Santa Anita Cancels Two More Thursday Cards
With no live racing June 15 and June 22, the track will now run a pair of three-day weeks, beginning June 16 and June 23, in advance of a five-day closing week, which starts June 30.
Southwest Region
News and features for Southwestern farm owners, racehorse owners, and breeders
New Schedule Helps Louisiana Downs Increase Handle
The 2017 Thoroughbred racing season at Harrah's Louisiana Downs got underway on May 6. Officials made some changes in the live race day schedule in hopes of boosting handle and have already noted significant increases.
Southwest Regional: Team Keen
Despite the long hours, significant time spent apart, and the challenges of being based in a state with a racing and breeding program that struggles to compete with its neighbors, the Keens would not trade their career choice or their location.
Focused on Sprinting, Whitmore Continues to Excel
From an eye-opening 2015 debut win as a juvenile, to a 2016 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) starter, to an accomplished sprinter, hopes continue to soar, and evolve, for Whitmore.
Danzing Candy Wires Lone Star Handicap
Danzing Candy was sent off as the 1-5 favorite in the five-horse field of the $200,000 Lone Star Handicap (G3), leading at every call in the 1 1/16-mile test and crossing the wire 4 3/4 lengths in front.
Weekend Stakes Rundown: Gold Cup Day
- By BloodHorse Staff
- Thoroughbred Racing, International, Midwest Region, Southwest Region, West Region, Kentucky
Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes races in North America. This week a pair of grade 1 races at Santa Anita Park and graded stakes at six other racetracks.
Enola Gray, Illuminant Look Strong in Monrovia Field
The grade 2 Monrovia Stakes, at 6 1/2 furlongs on the downhill course at Santa Anita Park, features a field of nine fillies and mares topped by grade 1-placed Enola Gray and grade 1 winner Illuminant.
Freshman Flashpoint Gets His First Winner
Louisiana freshman sire Flashpoint's first runner eventually become his first winner when Flashy Coop took a five-furlong maiden claimer May 19 at Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico City.
Trainer Richie Scherer Dies at Age 53
Trainer Richie Scherer, who enjoyed success at tracks throughout the Midwest and in his native Louisiana, died May 20 at age 53.
Former Underdog Chases Preakness Conquest
When he enters the gate May 20 at Pimlico Race Course for the Preakness Stakes (G1), just how well Conquest Mo Money can run will be put to its toughest test.
Always Dreaming Draws Post 4 in Preakness
Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Always Dreaming was assigned post 4 and installed as the 4-5 morning-line favorite May 17 at the post position draw for the May 20 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.
Conquest Mo Money Puts in Final Breeze for Preakness
- By Jeremy Balan
- Thoroughbred Racing, Triple Crown, Midwest Region, Southwest Region, Mid-Atlantic Region
Conquest Mo Money's odyssey across the country via truck and trailer will continue May 13.
Mor Spirit Goes Gate-to-Wire in Sexton Mile
Exactly one year after running off the board in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), Michael Lund Peterson's grade 1 winner Mor Spirit notched the first graded score of his 4-year-old season.
Harrah's Louisiana Downs to Open Season May
The 2017 Thoroughbred racing season at Harrah's Louisiana Downs commences on Saturday, May 6. Opening day will include seven live races beginning at 3:15 pm (Central) and the simulcast of the 143rd Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs.
ABR Talks with Mike Langford, Owner of Untrapped
Mike Langford claimed his first horse in 1987. Since then, he has experienced success in Thoroughbred ownership on a modest budget.
Record Purses, Increased Handle at Oaklawn Park
Culminating with 62,500 fans turning out to watch champion Classic Empire win the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1), the 2017 Oaklawn live racing season concluded with nearly a 5% gain in total handle and another record-setting season for purses.
Derby-Winning Trainer Lynn Whiting Dies
Trainer Lynn Whiting, who 25 years ago saddled Lil E. Tee to a Kentucky Derby (G1) upset, died April 19. He was 77.
Delhomme's First Runner Becomes a Winner
Geaux Dangerous won in his second start April 18 at Sunland Park.
Louisiana Downs Announces 2017 Stakes Schedule
Louisiana Downs' 84-day meet begins May 6. Highlights include Louisiana Cup day on Aug. 5 and Super Derby day Sept. 9.
Conquest Mo Money's Connections Pondering Derby Run
Trainer Miguel Hernandez said Conquest Mo Money came out of the Arkansas Derby (G1) well and that he and owner Tom McKenna will discuss whether to pay the $200,000 for a supplemental nomination to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
Inside Straight Springs Oaklawn Handicap Upset
The way jockey Geovanni Franco was riding Randy Howg's Inside Straight during the final turn of the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2), it looked like he was sitting on a mountain of horse.
Weekend Stakes Rundown: Final Steps on the Derby Trail
Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. This week we have the final preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) at Oaklawn Park and Keeneland.
Ron Moquett Seeks Derby Return With Petrov
Just like 2015 with Far Right and Whitmore last year, trainer Ron Moquett is trying to get to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with only one candidate—Arkansas Derby (G1) contender Petrov.
Stellar Wind Sweeps By to Take Apple Blossom
California-based Stellar Wind shipped out of town and won a grade 1 for trainer John Sadler.
Ever So Clever Rallies to First Stakes Win in Fantasy
Behind a sustained late run through the far turn that saw her split horses entering the stretch, Clearview Stable’s Ever So Clever surged past rivals to register an upset victory April 14 in the $400,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.
