Intense Holiday jogs at Churchill Downs April 27.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Intense Holiday - Churchill Downs, April 25, 2014.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Intense Holiday - Maiden August 31, 2013.
Photo: Bill Dever/EQUI-PHOTO
Intense Holiday wins the 2014 Risen Star Stakes.
Photo: Lou Hodges Jr. / Hodges Photography
One of the early successes for Starlight Racing and Jack Wolf was Harlan's Holiday, the multiple grade I-winning earner of $2.9 million who went on to a successful stud career at WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky.
Starlight Racing partners has announced it will donate large sums to two organizations for the purpose of funding research into laminitis in memory of Intense Holiday, who recently succumbed to the disease.
Steve Haskin reflects on the loss of Intense Holiday. read blog
Grade II winner Intense Holiday, who underwent surgery recently for a condylar fracture to his right foreleg after being injured in training, was euthanized June 12 due to laminitis.
Starlight Racing's Intense Holiday has been retired from racing because of a condylar fracture. The Risen Star Stakes winner had been preparing for a start in the Belmont Stakes when the injury was detected May 25.
Intense Holiday was taken out of consideration for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) after being diagnosed with a condylar fracture following a May 25 workout for the $1.5 million classic.
As Triple Crown contender California Chrome went about his daily routine May 24 in preparation for the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I), a sizable field was shaping up to challenge the colt in the 1 1/2-mile race.
Several horses slated to challenge dual classic winner California Chrome in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 7 are scheduled to breeze this weekend at Belmont Park.
Trainer Rick Violette said he was delighted with the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) fifth-place performance put in by his colt Samraat, but was unsure of the colt's next start.
'We need heroes right now, and I'm hoping he's one of them.' -- Art Sherman, trainer of 5-2 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) favorite California Chrome.
Based on the will-pays of the Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby double, California Chrome will be a big favorite in the May 3 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the 140th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). read blog
The revised morning line for the 140th Kentucky Derby after the scratch of Hoppertunity.
The highest-priced 2014 Derby hopeful sold at public auction is Intense Holiday, who was purchased for $380,000 by Starlight Racing at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale.
Starlight Racing, owner of Intense Holiday, and Skychai Racing, owner of Harry's Holiday, team up to buy additional Kentucky Derby starter General a Rod less than one week before the race.
Starlight Racing's Intense Holiday was the 'buzz' horse April 27 at Churchill Downs. He was one of four workers for trainer Todd Pletcher.
The BloodHorse.com News Update for Sunday April 27, 2014. Claire Novak provides insight on the stand out works, including times, and why Intense Holiday was the buzz of the track. Watch great video footage of these works. watch video
As typical of Derby works, the good ones drew waves of excitement, while others were overblown as bad works. And some were, well, just works. read blog
Under ideal conditions at Churchill Downs Sunday morning, April 27, seven contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and several Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) candidates breezed.
Dallas Stewart, who sent out overlooked Golden Soul to a second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), hopes to have Commanding Curve in this year's race.
A few years ago Xavier Moreau was talking to his Ocala, Fla. area neighbor Wilson Winter when the retired businessman mentioned his interest in getting into Thoroughbred breeding.
Welcome to the 2014 Kentucky Derby. read blog
While Todd Pletcher often gives his horses more rest between starts than the three weeks afforded his Arkansas Derby (gr. I) winner Danza before this year's Kentucky Derby, he believes the Street Boss colt can deliver.
With a few horses moving off the Kentucky Derby contenders list, Steve adjusts his. read blog
Wildcat Red, working a half-mile at Gulfstream Park the morning of April 20, was reunited with jockey Luis Saez for the first time since they teamed for a front-running victory in the Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth.
Doug Salvatore profiles the form, pedigree, speed and red flags of Kentucky Derby contenders. Part 2 of 3. read blog
Undefeated Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Constitution returned to work for trainer Todd Pletcher at Palm Meadows Training Center April 13, along with We Miss Artie and Intense Holiday.
