Craig Trust Reduction Grosses Nearly $700k

Craig Family Trust helps Barretts January mixed sale by attracting buyers worldwide.

Goodwood: Quality Foes Await Mine That Bird

Mine That Bird, stunning winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) this spring, has hooked a highly contentious field for his first try against older horses in Oak Tree's $350,000 Goodwood Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Oct. 10.

Mine That Bird 1-1 In Early Belmont Wagering

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr.I) winner Mine That Bird is the big even-money favorite in early wagering for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), with Charitable Man and Chocolate Candy both at 5-1.

That Handicapping Show: The Belmont (Video)

Jason, Tom, and the Wizard preview the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Haskin's Belmont Report: Love That Bird

Ok, I am officially smitten with Mine That Bird. I admit to being one of those misguided souls who paid no attention to him before the Kentucky Derby other than to comment what a beautiful mover he was. After the Preakness and seeing him on the Belmont track Thursday morning, I have to say in simplest of terms this is one cool horse.

Hollendorfer Travels East for Classic Shot

Jerry Hollendorfer has 135 horses in training at Golden Gate Fields in Northern California, but he has been making regular trips east the past month to keep tabs on the "big" horse in the stable, Chocolate Candy.

Belmont Contenders: Pedigree Profiles

Insight into the pedigrees of this year's Belmont contenders is only a click away. This easy-to-read report includes pedigree analyses from Alan Porter and Avalyn Hunter. Order your copy today and separate the contenders from the pretenders.

Haskin's Belmont Report: Pace Makes the Race

The two key figures in the pace scenario for Saturday's Belmont Stakes are Miner's Escape and Charitable Man. The former will be a longshot in the field of 10, while Charitable Man was made the 3-1 second choice behind Mine That Bird. So, let's see how this may play out.

Belmont Preview: Borel Center of Attention

Mine That Bird will face nine rivals in the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I). Jockey Calvin Borel will look to become the first jockey to win all three Triple Crown races on two different horses.

Mine That Bird 2-1 Favorite For Belmont

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird was among 10 3-year-olds entered for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on June 6.

Owner Craig, Chocolate Candy Walk the Walk

If you happen to be walking the sidewalks of New York in the days leading up to the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), you just might run into diet guru Jenny Craig, who will be in town for the race.

Haskin's Belmont Report: The Belmont Breeze

"Between :49 and :50." That has become your standard instructions by a trainer to his rider prior to a horse's final work for the Belmont Stakes. Gone are the days when trainers would work their horse at least seven furlongs, more likely a mile or even a mile and an eighth for the grueling "Test of the Champion."

Chocolate Candy Has Final Belmont Work

Chocolate Candy put the finishing touches on his preparations for the June 6 running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I), with a final breeze at Belmont Park June 1.

Chocolate Candy Breezes at Belmont

Chocolate Candy, fifth in the Derby, breezed seven furlongs at Belmont Park in 1:27.34 with exercise rider Lindsey Molina aboard as he continued prepping for the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 6. Chocolate Candy, who will enjoy the services of jockey Garrett Gomez in the Belmont, was caught in splits of 24.63, 48.87 and 1:14.02 shortly before 6 a.m.

Haskin's Derby Report: The Picks

To start, this is as tough a Derby as I have ever had to decipher, with a case to be made for at least dozen of the horses. I will break the race down in several categories and then put it all together and come up with something that resembles a wagering strategy.

Human Stories Dominate Derby

The Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) isn't just about the horse. This edition boasts an unusually fertile crop of human-interest stories in the connections behind the horses.

Haskin's Derby Report: Day for Revenge

Following Monday's flurry of workouts, it was all about I Want Revenge on Tuesday, as the likely Kentucky Derby favorite had the center stage all to himself.

Human Stories Dominate Derby

The Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) isn't just about the horse. This edition boasts an unusually fertile crop of human-interest stories in the connections behind the horses.

Haskin's Derby Report: Monday Madness

There's lots to catch up on, with several works of interest over the weekend and a star-studded array of works this morning, which unfortunately were played out against a horrific backdrop.

Chocolate Candy Doesn't Melt Under Pressure

In spite of the distractions caused by a gruesome racetrack collision and a wailing siren that Churchill Downs uses to warn horsemen that there is trouble on the racetrack, Chocolate Candy turned in a professional and fast work April 27.

Monday Works: Friesan Fire Blazes in :57 4/5

Monday morning at Churchill Downs was a busy day for horses getting in their final preparations for Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Pioneerof the Nile Sizzles at Churchill

Zayat Stables' Pioneerof the Nile brought a smile to the face of three-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert with a sharp five-furlong work over a fast Churchill Downs track on April 21.

