Ron the Greek, charging through the stretch along the inside, came from off the pace to nip odds-on favorite Wise Dan at the wire in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) under the lights at Churchill Downs June 16.
The 31st running of the 1 1/8-mile event sets up as a faceoff between two of the country's top older horses--Pin Oak Stable's Alternation and Morton Fink's Wise Dan.
Alternation shocked a strong field in the $400,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) April 14 at Oaklawn Park, leading all the way for his third consecutive stakes win of the meet.
Recent grade I winners Hymn Book and Ron the Greek head a strong field of eight for the $400,000 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II) April 14.
Adam Wachtel is no newbie to the Thoroughbred world. As a child, he was introduced to the industry by his father, prominent New York owner Ed Wachtel, and he grew up on the New York circuit racetracks.
Evan Hammonds recaps the Gotham Stakes and Santa Anita Handicap.
Trainer Bill Mott's team swooped into Southern California with Ron the Greek to snare the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) in convincing style March 3.
With defending champion Game On Dude skipping the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I), Ultimate Eagle leads a field of 13 in the $750,000 event March 3.
Triple Crown veteran Mucho Macho Man proved too strong for six fellow Florida-breds in the $400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park.
The $400,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic may lack numbers, but it doesn't lack talent and the potential to be an excellent betting race Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park.
Robert LaPenta's S.S. Stone again showed his affinity for the main track at Gulfstream Park with an easy victory in the $100,000 Skip Away Stakes (gr. III) April 3.
Nick Zito trainees Fly Down and Morning Line, both thought to be among the top handicap horses in 2011, could wind up as the top two choices in a star-studded Donn Handicap (gr. I) Feb. 5 at Gulfstream Park.
The early pace will definitively shape the Louisiana Derby, and so we should know after about a half-mile if the closers have a chance to win. Will there be enough early lick for that to happen?
Jason, Tom, and Rich Nilsen of twinspires.com preview the Louisiana Derby (gr. II).
The field for this weekend's Louisiana Derby (gr. II) is similar to the recently concluded Florida Derby (gr. I) in one important way: Both major Kentucky Derby preps drew full fields of promising but unproven 3-year-olds.
The $750,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds on Saturday, March 27, has drawn a field of 13, headed by Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) winner Discreetly Mine.
Jason, Tom, and James Scully of brisnet/twinspires.com preview the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) and the Risen Star (gr. II).
Fair Grounds' $300,000 prep race attracts plenty of potential stars; gains some starters from Florida.
The second stakes winner for Full Mandate scores in an early Kentucky Derby prep.
Closing from out of the clouds, Ron the Greek ran down favored Maximus Ruler in the final strides to capture the $100,000 Lecomte Stakes (gr. III) by 1 1/2 lengths at Fair Grounds Jan. 23.
