Confident Dunne Eager to Start Sales Season
Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables has led all consignors of 2-year-olds in training in gross sales for consecutive years. The Ocala, Fla.-based operation generates results with quantity and quality.
Thoroughbred Racing
News, previews, results for major North American Thoroughbred races
CHRB Questions New Santa Anita Stakes Slate
Santa Anita Park gained approval for its first spring/summer meet from the California Horse Racing Board Feb. 21 and presented a stakes schedule for the nine-week stand that looks quite a bit like Hollywood Park's.
New Mexico Approves Uniform Medication Rules
According to the Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico is the most recent state to have its racing commission approve uniform medication rules.
Apprentice Fontanez Pilots First Winner
Apprentice jockey Arny Fontanez earned his first career win Feb. 21 at Calder Casino & Racecourse, taking the third race aboard 30-1 shot Run Gia Run.
Ria Antonia's Connections Seek Respect
What makes a man take a longshot gamble, and how often can he expect to be on the winning end? In a restaurant on Bourbon Street, Ron Paolucci contemplated this question. "That's how you hit the home runs," he said.
Davis Family Celebrates Another Winner
Apprentice jockey Katie Davis, a daughter of retired jockey Robbie Davis, scored the first win of her career Feb. 21 by guiding Ivanovna to a one-length triumph in the second race at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Oaklawn Touts Meet's Second Purse Increase
After a picture-perfect Presidents' Day weekend, Oaklawn Park has announced it will increase purses for the second time this meet.
Adena Buys Interest in Mucho Macho Man
Frank Stronach's Adena Springs has purchased an interest from Dean and Patti Reeves in multiple grade I winner Mucho Macho Man, who will continue to be trained by Kathy Ritvo.
Vicar's in Trouble in Tough for Risen Star
Vicar's in Trouble, dominant 6 3/4-length hero of the Jan. 18 LeComte Stakes (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, drew a tough outside post in an overflow field entered for the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 22.
Gabriel to Return to NYRA as Racing Secretary
Frank Gabriel Jr., currently the Dubai Racing Club's chief executive officer, will rejoin the New York Racing Association as the racing secretary for Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course.
Top Billing Headlines Fountain of Youth
With Cairo Prince and Honor Code sitting out the next leg of the Florida sophomore series on the road to the Kentucky Derby, the Feb. 22 Fountain of Youth attracted a strong 13-horse field led by Top Billing.
Tampa Bay Trainer Could be 'Lone Survivor'
Tampa Bay Downs trainer Leon McKanas, longtime fan of the CBS-TV hit series Survivor, will get his chance to appear in the show's new season, which begins airing Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m.
Emmett Park Moves into Risen Star Field
Gore Range Stable's Emmett Park has joined the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (gr. II) field at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots as he drew in off the also-eligible list following the scratch of Bond Holder.
'Horse Races Now' App to Carry Meydan Racing
Horse Races Now, a mobile application available on iTunes and Google Play, announced an agreement Feb. 20 with Am West Entertainment to showcase live and replay video from the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
L'Amour de Ma Vie All Heart in Balanchine
L'Amour de Ma Vie flashed an impressive acceleration off the turn to the win the $200,000 Balanchine (UAE-II) Feb. 20 at Meydan while anxious favorite Certify suffered her first defeat.
Fair Grounds Cuts Overnight Purses 10%
Overnight purses at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots have been reduced 10% for the rest of the current race meet, track officials said Feb. 20.
Q&A With Hall of Fame Jockey Mike Smith
"I try to ride the best I know how to ride," Smith said. "I love horses, I truly do. I like people to know that and I hope it shows in my riding, let's put it that way. I have to be the best I can possibly be."
Calabrese Splits With Trainer Kirk Ziadie
Owner Frank Carl Calabrese and trainer Kirk Ziadie have ended a high-profile partnership in which they each led in wins at two recent race meets at Calder Casino & Race Course and at the first summer/fall meet at Gulfstream.
Normandy Invasion Back in Action Feb. 22
Since mid-December Fox Hill Farm's Normandy Invasion has been working steadily under the tutelage of trainer Chad Brown at Palm Meadows in Florida. On Feb. 22, the son of Tapit is to make a return to racing at Gulfstream.
La Verdad Favored in Redrawn Barbara Fritchie
Lady Sheila Stable's La Verdad is the 9-5 morning-line favorite in the rescheduled $300,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (gr. II) set for Saturday, Feb. 22 at Laurel Park.
Ramseys' Major Marvel to Run in Barbados
The Barbados Turf Club said Ken and Sarah Ramsey's multiple stakes winner Major Marvel has been added to the list of nominees for the 33rd renewal of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup.
Hawthorne Spring Meet to Begin Feb. 21
Hawthorne Race Course's spring meet begins Friday, Feb. 21. Sixty-nine horses are entered for the opening day card at the Stickney, Ill., track.
Like Snow and Ice, Cancellations Piling Up
Harsh winter weather and and poor track conditions have led to the cancellation of almost 70 full racing programs through the first seven weeks of 2014.
Evangeline Downs Adds $300,000 Turf Sprint
Evangeline Downs Racetrack, Casino & Hotel and Boyd Gaming Feb. 19 announced the creation of one of the richest turf sprint stakes in the U.S.: the $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint to be run June 21.
Penn National, Beulah Cancel Race Cards
Penn National Race Course and Beulah Park have canceled their Wednesday, Feb. 19 cards because of weather and track conditions.
Bond Holder Out of Risen Star With Injury
Reddam Racing's Bond Holder, winner of the FrontRunner Stakes (gr. I), has been scratched out of the Feb. 22 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) after suffering an injury en route to Fair Grounds Race Course.
