Pure Fun Tops Full Field in Bourbonette Oaks

Pure Fun, winner of the Hollywood Starlet (gr. I) in December, gets her season started in the $100,000 Fathead Bourbonette Oaks (gr. III) as the 8-5 favorite in a field of a dozen 3-year-old fillies March 23 at Turfway Park.

Grade I Winner Awesome Maria Retired

Joyce Robsham's homebred Awesome Maria, a New York grade I winner, has been retired from racing because of a tendon injury discovered after her last race, the Delaware Handicap (gr. II) July 21, in which she finished third.

Royal Delta Fully Extended in Del Cap

Besilu Stables' Royal Delta held off a late challenger to win the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (gr. II) by a neck at Delaware Park July 21, but it wasn't the nemesis everyone thought she'd face near the wire.

Weekend handicapping 7-20 to 7-23

Finnegans Wake looks live in Va. Derby.

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THS: Delaware Handicap

Tom and Pete handicap the Delaware Handicap and Virginia Derby.

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Royal Delta Primed for Delaware Handicap

Besilu Stables' Royal Delta headlines the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (gr. II) at Delaware Park July 21, but the champion filly will have to fend off an old nemesis in Awesome Maria.

Consistent It's Tricky Wins Ogden Phipps

Godolphin Racing's It's Tricky, a daughter of Mineshaft who has won or placed in 11 of 12 starts, wore down pacesetter Cash for Clunkers to win the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) on the Belmont Park Memorial Day card.

'Maria' the Main Star in Ogden Phipps

Awesome Maria carries highweight of 124 pounds against four rivals May 28 in Belmont Park's Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I). The Phipps is one of three grade I races on the Memorial Day card in New York.

Havre de Grace Tops 'Racing Festival' Noms

Reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace tops the list of horses nominated to the stakes extravaganza that, along with the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), comprise the "Racing Festival of the South" at Oaklawn Park April 11-14.

Awesome Maria Easily Repeats in Rampart

Sent off as the 1-10 favorite against five overmatched contenders, E. Paul Robsham Stables' Awesome Maria was a comfortable winner of the $150,000 Rampart (gr. III) March 31 at Gulfstream Park.

Rampart, Skip Away Part of Florida Undercard

Grade I winner Awesome Maria looked as good as ever romping in the Sabin Stakes (gr. III) last month; Where's Sterling leads the field in the Skip Away. Both races are part of the Florida Derby undercard at Gulfstream Park.

El Padrino On Target for Florida Derby

El Padrino put the finishing touches on his preparations for the upcoming Floriday Derby (gr. I) with a half-mile workout in :49 flat at Palm Meadows Training Center March 25.

Awesome Maria Dominates Royal Delta in Sabin

E. Paul Robsham Stables' Awesome Maria, who hadn't raced since last June, destroyed four foes, including champion Royal Delta, to win the $98,000 Sabin Stakes (gr. III) by eight lengths at Gulfstream Park Feb. 25.

Royal Delta Faces Awesome Maria in Sabin

More than three months after winning the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) and locking up champion 3-year-old filly honors, Royal Delta will begin her 2012 season in the Sabin Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 25 at Gulfstream.

Awesome Maria Preparing for 2012 Campaign

Awesome Maria, who hasn't competed since winning the Ogden Phipps Handicap (gr. I) last June, breezed five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 Jan. 16 at Palm Meadows in Florida.

Awesome Maria Out for the Year With Fracture

E. Paul Robsham Stables' Awesome Maria, undefeated in four starts in 2011, will be sidelined for the remainder of the year after suffering a condylar fracture of her left foreleg.

And They're Off: Summer Time Edition

Lenny and Steve review the Triple Crown season, which horse divisions are the best currently, assess the BC Juvenile Sprint and Royal Ascot.

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The Best Division in Racing: Older Females

With nearly six months in the books we have not solved a whole heck of a lot so far. Fortunately, we have the older females help generate excitement.

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Awesome Maria Much the Best in Ogden Phipps

Awesome Maria remained perfect in four starts in 2011 and notched her first grade I win when she kicked away in the stretch to post an easy victory in the $250,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap June 18 at Belmont Park.

Awesome Maria Shoots for Grade I in Phipps

One of three chances for Todd Pletcher, Awesome Maria seeks her first grade I win when she faces a small but solid field in the $250,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap.

Awesome Maria Nips 'Absinthe' in Shuvee

Heavily favored Awesome Maria battled Absinthe Minded down the long Belmont Park homestretch to prevail by a head in a thrilling finish to the $150,000 Shuvee Handicap (gr. II) May 21.

Awesome Maria Odds-On Choice in Shuvee 'Cap

Awesome Maria, dominating winner of two graded stakes this year, is the clear standout in a small field entered in the $150,000 Shuvee Handicap (gr. II) at Belmont Park May 21.

Winner's Circle - Triumphant Trio

Joyce Robsham saw homebreds R Heat Lightning, Awesome Maria, and Travelin Man all win graded stakes at Gulfstream the weekend of April 2-3.

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The Week In Photos: April 4, 2011

The 2011 Florida Derby, Swale, Skip Away, and more!

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Awesome Maria Romps in Rampart; 'Belle Third

Odds-on choice Awesome Maria scored her second straight dominating win at Gulfstream Park this season in the $150,000 Rampart Stakes (gr. III) April 2, spoiling the 2011 debut for Unrivaled Belle.