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - 04/21/09

Regal Ransom sneaks onto the list as Godolphin confirms he will run in the Derby.

Top West Coast Derby Contenders Arrive

California stars Pioneerof the Nile and Chocolate Candy, the first two finishers in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) April 4, arrived at Churchill Downs April 16 to prepare for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

I Want Revenge Works at Churchill

David Lanzman and IEAH Stables' I Want Revenge, the possible favorite for the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), turned in his first serious training move since his arrival at Churchill Downs when he worked an easy half-mile over a muddy track on April 14.

Smith, Chocolate Candy Get Acquainted

Chocolate Candy, runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), worked five furlongs under new rider Mike Smith on Pro-Ride in :59 1/5 April 12. The son of Candy Ride is scheduled to leave April 14 for Louisville to prepare for the 135th Kentucky Derby.

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - 04/07/09

With a strong second to Pioneerof the Nile in the April 4 Santa Anita Derby, Chocolate Candy jumps into the top 5 of Haskin's latest Derby Dozen.

Ky. Derby Trail: Coast Clash Looms Big

It's not quite the Sunshine Millions, but this year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) is looking like a regional battle between California- and Florida-based horses, who at this point appear on their way to occupying the top four favorite roles in the Run for the Roses.

Pioneerof the Nile Set to Ship April 14

Even as he prepares to ship Pioneerof the Nile to Churchill Downs April 14 for the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainer Bob Baffert says he's still trying to figure out what kind of running style the son of 2003 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Empire Maker possesses.

Pioneerof the Nile Rolls at Santa Anita

A lack of pace changed the game plan for odds-on choice Pioneerof the Nile, but jockey Garrett Gomez improvised, enabling the son of Empire Maker to hold off Chocolate Candy for a one-length win in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on a picture-perfect day in Arcadia, Calif.

Quality Road Still Tops KDFW at Midpoint

Edward P. Evans' Quality Road, winner of the Florida Derby (gr. I) for his third victory in four career races, remained the favorite to win the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on May 2 as the third and final pool of Churchill Downs' 2009 Kentucky Derby Future Wager reached its midway point on the evening of April 3.

Ky. Derby Trail: The Key Word is Prep

Saturday's big three Kentucky Derby preps should be pretty formful, with one or two standouts in each race. But, there's a lot more to these races than who is going to win. While they are all prestigious events, let's not forget the fact that they are indeed preps.

Analysis: Wood, Santa Anita, & Illinois

Triple Crown Talk blog, with host Jason Shandler, analyzes the Wood Memorial, and the Santa Anita and Illinois Derbies. Plus, join Jason and Dick Downey from the TheDowneyProfile.com for a live chat at noon Eastern on April 4.

THS: Wood & Santa Anita Derby (Video)

Jason, Suzanne, and the Wizard analyze the Wood Memorial (gr. I) and the Santa Anita Derby.

The Pamplemousse On Outside in SA Derby

Trainer Julio Canani says The Pamplemousse doesn't need the lead to win the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) April 4. After a couple of interesting developments when entries were taken, that theory could be put to the test.

Ky Derby Trail: Win Willy Will Win Derby

See story for startling revelation and other peeks into this year's Kentucky Derby crystal ball.

The Pamplemousse Sharp at Santa Anita

The Pamplemousse, with his regular rider Alex Solis aboard, turned in a sharp final tune-up March 31 for the April 4 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I). The 3-year-old son of Kafwain worked three furlongs in :34.80 seconds at Santa Anita Park in California. He was the fastest of 15 workers at that distance.

HRTV: Pursuit of the Crown March 27

Featuring previews of the Florida Derby (including an interview with Todd Pletcher, trainer of Dunkirk) and UAE Derby, a recap of the Lane's End, and works for Chocolate Candy and Pioneerof the Nile.

Ky. Derby Trail: Rabbit Punch

On several occasions over the past few years, Todd Pletcher has reached into his hat to pull out a rabbit, and in most cases the trick didn't go quite as planned. Despite some bad hare days, Pletcher has decided to try his luck at prestidigitation once again in Saturday's Florida Derby (gr. I).

'Big Three' Drill for Santa Anita Derby

The Pamplemousse, Pioneerof the Nile and Chocolate Candy, the three top choices for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on April 4, each worked on the track's Pro-Ride racing surface March 25.