HRRN Launches Road to the Kentucky Derby
Horse Racing Radio Network will launch its "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series this Saturday, Feb. 22, with a live broadcast from Gulfstream Park.
Certify, Flotilla Return for Balanchine
The top four finishers in last month's Cape Verdi (UAE-II), including Godolphin's unbeaten winner Certify, return for the $200,000 Balanchine (UAE-II) Feb. 20 at Meydan Racecourse.
Ria Antonia Set for Rachel Alexandra Return
Adjudged Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) winner Ria Antonia will make her season debut against the likes of Streaming and Untapable Feb. 22 in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds.
Garoffalo Dreaming Big With Wildcat Red
This year, Venezuelan-born trainer Jose Garoffalo and owner Salvatore Delfino have ventured into exciting new territory--the Triple Crown trail with Fountain of Youth (gr. II) contender Wildcat Red.
Pletcher Fillies Highlight Davona Dale Field
Two talented fillies from trainer Todd Pletcher's barn, undefeated grade II winner Onlyforyou and dual graded stakes victress Stopchargingmaria, will go head-to-head in the Feb. 22 Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream.
Dispute Threatens Illinois Legislative Agenda
A bitter dispute between harness horsemen and Chicago-area tracks, threatening the industry's crucial legislative agenda, came to a head Feb. 17 with a victory for horsemen before the Illinois Racing Board.
Guys Reward Meets Salto in Canadian Turf
Veteran Guys Reward will bid for his second win of the year in the $150,000 Canadian Turf Stakes (gr. IIIT) Feb. 22 at Gulfstream Park.
Daddy Nose Best Enters Fair Grounds on Roll
Multiple grade III winner Daddy Nose Best will try for a third straight stakes win on the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots turf and sixth victory in seven starts in the Fair Grounds Handicap (gr. IIIT) Feb. 22.
Pimlico Meet to Feature 25 Stakes Races
The Maryland Racing Commission approved the 2014 Pimlico Race Course spring stakes schedule at its monthly meeting Feb. 18. The headline event of the 10-week meeting is the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) on May 17.
Fordubai Faces Tough Test in Mineshaft
Fordubai, winner of the Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots last month, returns to the same 1 1/16-mile distance at the track but will be facing stiffer company in the Feb. 22 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III).
Pontchatrain Adds to Win Skein in Buena Vista
Glen Hill Farm's Pontchatrain edged away from favorite Egg Drop and pacesetter Miss Serendipity in the stretch and extended a three-race win streak in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (gr. IIT) Feb. 17 at Santa Anita Park.
Tapiture Strides on in Southwest
Ron Winchell's homebred Tapiture made his season debut a stirring one Feb. 17 when he galloped to a 4 1/4-length victory over Strong Mandate in the $300,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park.
Bandbox Wins at Laurel in Eye-Catching Rally
Lightly regarded Bandbox swept six-wide into the stretch and accelerated clear to an open-length win in the $250,000 General George Handicap (gr. III) Feb. 17 at Laurel Park.
Lukas Says Will Take Charge Going to Big 'Cap
If all goes as planned, the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) March 8 will feature a rematch between the top two finishers in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) in Mucho Macho Man and Will Take Charge.
Consignor Brennan Aiming for Another Big Year
Photographs of stakes-winning graduates typically adorn Niall Brennan's shedrows at 2-year-olds in training sales. With the latest crop of stakes horses emerging, this season will be no exception for the Florida consignor.
Top Billing Works Toward Fountain of Youth
Top Billing breezed a half-mile in :50 2/5 Feb. 17 at Payson Park in Indiantown, Fla., in preparation for his stakes debut in the Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.
Kobe's Back Stylish Winner of San Vicente
Lee and Susan Searing already have one formidable West Coast contender for the Triple Crown trail in Candy Boy. After winning the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) in handy style with Kobe's Back, they have a second as well.
Devil's Cave Romps to Track Record in Sabin
Alpha Delta Stable's Devil's Cave delivered a superb frontrunning performance in the $200,000 Sabin Stakes (gr. II) Feb. 16 at Gulfstream Park, setting a track record while earning her first graded stakes win.
El Camino's First Two Pointing for Kentucky
Tamarando and Dance With Fate, the one-two finishers in the El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) Feb. 15 at Golden Gate Fields, exited the race in good order and will likely make their next starts in Kentucky.
Don't Tell Sophia Rolls to Bayakoa Repeat
Don't Tell Sophia wasn't in a hurry leaving the gate, but she quickly got herself into gear and easily drew off to win her second straight $100,000 Bayakoa Stakes Feb. 16 at Oaklawn Park.
Rough Debut for Rachel's Sis at Fair Grounds
Samantha Nicole, a full sister to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, had an adventurous career debut, but managed to run on for second in a maiden special weight test for 3-year-old fillies Feb. 16 at Fair Grounds.
Medal Count Considered for Fountain of Youth
Trainer Dale Romans said he is leaning toward running Medal Count in the $400,000 Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park Feb. 22.
Princess of Sylmar Works at Palm Meadows
Princess of Sylmar, who rattled off four consecutive grade I wins last year, returned to the work tab Feb. 16 for trainer Todd Pletcher with a three-furlong breeze at Palm Meadows.
Commissioner Drills for Fountain of Youth
Commissioner, on a two-race win streak as he approaches his stakes debut in the upcoming $400,000 Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth (gr. II), put in his final breeze for the race the morning of Feb. 16 at Palm Meadows.
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