Met Mile: Flat Out Faces Pletcher Pair

The Met Mile (gr. I) at Belmont Park traditionally has been one of the most prestigious races in the country, and all you have to do is go down this year's list of entries to understand why.

Unlimited Budget May Take on Boys in Belmont

After bypassing the Preakness, trainer Todd Pletcher has a deep group of possible contenders for the Belmont Stakes, including Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) third-place finisher Unlimited Budget.

Swagger Jack Wins Vs. Crack Carter Cast

Silverton Hill's Swagger Jack rallies to win the seven-furlong Carter Handicap (gr. I) at Aqueduct. The son of Smart Strike gets the trip in 1:21.44.

Hollendorfer Spots Sahara Sky in Carter 'Cap

Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer threatens to have grade I winners on both coasts April 6 as he ships Sahara Sky to Aqueduct Racetrack for the $400,000 Carter Handicap (gr. I).

Verrazano, Normandy Invasion Post Sharp Works

Verrazano and Normandy Invasion, leading contenders for the upcoming $1 million Wood Memorial (gr. I), both posted bullet moves March 31 at Palm Meadows Training Center.

Verrazano Tops NTRA 3YO Poll

Verrazano, impressive winner of the March 9 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II), leaps from fourth position a week ago to top this week's NTRA's weekly 3-Year-Old poll. Game On Dude is a solid No. 1 in the national poll.

Fort Larned 'Walking Good' After Gate Stumble

Fort Larned came out of his bad stumble at the start of the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) March 9 with a grabbed quarter, but otherwise escaped further injury, trainer Ian Wilkes reported the following morning.

'Dancer Takes GP Cap as Fort Larned Stumbles

E. Paul Robsham Stables' Discreet Dancer picked up the pieces of an incident-marred running of the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) March 9, when Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Fort Larned stumbled at the start.

Fort Larned Starts Season in Gulfstream 'Cap

Fort Larned, who has not started since his gutsy victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), will face five opponents when he makes his 5-year-old debut March 9 in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. I).

Pletcher Works Discreet Dancer, 'Bobby

Trainer Todd Pletcher had a busy Sunday morning at Palm Meadows Training Center March 3 with more than a dozen stakes runners from his powerful stable hitting the work tab for upcoming stakes engagements.

Discreet Dancer Returns a Winner

Discreet Dancer, whose most recent start resulted in a third-place finish in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) nearly a year ago to the day, returned with a victory Feb. 6 at Gulfstream Park.

Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen 3/5/2012

Hansen and Empire Way shift Steve's Derby Dozen this week

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After the Wire - 2/26/2012 (video)

Evan Hammonds recaps the Risen Star and Fountain of Youth Stakes.

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Union Rags Gallops Away in Fountain of Youth

With Algorithms scratched from the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), Union Rags made easy work of what had been a highly anticipated match-up at Gulfstream Park Feb. 26.

Triple Crown Talk: A Can't-Miss Weekend

The weekend of Feb. 25-26 is loaded with important races, including the Fountain of Youth.

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Union Rags Takes on Pletcher Duo in FOY

The high-anticipated 3-year-old race pits the current Derby favorite, Union Rags, against two undefeated and top-class horses from the barn of leading trainer Todd Pletcher, Algorithms and Discreet Dancer.

Algorithms vs. Union Rags in 3YO Showdown

There's a good chance we'll have a clear-cut favorite for the Kentucky Derby after the Feb. 26 clash between the undefeated Holy Bull winner Algorithms and Champagne winner Union Rags.

Pletcher Pair Work for Fountain of Youth

Todd Pletcher's powerful duo of Algorithms and Discreet Dancer turned in their final works for the Feb. 26 Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), breezing a half-mile and five-eighths, respectively, at Palm Meadows Feb. 20.

Union Rags Breezes for Fountain of Youth

One day after losing his regular rider for his 2012 debut in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II), Union Rags was out on the track at Palm Meadows for a five-furlong breeze in 1:03.08 Feb. 13.

Ho-Hum, Pletcher Loaded Again

Jason Shandler looks at Todd Pletcher's Derby hopefuls.

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Union Rags Breezes Bullet Half

Champagne winner has solid tune-up for 3-year-old debut in Fountain of Youth

Discreet Cat's Offspring Flashing Speed

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Although Discreet Cat finished 15th in the leading freshman sire race of 2011, the end of the year brought some eye-catching performances from his offspring.

Discreet Dancer Impressive in Gulfstream Test

Discreet Dancer, who set a track record for 5 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream Park winning his debut by 9 3/4 lengths on Dec. 3, confirmed that promise Jan. 7 as he drew clear to score by 5 1/2 lengths in an allowance test.

Maiden Sets Track Record at Gulfstream

Discreet Dancer, a first time starter for Todd Pletcher, pulled away to a 9 3/4-length triumph opening day at Gulfstream Park Dec. 3, setting the 5 1/2-furlong track record in the process.