Amazombie Rebounds, Likely for Triple Bend

If all goes as planned, Amazombie will take the exact same path as last year when he captured the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), using the Triple Bend, Bing Crosby, and Ancient Title as springboards.

McNamara, Simmons Win Joe Hirsch Awards

Ed McNamara of Newsday and Todd Simmons of the Staten Island Advance earned top honors in The New York Racing Association's third annual Joe Hirsch Memorial Writing Contest.

Romans Plots Schedule for Shackleford

Trainer Dale Romans said May 29 that Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) winner Shackleford could run in the Whitney Handicap or Woodward Stakes en route to the ultimate goal of winning the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I).

Wagering, Attendance Up on Met Mile Card

With four graded stakes highlighted by the Metropolitan Mile Handicap (gr. I), Belmont Park posted double digit increases in attendance and all-source handle for the May 28 Memorial Day card.

After the Wire - 5/28/2012

Evan Hammonds recaps the Met Mile, Acorn Stakes, and Ogden Phipps Handicap.

watch video

Shackleford Hangs On to Win Metropolitan

Shackleford led from start to finish and the 4-year-old son of Forestry held off a fast-closing Caleb's Posse to win the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park May 28.

No Pushovers in Strong Metropolitan Handicap

Experience and previous success on the Belmont Park dirt surface could be the deciding factor when a short but strong field gathers for the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at one mile May 28.

Castanon Off Mounts After Churchill Fall

Jockey Jesus Castanon, who broke his left hand in a fall at Churchill Downs in the 10th race May 18, will miss all of his scheduled mounts for the remainder of the weekend.

Romans Seeks 2nd Preakness Win With Cozzetti

Dale Romans got his first taste of classic success when he saddled Shackleford to win the 2011 edition of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I). The trainer is back at Maryland's Pimlico Race Couse again this year with Cozzetti.

Stay Thirsty Second to Trickmeister in Return

Stay Thirsty, last year's Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner, proved no match for Trickmeister in the Vanlandingham Stakes at Belmont Park May 17.

Stay Thirsty Starts Year in Overnight Stakes

Stay Thirsty, the 2011 Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner, will make his 4-year-old bow in the Vanlandingham overnight stakes at Belmont Park May 17.

Slideshow: 2011 Preakness Stakes

One year later, look back at Shackleford's Preakness win.

View Slideshow

Stay Thirsty Drills Five Furlongs at Belmont

Stay Thirsty, the 2011 Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner, breezed a quick five furlongs over the Belmont Park training track May 11 as he points to a summer campaign in New York for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Shackleford Headed for Metropolitan Handicap

After recording his first win since last spring's Preakness (gr. I), Shackleford is being groomed for a start in the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park May 28.

After the Wire - 5/6/2012

Evan Hammonds recaps the 2012 Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and several undercard races from the weekend.

watch video

CD Stakes: Shackleford Fights Off Amazombie

After a thrilling stretch duel with champion Amazombie, Mike Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge's Shackleford inched clear in deep stretch to win the $441,600 Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II) May 5.

Sprint Champ Amazombie Heads Churchill Downs

The Kentucky Derby undercard features a top-notch sprint at seven furlongs with millionaires Amazombie, Shackleford, and Smiling Tiger.

Dullahan in Maintenance Work at Churchill

Donegal Racing's Dullahan turned in what trainer Dale Romans called a maintenance work at Churchill Downs April 28, going five furlongs in 1:01 1/5.

Havre de Grace, Oatsee Named KY Champions

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders has named Havre de Grace the 2011 Horse of the Year and champion older female.

Pletcher Hoping El Padrino Makes Derby Field

Trainer Todd Pletcher says he's preparing El Padrino as if the Pulpit colt will start in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Jackson Bend Carves Out Carter Upset

Jackson Bend, the longest shot in the field, held off a flying even-money choice Caleb's Posse in the final strides to prevail in the $400,000 Carter Handicap (gr. I) at Aqueduct April 7.

Calibrachoa Faces Terrific Trio in Carter

Nearly unbeatable at Aqueduct Racetrack, Calibrachoa will attempt to extend his dominance when he takes on a field that includes Caleb's Posse, Shackleford, and Jackson Bend in the $400,000 Carter Handicap April 7.

Irwin, Romans to Discuss Triple Crown

Team Valor International CEO Barry Irwin and trainer Dale Romans are among the scheduled participants in an April 17 panel discussion hosted by the University of Kentucky's Horse Racing Club.

Haskell Invitational Highlights Monmouth Meet

Led by the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) July 29, Monmouth Park will offer a stakes schedule worth $6 million including 17 graded events for the 2012 racing season.

Repole Hopes to Bring an 'Entourage' to Derby

Mike Repole is taking the son of Street Cry to the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. III), where he will try to gain a berth in the May 5 Kentucky Derby (gr. I).