Five Questions: Paul Wagner

Documentary filmmaker is putting finishing touches on 'Thoroughbred' which will debut on KET March 8.

No Catching Friesan Fire in Louisiana 'Cap

Favored Friesan Fire scored his first victory since romping in last spring's Louisiana Derby (gr. II) when he led all the way to take the $72,750 Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds by 1 3/4 lengths Jan. 23.

Friesan Fire, Gen. Quarters Make 4YO Debuts

Friesan Fire and General Quarters, both starters in the 2009 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Preakness (gr. I), will make their 4-year-old debuts Jan. 23 at Fair Grounds.

General Quarters Set for Fair Grounds Return

General Quarters, winner of this year's grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, returns to the races at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Dec. 26 in an allowance test at six furlongs.

Einstein Among Probables For Stephen Foster

Midnight Cry Stable's Einstein, runner-up to Curlin in last year's Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), topped a list of 20 nominees for this year's renewal, which will be run June 13 at Churchill Downs.

Haskin's Preakness Report: Taking a Shot

Can Rachel Alexandra come back in two weeks and beat the boys after earning outrageous speed figures that suggest a bounce is imminent? Was Mine That Bird's shocking Kentucky Derby score a fluke or the birth of a superstar?

Intrigue Abounds in Preakness 134

A field of 13 is set to line the gates at Pimlico Race Course May 16 for the 1 3/16-mile classic. It is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing Preakness Stakes in recent memory.

Preakness Contenders: Pedigree Profiles

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

'Rachel' Draws Post 13 as 8-5 Favorite

Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Rachel Alexandra drew post 13 and was installed as the solid 8-5 morning-line favorite for the $1-million Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 16 at Pimlico.

Mine That Bird Rolls Into Baltimore

Mine That Bird arrived at Pimlico Tuesday looking to annex the Preakness (gr. I), the second jewel of racing's Triple Crown, after shocking the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands at 50-1.

Mine That Bird Ships to Pimlico

A few minutes after 9 a.m. EDT on May 12, Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine's Mine That Bird rolled out of the Churchill Downs barn area headed for Baltimore and the second leg of racing's Triple Crown.

'General' and 'Private' in Preakness Works

General Quarters and Flying Private, the respective 10th- and 19th- place finishers in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), worked at Churchill Downs May 11 as they tuned up for the May 16 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

At Least Nine to Run in Preakness

The prospective field for the Preakness (gr. I) grew by three confirmed starters when the connections of Musket Man, General Quarters and Terrain committed to the middle jewel of racing's Triple Crown on May 6. The $1 million race now has nine definite starters, with Big Drama the first to arrive at historic Pimlico Race Course. The 1 3/16-mile event is on May 16.

General Quarters Also a Preakness Possible

Trainer Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr. has never been to Baltimore, but that will all change in a few days, as prepares Mine That Bird for a run in the May 16 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

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.

Thoroughbred Documentary Filming at Churchill

A year and a half after Kentucky Education Television received a $2.25 million endowment to film a documentary called "The Thoroughbred," the project was in full swing during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs.

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.

General Quarters Breezes Five Furlongs

General Quarters, the "feel-good" horse of this year's Kentucky Derby, breezed five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 over a fast track at Churchill Downs April 23.

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.

Leparoux to Ride General Quarters

Four-time Churchill Downs' riding champion Julien Leparoux has been named to ride owner/trainer Tom McCarthy's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) winner General Quarters in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Ky. Derby Trail: Memorable Moments

We're getting close to judgment day -- finding that single horse or betting angle or most attractive overlay possibilities. Until the horses can be observed in the flesh starting next week, here are some of the most memorable moments on this year's Derby trail in one person's opinion that will help in finding potential overlays.

Jockey Eibar Coa Rehires Agent

A quarrel between jockey Eibar Coa and his agent, Matt Muzikar, has been resolved, Muzikar said April 13.

