Ben's Cat produced one of the best efforts of his 45-race career to capture the Fabulous Strike Stakes for the third time in its three editions at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course Nov. 29.
If the amazing Ben's Cat is going to make it back-to-back victories in the $200,000 Fabulous Strike Handicap on Thanksgiving Eve at Penn National, he'll will have to defeat one of the toughest fields he has faced recently.
Zayat Stables' Zee Bros pulled a 29-1 upset in the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes Nov. 15 at Laurel Park after taking charge off the far turn and sprinting clear in the stretch.
A runner-up in his past two starts, New York-based Dads Caps will try to secure his first win since taking the Carter Handicap (gr. I) in April when the 4-year-old Discreet Cat colt starts in the De Francis Dash.
Hightail, winner of the 2012 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, will stand the 2015 breeding season at Richard and Francis Hessee's Trophy Club Training Center in Royal, Ark.
Win machine Work All Week remained undefeated in nine starts on dirt and stamped his ticket to the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) with a smart win in the $200,000 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland Oct. 3
Already a three-time stakes winner at Monmouth Park, Pants On Fire will try for a fourth stakes victory in seven career starts at the Oceanport, N.J., track in the $150,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (gr. III) Aug. 17.
Zayat Stables' Mr. Z, runner-up by a neck last time out to Big Trouble in the Sanford Stakes (gr. III), gets a second chance at his first graded stakes win Aug. 10 in the $200,000 Toyota Saratoga Special (gr. II).
Team D's Big Trouble, an easy 4 1/2-length debut maiden winner at Belmont Park, won the $150,000 Sanford Stakes (gr. II) July 19 at Saratoga Race Course by a neck over Mr. Z.
Claire Novak and Frank Angst preview the Diana Stakes and the Sanford Stakes, both July 19 at Saratoga. Watch Video
The $150,000 Sanford Stakes (gr. III) July 19 at Saratoga Race Course pits two undefeated stakes winners in Bessie's Boy, six-length winner of the Tremont at Belmont, and impressive Bashford Manor victor Cinco Charlie.
There are three Pick 4 sequences on Arlington Million Preview Day on Saturday at Arlington International Racecourse. read blog
After a big season with their juveniles last year at the Breeders' Cup, leading consignor Wavertree Stables has even more contenders this year.
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas became the oldest trainer, at 77, to saddle a winner at the Breeders' Cup when he sent Hightail to an upset victory in the 2012 Juvenile Sprint; at 27, Craig Dollase won the 1998 Sprint with Reraise.
New York-bred Wired Bryan upset the $300,000 Sanford Stakes (gr. II) for 2-year-olds at odds of 7-1 July 21 at Saratoga Race Course, running away from his rivals through the stretch by 5 1/4 lengths.
Bashford Manor (gr. III) winner Debt Ceiling, undefeated in three starts for Maryland-based trainer John Robb, faces six others in the 99th running of the $200,000 Sanford Stakes (gr. II) July 21 at Saratoga.
Itsmyluckyday was one of three top 3-year-olds trained by Eddie Plesa to work at Calder Casino & Race Course March 9, breezing an easy mile as he prepares for the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) March 30 at Gulfstream Park.
A $100,000 bonus will be offered to the connections of any juvenile who breaks its maiden during the Aqueduct winter/spring or Belmont Park spring/summer meet and wins a graded stakes at a NYRA track in 2013.
The first great Derby prep of 2013. read blog
Tom LaMarra and Pete Denk discuss the tough field in the Holy Bull Stakes. Can Shanghai Bobby survive the other talented 3-year-olds? watch video
The morning after capturing an Eclipse Award, undefeated Shanghai Bobby worked five furlongs in 1:00 4/5 Jan. 20 in his final tune-up for the upcoming Holy Bull Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park.
The first reported foal by grade I winner Sidney's Candy is a colt born Jan. 17 at Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint winner Hightail has been retired from racing, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas confirmed Jan. 8.
Merit Man proved his mettle in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes Jan. 1, coming back off a runner-up finish to Hightail in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint to prove his class at Gulfstream Park.
Bruce Chandler, Robert McKee and partners' Merit Man will be the horse to beat in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes for newly-turned 3-year-olds on the Gulfstream Park New Year's Day card.
| Horse | Trainer | Breeder / Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Bern Identity | Kelly J. Breen |
|
| Brave Dave | Edward Plesa, Jr. |
|
| Good Tickled | Darrin Miller |
|
| Handsome Jack | Wesley A. Ward |
|
| Hightail | D. Wayne Lukas |
|
| John Gordon | Dale L. Romans |
|
| Onetwentyeight | Todd A. Pletcher |
|
| Rose Junction | Todd A. Pletcher |
|
| Special Jo | Steven M. Asmussen |
|
| Race | Track | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Marshua S. | LRL | |
| Frank Whiteley Jr S. | LRL | |
| Rego Park S. | AQU | |
| Ladies H. | AQU | |
| H. Allen Jerkins S. | GP |
