37 on a foggy Monday morning on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course, after which trainer Steve Asmussen said discussions would begin "in earnest" on where the filly would make her next start.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Quality Road, expected to be among the favorites for the $1 million Shadwell Travers (gr. I), turned in his first work since his record-setting victory in the Amsterdam (gr. II) Aug. 16 at Saratoga, covering six furlongs in 1:13.19.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Saratoga is already the only racetrack in the country where fans can catch a glimpse of all three 2009 classic winners, and on Friday, Aug. 21, three lucky individuals will win a chance to meet one of these great horses face-to-face.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Gulfstream Park added the name of unbeaten champion Zenyatta to the list of superstar nominees whose fees have been waived to the 2010 Donn Handicap (gr. I).
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Lenny and Steve are back! Topics include night racing, breakdowns at Del Mar, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, Gio Ponti, and Bob Baffert's Hall of Fame induction.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter
Stamina influence Tiznow again matches with a speed-oriented Turkoman-line mare. Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Bullsbay joins Colonel John as elite runners bred on the cross. Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Although history would place them a generation apart, jockeys Ron Turcotte and Calvin Borel will be meeting new and old fans alike in public autograph appearances at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 15-16. Both riders will be appearing at the Secretariat.com booth set up for the weekend adjacent to the jockey silks display.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Looking ahead to a possible start on the grass in the fall, trainer Tim Ice had Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird galloped the morning of Aug. 12 over the Oklahoma turf course as part of his preparations for the $1 million Shadwell Travers (gr. I) Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Gulfstream Park has waved the nomination fees for grade I winners Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra, Summer Bird, and Quality Road to next year's Donn Handicap.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
James McIngvale, a Houston horse owner known for his high profile promotions on behalf of his Gallery Furniture stores, is proposing a $2-million match race between Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Preakness-winning filly Rachel Alexandra put in her first work at Saratoga Race Course the morning of Aug. 11 in preparation for her as-yet-to-be-determined next start, covering a half-mile in :50.72 under exercise rider Dominic Terry.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The longest shot in a field of six, 18-1 Bullsbay pulled a shocking upset in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) Aug. 8 at Saratoga, splitting horses on the turn and pulling away for a 1 1/2-length score under Jeremy Rose.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was forced to scratch Asiatic Boy from the Aug. 8 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) after the 6-year-old horse developed a fever the afternoon before the race.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Stonestreet Stable's Rachel Alexandra was on Saratoga's Oklahoma training track Aug. 6 for a gallop and will return to the work tab next week, most likely Aug. 11, trainer Steve Asmussen said.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
The weekend brought a couple of new players to the 3-year-old scene and also underlined just how strong the second-crop sires are. Thursday, August 06, 2009
The ageless Commentator will try to stand alongside the great Kelso as the oldest horse ever to win the prestigious Whitney Handicap (gr. I), a race he will also attempt to capture for a record-tying third time.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Superstar Rachel Alexandra will be honored with her own line of limited wines, which will be available during the holiday season.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
A story about Rachel Alexandra seems out of place in a column about the Breeders' Cup, but who cares. That's between Jess Jackson and the Breeders' Cup decision makers. Even though there will be no launching of the Rachel rocket on Nov. 7, it's still fun to "count down" to the imaginary blast off.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Rachel Alexandra turned in yet another dominating performance in a campaign for the ages when she captured the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) on a sloppy track at Monmouth Park Aug. 2.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Macho Again, winner of last year's Jim Dandy (gr. II), turned in a bullet work before the heaviest of the rains began July 31 as he prepared for the grade I, $750,000 Whitney at Saratoga on Aug. 8.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Favored Hot Dixie Chick showed she was more than a speed freak in the $111,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III), rating patiently just off the pace before grabbing the lead and then pulling away to a 6 1/4 length victory July 29, the opening day of the Saratoga meeting in upstate New York.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A sore foot could keep Atomic Rain from taking on BlackBerry Preakness (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird in the Aug. 2 Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The training halter worn by Rachel Alexandra prior to her historic victory in the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I) was purchased by an Ohio man for $2,859.99 in an online auction that will benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Jess Jackson might as well have said "read my lips," when he stated emphatically on a national teleconference July 28 that Rachel Alexandra will not run in the Breeders' Cup, regardless of how much pressure is put on him.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
While America's 3-year-old sweetheart Rachel Alexandra is frolicking at the Jersey Shore Aug. 2 in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park, and a deep, well-matched group of colts gather in the Adirondacks for the Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga, the winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! brands (gr. I) for the first time in history will be out in the Appalachians, showing off in front of the Mountaineer Park crowd in the West Virginia Derby (gr. II).