Ky. Derby Trail: Simple Twists of Fate

Lost in the overwhelming spectacle of the Kentucky Derby and the arduous road leading to Churchill Downs are the little-known ironies and twists of fate that get played out behind the scenes.

Chocolate Candy Shipped to Santa Anita

El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) winner Chocolate Candy was expected to arrive at Santa Anita on the afternoon of March 21 from the Bay Area to begin final preparations for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on April 4.

Rosario to Get Chocolate Candy Mount

Joel Rosario, Santa Anita's third-leading rider, will ride El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) winner Chocolate Candy in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on April 4, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said.

The Pamplemousse in Sharp 'Anita Drill

The Pamplemousse, prepping for the April 4 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and a showdown with Pioneerof the Nile, worked five furlongs on Pro-Ride March 18 in :59 4/5 under regular rider Alex Solis.

Pioneer, Old Fashioned Shine in Works

Leading West Coast Triple Crown contender Pioneerof the Nile worked five furlongs on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride March 8 in a bullet :58.80 under regular rider Garrett Gomez for the grade II San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles. At Oaklawn, Old Fashioned worked a bullet five furlongs in :59.

Old Fashioned Thoughts - Derby Top 10

Triple Crown Talk blog, with host Jason Shandler, reviews Old Fashioned's performance in the Southwest and offers a new top 10 Derby Watchlist.

Ky. Derby Trail: Southwest & Middle East

Although there was nothing over the weekend to knock your proverbial socks off, there were a few races that could steer you toward a horse or two as potential Derby material. With the Southwest Stakes having just been run, we'll briefly discuss the race and go over it in more detail next week.

No Melting Chocolate Candy in El Camino

Chocolate Candy sweetened trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's Triple Crown hopes on Valentine's Day with the colt's first graded stakes win in the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields.

El Camino Real Derby Has One Sweet Play

Chocolate Candy is not only the obvious hunch play on Valentine's Day in the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) at Golden Gate Fields Feb. 14, he's the solid one as well.

Ky. Derby Trail: Mid-Week Melange

Because the Top 30 list took up a great deal of Monday's column, we'll go double duty this week and catch up on some updates and ramblings and look at the Risen Star Stakes.

Ky. Derby Trail: Girl Talk

Before we get to this past week's races, including Monday's Smarty Jones Stakes, there is a pedigree pattern developing this year that you don't normally see to this degree.

Chocolate Candy Impressive in Cal Derby

Odds-on favorite Chocolate Candy split horses as the field straightened away, struck the front nearing the eighth-pole and drew clear to post a 1 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 California Derby Jan. 17 at Golden Gate Fields.

Gallant Son Begins Season in Cal Derby

Stakes winners Chocolate Candy, Gallant Son, and undefeated Merus Miami top a group of seven 3-year-old colts entered for the $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields Jan. 17.

California Derby Lures Chocolate Candy

Chocolate Candy, who ran third in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) at Hollywood Park last month, is among the horses already confirmed for the $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields Jan. 17.

Ky. Derby Trail: Stout Group for 2009

It looks as though the upcoming crop of Derby contenders will be the most stamina-laden in years, with powerful pedigrees, especially on the female side, in abundance.

Pioneerof the Nile Rolls to Futurity Win

Heavily favored Pioneerof the Nile, who took over the stall of Midshipman when the Breeder's Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner departed trainer Bob Baffert's barn for Dubai this fall, proved he earned it when he narrowly held off I Want Revenge in an exhilarating renewal of the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (gr. I) at Hollywood Park Dec. 20.

That Handicapping Show: Dec. 18 (Video)

Jason and Tom analyze the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) at Hollywood Park on Dec 20. Also The Wizard's Spotlight Play is Fair Grounds Race 3 on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Baffert Saddles Two in CashCall Futurity

Bob Baffert will aim for a record-tying fourth CashCall Futurity (gr. I) victory when he saddles Pioneerof the Nile and Ventana in the 28th running of the $750,000 event Dec. 20 at Hollywood Park.

Baffert Pair Works for CashCall Futurity

Trainer Bob Baffert gave the green light to Pioneerof the Nile and Ventana for the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (gr. I) after the pair worked Dec. 14 at Santa Anita.

Chocolate Candy Ready for Sweeter Rides

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Chocolate Candy's record-setting win in the Real Quiet Stakes could be a sign of bigger things to come in 2009 from the son of Candy Ride (ARG).

Real Quiet Is Sweet for Chocolate Candy

Facing winners for the first time, Chocolate Candy overcame a slow start to win the $100,000 Real Quiet Stakes for 2-year-olds at Hollywood Park Nov. 8.