Midwest Trainer Bob Holthus Dies

Bob Holthus, a veteran Midwest trainer, died the morning of Nov. 22 at his Louisville home.

Grade I Winner Pure Clan Retired, Sold

Pure Clan, a multiple grade I winner and millionaire for breeder/owner Lewis Lakin, has been retired from racing and sold.

Holthus Hoping Pure Clan Can Return in July

Diagnosed with a bruised left front foot, stable star Pure Clan could return to training in early July, a relieved Bob Holthus said May 22.

Pure Clan Sent to Rood & Riddle for Exam

Turf star Pure Clan was sent to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington on the morning of May 6 with a possible foot injury while preparing for her seasonal debut at Churchill Downs, trainer Bob Holthus said.

Champion Jockey: Julien Leparoux

Young rider finished second in earnings with $18.5 million, won three Breeders' Cup events and seven other grade I races

Midday Gives Cecil First Breeders' Cup Win

Midday, who was bred in England, gave the Europeans their second win of the 26th Breeders' Cup World Championships. The 3-year-old daughter of Oasis Dream was making her first start in the United States. She is trained by Henry Cecil, a renowned English trainer who earned his first Breeders' Cup victory after many years.

Seeking More of the Same from Magical Fantasy

It would be an understatement to say that Magical Fantasy heads the California contingent for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Nov. 6. After four consecutive major stakes wins locally, three in grade I company, she's nearly all that's left.

Forever Together Chasing Repeat in F&M Turf

Looking to join Ouija Board as the only two-time winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (gr. IT), Forever Together is the likely pick in the $2 million event sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Gio Ponti Likely For BC Classic

Several trainers from the Oct. 3 races at Belmont indicated which way they were leaning for next month's Breeders' Cup.

Pure Clan Overcomes Criticism in Flower Bowl

Pure Clan overtook Criticism in the final furlong to register a convincing win in the $600,000 Flower Bowl Invitational (gr. IT) at foggy, soggy Belmont Park Oct. 3.

Dynaforce, Pure Clan Vie Again in Flower Bowl

Dynaforce wouldn't mind a little cut in the ground when she defends her crown in the $600,000 Flower Bowl Invitational (gr. IT) over Belmont Park's inner turf course Oct. 3.

Desormeaux Powers Dynaforce to Beverly D. Win

Jockey Kent Desormeaux made it back-to-back grade I wins on a soggy Arlington Park turf course when he guided Dynaforce to victory in the $750,000 Beverly D. Aug. 8.

ESPN Airs 'Million' and Beverly D. Aug. 8

Two of the most prestigious turf races on the North American racing calendar, the Arlington Million and Beverly D., will be aired live Sat., Aug. 8, on ESPN from 4:30-6:00 p.m. ET.

Euro Invaders to Test Pure Clan in Beverly D.

European group winners Alnadana and Mad About You challenge top American-based runners Pure Clan, Black Mamba and others in the $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes (gr. IT).

Gio Ponti Top Choice in Arlington Million

Einstein, who stumbled at the start and finished fifth in last year's Arlington Million (gr. IT), drew the inside post for this season's prestigious turf race at Arlington Park, which will be held Aug. 8.

Pure Clan Shows Class in Modesty Score

Lewis Lakin's homebred Pure Clan, making just her second start of the season, overtook pacesetter Tizaqueena in upper stretch and sailed to the wire for a 2 1/2-length victory in the $200,000 Modesty Handicap (gr. IIIT) July 11 on the Arlington Park turf.

Modesty 'Cap: Pure Clan Primed For Big Effort

Lewis Lakin's Pure Clan, fully recovered from a minor injury suffered earlier this season, seems primed to begin her run towards the top of the older female turf division and the climb will start July 11 in the $200,000 Modesty Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Arlington Park, where she will carry top weight of 122 pounds.

Acoma Holds Off Pure Clan in Mint Julep

Helen Groves and Helen Alexander's Acoma repelled a late bid from Pure Clan and held on for a neck victory in the $109,000 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (gr. IIIT) June 6 at Churchill Downs.

Pure Clan Faces Tall Task in Season Debut

Multiple graded stakes-winning filly Pure Clan makes her much-anticipated 2009 debut June 6 in the $100,000 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Churchill Downs, but will have to face accomplished rivals Acoma and Tizaqueena, both of whom have shown good form this year.

Wait a While Faces Tough FM Turf Field

Tepid 3-1 favorite Wait a While faces a tough field in the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Oct. 24. The 10-horse field includes seven other grade or group I winners.

F&M Turf: Girl Power

A sparkling group of female turf runners, representing both sides of the Atlantic, were pre-entered in the $2-million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT).

Improving Family Produces Sky Diva

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

Sky Diva is at the crossroads of an improving sire and an improving family. Sky Mesa started slowly but now runners from his first crop have become graded stakes winners and his second crop of juveniles running this year already includes five stakes winners. At the top is grade I winner Sky Diva. The filly's family has also been improving over the past four years.

IEAH Pledges BC Earnings to Charities

International Equine Acquisitions Holdings, (IEAH Stables), owners of 2008 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Big Brown, will donate a percentage of winnings of all IEAH starters in next month's Breeders' Cup World Championships to Breeders' Cup Charities.

Backseat Rhythm Takes Garden City

Paul Pompa Jr.'s Backseat Rhythm came with a five-wide move and rallied from fifth at the top of the stretch, eventually getting up in the final strides under Javier Castellano to win the $250,000 Garden City Stakes (gr. IT) by a half-length on Belmont's yielding turf course Sept. 6.

Garden City Draws Talented Group

IEAH Stables' grade I winners Ariege and Pure Clan are the headliners in a contentious field of eight 3-year-old fillies vying for the $250,000 Garden City Stakes (gr. IT) Sept. 6 on the Belmont turf, but there is plenty of tough competition in the nine-furlong test.