A gelding from the first crop of Northern Afleet topped the second session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's spring juvenile auction Tuesday, bringing a $120,000 bid from New Jersey bloodstock agent Buzz Chace.
Trainer Carl Nafzger's pair of contenders for the Kentucky Oaks--Robert Manfuso's Belterra and Elizabeth Valando's Take The Cake--each worked five furlongs on Tuesday over a "fast" track at Churchill Downs.
Penn National Gaming reported record earnings and revenue for the first quarter ending March 31, but also had profits slip after a large write-off of debt.
Youbet.com notched its second leg of the Triple Crown Monday when it signed a two-year marketing and content agreement with the Maryland Jockey Club.
Eclipse Award winner Chilukki produced her first foal, a Storm Cat bay colt, April 23.
Officials with Hollywood Park and the Thoroughbred Owners of California struck a deal April 23 on revenue splits for wagers made on the track's races. The Hollywood Park spring meet opens April 24.
A field of nine fillies and mares will take the gate for Thursday's $100,000 Bewitch Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Keeneland. The Bewitch is the sister race to Wednesday's Elkhorn Stakes (gr. IIIT), for males. Both the Bewitch and Elkhorn cover 12 furlongs on the turf.
Pedigree vs. Performance. That is the battle within the battle that may very well decide this year's Kentucky Derby winner. The more we see of Came Home, the more we think that maybe performance can conquer pedigree on Derby Day.
Editor's Note: Steve Haskin is an award-winning turf writer and senior correspondent for The Blood-Horse. During his 29 years with the Daily Racing Form, Haskin became known for his insightful coverage of the Triple Crown races. Haskin won the Red Smith Award for Kentucky Derby writing in 1997, 1999, and 2000.and received the David Woods Award for best Preakness story in 1997. In 1999, he co-authored "Baffert: Dirt Road to the Derby" with trainer Bob Baffert and wrote the books, "Dr. Fager" and "John Henry" for Eclipse Press'"Thoroughbred Legends" series. In his latest book, "Racing's Holy Grail - The Epic Quest for the Kentucky Derby," Haskin takes readers behind the scenes and into the trenches as he examines what it takes to win the world's most famous horse race. He plumbs the secrets of successful trainers, the common pitfalls that hinder so many others, and the enigmatic nature of the race itself. Below are Haskin's daily reports leading up to this year's Kentucky Derby.
Millionaire Excellent Meeting produced her first foal, a Storm Cat colt, March 22 at Elizabeth Moran's Brushwood Stable near Malvern, Pa.
By Lenny Shulman -- A hard, fast track surface on Kentucky Derby Day takes its toll on horses that race at Churchill Downs that day.
By Ray Paulick -- Three jewels in the Triple Crown? Not nearly enough, it says here. The series of classic races that ushers in springtime as much as the crack of the bat on opening day has far too much history, far too many heroes, to say there are only three jewels.
Champion Personal Ensign's eighth foal, a bay filly by Unbridled, is doing well in her second week at Claiborne Farm near Paris, Kentucky.
The closing week of Keeneland's 16-day meet gets underway with Wednesday's $100,000 Elkhorn Stakes (gr. IIIT), going 12 furlongs on the turf, showcases a 10-horse field of turf marathoners.
Bits and pieces from around the industry...
Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) is spearheading the development of a new retirement facility for ex-racehorses. The new facility, Greener Pastures Equine Sanctuary, is a 130-acre farm on the Sassafras River near Cecilton, Md., which was donated by Doris Wear and her family.
In what trainer Paco Gonzalez said was a faster work than he preferred, Santa Anita Derby winner Came Home zipped six furlongs in 1:12 3/5.
Delta Downs generated nearly $25 million in gross revenue--86% from its slot-machine parlor--for the first quarter of 2002, according to financial statements.
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Owner: Ron Winchell
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
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