Southeast Regional: The New Rules
Bert Pilcher Jr. and partners reach the big time with Three Rules
Karen Johnson
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic: No Laughing Matter
Trainer Charlton Baker climbs to the grade I rung with Joking
HOF: Emotions Get the Best of Asmussen
A tearful Steve Asmussen takes his place in the Hall of Fame Aug. 12 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and is joined by jockey Ramon Dominguez, Rachel Alexandra, and Zenyatta.
Hall of Fame Friends for Life
The rider earned three consecutive Eclipse Awards (2010-12) while with Rushing, and added a considerable amount of wins to his career total, which was just 15 shy of 5,000 at the time of his retirement.
Exaggerator Turns in First Post-Belmont Work
With jockey Kent Desormeaux in the irons, the son of Curlin completed a half-mile in :51.69 on the main track.
Exercise Rider's Finesse Aids Exaggerator
Landry came to mind before the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) as a rider who had the finesse to manage high-energy Exaggerator—who wound up second to champion Nyquist in the Derby before turning the tables two weeks later in Baltimore.
Exaggerator Arrives at Belmont Park
After an uneventful four-hour van ride from Pimlico Race Course in Maryland, Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Exaggerator arrived at Belmont Park at 12:10 p.m. ET May 29 for his next assignment, the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 11.
Destin Work is 'Stamina Builder' for Belmont
Son of Giant's Causeway works five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 in company with Stanford. Stradivari possible Belmont starter, too.
Governor Malibu Has Strong Work for Belmont
Governor Malibu, the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) runner-up, worked at Belmont Park May 27 with an eye on the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Caretaker, Aqueduct Remember Peeping Tom
On April 2 Aqueduct will run the Peeping Tom Stakes, which remembers the former claimer turned grade I winner whose caretaker, Alcina Rawles, remembers the gelding as a pleasure horse after his retirement from racing.
Riccio and Ortiz Enjoy Success Like Family
It's too soon to know if Jose Ortiz will have a Derby ride this year, but he did pilot the promising Matt King Coal to an allowance win March 6. The son of Cool Coal Man is under consideration for the Wood Memorial (gr. I).
Poised Flora Dora Soars for Coffee Pot
Flora Dora's next step in reaching her connections' goal of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) is the $125,000 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct Feb. 27. The Busher carries Kentucky Oaks points worth 50-20-10-5 to the top four finishers.
Mike Hushion Back Where He Belongs
A year after he was diagnosed with acute promyeloctic leukemia, Mike Hushion is back where he belongs -- training horses like grade I winner Princess Violet, who runs in the Feb. 13 Barabara Fritchie (gr. II).
Vorticity Could Be Schera's Next Star
For Matt Schera, whose multiple graded stakes winner Race Day entered stud this year, Vorticity could be a star on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Honor Code in Final Classic Work at Belmont
Honor Code worked a half-mile in :48 Oct. 25 over Belmont's main track in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
Tonalist Sharp in BC Classic Breeze
Tonalist, under jockey John Velazquez, worked five furlongs in 1:01 at Belmont Park Oct. 24 in his final work before the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Keeneland.
The Day After: No Regrets From Team 'Pharoah'
There were no regrets from American Pharoah's trainer Bob Baffert the morning after the Triple Crown winner finished second to Keen Ice in the Aug. 29 Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course.
Large Crowd Watches American Pharoah Gallop
On a glorious morning at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 28, an estimated crowd of 15,000 flocked to the track to watch Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in his final gallop before his bid in the $1.6 million Travers Stakes.
American Pharoah Takes Easy Gallop at Spa
If you blinked, you might have missed it. American Pharoah was on the Saratoga Race Course main track for all of five minutes for an easy gallop Aug. 27. It was the Triple Crown winner's first time on the track.
American Pharoah Arrives at Saratoga
Triple Crown winner American Pharoah stepped off the van at Saratoga Race Course at precisely 3 p.m. Aug. 26 for his next assignment, the $1.6 million Travers Stakes (gr. I) coming up Aug. 29.
American Pharoah Draws Post 2 for Travers
Triple Crown winner American Pharoah drew post 2 and was installed as the 1-5 favorite in a field of 10 for the 146th Travers Stakes (gr. I) to be run Saturday, Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course.
Lady Eli Making 'Remarkable Progress'
It appears the worst is behind undefeated turf star Lady Eli, who continues to make significant strides in her recovery from laminitis in her front feet.
Hall of Fame Induction 2015: All Heart
The Hall of Fame class of 2015 was inducted Aug. 7 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. While there were some light-hearted moments during the ceremony, all of the inductees brought out emotion on their way to enshrinement.
Frosted Continues Working Toward Belmont
On a sun-splashed morning that saw a flurry of activity from Belmont Stakes (gr. I) probables, Frosted was among several workers on May 22 who are targeting the final leg of the Triple Crown at Belmont Park June 6.
'Company' No Issue for El Kabeir in Workout
On a brisk spring morning at Belmont Park April 25, El Kabeir put in his final breeze for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), and it was unexpectedly eventful.
Todd Pletcher Is Funny...No, Really
- By Karen Johnson
- Thoroughbred Racing, Breeders' Cup, Triple Crown, Kentucky Oaks, Northeast Region, Midwest Region, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, West Region, Kentucky
Rivals and racing fans may view top trainer Todd Pletcher as reserved and unemotional, but there is more to the dedicated horseman than meets the eye. Read Feature
Super Filly Rachel Alexandra to Woodward
Trainer Steve Asmussen said Aug. 24 that top 3-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra will run in the Sept. 5 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) and that stablemate Kensei would contest the Aug. 29 Shadwell Travers Stakes (gr. I).