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra had her final workout July 27 at Saratoga as she continues to prepare for her next start in the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park on Sunday, Aug. 2.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Mine That Bird breezed through a four-furlong workout at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort on July 27. The track's clockers recorded a time of :49 4/5 as the Kentucky Derby winner continued his preparations for Aug. 1, $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II).
Monday, July 27, 2009
Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird put in his final work for the $1.25 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I), breezing five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 July 26 with jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Stable, the new owner of Atomic Rain, has officially decided to take on Preakness Stakes (gr. I)-winning filly Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird in the Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park Aug. 2.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tracy Farmer's Commentator, the expected elder statesmen of the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) on Aug. 8 at Saratoga, turned in a bullet work over the Oklahoma track at Saratoga July 23, breezing five furlongs in :59.12.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Monmouth Park announced the purse for the 42nd running of Haskell Invitational (gr. I) on Aug. 2 has been boosed by $250,000 to now total $1,250,000.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Jerry Moss, owner of undefeated champion Zenyatta, said July 22 that he has not made a decision on the mare's next destination after her try in the Aug. 9 Clement Hirsch Stakes (gr. I), but he reiterated that he still wants to do "something different" with the rest of her 2009 campaign.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
An attorney for Edmund Gann said the owner will appeal a July 21 decision by the Arkansas Racing Commission disqualifying It's a Bird from his victory in the April 4 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) after the horse tested positive for the prohibited substance naproxen, an anti-inflammatory medication.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Edward Evans' homebred Quality Road worked five furlongs in 1:01.41 July 17 at Belmont Park and is on track to make his first start in more than four months in the $150,000 Amsterdam (gr. II) at Saratoga on Aug. 3.
Friday, July 17, 2009
The winner of the BlackBerry Preakness (gr. I) is in top condition and ready for the $1 million, grade I stakes Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park, which could include Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Summer Bird.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Payton d'Oro and Bon Jovi Girl, who took turns beating each other in their last two starts, will do battle once again in the $250,000 Delaware Oaks (gr. II) July 18 at Delaware Park, where they will meet a solid group of 3-year-old fillies.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra worked five furlongs in 1:01.38 over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Racecourse July 13.
Monday, July 13, 2009
California vintner Jess Jackson has privately acquired the Medaglia d'Oro filly Dashing Debby, who won her career debut, the July 11 J J'sdream Stakes at Calder Race Course, in commanding fashion by 10 1/4 lengths.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Not to be a killjoy, but the fact is some of the best horses in the country will not be showing up at the Breeders' Cup this year.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Jockey Calvin Borel, who rode the winners of this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (gr. I), will be a member of the Saratoga Preview panel on Monday, July 27 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Trainer Doug O'Neill, perfect in four previous tries in the TVG/Betfair Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), shoots for his fifth win since 2002 when he saddles Informed for the $700,000 Cushion Track event July 11.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
BlackBerry Preakness (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra breezed July 6 over the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course in her first workout since her record-setting victory in the Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) eight days ago.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Dry Martini became a millionaire at Belmont Park on July 4, rallying from last to post a two-length upset of favored Asiatic Boy in the 123rd running of the gr. II, $400,000 Suburban Handicap.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
