Synthetic surface standouts Student Council and Awesome Gem, the first two finishers in last summer's $1 million Pacific Classic (gr. I), are expected to make their 2008 bow in the $250,000 San Antonio Handicap (gr. II) over Santa Anita's Cushion Track on Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 3.
Beth Sheffer has been promoted to curator of collections at the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Jan. 31.
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
More than 20 years ago in Ken McLean's book "Tesio - Master of Matings" he predicted that the combination of Nijinsky II and the similarly bred Storm Bird would one day be a potent one. At the time, Storm Cat -- Storm Bird's most important stallion son -- had yet to cover a mare. McLean also predicted these sires would be most effective when they had receded to the third and fourth generations of a pedigree. What has come to pass is a cross that has produced 120 stakes winners, of which 60 are graded stakes winners and 20 are grade I winners.
Heiligbrodt Racing Stable has seven horses entered on Louisiana Premier Night Feb. 2 at Delta Downs.
And so the record setting continues. As the fourth day of the New Zealand National Yearling Sale at Karaka ended, bringing down the curtain on day two of the Select portion of the sale, records fell in all categories yet again. Leading the charge was the top price paid for a colt by freshman sire Scaredee Cat, a troubled but powerful sprinter on his day who won in Australia up to group 11 level, who now stands at Waikato Stud.
Good news for the 3-year-olds running in the $100,000 Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct Feb. 2: Undefeated Giant Moon is not in the field. Seven were entered in the 1 1/16-mile Whirlaway, which serves as a prep for the March 8 Gotham Stakes (gr.III) at Aqueduct.
Pfizer Animal Health and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association have joined forces to help fund laminitis research through the NTRA Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund.
William A. Levin, who won the 1971 Travers Stakes with Bold Reason, died Jan. 26, one day after his 84th birthday.
Silver Edition, a colt by Silver Deputy and the main Kentucky Derby hopeful for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, takes on six challengers in the Swale Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 2 at Gulfstream Park.
Barretts has cataloged 190 horses for its March select sale of 2-year-olds in training.
Grade I winner Henny Hughes' first offspring is a Kentucky-bred colt foaled Jan. 29.
Brass Hat, A.P. Arrow, Fairbanks, Spring At Last, Einstein all pack into talented field for the 50th running of the $500,000 Donn Handicap (gr. I) at Gulfstream Park Feb. 2.
Scaredee Cat colt brings NZ$300,000 at Karaka.
William Inglis & Son will offer sellers several incentives this year.
The Tattersalls Ireland September yearling sale will be Sept. 23 and 24.
Will's Way, whose battles with Formal Gold and Skip Away were among the highlights of the 1997 racing season, has been pensioned from stallion duty and has taken up residence at Old Friends equine retirement center near Georgetown, Ky.
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Owner: Kaleem Shah, Inc.
Jockey: Mike E. Smith
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