NYRA Announces Enticing Bonus for 2YOs
NYRA has announced a $100,000 bonus for any 2-year-old who breaks its maiden at the 2012 Belmont Park spring meet and goes on to win a graded stakes at Saratoga, Belmont, or Aqueduct in 2012.
Thoroughbred Racing
News, previews, results for major North American Thoroughbred races
Grade I Winner Shotgun Gulch Injured, Retired
Trainer C.R. Trout's homebred grade I winner Shotgun Gulch has been retired from racing because of a cracked sesamoid in her left front leg suffered during a workout.
Most Unscathed in Charles Town Accident
One horse was euthanized at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races the evening of Feb. 29 but other horses and their jockeys escaped serious injuries in a nasty racing accident.
New York Revises Bute Administration Rule
New York is returning to a standard banning the use of phenylbutazone in horses in the 48 hours leading up to a race. The state Racing and Wagering Board on Feb. 29 adopted a final rule revising the Bute time and threshold.
Mr. Commons On Rail for Frank Kilroe Mile
Mr. Commons, who has already captured a pair of grade II races at one mile on the turf during the Santa Anita meet, drew the rail as the likely favorite for the $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (gr. IT) March 3.
Reneesgotzip Gets Route Test in Las Virgenes
Off her sizzling win in the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II), lightly raced Reneesgotzip figures to be a heavy favorite in the $250,000 Las Virgenes (gr. I) at Santa Anita March 3.
Dialed In to Return in Gulfsteam Allowance
Robert LaPenta's Dialed In, winner of the Florida Derby (gr. I) last year, is to make his 2012 season debut in a one-mile allowance test at Gulfstream Park March 3.
Big 'Cap Draws 13; Ultimate Eagle Favored
With defending champion Game On Dude skipping the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), Ultimate Eagle leads a field of 13 in the $750,000 event March 3.
It's Tricky Begins Season in Top Flight
Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) runner-up It's Tricky will launch her 4-year-old campaign against five rivals in the $200,000 Top Flight Handicap (gr. II) March 3 at Aqueduct.
Tom Fool: Caleb's Posse Returns in Tough Spot
Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Caleb's Posse will likely draw the most betting attention in the Tom Fool Handicap at Aqueduct, but he will have to face a pair of multiple graded stakes winners with a fondness for the track.
Charles Town Starter Tournament Overflows
A lucrative starter allowance tournament for horses that have started for a claiming price of $5,000 drew four overflow first-round divisions, each worth $25,000, at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races March 3.
Baffert Nixes Big 'Cap for Dubai-Bound 'Dude
Game On Dude will not defend his title in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 3 and will instead be prepared for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), trainer Bob Baffert said Feb. 29.
Breeders' Cup: No Change in Medication Policy
Breeders' Cup Ltd. has reaffirmed its plan to ban race-day medications in World Championships races for 2-year-olds this year, despite recent action by the American Graded Stakes Committee to delay a similar ban.
Stakes Purses Increase at Pimlico for 2012
Pimlico Race Course has released its 2012 stake schedule that consists of 22 stakes, highlighted by the May 19 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), with purses totaling $3.425 million, an increase of $525,000.
Winner's Circle-On the Move: Rafael Bejarano
Rider gains U.S. citizenship, bags both divisions of the Southwest Stakes in one memorable weekend. read blog
Not Too Big to Fail - By Eric Mitchell (blog)
Horses and jobs are leaving Kentucky for other racing states with casino gaming read blog
Surgery Successful on Thiskyhasnolimit
Thiskyhasnolimit, who suffered a fracture to his right front cannon bone during the Feb. 25 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) at Fair Grounds, underwent successful surgery Feb. 26 and has a good prognosis for recovery.
Live Racing Returns to Mountaineer Friday
Live Thoroughbred racing returns this Friday, March 2, at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort. The track in West Virginia's northern panhandle will commence its 62nd season with a 10-race card.
TOBA to Hold Pedigree and Conformation Clinic
- By BloodHorse Staff
- Thoroughbred Racing, Thoroughbred Breeding, Kentucky, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association
TOBA will hold a Thoroughbred ownership seminar Thursday, March 22, at Gulfstream Park and a pedigree and conformation clinic Sunday, March 25, at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fla.
Dominguez Wins George Woolf Jockey Award
Two-time Eclipse Award winning jockey Ramon Dominguez has been selected as the 63rd winner of the prestigious Santa Anita George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.
Simmard Breaks Through in Mac Diarmida
Fresh after a three-month layoff, Simmard won a terrific stretch duel with favored Newsdad by a nose in the $150,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. IIT) on the Gulfstream Park turf Feb. 26.
Reneesgotzip Speeds 5 Panels for Las Virgenes
Reneesgotzip, who demolished the Santa Ynez Stakes (gr. II) in just her second start last month, worked five furlongs in a bullet :59 2/5 handily from the gate Feb. 26 in preparation for the $250,000 Las Virgenes (gr. I).
Havre de Grace Drills Bullet at Fair Grounds
Reigning Horse of the Year Havre de Grace, preparing for her 2012 bow in the New Orleans Ladies Stakes March 17 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, breezed a bullet five furlongs in 59 seconds flat over the track Feb. 26.
The Factor Refuses to Fold in San Carlos
The Factor, making his seasonal debut in the $200,000 San Carlos Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 25, started his 2012 campaign the same way he finished up last year, winning at seven furlongs on Santa Anita's main track.
Yara, 64-1, Denies Grace Hall in Davona Dale
Peres International's Yara reclaimed the lead from odds-on favorite Grace Hall at the top of the stretch and held her off to post a shocking 64-1 upset in the $350,000 Davona Dale (gr. II) Feb. 25 at Gulfstream Park.