Asmussen to Fight Six-Month Texas Suspension
Steve Asmussen, currently the country's leading trainer in money and races won, was slapped with a six-month suspension and a $1,500 fine by the Lone Star Park stewards on July 16 for a positive urine test that contained a lidocaine metabolite in a horse he trained in 2008.
NYRA Concludes Investigation on Mullins
The New York Racing Association has concluded its enhanced version of the Barn Area Violations Panel investigation of trainer Jeff Mullins' actions in the Aqueduct detention barn April 4.
NYRA Schedules Another Mullins Hearing
The New York Racing Association has scheduled another hearing June 24 to investigate trainer Jeff Mullins' actions in the Aqueduct detention barn April 4.
Paragallo's Daughters Relinquish Licenses
Kristen and Jennifer Paragallo, the daughters of Ernie Paragallo who faces 22 counts of animal cruelty, have relinquished their owners' licenses.
Diamondrella Sparkles in Just a Game Upset
Diamondrella and jockey Rajiv Maragh thundered down the stretch to overpower last year's champion turf filly, Forever Together, to win the $400,000 Just a Game Stakes (gr.IT) at Belmont Park June 6.
Velazquez Sees Belmont as Destiny
A reoccurring theme in this year's Triple Crown has been the game of musical chairs among jockeys. It couldn't have worked out more beautifully for Calvin Borel.
Hull, Regal Ransom Top Woody Stephens Field
The undefeated Hull, and Regal Ransom, who turned in a surprising victory over stablemate Desert Party in the UAE Derby (gr.II), are among nine 3-year-olds entered in the $250,000 Woody Stephens (gr.II) at Belmont Park June 6.
Hull, Regal Ransom Top Woody Stephens Field
The undefeated Hull, and Regal Ransom, who turned in a surprising victory over stablemate Desert Party in the UAE Derby (gr.II), are among nine 3-year-olds entered in the $250,000 Woody Stephens (gr.II) at Belmont Park June 6.
Benny the Bull Gearing Up for True North
He was somewhat shadowed on Belmont Day last year by his stablemate Big Brown. But Benny the Bull may play a starring role this time around for trainer Rick Dutrow and the IEAH Stables, as the 6-year-old makes his long-awaited, somewhat surprising return in the $250,000 True North Stakes (gr. II) on June 6.
Mine That Bird 2-1 Favorite For Belmont
Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird was among 10 3-year-olds entered for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on June 6.
Charitable Man Ready for the Belmont
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and his staff are not strangers to having good horses in the barn. Three years ago, Jazil won the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Ice Confident in Belmont-Bound Summer Bird
Trainer Tim Ice will scale new heights, literally, when he visits the Empire State Building for the first time June 2. Figuratively, Ice, the conditioner of Summer Bird, hopes to reach the zenith of his burgeoning training career in the $1 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 6.
Chocolate Candy Has Final Belmont Work
Chocolate Candy put the finishing touches on his preparations for the June 6 running of the $1 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I), with a final breeze at Belmont Park June 1.
Trainer Mullins Suspended Seven Days
Trainer Jeff Mullins has been suspended seven days, beginning May 3, and fined $2,500 by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board for an incident in the Aqueduct security barn April 4. The stewards released the ruling April 19, following a telephone hearing with Mullins April 16.
Mullins: NY Incident 'Honest Mistake'
On April 6, two days after Gato Go Win was scratched from the Bay Shore Stakes (gr.III) at Aqueduct because the horse's trainer, Jeff Mullins, was observed administrating an orally-injected substance to his horse in the detention barn, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board said the "matter is still in the hands" of the Aqueduct stewards.
Suspect Arrested in Belmont Thefts
A suspect allegedly involved with stealing equipment from the barns of Belmont Park-based trainers Bruce Levine and Linda Rice during the weekend of Feb. 28 was arrested by Nassau County Police on March 2.
Midshipman Wins BC Juvenile
Midshipman moved quickly to the lead going into the first turn of the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I). The son of Unbridled's Song stayed in front for the rest of the 1 1/16-mile race to win by over a length. Favorite Square Eddie finished second, and Street Hero finished third.
Albertus Maximus Wins Dirt Mile
Albertus Maximus powered past longshots Two Step Salsa and My Pal Charlie inside the final furlong to win the $1-million TVG Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile by 1 1/4 lengths over the late-closing Rebellion.
Sheppard, Strawbridge Together 42 Years
Trainer Jonathan Sheppard and owner George Strawbridge Jr. have been together, well, forever. Forty-two years strong, they will try to win their first Breeders' Cup race as a team with the aptly named Forever Together in the $2 million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Oct. 24.
Mauralakana Exceeding Expectations
Mauralakana's owner had expected his mare to be in a Southern Hemisphere breeding shed in October, not the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. The 5-year-old mare is Robert Scarborough's first Breeders' Cup contender.
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.
Jerkens Resting after Heart Surgery
Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens was resting comfortably Oct. 21, the day after heart surgery, according to his son, trainer Jimmy Jerkens.
Wait a While Back With Another BC Chance
Wait a While, undefeated in three starts over Santa Anita's turf course, will be among the favorites in the $2-million Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (gr. IT) Oct. 24. It will be the second time the daughter of Maria's Mon out of the A.P. Indy mare Flirtatious has started in the Filly and Mare Turf.
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