Homebred Tapiture looks to continue his journey to the Kentucky Derby when he takes on two he beat in the Southwest Stakes along with California invaders, among others, in the March 15 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn.
Remsen Stakes winner Honor Code was defeated by Social Inclusion March 12 at Gulfstream Park as the speedster drew away to a 10-length victory in track record fashion.
"He was just getting better... He matured and had filled out nicely. He was more rounded and he was more settled."--trainer John Servis on Smarty Jones at the time of his Rebel Stakes win.
Steve Haskin discusses the Kentucky Derby path of Honor Code. Honor Code has not started this year due to set backs, but is entered in a race on Wednesday.
Southwest Stakes winner breezes easy half mile for the March 15 Rebel Stakes.
Evan Hammonds recaps the historical Santa Anita Handicap, San Felipe Stakes, Gulfstream Park Handicap, and the Tampa Bay Derby. watch video
St. Elias Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds' Ring Weekend sprang a 14-1 upset of the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II) March 8 at Tampa Bay Downs, well clear of Vinceremos in an impressively speedy gate-to-wire score.
Top Billing will miss the Florida Derby and is off the Triple Crown trail with a cannon bone injury. Stablemate Honor Code, who makes his season debut March 12 at Gulfstream, could now be a candidate for Florida's big event.
Remsen Stakes (gr. II) winner Honor Code makes his highly anticipated 3-year-old debut in a 1 1/16-mile allowance event at Gulfstream Park March 12 rather than shipping to Oaklawn for the Rebel (gr. II).
If you're the type who thinks that racing needs its stars to keep racing to increase interest, then this is the Saturday for you! read blog
The transcript for the Live Chat is now available. Read Transcript
MAHUBAH'S CORNER
How far Wildcat Red will go is anyone's guess, but he has already gone farther than many people thought he might and shown fine gameness while doing so.
Bayern, an impressive 15-length allowance winner last time out for trainer Bob Baffert, will miss the March 8 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park due to a bruised quarter.
Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the highly anticipated Santa Anita Handicap and the Kentucky Derby contenders in the San Felipe Stakes. watch video
Twenty-two of the top 25 point earners on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leader board are among the 191 3-year-olds nominated to the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) that will be run April 12 at Keeneland Racecourse.
Reddam Racing's FrontRunner Stakes (gr. I) winner Bond Holder has been taken to an Ocala clinic for 24-hour monitoring, trainer Doug O'Neill said March 6.
Art Sherman still has a soft spot for a horse with personality, another reason he loves California Chrome. "I like a people's horse, and that's what he is--he likes people," the trainer said.
When you compare their most-recent-race performances and speed figures, the field in the Tampa Bay Derby could not be more competitive on paper.
Mine That Bird, winner of the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) will return to greet fans at the Kentucky Derby Museum this spring.
Although Bond Holder will not make an expected start in the Tampa Bay Derby due to a lingering foot abscess, trainer Doug O'Neill said the colt could still make the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby.
Trainer Doug O'Neill talks with Ron Mitchell about Reddam Racing's Bond Holder.
It was 25 years ago this spring. There hadn't been a sweep of the Triple Crown in what then seemed to be an interminable 11 years. read blog
If you listened closely enough at Gulfstream Park after the $150,000 Palm Beach Stakes (gr. III) March 1, you could almost hear the cheers from California, and perhaps beyond, as Gala Award entered the winner's circle.
Listen to Steve Haskin state the case for the rivalry of Samraat and Uncle Sigh.
Evan Hammonds recaps the Swale Stakes, Palm Beach Stakes, and of course the Gotham Stakes. watch video
Undefeated Samraat edged Uncle Sigh March 1 at Aqueduct Racetrack to secure a $500,000 Gotham Stakes (gr. II) victory by a neck; pacesetter In Trouble hung tough another neck back for third.
Darley has purchased a majority interest in current Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) favorite Cairo Prince. The son of Pioneerof the Nile will race in the blue silks of Godolphin Racing.
The beauty of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager is that it allows bettors to put their money where their mouths are (assuming the price is right). read blog
With continued success in its gaming and online operations and the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) week, along with a steady year in racing, Churchill Downs Inc. reports record net revenues in 2013.
NBC and Churchill Downs have reached agreement on a 10-year contract extension that will keep the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks on the NBC family of networks and platforms through 2025.
Ron Mitchell talks with Jack Wolf of Starlight Racing about Starlight's Kentucky Derby contender Intense Holiday. Jack also discusses Harlan's Holiday and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance.
Problems started on a flight from California to New Orleans for the Feb. 22 Risen Star Stakes, when Bond Holder was slightly injured after being severely jarred by turbulence. The incident took a severe mental toll.
The Kentucky Derby is only a little more than two months away, but there are still many roads to be traveled. Let's see where 60 of them are going next.
If you can imagine those parental feelings of pride a breeder gets watching their foals develop into tough, finely chiseled athletes, try to take it one step farther when a foal narrowly escapes death. read blog
Even with his inexperience and the possible curse of Apollo, Steve Haskin gives the case for Bayern to appear in the Kentucky Derby.
Evan Hammonds picks apart the efforts of Intense Holiday in the Risen Star Stakes and Wildcat Red in the Fountain of Youth Stakes. watch video
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.
MAHUBAH'S CORNER
Candy Boy is the product of two generations of outcrossing on what had become an intensely inbred female line.
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.
It's an age-old handicapping question -- what do you do when the horse you like has drawn a poor post position? read blog
This year's pre-season guide has unique statistics not found anywhere else. Download Now
This year's pre-season guide has unique statistics not found anywhere else.
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.
"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."
The Fountain of Youth Stakes is comprised almost entirely of early-pace and stalking types, with a couple of closers looking to narrow the gap late. Let's try to sort them out.
Honest Stableboy makes an appearance with Steve Haskin and Lenny Shulman. Steve and Lenny discuss current events, the Southwest Stakes, Kentucky Derby contenders Tapiture, Strong Mandate, Tamarando, and Kobe's Back. watch video
The transcript for today's chat is now available. Read Transcript
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.
Horse Racing Radio Network will launch its "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series this Saturday, Feb. 22, with a live broadcast from Gulfstream Park.
No changes at the top of the Derby Dozen, but some new faces, including Bayern and Tapiture. read blog
