Whitmore Tops True North Field
A winner in his last five races, Southern Springs Stables, Robert LaPenta, and Head of Plains Partners' Whitmore will put his streak on the line in the $250,000 True North Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park June 9.
Keyword: Ron Moquett
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Focused on Sprinting, Whitmore Continues to Excel
From an eye-opening 2015 debut win as a juvenile, to a 2016 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) starter, to an accomplished sprinter, hopes continue to soar, and evolve, for Whitmore.
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Moquett Confirms Whitmore for Maryland Sprint
Whitmore had the look of the best sprinter in the Midwest at Oaklawn Park this winter and spring and a victory in the Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3) May 20 would strengthen his case as arguably the best sprinter in the country.
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Summer Luck Eyes Black-Eyed Susan
Gary Barber's Summer Luck didn't get the scratch she needed to run in the overflow Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1), but her team is looking forward to a start in the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) at Pimlico Race Course.
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Toasting, Not Roasting, Legendary D. Wayne Lukas
They were there to roast their mentor, but by the end of the night April 17 at the Keeneland sales pavilion, the seven prominent trainers who cut their teeth under legendary D. Wayne Lukas ended up toasting their former boss.
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Whitmore Rolls in Count Fleet
Confirming his newfound love affair with sprint racing, Whitmore easily won Oaklawn Park’s Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 15.
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Ron Moquett Seeks Derby Return With Petrov
Just like 2015 with Far Right and Whitmore last year, trainer Ron Moquett is trying to get to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with only one candidate—Arkansas Derby (G1) contender Petrov.
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Kumin Buys Interest in Stakes Winner Whitmore
Sol Kumin, who has campaigned Breeders' Cup winners Lady Eli and Wavell Avenue as well as Preakness Stakes (G1) victor Exaggerator, has purchased an interest in stakes winner Whitmore.
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American Anthem Carries Baffert's Rebel Stakes Hopes
Sham Stakes (G3) runner-up American Anthem has arrived for the purpose of making sure the Rebel Stakes (G2) remains trainer Bob Baffert's out-of-town playground.
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Rebel Prospects Turn in Oaklawn Works
It was a busy morning March 10 at Oaklawn Park for 3-year-olds pointing toward the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (G2), with top local prospects Petrov, Silver Dust, and Uncontested all posting impressive works.
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Hopes Abound in Martha Washington
Oaklawn Park's road to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) begins Feb. 11 with the one-mile Martha Washington Stakes.
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Petrov to Join Uncontested in Southwest
Lightly raced Petrov will make his next start in the $500,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds Feb. 20 at Oaklawn Park, co-owner and trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs said Thursday morning.
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Purses Enhanced for 2016 Ellis Park Meet
Meet from July 2-Sept. 5 will provide Kentucky with a summer 2-year-old stakes.
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Adversaries Unite at Trainers' Dinner
An evening of laughter and warmth began with the presentation of a trophy to Bob Baffert as the winning trainer of last year's Derby.
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Espinoza Back for More in Kentucky Derby
"It's going to be hard," Espinoza said of tackling the Run for the Roses on Whitmore. "But you never know. As long as I have a horse in the race, I always think I can win the Kentucky Derby."
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Espinoza Commits to Whitmore for Derby
Victor Espinoza has committed to ride Whitmore in the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), co-owner Harry Rosenblum said April 20.
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A 'Hometown Horse' in the Arkansas Derby
For trainer Ron Moquett, a win by Whitmore in the April 16 Arkansas Derby (gr. I) would be more than a successful step toward the first Saturday in May—it would mean reclaiming a hometown race that outside trainers have won the past four years.
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Cupid Another Baffert Favorite in Arkansas Derby
Another year, another Arkansas Derby (gr. I) where trainer Bob Baffert has the favorite in the $1 million race at Oaklawn Park. This year, the choice is Rebel (gr. II) winner Cupid.
