The connections of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner War Emblem won first choice of post position Wednesday for the 127th renewal of the 1 3/16-mile Preakness Stakes (gr. I) to be run Saturday at Pimlico and with it chose gate 8 for the son of Our Emblem.
With only two horses left to be drawn, including Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner War Emblem, and the first and last choices for post positions remaining, trainer Bob Baffert was poised to be either the straw that stirred the Preakness post position drink or a man without a plan.
Three horses under consideration for the $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) were on track at Belmont Park Wednesday morning in preparation for the prestigious one-turn mile race. Affirmed Success, Aldebaran, and Burning Roma each put in works, with Affirmed Success running his seven furlongs on the training track.
Moon Ballad, a 3-year-old chestnut son of Singspiel, earned his first stakes win in Wednesday's Dante Stakes (Eng-II) at York, England. Godolphin's Saeed bin Suroor trainee completed the extended 1 1/4 mile Epsom Derby (Eng-I) prep in 2:07.06 on good to firm ground.
NTRA Productions has entered into a five-year licensing agreement with Florida Equine Publications to use the name "Wire to Wire" in the title of a weekly horse racing television show on ESPN.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has made recommendations to farmers to reduce the spread of disease and to limit the risk of agro-terrorism.
Davy Jones at the High Hope Steeplechase this weekend...Belmont Stakes Festival underway...Horses of the Civil War to open at the Kentucky Horse Park.
A number of racetracks across the country will celebrate Preakness Day with contests, handicapping seminars, and other events.
What a difference a day makes. With the arrival of two planeloads of horses from Louisville Wednesday morning, the joint is suddenly jumping. Just like that, there are horses everywhere. And Bob Baffert is here, and Wayne Lukas is here, and John Ward and Kenny McPeek are here.
Pennsylvania horsemen and racetracks may eventually be the beneficiaries of slot-machine revenue given the fact all three candidates in the state's race for governor have indicated to various degrees that they support alternative gambling.
A deal to extend the New York Racing Association's franchise to run three tracks in the state was approved May 16 by the Senate and Assembly as part of a state budget package. NYRA must have VLTs in operation at Aqueduct by April 1, 2003.
Japanese-bred South Boy has been relocated to VIH Services Ranch near Tonopah, Ariz.
Boosted by two dispersals that included older horses and the biggest catalogue in its history, Barretts established all-time highs for number sold and gross revenue at its May sale of 2-year-olds in training.
Boosted by two dispersals that included older horses and the biggest catalogue in its history, Barretts established all-time highs for number sold and gross revenue at its May sale of 2-year-olds in training.
