Sum of the Parts Wires Phoenix Field

The 3-year-old son of Speightstown earns a spot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint with the win.

Wide-Open Phoenix Offers Breeders' Cup Shot

Opening day at Keeneland offers one of the last gateways to a spot in the Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), and it's a wide open contest.

Riley Tucker vs. Cash Refund in Aristides

Riley Tucker and Cash Refund figure to be the top two in the $100,000 Aristides Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs. The six-furlong stakes is one of three under the lights under the Twin Spires June 2.

Trappe Shot Seeks Grade I Win in Vanderbilt

Led by impressive True North Handicap (gr. II) winner Trappe Shot, eight older sprinters will try to catapult to the top of the sprint standings in the $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap Aug. 7 at Saratoga.

Giant Ryan Takes Smile Sprint With Big Finish

Giant Ryan ran his winning streak to five races when he collared pacesetting Irrefutable a couple of strides before the wire to win by a neck in the $350,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (gr. II) July 9 at Calder Race Course.

Noble's Promise Ready for Smile

Noble's Promise made headlines finishing a close third in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) and fifth in the 2010 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

The Week in Photos: June 6, 2011.

Racing across the world, and prepping for the Belmont Stakes.

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Noble's Promise Triumphs in Aristides Battle

A little sharper in his second start of the season, Noble's Promise returned to Churchill Downs to post a hard-fought win in the $110,300 Aristides Stakes (gr. III) June 4.

All 8 Aristides Entrants Fond of Churchill

Of the eight entrants drawn for the $100,000 Aristides Stakes (gr. III), not only do all of them have one-turn wins at Churchill Downs, but six of them have stakes wins over the track.

Smiling Tiger Tops Tough Churchill Downs Cast

Smiling Tiger, making his first appearance under the Twin Spires since finishing third in last fall's Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), is the mild favorite in the $300,000 Churchill Downs Stakes (gr. II) May 7.

R Heat Lightning, Kathmanblu Drill in Slop

R Heat Lightning, the likely Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) favorite, and Kathmanblu braved a steady rain and sloppy track conditions at Churchill Downs to put in timed workouts just after the track maintenance break April 23.

Twirling Candy Erases Bid's Mark in Malibu

John Sadler and Joel Rosario completed a sweep of the three graded stakes on the opening day program at Santa Anita Dec. 26 when Twirling Candy nosed Smiling Tiger in a thrilling finish to the $250,000 Malibu Stakes (gr. I).

Santa Anita Season Opens With Anticipation

Santa Anita Park unveils its new natural dirt track Dec. 26 with a quality nine-race card that includes the $250,000 Malibu Stakes (gr. I), which drew a well-balanced field of 11 3-year-olds.

Who Will be the 2011 Handicap Stars?

The recent retirements of many 2010 stars leaves major question marks for next year.

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Canford Cliffs Peaks in St. James's Palace

Canford Cliffs followed up his win in the Abu Dhabi Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) with a scintillating victory over a top class field in the St. James's Palace Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot June 15.

Noble's Promise to Skip Preakness; Ascot Next

Noble's Promise will pass the May 15 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and will point instead for the one-mile St. James's Palace Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot

TC Talk: Derby 136 Picks

Instead of going into analysis on each horse, I'll keep it succinct and focus only on horses I like best.

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Haskin's Derby Report: Victor in the Slop

No one can boast of having a better slop pedigree than Stately Victor.

THS: The 2010 Kentucky Derby

Jason, Evan, James Scully, and special guest Jill Byrne preview The Kentucky Derby (gr. I).

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Derby Preview: Is the West the Best?

The two top choices in the first leg of the 2010 Triple Crown are based in California. Lookin at Lucky, the 3-1 morning-line favorite, and Sidney's Candy, the 5-1 second choice, lead a field of 20 3-year-olds in Derby 136.

Win Or Lose, McPeek Enjoying Another Derby

Already with a victory in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and now in his fourth Derby, Ken McPeek feels no pressure to win the May 1 race with Noble's Promise.

Monday Works: Lucky Drills 5f in 1:00 4/5

Lookin At Lucky, the new favorite for Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), works five furlongs in the mud at Churchill Downs in 1:00 4/5 during a busy day for Derby contenders.

Haskin's Derby Report: Pletcher Marches On

With Eskendereya gone, Todd Pletcher regroups; new favorite Lookin at Lucky lookin' good.

On to Kentucky Derby With Noble's Promise

Noble's Promise, the Cuvee colt who has overcome adversity along the Triple Crown trail, has been confirmed for the May 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) after a half-mile workout and endoscopic exam April 26.

UPDATE: Graded Stakes Earnings List

In light of the defections of Rule and Eskendereya from the contenders list and the confirmation Devil May Care will be entered, here is the list of Derby hopefuls based on graded stakes earnings as of mid-morning April 26.