Nates Mineshaft Upends Marred Mineshaft
Nates Mineshaft led all the way in the $120,000 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) for his first stakes victory in a race marred by the breakdown of favorite Thiskyhasnolimit Feb. 25 at Fair Grounds.
Here to Win Last to First in The Very One
Taking advantage of a heady rail-skimming trip from Joe Bravo, Brazilian-bred Here to Win outkicked Keertana in the stretch for an 11-1 upset in $100,000 The Very One (gr. IIIT) Feb. 25 at Gulfstream Park.
Roman Tiger Claws Way to Tampa Bay Upset
Roman Tiger snapped a 13-race losing streak when he snuck through along the rail for jockey Angel Serpa to win the $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes (gr. IIIT) as a 28-1 shot on the turf Feb. 25.
Summer Applause Wins Rachel Alexandra Stakes
Summer Applause bounced back from a loss in her first start of this year when she rallied to win the $194,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 25.
Awesome Maria Dominates Royal Delta in Sabin
E. Paul Robsham Stables' Awesome Maria, who hadn't raced since last June, destroyed four foes, including champion Royal Delta, to win the $98,000 Sabin Stakes (gr. III) by eight lengths at Gulfstream Park Feb. 25.
Smart Bid Runs Down Mr. Vegas in FG Handicap
Classy 6-year-old Smart Bid nailed pacesetter Mr. Vegas on the wire to score as the favorite in the $122,500 Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. IIIT) Feb. 25.
Alvarado Perfect With 5 Rides at Golden Gate
Jockey Frank Alvarado was perfect at Golden Gate Fields Feb. 24, winning with all five of his mounts on the eight-race program. Three of his victories came aboard horses trained by Steve Specht.
AGSC Postpones Race-Day Medication Ban
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's American Graded Stakes Committee announced Feb. 24 it has postponed implementing a ban on race-day medication in graded stakes races for 2-year-olds in 2012.
Javier Castellano Registers 3,000th Victory
Jockey Javier Castellano rode the 3,000th winner of his career Feb. 24 at Gulfstream Park, guiding Virtuously to a late-closing victory in the sixth race.
Setsuko Completes Big 'Cap Preparation
Setsuko, gearing up for his expected rematch with Game On Dude in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), drilled seven furlongs handily over the track in a sizzling 1:23 4/5 for trainer Richard Mandella Feb. 24.
Havre de Grace to Run at Fair Grounds Instead
Instead of shipping the mare to Oaklawn Park for her season debut in the $150,000 Azeri (gr. III) on March 17, Horse of the Year Havre de Grace will stay at Fair Grounds for the New Orleans Ladies Stakes on the same day.
In Kentucky, Major Progress Despite Defeat
Though the gambling amendment was defeated, there are signs of positive change in the Kentucky legislature. read blog
Trainer Capuano Reaches 3,000 Win Milestone
Trainer Dale Capuano scored his 3,000th victory when he saddled Father Mudd to win the ninth race at Laurel Park Feb. 23.
10YO Musketier Back for Mac Diarmida Stakes
A six-time group/graded stakes winner and a veteran of 44 career starts, 10-year-old Musketier returns for yet another season when he opens up his 2012 campaign in the $150,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes (gr. IIT) Feb. 26.
Gulfstream's Graded Stakes to Air on HRRN
Horse Racing Radio Network will be on site at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., to provide exclusive live coverage of five graded stakes over the Feb. 25-26 weekend.
Tampa Bay Stakes: Duke of Mischief Tries Turf
Duke of Mischief, a lifetime earner of more than $1.7 million who has been soundly defeated in his past three starts, tries the turf in the $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes (gr. IIIT) Feb. 25 at Tampa Bay Downs.
Nine-Year-Old Awesome Gem Prepares for Return
Nine-year-old Awesome Gem, in the money in 19 graded stakes, is back on the work tab in California and will be pointed toward a seventh year of racing.
Winner's Circle - Another for Clarke
Ask Thoroughbred breeder/owner Harvey Clarke how long he's been involved in the industry, and he'll answer with one word: 'forever.' read blog
Santa Anita to Maintain Four-Day Race Week
Satisfied with its performance so far, Santa Anita Park announced Feb. 22 that it had received permission from the California Horse Racing Board to not add Wednesdays to its current live race schedule during March and April.
San Carlos Matches Amazombie, The Factor
In spite of a small field, a dandy match-up between 2011 national male sprint champion Amazombie and two-time grade I winner The Factor is set for the $200,000 San Carlos Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Feb. 25.
Royal Delta Faces Awesome Maria in Sabin
More than three months after winning the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) and locking up champion 3-year-old filly honors, Royal Delta will begin her 2012 season in the Sabin Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 25 at Gulfstream.
Grace Hall Begins Oaks Quest in Davona Dale
Grace Hall, the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) runner-up from last year, headlines a field of nine 3-year-old fillies in the $250,000 Davona Dale (gr. II) Feb. 25 at Gulfstream Park.
Azeri the Starting Point for Havre de Grace
Fox Hill Farms' Havre de Grace, the Horse of the Year in 2011, will make her first start of the year in the Azeri Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park March 17, owner Rick Porter announced Feb. 22.
Woodbine 2012 Stakes Schedule Unveiled
A 102-race, $23 million stakes calendar, will highlight Woodbine's 167-day Thoroughbred meet in 2012.
Talkin' Horses with David Milch
David Milch, the Thoroughbred horse owner who created the racetrack-themed dramatic series "Luck" that premiered on HBO Jan. 29. Listen Now!
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