Look Back: Arkansas-Bred Nodouble Wins Arkansas Derby
This week's "Look Back" feature is a stakes report of the 1968 Arkansas Derby won by Nodouble, who would go on to earn a classic placing by finishing third in the Preakness Stakes.
'More Mature' Midnight Storm Heads Oaklawn
This raiding trip to Oaklawn Park for a run at the $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) comes on the heels of a game runner-up finish in the March 11 Santa Anita Handicap presented by San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino (G1).
Langford Believes Untrapped his Most Talented Horse
Mike Langford has campaigned two millionaires, but it's a horse with $256,800 in earnings under the care of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen that the Jonesboro, Ark., owner calls his most talented runner to date.
L and N Racing on Fast Track With Lookin At Lee
Although L and N Racing didn't start its first horse until June 2015, the partnership has already hit a home run in Lookin At Lee, who was purchased for $70,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale.
Millionaire Supah Blitz Euthanized
The son of Mecke had broken his pelvis and developed colic. He was standing at stud at Oakmont Stables in Arizona.
Equine Sales Company Catalogs 67 for Upcoming Sale
Equine Sales Company has released a catalog of 67 head for its 2-year-olds in training and horses of racing age sale set for May 9 in Opelousas, La.
Litfin: Look For Battalion Runner to Step Up in Wood
- By Dave Litfin
- Thoroughbred Racing, Handicapping, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, West Region, Kentucky
Horse players will need three sets of eyes to keep track of this week's action, as Aqueduct Racetrack, Keeneland, and Santa Anita Park all run 170-point qualifiers to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
Grade 1 Winner, Top Producer Fire the Groom Dies at 30
Fire the Groom, a grade 1 winner who became the producer of group 1 winner Stravinsky, died April 5 at the Hubbard family's Crystal Springs Farm in New Mexico at the age of 30
Tale of the Cat Colt Tops Strong Texas Juvenile Sale
With three juveniles bringing in excess of six figures, the Texas Thoroughbred Association’s sale of 2-year-olds in training April 4 soared over last year’s auction at Lone Star Park.
Southwest Regional: Raising Cane
Warren J. Harang III grows horses and sugar in Cajun Country
Texas Juvenile Sale 'Bigger and Better'
Following a one-day delay in the under tack show due to inclement weather, the Texas Thoroughbred Association’s sale of 2-year-olds in training remains on track for April 4, with an amended starting time.
TTA Under Tack Show Postponed Due to Weather
The under tack show for the Texas 2-year-olds in training sale, originally scheduled for 11 a.m. April 2 at Lone Star Park, has been postponed due to weather and now will be held Monday starting at 9 a.m.
Enterprising Digs in to Win Muniz
Maxis Stable's Enterprising once again found himself in the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots winner's circle with a determined win April 1 in the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Handicap (G2T).
Weekend Stakes Rundown: One Step Closer to the Derby
- By BloodHorse Staff
- Thoroughbred Racing, Triple Crown, Northeast Region, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, West Region
This week we have cards loaded with stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and Gulfstream Park, Dortmund's return to dirt, and more.
Pletcher Ships Lightly Raced Duo for Louisiana Derby
Trainer Todd Pletcher has proven three times in the past decade that he can ship in and win the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and this year he brings an intriguing duo of lightly raced, recent graduates for powerful owners.
Classic Empire to Arkansas Derby After Impressive Work
Following a strong five-furlong work March 28 at Winding Oaks Farm near Ocala, Fla., the connections of Classic Empire set the Arksansas Derby (G1) as the next target for last year's champion juvenile male.
Honorable Duty Aims to Continue Fair Grounds Roll
Honorable Duty will try for a third straight stakes win at the Fair Grounds meet and the most prestigious victory of his career when he faces an expected nine rivals in the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap (G2) April 1.
Hence Springs Upset in Sunland Derby
Yet again an upset was sprung at Sunland Park, with 50 Road to the Kentucky Derby points going to Calumet Farm's homebred 10-1 longshot Hence, as he hit the wire 3 3/4 lengths ahead of previously unbeaten Conquest Mo Money.
Girvin Heads Louisiana Derby Field
In a Triple Crown prep season that has been full of chaos, Brad Grady's Girvin will hope to supply a bit of stability April 1 in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Fields Set for Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds Oaks
Brad Grady's lightly raced Girvin headlines the $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) set for April 1 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, which drew their Louisiana Derby Day card March 25.
Weekend Stakes Rundown: Dubai World Cup Night
- By BloodHorse Staff
- Thoroughbred Racing, International, Triple Crown, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, West Region, Kentucky
Along with the Dubai World Cup (G1) card, the stateside stakes slate includes a pair of Triple Crown preps at Turfway Park and Sunland Park.
Conquest Mo Money Carries Local Hopes in Sunland Derby
Conquest Mo Money, an Uncle Mo colt who was purchased for just $8,500, will look to become just the third locally trained horse to win the Sunland Derby (G3).
Mor Spirit Ships to Oaklawn, Takes Essex Handicap
More than 13 months after his last victory, Michael Lund Petersen's Mor Spirit returned to the winner's circle with style March 18 in the $250,000 Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park.
Weekend Stakes Rundown: Rebel Time at Oaklawn
- By BloodHorse Staff
- Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, West Region, Mid-Atlantic Region
Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes races in North America. This week we have a trio of big races at Oaklawn Park, a grade 1 at Santa Anita Park, and more.
Litfin At Large: Estrechada for the Upset
- By Dave Litfin
- Thoroughbred Racing, Handicapping, Midwest Region, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, West Region
Older fillies and mares in the spotlight at both Oaklawn Park and Santa Anita Park.
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