Evan Hammonds comments on the efforts of Vicar's in Trouble and Constitution. watch video
Vicar's in Trouble led every step of the way, turning back the challenge of favored Intense Holiday to post a comfortable win in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II)at Fair Grounds March 29.
TimeformUS Saturday Stakes Plays from Gulfstream and Fair Grounds read blog
When the calendar pages turn to March, and the days slowly count down to the final Saturday of the month, the annual anticipation for one of the greatest days in horse racing begins to build. read blog
Intense Holiday has drawn the rail post position as the 2-1 morning line favorite for the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) March 29 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Larry Jones has just about had enough of Todd Pletcher. And if Pocho's Dream Girl had any idea what Pletcher has been doing to her sons, she would be incensed as well. read blog
Several new horses appear on Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen this week, including a new number one. Steve expands on thoughts of California Chrome's start out of the gate in the San Felipe Stakes. read blog
Twenty-two of the top 25 point earners on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leader board are among the 191 3-year-olds nominated to the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) that will be run April 12 at Keeneland Racecourse.
Steve Haskin shuffles his Kentucky Derby Dozen on the bottom end this week, but read what he says about those left unmoved. read blog
Ron Mitchell talks with Jack Wolf of Starlight Racing about Starlight's Kentucky Derby contender Intense Holiday. Jack also discusses Harlan's Holiday and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Gulfstream Park, Fair Grounds, Japan, Australia, Laurel Park, Calder & More. View Slideshow
If you can imagine those parental feelings of pride a breeder gets watching their foals develop into tough, finely chiseled athletes, try to take it one step farther when a foal narrowly escapes death. read blog
Evan Hammonds picks apart the efforts of Intense Holiday in the Risen Star Stakes and Wildcat Red in the Fountain of Youth Stakes. watch video
Vinceremos and Harpoon, the 1-2 finishers in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (gr. III), are among 18 Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-olds nominated for the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) March 8 at Tampa Bay Downs
Intense Holiday emerged from his scintillating nose victory in the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 22 in good order and is expected to continue on to the $1 million Louisiana Derby (gr. II) March 29.
Starlight Racing's Intense Holiday finally got his graded score, and did so with a thrilling late run in the Feb. 22 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Vicar's in Trouble, dominant 6 3/4-length hero of the Jan. 18 LeComte Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, drew a tough outside post in an overflow field entered for the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 22.
Claire Novak and Frank Angst hope to continue their winning streak this weekend with two key Kentucky Derby prep races, the Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes and Risen Star Stakes. watch video
Steve Haskin adds a new horse to his Kentucky Derby Dozen, shuffles a little and removes one Kentucky Derby prep race winner completely. Read to find out who! read blog
Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) runner-up Havana is likely to make his 3-year-old debut in the $150,000 Swale Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park March 1, trainer Todd Pletcher said.
Steve Haskin presents his first official Kentucky Derby Dozen this week! See if any of your Kentucky Derby horses to watch made his Derby Dozen. read blog
His slate-gray tail streaming behind him, Cairo Prince put on quite a show in the $400,000 Miller Lite Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park, winning by 5 3/4 lengths over 10 other 3-year-olds.
Dania Beach Stakes (gr. IIIT) winner Mr Speaker breezed a half-mile at Payson Park the morning of Jan. 19 in preparation for a scheduled start in the upcoming $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.
| Trainer | Todd A. Pletcher |
|---|---|
| Jockey | John R. Velazquez |
| Owner | Starlight Racing |
| Breeder | Machmer Hall & Haymarket Farm |
| Intense Holiday View Five-Cross Pedigree | Harlan's Holiday | Harlan |
| Christmas in Aiken | ||
| Intensify | Unbridled's Song | |
| Her She Shawklit |
| Sale / Hip | Type | Buyer | Consignor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEESEP2012 Hip 856 |
Yearling | Frank Brothers, agent for Starlight Racing | Select Sales, agent | $380,000 |
| California Chrome |
| Rachel Alexandra |
| Bodemeister |
| Upstart |
| Calculator |
| International Star |
| Far Right |
| Buddy's Saint |
| Main Sequence |
| Dortmund |
