Stephanie's Kitten Prevails in Just a Game

Stephanie's Kitten took the rail trip to victory in the $500,000 Longines Just a Game Stakes (gr. IT) at Belmont Park June 8, digging in determinedly to best Better Lucky by half a length after a dogfight down the lane.

Daisy Devine Can End Skid in E.T. Mint Julep

Grade I winner Daisy Devine, seeking to snap a three-race losing skid, is a standout among six older fillies and mares entered in the $100,000 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (gr. IIIT) on the turf June 8 at Churchill Downs.

Stiff Group Meets Mizdirection in Just a Game

Trainer Mike Puype has no doubt 2012 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint victress Mizdirection is best of seven entered in the June 8 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont. But the new surface could be her undoing, especially if it rains.

Stephanie's Kitten Comes Back a Winner

Stephanie's Kitten came back of the layup and got the job done May 4 in the Distaff Turf Mile (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs. Hungry Island, winner of the same race in 2012, was second by a neck.

Marketing Mix Returns in Distaff Turf Mile

Marketing Mix was made the 5-2 morning-line favorite for her 2013 debut, the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (presented by Longines) (gr. IIT) on the Derby Day undercard. Hungry Island, last year's winner, returns.

Pedigree: Bringing the Battle to Kentucky

Aidan O'Brien noted that Lines of Battle was sent to Dubai with the specific purpose of picking up Kentucky Derby-qualifying points offered in the race, and he earned 100 points, assuring him a spot in the starting gate.

Lisa Danielle is KY Broodmare of the Year

Morton Fink's Lisa Danielle, the dam of Horse of the Year Wise Dan, was honored April 25 as Broodmare of the Year by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association at its annual awards luncheon.

Trainer Rodriguez Guides Vyjack at Churchill

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez put his skills as a former rider to use on Tuesday, April 23, riding grade II winner Vyjack on the Churchill Downs main track in preparation for the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Mettee Replaces Motion as Team Valor Trainer

Team Valor International has hired Rick Mettee to train all of its North American-based racehorses, replacing Graham Motion, the partnership group announced April 5.

The Secret to Tapit's Success

by Anne Peters
During the first weekend in February, he was represented by three graded stakes winners: Flashback, Honorable Dillon, and Tapicat.

Play It Again: Old Tune Wins Hillsborough

Stud TNT's Old Tune, winner of Tampa Bay Downs' Feb. 2 Endeavour Stakes (gr. IIIT), returns to win the March 9 Hillsborough Stakes (gr. IIIT) at nine furlongs. Her score is trainer Todd Pletcher's fourth Hillsborough victory.

Eclipse Award Overview; Winners, Votes

A voting overview of the 2012 Eclipse Award winners and other candidates, along with number of first-place votes for each category is listed in this story.

Zagora Named Champion Female Turf Horse

For the second year in a row, owner Martin Schwartz returned to the Eclipse Awards podium to receive a trophy in the female grass horse category, thanks to Zagora.

Marshua's River: Heavenly Landing on Defense

Defending winner Heavenly Landing takes on nine older fillies and mares Jan. 5 in the $100,000 Marshua's River Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park, including Team Block's highly consistent Leading Astray.

Grade I Winner Summer Soiree Retired

Grade I winner Summer Soiree wrapped up her racing career by passing the $500,000 earnings plateau and adding to her grade I credentials with a third-place finish in the Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) Nov. 25.

35-1 Better Lucky All Good in Wild Matriarch

Better Lucky gave Godolphin Racing another grade I victory when she registered a 35-1 shocker in an adventurous renewal of the $250,000 Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) on the turf Nov. 25 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Dayatthespa Can Keep It Going in Matriarch

Dayatthespa, who has won five in a row at three different tracks, will try to keep her streak alive in the $250,000 Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) Nov. 25 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Romans Big Sport of Turfdom Winner

The Turf Publicists of America honored trainer Dale Romans with the Big Sport of Turfdom Award Nov. 16, an honor that recognizes Romans' efforts to work with media and turf publicists to promote the sport.

Fasig-Tipton November Wrap

Esther Marr reviews the Fasig-Tipton November sale and the purchase of Havre de Grace. Also, comments from Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning.

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F-T November Sale Could Provide Fireworks

The Fasig-Tipton November sale, which is known for its prominent cast of selected entries, will again feature several standouts, including this year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) winner Zagora.

Mott: Royal Delta G-R-E-A-T After Victory

Trainer Bill Mott could not contain his excitement the morning after champion Royal Delta's gate-to-wire victory in the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park, saying the filly was G-R-E-A-T.

Game Zagora Prevails in Filly & Mare Turf

Martin Schwartz's Zagora took the lead leaving the second turn and held off a tenacious Marketing Mix for a game victory in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park Nov. 2.

Soaring Empire to Vinery New York

Graded stakes-winning son of Empire Maker to stand at Vinery New York for $2,500. He won or placed in eight graded stakes and is a half brother to multiple graded stakes winner Hungry Island.

Brown Confident with Zagora in F&M Turf

"She's going to have to be dealt with on Friday," trainer Chad Brown remarked of Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf contender Zagora. "I have respect for the horses that have come over here, but mine is pretty good."

Mott's BC Quartet Among Belmont Workouts

Bill Mott sent his quartet of Breeders' Cup hopefuls out for their final works Oct. 28, with Royal Delta (:48.96), To Honor and Serve (:47.72) and Flat Out (:48.01) all turning in half-miles.