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Untapable, Whitmore Breeze at Oaklawn
The champion racemare remains on track for the April 16 Apple Blossom (gr. I), while Whitmore moved closer to his scheduled start in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. I) on the same day.
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PA-Bred Tisdale Poised for Bigger Things?
Pennsylvania-bred Tisdale, owned by Harlow Stables, won an entry-level allowance race March 26 at Oaklawn Park and could resurface in a stakes, perhaps the April 16 Arkansas Derby (gr. I).
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Suddenbreakingnews, Whitmore on Oaklawn Tab
Whitmore worked a bullet half-mile in :48 1/5 Feb. 27, the gelding's first breeze since finishing second in the Feb. 15 Southwest Stakes (gr. III), while Southwest winner Suddenbreakingnews had an easy half in :51 1/5.
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Whitmore Gets Green Light for Southwest
Oaklawn Park allowance winner Whitmore will start in the $500,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 15 after a good workout in company the morning of Feb. 8 at the Arkansas racetrack.
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Discreetness, Whitmore Work for Southwest
Smarty Jones Stakes winner Discreetness went five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 Jan. 30 at Oaklawn gearing up for the Feb. 15 Southwest Stakes (gr. III). Also working toward the Southwest that morning was Whitmore.
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Far Right Set for 2016 Debut at Oaklawn Park
Grade III winner Far Right is scheduled to make his 4-year-old debut Jan. 28 at Oaklawn Park in a third-level allowance/optional claiming race for older horses at a mile.
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Gentlemen's Bet Takes De Francis Dash Via DQ
It appeared Barbara Hopkins' Trouble Kid had earned his fifth straight win when he crossed the wire first in the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes at Laurel Park.
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Southern Honey Seeks Repeat in Winning Colors
A field of 10 fillies and mares is set for the $100,000 Winning Colors Stakes (gr. III) May 25 at Churchill Downs.
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What They Said: Ky Derby Trainers' Dinner
More stories, quips, and insights from this year's Kentucky Derby Trainers' Dinner held April 28 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Louisville.
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Jazdzewski Landed Young Far Right for $2,500
Jon Jazdzewski landed Far Right, then a short yearling, for $2,500 from the @Nossab LLC consignment, Darby Dan Farm agent, at the 2013 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.
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Far Right Focused in Final Derby Move
Robert LaPenta and Harry Rosenblum's Far Right was focused in his final work for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) April 24 at Churchill Downs, going four furlongs in :49 flat.
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Top Three Exit Arkansas Derby in Good Order
The top three finishers from the April 11 Arkansas Derby (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park, including runaway winner American Pharoah, emerged from the 1 1/8-mile race in good order, their connections said April 12.
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TOBA Ownership Seminar Set for April 18-19
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association is holding a two-day Thoroughbred Ownership Seminar that will include a trip to WinStar Farm's training center, a private backstretch tour of Keeneland, and two days of racing.
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Far Right Sharp in Final Arkansas Derby Drill
Multiple stakes winner Far Right recorded his final workout for the April 11 Arkansas Derby (gr. I) at Oaklawn Park the morning of April 4 for Ron Moquett. The Notional ridgling breezed an easy half-mile in :48 4/5.
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Redrawn Southwest Stakes Attracts Field of 11
The redrawn Southwest Stakes (gr. III), part of a Presidents' Day program that was lost due to severe winter weather, brought back 10 of the original 12 sophomore entrants for Feb. 22 at Oaklawn Park.
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Eleven 3-Year-Olds Set to Go in Southwest
Convincing Smarty Jones winner Far Right is one of 11 3-year-olds seeking to advance on the road to the Triple Crown in the $300,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III), the Presidents' Day feature from Oaklawn Park Feb. 16.
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Far Right Breezes, Set for Southwest Stakes
Far Right completed his major preparations for the $300,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. II), the highlight of the upcoming Presidents Day card at Oaklawn Park, by breezing a half mile in company Feb. 8.
