Pedigree: Bringing the Battle to Kentucky

Aidan O'Brien noted that Lines of Battle was sent to Dubai with the specific purpose of picking up Kentucky Derby-qualifying points offered in the race, and he earned 100 points, assuring him a spot in the starting gate.

Mettee Replaces Motion as Team Valor Trainer

Team Valor International has hired Rick Mettee to train all of its North American-based racehorses, replacing Graham Motion, the partnership group announced April 5.

Grade I Winner Summer Soiree Retired

Grade I winner Summer Soiree wrapped up her racing career by passing the $500,000 earnings plateau and adding to her grade I credentials with a third-place finish in the Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) Nov. 25.

35-1 Better Lucky All Good in Wild Matriarch

Better Lucky gave Godolphin Racing another grade I victory when she registered a 35-1 shocker in an adventurous renewal of the $250,000 Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) on the turf Nov. 25 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Dayatthespa Can Keep It Going in Matriarch

Dayatthespa, who has won five in a row at three different tracks, will try to keep her streak alive in the $250,000 Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) Nov. 25 at Betfair Hollywood Park.

Daisy Devine Takes Aim at Keeneland Sweep

Jenny Wiley Stakes winner Daisy Devine will face fellow grade I winners Tapitsfly and Summer Soiree when she starts in the First Lady Stakes Oct. 6 at Keeneland Race Course.

Zagora Zips to Course Record in Ballston Spa

Favored Zagora found firm going much to her liking in capturing the $250,000 Ballston Spa Stakes (gr. IIT), presented by Jose Cuervo, in record time on the inner turf course Aug. 25 at Saratoga Race Course.

Summer Soiree Makes Return in Ballston Spa

Grade I winner Summer Soiree, last seen finishing second in the Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) last November, makes her 2012 debut in the $250,000 Ballston Spa Stakes Presented by Jose Cuervo (gr. IIT) on Saratoga's inner turf.

Star Billing Comes Out On Top in Matriarch

Star Billing, advancing along the inside for Victor Espinoza, edged away from front-running Summer Soiree for her first grade I victory in the $250,000 Matriarch Stakes (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park Nov. 25.

Motion Trio Duels Never Retreat in Matriarch

Trainer Graham Motion, fresh off a grade I win in the Hollywood Turf Cup, guns for another at Hollywood Park when he sends out three entrants in the $250,000 Matriarch Stakes on the turf Nov. 25.

Together Wheels Right Back to Take QE II

Coming right back off just seven days rest, European invader Together outlasted Marketing Mix to win the $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (gr. IT) Oct. 15 at Keeneland.

QE II Winner Together Headed Back to Ireland

The iron filly Together was scheduled to return to Ireland Oct. 16, a day after her impressive 1 1/4-length victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (gr. IT).

THS: Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

Jason, Evan, and Tim Holland of TwinSpires.com handicap the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. at Keeneland this week.

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QE II Challenge Cup: Catch Me If You Can

It will be speed vs. closing power as Summer Soiree and Winter Memories clash.

Together Pointed For Queen Elizabeth II

Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith's Together, who rallied to finish second in the Oct. 8 First Lady (gr. IT), will remain at Keeneland this week for a run in the Oct. 15 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup.

Slideshow: The Week In Photos - Aug 23, 2011

Awesome Gem, Royal Delta, Summer Soiree, and more.

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Summer Soiree Helps Irwin Reach Milestone

Barry Irwin reached a significant milestone when Summer Soiree prevailed in the Aug. 20 Del Mar Oaks (gr. I). Irwin is in his 25th season syndicating and managing racehorses, and Summer Soiree is his 25th grade I winner.

Summer Soiree Survives Del Mar Oaks Assault

Summer Soiree went west in pursuit of her first grade I victory and the favorite had just enough left in the final jumps to nip fast-closing Star Billing and Nereid in the the $250,000 Del Mar Oaks Aug. 20.

Summer Soiree Takes Next Step in Del Mar Oaks

Off a scintillating win in the Boiling Springs Stakes (gr. IIIT) in her turf debut, Summer Soiree ships cross-country for the $250,000 Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT) against a quality field Aug. 20.

Summer Soiree Steams Home in Boiling Springs

Making her turf debut, Summer Soiree disposed of pacesetter Salary Drive on the turn for home and romped to victory by 8 1/2 lengths in the $155,000 Boiling Springs Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth Park June 25.

Boiling Springs: Pontenuovo Makes U.S. Debut

Pontenuovo, a group III winner at Deauville last year, makes her United States debut for trainer Patrick Biancone in the $150,000 Boiling Springs Stakes (gr. IIIT) on the turf at Monmouth Park June 25.

Saez Arrested Following Domestic Incident

Jockey Gabriel Saez was arrested May 10 in New Castle, Del., on a domestic incident charge. The 23-year-old rider was released later that day on $100 unsecured bond.

Joyful Victory Favored in Deep Oaks Field

Fox Hills Farms' Joyful Victory, runaway winner of Oaklawn Park's Honeybee (gr. III) and Fantasy (gr. II) in her past two starts, tops a stellar cast of 13 3-year-old fillies entered in the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

2011 Ky Oaks - Predict the Order of Finish

Who will win this year's Kentucky Oaks? Will it be a Joyful Victory? Is it time for a Summer Soiree? Are you expecting a Street Storm? Or will the results be Plum Pretty?

Predict the Order

R Heat Lightning Leads Kentucky Oaks Work Tab

R Heat Lightning, the likely favorite in the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) for trainer Todd Pletcher, put in her final drill prior to the race April 30, working a half-mile in :48 1/5 at Churchill Downs.