Union Rags, Dullahan Lead Belmont Prospects
A strong contingent of horses will attempt to spoil the Triple Crown bid of I'll Have Another when the 3-year-olds assemble at Belmont Park on June 9 for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Optimizer
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Optimizer
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Slideshow: Preakness Stakes 137
Relive the exciting rivalry of I'll Have Another and Bodemeister! view slideshow
Bodemeister, I'll Have Another Clash Again
Though I'll Have Another ran him down in deep stretch in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill, all signs point to Bodemeister being the one to beat in Preakness 137 at Pimlico Race Course May 19.
Preakness Interview: D. Wayne Lukas
Steve Haskin talks to D. Wayne Lukas about Optimizer and the Preakness Stakes. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm. Watch Video
2012 Preakness - Predict the Order
Will it be I'll Have Another once again? Will Bodemeister get revenge? Or will one of the new players take the Black-eyed Susans? Predict the Order
Preakness News Minute 5/17/2012
Evan Hammonds reports on the news of the day including horses on the track Thursday, and the Alibi Breakfast. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm. Watch Video
THS: Preakness Stakes 2012
Evan Hammonds and Jason Shandler handicap the Preakness Stakes track-side at Pimlico. Evan successfully picked I'll Have Another to win the Kentucky Derby; will he be correct this time? watch video
Few Alibis Offered at Alibi Breakfast
A Preakness tradition, the Alibi Breakfast gives trainers a chance to offer up an 'alibi' before the second jewel of the Triple Crown. This year there were few alibis and a lot more confidence from the connections.
Bodemeister (8-5) Draws Post 7 for Preakness
Bodemeister, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been made the 8-5 morning line favorite for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 19 and will break from post 7.
Cozzetti Heads Preakness Works at Churchill
Stakes-placed colt will represent trainer Dale Romans in second leg of Triple Crown
Kentucky Derby News Minute 5/6/2012
Ron Mitchell talks about how I'll Have Another and his connections are doing on Sunday morning. Ron also touches on future plans for other Kentucky Derby contenders. watch video
Optimizer May Carry Calumet Silks in Derby
Calumet Farm's devil's red and blue silks may be returning to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May atop Brad Kelley's homebred Optimizer.
Kentucky Derby Analysis - Exceed the Speed
With so much speed entered in this year's Kentucky Derby, you have to consider that stalkers, and closers who sit just off the pace this year could pull out a victory. read blog
Haskin's Derby Trail: Thursday Potpourri
The time is getting near. No not the Derby, trying to finally decipher this intricate and confusing puzzle. read blog
Kentucky Derby Interview D. Wayne Lukas
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas talks about Optimizer, now in the Derby field. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm. Watch Video
Kentucky Derby News Minute 5/1/2012
The withdrawal of Mark Valeski, which allows Optimizer to run, Rousing Sermon's work, gallops from Alpha, Went the Day Well, Trinniberg, and Prospective, new arrivals, and more. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm. Watch Video
Mark Valeski Withdrawn From Derby
Brereton C. Jones' homebred Mark Valeski was declared out of the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) the morning of May 1.
Kentucky Derby News Minute 4/29/2012
Eric Mitchell updates us on track conditions, the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby works for Bodemeister, Optimizer, Jemima's Pearl and Believe You Can. watch video
Lukas Still Hoping Optimizer Can Draw In
After watching Optimizer work at Churchill Downs April 29, trainer D. Wayne Lukas expressed confidence in the colt's potential in the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Isn't He Clever to Pass on Kentucky Derby
Isn't He Clever, the Sunland Derby (gr. III) runner-up trained by Steve Asmussen, is no longer under consideration for the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Mark Valeski Works Sharp 5 Furlongs for Derby
Brereton Jones' Mark Valeski, runner-up in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and Risen Star Stakes (gr. II), drilled five furlongs in :59 3/5 at Churchill Downs April 23 for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
April 22 Kentucky Derby Track Notes
Here's a round-up of activity at Churchill Downs April 22 surrounding the contenders for the 2012 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Haskin's Derby Trail: Revisiting Four
Four of our highly touted horses, Holy Candy, Dullahan, Optimizer, and Sabercat, are running this weekend. read blog
THS: Blue Grass Stakes
Jason and Evan handicap the Blue Grass Stakes and Arkansas Derby this week. watch video
Baffert Has the Favorites for Arkansas Derby
Trainer Bob Baffert looks to continue his strong run of recent success at Oaklawn Park when he saddles Bodemeister and Secret Circle, the morning line favorites for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) April 14.
Optimizer Tunes Up For Arkansas Derby
Rebel Stakes (gr. II) runner-up Optimizer put in his final workout for Saturday's $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.
And They're Off: TheOtherMadness Edition
Lenny and Steve discuss the Rebel, the end of 'Luck', Betfair, and fatalities at Aqueduct. Sponsored by Darby Dan Farm. Watch Video
Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen 3/19/2012
Haskin's Derby Dozen shifts with Gemologist, Optimizer and Secret Circle this week. watch video
Baffert Beams After Third Straight Rebel Win
With a third straight Rebel Stakes (gr. II) victory sealed thanks to Secret Circle March 17, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was eagerly looking forward to the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) next month at Oaklawn Park.
Secret Circle Hands Baffert Another Rebel Win
Secret Circle handed trainer Bob Baffert his third consecutive victory in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II), taking over from Scatman in mid-stretch and holding off a late run by longshot Optimizer to score the $500,000 event.
El Padrino Heads 11-Horse Field in Risen Star
El Padrino, who showed himself to be a Triple Crown contender with a sharp allowance win at Gulfstream Park Jan. 29, heads a field of 11 entered for the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) at Fair Grounds Feb. 25.
Filly On Fire Baby Headlines Smarty Jones
Oaklawn Park's road to the Triple Crown, which culminates with the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) this spring, begins Jan. 16 with the $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes.
Gemologist Tops KY Jockey Club Field
WinStar Farm and Todd Pletcher hope history will repeat itself, as likely favorite Gemologist leads a field of 11 juveniles in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) Nov. 26 at Churchill Downs.
BC Interview: Robby Albarado (Video)
Lenny Shulman talks with Robby Albarado about his Breeders' Cup mounts, including Animal Spirits, Optimizer, and Hamazing Destiny. Sponsored by Taylor Made Stallions Watch Video
Hangin With Haskin: So You Think, Dude
Plotting strategy for So You Think and Game On Dude. read blog
Mott's Breeders' Cup Team Works at Churchill
A trio of Breeders' Cup contenders from the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott--To Honor and Serve (Classic, gr. I), Royal Delta (Ladies' Classic, gr. I) and Courageous Cat (Mile, gr. IT)--worked Oct. 16 at Churchill.
Countdown to the Cup:Beware Keeneland Kiddies
- By Steve Haskin
The first inclination would be to dismiss Dullahan's chances in the Juvenile, based on his two mediocre performances over the Churchill Downs dirt surface in his first two career starts. That would be a mistake. read blog
State of Play Stays On in With Anticipation
Handled with confidence by Ramon Dominguez, front-running State of Play repelled the onrushing Optimizer to win the $151,000 With Anticipation Stakes (gr. IIT) on the Saratoga turf Sept. 1.
With Anticipation Has 'English' Flair
Thursday's With Anticipation Stakes (gr. IIT) features a pair of 2-year-olds from the first crop of turf champion English Channel.
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