Ky. Derby Trail: It's Miller's Time, Too

Like all quarters, General Quarters is a two-sided coin. So far, it's only come up heads, with the face of Tom McCarthy and his Cinderella story receiving all the press. But a flip of the coin to the tails side will reveal the faded and forgotten face of Mark Miller.

General Quarters Takes Blue Grass

Some thought General Quarters' Sam F. Davis (gr. III) win two starts back was a fluke. But the son of Sky Mesa proved them wrong by powering to a 1 1/2-length victory in the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) on April 11 at Keeneland, and he will now head to next month's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) as a legitimate contender.

Improving Hold Me Back Heads Blue Grass

Hold Me Back was made the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) on April 11 at Keeneland.

Hold Me Back Favored in Blue Grass

WinStar Farm's Hold Me Back, winner of the Lane's End Stakes (gr. II) at Turfway Park, was installed as the moderate 3-1 morning-line favorite when 11 horses were entered for the April 11 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland.

Blue Grass Works Being Lined Up

Adele Dilschneider's Terrain put in his final major move for the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) by working five furlongs in 1:01 at Keeneland on April 4 with exercise rider Keith Harris up.

Musket Man Pulls Out Tampa Bay Derby Win

Eric Fein and Vic Carlson's Musket Man found his best stride inside the sixteenth-pole and edged out longshot Join in the Dance by a neck to win the $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) March 14.

Mar 14 Derby Preps Could Be a Chalkfest

Triple Crown Talk blog, with host Jason Shandler, looks at the Rebel, the Tampa Bay Derby, and the San Felipe. Don't forget to join Jason and professional handicapper "TopTurfTeddy", for a live blog from noon-1 p.m. EDT on Saturday, March 14.

'GQ' Looking Good For Tampa Bay Derby

Tom McCarthy's General Quarters, impressive winner of last month's Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III), will try to prove that his runaway victory was no fluke when he returns for $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) on March 14.

Porter on Pedigrees: General Quarters

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

One generally doesn't expect to find Kentucky Derby hopefuls hurtling down 4 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs in May of their juvenile season. Even less expected would be for that debut to be in a $20,000 maiden claiming event. That, however, was the launching point for the career of General Quarters.

HRTV: Pursuit of the Crown Feb 20

HRTV's weekly series analyzing the pursuit of the Triple Crown. The debut episode includes a recap of last week's action, the Southwest, the San Vicente, the Sam F. Davis, and the UAE 2000 Guineas. Plus, Dunkirk's allowance win, Jeff Siegel's Top 10, and a look back at the 2008 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

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.

Sky Mesa Undergoes Surgery for Colic

Sky Mesa, whose son General Quarters entered the Triple Crown picture with an upset victory in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) on Feb. 14, has been taken out of service after undergoing surgery for colic over the weekend. Colic is acute abdominal pain.

General Quarters Pulls Sam Davis Upset

Thomas McCarthy's General Quarters pulled a shocker and threw his name into the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) mix, as he stalked the pace, took over rounding the far turn and pulled away for a convincing 3 1/2-length score in the $221,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 14.

Free Country Takes on 10 in Sam Davis

Silver Wing Stable's Free Country, undefeated in two starts including an impressive nine-furlong allowance win at Gulfstream Park last month, makes his highly-anticipated stakes debut in the $225,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 14 at Tampa Bay Downs.

Borel Gets Milestone in Bashford Manor

It seemed only fitting that Calvin Borel would reach a career milestone victory in a familiar manner, at Churchill Downs, on a longshot, and by flying up the rail. The 41-year-old rider recorded his 4,500th victory aboard 18-1 Screen Your Friend in the $164,550 Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) July 5 in Louisville, Ky.

Asmussen Has Top Two in Bashford Manor

Steve Asmussen has an excellent chance to capture the Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III) for the third time in his career, as the leading training sends out the top two choices in the $150,000-added event July 5 at Churchill Downs.