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Far Right Works, Confirmed for Southwest
Far Right will make his next start in the $300,000 Southwest Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 16 at Oaklawn Park, Ron Moquett confirmed the morning of Jan. 31. Mike Smith will again have the mount aboard the Smarty Jones Stakes winner.
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Smarty Jones Winner Far Right Ready to Return
Smarty Jones Stakes winner Far Right is expected to resume his Triple Crown preparations at Oaklawn Park, but the son of Notional may skip next month's Southwest Stakes (gr. III) in favor of the Rebel (gr. II) March 14.
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Carve Faces Only Four in Ack Ack
Carve, riding a three-race winning streak, is the main danger in the $100,000 Ack Ack Handicap Sept. 6 at Churchill Downs. The one-turn mile race for older horses drew only five runners.
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Delaunay, Gentlemen's Bet Head Vanderbilt
A compact but quality field led by top sprinters Delaunay and Gentlemen's Bet will line up Aug. 4 for the $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (gr. I), which has attracted just five older horses.
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Gentlemen's Bet to Ante Up in Count Fleet
Lightly raced and undefeated Gentlemen's Bet will add some intrigue when he faces several tough competitors in the $250,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (gr. III) at Oaklawn Park April 13.
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And Why Not Fires Oaks Bullet; 4 Others Work
Helen Groves' And Why Not fired a :46 4/5 bullet in a half-mile drill at Churchill Downs April 28. The daughter of Street Cry was one of five fillies that worked under the Twin Spires for the May 4 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).
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Shippers Invade for Oaklawn's Fantasy
With expected favorite On Fire Baby skipping the race, Hall of Fame trainers Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, and Bill Mott have entered some improving fillies in the $300,000 Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park April 11.
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UK Horse Racing Club Hosts Trainer Forum
At a program hosted by the University of Kentucky Horse Racing Club in Lexington, five prominent trainers gave attendees a glimpse of what life was like while walking in their shoes. Called "Inside Horse Racing: the Trainer's Point of View," the Oct. 8 event featured a question-and-answer session as well as a silent auction to benefit the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center.
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UK Horse Racing Club to Host Trainer Panel Discussion
The University of Kentucky Horse Racing Club will host a public panel discussion comprised of trainers Kiaran McLaughlin, John Ward, Kenny McPeek, Rebecca Maker, and Ron Moquett in the Grand Ballroom of the University of Kentucky's Student Center Oct. 8 at 6 p.m.
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Foster Upsetter Seeks California Gold Next
Seek Gold, 91-1 upset winner of the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) in his last start, arrived at Hollywood Park from Louisville on Wednesday afternoon with a new giant to slay – Lava Man in Saturday's Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I).
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Foster Winner Seek Gold Leaning to Gold Cup
Seek Gold, upset winner of the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) June 17, turned in a sparkling five furlong work on Sunday at Churchill Downs in preparation for an expected start in the $750,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) July 8. Likely favorite Lava Man was assigned 124 pounds for the 1 1/4-mile event.
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Moquett Still Feeling 'Surreal' Day After Foster
The morning after Seek Gold's stunning upset in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) was, in the words of trainer Ron Moquett, "surreal."
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Ellis Park Barn Released From Quarantine
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has released the quarantine of barn 9 at Ellis Park following a third round of negative test results for the equine bacterial disease known as strangles.
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Initial Tests Negative in Ellis Strangles Case
Results of the initial round of testing of horses quarantined barn at Ellis Park have all come back negative for the equine bacterial disease strangles.
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Strangles Identified in Horse at Ellis Park
A 4-year-old filly stabled at Ellis Park has been diagnosed with strangles. Rusty Ford, equine programs manager for the office of the state veterinarian, said the filly presented June 30 with an elevated body temperature and has since been removed from the grounds and taken to a private quarantine facility near Lexington.
