
Connect Retired Because of Soft Tissue Injury
Connect, winner of the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) last fall, has been retired because of a soft tissue injury and will enter stud at Lane's End Farm for 2018, it was announced July 11.
Connect, winner of the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) last fall, has been retired because of a soft tissue injury and will enter stud at Lane's End Farm for 2018, it was announced July 11.
Owner Paul Pompa Jr. says multiple-graded stakes winner Connect will not be running in the $12 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (gr. I).
Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. I) runner-up Luck of the Kitten will try to start his 3-year-old season on the right foot when he faces a large field in the $100,000 Transylvania Stakes (gr. IIIT).
Trainer Chad Brown will saddle two promising juveniles in Plueven, a two-time stakes winner in France making his U.S. debut, and impressive first-out winner Request in the Dania Beach Stakes (gr. III) Dec. 21 at Gulfstream.
Taylor Made Sales Agency announced Oct. 7 that graded stakes-winning sprinter Baby J will be offered at the upcoming Fasig-Tipton November Sale.
Seven 2-year-old fillies line up July 20 for the $150,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III) on opening day at Saratoga Race Course, and five are eligible for a $100,000 bonus.
Trappe Shot and Calibrachoa put their winning streaks on the line when they square off in the $250,000 True North Handicap (gr. II) Saturday, June 11 at Belmont Park.
Remarkable 3-year-old sprinter D'Funnybone, entering off an authoritative victory last month, will be an overwhelming favorite in a short field entered for the $200,000 Carry Back Stakes (gr. III) July 10 at Calder.
MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter <P>Deja vu? It may feel that way for Paul Pompa, Jr. Last year, he sold a 75% interest in Big Brown to IEAH Stables after the colt broke his maiden. Now the phones are ringing with offers again thanks to Well Positioned, who cruised to a 14 ¼-length maiden victory Nov. 22 at Aqueduct.
Here we go again. It didn't take long after second-time starter Well Positioned crossed the finish line 14 1/4 lengths in front in the sixth race at Aqueduct Nov. 22 for owner Paul Pompa to begin getting phone calls from prospective buyers. It was deja vu for Pompa and trainer Pat Reynolds after playing out the same scene last year with Big Brown.
Big Brown breezed Sept. 30 for the first time since winning the Monmouth Stakes on the grass Sept. 13. The dual classic-winning 3-year-old went five furlongs in 1:04.21 over Aqueduct's main track.
Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Big Brown, likely favorite for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), breezed five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 at Palm Meadows Friday with regular exercise rider Michelle Nevin aboard.
Florida Derby (gr. I) winner Big Brown drilled five furlongs in 1:00 3/5 under regular exercise rider Michelle Nevin Saturday morning at Palm Meadows Training Center.
Undefeated Big Brown is a big deal on this year's Triple Crown trail following his March 29 Florida Derby (gr. I) triumph. But when he was younger, the strapping bay colt was overshadowed by horses with fancier pedigrees that sold for higher prices.
Normally a grade I race like the Florida Derby would be pretty clear-cut, filled mostly with horses who have proven themselves. Not so this year; not with unknowns such as Big Brown and Tomcito, two of the most intriguing Triple Crown hopefuls seen in quite a while.
Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) runner-up Elysium Fields and impressive allowance winner Big Brown turned in works this week in preparation for the $1 million Florida Derby (gr. I) March 29.
Watchmon, a son of Maria's Mon who is expected to be one of the longest prices on the board in Saturday's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), breezed five furlongs over the main track at Belmont Park Tuesday morning in 1:00.09.